No Coal in My Stocking But a Flare Up of Kidney Stones - December 3013.

I spent the last two Christmases in far off India so I was looking forward to a 
change of pace and sharing the holiday with my bouncing, cheerful 
granddaughter, Harper Ann.  While all three of my sons would not be gathered
for the occasion ( Shawn, the oldest, is on Air Force duty in Kuwait ), Jeremy,
my youngest, drove up from San Francisco and we had a special Christmas
eve dinner at Laura and Alex's.  Harper Ann, of course, was the star of the
evening in her "waiting up for Santa" pajamas - though she was snug in bed
about 9PM.

I added a "baby's first Christmas ornament" with Harper's name on it to the 

tree which smelled wonderfully but was fast losing it's needles.  At 8-1/2-months,

Harper was easily diverted from the gifts by a shiny red bag filled with gold paper 

which kept her amused, no matter how often she reached for it.

Needless to say, with my three sons, football is going to be part of this young lady's

life.  Here she is sporting the San Francisco Forty Niners hat her Uncle Jer gave

to Laura.  Nicest of all is that Uncle Jer won the fantasy football pool this season

and donated it to start Harper's college fund.  I can't imagine what college will 

cost when she is a freshman.

Slowly but surely, there is a little bit of hair sprouting on that head.  She has bright

blue eyes and, for the most part, she's cheerful and happy - HOWEVER, Harper

can certainly exercise her lungs and let you know when she is displeased.

I just couldn't resist this little outfit - though she only got one day's wear out of

it.  After all, there is just one FIRST Christmas in a granddaughter's life.  I am so

glad I was home for the occasion.

Much to my dismay, however, early in the wee small hours of Christmas day, as

Santa was still soaring over the tree tops, I'm sure, I woke up with the first twinges 

of right flank pain.  They kept increasing in severity and, even after medication 

and drinking a couple of gallons of water, I knew I was in for a bout of renal colic.

I've had kidney stones for about fifteen years, have had lithotripsy twice withour

success, and have learned to live with them, for the most part.  If I stay adequately

hydrated, I'm usually fine but I guess I had been remiss with my water intake.  

For most of Christmas day and the next, I stayed in bed, missing most of the

festivities.  I did, however, manage to get up long enough for unwrapping of 

gifts and enjoying watching Harper Ann tear into the paper, ribbons and nibble

on all the gift tags.  While the rest of the family went off for Christmas dinner,

I stayed home with the granddogs and thanked my lucky stars I, at least, 

didn't have to head to the emergency room.

"Unlce Jer - sometime I call him Uncle J - says he is going to teach me all the

important  things like how to crab and fish and shoot a gun.  I ike it because he

reads to me from the Spanish books my mom buys.  He speaks Spanish

better than Dad or Nana."

"I know Nana was glad to have a granddaughter...she tells me that all the time.

I think she is worn out from having three sons.  Besides, I can wear cute clothes

like purple hats.  I like all my presents but I really liked chewing on the tags."

"Nana REALLY does take a lot of pictures...not just of me but of everything."

"Ohhhh, I knew this was a Spanish book - "El Camioncita Azul" or something

like that - because Mom said Uncle J had to read it to me.  Nana said that,

someday, he will take me to Barcelona, one of her favorite cities or, maybe,

even to Cuba!"

Well, that was my Christmas.  I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday and that

it did NOT include coal or kidney stones.

Blessings and may 2014 be filled with love, properity, happiness and peace.

FINALLY!! Skype at the Vukasinovic Household! - August 14, 2013

Skype has been a real asset in my life.  I think most people are pretty 

familiar with this wonderful service that makes staying in touch with family

and friends, worldwide, a real bargain.  I use it constantly wherever I am

throughout the globe.  I have it on my computer and on my mobile phone.

With the arrival of my beautiful granddaughter, Harper Ann on April 14 and

my imminent departure for India on June 3rd, I implored Laura and Alex to 

get Skype so I could keep up with that precious baby's growth and to talk 

to my granddogs as well.  

Well, at his usual snail's pace, it took Alex awhile to buy a webcam and

get Skype.  But, this morning, when I heard that familiar Skype ring at 5AM,

I was so thrilled to see Harper Ann's sweet face and bald head with her dad

and both uncles present.  For some reason, Alex couldn't hear me - though I

turned my volume up to its maximum.  When he flicked a dial on his computer,

it blared, sending poor Harper into a bout of tears.  Papa knew just the 

answer - Laura, who is back at her paramedic job while Alex is now on his

paternity leave, came to the immediate rescue with boobie milk.  Laura 

says she is beginning to feel like a milk cow, she is pumping during lunch

and her breaks at work.  As you can see, Harper Ann fell contentedly asleep,

resting in Daddy's arm.

Harper doesn't know quite what to make of all this "Skype" stuff.

Who is that voice coming from the computer?

That "Nana" person is sure carrying on like crazy!

Maybe I am getting a little tired of this!

Nana, you cut off my head!

Whoops, I've got the droolies!

My goodness, Dad, they could hear Nana down at Target!

What do Dad and Uncle Shawn find so funny?  I can't believe

Mom would leave me with them and Uncle Jeremy!  No wonder

I'm frowning!

Uncle Jeremy says he had shoulder surgery - I think he just

doesn't want to change poopy diapers!

Ah, sleeping like a baby.  That boobie milk does it every time...safe

and sound in Dad's arms.

Happy 29th Birthday to Alexander the Great ( the one I delivered) - August 27, 2011

Since I've posted so many pictures already of my children, I won't go overboard

and do so today on Alex's 29th birthday.  I can't believe all those years have

gone by since I agonized in the delivery room, trying to expel that 8 pound, 9

ounce football player from my uterus.  It all happened fairly quickly, thank

heavens, since I didn't even get an epidural!  Part of that was my fault.  I had

Alex at Mt. Zion Hospital in San Francisco where I'd worked both in psychiatry

and the operating room.  My inpatient adolescent psych unit had ceased to

exist and was, in fact, part of the building that had became the Department

of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 

I had arrived, in labor, a bit early so I went across the street to visit my pals

in the operating room.  My obstetrician gave me CLEAR instructions to

come back when my contractions were five minutes apart.  I had fully

intended to do so but I waited for one more friend to get her afternoon

break and, the next thing I knew, my contractions were four minutes apart.

By the time, I waited for the elevator, crossed the street to the Pavilion and

waited for that elevator, I realized I was REALLY uncomfortable.  The

nurse checked me and rushed me to the delivery room. 

"Wait, wait," I complained loudly, "I can't have a baby without an

epidural!  I didn't go to classes.  I want an epidural." 

Totally unsympathetic, my doc said, "Don't worry, your son will be here

before you know it." 

I tell you, I never pushed so hard in my life and I guess I pushed him around

so much for eighteen years that he left home for UC Davis after high school

and he's been gone ever since!

Alex is the middle of my three sons!  I'd forgotten about birthing babies since

Shawn was already eleven when Alex came along!  He's a terrific young man

and he chose a wonderful wife.  So far, he's the only one of my boys to get

married.  I owe him big time for bringing Laura into our family ( oh, yes, he

also gave us Taffy, my female granddog! ).



For some reason, as a toddler, Pampers boxes were Alex's favorite toys.  He had

no use for all the expensive toys piled up in his room - that is, other than his

collection of  stuffed leopards and his supreme favorite, "dirty leppie".

Alex and Laura just got back from Hawaii so I'm posting a couple of

pictures from their vacation.

He's certainly gotten skinny since his college football days!

Laura and Alex at the Pali in Honolulu - the two share

August as a birthday month!  Laura's was the 12th

while they were in Hawaii!

Today, while going through yet another stack of papers for the garbage pile, I

came across a booklet Alex did for his English class ( it won't be tossed! ) 15

years ago.  He titled it, "Creative Free-Style Poetry".  His teacher gave him an

A+.  Reading it today, I shed a few tears.  Included among his compositions

were works about me and his brother, Jeremy.  Wonder why his oldest

brother, Shawn, wasn't in there!!



It really want't my intent to have THREE sons.  Each time, I kept thinking

I'd finally have my little girl, to dress in frilly pink frocks, to set her hair in

ringlets, to take on shopping expeditions, to share my love of cooking

and cake decorating.  Thinking about it now, though, I wouldn't give up

any of my wonderful three sons.  Each of them is so special to me, each

unique and individual and I love them dearly.

Alex, on your birthday, I want you to know I truly am proud of the man

you've become, of how hard you work, of your integrity and kindness and

respect for others.  You know what you want and work toward that goal,

regardless of how others might try to dissuade you.  You have a lovely

wife and home and two great dogs who adore you.  I know it is not easy

working your crazy schedule and going to school but you keep your nose

to the grindstone and, eventually, it will all be behind you.  My only

admonition is to, occasionally, take time to stop and smell the flowers.

I love you.  Have a happy birthday.  I am so happy you, Shawn, and

Jeremy were chosen for me.

Mom

Motherhood - Flash 55 Friday, July 30, 2010

Motherhood - Flash 55 Friday, July 30, 2010

I bore three strapping healthy sons,

They're a source of so much joy,

I 'd hoped to have a little girl,

But knew only how to make a boy!

My oldest son helped so much,

As did Elmira, who kept our house,

For I often did the work of two,

So I'd survive without a spouse.

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c) 2010 by Carmen Henesy

All rights reserved

If you would like to tell a tale in exactly 55 words, post it and go and tell Mr. G-Man

 

 

A very dear friend from India, Rohan Saraf, who is a bar manager for my favorite cruise line, Royal Caribbean  ( before my job loss 17 months ago, I'd done 78 cruises in 15 years with them ), posted a video on Facebook yesterday.  It addresses motherhood and I thought it was hysterical, even more so, because, having raised three sons to adulthood, I could so identify with it. Especially for all the mothers among my readers, I am attaching it here.  I am sure fathers could also relate to it, as well.  Pass it along to other mothers you know who need a laugh to keep going!!