Sunday, March 28, 2010

60 years

These two beautiful people are my grandparents and this picture was taken on Saturday night when we celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. The first time Grandma remembers seeing Grandpa, the son of German immigrants, is when he spoke in church as a youth. He had just moved to Salt Lake from New York and had a heavy Brooklyn accent. He talked about things like "'boids' in the trees" and Grandma "didn't understand a word he said."

I so admire the love between my grandparents. I can remember distinct times each of them has sat and personally told me of the strong love they have for the other. When Danilo and I were first married, Grandpa pulled us aside and told us how fun and wonderful it is to be in love with the person you married. He said, "Sometimes we're even late to places, and it's because we're kissing." :) Grandma is so proud of Grandpa and Grandpa especially makes it known how proud he is of Grandma. I've had to agree with him a number of times when he'll pull me aside and ask me, "Isn't she beautiful?"

I realized last night that all of this has trickled down to the way my dad treats my mom. When I was home and Dad would call from work, I always counted on hearing him ask for her by saying something like, "Is your GORGEOUS mom there?" I realized last night that one of the greatest things parents can do for their children is show them that they love each other and I am thankful for the people who have demonstrated this so beautifully in my life!

Friday, March 12, 2010

Peanuts are a No

Danilo chuckled to himself in the kitchen."Gracie likes peanut butter," he said, walking into the room with a part-eaten peanut butter sandwich. "She's so cute." One of my eyebrows arched. "I don't think babies are supposed to have peanut butter." Since we bought Gracie a high chair and she's grown accustomed to solid foods, we've shared a little bit of this and that with her at the dinner table, a crumb from a roll, a dab of mashed potato. Watching her experiment with the new tastes and textures in her cute little mouth has been so fun. But somewhere in the recesses of my brain, I knew I had heard babies weren't supposed to have peanut butter. I don't know if it was something I had acquired from being a big sister or from child development in high school... So I ran up to the computer and did a quick Google search: babies peanut butter. I found an article that said the consistency of peanut butter can be dangerous for babies because it can get stuck in their throats. I reported my findings to Danilo. Gracie stared at us wondering what the big deal was as we watched her intently for several seconds making sure there was no peanut butter stuck in her throat. "Probably no more peanut butter, though," I said as I sat down to feed her some mashed bananas. Danilo acquiesced to his mildly paranoid wife and finished his sandwich at the kitchen table. "Are those marks on her face from rolling around on the carpet?" he asked a minute later. "I think so," I replied. A few bites of bananas later, the number of red spots had grown and now they included tiny white bumps. My only allergic reaction in my life to penicillin had me convinced immediately that our little girl was breaking out into hives. Thus began a pretty miserable Sunday afternoon. As her face began to clear up, the hives continued down her neck and stomach and legs itching like crazy. Grace only knew she was uncomfortable and except for a dose or two of Benadryl every couple of hours, we felt pretty helpless. A priesthood blessing by her Dad, Grandpa, and Great Grandpa late in the afternoon (who were at our home for a family home evening that went surprisingly well anyway) calmed Dad's and Mom's and Gracie's nerves. Monday morning she woke up completely cleared up and talking and smiling and giggling again. I've spent the week receiving an education on peanut allergies. We'll know with time and probably some allergy testing how severe it is. For now we just have to STAY AWAY from them. Peanuts are much more prevalent than I realized! I am coming to terms with the fact that my daughter may never get to experience the joy of a Leatherby's hot fudge peanut butter sundae, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, and that I might not be able to just whip up a peanut butter sandwich for lunch on a weekday afternoon. There are worse things. Aside from having an allergic reaction to peanut butter this week, Gracie officially crawled across the living room floor last night and her first tooth which we discovered yesterday at lunchtime is gradually making an appearance!

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

3 and a Half Reasons I'm Thankful

#1
We've gotten word by phone and by internet that our Chilean relatives are safe and well.



#2
Saturday's car accident was so very minor with Danilo and me up front and Grace and her aunt Chelsea in the backseat (yes, that IS the car I was driving as a junior in high school... she's so good to us!)


#3
March 1st was Spring-like enough to take a walk on the trail at the park. Gracie... this is called outside and you're going to love it!

#3 and a half
Springtime in the air means it's time to put up my favorite wreath... or putting up my favorite wreath means Spring is in the air. Good news either way!