January 6, 2015

Ingrid ended up sleeping with us last night, because I never was the kind of parent to let a young one interrupt my sleep. Don’t report me to CPS, please.  We all slept late…9 o’clock, and considering I was lights out at 12:04, 4 minutes before Abney’s entrance, well…that’s a lot of sleep.  This cold is knocking me out.  I saw the text immediately…and was happy for my sister.  Yay, cervix!!!  He needed to be kept on oxygen, so she didn’t get to hold him other than immediately after he was born, but he’s going to be just fine.  I’m sad we won’t get to see him, but our car will be good to go by about 10 they said, so we’ll leave hopefully by 11.

After we were all up, we headed to the hospital to see everyone.  My sister was sore (duh) and tired (duh), but doing well.  I’m still super resentful about that damn epidural drip.  Not fair.  We were there about an hour and then we left and came home.  Cousin time and Ethan showed us his incredible cake making Play-doh skills.  Seriously.  That kid needs to go to cake decorating school.

I showered again – it isn’t fun sticking your head under water when you have a head cold, but I felt icky.  I went on a city shoot – but ended up staying mostly north of town.  Cardinal Lane and the nearby areas are the new rich – huge sprawling places that could house many families with ease.   Our block has three churches on it. My mind remembers people every time I see a street; Shawnna was people who Metz, Cathie was Auburn,  Gray was Stutz.  This town is a walk back in time, but it is quickly disappearing.  I spoke with a lady at Commercial State Bank who reported that the old Midlanders hate it…they are loading up the truck and moving to their lake houses…..  I can see why (did I mention the big ass trucks scare me?).

I got back and we headed to town to shoot a few pics of the court house for Traci, then we drove to La Bodega for our last dinner there.  Possibly ever <tears>  Margarita, the new owner was there, and my goodness, she is gonna make this place rock.  I can’t think of a better person to have sold to.  We ate…Ingrid missed her people and was dying  to see her “baby brudder.”  We left, catching a beautiful West Texas sunset and arriving  at hospital at 6:30.  We were fortunate enough to see Brian and Olivia entering the nursery as we were about to call to be let back, but instead we watched them and I was able to film Ingrid’s excitement at viewing her parents with her new sibling.  This is one of those moments I actually captured Magic from Ingrid’s mouth:  (To Maggie) “Whu-whu-whu-whu where’s your baby?”  Maggie: “I don’t have one.”  Ingrid: “Oh. I do.”  <love>

We spent a lot of time there – almost 2 and a half hours.  A fabulous super-neat thing was when Lupe showed up with Jandy and Jandy’s granddaughter (!), Jayden.  Marie, Jandy’s daughter works at the hospital and came up –so I got to hang out with the woman who raised me, her daughter (whom I played with), her daughter, and her daughter!   Four generations of some incredible woman who are strong and independent. How honored I am to have met this woman who has taught me so much.  This town gave me a lot.  Tomorrow, we pick up my car, load it (we are all packed) and then off we go.  We’ll drop by LB and the hospital – not sure in which order, then we’ll head out.  Since we can’t leave till later, we’ll head to Albuquerque, Flagstaff, then the 395. Home <sigh>  

Pictures: A b/w shot of Midland memorial Stadium, where we would watch our Lee Rebel football games; All the bands Olivia earned...this mama is a fall risk; Olivia and Ingrid toast popsicle sticks to celebrate Abney's arrival; Jayden and Ingrid; A video of Ingrid seeing her "baby brudder" when we first arrived.