Back From Being With Ezra

I couldn't get all three to look good in the same photo, so here's all that I took today.

I spent a couple of hours with Ezra...he slept most of the time. I finished reading a book, while rubbing his back to keep him asleep. I really can't believe I do this....good thing he's so cute and adorable! But William was working and Jessica was able to get a few chores done....okay, she went shopping :D

Auntie Donna

Auntie Donna finally gets some Ezra time....and she's happy to know that she has not lost her touch with the little ones. Ezra slept and was so very happy in her arms.

What I Learned Today

Doing business over the internet you just do not have that personal relationship.  Are you saying "Duh" yet?

I pretend to be creative by scrapbooking and card making.  My craft room (according to Dave it is a "crap" room) is jam packed with stuff.  I frequent a website that is crack for card makers.  They have a gallery of samples and tons of companies you can order more stuff from.

I kept seeing this one company, Papertrey Ink, and just coveted their stamps.  So I placed a $57 order, I know...but you had to order $55 to not pay shipping, on February 4th.  They charged my credit card right away but then I didn't receive the order.  I anxiously awaited because I really wanted the stamps.  Every time the mail/UPS/FedEx went by I was hoping I would get my order.

Checking the website, there is no phone number in the contact, I sent an email.  They said it was shipped!  After several messages it was discovered that the post office said it was delivered.  But I didn't get it!  I checked with my mail carrier and neighbors, but no package!

Okay, now for the really bad part......I was basically told that it was "delivered" and my tough luck!  I am heart broken!  I even have another order set up, waiting for my first order to be received!

I don't know what the legal part is, but this is really bad business.   Who ticks off a crafter?  You know we chat with every body!  My entire Monday afternoon group knows I've been waiting for this order.  I've been telling them how wonderful the products look on the website so you know I'll be telling them what has happened.  I Googled this and it seems that MANY people have had this problem (not with Papertrey, just in general) so I'm not taking it personally.

Here's what I learned:

1.  Check out the company and know how they ship

2.  A vendor that has experience and runs it like a business will send an email when the order is received, when it is shipped, and give you a tracking number when it is shipped

3. The "contacts" should include a telephone number, otherwise you know they're not interested in talking to anyone

4. Always use a credit card so you can dispute the charges

Crab Feed

I LOVE the annual crab feed at Castlewood Country Club.  They have a new chef and the food is even better now.  We started with Cioppino, not as good as mine but still tasty.  Then we moved to salad, pasta, and bread.  The beer was included in the price, but we opted to buy a bottle of Silver Oak 2005 Cabernet, not worth the price.

We sat at a table with good friends and two other couples that we sat with last year.  We had a blast and were pretty loud while we told stories and laughed.  We also met up with some old friends that we haven't talked to in years.  We had a great time, even if we're really exhausted from work.

Dave even had the chance to whip out his iPhone and show photos of Ezra.  I didn't bring my book because I just brought a little purse for lipstick and tissue, the book didn't fit.

The band was very good too.

Valentine's Day Dinner

My lovely friend Margaret is the hostess with the mostess. She is my total opposite....totally foo foo. We had heart shaped ice cubes, heart shaped meat loaf, red potatoes...get the theme? The dessert was so worth the calorie count! But mostly we had a wonderful time with friends.

Weekend Wine Tasting

My handsome husband and adorable daughter (aka Ezra's mom)

One happy G-ma with sweet little baby Ezra

Diaper change.....what's wrong with this?

The cool dude

Happy Valentine's Day! We cut worship services and headed up to the foothills in Fair Play. Ezra did great on the 2 1/2 hour drive. We ate lunch at Boccanato Trattoria and Ezra had a diaper change and lunch.

Then it was off to Oakstone and Obscurity winery. Dave's client owns the winery and he has a grand daughter that's not yet a year old. So here's a room full of grandparents just fussing over our sweet little baby Ezra and missing their own grand babies.

Jessica and William were very good sports since they were the youngest people there, aside from Ezra. They listened to all the grandparents tell stories about their own grand babies too.

So after tasting the wine and purchasing a couple cases we headed back home. Where Ezra awoke startled and screaming. We pulled in to the Target parking lot in Stockton and Jessica changed his diaper and calmed him down. I massaged his sweet little face and he went back to sleep for the rest of the ride. We call this his "nuclear meltdown". And I still think he's cute :)

First Trip to the Mall

This is Thursday and I spend that with Ezra. Today that meant a shopping trip with his mom, aka my daughter, Jessica. I arrived at his home to find him fed and terribly unhappy, so of course...I am an easy mark....I had to hold him and kiss him and tell him he is the most fabulous thing this side of heaven. The car was loaded and he was gently placed in his car seat. So he is not impressed with his car seat....at all. Jessica put it all safely in the car and he's actively whimpering, but not yet wailing. As soon as we take off and approach 30 miles an hour, he's quiet. This was repeated through out our journey.....30 miles is magic..it must provide the perfect vibration for sweet baby Ezra.

The funniest was when we're in Target and I gently (it truly was gently) bumped the wall while maneuvering in to the check out lane and Ezra wakes up startled. The look on his face was shock and scared and then totally not happy. It was a new look and one that I do not look forward to seeing again.

We then went to the mall with stops at Macy's, Baby Gap (which has a bathroom with a changing table and a nursing room) with lots of very cool stuff at reasonable prices, and Pottery Barn for kids. And I just want to say that the kiosks are completely annoying....sort of like a middle eastern bazaar.

A great afternoon with good buys, tasks completed, and sweet Ezra. Not sure that Jessica will be getting a good shopping partner....he's too much like his grandpa.

I'm an Easy Mark

Yesterday Ezra and his mom (formerly known as Jessica, my daughter) came up to finish the birth announcements (I know, he's almost 2 months old and these were started before he was born) and it was obvious that I'm an easy mark. I mean, here he is, barely 7 weeks old and he totally has my number! I cannot bear to hear him cry. I just want to pick him up and hold him and kiss him. But Jessica tells me that he needs to sleep and I should pat his back and say Ssh to quiet him down. I tried this at his own home and it works! But at my house....not so much.

Now Tuesday afternoon I watched it work for Jessica, and then Dave. But when I tried it.....he opens his eyes and wimpers. So I call in Dave, and it works! So now I know.....it is me. And this little guy has totally figured out that I'll pick him up and hold him and kiss him. Not such a bad thing, but he needs to sleep so he can grow and become a big strong boy.

So let it be known....from now on....I am not an easy mark. I am a match for an infant that is only weeks old! And I really mean it!

Should I ReName the Blog?

To Ezra? All the time? Can I just say that becoming a grandparent was such a profound change? I heard this would happen, but I just didn't believe it.....he is just the most wonderful thing in my current life!





Jessica and William have a friend that took these photos. She is so talented and has started a business. I highly recommend you visit her website and consider this for a shower gift.....Tara is fabulous!