Tag Archives: photography

The word 'grampumps' makes me laugh

So even though we have agreed (I think) that my Dad’s name as a newly minted grandfather will be ‘Papa Rick,’ I can’t get the word ‘grampumps’ out of my head.

It just makes me laugh.

But that’s inconsequential–what we’re really here to do is revel in some pictures of the boys bonding.

Little James seemed peaceful enough at the onset.

However, as soon as I cried “PHOTO OP!!!” and rushed over with my camera, James started falling apart.

I’ve been through at least 3 photo shoots, and I haven’t even seen any green ones yet! he cried.

I tried to explain to James that he should just relax and enjoy his grandpa’s company. Instead of focusing on himself and how unhappy he was with the lack of ‘green ones’ in his pocketbook, he needed to focus on his relationship with grandpa. And easy place to start would be their common ground–like their love of physics.

Papa Rick has a Masters in Nuclear Medicine, I explained patiently. Can you say ‘nuclear,’ James?

No, but I think I can grab this toy ring.

Okay, the toy ring seems to have calmed him down. Let’s give this photo shoot another chance.

Papa Rick, I’m just so confused by string theory.

And I find the idea of quantum physics very disturbing.

I mean, how can particles be in two places at once? And how can they suddenly be somewhere else without having moved? I just can’t wrap my mind around it.

I think if you don’t mind, I’ll start crying now. The universe is just too confusing.

Maybe after I get my PhD at MIT it will all make more sense.

We call her Mama Twink

Hi, Mom. You’re . . . a grandma.

But don’t worry–it becomes you!

I’ve never seen such an enthusiastic grandma.

She is determined to teach James how to speak Spanish, singing him ‘Cinco lobitos tiene la loba’ and crooning to him in a language we rarely speak as a family any more.

Little James is probably bilingual already, based on her dedication alone.

Hola, amigos.

Hola James.

When Heidi announced that little James was on the way–and even prior to that–we liked to talk about what Mom and Dad would be called. ‘Grandma’ just didn’t seem spiffy enough for this energetic, artistic mother of ours named Twinky.

So I coined ‘Mama Twink’ for her and ‘Papa Rick’ for Dad in this blog post last year.

Who knew that they would accept these names so easily? Mom, Dad: you have been named by my blog. How do you feel about that? Confused? Brainwashed? Elated?

Of course, the true test will be once the granchildren are speaking. Will they take to those names? Because right now James seems to be calling them things like “aaaaaiiiii” and “eeeoooo.” Bilingual or not, this kid could use some lessons in enunciation. When he says “aaaaaa” I’m never sure if he’s referring to the piece Time magazine just did on the 100 most influential people or his opinion on the legacy of the Daleys in Chicago politics.

During their time together, Mama Twink did a great job teaching small James the art of metallurgy and jewelry design.

You like my necklace, huh little James? Well tell you what–I’ll buy you a tiny welder and a tiny welding mask, we’ll review the benefits of different alloys, and then we’ll choose the best one for our design.

Okay Mama Twink: I choose copper and bronze, studded with fragments of turquoise. Can we eat it when we’re done, do you think?

Mom, you’re equipping this young man for the future. Good work.

Of course, when the little man got tired from all these valuable lessons in languages and the craftsmanship of making your own necklace chain, Mama Twink settled him in for a snuggle.

He’s just a baby after all, with a grandma who loves him very much.