Project: Grandparents

During our recent vacation to the West Coast we had double Sundays of the same lesson. When we got home we heard the same lesson again. What are the chance of that? That lead us to discuss whether there was something in the lessons that for some reason the Lord just didn't think we were getting. Probably!

It's possible that the lesson "Bringing up Children in Light and Truth" from the Joseph Fielding Smith manual might not have made such an impact on us if Wendy hadn't been prepping for her lesson. She had to teach about President Henry B. Eyring's talk, "A Priceless Heritage of Hope" and Elder Quentin L. Cook's talk "Roots and Branches." In 2001 some researchers rated children's ability to handle stress and face challenges using a 20 question "Do you Know?" scale. Turns out that the more you know about your family, things like where your grandparents grew up or what high school your parents the higher your chances to be happy and emotionally healthy ("The Stories that Bind Us" by Bruce Feiler, New York Times, March 15, 2013.Turns out that the more we know our family the more connected and in control we feel about life.

So when prophets, current research, and our own interests align it leads to what I call, as of two seconds ago, the Project Grandparents.  We want Andrew and Cameron to be able to feel connected to their great-grandparents and know their stories. Of course, that means we actually have to have their stories and pictures so we can show them to the little ones.

So since we came back Wendy has been on a family history mission. Every Wednesday Grandma Stuart and Wendy dig through pictures and books to find stories to tell the little ones.  We also realized that we should focus on the grandparents who are still with us. 

So this past weekend, despite being swamped by graduate school coursework,  our little family packed up and went up to Idaho. 

The Grandparents were an immediate hit with the little ones. Andrew was holding Grandma Hunter's hand as soon as we got to the parking lot for the traditional Golden Corral smorgasbord. Grandma helped him take his seat to our table. 

Andrew was fascinated by the all-you-can-eat buffet. Maybe a little bit too fascinated. I took him through the tables and he picked out all of his favorite foods: pizza, spaghetti,  bread, watermelon, and of course various kinds of meat.  He was very excited.  We got back to the table and he proceeded to...watch everyone else in the restaurant.  All his favorite foods remained...untouched. His father had the opposite problem. He put all of his favorite foods on multiple plates and ate it all. Once the meal was finished Grandma had to help Andrew get into his car seat.

That evening something surprising happened.  Ben, did family history that did not involve pictures or blogging. I interviewed Grandma Hunter.  I was also thoroughly unprepared.  Mom and Elizabeth had previously done an interview and Wendy has listened to the entire thing. I had not. Unfortunately, Grandma can hear me, not Wendy.  So I attempted to get Grandma to tell us stories about herself and her two husbands. Fortunately Grandma is a great storyteller once she gets started. I learned all kinds of things about dating Grandpa Russell, Grandma's favorite place to live (hint, it's not in Oregon or Idaho), and some other things. I worried that I had only repeated information from the previous video. Wendy promises me Grandma told me some new information. So that made me happy. 

It also made me happy to see the little ones with both Grandparents. 

Cameron was so comfortable with Grandpa Hunter he went straight to sleep.

Pictures with the Grandparents

A big and little brother

Wendy and I have tried as much as we can to prepare Andrew for the appearance of his younger brother. We both have so many great memories with our siblings that we were excited to introduce Andrew and Cameron to each other.

To help, Debbie gave Andrew a little doll that we used to show how to hold, to rock, to put into the swing, and even to diaper. Andrew's favorite part was (and is) changing the diaper. He would go grab a diaper, wipes, and his doll and spend quality time changing the babies diaper. A few times he even insisted that the "baby" eat dinner with him at the table.

The difference however between a doll and a baby is that a doll doesn't take other people's lap space, especially not at inconvenient times. Andrew by and large has taken the arrival of the new little brother in stride; with the lone exception of lap time. If Cameron is on the lap the Andrew wants to be on; he doesn't throw a fit or cry. He just goes to the person holding Cameron and points out another person for them to give the baby to. There is no pattern to whose lap he prefers.

Beyond lap hogging; Andrew has shown a lot of interest in his little brother.  Andrew kisses Cameron, hugs him, and even begs his parents to hold him.

Showing little brother the fun monkey

Wendy and I decided to try to have a little brother with big brother photo shoot.

Andrew's done with pictures

Well...not completely

Andrew took this picture

Looking forward to teaching Cameron the fun things in life

Activities at the hospital - A Birthday party!

A hospital is not usually the place that one thinks about having a good time. If you think this, you do not know the Ashton and Stuart families. In the hours after Cameron's birth, there was a fair amount of holding Cameron and playing with Andrew, lots of treats (caramel popcorn, truffles, licorice), presents for new baby and big toddler of toy trains and bubbles, and lots of family.

Grandma Stuart said it best, "This is such a fun birthday party!"

Proud Ashton Grandparents

Andrew enjoys hospital breakfast...

...and lunch.

Flying with Grandpa

Alas, all parties must end. The hospital (actually we) decided that one day of hospital partying was enough. The day after Cameron was born we brought him back to our little basement apartment home.

Heading out

Of course, even at home there are plenty of opportunities for adventuresome babies to entertain themselves.