Grandma Hazelton’s Guest Post

Having just spent four wonderful days with Dave (part of the time), Jessica, and Phoebe, I guess that it’s my turn to write the “Guest Blog” entry.  When Grandpa Hazelton decided to go to Colorado to spend Phoebe’s first Christmas with her, he felt a bit guilty that I couldn’t go along, so I promised that I’d definitely find time in February for a long weekend.  Fortunately Lent begins really late this year—Ash Wednesday isn’t until March 9—so that has given us a nice, long Epiphany season in which I could grab a weekend before the extra duties of Lent begin.

I arrived on Thursday evening and got to give Phoebe the next day off from daycare.  It actually worked out quite well since she was recovering from a bout of croup and was still coughing a lot and needing more cuddling than usual.  It reminded me of the guilty pleasure that mothers enjoy when their little ones are sick.  To nestle into a comfortable chair or sofa with a listless baby in your arms sounds kind of sadistic—but once they start “toddling” they’re more inclined to wiggle away than to nestle in.  So as long as you’re confident that the baby is on the mend, you grab all the cuddles you can!

By the time Jess got home from work, Phoebe was clearly feeling better.  We had planned to eat at an Indian restaurant, so we headed out to pick Dave up and have some dinner.  The food was good, but watching Phoebe charm the entire wait-staff was delightful.  What a “people person” she is!  And that smile.  200 watts.  People fall all over themselves trying to get her to smile again once they’ve seen it.

Unfortunately something that she ate disagreed with her, and her parents had to deal with a couple of hours of howling during the night.  Isn’t it amazing that your child can keep you up half the night, and you’re STILL glad to see her in the morning?  That’s love!

On Saturday Dave left for an ice-climbing trip with a couple of friends.  That left Jessica, Phoebe, and me with the weekend stretching out before us.  We decided to go to the Butterfly Pavilion on Saturday afternoon.  It was lovely.  They have quite a collection of yucky bugs there (Sorry: an “insect zoo”) as well as swarms of butterflies.  Jessica got some really good pictures, though butterflies aren’t all that easy to photograph.  Phoebe noticed the critters when they flew in front of her face (she was in the stroller), but seemed much more interested in the “human zoo” specimens—again charming all and sundry.

Evening playtime for Phoebe included reading some books, playing with the toys in her bedroom, and determinedly putting things into the trunk of her train.  Putting things “in” is a new skill that Phoebe now delights in.  Though she most certainly resembles her daddy, Phoebe has Jessica’s coloring and, in certain poses—as when she’s intently “reading” a book or figuring out how to work a toy—she puts me very much in mind of her mother at that age.  Smart.  Focused.  Beautiful.

Saturday night Jess and I started watching an old movie (Gilda, with Rita Hayworth), but pooped out before we could finish it.  Fortunately Phoebe slept better that night, so her mama did too.  On Sunday we went to early church and I entertained the little one while Jess went to the adult class.  Everybody at Mt. Calvary seems to know Phoebe, and the “8 o’clock” people are proud to claim her as their own.  They seem pretty impressed by her parents as well.

Our outing on Sunday was to the WOW Museum for kids.  What a great place!! Made me wish that I were a lot younger and smaller.  Phoebe enjoyed walking around a small lighthouse, looking at herself in a wall-sized mirror, moving the hands of a giant clock, and “driving” a car.  She easily found the right button to push to make it move up and down.  There are lots of things yet for Phoebe and her parents to experience there—and for another year (I think) it’s free.  Can’t beat that.  Sunday night Jess and I finished watching Gilda and started All About Eve.  Two classic chick-flicks in a row—how self-indulgent can you get?

Monday passed quickly in a riot of Phoebe-playing and last minute conversations with Jessica.  I was tickled when, as though to give Grandma Hazelton a special treat, Phoebe let go of the coffee table and took a step and a half on her own to get to the sofa!  Dave got home from what seems to have been an enjoyable trip, and then—far too soon—it was time for me to leave.  One last peek at the baby, and off to the airport we went.

I know what a joy it is to show your child off to your parents.  Fortunately, though my dad died before our kids were born, my mom lived to see Jessica married and to meet the boys’ fiancées.  Now I know what a joy it is to watch your child parenting her own little one.  Jessica and Dave are doing a wonderful job with dear Phoebe, which I know delights all of her grandparents.  Even when we’re not present in person, our hearts are with the ones we love.