What I Learned from 9 Days with Baby M

Oh yes. This grandma was schooled. I had time to prepare- nearly 2 months. I thought I was ready. It wasn't like I wasn't familiar with Baby M and her schedule since I've been her daily care provider for the first 12 months of her sweet life. But I soon discovered it really is vastly different when her parents pick her up at the end of the day vs her staying with me overnight. I also discovered how old a toddler can make you feel. But we made it through and we did have such a fun time together!

I've got a few tips to make extended visits with a grand-toddler go smoothly-

1. Make sure you have some help. 9 days with Baby M gave me an ever so slight look into the life of a single parent. How? I was the lone stranger when it came to my 9 days with the sweetest granddaughter on the planet. The help I was assured of never happened. I know part of my exhaustion was due to my age but I also know that this sweet girl has exhausted even her parents so... I thought about single parents and how they add to being the sole caretaker of their kiddos a full-time job, some of them with 2 or 3 jobs. HOW DO THEY DO IT? Their resolve must be off the charts. When do they eat? When do they sleep? When do they just sit down for a minute? Are single parents the ones who coined the phrase, "I'll sleep when I'm dead"? Now, NashvilleDaughter and DrummerBoy did come in over the Labor Day weekend and she was a tremendous help. The other two aunties? Well, one has a newborn and the other one caught a case of strep throat from her first-grade students. The one other adult who pledged to help simply didn't. If you have a significant other of any sort who lends a hand, is there for support and encouragement, go hug them right now and tell them how much you appreciate them.

2.  Maybe don't volunteer for the task while you are caring for an aging parent in your home. Or maybe do. As it turned out, having Baby M around for 9 days showed Mother she is even stronger and coming along even better than we all thought including her! She even got to the point of being able to bend down and pick up toys while I was putting Baby M down for naps and the night. She had no idea she could do it but just decided to try. Who knew?! The physical therapist was blown away and immediately upped Mother's exercises. Mother did meet her 8-week goals in 4 weeks so I guess we should have guessed she could do more but you want to be careful not to overdo. One day she showered, folded her clothes, did her exercises, and picked up toys and her oxygen level never went below 94. And the laughing at and sheer delight we took in watching Baby M made the days so sweet even though we were tired. 

3.  Know that whatever her parents tell you about her nighttime schedule will not be the same while she's at your house. That's just the way it is with grand-loves so delight in your time
instead of being concerned about schedules. Grandma's house is for fun, not schedules.

4.  Go ahead and give them that popsicle if you want to. Seriously, it's not like they get treats like that all the time but when they're at Grandma's house well, that's part of being there! BTW, Baby M LOVED the popsicle. Also BTW, the other grandma came by and brought donuts one day. Oh yes, we did!

5.  Speaking of the other grandma, if you live close enough open your door to her. Baby M loves it when both grandmas dote on her at the same time.

My girl with her girl. 

6.  Do not even attempt to have an agenda while she's at your house. I knew this would be ridiculous so all projects were gladly put aside. When they're this young, you just can't do it unless you have the super power of extra energy and don't need sleep at all. Besides, what's more important than spending time with your granddaughter? Not one single thing. 

7.  Other than picking up the toys and washing dishes, just leave the house until she goes back home. The chores will be there, but she's only this young once. Spend the time enjoying your time with her.

8.  Go outside. Even if it's just the backyard, go. Kids love the outdoors so hanging out in the yard, going for walks, to the park, the beach, even the grocery store will be fun for them. It's also a wonderful perk that you get to show them off. Don't even try it, you know you do it too!

9.  Social media, blogging and the like...Ok, at first I thought people can get over it I'm not doing any of that while Baby M is here. But then she did so many cute and funny things and she's such a great kid that I did take the time to brag. I mean, I'd hate for everyone to miss out on so much cuteness. Again, don't even try to deny it. I know Y'all do it too.

10. Expect to be tired. I'm not a fan of expectations but it's ok to expect to be tired because that's the one thing you won't be able to avoid. Plus, if you expect it you will be aware you need to make the best use of your time when the little one is sleeping. You won't be at your best if you don't get some rest.

11. Expect the unexpected. No kidding. And then, go with the flow. For example, I had no idea Baby M would be cutting molars while she was here which would result in some major discomfort for her in several ways. I also did not know that Tucker would have diarrhea all over the small rug in Mother's room on that same day. Seriously, you just have to laugh. 

Mostly, just have fun with your little visitor. It's a great time and it's over in a flash. Especially when the parents cut their trip short because of a hurricane coming your way. Then not coming your way, Then giving you tropical storm force winds and tons of rain. All of which is better than a cat 4 or 5 hurricane. I hope that everyone in the direct path got out and found safe shelter. 

What can we add to the list, Y'all? 

Please visit my Etsy shop, CoasterDoodles

and feel free to FAVORITE the shop
or buy something! 😁💓

Football and Babies!

That was our weekend down here. Which means it was practically perfect. It would have been perfectly perfect had the NFL season actually started yesterday but it didn't so, practically perfect will have to do.

Baby M was dressed for the opening day of college football season with the cutest little bloomers sporting her favorite team logo. It was difficult to get her to be still long enough to get a clear picture-

I got these from a cute Etsy shop called, The Bee Garden. I didn't leave Baby R out but his mommy and daddy are not Clemson fans. His mommy pulls for UNC even though she attended Wofford. I'm not sure if his daddy has a favorite college team. But he pulls for the Broncos on Sundays. Which is not that bad. At least he's not a Patriots or (Heaven forbid) a Falcons fan. 😂😇

When Baby R arrives, Baby M has to get in her car seat, too. Because they're cousins and cousins do lots of things together. Even when they are very, very young.

This girl and DrummerBoy came from Nashville for the weekend. She can brighten up the dreariest of dreary days so Y'all can imagine how amazing she makes a really good weekend. She loved spending time with her niece and nephew.

This morning, Baby M had a video message for her mommy and daddy:

Hope Y'all are enjoying your Labor Day!

Please visit my Etsy shop, CoasterDoodles

and feel free to FAVORITE the shop
or buy something! 😁💓

And Then There Were Two

I'm sure I've mentioned before that I have the cutest little granddaughter ever, right? Maybe once or twice? Ha!

Y'all know, the one who loves the beach:

And running through the yard:

 And football:

Whose BFFs are dogs:

Who is a computer genius at the ripe old age of ONE:

Who learned to read before she learned to walk:

Who is an avid bird watcher:

And a musical genius:

Well, as of last night, I now have the cutest little grandson ever! Baby R has arrived, Y'all! And he's adorable!

We don't know what he's going to like yet. Or what he's going to do. But we do know that it's going to be the most amazing thing to watch him decide. 

Perhaps he'll be a body builder or a linebacker! A musician or doctor! An artist, a singer, a poet, a dreamer. A computer genius, a writer, a scientist! Or maybe he'll do it all like his cousin. Because they'll be so close and she'll be teaching him so many things. 

For now we'll just enjoy him being a little squishy face.

All I know for sure is this grandma is going to cherish every precious moment spent with these two cousins. These two amazing little creatures who have brought more joy into our world than any of us ever thought possible.

Being a grandmother. Best. Thing. Ever.

Baby R's mommy and daddy are so excited and everyone is doing great!

Please visit my Etsy shop, CoasterDoodles

and feel free to FAVORITE the shop
or buy something! 😁💓

The Comforts of Aging

Wait a minute. Are there any comforts in the aging process? Don't ask me in the mornings when I am waking up and immediately after being grateful for another day on the planet even though the future of said planet is questionable I take inventory. It's a rare morning something is not reminding me I am no longer in the spring chicken category be it an ankle or an entire leg, the hip or the lower back, my neck... Something is there to remind me to put my feet on the floor with caution. Is anyone else out there the least bit concerned they will lose their balance when getting up to use the bathroom in the wee hours (the WEE hours do take on a more literal meaning these days) fall and break a bone? Sheesh, why is this an issue? I'm not even in my 60s yet. Isn't that a 90-something issue?

When one suffers from fibromyalgia, the aches and pains that have always been there are now keeping company with the added aches and pains of aging. I don't find this comforting. More pain? No thank you. But, I'm still alive and that I do find comforting. It's a good with the bad type situation.

So, are there any comforts to this aging process? Yes and some of them are quite liberating. I'll give Y'all my top ten.

1. The older I get the less I give a rip what anyone thinks of me or what I do which gives me the freedom to ignore people and do my thing my way without worry. This is not only comforting but extremely liberating. Once upon a time I would look back and wonder whether or not I should have said/done whatever it was I said or did but now, I just keep on keepin' on. 
2. I take comfort in the laughter provided to me by people of a younger generation who feel they need to read a book on everything thing and then believe themselves to be experts. Relax, Y'all. 
3. There is comfort not only in knowing who I am but in liking who I am.
4. There is comfort in not taking things for granted as aging provides a new appreciation for nearly all things.
5. There is comfort in knowing I do not have to rush no matter what I am doing and if anyone expects me to do so, they can get over it. 
6. There is comfort in not stressing to the point of over-reacting to all those things I used to think were important.
7. There is comfort in being old enough to discern the important from the unimportant.
8. There is comfort in being considered wise, a sage if you will even if the sought out advice you give isn't heeded. Of course, there's a bit of discomfort or confusion in this one as you're thought of this way based solely on your age not on whether or not you are actually a wise person.
9. There is comfort in knowing you don't always have to be right. Even though I am. Ok, apparently this is for later.
10. There is comfort in wanting less, in minimalizing your life in every way. Unless people won't let you and then you become grateful for and find comfort in making it clear that you will do this and they can be part of what you get rid of if they don't want to play along. 

Of course, the very best thing about aging that provides not only comfort but tremendous amounts of pure joy is grandchildren. Y'all knew I'd get that in somewhere, right? 

This post was inspired by Katie Motaung at Five Minute Friday. 

Please visit my Etsy shop, CoasterDoodles
and feel free to FAVORITE the shop
or buy something! :)

How Do You Play?

Play takes on many forms during our lifetime. When we're growing up we were probably played with instead of playing. Babies are such fun to play with and the interaction is a vital part of their learning process. We enter the toddler phase and we begin to play by ourselves and with our parents and others close to us, there's probably still more adult interaction than kid-to-kid until we enter the preschool years wherein we learn to play with others. Our play time goes from all day long play to recess when we enter school unless you're the class clown that is. We grow and grow and maybe we decide to play sports or play an instrument but we're still active as long as we don't spend all our free time in front of the television playing video games. It seems our teenage and college play turn to what we view as more sophisticated and it's called partying. We get older and have kids and we play with them and the cycle continues.

I remember playing with other kids when I was still in the single digits fondly. Playing freeze tag in the backyard, riding bikes down a dead-end side street, sledding down one of the steepest hills when it snowed, hide-and-seek, pickle, baseball, football...goodness how we played and played and played. It was a great time to be a kid. We weren't as concerned with 'stranger danger' maybe because it was a small town or maybe because people just didn't do those things to kids as much as they do now. Anyway...

I have entered the very best phase of playtime. It's called being a grandmother and I love it. I am one of the lucky ones who get to spend every weekday with my granddaughter and we spend hours playing.

We play with stuffed animals, puzzles, blocks, balls, toys, and we read books. We play peek-a-boo and chase. We sing and play the xylophone. We play Baby M climbs on everything while Grandma has a heart attack. We play in the baby pool and we play with bubbles. We play reorganize Grandma's kitchen cabinets. We play and play and play all day long. And it's fun!

This weekend (yesterday) Baby M had her first birthday (y'all can see the video HERE). I can't believe how quickly the year flew by. I'm just so grateful to live close enough to take care of her while her parents work. Because playtime is just the best when you're a grandmother.

This post is linked to Five Minute Friday where we write for five minutes about the prompt without stopping. Well, not really linked. I'm leaving the link for y'all in case you want to head over there and join in the party. But I'm just writing because I can't seem to stop after 5 minutes and no one really comes over to read here. I am not complaining at all. It's a fun idea and I love trying to write something about the prompts. I also like trying to stop at 5 minutes but I can't. Yes, I write like I talk. Ha!

The prompt this week is PLAY. And below is the button/link:

Please visit my Etsy shop, CoasterDoodles
and feel free to FAVORITE the shop
or buy something! :)

Warning: Cute Baby Post

Life as a grandma gets better every day. And more interesting. It may be an old cliche but it is true that there is a reason God gives babies to young people. These days, Baby M is still fighting her naps tooth and nail. But once she's out, she's out. Naps last anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour and a half and you never know what you're going to get.

Regardless, you're always happy when they wake up because that means more baby time for grandma! She loves coming over here and that makes me nothing less than completely happy.

Puffs are magical. 

These are Puffs. Puffs are magical. They can take a baby from calling out to Jesus because Grandma's not doing something right or fast enough to full-out smiles and contentment in a mere fraction of a second. They come in a variety of flavors and are wonderful for working on that pincer grasp. Puffs are so much better than the Cheerios I used with the lovelies not only because they are healthier but they also dissolve quite quickly. They're just like air. Sweet potato is our favorite flavor. 

Oh and, Tucker loves them too:

If you are a soon-to-be new grandma, DO NOT FORGET ABOUT PUFFS.

And now, we're climbing. 

Life was easier mere weeks ago when we were simply pulling up on everything. Baby M has added climbing to her give-grandma-a-heart-attack repertoire.

The bottom two shelves are not cutting it for her anymore.

She studies that upper shelf and tries her best to get things down or climb up there. First she reaches and then that left leg tries to go up.

She's like her mother in this. I thought her mother was supposed to have to live with this as payback. I had no idea I would have to live through another climber. I will say she did climb up on a stack of moving boxes at her house so her mommy has become aware that she does, indeed, have a climber.

Breakfast is my favorite meal.

This face at the table for any meal makes the meal better. But breakfast is my favorite because this is the face that makes my day start on just the right note. Is there any better way to start the day? The answer is, No. There is no better way on earth to start the day.

Whether she's got on one sock or two....

Or lets me put her pants on or not...

Whether she's calling out to Jesus...

Or happy as a clam with a sweet potato face...

Whether she's climbing bookshelves....

Or lying down quietly...

Whether she's quite unhappy...

 Or covered in breakfast from head to toe...

Whether she's gotten herself into a self-inflicted predicament...

Or reading a book...

Whether she's sleeping soundly...

Or studying something new...

This little one fills her grandma's heart to overflowing on a daily basis. 

And yes. I did put a bow on her sweet little head. :)

Did I mention to y'all that Baby M's parents have bought their very first house?! They're having a yard sale so all that junk you see in the background of the pictures is my donation to the cause. Or maybe y'all didn't even notice because of the cute subject of the photos. :)

Today's the last day to enter the giveaway!

Winner will be announced on Friday! 

You don't have to go anywhere. Just comment on this post if you're in! 

If you want extra entries, here you go:

This time, there are several ways to get more entries if you'd like. Each different thing you choose gives you 5 extra entries. Please let me know what you've done for the extra entries so I can give you credit. Altogether, you could end up with 26 entries.  

1. Like Empty Nest on FB.

2. Follow me on Instagram.

3. Follow me on Twitter. 

4. Scroll down and click on the We're on the Fence button which is a vote for Empty Nest. 

5. Visit CoasterDoodles and make it a favorite. 

Oh, and don't forget to leave a comment here letting me know you're in! :)

ALSO- Remind me if you already do those things so I can give you the correct number of entries! 

That's it, y'all!