Time for a Fix!

 

Thankfully, I’m headed to Pittsburgh on April Fool’s Day because man oh man, I need a fix!!

Today, I want to give a shout-out to my Katie! She’s juggling lots of balls in the air and sometimes, I know she surely feels overwhelmed…like we all have as young mommas!

A “memory” picture popped up on my Facebook page and it is by far one of my favorites! I saw it yesterday morning and actually caught myself getting teary! She was around three, with not a care in the world except doing a good job at her recital! She was a star in my eyes and today, she still is my star!

Katie has been a wonderful daughter to me, through all of the ups and downs, especially in these past few years. I’ve watched her transform into an amazing Momma to my two grandsons. Gabriel is two and a half years old and Adrian is six months.

Gabriel is into everything! I love watching him with all of his cars and his imagination. His talking is at a level where we can actually have a chat. I love that, of course! He loves to read his books to me and loves to have books read to him. He’s survived “extreme” potty training and has graduated to his “big-boy” bed in his own room. He has also relinquished the “pass” (binky, passy, pacifier, pokey, etc…) The old, cutting the nipple part little by little, and throwing away the “broken” one was a success…after throwing away 3 or 4 of them!! So lots of big steps during the past couple of months. Those feats are huge but in a short period of time, even more so! Kudos to Katie & Anthony!

Perhaps the biggest step was going to the first soccer practice. This term is used loosely, but for Gabriel is was more of an observation. Hopefully this weekend, he’ll be more into it. Fingers crossed!

Adrian is doing everything a baby should be doing…starting to get on all fours, as he begins the first stages of crawling. He’s pretty good at moving backwards a bit, from what I hear. He’s so engaged when you play or read to him. I think he’ll have a tooth soon. Last time I was there, he was chewing and dribbling so I know it won’t be long. I’m thinking cereal will be on the menu soon, if not already. He’s taken over the crib and now has his own room as well. He’s not a great napper but is a great overnight sleeper.

For all of you grandparents out there, I know you know the feeling…unexplainable love! This love for me started as I watched my daughter’s first moments as a mom. That’s why I’d like to send out a shoutout to Katie!

She is sweet enough to ask my opinion or listen to my advice, but she is determined to raise her children the way she and Anthony think is best, which is exactly the way it should be. I don’t have to tell you how I sometimes roll my eyes or chuckle a bit, and often state that it’s amazing she survived childhood with parents like us. We don’t agree on everything but this daughter of mine, sucks snot from her baby’s nose with some kind of contraption that I would never have been able to do…Remember the little blue bulb? That is considered vintage at this point. This is the latest version of that and let me tell you, I would never have even considered sucking snot. Period. So, who am I to criticize her parenting! She’s a rock star!!!

She and Anthony expose their children to all kinds of things. The Conservatory with beautiful flowers and plants is one of their favorite places to stroll through. Gabriel is learning so much!

With Katie’s connections with museums, these boys are being exposed to dinosaurs and artwork. I love it!

Now that covid rates are much lower, they are venturing out more and I love hearing about their adventures!

They have added a couple of baby dolls to the toy collection. Gabriel works in the kitchen, first cooking or preparing food in “his” kitchen then moving into the real kitchen to help with the dishwasher or preparing a snack. He’s not all trucks and cars!

Katie has more patience than I ever remember having. She doesn’t freak out about the mess that is created during the day with toys everywhere…there’s learning and fun taking place. It’s chaotic some days and some days are hard…like the day when she broke a toe and now has to wear a special shoe for the next six weeks. She still has to care for two kids, with Anthony, who is a great Dad, but I think we all know, it’s Momma that they want! Clearly, the boys adore her as well!

My Katie has found a way to blend her full-time Momma job with her part-time work. She’s keeping her hands in the theater world as an administrator and the president of a board. She doesn’t realize this but she makes me proud every day. I’m so grateful for a daughter that I can say anything to and her response may make me laugh or cry, but I always know her intentions are in my best interest…always!

Although my role has changed, I’m still one of the first phone calls when she has exciting or, upsetting news, when she’s got a question about anything, or just to hear a comforting voice.

She makes sure to FaceTime this CeCe regularly because it’s hard to be so far away! I am grateful for a relationship that is still Mother/Daughter but also friend!

Maybe you can understand why this little dancer picture made me a little weepy! Sometimes, I see her like that, even when she is clearly grown up! Thank you Katie! I love you!!

And thanks for letting me brag!!! xoxoxo