The world isn't so bad after all.

After a couple of months of looking like he'd rather be anywhere than here, Mr. Simon cuts loose with this beautiful smile.  He's been holding out on us.

Introducing....

Grace Vera Bird was born May 26, 2011 to James and Suzanne.  She is a precious, delicate and sweet baby girl and they are both smitten.  So are we.

 We think she looks a lot like her mother.

She weighed 5 pounds 14 oz. & was two weeks early. Anxious to hang out with all of us, apparently.

We are THRILLED!

From three to seven in 6 months!

Picture pilfered from Jo's blog.

Just this March, Simon joined our family as the fourth grandchild, making it three boys and one girl (all Rich & Jo's).  But......

Any day now, James and Suzanne will be welcoming their little girl into the family, AND...

Sept./Oct. brings TWINS for Ben and Laura; one boy and one girl.

By then we'll have four boys and three girls. 

Pretty cool, huh?

Feet Thoughts

I love this time of year!  Yes, for all of the obvious Spring reasons, but also because months of covering up the piggies with socks & shoes has come to an end.  I struggle with casual footware in the winter.  I never feel totally content with what shoes go with what pants and so on.  It seems that everything goes with a sandal or a wedge heel. 

I am a little frustrated, though. I have weak big toe nails that chip easily and beccome ingrown, as opposed to the rest of my toenails that could cut metal.   This week I chipped not one but two big toes, just after their Spring debut, after months of carefully nurturing them all winter long.  The chip goes so far down that a mere file job will not do.  I have to clip the whole nail and start again.  Now you know my toenail woes.....

But.....

These are my new spring sandals.  Notice the wedge heel.  Usually you have to wear flats to have this style, but the wedge heel is in this year.  This is so good, since flats and my 5'1" stature don't go together well.

Feet make some people in my life get the heebie jeebies.  They don't like feet.  For instance, I suggested that one of my sons give his "really good friend" a foot rub after running a marathon and he said, "No way!  I'm not going to touch her feet."  Several in the room agreed that it was gross to touch each other's feet.  Even if they do take care of them.  It's true, keeping feet nice takes some TLC, but it only takes a minute or two a week to buff the dry heels and apply some vaseline before bed (and polish, if you are a girl). Or, heaven forbid, spend $25-$30 for a pedicure. 

All in all, I love feet.  Good, clean feet - feet of those I love and like.

Some of my favorite people are named Foote. 

Sunday was a wonderful day.  It was the blessing day of Simon Sterling Bird.  He is such a mellow little guy that you barely knew he was around.  He doesn't seem to all out cry - he just grimaces and grunts his dissatisfaction.  He is a special one.

We were blessed to have Grandma and Grandpa Bird join us for the occasion, and to spend the weekend.  Rich & Jo put on a fabulous spread afterwards and, with the sunshine outside, and family around, it turned out to be the perfect day.

(Jessica was feeling queasy so she missed the picture)