The Life of a CeCe!

Last year, on September 6, my life took a turn for the better! I think you all know what happened…My first grandchild was born! My only child (and her husband!) produced the most amazing baby boy and my world has never been the same!

On Sunday, Gabriel turned one! He turned one without the fun and fanfare of a first birthday celebration with grandparents and close friends! Although it wasn’t the celebration any of us had planned on, it was a milestone!  We no longer have a baby…we have a toddler boy! And a pandemic birthday party is one for the baby book!

This 18-20 pounds of boy, with his light brown hair and blue eyes has stolen my heart! Now I know that all of the grandparents who are reading this have felt the same way. You just can’t describe it! Every little thing is a moment to celebrate. So I appreciate you letting me indulge you with my thoughts on being a “CeCe!” 

I remember waiting all night with Greg, from arriving at the hospital around 2am, to celebrating his first cries, sometime after 4pm. I almost couldn’t catch my breath! The moment we had anxiously awaited, had finally arrived. 

Walking into Katie’s room for the first time after the baby was born, I first went to her and instantly, we read each other’s eyes…I/You did it! Of course, she was my first concern, she was MY baby! Then I looked down at his squished up little face and said, “He’s perfect!” Tears were flowing, exhaustion was present, but the miracle of life kept us all bonded and frozen in time for a moment.  This was a moment that will forever be in my heart. 

We had a laugh because his hair was much lighter than we expected to see…both Katie and Anthony have dark hair and we just expected a head full of the same. But it didn’t matter…he was perfect! We took our turns holding him. It has magical. I hope that sweet boy could hear our voices and know that he was loved by so many.

We left to get them some food and then we left them alone for the night and the exhaustion set in. I remember going to sleep that night with a smile on my face…and I’m pretty sure I woke up with a smile on my face as well. 

Greg, Pat (Anthony’s Mom) and I met at the hospital the next morning, to get our turns holding him. I tried to share but it wasn’t easy. I knew that I would be helping to care for Katie and Gabriel at some point, knowing I would get long turns holding him, so I tried to be kind and let Pat and Greg get their fix!  It was amazing how much he had "blossomed" since the night before!  His little squished up face now had turned into something much more recognizable and this was our little miracle!

I was fortunate to be able to spend a couple of days with them after they got home and then when Anthony had to return to work, a few weeks later, I went back and stayed for about ten days. Those days were amazing. I watched Katie transform into the most amazing Mom. In addition, I saw this baby boy, changing every day. Anthony was an attentive husband and father and my heart felt as though it would burst.

Fortunately, I was able to get to Pittsburgh regularly and Gabriel was introduced to the family over Thanksgiving and Christmas. Watching my parents holding him and seeing in him their legacy was really overwhelming. 

Then came the damn pandemic, and for more than seven weeks, I stayed in Pittsburgh, just a stairway away from Gabriel’s nursery. We didn’t plan it that way, (an extended stay!) but it happened and it worked. I will be forever grateful for those weeks of playing, snuggling, watching, hugging, and laughing with that baby boy!  He changed right before my eyes…and he even started crawling while I was there. 

I watched him be introduced to food…not just baby food, but roasted vegetables, cheese, eggs, and even steak. It is amazing how different things are with babies and parents these days and I learned a lot! There was story time, bath time, tummy time, singing time, fussy time, and CeCe’s room time. Katie would bring Gabriel to my bedroom in the morning, usually around 7am, and he would get into bed with me, and we would play with the rattle I had made out of a Tums bottle and some bottle caps! He was entertained for extended periods with this noisy toy! Then I would push him and he would slide around in the laundry basket, something his Mom loved to do as a baby!

Saying goodbye was not easy but it was time and I had a lot to do back in Cincinnati. I knew that he would change so much before I saw him next. Our FaceTime calls would have to suffice. We made those calls as frequently as we could…I needed the fix and I didn’t want Gabriel to forget me! 

Soon the spring turned into summer, a quick trip by them to help me pack and prep for my move happened. After that, a short pandemic style visit to Louisville was planned and we spent time outside, watching Gabriel “swim,” crawl, eat chicken and vegetables, pizza and ice cream, and pancakes too! When they left, I knew that I would see him for his birthday celebration in just a few weeks.

Well, this virus had other plans for me and the birthday celebration with grandparents only had to be cancelled. I was heartbroken, but Katie & Anthony certainly helped ease that pain by taking time for a Zoom call and watching us don our birthday party hats and sing. 

One of my favorite scenes has been repeated more than once since he was born, and that is him watching me blow dry my hair, teasing it, and styling it, and all the while, I am explaining that “this look does not come easy!” He stares at me…with a pensive look, sometimes a little smile pops out, but mostly, if I had to guess, I’d say he is thinking “What in the world is she doing?” When actually, I believe he is saying, “My CeCe is going to teach me so many things!!” 

Now, all of these things are great, fun and definitely make me smile!  But there is nothing more heartwarming then seeing his eyes light up when he sees me! I’m sure it’s not just me, but at that moment, when his feet start to kick (while he’s still in his car seat), and he waves his hand, or shakes his head “no,” I feel like he and I are making our connection once again! Time and distance don’t mean much to him at this point and I am so grateful that he holds out his arms to me, even while being held by his Mom and Dad. 

I know that Gabriel and I are going to be buddies…Greg might take him to the Air Force Museum, but I will take him to Churchill Downs. He may go to Kings Island, but I’ll make sure riding in a laundry basket is one of his favorite memories. He may tell me that Luna (their dog) doesn’t like it when they dance, but I’ll be sure he has a dance party every time he’s with me!  He may take lots of vacations, some short road trips and some more exotic, but he’ll also know that a tent in CeCe’s living room is also a “vacation” from home! There are so many things in my book of tricks! We’re going to have lots of fun!!  

I didn't know that my heart would grow so much with the addition of this little guy. Thank you Gabriel for making me a CeCe!  It’s the best!!  xoxox

CeCe and Gabriel during our pandemic party party in Pittsburgh!

This is our "big boy!"  

                   

Matching shirts while helping in Pittsburgh!  

Masks required...Pandemic visit!

                                

First photo shoot in the hosptal!  Still a litle tired from arrival!!

First Birthday Photo Shoot!  Those eyes!!

                                           

                                       Derby Gabriel!