This week is the rather inconvenient (at least to us) week that day care is closed as they transition from day camp format back to school. Having to take so much time for medical stuff has left me strapped time off wise, and so I searched for babysitters.
I am so lucky to have a family that loves this little guy so much. My dad (Monkey's Grampa) and his Auntie have had him for two days and Monkey's grandma (my mom) had him on her usual Thursday. My dad heard I was trying to find coverage, and immediately told me I didn't have to worry, he would watch the little guy.
It is amazing the effect a grandfather (or grandmother) has on a child. It happened with my Grampy and I and I can see it happening with my Dad. I have recieved pictures of the little guy with his Grampa on the ride on lawn mower, reading or watching TV and sharing a snack. Whenever he spots my Dad enter the house, he freaks out (in the best way possible) and runs for a hug. Then he drags his Grampa to play with something or points to the door, sure that they will be going on another adventure.
And he forgets all about his Mommy. Not a hug. Not a kiss. Just a waive and a "Bye".
That is not a bad thing, honestly, it makes me happy. I see my Dad around my son and it triggers flashbacks of how close I was with my Grampy. The unabashed joy they have at being together is a vision I treasure and will treasure always.
We recently took a trip to Maine with the Monkey's Nana, Monkey's Grampa, Monkey's Great Nana and Monkey's Great Beepa. I was looking through the photos the other day, and the joy on every one's face when around Monkey was visible. Even my Nana, who has Alzheimer's, enjoyed every second with him. But more importantly I have the memory of my Dad I will keep in my heart forever.
It was late afternoon on Saturday, and my dad had been working on something in the cellar with my great grandfather. We were playing outside when we heard the rumble of an engine. Up the drive came my dad on the four wheeler. My dad asked"Do you mind if I take him for a ride?" He seemed almost shocked when I told him, "Sure, go ahead but be careful." And off they went. Both Monkey and his Grandpa as happy as ever as they drove down the driveway and off into the fading day. When they drove back up the driveway, my son was squealing with delight, and my dad had a huge grin on his face. "MO!" screamed my son, signing please. My dad looked overjoyed, "do you mind if I take him again?" And they off they went, looking for deer. They returned and we had dinner. When we were done, my dad and Monkey went off on yet another ride looking for deer. They drove up the driveway on the way back to the house and I can see them both genuinely grinning.
I hope he learns a lot from my Dad. He is a pretty incredible guy.
Someday, when I am much older, he will be ditching his Mommy and his Grampa to play with his friends, go on a date, leave for college. My hope for him is that his children have the bond with his grandparents that my son has with his. So lucky I tell you!
Friday, August 31, 2012
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Wow... really that long!
So I have been attending to Mommy duty, health issues and an increasingly busy summer schedule... but it has been a long time readers, and hopefully I am back for a long blog haul.
What has been going on? Everything. Summer began with Monkey's First Birthday. It was a beautiful day at a beautiful venue with all of his friends and family surrounding us. We have spent weekends on the Cape, and more recently spent 5 days enjoying nature in Maine. We visited the lake, the beach, Ediville Railroad, Providence Children's Museum, Acton Fair, and York's Wild Animal Kingdom.
Health wise; at Monkey's Birthday, Monkey's Grampa had a stroke. Everything is ok, but it scared the bejebus out of us. He was in the hospital a couple weeks later for low iron, and again everything worked out and he is doing good now. Two weeks after Monkey's Party, we found out my Ulcerative Colitis was a misdiagnosis, and that the correct diagnosis is either Chrones or IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). I had a capsule endoscopy, and I will get the results from that next week. The new medicine that I am on is allowing me the ability to eat some of my triggers without an issue. I can now order ice cream without feeling like I was stabbed in the stomach. The CPAP machine is doing wonders for me. So awesome.
Mostly the Summer has been spent making memories of our lives as a family of three. Every second is precious as we are busy with the day to day, and quality time is at a premium. So sometimes it is as easy as having a Wiggly Dance Party at home or taking a ride to the beach.
Monkey is thriving. This week is the vacation week at daycare and when he goes back, he will be in a new classroom with new teachers. Just like at a school. We are sad to not be dropping off in his old classroom, but as he is walking and talking, it is time. He is walking like a toddler - or a drunken sailor - but his balance steadies daily. His vocabulary grows daily. Monkey now says: mama, daddy, Min, kitty, Moo, blue, Roo, Pooh, Papa, Nana, baba (Bottle), Mikey, yummy and as of the weekend - duck. He loves to play trucks, and push his large Thomas around the house. He still loves the Wiggles and Thomas, but is really into Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Jake and the Neverland Pirates and Doc McStuffins when we watch TV. He is curious about everything. He has even started asking the question "Why?".
As for me, I have a to do list a mile long, and I don't usually get to sit down until 9:30 or so every night. I am tired, and some times I want Mommy alone time.... or to read a book. But I don't want life any other way.
What has been going on? Everything. Summer began with Monkey's First Birthday. It was a beautiful day at a beautiful venue with all of his friends and family surrounding us. We have spent weekends on the Cape, and more recently spent 5 days enjoying nature in Maine. We visited the lake, the beach, Ediville Railroad, Providence Children's Museum, Acton Fair, and York's Wild Animal Kingdom.
Health wise; at Monkey's Birthday, Monkey's Grampa had a stroke. Everything is ok, but it scared the bejebus out of us. He was in the hospital a couple weeks later for low iron, and again everything worked out and he is doing good now. Two weeks after Monkey's Party, we found out my Ulcerative Colitis was a misdiagnosis, and that the correct diagnosis is either Chrones or IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). I had a capsule endoscopy, and I will get the results from that next week. The new medicine that I am on is allowing me the ability to eat some of my triggers without an issue. I can now order ice cream without feeling like I was stabbed in the stomach. The CPAP machine is doing wonders for me. So awesome.
Mostly the Summer has been spent making memories of our lives as a family of three. Every second is precious as we are busy with the day to day, and quality time is at a premium. So sometimes it is as easy as having a Wiggly Dance Party at home or taking a ride to the beach.
Monkey is thriving. This week is the vacation week at daycare and when he goes back, he will be in a new classroom with new teachers. Just like at a school. We are sad to not be dropping off in his old classroom, but as he is walking and talking, it is time. He is walking like a toddler - or a drunken sailor - but his balance steadies daily. His vocabulary grows daily. Monkey now says: mama, daddy, Min, kitty, Moo, blue, Roo, Pooh, Papa, Nana, baba (Bottle), Mikey, yummy and as of the weekend - duck. He loves to play trucks, and push his large Thomas around the house. He still loves the Wiggles and Thomas, but is really into Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Jake and the Neverland Pirates and Doc McStuffins when we watch TV. He is curious about everything. He has even started asking the question "Why?".
As for me, I have a to do list a mile long, and I don't usually get to sit down until 9:30 or so every night. I am tired, and some times I want Mommy alone time.... or to read a book. But I don't want life any other way.
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