We weren't done yet.

My Grandma Bertha Ebig passed away last night around 2am. My deep, mournful sobbing at 5am gave way to a hopeful, but somber morning. She lived 80 wonderful years. She raised four sons, including my father, who I love so much. I'm not shocked, I'm not asking the "why, God, why?" question, I'm just sad. Deeply, truly, mournfully sad.

I wasn't done. I wasn't done hearing her signature laughter/clapping mixture, being smacked on the arm three times, or seeing the joy on her face when she interacted with her first great grandchild, my son, Elliott Milton.

I just wasn't done having her in my life.

I feel regret that I did not go to see her in the hospital last week. I feel heartbroken about not physically seeing her ever again. The last time we were together, though, we played Scrabble with my Mom and Meredith (Meredith beat us all soundly...) and laughed and had a wonderful time. She was so full of life, love and laughter that day, I know it is best that that is my last memory of her face, her presence, her hug.

My Grandma's signature saying was "We're family." And her passing means we get to live out what she loved best about life in her honor. I get to see my sister Melanie who I ache to hug every day. I get to see my Uncle Brian and his family from California, who I want to meet Elliott so badly. We all get to be together again; it's a tribute to my Grandma and the strong family ties she has left behind.

I'm also going to take this opportunity to have Elliott baptized. It's something I've been meaning to arrange for for months now, but I wanted my siblings to be there, I wanted to have the ceremony at St. Thomas where we were married, where I was bapitzed and had my sacraments. I should have made arrangements around Christmas time, but no regrets now.

When I called my Grandma Natali to ask how she was doing, she was quick to mention it. She told me she prays for Elliott to be baptized every day. Well heck, Grandma! If I would have known that I would have had my butt in gear a long time ago.

Anyway, there will be joy and grief next week when we all come together.

I know I'm a bad blogger, but this crazy job of mine keeps getting in the way of my Web 2.0 time. Things are changing at work, I'm taking on more responsibility while still trying to get my previously assigned work done. I'm managing an amazing student intern, Laura, who I am so proud of and feel like I am making an impact on her professional skills.

Elliott is WONDERFUL. He is a rasberry-making, quick-crawling, stair-climbing, food-eating, trouble-seeking, super-babbling baby guy. I'll try and post some pictures soon. He is SO big. Crawling so quickly, and moving quickly from standing up to cruising around our living room furniture. He still hasn't caught kitty Runa, but lots of close calls. He loves being outside, loves his Daddy, and is so playful and fun. He is a blessing.

Lots more to say, but it's going to be a long (short) week.

My Grandma visited the blog a few times at my parents' house. She referred to the internet as "that dot com thing." Oh Grandma, I miss you already.

Climbing.

It's 8:15 in the morning. Do you know what your 8-month-old is doing?

Mine is CLIMBING UP THE STAIRS in my house.

Dave called to tell me that he got up seven stairs before he got tired. Dave just sort of hung back to make sure he didn't hurt himself while Elliott ventured up and up and up and up.

In my head, this translates to him jumping off buildings at age 3, because that's when kids usually master the stairs, right?

Let me just mention that I don't have any gray hair right now. But that may end soon.

Indianapolis

Mommy and I went to visit Mommy's best friend, Mary Frog Toes and her husband Eric this weekend in Indianapolis. We had WAAAAY too much fun.

First, we rode in the car for a loooong time. I slept. I played. I fussed a bit. I sucked on my suckie. We stopped at a rest area to eat and change my diaper. I freaked out just past Muncie and we stopped again. Then we got to Mary FT's house! We went to the Indianapolis Zoo!

Mommy and Frog Toes are silly. The Zoo is featuring koala bears right now. We saw them awake. This is apparently a big deal because koalas sleep between 19 and 22 hours a day. You didn't know I was so smart, did you?

I was much more interested in eating my toys in the stroller or grabbing things than watching the animals. Mommy thinks I may be more interested next summer.
It was hot and sunny, so the rhinoceroses were laying around sleeping.

Mommy thought I should sleep, too, but I didn't!
My Auntie Melanie sent me a new book called "Llama Llama Mad at Mama." It's Mommy's favorite book. We read it pretty often. There were llamas at the Zoo. Mommy got excited and Frog Toes took our picture.

Again, I was much more interested in grabbing the fence than I was in the large African creatures behind Mommy. Whatever, Dude, I'm only 8 months old!
We were going to go out to dinner after the Zoo, but I FREAKED OUT. I had been in my car seat long enough! I was tired! I was hungry! I was hot! I was mad! So I told Eric, Mary and Mommy. We went home and ordered pizza instead.

Frog Toes named my blue scooter Sasha. I love Sasha. Frog Toes' house is perfect for riding around on Sasha.

Frog Toes' couch is also the perfect height for me to pull myself up.
Frog Toes bought me a stuffed frog. You won't believe it! The frog had TOES! Frog Toes!

My yellow t-shirt is really cool. It's from my Aunt Melanie. It has a picture of a stroller on the front and its says "This is how I roll."

On Sunday, it was hot again, so we went for a dip in Frog Toes and Eric's neighborhood swimming pool. They have a pool just for babies. It's only one foot deep. Mommy stayed out of the water, but Frog Toes played with me!

There was a little girl at the pool. Her mommy thought I might enjoy her floatie seat. I DID! It was cool!

Sunday afternoon, we went to a cold room with a lot of seats to watch Frog Toes dance ballet. Mommy called the room an auditorium. Anyway, it was cold. I liked the music and the colors flashing on stage. Frog Toes was beautiful!
We had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory after the recital. I tried to be good, but I was tired again. Then I whacked my head on the table. Ow! So we left shortly after that. Luckily, Mommy was done with her AMAZING food, including tiramisu cheesecake.

One of my favorite things about this weekend was playing with Eric. He's a cool guy. I liked his books a lot. He is in graduate school. Mommy tells me she is getting her master's degree in mommying right now instead of public relations like she had planned.

Silly Mommy! You can't make plans anymore! I'm here now!

Anyway, I want to learn like Eric does. He engineers the insulin that my Grandma Carolyn takes so she can watch me graduate with my master's degree someday. Eric got me started early.

Luckily, Eric let me play with some toys, too. You can only read so much about business statistics!

I slept through the night both nights in my pack and play in Frog Toes' spare room. It's a good room for babies. I hope Frog Toes and Eric have a baby soon so they get to sleep in the sunshine yellow room. It's pretty cool.

Bang Bang Bang!

This is what we've spent most of our time doing the last few days. Watching Elliott push everything off the coffee table and bang on it and giggle.

Give the video about a minute. Then the giggling starts! :)