Unique among the grandparents, Jude is the not the first grandchild for the Millers. They have two other grandchildren, Meredith and Andrea, who have been with us for a few years. Experience counts in the world of grandparenting, of course, particularly helping to make a number of things like diapers and bottles and soothing fussy babies seem downright routine... which is very encouraging from new-parents-on-the edge.
There was one other feature of the Miller grandparent visit that was huge: gardening. Yes, that is what I meant to type. If you know Kara and I well, you'll know that we take great pride in our yard and we find it to be a relaxing haven for us in the summer months. Kara has done a great job planning and planting and maintaining it, but this year the garden has seen no love... whether Kara was unable to bend over during pregnancy in spring or neither of us having any time to pull weeds with a new baby, the garden has been in OK shape but not nearly how we like it.
Enter Henry and Nancy.
They are very good in the garden, and were gracious enough to answer our call for help. You'll see some pictures from our adventure out to Planter's Palette near Wheaton, where we picked up so many plants we could barely fit the stroller in the Blazer! The helped us plant everything, and mulched all the beds (we have a lot). Truly a ton of work. I'm not sure what the appropriate gardener cheer is... "boy, you really turned that one over"? Well, whatever it is, Henry and Nancy get it. Basically, they saved summer for us... and now for Jude, too!
It's sad that they live further away and it will be months instead of weeks that we see them again--and we've promised they don't have to work so hard next time.
One bit of closing. We received a good piece of advice from Henry that we should pass on, in case you haven't heard it: Never try to make a happy baby happier. Sage advice as we try to figure this little guy out.
Shortly after arrival
Out on a plant-buying adventure
Hangin' with Grandma Nancy
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