I Give Up

I thought life had slowed down enough to allow me to catch up here on all that had been going on in March.  Wrong! It's moving just as fast, if not faster, than ever.  So...to make a long story short...that bug that Mama Cat and Baby Bird had?  Well, it landed Mama Cat in the ER at our local hospital running a scary high fever, and she and Papallama would spend the next week sleeping away the days with the virus while Baby Bird and I explored the nooks and crannies that a new crawler so easily finds.  Because she was here longer than expected, she and Jaybird decided that he would join her here for the weekend to attend a cousin's wedding.  That wedding, which I directed (pat on my back), was beautiful with a funtastic reception.

Spring forward to April and Grammy started a makeover of a dining room, supposed to be living room combo.  I have used the living room space as an office for a while now.  We hired a painter for the first time in our married life.  We're just too busy to accomplish all of the projects we want to do right now on our own.  I'll post a picture (maybe) when it's all done. 

And now, we are off for another grand adventure! 

~California! Here we come! 

And then...

After our weekend in Alabama, I got ready for my return trip to help Mama at Law for another week.  She had requested my help long before P Buddy was born when she saw the possibility that she would be in a trial in March.  Trials in family law are not frequent, according to Mama at Law, so this was a pretty big deal and meant it would need her full attention. 

Photo Credit: Anna Kate Photography

It was the first time that I had the challenge privilege of taking care of both boys at once including having them both in the car and out in public together with me.  How I raised two children of my own is now a mystery to me.  It is scary business.  Once when making a quick left on a busy road, the car's tailgate flew open.  I pulled off the road and proceeded to fix the problem.  When I returned to driving, PDub sweetly shouted, "Oh, crap! Dat's silly, uh, Gwammy?"  That's when I realized that I could no longer vocalize my thoughts while driving in the car with the grands.  Obviously, he picked up on a new phrase from a reaction I didn't even know I had broadcast.  Then one afternoon, I decided to grab some early supper for PDub from the nearby fast food place.  I thought I would just drive through, but I couldn't turn down his excited request to get out and play a while at their playground.  PBuddy, meanwhile, was wailing like a banshee, his usual response to short car trips with me.  "Oh well, he'll stop when I get him out," I thought.  And he did.  Until we got inside the restaurant.  Then he commenced to wail again.  The workers' eyes got real big, and their pace quickened.  (Oh, they thought I was going to take the wailing baby out?  Ha, ha...no such luck!)  PBuddy was given the distinction of being the loudest baby they had ever heard.  Well, he's got a good set of lungs.  What can I say?  Luckily, he did settle down and PDub enjoyed some time playing.  Again, how did I raise two of my own?  I felt a little better when Mama at Law said she would have never attempted to do it alone.  I have to give PDub props for being a super listener and for leaving peacefully when I told him it was time to go. 

Photo Credit: Anna Kate Photography

Now, don't let me leave you thinking that PBuddy is a cryer.  He is the sweetest, cuddliest butterball of a baby.  I just love to hold him because he appreciates it so much.  He and I are kindred spirits given our position of #3 in family position.  We #3's gotta stick together.  He will never have to worry about me neglecting him because I've tired of ballgames, concerts, or programs.  God willing and the creek don't rise, I'll be there, PBuddy...and Baby Bird...and PDub...

I returned home after a successful conclusion to the trial and welcomed Mama Cat and Baby Bird for a special visit.

Remember that virus that they had?  It came along, too.

Cough...cough...

What had happened was

Where in the world did March go?!!  I thought everything was starting to come to a crawl again when all of a sudden, somebody hit the gas!  Well, there's a lot of catching up to do and it may take a few posts to do it justice, so bear with me while I try to recount what's been happening in the life of Grammy.

Back in February, I told Papallama that we hadn't been to the fine state of Alabama in quite a while.  Mama Cat had made a few treks to SC for one reason or another, and I didn't want that to stop us from catching up with Jaybird who has been very busy on his new job.  Besides, we're still learning about the area where they live, and that's always fun. So the first weekend in March, we put our banjo on our knee and went to Alabama. 

It fit!

Being part of tornado alley, we were welcomed with tornado watches when we arrived.  Their home is atop a mountain and the view of the sky is just spectacular, especially when storms roll across.  That day, unfortunately, was disastrous for parts of Alabama, but luckily not where we were.  Mama Cat has come to deeply respect weather alerts.  Scary the way it has intensified the past few years, isn't it?

Saturday morning, the sun was shining, and we headed to one of my new favorite cities...Chattanooga!  We haven't run out of cool ways to spend the day there yet!  We started with lunch at Urban Stack, a local hamburger joint.  I can not even begin to describe how delicious their burgers are.  When I say I had the best burger I have eaten in my life, that is saying alot.  I have eaten plenty of burgers, believe me.  From the bun to the patty and everything in between, it was mmmmmmm, mmmmmmmm, crazy mad good! 



See that happy baby? 



Then we went to the Tennessee Aquarium.  I had always heard how fabulous it was, so I was eager to see.  I love the SC Aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium, and I visited the aquarium in New Orleans before Katrina hit, so I've seen some great aquariums.  Of the four, I gotta tell ya, I think Tennessee has 'em beat.  It is comprised of two buildings: one for freshwater, one for saltwater.  Mama Cat and Jaybird bought a family membership, and from the look on Baby Bird's face as he took his first tour, I think they'll get their money's worth out of it. 

Last, but not least, we crossed the street, and enjoyed some Ben and Jerry's ice cream.  In case you didn't know, I am an ice cream addict.  No, really, I have a serious addiction to the stuff. 

And what was Baby Bird into as far as books go?  He is a boy on the move, so books need to be tough and attention grabbing.  He loves board books and lift a flap books.  Karen Katz has the corner on this market.

Mama Cat and Baby Bird had been battling viruses before our visit, so Sunday morning, as we sat around, Mama Cat began to get very drousy.  Wondering why she couldn't keep her eyes open, Jaybird asked her what she had taken for her cold.  When she checked the bottle, she discovered she had taken the night time version.  Oh, well, that gave us the motivation to go ahead and hit the road for the five hour trip home.  The virus?  Well, there's more to come on that...

cough, cough...

On Duty

Grammy is on duty while Mama at Law is representing a client in a custody trial. I hoped to post from my iPad, but I can't upload pictures, so I'll have to wait until I return home. Lots to add to the blog about Grammy's latest adventures, but for now, P Buddy is calling...

Grammy Sews

There's a reason this blog is not titled Grammy Sews. My sewing machine sits idle most of the year(s).  But now that I have completed several major assignments, I find myself in the perfect lull to start a sewing project.  When the girls were small, I enjoyed making little dresses for them.  Some were fancy, but the ones I liked the most were the simple ones that I could throw together quickly and that they seemed to enjoy wearing, like the Strawberry Shortcake dress that Mama at Law loved, or the smocked kittens overalls that Mama Cat toddled around in. 



Made this for Mama at Law when she was three. Piping and embroidery?  When did I have that kind of time?



Now if you looked at my sewing close up, you'd understand that my outfits are best suited for children. I am no tailor.  And that's okay. 

I have started a John John for Baby Bird.  Mama Cat really likes this type of outfit for her little boy.  I hope to do a couple for P Buddy, too, before he's too big for his parents to turn their nose up at it.  A John John can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it.  I am starting (I hope) fairly simple.  This will be a reversible gingham one, sans piping or smocking.  The most complicated part will likely be the snap crotch.

In the midst of this project, I have already hit several snags.  My machine is not happy about its lack of attention and is making me pay with poor tension, bobbin issues, and a broken foot pedal.  The directions for the John John leave much to be desired, but I am finding some good help via the Internet.  My frustrations reminded me of the days in my classroom when students would become upset over learning a new skill.  Tears, tension, fear...all a normal part of the learning process.  It was learning at its best.  You see, the best times teaching were not the ones where everything went smoothly and all were happy.  The best ones were the days when just as a student was on the brink of giving up, it 'clicked', and the challenge that seemed unsurmountable became possible.  That's kinda where I am with my sewing again.  But just as I knew the student was going to get there, I remind myself that I will, too.  If there are frustrations as I go, it only serves to make me grow.

Yeah, Grammy is still growing.  Hope you are, too.

Chapter Three

I am just beginning to turn the pages on Chapter Three in the Grammy novel.  PBuddy, as I have now dubbed him, is more and more alert and aware of his new surroundings every day and this first month saw him add a few pounds, sneak us a smile, and melt our hearts with cuddliness. 

I will give thanks unto thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Wonderful are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well. ~Psalm 139:14 American Standard Version


Each grandson is definitely one of a kind.  PBuddy has a stock of reddish brown hair and deep blue eyes.  He knows his momma's voice and lets her know when he is hungry beyond any shadow of a doubt.  When his eyes lock onto something, he gets very, very still and stares several minutes.  His hands are more active than his legs.  He waves them around and loves to get his hand up to his mouth.  He likes a paci...thank goodness.  He sleeps for a few hours at a time.  When he's awake, he is pretty quiet. (unless he's hungry)  He prefers a dry, clean diaper as soon as possible.  He needs burping when he drinks a bottle.  He loves to sleep on you more than he likes sleeping in a crib.  He is not a fan of riding in the car.  He stops crying as soon as he is picked up.  He loves to be held.  Yes, he is wonderfully made.  I know that right well.

With gratitude~

Bringing Up Boys who Read

As a former teacher, I heard lots of Moms tell me their sons just didn't like to read. I always enjoyed the challenge of finding that 'just right' book for the reluctant reader. But as a Grammy, I couldn't help but be concerned that maybe this was a 'boy' thing and that MY boys would not like to read either. So it's been a mission of mine to make sure that books are at their fingertips and that there's usually something new or even a golden oldie to enjoy.

Baby Bird reads during a diaper change.
Yeah, it was going to take a while to change this one.

It turns out that my daughters were way ahead of me.  Walk into my grandsons' rooms and you will instantly spy books, books,books. Books left in mid sentence, favorite books by the bed waiting to be read for the umpteenth time, a supply of books in the waiting on the bookshelf...yes, there is no shortage of books. Since before they were born, books have been there as part of their everyday lives.
Mama at Law took PDub to preschool one morning recently, and as she was leaving, she heard him talking and talking. So much so that she turned around to take a peek into his classroom. There was P reading a book. Looking over his shoulder were some of the other little boys listening intently to the story. This makes me not only proud, but hopeful. I believe that my grandsons will grow up always loving books. Yes, they will love playing video games, watching movies, playing outside, and hopefully some art and music in the mix.  But the one constant (besides my love, of course) will be the company of a good book.

"You cannot open a book without learning something."
~Confucius

"You cannot raise a decent boy without books."
~Grammy