Daddy-Daughters Dinner

Last night I had dinner with your mommys. We've started a monthly Daddy/Daughter dinner, where just the three of us get together for some quality time.

Great idea!

We came to the table with some specific things to talk about (like holiday planning) and then just let the conversation flow. (Table No. 5 at Francesca's on Bryn Mawr is perfect for quiet converations.)

It was an opportunity for me to see how beautiful your moms have become. (I wish I could find a photo of the two of them together, but I don't have one on my computer. Stay tuned. Geez, I coulda taken one with my phone last night, but didn't think of it.)

The dinner also reminded me of how much your moms love food!

Elliot's first birthday party and a walk with Grandpa

Hi Elliot,

Yesterday, your mom and dad had a birthday party for you at your home on Bradley Place.

Beautiful day (spring is in the air). Lots of people. And one of the best-tasting birthday cakes in America.

But best of all, though, you and I had a chance to go for a walk (well, as you can see here you didn't actually walk.... I pushed you in your stroller).

As we walked, you'd point at things and go, "Ahblah!" And I asked, "What are you telling me about those things you're looking at?" And you said, "Ablah!" Which clearly explained your thoughts, of course.

You had a long day. Lots of presents. Lots of love.

ELLIOT! Today we celebrate the day you were born!

Happy Birthday, fella! This is your second birthday. Your first one was one year ago today. You were born March 18, 2008 at 11:07 p.m. at Prentice Women's Hospital in Chicago. You weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces and were 19 inches long.

I remember the day! I was driving home from a meeting. Your dad called me on my cell phone about 5 o'clock in the evening. Your dad told me he and your mom were on the way to the hospital!

I smiled a big smile (ear-to-ear) all the way home to give Melba (MiMi) the exciting news. We called Uncle Casey and let him know.

We all went down to the hospital to help greet you to the world. Used to be, moms and dads had their babies pretty much by themselves when they went to the hospital. Nowadays, it really is a family affair. In addition to me, MiMi and Uncle Casey, MeMe and Paul were there, as was Grandma Joyce and Grandpa Jeff and Aunt Kari and Aunt Jessica and Uncle Dom.

Oh, and I guess you could say Cousin Henry was there, too! He was hiding, though. Getting set for his own grand entrance in another 10 weeks.

Just before you popped out, we got to visit with your mom for a bit. Then we had to leave -- go the waiting room while your mom and dad helped the doctor and nurse bring you into the world.

I was standing in the hallway when your daddy walked up to me, gave me a big hug and said, "It's a boy!" Everyone screamed with joy! Think I'm kidding? My ears are still ringing!

You are such a lucky little boy! You're loved by at least a million people. I'm so looking forward to watching you grow up!

Happy Birthday!

Come Together

This blog is for you, my grandchildren. It's posted by me, your grandfather on the Swoyer side of the family.

You were born into large, extended families. As of today and this post, there are two of you, Henry and Elliot, born in '08. I would suspect we'll have new members to this exclusive club at points down the road.

I'll keep this up for as long as I can. I expect to live to 100, so we have time (I'm 58). If I make it to 100, Henry and Elliot will be in their 40s when we celebrate my big birthday. Everyone is invited and I want to thank my kids in advance for throwing me such a wonderful party!

I can provide you with only my perspective of you and your lives. But I hope to be able to introduce you to many people and things you should know. If I miss someone or something immediately, give me time.

This weblog is the result of so many, many things falling into one place. Some of those things:

• a lifetime of wanting to write but fearing there was little to write about
• two great daughters marrying wonderful mates
• a special request -- from one of those daughters -- for personal words to describe how I feel about being a grandpa
• my son's own blog and his gift for writing.
  

It's fascinating how things come together to form something else, something so beautiful. Like grandkids.