Thankful for Thanksgiving!

The Sunday after Thanksgiving!  Whew!  It’s been a crazy, super fast, fun and loving week of family and friends!  I have spoken in the past of “fun hangovers” but today…it is a family hangover and I mean that in the best of ways! 

Katie, Anthony & Gabriel arrived last Saturday, and I am so grateful for a full week of my family!   I have so much love for them that I feel like my heart could explode!  I’m pretty sure there is a nap in my future, and by future, I mean…this afternoon!!  Being a grandma is sooooo fun, but at 61, my stamina isn't what it used to be!  I kept waiting for someone to say, "you need to take a nap!" but it never came!!

Katie and Anthony parent like pros!  They know their baby…what bothers him, what makes him happy, when he’s over tired, and when he’s hungry!  They were able to enjoy a few “breaks” with CeCe, Great-Aunt Lori, Pappaw & Betty Boop, and Uncle Joey and Uncle Steve on hand to hold, feed, and entertain Gabriel.   Thanksgiving was his first introduction to the Marcellino clan and if he could talk, I think he would say it was a fantastic visit!!  Pappaw is hoping his first words are Buon Natale (Merry Christmas to you!)!!

SHOUT OUT to great-aunt Lori who is now called “the baby whisperer!”  Gabriel was very happy in her arms!

To be honest, I wasn’t sure how things would go.  Mom and Dad wanted us to stay with them, but I had concerns…I worried about them being kept up at night with late night feedings, the disruptions of a household when there is a baby among the houseguests, is nothing to take lightly.  I think many of us have experienced the loads and loads of baby stuff that accompanies a baby!!   I knew it would be an interuption in their routine, but they were insistent.  

The funny thing is, this was no big deal at Pappaw & Betty Boop’s house!  Marcellino Manor has seen its fair share of babies in and out of the door!  Pack & Play beds, bouncy seats, diaper bags and bottles.  I think I know now why they don’t want to move out of that house!  The memories run deep and now, new memories are being made with my little family!

With my Mom not being at her best with her physical health, I was sad that she wouldn’t be able to hold Gabriel.  From the minute we arrived on Wednesday morning…super early (around 8am), she talked and smiled at him and we made sure he knew who she was.  

Then there was my Dad…he got down on his hands and knees every morning and shared tickles with Gabriel.  It was hard for me to keep the tears at bay.  It felt good and I know having new life in the house was good medicine for them!

Friday night, after a dinner of leftovers, we remembered that we had not taken any pictures specifically with Pappaw, Betty Boop and Gabriel.  So, at that moment, we stopped what we were doing and began to setup the pictures! 

Anthony got the phone ready and Katie put Gabriel into Pappaw’s arms as they sat next to each other in the double recliner.  In typical Gabriel style, he stared at us like we were crazy…not really cracking a smile.  We caught a couple of moments of a peak of a smile, but just seeing the three of them together was so heartwarming. 

Then, Betty Boop asked if we could help her hold him.   Her left arm is fully functional while her right shoulder has made her right arm too painful to use.  Katie lovingly put Gabriel into her left arm and she sat on the floor, helping to make sure that Gabriel stayed safe.  At this moment, there was pure joy for all of us…and even as I type this, the tears are present.   

I’ve been so worried and sad about my Mom and her situation, and yet at this very moment, she was the great-grandma I knew she wanted to be. Our hearts were full and honestly, if we wouldn’t have taken Gabriel from her…she’d probably still be holding him.  It was such a great visit for them and for us!

Saturday, they spent time with Greg’s family and then Katie and crew met me back in Cincinnati for their final night before heading to Pittsburgh.  It was an easy, quiet night and a time to reflect on our Thanksgiving week.  We deemed the week and Gabriel’s first road trip a success!!

With every snuggle, every smile, every “chat” I had with Gabriel, my heart grew!  As I watched them pull away, the tears began to flow…but those were the happiest of tears because I have a family hangover!  

My month of gratitude can be summed up with just this week and seeing my parents, falling in love with Gabriel.  They won’t be around forever, but we are forever grateful for these moments and I will never forget that night and the look on my Mom & Dad’s faces.  Life is good!!