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So,  do you think I can’t take care of you? – Conversant Life

The treasure of thrown away food – (in) courage

Avoid becoming culturally relaxed – The Gospel Coalition

TJ’s daughter is his oldest child. She doesn’t live with us, and he had been trying to get her to come and visit.  There was always something that came up to prevent that.  I had almost given up hope that I would ever meet her.  But last Friday, she called and said she was coming.  I wondered how it would go.

I shouldn’t have worried.  Everything went smoothly. As soon as she got to our home, I whipped out the camera:

We’ll call her Babygirl. She stayed for a few hours, and it was a pleasure to have her. I hope she comes back often.  But….she left something behind:

My Pretty Girl!

Babygirl is the mom of KayKay.  KayKay is 8 months old. I met her for the first time that day, but you would never know it.  Babygirl asked if we’d keep her for a couple days.  I LOVE babies, so I was all for it.  TJ loved having his granddaughter around.  KayKay loves her grandad, and took to me as if she’d known me since her birth. She stayed with us from Friday night until Sunday afternoon.  Saturdays are always busy days for me, and TJ works. I just took her along with me all day.  She is a great baby.  Full of energy, smiles and baby babble.  I swear I held her most of the time she stayed with us.  I took her to church on Sunday, and she loved it! She loved the music, and all of the people who came up to play with her.  She’s very friendly.

Sunday afternoon came too fast. I thought I was going to cry when she left.  I really wanted her to stay.  I wished I’d had Monday off so I could have kept her one more night.  Even Sweet Pea (who is normally jealous of any attention not directed toward him) wanted her to stay. I asked him today if he still missed her and he said, “I wish she had never left!”  He’s liking this being an “uncle” thing.

So..I’m a grandma.  That really feels weird to say.  But it’s ok…cuz I love my Pretty Girl!  I can’t wait until I get to keep her again!

NewYearsDay2006 005

Originally uploaded by TheMrsDay

On April 29, 2000, my mom picked me up at 4am and took me to Magee Hospital for the scheduled delivery of my firstborn. He was actually due on May 10, but I had gestational diabetes and they didn’t want him to stay in that long, for my health and his. My pregnancy was long and irritating, but healthy. I couldn’t wait to see and hold my son!

When I got to the hospital, I assumed that since my C-section was scheduled, I’d be seeing my son in a few hours. But that was not to be. When I got there, they told me that they had to try to induce labor for insurance purposes. I was MAD! I wasn’t prepared for labor! I was scared out of my mind!

They put an IV in me and started Pitocin to induce the labor. They hooked up fetal monitors to my belly to keep tabs on his heart rate. And I laid there. When I laid in a comfortable position, the monitors couldn’t pick up his heartbeat, so I had to lay in such a way that they could. And that was UNCOMFORTABLE.

I laid there from 7am until around 3pm. The doctors came in to check me, and there was no labor happening. My son was telling them, “If you want me to come out, then you better come and get me!” My mom had JUST left about 30 minutes earlier. I had to call her and tell her to come back. This birth was NOT happening without my momma there!

They waited until she got there, then got me ready for the C-Section. The anesthetist was HORRIBLE. Poked me with that big ole needle in my back FIVE times before they got it right. They didn’t warn me that the anesthesia would cause shallow breathing, so I thought I was dying. I made them go get my momma! She’s an excellent RN, so I knew I’d be safe on her watch.

Next thing I knew, I heard a tiny little cry – my Julian was here! After a few minutes, they handed him to my mom, who was sitting right where I could see her. I turned my head and saw the most gorgeous baby ever, all wrapped up in a blanket with a little hat on his head. I remember that he had beautiul curly hair – and a lot of it! My mom held him up for me, and he was amazingly alert. All I saw where these big, brown eyes staring at me. I was instantly in love.

Ten years later, I still am. Julian has been the bright spot in my life. His existence has changed me for the better. He’s an absolute joy to have around. He has a bubbly personality, a direct, no-nonsense way of communicating, a bright mind and a love of learning. He’s always smiling and joking. He makes me laugh EVERY day.

I have thoroughly enjoyed watching him grow and mature, although it’s bittersweet: I miss the little baby I could hold and cuddle. But the big boy still gives me lots of hugs and kisses, even if I do have to ASK for them. I look forward to seeing another 10 years of growth, this time into a God-fearing, successful young man.

Julian, if you ever read this: Your mommy has loved you since the day she knew you were growing inside her. I will love you forever. And no matter how big you get, you are my sweet pea baby!

Happy Birthday!