snarfelly

just before take-off
just before take-off (Dec. 20)

Parents of very tiny humans have a delightful way of inventing new words. Snarfelly is one, new to me at least. Katie had a cold when she embarked on her first trip by airplane to visit both sets of her grandparents in Connecticut, and other assorted friends and family. The breathing through her congested nose was dubbed snarfelling by her attentive parents.

When Larisa emailed me this picture from the jet before taking off my already high levels of anticipation of holding my granddaughter intensified tenfold. We were getting ready for our solstice gathering, which turned out to be the biggest one we’ve had in years – twelve adults, two teens and  two babies. And Larisa, Dima and Katie arrived right in the middle of the festivities.

We had Katie and her parents here for three wonderful days, even though everyone except for me was sick. One night Katie’s parents went out and Tim & I got to babysit. When I was changing her diaper, Tim gently jiggled her little rib cage and Katie laughed! She looked so surprised! We’re pretty sure we were the first ones to hear her laugh – what a gift!

Katie's parents help with opening her gifts
Katie’s parents help with opening her gifts (Dec.22)

The day before they left my sister and brother-in-law came down and we had an early Christmas. Then Katie and her parents were off to visit her other grandparents and great-grandmothers for a few days. Larisa sent emails and pictures saying Katie was getting less snarfelly every day.

less snarfelly (Dec. 25)
less snarfelly (Dec. 25)

It was such a joy to hold my little Katie so often during those three days. And once when she was taking a nap I just lay down next to her as she slept. I was going to read, but never actually picked up my Kindle, I was content to watch her sleep. Lost in awareness, thinking of my last baby becoming an amazing mother to her first baby. I love that Larisa is careful to keep as many carcinogens as possible away from her little one.

A first child is your own best foot forward, and how you do cheer those little feet as they strike out. You examine every turn of flesh for precocity, and crow it to the world. But the last one: the baby who trails her scent like a flag of surrender through your life when there will be no more coming after – oh, that’ s love by a different name.
~ Barbara Kingsolver
(The Poisonwood Bible)

just before take-off on her trip home (Dec. 28)
just before take-off on her trip home (Dec. 28)

I have not been active in the blogosphere these past couple of months – I know I’ve missed many of my friend’s posts – and responding to comments on my own posts I’ve woefully neglected. I had surgery to remove a benign but bothersome cyst on my middle toe on November 12. Recovery seemed to be going well for a week and half when I woke up one morning in a lot of pain because an infection had developed. And the infection turned out to be a very stubborn one. The antibiotic I was given made me queasy much of the time. Not being able to keep a shoe on my foot for very long made decorating for the holidays and even routine household chores difficult. It was a good thing I had seeing Katie to look forward to to keep my spirits up!

When WordPress sent me my blog’s statistics for 2014 I was startled to see how long it had been since I posted anything. Laurie, Kathy, Sybil and Diane turned out to be my four most active commenters – thank you so very much for all your thoughtful comments over the year!

The post most viewed was Cat Cataracts, even though no one commented on it this year, posted back in 2011! And people from 114 countries viewed this blog. It makes me wonder about them – were they just passing through or do they return for more? When you think about it, the internet is an astonishing thing.

Katie-Dec30
asleep with new toy in hand (Dec. 30)

I am so grateful for family. Tim & I had fun spending Christmas morning on Skype with Nate, Shea and Dominic, all the way down there in Georgia. And also Christmas afternoon here with Bonnie, Kia and Khari. We saw the third installment of “The Hobbit.” We’re planning a trip to Germany, Norway and Italy. Zoë loves to sit between us , purring contentedly, when we watch TV in the evening. And we have plans to see Katie in January.

Happy New Year!

14 thoughts on “snarfelly”

  1. Welcome back to Blogland, Barbara! I had missed you, both here and on Facebook, and what a treat today to read such a newsy blog post! I felt like you had written a letter, and loved to hear all of your news, especially about precious little Katie. What a sweet little soul she is! I really enjoy sharing her with you here. Take care, I hope your foot is all healed by now. And….Happy New Year! It is 10 am, January 1st, as I write. 🙂

    1. Thank you, Joanne! I love writing letters – I used to have a lot of pen pals when I was a child, and corresponded with my grandmother regularly. It makes me wonder if Katie will be interested in writing to me in the future, or perhaps emailing or texting. 🙂 Often blogging feels much like letter writing… I loved seeing the picture of all your kids together on Facebook. They look so happy and healthy! The toe is coming along – wore shoes for several hours yesterday… Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy & Healthy New Year!

    1. Happy New Year, dearest Rosie! I hope all is well with you and your loved ones – not sure what the weather is doing out there in your part of the world – I think of you often and send you love and hugs.

    1. Thank you, my love. (It’s not a poem – it’s a quote!) 🙂 Thanks for the test comment – so it’s official, notifications on comments are not being sent to my email – time to contact Nate…

  2. Snarfelly! What a wonderful word. It’s so good to see you again, Barbara, and I enjoyed reading all of your news. Wishing you all the best in 2015! And no more infections!

  3. Crikey. WordPress ate my long comment. Let’s try again, a shorter version, and hope it works. I love the word “snarfelly.” Reminds me of my own days of kebby and muk with my children. It’s so good to hear from you, and to get all the holiday news. Wishing you a wonderful, magical 2015! Without infections of any kind, of course, unless it’s infectious joy and and laughter. 🙂

    1. Ah ha! The first short comment did make it through, the second longer one did not, and the third medium one did. The internet is a funny place. I wonder where the lost comments go?

    2. Those rambunctious computer sprites are up to their mischief again! 🙂 So sorry they made off with one of your comments, Robin – I can hear them giggling in the background. Hmmm – I can only imagine what kebby and muk mean… It’s so amazing having a baby in our lives again. Wishing you a joyful, magical new year, too! Looking forward to feeling well and also catching up with your news.

    1. Thank you so much, Aquileana! Family life is indeed everything, it provides us with exactly what we need to find joy in this world. 🙂

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