A whole Hand

My first angel, Josiah.  He turned 5.  Five years ago, I saw him being born.  I was one of the first to see him.  The most incredible sight to ever see.  Tears of joy flowed like a river down my cheek.  The love that boy.  I feel such a connection with him.  Pappy and I went to see him to celebrate his birthday.

One thing my mom always told me, when my kids were little, was with a birthday always provide a small present to the other siblings to lessen the jealousy factor.  I have carried on tried and true with this idea.  I gave a present to Olivia and Jackson first and then the main ones to Josiah.

I also gave him a container of mini m & m's.  I know it is bad and what was worse when he opened it the contents spilled everywhere.  It gave me a chuckle.  Olivia was only to happy to help. And by help, she helped herself to what she found and put them in her mouth. 

Jackson loved the balloons that Josiah received.  Jackson was very happy and twirling himself around and around, while the other two were very busy playing with the gifts they received.  I guess with all the suger they had from the candy, they decided to start chasing each other thoroughout the house.   Didn't take any pictures of that. They would have been all blurrs.

I enjoyed holding Joaquin.  He greeted me with the best smile.  Thief of hearts that is what he is.  Though I gave him mine so willingly.


I assessed my situation and decided that it was time to leave.  I left mayhem in my wake.  My grandchildren were happy.  Isn't that the job of grandparent to spoil the kids?  Josiah wanted me to stay.  It was hard to say no but I did need to leave.  I told him he had to have dinner. I knew if I waited any longer the situation would turn ugly.  My daughter was already giving me the look.


He gave me the biggest hug and that is how I helped him celebrate his whole hand age.

Mayhem Maker Abbie


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Jackson and the broom

I was watching Jackson and Joaquin on Saturday.   Joaquin was taking a nap and Jackson helped me with hanging the laundry.  I don't know, if it is helping, when he goes straight to the garden hose to play with the water. 

The hose wasn't turned on.

After I put my clothes on the line, I go inside and I take the broom out to sweep the floor. 

My Jackson must see his mommy with the broom because he knew what to do with it.

He is Abbie's little helper! He will make a good husband some day!!

 Abbie

No Substitutions

I survived another night babysitting my youngest grandchild. Donna Marie and the rest of her family went to the park.  It was in the last afternoon.  She wanted to keep Joaquin out of the heat and humidity.  It was going to be a long night.  He had just fed and was sleeping.


 Joaquin slept for a couple of hours.  When he woke up, he made me earn my keep.  haha
As he was slowly opening his eyes,  I was speaking to him.  The most curious look came over him.  He blinked and scrutinized  me.  This is not my mother I think was his expression.


I got close to his face.  I have often heard that babies need to see things at close range.  It is the same  for me but  I have old eyes.  As I spoke, he gave me smiles. He scanned my face and just smiled. This  made .me laugh.  It lasted for only a few minutes but left a huge mark on my heart.


Joaquin ate, poohed, and burped for the next hour.  The last hour, he was just a fuss bucket.  He wanted to eat, but did want the bottle.  I burped him.  I held him in many positions.  Nothing would appease him.  I started to give him kisses and I sang to him.  He would stop and just look at me.  I think he liked it. Joaquin would look at me while I sang to the tune of Hello Dolly.  But instead of Dolly, I said Hello Mommy.

Donna Marie finally came home. He heard her and  he became still.  Like he was listening and making sure it was her.  I handed her the baby.  The image of him in her arms was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen.   He was so content just being in her arms.  Joaquin missed him mama. . 

I was updating her on his evening and they were just looked at each other.  When the spell was broken, Donna Marie told me it was time for his last feeding and he was ready to go to bed.    The light bulb went on in my head. The problem was Joaquin was done with his visit.  He wanted mom.

Can't blame him, nothing beats your own bed and being with your mother.  No one can replace mom that is for sure. 

I have to accept my demotion.  I have a role its just not the primary one anymore.

Second Rate Abbie

Abbie's eyes

Joaquin is a doll. He eats and sleep most of the time. This is very good for a babysitter like myself who has a very active 18month old that she is watching at the same time.  Jackson was walking, climbing, and getting into everything.  

When  Joaquin did wake up,  I would hold him and he would stared at me.    He would study my face and I just loved touching his nose with my nose.    I love his eyes. I thought he had my eyes. 

I declared it each time I saw him, much to my daughters amusement. A small way,  when I pass on, a little bit of me is still visible to the world. My legacy, if you will. 

 

In just a few weeks, I have seen that they are not my eyes.  I think they belong to his paternal grandmother.  blah

Sorry a little green here. 

Joaquin is still beautiful no matter what shape his eyes are.  He is still my angel.

It was glorious though that for a few days one of my grandchildren had something that was from me.

  Green-eyed Abbie

Rough Night

We sang songs on the radio for the drive.  When we arrived at my grandchildren's home,  I went straight for Joaquin and sat on the couch.  They all wanted to hold the baby.  I gave them each a turn. 

The kids being typical kids wanted this,  that,  and the other thing. They were bouncing off the walls.  Donna Marie was a little overwhelmed. Now in the past I would let her handle it, but at this point I didn't know what I should do first without ticking Donna Marie off.

It was bath time.  She gave the first one to Jackson and then went to Olivia.  That is when the incident happened.  I was downstairs with Josiah and Joaquin and I hear "really ".  Somehow there was an " accident" in the middle of the hall.  I told Josiah do not go upstairs. I would go instead into the lion's den.

I went upstairs.  It was very quiet. There was a stain on the floor in the hallway. Donna Marie was tiger fast.  She had managed to clean most of the mess and put Jackson in his crib. I head to Olivia's room and see Donna Marie getting her ready for bed. 

Olivia was being chatting and taking her time getting her clothes on for bed.   Donna Marie looked a little stressed out. I looked around to see what  could do for her.  I  suggested  I would finish getting Olivia dressed for bed and Donna Marie could get Josiah started on the bath.

Josiah being a 5 year old wanted to play and I could see her patiences get lower and lower.  I gently told her I would take over and for her to go downstairs.  She quietly left. 

It was pretty cool. It had been a long time since I gave a bath to a little angel. He played while I washed him up.  I got him dressed and then it was time to brush teeth.

Olivia wanted her mommy to brush her teeth.  Before Donna Marie could answer, I said I would.  I brushed their  teeth to the tune of Yankee Doodle.  They thought that was so funny.Donna Marie takes this opportunity to finish cleaning the stain. Her bane at this moment.

At last, it was time for prayers and bed. Since I was there,  they didn't want to go.   I came downstairs to let her handle that part.   It was a little struggle for her. 

I come over to where Joaquin is and he starts to stir and then he cries.  A hungry cry.  I sigh.  I was hoping Donna Marie would have at least a few minutes of quiet.  I pick this little morsal and wait for his mommy to come down and feed him.

I try to soothe him. He drifts off to sleep again.  She hurries to close the windows and turn the air on.  She settles on the couch.  All the angels are tucked in bed and one getting ready to eat.  So I take my cue to leave. Donna Marie smiles a tired smile.  At least, I leave on a quiet note.

It was a long day.  As I walk to my car, I see someone peek through the bedroom window.  It was Olivia, the little rascal.

I waved goodbye and throw her a kiss.  I told myself I will see you tomorrow.

The Arrival of the Little King

Yesterday still lingers for me.  It was a very moving emotional day for me.  I got to witness a miracle.  For me each baby is a miracle.  And he was no different.

My daughter was being induced.  The doctor said if she wanted to go a few days before her  due date, she could.  She did.


Donna Marie and her husband came late.  Which is so funny, considering she is always late for everything.  haha


It was a very calm process.  The last time she was in there, there was lots of commotion.  She gave birth within two hours.  This time is was very relaxed.  Donna Marie walked around and checked everything.  Normally she doesn't get a chance to really see the labor room.  It is usually a blur for the new moms.


The hospital staff started the pit. It is medicine that would make her labor progress, since her body was not yet ready to deliver. They increased her pit intake over the course of the day. 

They gave her an epidural. This would prevent her from feeling the contractions.  Being it was adminstered properly. The last time she had an epidural.  It did not go well. 


With the first pregnancy, he had to insert the needle quite a few times and that needle can be quite painful.  There was not enough medicine coming out and she was not relieve of her pain.

Donna Marie was a little hesitant. I talked with her and said that with a different person doing the procedure it would have to result in a different outcome. 


Donna Marie was glad she agreed to it because it went well. The whole process and  she didn't feel any pain.


Ten hours had passed.  In that time, she did her nails. 

She had some facebook.

At times, she was bored.   I told her to take advantage of this quiet time.  She wouldn't be bored for long!  Donna Marie took a nap and so did her husband. 


She wasn't in any pain or discomfort until the last two hours.  From a mom's point of view,  this was very tough for me.  No mom wants their child in pain.  To not be able to take it away makes one feel powerless.

All I could do for her was offer words of praise and encouragement.  I guided her with her breathing.


Her husband was there but I can only talk from my point of view.  She did an amazing job.  I am in total awe of her. 


As she is pushing, I see my littlest angel.  It is ironic to say that because he is the biggest yet to be born. He was born  9 lbs and 7 ounces. He is a little hulk.


Tears from all sorts of emotions are flowing.  The most incredible sight to see an angel being born and to see this woman, who is my child, doing all she can to give birth with everything she got.


All the drama fell away when the little king was handed to his mama.  All the pain had evaporated.  All that was left was pure joy. Pure love.

For me to be a part of this moment is very humbling and I am very honored.


Happy Birthday my Little King!

Royal Servant Abbie

Counting Down

I just got off the phone with my daughter.  She came back from seeing her doctor.  If Donna Marie doesn't go naturally by next Monday, she will be induced on June 7. 


Is she ready?  yes and no

Donna Marie wants to not be pregnant anymore. It is hot and the baby is very big.  These last two months have been very uncomfortable.  But on the flip side, she is not looking forward to bearing down, the pain, and the needles.

Goodness sakes, who does?!?  I know I don't.  The pain is the first thing I thought each time I had my sons.  You don't know what you are in for on the first child.  It is like trial by fire. My daughter being the first trial.

I have been there for each of her babies. We are on her fourth.  I would have loved to have been there for my son's daughter's birth.  I don't know if I would have been allowed in the room, but I most definitely would have been outside the doors waiting to burst through as soon as I was allowed.

This Tuesday may be the last time I get to see a grandchild of mine born.  Donna Marie has stated that this is the last one.  But she also stated that with the others kids.  Who knows?

My son is expecting to have a son in  late July but I wont be there.  He lives in Colorado.  I can't just be on standby  and fly out on a moment's notice.  I wish I could but the old purse strings do not allow for that kind of spontaneity.  I will be visiting him and his family in August.

My youngest has decided not to have children and even if  he changes his mind, the girl will probably  rather have her mom in the room with her instead of me. 

I am still in awe that a child of mine is going to give birth to another one of my angels.  What an early birthday present for me.  My birthday being the next day.

I told my daughter that Joaquin (that will be the baby's name) and I will be having week long birthday extravaganzas every second week of June.  A week of being worshipped and adored by the family.

That's when she said "Really, Ma"  rolled her eyes and said "goodbye, mother!"   Now I didn't see her roll her eyes but I have that ability to know how she react to things.  I made her after all.

Each child is a blessing!  I am so looking forward to hold and meet my newest grandchild.

Now about the week long birthday extravaganzas.  Is that too much to ask for??


 Party girl Abbie