When Tony Met Ellie

Tony finally got to meet Ellie on Friday. Like me, he was down with the flu and wanted to be healthy before going to see Ellie and the boys.

I remember the first time Tony held both Ben and Sam. Being a very hands-on father, himself, Tony wasn't worried about "breaking" the babies or getting "baby spit" on him. He held all of them like a pro. But this time, it was a little different. When Tony held the boys, he called them "big boys" and talked about getting older and having fun with Grandpa. This time, he talked about how pretty and small Ellie is. He talked to her in a gentle voice and held this tiny little thing gingerly in his strong arms. And, I think, like all fathers and grandfathers of little girls, he was hooked.

She slept quietly and contentedly in his arms knowing that like Jenna, Jon, the boys and Mo Mo, here was yet another person who would love and protect her.

Over the years, I have taken some good natured kidding about "building collections." Specifically, I buy baby clothes in various sizes when I figure our children will start to have children of their own. I save them up until it's time and by then, we have a nice, seasonal wardrobe for the baby. Just a side note: the Swegle/Perez and the Swegle/Phillips collections are currently in process.

With Ellie, I didn't really get a chance to do that. Plus, I was so sick, I couldn't leave the house. But, I did manage to get out and buy some hair bows, head bands and a "few" other things. Let's face it, when we have such good looking grandchildren, you have to put them in good looking clothes!! Everyone laughed at the clothes I bought Ellie, but I think they also all knew I had a wonderful time doing it and look forward to shopping trips with her and getting her nails done.

We had a great time seeing Ellie and playing with the boys. Sam gets cuter every day and is getting more vocal and Ben--well, what have I always said about Ben???? He has his father's eyes, his mother's smile and his grandmother's heart.

When Tony met Ellie, a grandfather met his first grand daughter and fell in love with another Purdum baby. We can't wait to see Ellie grow and play with the boys.