It was a freezing cold December Tuesday, with a little snow in the trees and a little ice on the roads, when daughter Jenny and her husband Christopher arrived in Victoria to drop off little Miss Addie Sue at Grandma and Grandpa Orsen's house.  The day of great anticipation had arrived.

After Jenny and Chris gave hugs and kisses and said goodbye all around, they departed for Abbott Northwestern Hospital (in Minneapolis about 30 minutes from Victoria) where a C-section and birth of their second child was scheduled for 2 p.m.

Addie and Grandma Sue played the piano and checked out Holy Baby in the manger and presents under the Christmas tree that could not be unwrapped.  Such a good little girl, she understood about not opening presents.  The temptation was not Addie's; it was Grandma's.   I was tempted to let her open "just one" but she had already gone on to other things.

Addie asked about Wilbur, one of her favorite movie stars.  Wilbur is the main character in "Charlotte's Web," a video from Uncle Nick, so we went downstairs to check on him.  Notice that the little honey child is using my telephone to click up the volume.

Some people eat popcorn when they go to the movies.  Addie does calisthenics.

Grandma Sue has also come to know Wilbur very well.

After lunch (Addie ate a whole all-beef hot dog, bunch of green beans, and a handful of fresh raspberries), it was time to think about getting ready to visit Jenny and Chris at the hospital.

Addie was beginning to get sleepy and riding in a car has always been the best way to get her to take a nap.  Leaving early for the hospital would be good, and we would take the long route so Addie could sleep for at least an hour.

One more squeeze, and then we put on our coats and hats and boots.

"Don't look at me, Grandma, and put that camera away!"

"Grandma, can't you understand?!"

On our way to the hospital, Jenny called my cell phone to tell us the doctor had an emergency and everything would be delayed about an hour or so.   At 4:15 p.m. when we arrived at the hospital, it seemed time for an early supper so we took advantage of the McDonald's just down the hall, inside the hospital.  And then, about 4:30 p.m. Allan's cell phone rang.   Chris told us they had a little baby boy who was born at 4:04 p.m. and weighed 8 pounds, 0 ounces, and was 21 inches long.  Mama and baby were both doing fine.  Grandpa Al cried, and also Grandma Sue.  When I called Great Grandma Betty, she cried too.  Everybody was so happy.

Our son Nick drove directly from his office in St. Louis Park to see Jenny and to join us in the family waiting room near the maternity ward on sixth floor.

Addie loves her Uncle Nick.

And then Christopher walked into the family room about 5:30 p.m. holding his son wrapped in swaddling clothes.  The proud and polite daddy said, "I'd like to introduce you to Gunnar Ray."

Addie was very interested in the new family member, who looked just like she had looked exactly 23 months ago.  Addie will be two years old on January 21st, 2005.

The big little sister gently touched every visible part of her little baby brother.  First the eyes, then the nose, then the lips, and the forehead.  Gunnar didn't mind at all.

Addie asked her daddy is she could hold the little baby.  We've come to know exactly what Addie means when she says, "Holda.  Holda."  And so Christopher managed, as you can see, what might be called "The Father Holda."

Is one picture worth a thousand words?  The blue teddy bear was a gift from Uncle Nick.

A circle of love.  Grandma touches granddaughter who touches little brother ...

Addie continued to get acquainted .

"Gotch your nose, Gun Gun."

Grandpa Al and Uncle Nick were tickled pink … I mean, blue.

Gunnar Ray slept straight through his round of introductions.

Uncle Nick holds his little nephew with little or no prompting.

Grandpa Al checks the position of  Gunnar's little cap.

And, finally, about 6 p.m., the circle is completed as Addie gets to sit by her mama.

Said Jenny, "I missed you, Addie Sue."

My favorite girls.

A happy day.

"You're funny, Grandma."

Brother and sister, friends forever.

Gunnar Ray seems observant beyond his years… I mean, hours … I mean, minutes.

A mother's tender kiss.

And so the days ends as it began, with our sweet daughter Jenny and a babe in her arms.