Home Again

I'm home.

It was amazing to be able to spend 3 weeks with the kids.  Having complete acess to the baby was a true joy--and a luxury--that I am missing now.  I would tell him things that only a grandmother can relate, and he would get a look of deep contemplation.  When he fussed during diaper change, I would give him lots of forehead kisses and he would quiet down.  I know it's nuts, but it felt like he knew I loved him in a special way.  When I am missing him and feeling sorry for myself for missing all of the many changes that will occur until we see him this summer, I will remind myself of the gift those first weeks were.

It was also amazing to see the kids parenting him.  They are off to a wonderful start.  He is growing by leaps and bounds (from 6lb, 4oz to 6lb, 10oz in one week and already much taller than his original 19.5in--he's outgrowing clothes due to those long, long legs) and remains extremely good natured, so it's a very laid back little family.  Seeing them enjoying him is incredibly gratifying.  I want to tell them to treasure every minute, that it goes so fast and you don't realize that until it's too late.  But everyone told us that and we didn't understand, did we?

It is interesting to spend time talking with the girls.  JLO and I obviously had days of chatting and while I didn't agree with everything she had to say, we've reached a place where we can respect each other's right to disagree--maybe because I try to make it clear that she is an adult who can live her life as she chooses.  I may worry about some of the choices, but I would only try to press my view on her if I felt that what she was doing was harmful in some way.  She may make some decisions that I find hurtful, but they are hers to make and I will try to respect them and keep my opinions and my worrying to myself.  The same goes for KT.  I love the women these girls have grown into and I hope they know that.

The husband was delighted to have me home and spent the weekend telling me!  Now we are back to our usual routines and after a day of trying to catch up with things that piled up, I am enjoying making a belated St. Paddy's day dinner--corned beef, cabbage, mashed potatoes, soda bread.  It was kind of funny at first--I was so used to JLO's kitchen that I actually had to stop and think about where things in my own kitchen were! 

I have pictures that I will attempt to put up here, but not today.  The day has sped by and there is still much to do...