Last Trip To Brighton

I have been in Brighton for the past 2 weeks or more spending time with Adriel, Violet and Joel as they welcome Adeline Louise into the world.

What an honor to be here and a part of this. I am not really sure why I am needed, seriously. Adriel acts as if she does this every day... she is one tough cookie. She is a natural Mama and i am so proud of her every waking minute.

What a thrill, privilege and delight to hold the babies, get to know Violet Joy and love on Adriel and Joel...Adriel is very strong. She is up and about like she didn't just have major surgery. I do my part by making the meals, and cleaning. Violet and I take daily walks to the sea. She needs to have her ice cream, throw rocks in the ocean and play at the playground.

It’s only a few blocks down the hill and she loves to get out and throw stones in the ocean. We buy and she eats an ice cream. Which I try to sneak a few bites off and she really likes it so she doesn’t let me take much. She does let me clean it up for her and wipe the drips off her mouth and clothes.

She is learning to talk very rapidly now, trying many words and sentences. Very little is intelligible, but she really sounds like she’s saying something. We walk down the boardwalk and go to the playground where she plays on the slide and on the rocking horses.

Violet is a lovely child and she is very sweet on her new sister. She gives her hugs and kisses every hour or so. She by the way loves the Beatrix Potter DVD I bought years ago and all the grandkids her age love it. I remember Shammai liking it as well. I found a similar one here now that has trumped Beatrix, called the Brambly something or another. It’s all about mice instead of rabbits and she really is spellbound. She listens to every word intently.

Violet lights up when she sees her mom. You can tell they have a special bond. Joel is especially good with her and lets her work along side him while he plays and sorts through all of his man stuff, tools and such. He’s quite a sport, he now has me, Adriel, Violet, Adeline and Sandy Johnson taking up a lot of space in and around him… he utters not a word.

Adeline is a perfect baby. She seldom cries, except when she’s getting changed. She eats every two hours, is gaining weight nicely and loves to be cuddled close. She falls readily asleep on her grandma’s heart. Her pretty little face now sports eyebrows. Adeline came out of the womb sucking and took a pacifier easily. Joel gave her her first bottle yesterday and she took it like an old pro. She is just the sweetest addition, looks much like Adriel and has a lovely disposition. These Fonnesbecks really know how to make cute babies. Dennis said jokingly that Joel being the gene hog that he was with Violet, seemed to give it up a bit and Adeline indeed is a Hanson.

As for me, I love being here with the Fonnesbeck family and being a part of this huge event in their lives. I’ve been enjoying cooking for the bunch of us as I am here. I cook almost every meal. I’ve enjoyed that, although I will have to go on a serious detox when I get home. No sugar, no breads. I’ve made all of Adriel’s favorites. I've made Pork Roast with Saur Kraut and Dumplings, one of my all time favorites that my mom used to make me on my birthday. I just loved this meal and so does Adriel. We had the leftovers the night before. I made my macaroons and fish tacos. My bread quite a few times and prepared French toast every morning with the bread. Violet loves it…as do the rest of us. I made my Christmas Bread, renamed September bread as it is September while I prepared it here. I made schmores a few times and I made my home made fudge for ice cream and rhubarb pie. I plan to prepare chicken and dumplings, Doris’ version, and spring rolls with shrimp. We’ll also have roast duck. Joel wants to make me a Moroccan dish…I think he’s preparing himself to get his kitchen back.

Sandy arrived yesterday and we will be living in a flat nearby for the remainder of our time here. I plan to take early morning walks, come here for breakfast, plan our day and then prepare dinner in the evening. I will miss getting up to Violet calling my name: She gets up and comes in the room, “Baba, Baba…, then walks over to the movies and points, Ba, That’s rabbit. She’ll sometimes sign the word for rabbit, which involves bunny ears. At least that’s what I assume she’s doing.

I am already saddened as I think of leaving my little Violet and Adeline behind. Adeline will be 7 months when I see her next. I am getting as much hold time as I can. She just folds up in your arms and loves to lie on my chest. She reminds me of the tree frogs we have back in Minnesota, she sort of clings to me full straddle. She’s just precious. Her natural look has a constant scowl, but it’s going down as she grows.

I am so happy they will be moving to the U.S. shortly. It will be a huge adjustment for them; they will miss their English home and friends. But they are sacrificing so Violet and Adeline will get to know their extended family. Much the same as Dennis and I when we made the decision to move back to St. Cloud to raise our family, it was a good decision and the right thing for us. We did that because of our kids as well and having family nearby was a great support to us.

This has been a momentous trip for me. I’ve loved being allowed to be a part of this lovely family.

I will post more later... I have to go make Schmores for Sunday breakfast.