Do you know what you're missing?

Hello,

How are you? I know I've praised the webcam, but really! You need one if you do not have one. Think Christmas - ask for one as a gift. (MAC's have one built in). Ellie giggles when she see's us! I'm not sure she'd remember us if it wasn't for this. When we visit in a couple of weeks, I think she'll know us and not be shy. At least I hope this is the case. And Jake is just a hoot. He asks his dad if he can "computer talk" with us. So I've done this both Saturday and today with Jake (Jim is out of town). We make silly faces, he tells me about his day and playing outside with his new friends, he asks me to read him a book and I do (he can see the pictures), we have our stuffed animals talk to each other in funny voices, and whatever creative things I can think of to keep him engaged. Then he gets tired of this and wants to go play outside. I never want to make him stay on longer than he wants...I want him and Ellie to look forward to this and actually want to do the "computer talking".



I think Jake is a little worried. I told him I might just hug and kiss him A LOT when I see him. He asked if I'd just give him one kiss and one hug. I agreed. But this might be the first promise I break! Before we hang up on the webcam I always blow a kiss and give a hug, and Jake does the same. It's not the real thing, but it's pretty good!

- Anne

Missing those babies!

Hi. You know...we've had some very frustrating times with this darn webcam lately not working properly. I think it's us not being so technological. But today...! Today it worked beautifully and we spent about an hour with Jake and Ellie. Edie giggled and screamed -the screaming is new! But somehow it's cute. She's getting so big. And Jake ate his pizza while I read him a book - the Firefighter one of course. He loves that one. Grandpa Jim, Jake and I made funny faces at each other - I just LOVE hearing him giggle. We "babysat" Jake while Matt gave Ellie a bath (Jenny was gone this eve). I showed Jake some little toys my nieces gave him - he was pretty exited and asked if I'd mail them before I go to bed tonight.

It was so wonderful to spend time with them. I just want to hug them and kiss them - and promised to do that when we visit in a few weeks. I just can't wait!
- Anne

It's Been a While

Hello,

It has been a while! We were on vacation visiting my youngest son and future daughter. We had a wonderful time with them. Jake wanted to do the webcam last eve, so we tried and failed. This technology is so frustrating for Jim and me sometimes - and I know it has to be for Jake (Ellie is too young to worry about this, but we are missing face time with her). So we re-loaded the program and it seems to be working now. I was pretty sad thinking my relationship with these grandchildren depends on this webcam thing - and it won't even work! It was upsetting. I haven't been that sad since they left town....

- Anne

I read a book

Hi. I just finished a short book on long-distance grandparenting. It wasn't very good. Maybe a couple of ideas... One was to take each grandchild on a trip when they're about 10 years old or so. Just focus on that child. That's a nice idea. But I can't wait 7 years until Jack is 10...I need to keep in touch now! Another idea was to send hand-written letters they can treasure over the years. I like that, too. That's about it. Somebody needs to write a better book. It was from 2008 and had a tiny mention of webcams. Maybe the author wasn't too technological? I know webcams aren't the end-all-be-all, but with this opportunity for actually seeing each other there has to be creative ways to use it. Well...I hate to be critical of the book, but there has to be some of you out there with better ideas!
- Anne
P.S. Still haven't had the opportunity to do the webcam this week. Soon, I hope.

A phone is better than nothing

Hi. Boy...the roller coaster ride of this webcam until Matt and Jenny's internet is stable is not fun. We thought it was working yesterday right before Jake's nap, so I was going to read him the Firefighter book. But it went down. So I read it over the phone - it was okay, but definitely not the best. I was amazed at his attention span, though. He's only 3 1/2 years old. After that we talked a bit about his new friend, his backyard, riding his bike on the sidewalk, how rain and thunder are so cozy, and all the beautiful, small things that are important to a little guy. Then Jake said "I've got to go now. I'm kind of tired of talking on the phone." Don't you just love a child's honesty? Why can't we say that when we are tired of talking on the phone? We kind of do, but not that honestly. Lesson I learned today from Jake: Try to be honest. Have a wonderful Monday!
- Anne

Dang!

Hi there. Well...all set up and ready to spend a little time with the grandchildren on the webcam this Sunday morning. But...internet is down at their house again. They are just using the area wireless until theirs is set up on Wednesday. How disappointing! I was going to read a library book on Firefighters to Jake, and show a picture of a dog to Ellie in one of her favorite books. I also wanted to see Ellie walk holding onto one finger.

So we will simply talk to the kids in a couple of hours. Grrrrr.... Patience, Anne!
- Anne

Happy again

Hello. I'm feeling happy again. It's been almost two weeks since THE MOVE, and I know my life is good even without the grandchildren here in St. Louis. My world had been wrapped up with them for 3 years now, and I loved every minute of it. I wouldn't trade it for the world, would do it again in a heartbeat, wish they were still here and I was still babysitting! But...I always try to be positive about any situation. So...I have a little time for myself now. I don't get teary or sad too often...just lately when I'm talking about seeing them on the webcam. I get a little choked up about that, but my friends understand and are so supportive. Or I get a bit sad when I hear about my family or friends and their grandkids here in town. That's hard. I'm happy for them, but jealous at the same time. Do you understand those feelings?

Jim and I are planning a couple of trips - 1) to see Joe and Adrianne - yeah! 2) to my sister and brother-in-laws with my parents, and then on to see the grandkids (and Jenny and Matt). So...so much to look forward to. I just got off the phone with Jenny and they were out in the back yard. Jake had a friend from next door over playing. That makes me happy. Ellie is taking steps only holding onto one finger. (These are the things I do miss seeing!) Maybe the webcam will come into action here - what do you think? And again...thank goodness for that precious webcam.
- Anne