We’re not opening gifts tonight here under the Big Top. As Vampira, the night shift nurse, I will be greeting Christmas morning in the NICU. That’s right, I’m working tonight, all night long. Perhaps I might see Santa making the rounds to the cribs and isolettes of the good baby girls and boys in the NICU.
But Hazey-Face could not wait until Christmas morning when Mi-Ma comes home. Oh no! She attacked the first gift that she could find under the tree. The gift in the way back. The gift that is for her from her great-aunties, Ange and Elana. She just could not wait.
If I don’t see you later, Merry, Merry Christmas and God bless us all…even little toddler terrorists like Hazel Faye.
#best 09 December 13 What’s the best change you made to the place you live?
At first I thought I have made no changes at home. As far as home decor here under the Big Top is concerned, I am quite happy with our comfy, cozy circus tent. Plus the lack of funds do kind of put a damper on say a fresh coat of paint or some pretty new linens. Oh well. We are blessed and thankful that we do have our home when we see so many others losing theirs.
But then I realized that yes, there has been a change made to our home here. A pretty big change. Although some of you may have already known, Holly and Hazel moved out a couple of months ago. Do we miss them? No. They live just three miles down the way from us and we still see them practically everyday as we take care of Hazey-Face while her mama works. We still have to keep the breakable treasures up high and the baby locks secure because our curious, busy toddling terrorist is still here on pretty much a daily basis.
The two of them have moved out which meant that Zoë and Abby no longer had to share a bedroom. It had been hard on them over the last two years. They both love their sister and adore their niece but it was a challenge. It was a challenge for two very different girls with very different personalities, interests, friends, etc. to mesh in a small 12 x 12 space. Even with a modest walk-in closet to share there was stil guaranteed to be drama and tears…there was…a lot of tears, a lot of heavy sighs, a lot of arguing, a lot of slammed doors and a lot of pleas for just a little bit of privacy.
Who said they can’t wait for their busy toddlers to grow up so that it would be easier?
It has been a challenge but I am proud of my girls for sacrificing a little for our family. That is what families do for each other. So as Holly and Hazel enjoy their own home together, we quickly transformed their bedroom back into Zoë’s space and allowed Abby to reclaim her own corner of the Big Top. And peace is restored here under the Big Top. Well, as much peace as there can be with three teenagers living under our roof.
Again I ask, who said they can’t wait for their busy toddlers to grow up so that it would be easier? Ha! You just don’t know. But someda-ay…you will.
Because I am her Mi-Ma. Because she is incredibly cute, even when she is a feverish, snot-nosed mess and because today she went pee-pee in the potty for the very first time at age 17 months, I have to share a picture of the most incredibly cute grand baby girl on the planet.
It isn’t like it is the first time that someone, besides me, has noticed how much Hazel resembles her “Mi-Ma” <—- that’s the name my sweet grandgirl has christened me with and yes, I kinda like it. But like I said, it isn’t the first that someone has noticed how much this baby girl looks like me, in a very good way. But this afternoon we captured further photographic proof that argues, yes, this baby girl is my mini-me in a very good way.
The girl has some MAJOR bed-head going on. Sorry, sweet Hazey, this is one trait you can’t outgrow. But on you, well, it’s kind of cute.
I’m feeling a little better today. It’s a beautiful thing to move around without hurting all over or feeling like I might pass out, especially since I don’t believe there is anyone around here to catch me if I do fall. As sick as I have been, I still missed the opportunity to get out and run. I know that sounds strange but, well, that’s me. But following doctor’s orders…I know, me, following directions…I am going to take it easy today. If it weren’t so crazy windy outside I would maybe take a walk and enjoy the Fall colors and stop and smell the flowers. Instead I think I’ll just stay inside and enjoy this video of Hazey-Face enjoying and smelling the flowers.
Okay, no one, and I do mean NO ONE tell Daniel that his niece is wearing his hat and getting her girl germs all over it. Perhaps he shouldn’t have just left it lying around the Big Top for her to find it. But then again, Hazel’s G’ma should have put it up and away from Hazel’s reach. Let’s just keep this a secret, mmm-kay?
Human beings are the only creatures on earth that allow their children to come back home.
Bill Cosby
Back when Holly first moved out of the house, we joked about Bill Cosby’s rant about the kids coming back. Of course no sooner than we took over her old room so that Jodie and Daniel could have rooms of their very own, she came back. We shouldn’t have joked so much I guess because she did come back.
Oh well. Stuff happens and, well, we can’t imagine life without some of that stuff because we wouldn’t have Hazel in our lives now would we?
But Holly was probably just as anxious to get back out on her own again as we were for her. It’s kind of hard to be the parent you want to be to your child with living with the grandparents who meddle in their own well-meaning way. I know this to be true from personal experience. Yes, Bill and I once came back home to our (his) parents. So it was no surprise really when Holly told us that she and Hazey-Face found a home of their own and were ready to move on…with a little help from Dad’s Lexus Moving Company.
But wait. Wouldn’t we miss the baby? People have been asking me this question often over the last month as Holly began to prepare for the big move. Do we miss our grand girl?
Well, in a word, no.
C’mon! It’s not like Holly and Hazel have moved thousands of miles away. They are only three miles away. Heck, I could run over there. I might just do that too. We’ll still see them pretty much everyday as we do spoil watch Hazel for Holly while she is at work.
No we won’t miss her.
Plus there is the added bonus of the Big Top not being as cluttered as it has been with a busy toddler living there.
Oh yeah, we have teenagers living here who seem to enjoy their rooms as cluttered as they can be. I forget that fact because I usually just close their door and walk away…quickly.
Somewhere, out there is an orthodontist who is dreaming of this child’s bite and how they will fix it. Be patient, dear orthodontist, someday your dream shall come true.
Okay, no one, and I do mean NO ONE tell Daniel that his niece is wearing
Human beings are the only creatures on earth that allow their children to come back home.
Somewhere, out there is an orthodontist who is dreaming of this child’s bite and how they will fix it. Be patient, dear orthodontist, someday your dream shall come true.
