Baba, Company, Big Sister Maddie, and More (or One Tired Gmommy)

I will write my experience of my little grandson's birth after my daughter writes it from her perspective.  That may be a long time since all she is doing right now is breastfeeding, sleeping, eating, changing diapers on two babies, and trying to keep Maddie from poking her brother's eye out.

I have been bonding heavily (sigh) with my granddaughter since last Friday when she woke me at 5:00 a.m. after I'd gotten to bed at 1:30.  I was hyped, putting up pictures online, etc. after the elation of seeing my grandson born just a few hours before midnight and after a long worrisome day.  And there the little redhead was, ready to eat a "waffa" and "appa" juice.  Then we rested on the couch and she went back to sleep for an hour and a half. I wanted to put her down but was afraid to so I lived with the crick in my neck and her sweaty head on my chest. Sweet!  We got up finally and got ready to go to the hospital to see mama and "baba" and dadda.  We got in the shower together but not before I spent a few minutes chasing her around naked. Yes, I was naked as was she! She was having a blast trying to avoid the shower. This day reminded me why God gives babies to 20-somethings and not 50-somethings.  Finally got ready and on the road for the hospital.  I had neglected to bring a hair dryer so I rolled the windows all the way down, turned up the radio and sped down the highway as Maddie yelled at the top of her lungs at everything she saw on the way.

 At the hospital she was not impressed with her "baba" at first.  She was more concerned with her mama.  After a little time though she warmed up and gave him a little kiss on the head.  After a few hours we headed back home for supper and bedtime and waited on the parents to be discharged from the hospital.  My hubby and I drove home late and fell into the bed exhausted.

Sunday, we had several visitors. I love these after-childbirth visitors. Some come with mini-cheesecakes like Brad's sweet cousin, Mary.  I was there helping my daughter again as her hubby had to be at church running the sound board for the services.  Our very dear friend, Cheryl, came bearing gifts.  Indeed one gift for Maddie was a cute little Halloween Bear that had a hood and shirt. The problem was the shirt doesn't come off. Maddie cried and cried wanting that shirt off and that hood off. (can you say OCD).  We finally distracted her and headed upstairs to play in her new ball pit/trampoline that her daddy bought as a great big sister gift. During the afternoon, we had several little mishaps and Cheryl claims that she will never be welcome at their home again. But really it was quite a distraction and hilarious.  Wherever my friend goes, something happens. She's just one of those people who lights up a room and leaves everybody laughing.  Poor Maddie fell on Cheryl's shoe and broke open a sore place on her own foot, leaving blood on the carpet.  This was after being upset about the bear.  I was so tired I forgot to close the stair gate and we almost had a disaster. And, by the way, I can move fast for a 52 year old woman when I have to!  I won't go into all the rest but it was a fun afternoon for me.  My daughter just sat quietly downstairs in the living room nursing the baby and wondering what was being done to her daughter with the various noises, bumps, screams, etc, going on. But, hey, at least she had some down time!

Seriously, though, the big sister is adjusting well. She's a tad whiny and clingy but that's to be expected with a new baby, company in and out and the everpresent grandmommy telling her what to do.  She loves to hold her brother and she's very sweet but she also prides herself  in naming body parts and "EYES" are a favorite. She happily pokes Baba in the eye to prove she knows what's what!

Here are some pics from the last few days:

I love this picture of my boy.  He was awake at midnight ready to eat.

Yeah, kid, I've about had it with you. Into the pit you go!

Her expression is pretty much the way it is since the baba came.

Love Mrs. Cheryl!

Ms. Cheryl, you're a lot more fun than my grandmommy!

TIRED of posing!

Oh okay.  Pretty Pic!

He's Here

Born September 16, 8 lbs. 1 oz

More Observations of Madison (Or How Will I Ever Keep Up With Her!!)

Maddie with her favorite BALL of all....in her great-grandparents' yard.

This child changes too fast. Every week  I am amazed at how much she has learned to do and how her personality has even more added delights and dangerously bold actions!

Last night we celebrated my mother's birthday at their house.  Madison was her busy self as usual. But this time came with a twist.  She is fascinated by a "gazing ball" that is a garden decoration in my parents' yard.  No one wanted to take her out to see it AGAIN because of the mosquitos that were in abundance out there.  So she decided to take care of that herself.  Front door...easy to conquer. Out she went. Thank goodness, I saw her go and grabbed her as she made her escape onto the front porch.  Back in we went and locked the door.  In a little while Maddie thought she'd like to go out on the back deck.  Deck door....no problem. Out she went and I ran just in time to catch her as she headed towards the steps out there. Whew! Back inside...locked the door!  Went around and checked ALL the doors. Garage door, basement door, check, check.  We thought we were safe then.  After a little while, she had had enough of adult conversation and looked for something to do.  She disappeared and within seconds my mom headed toward her bedroom to find her. Maddie stood there by her great-grandmother's bed looking very innocent.  Inside the master bath the water was running in the tub.  Good grief!  She spent the rest of the evening running back and forth, charming us all, swinging her arms, asking for the "BAWL" in her southern accent. She finally ran out of steam and her parents got her home and put her to bed. She never woke up as they got her ready, except to say "ball" one more time in her sleep. :)




  

This sweetheart with her mommy's sweetness and her daddy's happy, hyper personality is a handful already.  I love this crazy redhead!

A Sweet Pic and Still Waiting

There's my mom and me many, many, many years ago! Ha. About 52 to be exact.  Today is mom's birthday.  I have a wonderful mom and dad who have supported me, loved me, blessed me with their marriage, directed me and taught me with their faith throughout my life.  If I went to heaven now, I could say that I have had a wonderful, amazing, happy life due mostly to their upbringing and influence.  When people talk about their childhood and how hard things were, I sit in ignorance.  My childhood days and teenage days and young adult days were full, happy, disciplined (with one look out of my mom's eyes!) and fun!  I hope my children will feel the same way about me when I'm 73!!  Happy Birthday, Mom!

Now, about that grandmother thing going on in my life!  We are still waiting on baby boy's arrival. He's not late yet but about to be. He's just very comfortable I suppose.  I'm praying for my daughter as she gets less comfortable each day.  I hope you'll see some pics right here sometime next week of the newest member of the family.

Ohhhh.....FALL!

It is officially still summer according to the calendar but today feels wonderfully like fall. Just a few more weeks and this beautiful, cool, lovely weather will be the norm.  Everything is still green and summery but you can feel the change coming in the breeze.  You can also see the change coming if you just turn on the TV and see all the football games.  This is my favorite season and I know I'm not the only one that feels that way. The air just makes you feel good to be alive and anticipating the next few months of scarlet and orange and yellow color, pumpkins (I love pumpkins!), holidays, family, new beginnings!  I've always felt like fall was more the Happy New Year than January 1st.  I was one of those kids who loved school. Wish I still did...maybe I'd go back for my masters degree!

I changed the decorative stuff on my porch today, put on the autumn-designed bedspread, swept the back deck of the dead leaves...lots of good that will do in a few weeks. It'll be covered again! I've changed out a lot of my spring/summer clothes in the closets for the lighter-weight long-sleeved stuff. Yes, I know we'll be hitting 90 again next week but whatever. The AC will still be running and we'll be freezing at the office and at church and in restaurants.

I'm sitting by the phone, sleeping with my cell phone, etc, waiting to hear that baby grandson is on the way. I've helped my girl get ready somewhat for the new baby. Now we just sit and wait and get excited over every twinge of pain, contraction, etc.  Still another week to go and he seems content to stay put inside his mommy.

Yesterday I took some long overdue pictures of my granddaughter. I've neglected that lately and I know good and well that the camera will be reserved for the baby boy soon. So here are a few highlights:  

I'm 32 Years Old! (At Least I Feel That Way Most Days)

"How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?" ~ Satchel Paige

 I read that question in a magazine article the other day.  Made me start thinking.  Sometimes I make too much of the fact I'm 52 and feeling "old"!  But actually, when I'm away from the mirror and just going about my business from day to day at work, home, church, with family, etc., I feel like I've always felt. I am young and happy and life is wonderful and seemingly will go on for years just like this. 

Kind of like I felt when I was around 32 years old.  I had a 6 year old and a 4 year old and plenty of energy and looked toward the future with much anticipation and joy.  I honestly still feel that way except for the fact that I'm now a grandmother.  My parents still seem the same as they have for years, my siblings also.  Days pass quickly, good ones, bad ones.  Holidays come around year after year and everything seems the same.  UNTIL I see photos.  Wow! That's when it hits me. Age is creeping up on me. I look in the mirror and there is silver (not gray) in my hair...just as if it had highlights, HA! I look at the photos and see wrinkles, saggy skin, and eyes that look like I never slept the night before!  I look at my children and see my 26 year old son with the beard and not the little blonde boy who talked incessantly in a high-pitched voice, delighted with the world.  I see my 24 year old beautiful daughter, 9 months pregnant, her little girl perched on her hip...not the little mischievous brown-eyed blonde who loved to play outside with her brother and carried around a stuffed pink kitty (her "dink ditty dat").

I wouldn't go back though.  I love my life now as I did then. I love this "season" I'm in.  I'll be in this one for a while I think.  But deep inside I'm still a 32 year old redhead, slimmer, a young mother in my "prime", walking with the Lord.

Not Wishing My Life Away But...

I love green but I want to see beautiful reds, oranges, and yellows!!

I am so ready for this!

And this!! Can't you feel the cool, crisp breeze?

And the best gift of all this fall....come on, baby boy!!  Just a few more weeks til we meet you!

Neon Green

Our boy has been to visit us several times since he moved back from Denver. But we haven't gone to see him ourselves.  What a surprise when we got there late Sunday afternoon.  We knew it was inevitable.  We thought it wouldn't be so soon but we just had to accept it. He is now the proud owner of this...

He never told us that he got it. He "didn't want to worry me" he said.  I'm actually happy about that except now I guess my prayer life will improve greatly.  He took the responsibility of taking the motorcycle safety course so I'm also glad about that.  He saves lots of money on gas and at least still has his car when it's raining.

I think he looks rather handsome in his beard, helmet and jacket.  (I'm trying to make the best of this, okay?)

Getting Ready

Fridays are spent with both my girls...the big one and the little one.  The big one is beautiful these days.  Well, she's always been beautiful but right now she's just glowing even though she doesn't feel like it. Almost 36 weeks pregnant and looking great...just a big tummy!  Which is as she should be!  I've been very proud of her this pregnancy. She's stayed healthy and active...has to be chasing the baby around.

 Anyway, she's been having some contractions...probably Braxton-Hicks...and feeling the need to get ready for this sweet baby boy.  We went to our favorite store today, "Babies 'R Us".  It's always very hard NOT to spend much in there.  Crib bumper pads, mattress pad, burp clothes, receiving blankets, changing table pad, baby wipes, and even a sleeper for Maddie went into the buggy! It was fun and made me feel like things are going to really happen fast now.  She's got her hospital bag packed for the most part and but still has plenty to do. She's young though and has plenty of energy!
  
Maddie was the sweetest today.  She loves riding around in the buggy and saying "Hi" to people. She drinks her juice, eats her cookies, hugs on the stuffed animals, and is always fixated on any balls or baby dolls in sight.  I'm sure she's going to consider her baby brother as her own "baba" as she calls her dolls.  We'll have to watch her closely!
 
Work has been extremely busy for me lately.  I don't think I've ever been so busy as I have in the past month.  My boss, who is absolutely the best boss I've ever had (except for my daddy), has been on quite a kick lately of changing things up and adding new music groups, and just a lot of new and different things. Maybe he's going through a mid-life crisis! Now we're getting ready for our "Christmas in August" bash next week. The music is gorgeous as usual and our choir will be quite challenged with the difficulty. But we have 4 months to learn it. I believe this concert will be unforgettable.

Singing the National Anthem & Having a Big Baby Shower All in the Same Week!

My usual somewhat boring life was a little more interesting this past week.  My choir at church went to the Braves games on Tuesday night and sang the National Anthem.  There were 84 of us singing in the 95 degree heat.  One of our younger members actually passed out from heat exhaustion before we even went onto the field.  She ended up staying overnight in the hospital. Another member almost passed out afterward. Despite the heat however we had a wonderful time singing and got a lot of compliments and applause.  It was a fun experience to walk out on the first base line and sing in front of 20,000 plus people.  One of our very special choir members had her cute, fat baby strapped onto her in the front...they both had on sunglasses...that was a hit...the cameramen loved it! You can see her in the group picture on the field!

Lining up to head out onto the field

Singing the National Anthem

Tired and hot but enjoying ourselves!

Our music boss was having a great time!

My co-workers and I...soaked but happy about the successful night!

After we got back to our seats, it began to rain and we just sat and got soaked. That cool rain felt wonderful.  We didn't even care what we looked like by that time.  We sat up in the stands and watched baseball and people and ate pizza and frozen lemonades.  Then we headed back to our air-conditioned buses and got home at 11:30 pm.   A wonderful time was had by all!

 Then on Saturday, three of my cousins and I had a big baby shower at my mother's house.  We four cousins are expecting 5 grandsons due from September to December.  Such a funny thing! What are the odds!? We just knew there'd be a girl among those babies but not so!  Our family used to be quite lopsided with an abundance of girls years ago. Now it is the reverse.  We feel very blessed no matter what!

There was a big cake and crab dip, spinach dip, cheese ball, sausage balls, fruit, rice krispie treats, mock turtle candy, and delicious pineapple and orange juice and ginger ale punch that tasted so good on this 95 degree day.  Despite this heat wave we are trying to enjoy ourselves!  The babies all got sleepers and blankets and bedtime CDs and pacifiers, etc. Just lots of cute things.  We enjoyed seeing all the females in the family. We seem to only see each other at wedding showers, weddings, and baby showers.  I loved seeing the great-grandmothers together also.  We are so very blessed to have such a healthy family at this time.
And, again, a great time was had by all!

Publix had fun making the cake!

Lots of family...such a fun occasion

My baby granddaughter and her cousin...she's learning to share :)

The Pregnant Ones with their ultrasound pics and due dates!

The three sisters/great-grandmothers!