Our 'Traditional' Family Expands

Meet Dominic Dean Byers. He arrived in a Columbus, Ohio, hospital a little more than a month ago and is the son of Grace's dad, Rob, and Rob's wife of six years, Tara.  It's been a rough road for Rob and Tara, between their own pregnancy struggles and major disappointments during the adoption process. It's all behind them now, though, and Dominic, most likely to be known as Nick, is home.

Grace is over the moon. She's been talking about her "baby brother" since the moment she found out (which was at the last minute, because she had already experienced some dashed hopes).  

I've been reminded of when Joe and I told Grace we were expecting Eva. She grinned, and said, "my family is huge." She then spent the ensuing months talking about what it would be like to have a little sister and what a great big sister she planned to be.

When Eva met Nick about a week ago, she immediately called him "baby brodder," having listened to Grace's excited descriptions for weeks. 

He's now 10 pounds and hardly ever cries, although he makes his needs known. His name is a nod to his largely Italian descent (and Rob is 1/2 Italian anyway).

It will be interesting to figure out how to explain this to Eva as she continues to mature. Eva is a funny, goofy toddler, but she's also sharp and perceptive. I just keep in mind how well Grace has drifted with the tide over the years. 

It's all good.

  

That Little Island

We had qualms, I'll freely admit. A two-year-old who is not familiar with large cities is like a minefield. But then there is Grace. She's the perfect age to experience New York City for the first time.

See, there was a National Conference of Insurance Legislators meeting in New York, at the Times Square Marriott Marquis no less, and Joe needed his continuing legal education credits. Our bosses would pay room and board (to a point). When would we get this chance again? We decided to brave it. The compromise was finding a hotel away from the hustle of Times Square that was comparable in price (a little less actually) that could offer a suite with a kitchenette. Not as glamorous, but a practical choice, and it paid off.

We decided not to worry about nap time -- as you can see that took care of itself.

We quickly realized that the subway was too hot, loud and confusing to deal with while toting a toddler. But we we love to walk, and found cabs to be pretty darned affordable.

The first day, we arrived in the afternoon. I thought a ferry ride would help give Grace an idea of the size of this great city, and Joe and I really enjoyed the historical background that was provided by our guide.

It also was a nice way to beat the heat.





We met my good friend Beverly, who works in Manhattan and lives in Hoboken, for dinner and Eva didn't embarrass us too much, so that was nice. The next morning, Joe was off to the conference and Bev and her husband, Matt, joined us joined us for lots of walking, including a trek through Central Park.
Even though Eva is crying in this picture (because I stepped away from the stroller), most of the time she seemed to really enjoy the fast pace and all the people. Grace had to adjust a little to all the walking, but it wasn't long before she had picked up the city-dweller gate.

At the end of the day we met Joe at the Marquis for drinks. Expensive, yes, but the view can't be beat.


Bev and Matt were very patient with our kids -- spoiling Grace and not cringing at Eva's antics.

The next morning, I took Grace to the American Girl Place. This is a phenomenon I had not been aware of, but once I learned about, felt it would have to be part of a little girl's New York Experience. Of course I gave in and bought her a doll (which is just the beginning of what you can buy there. Believe me when I say that it was clear to me that I was on the low end of the socio-economic scale of these shoppers). We brunched at the Cafe, where everything was pink and girly (note the waiters' aprons).

Even Grace's pancakes were shaped like flowers. There were something like five dishes to choose from, and I could have even had a champagne cocktail. These folks know what they're doing.

The little box contained questions that Grace and I could ask each other to make conversation. "What was the best birthday party you've ever attended?" "What do you think you'll be doing 10 years from now?"

Chocolate mousse and a flower sugar cookie for dessert. Too much!

The last day, Bev and I took Grace to see the Broadway musical "Wicked." I hadn't even heard of the book/show until I planned this trip, but Bev correctly guessed that it would be entertaining for Grace ... and us. I thought the red eyes here were appropriate.

On our way out of town, Bev and Matt served us brunch at the lovely apartment with a great view of Manhattan. A really great trip that would not have been nearly as fun without them to guide us. Thanks guys!

On Holiday

Well, we made it to the beach. I was starting to wonder if it would really happen, but the 9-hour drive was so worth it. A week isn't nearly long enough, but the weather was wonderful, and the Outer Banks a peaceful respite.

To make the drive more enjoyable, we split the trip and stopped off in Williamsburg, Va., where

I booked tickets to Busch Gardens. It was hotter than the pits of hell that day.

The place is interesting enough, but I'm afraid I overestimated Grace's enthusiam for fast or high-elevation rides. I couldn't even get her on the water flume, which I would have not minded escorting her on, despite my fear of heights and general chicken tendencies.

Oh well. At least it wore the girls out so much, they slept well (before we even got to the hotel).

The next morning, we headed to Rodanthe, where my parents and brother Jim met us for a week of relaxation (most of the time).

I think it's a good bonding experience for my parents and Uncle Jim to live in the same house with the girls -- plus, I figure it makes them appreciate how peaceful their own lives are.....















One day we headed to Ocracoke Island, which is accessible only by ferry. There we rented bicyles and rode all around the little island. Grace had a blast, and Eva even managed a nap.

Back at the house, I took every chance I could get to simply sit and enjoy the surf. And yes, I wore plenty of sunscreen....









We also took many walks.

























The day we left, Grace and I rose before dawn to catch the sunrise, something Grace had not yet experienced. That's the full moon behind her..

There was the long car ride back, but the portable DVD player helped.

Farm Livin

It's not the lap of luxury, but having a "country" place to run off to on the weekends has been a real treat for us.

Once a working farm belonging to Joe's Altizer grandparents, the property was sold to Joe several years ago. He bought 12 acres; his parents own 8 (although they live a few miles away). His aunt's property also abuts ours.

The expanse of land makes us feel secluded, but in truth, we are less than a mile from Interstate 64.

We love to fuss over the place, especially Joe, who cruises around on his tractor. But we also have resigned ourselves to the fact that because we can only be there on weekends, usually ever other, we can't be too particular. It allows our bohemian tendencies, which are close to the surface anyway, to flourish.

It was originally a four-room house, but his grandparents eventually added a new kitchen on the back.

I have plans to paint each room soft, cheerful colors. In fact, Joe and I bought a can of a fetching green paint for the kitchen, right before I found out I was pregnant with Eva. The can remains unopened. Sigh....

I certainly never thought I'd have a second home, and there are challenges that come with such a commitment, but we are helped greatly by Joe's father, who tends the vegetable garden and keeps an eye on the place.

Even in the winter, it is a lovely escape.

Back when we remodeled the kitchen in Charleston, we stayed at the farm for over a month and commuted to work. Joe did the 45- minute trek five days a week for many years, and I now have a great appreciation for all those who have to drive that far each day. I've never been more than 10 minutes away from the jobs I've held. Yes -- I'm spoiled.

I'm spoiled in many ways. Recently I came up with the bright idea of planting wildflowers along a stretch of tall grass that runs next to the pond. We'll be able to gaze at them from the front porch, and the birds will love them! So Joe and his father turned over the soil and Joe planted the seeds. I did .... absolutely nothing! My kind of project.

They decided to throw in some potatoes as well. Apparently they are one of the few crops that the deer won't bother and we certainly will make good use of them.

Strangely, another crop we are enjoying at the moment are cherries. This is unusual because every other year the birds get most of them before anyone can pick them.

Right now we are being besieged by locusts. These giant, ugly critters are flying all over the place (one landed on my back -- I freaked out accordingly). They leave skins everywhere, ick.

But they also are a feast for the birds, who must be so stuffed, they have left the cherries alone. Joe's parents canned a bunch, and there are still tons left. I am now in search of a good cherry pie recipe.

Lovely Time

This weekend started out pretty normal, but unfortunately without Joe, who headed to Cincinnati to watch a Reds game with some buddies, an annual trek. We missed him, but I think he had a really good time.

Fridays I like to "splurge" on a maybe-not-perfectly-nutritional meal that the girls will consider a treat. This time it was a picnic in the front yard with chicken nuggets (veggie, of course), tater tots (one of my favorites, I must admit) and peaches.

Eva loves "kackup" so much, that at the sight of the red pile on the platter, she gleefully ran toward the picnic, tripped on her blanket ("ganky") and landed in the ketchup. Luckily, we have more than one ganky, so I was able to replace it and they continued with their meal.

Please excuse the poor quality of some of these photos, I'm still adjusting to our new camera.

Anyway, Grace's dad and stepmom babysat the girls Saturday afternoon so I could go see Sex and The City. I know some reviewers have panned it, considering it too shallow, but I didn't take it that seriously and enjoyed it immensely. Took myself out for a little dinner, then retrieved Eva in time for bedtime. I picked up Grace the following morning.

Sunday was my usual furious cooking in an attempt to get ready for the week. I had so many leftover veggies I decided to attempt to make my own vegetable stock. Not sure how it turned out.

The weather was beautiful most of the weekend, with the exception of a quick Sunday afternoon storm. Rain poured for about 15 minutes and then hail.

A little shopping at the mall, then Joe met us for dinner at Chili's. I was determined I was going to have dinner at an outdoor table, so that meant a wait with a cranky Eva and bored Grace, but in the end it was very nice.

Keeping In Touch

I have decided to give this blogging thing a try. While anyone who knows me knows I have strong and abundant political views, I would merely like to use this as a way to update family and friends on the goings-on in our rich, but busy lives. We'll see how it goes...........Joe and I have been married for three years now. Eva just turned 2 and Grace is 9. There are job schedules -- we both work for the Legislature -- Grace's time with her dad and stepmom, and the two houses (and mortgages) we had when we met and continue to enjoy (Charleston, most of the time, Barboursville, when we can get there on the weekends).

Grace plays soccer and has taken swim lessons periodically. That's about all the regular extracurricular activity we can handle. Overachieving parents we are not.

I love this state and being close to my parents, a mere few miles, in fact. But I'm sad that all my girlfriends from high school and college not only live all around the country (sad only because I don't get to see them regularly), and now their parents are starting to relocate to be closer to them, so the incentive to come back to WV is diminishing rapidly.

Still, Joe and I really enjoy living here. And now that the state is being viewed nationally as the land of racist rednecks, maybe we are more obligated than ever to stay and fight the good fight. (Oops. That was a political statement, wasn't it. And on my very first post....)