Growing Smiling Babies

Today is Addy's 6 month birthday. 6 months ago today this joy came into our lives. Counting the days till Nov

Our little guy will be 5 months old on the 19th and time is flying by.

Lov to all

GiGi

I have TONS more pictures but no time today, these were just TOO cute not to share.

What's better than ONE baby TWO of course

Friday night Sept 4 we got together at Sarah and Adam's to celebrate Jeff's big 3 0 birthday! The best part I got both of these little cuties at once.

We got to Indianapolis Friday noon and were able to spend the long weekend with the kids and the babies. Saturday spending it putzing around and at night going to the Indians game with Sarah (Adam went to Illinois for a family get together)

Sunday was a day of mommies babies and GiGi - we started off at the best breakfast place in Indy and headed to the out let mall of a mass shopping for growing babies. One of the things I've learned with them is nothing goes fast OR as you plan it. Every two hours it's eat time! And then we're wet or tired or we simply just want some attention. I LOVED every single second of it.

The boys went to a bike trail IN THE RAIN that took them up rocks and a few spills and covered in MUD! Of course coming back Chris had to clean the bikes with a tooth brush! SERIOUSLY!

Sunday night Addy had us over to her house for pizza and she and Wylie crashed out like lights after their day at the mall.

Monday we (ACTUALLY) Adam Sarah and Chris worked in the yard, I washed bottles went to the grocery and hung out with Wylie. I think I got the best part of the deal.

One of the things we really enjoy while visiting is doing a yard project (that and BIKING) and this year Sarah wanted a section of the yard as a planting area. The ground was turned in July and this visit Chris and Adam planted the collective plants in the area to make a splash of color for next year when they grow back. Sarah has a great eye for what looks good together. We tell her that's the Ryg side of her genes.

Some cute pictures of the babies

Addy will be 6 months old Sept 13 how fast does the time fly and she gets cuter every day!

Wylie will be 5 months on Sept 19 and he is growing so fast and is so cute. I LOVE it when he laughs he likes me to say GiGi to him that makes him giggle.

I'll have more tomorrow as we have 2 rolls of

film in to get developed, that I know will have more cute pictures of them!

Lov to all

GiGi

BAD GRAMMA GiGi

With Sarah's latest post I realized I had not put a THING on my blog for months OMG MONTHS! So a quick update on the wee ones who are getting bigger ever minute. SLOW DOWN babies I want to treasure every moment~

I'm always so thrilled when Sarah and Adam post another Wylie pic or Tennelle sends me a great new shot of Addy on my phone. I have been putting them together to make my self a book that some day I can show those darlings.

It seems like March 13th and April 19th are eons away and every day that I know I'm headed to Indianapolis the minutes seem to drag. I've heard that the babies are now in the "stranger" mode and Chris and I are both afraid they won't know us. We hope it just takes a little getting used to but once they feel the love we have for them they will settle down and let us hold them and cuddle.

We've been up early June for an adult happy hour shower for baby Wylie then back for the 4th of July and soon (NOT SOON ENOUGH) for Labor Day.

When we went up in June we "borrowed" Addison to do a surprise picture of her with us in our Addison Fire shirts. I have a friend who is an Addison Fireman and we found it funny to dress up and surprise Addy's Mom and Dad with a picture on her dresser. She slept through the entire event!

June was also the first time we met our beautiful wonderful new Grandson who my heart bursts with love for. Baby Wylie and Addison are what makes life so worthwhile every minute.

We love visiting Indianapolis and going down town, on this day we went and met Sarah for lunch and took a stroll to the fountain. It's a beautiful city and we are both happy our grand children will be raised in this nice community.

June 7th the babies had their Christening and we were so happy to be there for that. It was planned since we all were in town so we could attend.

Addy looked to beautiful in her pretty girly white dress.

July 4th on our visit we got to be with all our extended family of Barb and Bob with all the kids and Tennelle's brother and wife and their two kids. We had cookouts with everyone 2 nights and it once again it makes me appreciate being a part of Sarah and Jeff's lives. Sarah told me she is so glad that we aren't like other families and we can all get together and we truly enjoy each others company.


How cute are the two loves of my life! Addy thinks it's funny but Wylie just cares about the toys~

How about these two little "firecrackers"

The most recent sent via text phone from Tennelle and the other via Sarah are most current of these dolls. I can't wait for Sept 4th to see them both.

Lov to all

GiGi

Life sure changes in a short 2 weeks

It sure doesn't seem like only 2 weeks that this little guy joined the family. Today I went to have some pictures made and I couldn't believe what I was doing SHOWING THE WALGREEN'S GUY my Grand Daughter and Grand Son~! How funny is that. AND I made some copies to make myself a brag book to carry around. Is this really me???

I met a lady last week that told me being a Grand Ma is the only thing that is NOT over rated! How true that is.

Every where I go I think of those new babies in our lives and think oh Addy would like that or Wylie will have fun when Papa takes him on a hike on the trail in the woods. I even was in the cereal isle the other day and found these cute cheerios containers for them and then realized OMG they don't even have teeth!

Life could not be better! I am looking forward to going to Indy the first weekend in June to meet Wylie and hopefully spend some time with Addy. But in the mean time pictures are wonderful. I love to see them change and grow. Here is baby Wylie 2 weeks and 4 days old. What a grip that one has HMMMM baseball or football??

That's all for now

Lov to all

GiGi

Is this guy a looker or what?

4 days old and he can make any girls heart skip a beat! At least he sure can mine.

After many text messages my dear Adam got me a wonderful picture with his beautiful eyes open. I think he's looking for me to come visit. We will be going to Indy the weekend of May 15th for a lot of holding and loving!

When I talked to Sarah yesterday all I could hear through the line was pure joy and love. She said he did good, eats a lot and is a good good baby. How could he help it with a Mom and Dad like his! Comisky LOVES him and Grendel can't decide what to think. Walter the cat really could care less. The neighbor kids want him to come out and play they don't quite understand it will be a little while for that.

All I know for sure is I think this is the biggest blessing I have ever gotten in my whole life. I often wondered what it would be like to be GiGi. All I think of all day is Wylie and Addison and their Mom's and Dad's and how they are all doing. I dream of next year when I hope we will resume our annual trip to St George Island where I can play in the sand with them and watch them run from the water as the waves touch their toes. I think about when I can hold them next and tell them how much I love them and are so very grateful to have them in my life.

A lady told me last week, being a gramma is the one thing that is NOT over rated. I think so far I completely agree!

Lov to all

GiGI

Boy Baby ARRIVES YEA

Our Grand Son Wylie Garrett Nielsen joined our family yesterday April 22nd (happens to be the day of his Great Grand Pa Ryg's Birthday who would of loved to see him)

I can hardly wait to get my hands on this guy!

More later as I get some pictures from Sarah and Adam

Lov to all
GiGi

Prayers and Thanks to B & G for this blessed gift of life and love. We all promise to do our very best to protect this little gift and raise him LOADED with LOVE.

AND he has LOADS of Grammas and Grampas to GENTLY spoil him.

MY Sweet loving Sarah is a MOM OMG!!!

Our first visit with Addison

April 4th we got to be with all the "kids" and meet the newest Ryg. I thought my heart was going to BURST! She is so tiny and has the cutest little mouth and LONG fingers. My gramma would say "a piano player"

It was a beautiful day in Indianpolis and we spent Saturday at Jeff and Tennells' on the porch (the guys putting together rocking chairs that Chris plans on sitting rocking Addy)

The day was one of those days that couldnt' have been better, and one that I'll think of when I'm having a bad day. Kind of like one of those Norma Rockwell days, the family hanging out doing a project and talking about the new additions future.

In my life I think there is not one thing better than having all of us together. I guess that's why the beach means so much to me because it's a time when we all gather and just hang out. Just like this Sat in Indy.

Lov to All

GiGi

Addison is so advanced~

The other night while watching Dancing With the Stars I got a delightful picture from Jeff of Addison. I have this picture on my black berry when I open it to see her. She looks so tiny but in this picture looks like she is actually waving to us. I believe she is saying "hurry up GiGi and Papa I want to meet you"

April 4th can not come soon enough.

Lov to All

GiGi

Lucky Friday the 13th

We are so blessed to have an addition to our family weighing in at 6 lbs 8 oz and 20 inches long. Addison Claire Ryg joined this world late afternoon on Friday the 13th of March. Her Gramma Barb's birthday! Our little one had a tiny bit of trouble but as a Ryg she is a fighter and got out of NICU the next day. She is now 9 days old and I am counting the days till I can be in Indy and see her and tell her how happy we are to have her.

I talked to Jeff today and the excitement in his voice made me cry he is so in love with his wonderful daughter and so proud of Tennelle for giving them this gift. He was watching her alone for the first time and taking pictures of her to send with his black berry. Jeff has never been a picture taker but I do believe that will change with this new arrival.

We will be going to Indy on April 4th for a quick visit and see our new Grand Daughter. How wonderful that will be. I'm pretty sure by the time I leave she will be able to say GiGi!

Now we have less than a month for our next blessing of baby Wylie to join the family and the time can't move fast enough.

That's all for now ending with a picture of Addison 9 days old.

Pink Baby almost here

So it's been a week and poor Tennelle has had some early labor but fortunately not dilated. She has been put on bed rest which can't be easy for a mover like her, but she knows it's best for Addison so she's obeying. It looks like Addison will be brought into this world sooner than April but everyday she holds off is best for her growth.

Jeff and Tennelle closed on their new house in Indy last week and the weekend was spent with Jeff and Adam putting baby furniture together. How nice it is to have them hang out and do things together. The painters are finishing up and soon they will be in their new house the nursery ready and all her pink soft little things ready for a tiny one to snuggle into.

I can't seem to go any where lately without buying something for the babies. Since they are going to be so close in age if I find one thing I automatically just HAVE to find something for the other one. Kind of like having twins~

The next few weeks are going to be a whirl wind for everyone and I couldn't be more excited about it. I can hardly wait to hold these little ones and tell them wonderful stories. (Chris and I have starting putting together a great story for them)

When Sarah was little Chris used to tell her "King" stories. They were stories about a King and a little girl (I'm sure you can guess who that little girl was) we have better ones planned for the next generation. Stories that they will think about for years to come. And of course I'll have to share with them the ones my Gramma told me about Fido and the coal bin~!

The next time we see Jeff and Tennelle

I will be Gramma GiGi

Last Saturday night we were lucky enough to get Jeff and Tennelle to spend the night with us after closing on their house. Their Atlanta house sold and they packed it up, did the papers and are now waiting to close on their new house in Indianapolis. We hate to have them leave Atlanta but are so glad they will be close to Sarah, Adam and baby Wylie as the kids grow up.

After the packing and closing was done we had a nice visit with a cozy fire, a good dinner and some catching up. Baby Addison is growing and moving around, Chris and I got to feel her do a few back flips. I guess she gets that from her cheer leading Mom~!

I keep thinking of what she will look like, Jeff and Tennelle tell me she's going to be long so she will be tall. And since both Jeff and Tennelle are blond I think a white cotton top baby is in store for us.

Sunday they were headed off back to Indianapolis to start the rest of their journey, a house closing, a nursery to get ready and then the big event. It can not come too soon!

I've asked Tennelle to try and make it the week of March 30th when I'll be up that way and can make a trip to Indy to see the new arrive. I've also told her not to let Addison join this world the week of the 16th since we will be on the west coast.

I wonder if I'll get my wish?

Baby shower for Addison Ryg

Last Saturday, off I went to Birmingham Al where our favorite daughter in law hails from. A ladies baby shower was planned by sisters and Mom for an afternoon get together. Tennelle, mom to be, Sarah aunt to be, and Barb, #1 Mom of Jeff and Sarah and over the moon thrilled Gramma to be, were all there joined by the friends and family of Tennelle. As showers go, which those of you that know me well, I am not a huge fan of, but ANYTHING FOR OUR KIDS, it was nice! My gosh baby girl cloths are SO cute.

If you weren't aware, not only are we getting Addison Ryg in April (I'm hoping the last week of March when I'm in town) but the end of April we are also growing our family with Wylie Nielsen. Wylie is a gift from God as our soon to be adopted baby boy to Sarah and Adam. Now once baby Wylie joins the family he is one of us. Like it or not Wylie, this extended crazy sometimes too many parents family, is yours forever. The good part is you have lots of Grandparents to go to for ANYTHING!

So back to the shower, I decided that since I was going to a shower and bringing fun little girl things to Tennelle and Addison, that blue little things were in store for Sarah and Baby Wylie. I've attached a picture of the two presents ready for the trip. When I was wrapping them I couldn't help but think how wonderful it's going to be to have a pink and a blue baby just about the same age forever. The kids (oh yes even at 29 and 27 they are kids to me) talk about how fun to have babies and kids birthdays and for them to be comparing notes and all the things that raising a family is about.

I feel so fortunate to see the love that Sarah and Jeff share and it's so wonderful to have them in the same town near the same area ready to bring little ones into the world and our lives.

The picture is of the girls.

Barb #1 Mom, Sarah #1 Daughter, Tennelle #1 Daughter in Law and Gramma GiGi

Starting out my blog as Gramma GiGi

I've enjoyed reading Sarah and Adam's blog so much that I decided to create my own telling of the adventures of a first time Gramma! Or GiGi and I have chosen to be know as.

I am the step mom to Sarah and Jeff, but not one of those mean nasty ones that you read about in the fairy tales. I have been a part of their lives since Sarah was 2 or 3 and Jeff was wise beyond his years about life and getting his own way. I've been married to their Dad for going on 19 years and have been truley HONORED to have them as my family, including their Mom. We have a great relationship all of us, we respect and wish the best for each other. I think that's what makes our extended family work.

I knew someday in my life I would be a Gramma but I just didn't realize how excited I could be. In April of 2009 I will move from Pattio (my name loveingly given by Sarah) to Gramma GiGi.

Gramma GiGi comes because as most in my age group we are NOT OLD enough to be Gramma! OMG are you kidding! So while spending time with a freind, who is known as CG to her grand daughter, I decided that GiGi fit quite nice. Since we live in Georgia it could be Georgia Gramma or when I'm feeling fisty, GORGEOUS Gramma! How excited I am for the first time a little one says GiGi.

Jeff has found it quite humorous to send me notes about articles on "grandpartents picking the name their grandkids call them" Frankly I really don't care, I just want those kids to know me and like to be with me as I did with my Gramma. She was just plain old Gramma. No cutesie name just Gramma. I guess my cousins called her Gramma Nora as they had other Grammas but I didn't, I just had her!

My Gramma lived to be 96 she was born in 1900 and had a good life for most of those 96 years. She was sometimes strong willed and as Chris says she RULED the family. My early memories of my Gramma were on Friday nights. I would get to sleep over and go grocery shopping with her and my Aunt Mary, of course if I was good, I'd get a treat (one of those cheezy grocery store toys in a small little section) Then we'd go back to her house and watch TV and have either a Black Cow (root beer with ice cream) or a dish of NY Cherry Ice Cream. Wow simple pleasures are the best. Until she was I think 86 she used to be able to sit on her bottom on the kitchen floor and scoot cheek to cheek with her arms crossed moving across the floor laughing as she went, showing she was in good shape.

Since this is my first attempt I will end now and add some pictures and more later.
Lov to all who care to read this.

Gramma Gi Gi