In Loving Memory of Pat Pat

I have some very sad news. Pat Pat, Parrish's grandmother, passed away yesterday morning, April 25, 2009. She was 86 years old. It is a bittersweet time for us because although we know Pat Pat is happier now than she's ever been, we feel the loss of an extremely important person in our life.

We feel so blessed that we got to share several months in Andalusia with Pat Pat, getting to know her better and appreciating all that she had to offer and share. We will miss her so much, but we're so glad that she's reunited with Pa Pa, her husband of 63 years. Parrish and I will always appreciate the wonderful example of loyalty and unconditional love that Pat Pat and Pa Pa exhibited throughout their marriage, and we can only hope to enjoy the same longevity with each other.

16 weeks and counting...

I had a check up at the doctor yesterday in Enterprise. After many attempts by the sweet nurse, I finally heard the baby's heartbeat (156)...the little squirt kept running from the machine! The nurse said I'm going to have my hands full with such an active baby. She's never met Parrish, so this came as no surprise to me. Everything looks good so far...my only complaint is occasional headaches, remedied with strong Tylenol.

We will go back in 4 weeks to have another ultrasound and we will get to find out if we're having a girl or a boy. We are very excited about that trip...right now, it looks like we're pretty much split 50/50 on what everyone thinks we're going to get. I have no clue, of course.

We hope everyone is doing well and enjoying a beautiful spring!

My grandmother

Pat Pat (Parrish's maternal grandmother) is not doing very well right now, so I thought I'd put a tribute to her on the blog. She is currently living in an assisted living facility in Jacksonville, FL, where our quite capable cousins are taking care of her. We have called in Hospice to be with her as well, and it is a difficult time for all of us. I feel so blessed to have experienced what I believe was the best of Pat Pat, as she and I lived here in Andalusia together and I played "Driving Miss Daisy" for several months.

I was just thinking today how funny she really is. Here are a few (certainly not an exhaustive list) things I've learned from Pat Pat.

1) A good cup of tea with two cookies really will make you feel a lot better.

2) A scarf, pearl earrings and lipstick really do make you look prettier.

3) "It's snowing down South" means your slip is showing.

4) "You've got a swing in your backyard" means that you shake your booty when you walk.

5) "Something that sparkles on the tongue" is beer or perhaps a wine cooler, and yes, it really is just the thing when you're thirsty!

6) Loyalty to your family is mandatory, no matter what. (She was married for 63 years!)

7) Always try to negotiate the price of something, even if it's at Wal-Mart and it's clearly marked and they don't give discounts just because you're cute.

Pat Pat's favorite story to tell on Parrish was as follows:

"One day, I had a doctor's appointment. When I returned, there was little Parrish, sitting on my front steps waiting for me. He asked me if everything went ok at the appointment, and I said, Yes, I'm not going to kick the bucket yet. He replied, Pat Pat, when you kick the bucket, can I kick it with you?"

I could share hundreds of funny Pat Pat stories. I'm so glad I got to hear them and roll my eyes at the time, then laugh later when I relayed them to friends and family. I will miss her so much, but I know she is ready to be with Pa Pa again, and that makes us all happy.

Parry, Parry, quite contrary, how does your garden grow?

Since we are in our very first home and we live in the south, we planted our very first garden this spring. Well, Parrish planted the garden, while I supervised, read US Weekly, and probably ate a snack. He did a great job. Hopefully this summer we'll have corn, zipper peas, cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, watermelon and cantaloupe.


Parrish used techniques learned from his grandfather, Pa Pa. He mentioned something about starting a compost pile, but I'm going to have to look into that since I will actually have to put stuff in it instead of in the trash. I guess all boys really just want to play in the dirt.

We also planted a lot of plants to attract butterflies and hummingbirds into the yard. None to report as of yet, but I'll keep you posted.







I have a small herb garden on the front porch that I watch over, as well as some moon plants that will only bloom at night. They are beautiful!

Baby news: I am going next Tuesday to the doctor for another check up. They'll check the heartbeat and my vitals (and weight gain...ugh). My belly is certainly looking the part these days, but it also could be my very healthy appetite and addiction to jelly beans.

Darn Easter bunny.