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children

Weekend at Mimi’s

by Claire on August 23, 2010

peekabooEvan Well, it’s really a weekend at Cindy’s and Cody’s, only without Cindy and Cody. Just me, the boys, and Dug the Pup™. We are having a grand time. The first night was a bit rough – mostly me getting settled into things. Learning how often to take Dug the Pup™ out to go potty, and getting the timing off a few times meant a lot of cleanup. I think I’ve got the hang of it now, so Dug the Pup™ is no problem.

Friday evening, I was having so much fun with the boys, I forgot my prior experiences on their trampoline and joined them. It is the most fun thing to do with these kids. I jumped and jumped and ran around in circles. But I now know – without a doubt – that I can no longer do this. My lower back will not tolerate the trauma. Later that evening, and the next day, and even today, my back is very, very sore and painful. So, sadly, that’s one activity with the kids I can’t do any more.

Saturday, was a big day. The boys – particularly Evan – had to have a bath. That was a challenge. But we succeeded (I won) and they both came out clean and happy, and then we headed off to Tar-jay to purchase some birthday presents for a birthday party later in the afternoon at a jump place – one of those places where they have the huge inflatable bouncy pens and slides. This, followed by pizza and cake made for some highly energetic boys. Later, Auntie Stacy and Baby Laila came up to visit (and help out) so I could run to the grocery store. Evan came along and he’s so cute. His current favorite question: “is that?” (dropping the “what”). He was such a good boy in the store.

Right after Stacy and Laila left, this is what I found on the couch. They are so precious. My favorite line of the evening was when Cayden snuggled up to me and said, “Damma, I am having a great weekend with you. Even when I’m mad, I’m happy.” (Did you just hear the gush of my heart melting?) 

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Sunday, we woke up to light rain and soggy ground. I wasn’t really sure what I’d do to keep the boys entertained. As much as I hate digital babysitters, playing Wall-E really calmed them down and gave me a chance to get showered and ready. We planned to go shopping (I needed a new baking mixer) and then go to my house and do some artwork and bake a cake. By the time we left, it was 1:30 and I’d forgotten about Evan’s nap. Sigh. And I forgot the stuff for the art project (good thing I didn’t tell them about it.) We met Stacy at the store and did some shopping. It always amazes me how a trip for a $20 mixer turns into $100 – it’s the grandkid factor. I cannot resist buying a toy – or several – and some cute pink baby clothes.

Finally we made it to my house. Fed the kids an early dinner (late lunch? Boy, I’m a bad grandma.) Didn’t get any baking done. Played with Laila a bit. The boys played with their new toys and after cleaning up the dinner mess, I was beat. Time to head back to their house so we could let Dug the Pup™ go potty before I had a mess to clean up (again). By the time we got home, Evan was asleep in the car. I carried him in and set him on the couch. He promptly went back to sleep and now, at 6:30 Monday morning, he is still asleep. (No, he didn’t sleep on the couch all night!)

I really should use this quiet time to get ready for the day, but it’s more fun to blog and read blogs with a quiet cup of coffee. The parental units come home this afternoon and for that, I’m sure two boys will be very, very happy.

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It’s been how long?

by Claire on November 11, 2009

Thirty years.

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Yup. My oldest daughter is 30 years old today.

Thirty years ago today at this precise moment, I was staring at her in her little baby bed right next to me in the clinic where she was born. She was born in the rural Midwest, after a short labor, and was a whopping 8 lbs 12 oz. My mom was there in the delivery room, her dad and half-brother were out in the waiting room, and there was only a midwife and a doctor present besides us. Looking back, it was quite remarkable that nothing went wrong because I remember asking why she was blue when she came out. Nothing went wrong, and five minutes after she was born, I got off the delivery table (like an exam table) and walked across the hall to the recovery room. I was only 19, so what did I know about anything? I just knew I had the most beautiful little daughter in the world. I could not sleep and could not stop staring at her. I am still in awe of her and who she has become.

I wish I had a scanner so I could scan and post some of her baby pictures, or what she looked like when she was little, but really, all you have to do is look at my grandson above, and picture him as a little girl and you can visualize my daughter.

She was born a little mommy, always looked out for her little sister after she came along, and she is still the best mommy and big sister around. She’s a great daughter, and I’m so proud of her and what she’s done with her life. She is a better mommy than I ever was. She amazes me with the things she thinks up to do with the kids – like letting them play with shaving cream on the kitchen table. I would never have thought of those things. She’s quick-witted, funny, crafty, sentimental, loving, smart, generous, sensitive, and wise beyond her years. She is giving her family everything I had wished I could have given her growing up. She is truly remarkable – I know that’s cliché, but it’s true.

Happy 30th Birthday, Cindy. I’m so glad you chose me for your mommy.

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