5 weeks and counting....

To grandparenthood!

The shower for "10" was yesterday. Wow! They sure got a lot of baby stuff---it completely filled the commander, with one item left behind to be retrieved later. I think they have what they need. Crib, mattress, changing table (courtesy of the other grandma) two strollers (one big for walking the dog and trips to town, one for the trunk for impulse trips), a pack and play, diaper bags, nursery textiles, books, clothes, a bumbo (hilarious item--wish I was making money from it!), a travel bed, bassinet, creams and lotions, blankets, burpies, bibs, bottles, bouncy jumper thingy, toys, and more. Today they are disassembling "the office" to begin to make it "10"'s room.

Mom and baby doing well. I know that this final month will seem like forever to the parents, but will fly by.

I can't wait to shop for pink or blue---to know the name (which they wisely have chosen not to divulge) to see what the little munchkin looks like, to cuddle the little fuzzy head, smell the sweat baby smell......loved the newborn phase with my kids---before they could say "no", or roll their eyes, or complain about me. When the were content to snooze cradled in you arms. I know I will be looking for "2" in the tiny face, or searching for a resemblance to 1, 3, or 4. My genetic link to the future.

So, I am one of the last of my friends to become a grandmother. Everyone says that the first is special, although I think that all I am fortunate enough to have will be pretty special. Maybe it is special because you are assured that your DNA will continue. Maybe it is special because you can hand them back to the parent when you are tired of them. But maybe it is special because you know more now, about babies and life, than you did when you first became a parent. You know it is all survivable!

So, I am ready. Have pink and blue knitting completed and waiting. Am confident that the parents now have what they need to provide a great start for my grandbaby--except for some diapers (which they have promised to acquire!) Hope all goes well with the birth. Know 2 will be a great dad.

It is so much easier to be the grandma....no wonder my friends highly recommend it!!

More features than a swiss army knife!

Last week, 1 called me in the middle of the day---as she ran screaming from the large infant/child everything store! She was overwhelmed! 1 had obtained the baby registry for 2 and wife---with every intent of obtaining an appropriate shower gift. She left with only one small thing, as the overload of features, products, and "stuff" kicked in her ADD!

Today I took a look online at a "pack and Play"--the "essential" that every baby must have. It is basically what, in my mothering days, was called a "through the door" playpen---slightly larger and more PC than putting your toddler into a dog crate. A very useful piece of child containment equipment---I loved my "play pens"!, and 1, 2, 3, and 4 had no other choice!!

The "new and improved" version of the play pen, is touted for its portability. Probably a good feature, as a play pen required a large moving van to take anywhere. Of course with 4 kids, I rarely went anywhere, so it was not so much of a problem.

Then, it gets ridiculous---night lights, vibrations, sleeping shelf, bassinet with hood, changing table, wipes storage (sorry, no warmer)! Diaper stacker.....the Swiss army knife of baby gear!!! I think it has soothing sounds and rocking motions---I wonder if it breast feeds too!! How handy! You only need one thing, and it does everything!! (probably too much!)

The interesting thing in the on-line product reviews is that no one has ever packed the thing up---the new parents talk about it, just say they haven't done it yet....so although technology marches on, and the playpen has been elevated to new levels---it seems it is still rare to take the baby and its equipment anywhere---just easier to stay at home!!! Wonder if the thing has an I pod jack???????