Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Like Riding A Bicycle

If you're looking for this week's Hodgepodge questions you'll find them here

So we're back home in the Palmetto State after nearly two weeks out west. I know I need to write something, but where in the world to begin? I think I'll start here-

With this girl.



She's a mama now, yet when I look at her with the pony tail and the bright eyes I struggle to mesh the passing of time with the here and now.


Baby boy is absolutely beautiful. He has long legs like his Daddy and long arms and fingers too. Babies are so funny. Sometimes he holds his arms out wide like he's conducting a symphony.


And of course I don't need to mention his hair do I? It's the best! The dark color was such a surprise to me because my girls are, and always have been so fair headed, but I love it.


When I look at his face I see my daughter. There is definitely much of his mama in the shape of his face, his chin, and the way his deep blue eyes seem to study you.


He has a sweet disposition unless you try to change his diaper, then all bets are off. He's a mover and a shaker and while many babies absolutely hate 'tummy time' he seems to enjoy it. I know this for a fact because he told his PawPaw so.


One other little thing that upsets him is if you're slow in getting his supper to him. And by slow I mean not lightning fast. He gets hangry which I guess means he does have a little of his Nana in him too-ha!


Hubs and I so want to be those laid back go with the flow kind of grandparents, but who are we kidding?  We're not those people.


We're often a little bit too helpful, because that's how we roll in these parts, but here's the thing...baby boy's mama is still our girl and she's so geographically far away from us that we just want to take care of things for her when we can.


Don't get me wrong. These brand new parents are two very capable adults who are managing the early days with a newborn like they've been doing it all their lives, but still...hubs and I? We need to help. And my daughter seems to know this so she lets us.


Sometimes I don't know quite what to do with all the love I feel for my girls so I cook them dinner and wash their dishes and put meals in their freezer. I run the vacuum and fold the laundry and hubs mows the lawn and handles a car repair and does his best to wear their puppy dog out when we're in town because that says love to us.


I'm not close enough to babysit for a Friday night date but by golly when I'm in town I'm going to mop your kitchen floor and change your sheets so you can rest and feed your baby.


There's an old home video in our family that we all love so much. It's my Daughter1 learning to ride a bicycle, pedaling her way around our cul-de-sac. In the background you can hear her sister, aged 3 1/2, saying, 'Keep going Sissy. You're doing great'. 


Honestly it kind of makes your heart go all mushy inside. The sheer sweetness of a summer day. The slightly nervous smile, the innocence, the joy all right there on her face for everyone to see.


The small glimpse you're given of a seemingly distant future...


That place where your little girl pedals through life without mom holding on to the seat, her family loving her and cheering her on...

19 comments:

  1. Awww this is such a sweet tribute to your daughter and the loving family that she comes from. Just beautiful, Joyce.

    Have a blessed day. :)

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  2. OMG! what a precious post and I felt your heart in every word of it. AND, I know how hard it was to leave them but, as you said, they are very capable and will make it just fine. It's just hard for so many miles to separate you. Have a great week settling back in to your own routine.

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  3. What an incredibly special time for your family...so happy for you!

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  4. Oh Joyce, I can see a bit of you in him! In the picture of you holding him close to your face. Yup! Looks like his Nana! I love being an Oma. It is the best!

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  5. Lovely post Joyce. It must have been so hard leaving them to come home. I bet you're already planning your next visit and working out the best time for Facetime/Skype. Although I bet you've got that one sorted already.

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  6. I am so happy for you all. My heart is just smiling big. He's just adorable. Oh boy can I identify with all those thoughts and feelings too. My hubs and I are the same way. We want to help. We want to show love. We just want to bless them all. So when we are given that chance that's just what we do. Soo much joy lies ahead of you on this road of grandparenthood (is that a word? Lol) and I KNOW you'll love it all.

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  7. This made me cry. A daughter that is now a momma too - so much emotion is those words :-)

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  8. What a great post! Nothing is better than a grandchild. He is so cute, and I love his hair. My youngest son and daughter were born with a full head of black hair, their older brother had blond fuzz.

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  9. Incredibly beautiful post, Joyce. It's wonderful to see our daughters become moms and to see how our family's legacy continues to play out. A rich blessing.

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  10. So precious....
    Yep, she's always YOUR baby so you'll always take care of her while she takes care of her baby.
    What a gorgeous baby!!!!! I know you're so proud.

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  11. So darling. I totally 'get' your love language. As parents we want to 'help' anyway we can or as much as they 'let' us.

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  12. Awwww. Just nothing but pure sweetness here and I couldn't agree with you more. It truly is a blessing to have adult kids who know how to adult, but also understand your need to adult, take action, love, and be hands on grandparents.

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  13. I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes. He is so beautiful and the best gift that God has to give. I am beyond happy for all of you. So glad you got to spend two weeks with him. This is what life is all about.....

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  14. Turning into grandma gel here! What a tribute to your family! All that dark hair, my goodness!
    Cover your daughter and baby boy with kisses.

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  15. What a beautiful post Joyce. He is so beautiful! You all are very blessed.

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  16. I freely admit to being a blubber head. Tears flowing at the sheer beauty in this blog.

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  17. Yes, and amen. I'm not as far away as you are and I can jump in a car and be there in 5-1/2 hours and it's my son not my daughter but PTL my daughter in law lets us roll in and do what we need to do to be a part of this wonderful new life unfolding in front of our eyes. What a wonderful thing to behold...new life.

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