Many friends have asked me to post an update on the two grand babies. Benji is 3 months old and appears to have a very calm disposition. He rarely cries, except when he’s hungry, tired, or needs his diaper changed. He spends much of his time looking around, including contemplating the ceiling. Romee (aka Braveheart) is 17 months and yet appears much older. She is enthusiastic about life and seems to be interested in everything she encounters. She is also strong-willed and has a lot of determination. She often runs instead of walking. I think she might turn out to be athletic, like her mom (and me).
Danni managing two babies at once, with Benji on the left and Romee on the right.
Benji likes to smile and observe the world around him.
Danni and Benji
Lucky Benji is getting super nutritious food, full of antibodies and other health-enhancing molecules.
I felt so much joy being with the grand babies. Being a grandparent has been a whole new experience for me.
Baby Benji in his bear suit, held by Denise, his adoring grandmother.
Danni and Barrett take the kids on frequent outings. They live in a beautiful part of the country.
Christmas was a joyful time!
One of Romee’s favorite presents was a make believe stove, with pots and pans and utensils, and even included wooden vegetables, which were designed so that she could cut the veggies in half with a wooden knife. With a wooden spoon, she stirred the empty pot on the “stove” and offered us all a make believe spoonful of her lip-smacking concoction.
One of the presents from a neighbor was a doll resembling our future president. Finn, the dog, immediately grabbed the doll with his jaws and tore it apart. (Finn has no political alliances)
I wonder who gave her the little tutu. She loves to dance, but it might not be ballet.
Romee loves to “read” books. Denise and Michael are wonderful grandparents. They have spent a lot of time with the grand kids who adore them.
Beautiful Nicole, Danni’s older sister.
We all took turns reading books to Romee.
Romee has a small vocabulary, but her receptive language skills are quite advanced. She seems to understand most of what is said to her. I suspect that, by the time she is 24 months old, she will be speaking in full sentences.
I enjoy every minute of my time with Romee. She has a great sense of humor and is very inquisitive.
Bath time is one of Romee’s many joys in life.
Adoring grandparents! We were sad that Tom, Barrett’s father, could not join us. He’s dealing with a medical issue at the moment.
I felt sad when the time arrived to return to Santa Fe. It was such a memorable Christmas, full of joy and excitement. The first day back home I felt bereft. I missed our time together.
Thanks to all of you that expressed such care and concern and interest in hearing about the family. I am grateful to all of you.
May this new year, 2025, be better than we ever dared hope for!
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A large number of subscribers of my blogs say they are no longer receiving my posts. That is most likely because your computer didn’t recognize the email and sent it to spam/junk mail. I think there’s a way to fix that if you have a tech person you could ask about that problem.
Was so great to read about you and ypur grandbabies! Thinking of you often and sending love!!
How lovely to hear from you, Leela. I hope you’re thriving!!
Hello Erica,
It was fun to see all the photos of the family. How wonderful for you to spend Christmas with them. Thanks for sharing. 😊
Thank you so much, Carol!! Sending my love to you and Cliff.
Beautiful family! So glad you’ve enjoyed your time with them. Hope the traveling to & from has been smoother than when I met you on that delayed flight. HaPpy New Year Erica. Aloha, Kitt
What a pleasant surprise to hear from you, Kitt!! I hope you are thriving–in spite of these times we live in. Love, Erica
Happy Holidays and New Year Erica! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful family in happy times…precious moments. Much love, Micaela
Thank you so much, Micaela! Love, Erica
Happy New Year, Erica! Loved seeing your beautiful family. Grandchildren are wonderful! I’m sure you missed them after returning home, but Santa Fe will always be close in my heart. Truckee is a lovely town, and I live about an hours drive south of it. Wishing you good health and joy in 2025.
You live that close to Truckee? How wonderful. Thank you so much for the good wishes. May 2025 be better than you ever imagined.
What a wonderful Christmas Erica, grandchildren are what we grandma’s live for!! Mine are in NM!! Hoping soon to move closer to them and experience a Santa Fe Christmas that my mom (who is gone now)always talked about. Strange to see Truckee with no snow at this time of year tho, Tahoe was my old stomping grounds back int he late 1970’s. Have a Blessed and Healthy New Year~
How lovely to hear from you, Virginia!! Thanks for your comments.
Beautiful family photos Erica. Your grandchildren are adoreable .. such a joy. Thankyou for sharing.
My daughter is about to have another babe and as all my grandkids live so far away, I miss them too, but it doesn’t detract from their affection when I see them . You will also be special to them and have a beautiful connection with them . Being a grandparent is a wonderful gift. Much love and Happy New Year , Lyn
What a treat to hear from you, Lyn. I’ve always wondered how you ever found my blog post. I hope I meet you someday in person. Love, Erica
How lovely to spend time with your beautiful grandchildren Erica. I can really identify with feeling bereft when coming home. I had such a joyful Christmas with my two grandchildren. Benji and Romee look so happy and content. Lots,of love from the UK.
What a treat to hear from you, Hermina!!! I hope all is well with you. Love, Erica
It’s so good to see you in these pictures with your family. the joy and happiness shines through the lens.
Hi Glenna!! So nice to hear from you. I have happy memories of our time together. Love, Erica
It looks like a great Christmas, Erica. So happy for all of you that everything’s worked out so well. Both kids are just beautiful.
Thanks so much, Sally!
what a wonderful, loving family! Thank you so much for sharing! Love, Traude
♥️♥️♥️
What joy to see these wonderful photographs of your big loving family and grandchildren. They are lucky to have you and so clearly are a blessing back to you! Love, Christine
Thank you, Christine!!
Hi Erica— I love seeing and reading about you and your grandbabies! There’s nothing like the magic of being a grandparent… and, very special to watch our own children as parents! Where has time flown !?
I’d love to catch up with you sometime this winter—-.
Have a wonderful New Year— with love, nita
So lovely to hear from you, Nita. I miss you and hope you’re doing well.
What beauty and love and reassurance that this world indeed holds miracles, and wonder, on a large scale through our amazing and delightful grandchildren…every one of your photos attests to that.
THANK YOU, Erica! I am so grateful that you brought us all up-to-date. The smile you’ve brought to my face is a true gift and I’ll take it!
lots of love,
Sidney
I’m so happy for your kind words, Sidney!! Love you always, Erica
I’m so glad Romee and Benji are happy and healthy. I’m glad to be here in California with my son and his beautiful family, but I miss Santa Fe, and Esha and the kids and you. Fortunately, Esha is a healthy traveler, and I got to see the family for Christmas. I plan to visit for Ciela’s graduation and Esha’s birthday in May. I hope to see you then. As an aside, my heart is also with Finn, the dog.
Thank you so much, Marlin! I’ll be looking forward to seeing you in May!! Love, Erica
Thanks for your update. Reliving the moments is special. Romee’s journey has been amazing (a word I think is overused, but not in this case – how about “awesome” as well). And Benji is darling.
Yes, here’s hoping for a much better year in 2025.
Yes, may we have a much better 2025! Sending you much love, Sue. Erica
Erica, thank you for sharing. It is a joy to see such adorable children, content parents, and ecstatic grandparents! May good health follow all as we enter 2025. Your friends in North Carolina send our very best!
So lovely to hear from you!! I wish you all the best for 2025.
I love you, Erica, and through you and your writing and photos: the beloved grandchildren!
Aw!! I love you too, Lasita!! I’m so happy you enjoyed the photos.
Thanks for the delightful peek with pictures at Romee and Benji‘s family. How lucky they are to live where they do.
I agree. They are very lucky to live there! Love, E
Thank you, thank you, Erica, for the wonderful update. The pictures are a delight, and what a handsome family! I know the grand babies love you every bit as much as you love them — so glad you could be there in person enjoy some of the holidays together. (And kudos to Finn, the dog, for his discernment. 😉)
Happy New Year to you and your precious family. May 2025 be filled with health, interesting adventures and much joy for all of you.
Love,
Janet
Thank you so much, Janet, for all those good wishes. Sending you much love and good health, now and always. Erica
Lovely, celebrating you and your family dear Erica 🥰🙏Beth
Thank you so much, Beth!!
It’s wonderful to see you and your beautiful family so I thank you for including me.
I will always think of you fondly, Sue. Love, Erica
So very happy for you all. Thank you for sharing pictures of these beautiful babies and family.
Happiest of New Years for you, Erica.
Karen
Thank you so much, Karen! I hope we get to hike together sometime this winter. I miss you. Love, Erica
Lovely family and wonderful pictures! Best wishes for a happy, healthy and enjoyable 2025!
Thank you so much, Charlotte!
HI Erica
Lovely to see your two grandchildren here. Happy New Year 2025!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful news and the lovely photos of the family – hope to see you this year.
All the best
Holly
Thanks so much, Holly. I wish you a happy new year!
Inspiring to hear and see of such joy!
More Joy in 2025!
Thank you, Susan. I think of you and Christopher with such fondness. Much love, Erica
What wonderful pictures of your beautiful family Erica! I’m so happy for you!!! Yes, being a grandparent is the best!!!
Love you,
Ilene
Now I understand why you loved being a grandma so much!! It’s a special kind of joy. I miss you. Love you! Erica
What a beautiful family! Happy you were all able to spend Xmas together!
Thanks so much!
It was a treat to see your Christmas pictures. I agree that Braveheart seems older than 17 months. Her birth and early days seem so long ago. It’s fortunate that her personality is reflected in her name. It has served her well; but good luck to the parents of the strong-willed determined adolescent Braveheart. LOL
Benji is absolutely beautiful.
I can see why your heart ached at having to leave them. Being a grandparent IS life altering.
I loved you closing wish. “May this new year, 2025, be better than we ever dared hope for!” Amen.
You’re so perceptive, Jane. I think she will indeed be a strong-willed adolescent!!! She’s showing every signs of heading in that direction. Haha. Sending you lots of love and good thoughts, Erica
Thank you for sharing these aorable grandbabies and their adoring parents and grandparents, including you! These pictures make me smile! I am so happy for Danni and Barett and all of the family. Love from Patty
Thank you so much, Patty, for your comments. Sending you much love, Erica
Beautiful little ones… Wonderful parents and grandparents ….and a great legacy!
So happy for you all!!
Thank you, Heidi!! You led the way with your grandkids. I understand now the absolute joy the role of grandparent brings! I hope I see you soon. Love you always, Erica
Well, I think I missed one. Beautiful pictures.
Thank you, Lynn!
So happy to see you and your loving family .The kids are adoreable.Shayna now has 2 daughters, Tessie and Sidney who is 2 months. I am coming intown for 10 days
Jan 7-17. Maybe we can find some time to meet if it works for both of us. This is a wonderful time in our lives to watch our children parent. I am truly grateful!
Love Donna
Beautiful and sweet and happy little family, Rickie.
Benji and Romee look so much alike 🥰
I know how much you must love them.
As “Granny” to six, I’ll attest there’s nothing finer in this life.
Now I understand the absolute pure joy that comes from being a grandparent!! Thanks so much for your comments. Much love always, Rickie