New Year's Eve

This year has flown by so quickly.  Many things have happened, some good, some not so good and some just so-so.  

 

I was especially glad to be able to spend time with Sophie this week.  She and I enjoyed our "girl time".  Sophie, now nine, comes up to my shoulders.  I asked her if she was going to play basketball ... no way, she might get hurt.  She is truly a "girly girl" and very well-mannered.  Hats off to Gloria for the great job she has done teaching Sophie how to act like a little lady and to be respectful.  What fun we had when Melissa took pictures.  I have decided that talking a lot is very much a Washington trait!  Wish we could spend more time with her, but distance and obligations get in the way.  Anyway, being able to spend time with Sophie was a great way to end 2010 and begin 2011!! 

 

Part of New Year's Eve was spent babysitting for Miles so that Bailee could go see the movie "Yogi".  It was a special time to spend alone with Miles.  I love to see his face light up when I talk to him and his smile melts my heart.  By the way, he almost turned over from his back to his tummy tonight all by himself. 

 

"Slim to none" was the reply I received from Ryan when asked what the chances were for Max to be born tonight.  I know they were hoping for the tax deduction, but guess that wish isn't going to be granted.  As I write this, there is still a little time left .....  so, just, maybe?

 

Catching Up - Part Two

Well this blogging hasn't turned out like I envisioned.  I'm not sure if I should just give up, catch up, start over ... get my point?  So, I'll just try to do the best I can.  Life happens, holidays happen ... are those excuses good enough? 

 

I wasn't going to put a Christmas tree up this year, just wasn't in the holly jolly spirit.  Then one afternoon, Bailee asks, "gigi do you have a Christmas tree?"  I tell her I do and that it is in the garage.  Of course, she is thinking it is decorated until I tell her it is in a box.  Such a disappointment for a three year old.  So, after momma and daddy get Bailee and Miles after work, gigi gets the box out of the garage, puts the tree up, finds a big bow for the top and plugs in the lights.  Surely, that will satisfy her.  Next morning, Bailee loves the tree.  She says it is just perfect, but asks, "gigi, do you have any 'orndaments' to put on it?"  Yes, Bailee, we will put "orndaments" on later.  I'm sorry to say that later never came for us to put on the "orndaments".  I'm sorry Bailee, gigi will really try to do much better next year.  We celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve at Melissa's and Roy's house.  It was beautifully decorated with plenty of "orndaments"! 

 

Miles has the most adorable smile and cutest laugh ever.  There have only been a few days that have been trying for gigi.  Like the one where he didn't sleep for more than what seemed like 5 minutes unless I was holding him.  Not that I mind holding him, and it is a really good excuse for not getting anything else done.  Momma wanted to know shouldn't he be turning over by now.  My reply was that he has to be laying down to turn over!  Laying down will be our goal when he starts staying with me again after the holidays!

Catching Up

December 1, 2010 -- Miles Laughs

Pepaw was singing “Six Little Ducks” to Miles today.  I wasn’t sure if it was a laugh or a cough, ended up being a laugh!!   Such a sweet sound to my ears.  That song used to be one of Bailee's favorites.  Now she's moved on to "Baby" by Justin Bieber.

December 2, 2010

Miles wasn’t laughing today.  He has a nasty rash on his legs, poor baby, that made him very,  very restless.  It made for a very long day.

Bailee was such a sweet, sweet girl this morning.  There was some drama going on in the Washington household.  She was so very concerned about our visitors. Have I mentioned before how sweet Bailee is?  Pepaw sat with her and told her stories (anyone who knows Pepaw knows that his stories are quite lengthy) until she went to sleep.  I am so thankful for Pepaw's help.

Pepaw and I went to Van Buren for a Bentonville basketball game.  He got pretty upset with the players and the refs.  If he gets upset with refs I know it’s bad because he just doesn’t do that unless they make really bad calls.  I was a little worried about him since we had no nitro glycerin with us!

December 3, 2010

Miles felt much better today.  The cream for his legs did the trick.  When awake today, he was a very happy baby.  He loves to be on Gigi’s bed and look around.   He smiled and tried to laugh a lot more today. 

Miles absolutely loves his big sister, Bailee, and the feeling is mutual.  She still isn’t really crazy about sharing him with Gigi though.  She had Pepaw dancing and playing with her and Phoebe today.  The sound of her laughter made my heart happy.  When he needed to rest, she says, “but Pepaw you have to pway with me pwease”.   She has always loved him, but is becoming more attached to him due to times that Miles needs me.

I have to say a huge thanks to Pepaw for his help with the babies.  He has helped so much during this first week.  It would be much harder for me to handle both babies if it weren’t for his help.  Not sure I would be very successful without it.

Occasionally this week, Bailee would ask “where is me mommy”.   She had become so accustomed to being at home with her mommy that she really missed her this week.  I didn’t tell mom this because I didn’t want her to feel even worse about going back to work.  So Stephanie, if you read this, know that your baby girl really loves her mommy.

Week of December 5 -11

Monday was my work day for Walmart.  I really call this my off day J  .  I enjoy being around other adults.

My mother always told me that if “you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”.  That pretty much sums up the rest of my day.

Tuesday

My mother always told me that if “you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”.  That pretty much sums up all of the day.

Wednesday

Better day in some ways, worse in others (more at another time)

Bailee and Miles were so sweet today.  Both were pretty content for the most part.  Can’t think of any firsts for either.

Bailee is having some potty issues, poor baby.  We are hoping Gigi’s special princess juice (apple/prune) will do the trick.

Tonight was the first meeting of the Reclaimers, a crafting group.  It was very enjoyable for me even though I didn’t make a bow.  I enjoyed meeting everyone and being able to put faces to names that I’ve heard from Melissa.

Joseph and family took Pepaw to a basketball game.  Gigi forgot to warn them that Pepaw gets quite loud with his cheering.  Let’s just say that I could hear him when I entered the building!  It might bother me if it weren’t for the fact that a year ago, he was in bed 23 hours a day and never could have gone to a ball game.

Thursday

Pretty much an uneventful day with Bailee and Miles.  Both took naps at the same time this afternoon.  I found that a great time for knitting.

Chris’s band concert was tonight.  Even though I forgot about it til the last minute I was able to get there with time to spare.  He denies being responsible for the squeaks!

Friday

Bailee had a little tea party today with her friends.  She had problems finding a cup, but finally found only one.  They all shared, sure hope no one gets sick J 

She woke up from her nap having an uncontrollable crying spell.  I’m thinking her head was hurting since the boo boo bear on the side of it seemed to help or maybe it was that Phoebe decided the best place to sleep was right on top of Bailee.

Miles was his sweet self.  TahTah would disagree since every time she called he was fussing or crying.  I love this little guy more each day.  He has the sweetest smile and brightest blue eyes!

Today ends the second full week of keeping both Bailee and Miles.  Not too bad considering everything.  We’ll see how next week is. 

Hands

November 24, 2010

Miles discovered his hands today!!  Even though he had been chewing on them lately, he really saw  them today.  I didn't mention it to anyone until TahTah confirmed it later in the day.  TahTah and Unca stayed with Bailee and Miles while I went to the store.  I had to pick up our Thanksgiving dinner....thank you Harps!

Bailee wanted to play commercial today.  Its started with "gigi have you seen my green shirt....."  If you haven't seen this commercial on tv, just ask Bailee about it, she can repeat it word for word.  Bailee also told TahTah that she (TahTah) is the best toy!!!  I think she still would like Santa to bring her Justin Bieber though.

It was bound to happen....all at the same time three people and one dog all needed me at the same time.  Miles needed his poopy diaper changed.  While changing the diaper, Bailee needed to go to the potty, Phoebe needed to go outside, Pepaw needed his door shut and remember that if Phoebe goes outside she also needs to come back in!  Then everything went in reverse....I shut Pepaw's door, let Phoebe back in, got Bailee off the potty, and finished changing the poopy diaper.  I think I am becoming much better at multi-tasking!

After that, I think things couldn't be any worse.  After TahTah and Unca went home, things did, in fact, get worse.  Miles, who isn't known for being a happy baby, was not happy.  Bailee, who is known for being sweet and happy, was so sleepy and tired she was crying uncontrollably.  The needy dog, needed to go outside (perhaps her way of escape from all the crying) and during all of this, Pepaw was telling GiGi a story.    This all went on for what seemed like...forever, but I know it didn't because if so, it would still be going on.

By the time momma and daddy came, Bailee was still sleeping, Miles was asleep, Pepaw was asleep, Phoebe was asleep and GiGi was not asleep but enjoying the peace and quiet. 

Did I mention that Miles found his hands today?

One Tired GiGi

Today was Day One for keeping both Bailee and Miles.  Since my goal is to document firsts, the only first I can think of is this was the first day. With that out of the way let me say that Bailee was super sweet, a little clingy, a little jealous, but very sweet.  She was so excited to see her TahTah and wanted to go take pictures...imagine that.

Miles, who I was told usually sleeps til 9:30 or 10:00 woke up right after momma and daddy left for work.  He catnapped til he was hungry.  For the most part he was pretty contented all day.  Miles has the sweetest smile and tries so hard to laugh out loud.  I absolutely love watching his little personality develop. He really follows noises and voices.  Once when he was a little fussy, pepaw asked for him.  I had my doubts about pepaw being able to calm him down.  My doubts were unfounded as there was no more fussing after pepaw took him in his arms.  Pretty sure I heard him singing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame..."

Another first (so there was more than one),  and perhaps an only is that both Bailee and Miles were asleep at the same time.  I took a picture so that I could look back and see that they really did give me a break during the day. Notice the "watch dog".   I would post it but I haven't figured out how to do that yet. Maybe TahTah can show me how (or do it for me :) )

When momma and daddy came to pick up their babies, one of the first things Bailee told them about was that she had school today with TahTah.

I got her school book out and she showed them what she learned.   This took me by surprise since it was the first time she mentioned school after TahTah went home.

This gigi is very tired...... good night!

Tomorrow my life is going to change...again!

For the past three years, I have been fortunate to babysit one of my granddaughters.  Bailee is by far the sweetest little girl I've ever known.  We share a very special bond.  I frequently tell people that Bailee is my lifesaver.  Not the candy, instead she was what kept my mind busy, leaving little time to think about how sick her pepaw was during much of the time that she's been in our lives.  The only times I would see her pepaw smile was when Bailee was around.  In my mind I can see the two of them in his hospital bed watching tv, reading a book, eating a popsicle, or even her swinging from the trapeze bar above his bed!  Me, being the party pooper, quickly had to put a stop to the trapeze bar acts...more than once!  They were just having fun! 

I wish that I had documented all of her firsts, not just for myself, but for her parents.  Sometimes firsts are soon forgotten.  Hence, the reason for this blog. Beginning tomorrow, not only will I be babysitting for Bailee, but also for her brother, Miles, who was born on August 30, 2010.  I hope to document some of the firsts with Miles. 

I worry that Bailee isn't going to want to share me with Miles...she is very possessive of her gigi.  When I have visited at her house, she is very quick to tell me to give Miles to momma if she needs or wants something.  What will she do, when no one is here to take Miles from me?  What willl I do?  Guess I'll have the answer to that question on Tuesday!