In March of 2007 I was told that my son Christopher and his
bride Anastasia were expecting their second child. Already so very in love with my granddaughter
the news was exciting as we were to add a new little one to our family.
Many weeks later we were told that the baby would be a boy,
my first grandson, and that he was due to arrive in the 3rd week of September
around his father's birthday. The
thought of having a grandson that could possibly be a little version of my son
and born around his same birthday was very exciting to me.
This photo of Christopher and Giada has been one of my favorites since that day, the pure joy on both of their faces is priceless.
At the hospital, me, Steve (grandpa), and dad (great-grandpa) all got to hold baby Luca and marvel about how cute and precious he was and I was able to get some great pictures of Luca being loved on. My other son Jason and his girlfriend (now wife) also came to the hospital and got to see their first nephew. Jason, the skeptical one with regard to children at that time, let Mary do all of the holding; a trend that would stay in place for many years……haha.
Anastasia's family threw them a nice shower at their
house for the families to meet our new little guy. At this shower, Uncle Jason
was shamed (haha) by all of us to hold his nephew and he relented. I am
SO glad that he did as these pictures are really good. Serious in the
first picture and laughing hard in the second because literally everyone picked
up a camera to get a shot of him with Luca as if we were taking a photo of a
rare and endangered species of animal. Too funny!
Son Christopher, ever the "proud papa"
showed off his son and also showed me his adoration of this new little one.
So nice to see these feelings captured forever in time.
In 2008 we had a small Easter visit from Christopher's
family and Luca had really changed. He was laying on his tummy and so
bright-eyed, it was fun to watch his newly developed skills. His
interaction with his sister Giada was also fun to see. This Easter still
included mom as she had not yet gone into the nursing home. It was good
that she was able to spend a little time with these great-grandkids. Her
coordination at that time was just not good enough for her to hold onto a baby
but I am sure she would have loved to try. I believe mom went into the
nursing home about a month after this Easter, her health was very fragile.
Christopher and his little family were enjoying life
and the challenges that come with parenthood and stayed busy with kids and
work. Love this picture of Christopher and Luca.
Our first grandson was, of course, just as delightful
for us as was his sister. He went through the typical phases of being
shy, loving, standoffish, and then back to loving but we enjoy him in every
mood. Christmas of 2009 was fun as his personality was super cute. He
really loved the Toy Story "Little Green Men" that year so he was
thrilled when we got them for him! Luca and Giada always liked to play my
piano when they visited. Although I think the "banging" annoyed
their dad I enjoyed the fun they had pretending to play a song.
Such cuties, these grandchildren of mine!
Their little family of four posed for a fantastic Christmas 2009 photo for me.
The new year of 2010 brought fun changes in Luca's
personality and changes to his looks. His hair grew curly like his dad's was
when he was little. He also decided that I was not too bad and he started
being affectionate with me.
When Luca got his haircut later in the year it changed his look
from a little boy to my handsome "big boy" whose eyes and smile melt
my heart like his sister Giada's do. Sometimes I feel like I just want to
stare at them both and marvel at their mere being.
Like a typical little boy, Luca
liked to roughhouse with Grandpa Steve and I know that Steve enjoyed it just as
well. Watching the two of them play was very heartwarming. I wonder
if Luca remembers these times?
My "big boy" has become quite the young man
at the age of seven this year. He loves math, yay! I am so excited
that he loves math like I do. He likes to read, play soccer, build
Lego's,and collect everything Star Wars. I am sure like most brothers he
likes to torture his sister. (haha) These photos were from
Christmas of 2013 which is one of the last times they were at our house.
I adore
his hugs and the serious looks he gets on his face when he is contemplating.
He is my spunky Luca. If I were to capture anything at this moment
in time for him to read years from now it would be for him to try his best to
grow into a good man with love in his heart, goodness in his soul, and patience
for the unknown. And of course, come visit grandma!
I love
you my big boy,
Grandma
P
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