My Daughter and Me!

We really have a fun thing going. We're both blogging now and actually neither of can believe we're doing it. Invariably when I read hers, my eyes well up with tears. Sometimes cause I'm amazed how quickly she grew up, sometimes because I'm so proud of her, sometimes because I'm so happy for her but mostly its because of how much I love her. Finally, she gets it too. Now that she's a mom - she truly knows how much a mother loves her children. And it never stops. I love Ben and Jamie and love their spouses (Colleen and Tom) like they were my own as well.

Anyway, Jamie's last post was about how important it is to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures in life. Wow - she's getting it. Laken is nearly 2 years old now and baby Baylor is almost 4 months. Where does the time go????? It seems like only yesterday I was the young mother caring for two small children very close together in ages. As I look back on those years - I wouldn't have traded even ONE day for something different.

So to you Jamie (and Tom) I want to share a poem that I read when I was young and I still remember it. While I didn't follow it as well as I would have liked......I'm on second chances now. So here it is - I'm trying hard to get it right this time around.

If I Had my Child to Raise Over Again
by Diane Loomans

If I had my child to raise over again
I'd build self-esteem first and the house later
I'd finger paint more and point the finger less
I would do less correcting and more connecting
I'd take my eyes off my watch and watch with my eyes
I would care to know less and know to care more
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites
I'd stop playing serious and seriously play
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars
I'd do more hugging and less tugging
I'd see the oak tree in the acorn more often
I would be firm less often and affirm much more
I'd model less about the love of power
And more about the power of love

Sweet Baby Baylor

Geez where does a Grandmother start?

I look at Baylor and see nothing but innocence. I see such a happy, sweet little boy that is so loved by all those around him……his mom, dad, sister, aunts, uncles and grandparents! He’s just beginning to show his little laugh that is totally contagious….you can’t help but laugh when he gets going. He’s just perfect – in everyway and I totally adore him. He’s getting stronger and stronger everyday and I’m so very proud of him.

Next I see all the fun things my daughter and her family have ahead of them. Oh the joys of parenting. Its exhausting, trying, difficult yet at the same time – the most rewarding role of a lifetime. I’m so excited for Jamie and Tom as they are now off and running in their roles as parents. And they are both wonderful at that job.

So baby Baylor, you are one very lucky boy to have born into such a wonderful family. All the things you will learn, places you will visit, things you will experience. I’m excited to be a part of your life too. I hope the word “Grandma” will bring as much joy as it did to my children while they were growing up. Because so far – Grandparenting…….while sometimes exhausting – is still even more rewarding as parenting! Now thats a perfect scenario of “second chances”.