Happy Birthday Uncle Jonathan

The family got together at "On The Border - Mexican Restaurant" for Uncle Johnny's Birthday.

The family gathers to celebrate Uncle Jonathan's Birthday.

Reef Indy & Family enjoy dinner at "On The Border."

Happy Birthday Uncle Jonathan! (with Aunt Heather)

Babysitting - Mission Accomplished!

Last Night's Oma / Reef babysitting session did not go off without a hitch. The baby was with us less than three hours. Reef went through four diapers - two outfits – and believe it or not, a blanket! That is not to say that our time together was in anyway a fail!

Quite the contrary; our time together was enlightening and very bonding. 

Reef’s life is pretty simple at the moment: eat, pee, poop, and sleep. Let us not forget crying and crying a lot! Oma knows that for Reef, crying is the best and only way to communicate his needs. Oma and Opa’s challenge was to learn how to decode Reef’s cries so that we could tell the difference between "I'm hungry" and "I'm uncomfortable."

By the time Mom and Dad had returned for their bundle of joy, Baby Reef was sleeping quietly and comfortable. Mission Accomplished!

Reef Indy - Age 1 Week

Enough To Clog The Pipes

What a mess!!!! Still kinda cute tho!!

The diaper says there is enough to clog the pipes. (Really funny when you remember that this sweet baby's father is a plumber). And at 2:50 am this morning, this is the diaper Daddy grabs. Thanks Auntie Sierra!!

Reef was full of poo and right when Daddy was finished cleaning up, Baby Reef  he went again !!!! 

411 On Baby PooP

A newborn can have as many as eight to ten bowel movements a day, but as long as he is having at least one, he's probably all right.

One day without a bowel movement is usually no cause for concern. As long as your baby is feeding well and wetting his diaper five or six times a day, then he's most likely getting enough to eat. If he starts to become uncomfortable or has a persistently swollen abdomen, then he may need some help with pooping, and you should speak to your pediatrician about how to facilitate this.

In the early days, a newborn's bowel movements are thick and dark green in color. This is due to a substance called meconium that has been building up in his intestines during pregnancy. As the baby starts to feed and have bowel movements, he will finish expelling the meconium and his stools will start to turn yellowish. It is not uncommon for an infant's bowel movements to vary in color from day to day. The color of the stools can depend on a variety of things, including what a breastfeeding mom is eating, how hydrated the baby is, and the type and frequency of formula the infant is being fed, if applicable.

Source

Happy Oma and Opa Day!

Opa gets Reef to smile!

Yesterday, Baby Reef came home from the hospital. His first day at home went well. Of course, why wouldn’t it; Mom and Dad are prepared and very patient.

Today is Grandparent’s Day. Oma has never paid much attention to this “holiday” before. However, Reef has changed that.

The impetus for a National Grandparents Day originated with Marian McQuade, a housewife from West Virginia. Her primary motivation was to champion the cause of lonely elderly in nursing homes. She also hoped to persuade grandchildren to tap the wisdom and heritage their grandparents could provide.

In 1978, President Jimmy Carter, proclaimed that National Grandparents Day would be celebrated every year on the first Sunday after Labor Day.

“A Song For Grandma And Grandpa" by Singer/Songwriter Johnny Prill
is the official song of National Grandparents Day.

Happy Oma and Opa Day!

Which path will these tiny feetstamp upon?

Three Generations of Smiths - Dad Zack and Opa frame Baby Reef’s Feet

Future skateboarder or plumber or racecar driver like his uncle Moses? A combination of all three?

 

Which path will these tiny feet stamp upon?  Reef’s voyage began yesterday – his world will be filled with love and comfort; safe in the knowledge that his path is lined by the persons, who like trees, will stand tall to willingly shade his way.

Reef With Opa

Opa meets his grandson, Reef for the first time. Everyone is well - thanks for all the well wishes and positive thoughts!

Welcome Baby Reef

Reef Indy Smith was born today at 9:11 a.m. PST. He weighed 9 lbs. 7 oz.

Oma received the phone call at about ten p.m. on 09/05/2013. Mommy’s water broke and Reef’s parents were on their way to the hospital. Oma got dressed and drank a mug of Bombay Chai Tea and then also headed out to the hospital in Fallbrook, CA.

We were joined by Grandma & Grandpa Syniski and Auntie Heather. To quote Reef’s Grandmother, “Attention! Attention! Today was a very happy day for me! My family welcomed into our family my second grandchild and first grandson...Reef Indy Smith!! Mom and Dad...Amanda and Zack did a wonderful job of bringing this beautiful boy into our lives,( with no small help from Amanda's sister Heather), and I couldn't be more proud of all of them. He is soooo handsome and he will be much loved by all of us! Congrats to Amanda and Zack!!!! Love you all!”

Welcome Baby Reef – You are loved and you will be blessed!



Oma gets to hold Baby Reef for the first time

Reef's Mommy and Daddy did a wonderful job bringing baby Reef into the world in a calm and loving environment.

Labor Day

Oma spent today working and waiting for Reef. However, late in the afternoon, Oma and Opa were invited to an impromptu Labor Day House Party.

Labor Day in the United States is a holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September. It is a celebration of the American labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of their country.

For a little Oma history, it should be known that Opa was instrumental in Oma’s involvement in a labor union. Opa belonged to the Local 230 – the Plumber’s Union. Opa would always tell Oma, you need to stand up for your fellow workers and a good Union will do that.

Mom-to-be

at Labor Day Party

Oma worked as a probation officer for over twenty-three years. For the last twenty years of that wonderful career, Oma was proud to be involved in the SEIU Union.  Oma served on three labor contract negotiations and was the Union Chief Steward.

Back to the main topic of this post Reef, Oma and Opa went to Derek and Hannah’s house for a Labor Day party. It was lots of fun; great company and scrumptious food. Your mom and dad were there too. There was also an uninvited guest – a big rattlesnake. Your Dad and Opa tried to capture it but it got away in a big agave. Rattlesnakes are a danger we will teach you about!

 

We met a new family and Aaron was nice enough to give me their recipe for Avocado Quinoa.

Ingredients

• 2 Cups Quinoa
• 3 Cups of Water
• ½ Chopped Red Onion
• 1 Chopped Tomato or 2 Cups Cherry Tomatoes Quartered
• 2 Avocados Cubed
• 1 Bunch Cilantro
• 2 Limes Juiced
• ¼ Cup Olive Oil
• Salt & Pepper to Taste

Directions: Bring the Quinoa to a boil with water; reduce to simmer until water is absorbed (about 15-20 minutes). Let Quinoa cool; then add remaining ingredients - add the Avocado last.

The Avocado Quinoa was delicious and I cannot wait to watch you pick avocados from our trees so that we can fix this recipe together.

I hope everyone enjoyed Labor Day as much as we did!

Waiting for Reef

Today, August 31, 2013 is finally here – Reef Smith’s due date. You (Reef) have a huge loving family waiting for you. It has been a tough week for this Oma because, well frankly, Oma is not a very patient person. Oma cannot wait to meet you! However, staying busy does help the time pass.

Oma did spend the week productively. Here is a snapshot of a typical week in Oma’s busy life:

Monday – Oma and Opa had to go shopping. Not only were the cupboards bare; Oma’s laptop computer died on the trip back from Sonoma. Oma’s laptop was pretty old and well used. Off to Cost-Co we went.

Oma and Opa purchased a HP Envy 17. This laptop offers powerful performance, top-notch audio, long battery life and a full 1080p display in a stylish package. So far Oma is pretty happy with the laptop; however, the learning curve is still a struggle. It took Oma an entire day to set-up the Outlook & Roboform!

Tuesday - Oma had to work really really diligently to get back on track (pun intended) after the wonderful five days with your Uncle Moses and Auntie Sitara AND losing her laptop. Nevertheless, the time spent with family and getting to spend time at the Sonoma Raceway was priceless.  You will soon learn that Oma is a race nut!  Oma even has two race blogs NASCAR Race Mom and Kids of NASCAR.  Oma is optimistic that Reef will share her and Uncle Moses' love of racing.

Oma with Mario Andretti
(a retired Italian American world champion racing driver)

Wednesday – Oma was able to take an afternoon pause and go swimming. However, most of the day was spent preparing the Hasa Newsletter. Oma works for Hasa Pool Products  in the Media/Communications Department. Hasa produces the purest, strongest fastest working liquid chlorine available. Oma hopes to teach Reef how to swim soon!

Thursday – Oma was off to the casino this afternoon. Pala Casino offered Oma a free buffet to help her celebrate her birthday! It was lots of fun. The meal was tasty and the gambling did not relieve Oma of too much cash.

Then Oma joined your Mom, Aunt Heather and Cousin Belle for a pedicure; the perfect way to relax while awaiting your arrival. Pedicures are a safe and healthy way for Mommy to feel beautiful during her pregnancy.

Friday – The end of the month is always busy for Oma. Besides all the end of the month Hasa work, there is plenty of accounting tasks need to be done for your father and his plumbing business. Luckily, Zack Smith Plumbing and Contracting is getting busy again. Oma is wondering . . . . will Reef one day join his father in the family business?

Friday was also homemade pizza night – one of Opa’s favorite meals. Besides cooking, Oma spent most of her day getting caught up on her Hasa work. Reef’s dad stopped by for a slice of cheese pizza and to sign his State Contractor’s License Renewal form. It was nice to spend a day at home.

Saturday (today) – It continues to be hot and muggy. I am sure that your Mom is happy that Reef’s due date is finally here. However, babies are often not on time.

So in the meantime, Oma is doing huge loads of laundry. Unfortunately the housekeeper could not make today and Oma and Opa have no clean clothes to wear.

Hopefully Oma will soon meet you and tell you, in person, about all the interesting things that life has to offer.



Joyous Journey - Nana Noeleen

I hope that you understand that I take becoming a first-time Oma industriously. You (Reef) will become a vast part of my life rather quickly. Take my assurance that this Oma will do everything possible to insure that your first years be prolific.

From the moment you arrive, I know that you will teach me what you need. And as I learn, recognize, and provide you with the basics, Oma will also teach Reef about the world around you. Oma does not expect this two-way process to manifest overnight – We will think of it as more of a joyous journey than a destination – it is one of the most important, if not the most significant, journeys you and I can take.

In order to gain firsthand knowledge about grandparenting, Oma interviewed an expert! Noeleen has been grandparenting for over twenty-five years for her nine grandchildren!

Nana Noeleen - Twenty-five years and nine grandchildren

Oma: What are your grandchildren’s first names and ages:

Nana Noleen: 

1. Bradley - 25 years
2. Adrian - 20 years
3. Russell - 18 years
4. Lachlan - 9 years
5. Rhianna - 7 years
6. Alexis - 6 years
7. Addison - 5 years
8. Samuel - 3 years
9. Oliver - 1 year

Oma: What do your grandkids call you?

Nana Noleen: They all call me Nana.

Oma: What are your favorite things to do with your grandkids?

Nana Noleen: Depending on the age of the grandchild in question, our favorite things include baking a cake, reading a book, playing some games on the Wii, supervise some browsing Children's sites on the Internet & going for a walk along our Walking Tracks.

Oma: What is the most important thing you have taught your grandchildren?

Nana Noleen: Good manners should be always used, especially a "Please & Thank You" when it is appropriate. Sharing of toys and treats is also something that I like to see the grandkids do. Well behaved children seem to be disappearing these days.

Oma: What is the most important thing you have learned from your grandchildren?

Nana Noleen: My grandchildren seem to be able to roll with the punches. If they have a bad day, it gets forgotten and they start off fresh the next day. I try to adopt that positive attitude to life, it sometimes works.

Oma: What is the hardest part of being a grandmother?

Nana Noleen: The tyranny of distance is my biggest hardship. Some of my grandchildren live over two thousand kilometers away and we only have Facebook and Skype communication.

Oma: What is your advice for a first time grandma?

Nana Noleen: Enjoy every minute of it. When I had my first baby, I really appreciated that my Mum and Mother-in-law would drop in the occasional cooked meal. I have returned the favor to find that my family loved it when I leave a casserole or soup or cake. It's a little treat for a busy new Mum.

Thank Nana Noleen for the excellent insight.