Category Archives: Nana’s Corner

Thoughts on being a first-time grandmother; fun things to share and words of wisdom on being a new grandmother–Nana!

Nana’s Corner: 26 Pounds of Fun

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Most of us have heard and/or seen the movie, “South Pacific”, and can recall one of the songs entitled “101 Pounds of Fun.” When my daughter told me how much my grandson now weighs and how tall he is, I could not help but think of that song. Now I can sing, “26 pounds of fun–that’s my little honey bun.” He is almost 16 months old and is 2’8″ tall. No wonder it has been harder to pick him up and carry him around. Phew! I am tired already thinking about it.

It has been amazing for me to see this precious little one grow up before my eyes, and I am a very proud Nana that’s for sure. When I watch him and see all of the things that he can do and is learning to do, I feel so privileged to be able to enjoy him every day (except when I have time off). So I decided to make a list of what I have observed him doing more of lately.

Some of the things he is currently doing–not total list–are:

. Climbs onto the couch and living room chair without assistance and gets off as well by himself.
. Climbs up and down the stairs backwards.
. Climbs the dining room chairs and his high chair as well.
. Gets on top the dogs and tries to pretend they are ponies.
. Plays ball with the dogs.
. Forms words or sounds like up, down, go.
. Calls the dogs into the house from outside.
. Plays hide and seek–hides himself in closets, bedroom, bathroom or under the table.
. Loves playing outdoors and going for walks, even in the rain or snow.
. Tries to help you dust and clean and uses his broom/dust pan to clean the floors.
. Observes anything and everyone when we take him to the store and/or restaurant.
. Loves books, music, playing with his car, kitchen, and blocks.
. Fixes things with his tools.
. Enjoys playing with the water in his water table.
. Learning to go on the potty and washes his hands in the bathroom sink–plus plays in the water.

Special moments with him throughout the day would definitely include sweet hugs and kisses that he gives me, his “mile-wide” smiles and playfulness throughout the day, bringing me a book of his own choosing to read to him, and doing unexpected things that make me laugh even when I am very tired.

This week his daddy is watching him for a few days–no Nana around. So for all the grandmothers out there who don’t get to see their grandchildren as often as they would like, I can now understand how you may feel. But when I realize the precious time he is spending with his daddy this week, it makes my heart sing, and I know that I will again enjoy my time with him next week.

So enjoy your families and friends this week–time is very precious with all of them.

Blessings,
Yvonne

Nine Months and Growing Too Fast

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Today, I took my grandson to meet my daughter at the pediatrician’s office. It was Gryphon’s nine-month checkup. It has been unbelievable how the time has flown by since I began watching him at the end of January. There have been so many changes since that time–not only his weight and height but in his personality and what he now can do.

I am amazed at his curiosity/exploration when we play together with his toys in the living room. He has many expressions now and he has also mastered saying “mama” to my daughter’s delight. He loves his daddy and smiles so adoringly when he comes home from work. Some of the things that delight him include: standing without holding onto anything; walking around the house while you hold his hands; pushing his musical lion toy (gives them confidence to learn to walk on their own); he has two sharp teeth; giggling and laughing when he wants to be turned upside down (I think he might enjoy gymnastics); he enjoys hugs and kisses; he loves the “B is for Bear” book (plus touch and feel books); he tries to play with the two border collies and they are even beginning to tolerate his exuberance when he leaps at them; he loves to go outside in the backyard and sits and/or crawls all around; he is growing out of his 9 month clothes and doesn’t like wearing his sandals when you dress him to go anywhere; he loves to sit and holds on tightly in the shopping carts at Target and/or BJ’s and he is wide-eyed and excited at his new environment. He explores around the house by pulling books/dvd’s and magazines off the shelves. He loves it when he can use an object to glide himself across the rug. He is even busy in the kitchen opening the pots and pans drawer and/or banging on them like a drum. I don’t know how I keep up with him and surely have lost ten pounds by now (don’t I wish).

They say that when you have children you absolutely adore and love them, but when you have a grandchild, there is nothing like it. I believe that is true because in the almost seven months that I have watched him, I have enjoyed every single moment of it and can’t wait to see him grow into what God has in store for him.

Today I feel blessed and wanted to share this with you. May the Lord bless each and every one of you.

Blessings,
Yvonne

Five Months and Growing: Nana’s Corner

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Since my last blog post, we have moved from PA to VA and are expecting to have closing on our PA home in the middle of April. God was faithful in bringing the right family along at the right time (His timing) to make an offer on our house without listing it with a realtor. There were a couple of bumps along the way but nothing that wasn’t workable for all concerned.

My husband has been tying up loose ends–both at the house and the church in PA, as well as traveling back and forth with a trailer load of tools, etc. for his workshop and our home in VA.

It is hard to imagine that five months have passed and my grandson, Gryphon, is growing and developing at a very fast pace. It seems like only yesterday that he was born and I, along with Grammy Cindy, were there at the hospital to hear the blessed news from her son and my son-in-law that “it’s a boy!”

Gryphon is now turning over from his back to his stomach, etc., reaching for and pulling on various objects (which seems to be his favorite past time), blowing bubbles that sound like consonants, pulling himself up, and taking a few steps while we hold his hands. He has a lot of strength for a five-month old baby. He is also cutting two teeth that haven’t quite pushed their way through yet. Every day his giggles and smiles make my heart sing.

Since I moved to VA at the end of January, I have been babysitting five days a week for Gryphon and once a month for the kids when they go on a “date night.” Each day as I travel back and forth from my house to my daughter’s, I thank the Lord that we didn’t purchase a home an hour away. My trip is only 7 miles one way and is an easy 15-minute drive. Now that is what I call God’s provision and grace. He knew the plans He had for us even before we did, and He has worked “all things out for our good” to which we are so thankful.

Sometimes I wish I could still see the world through the eyes of a child. Everything is bright and new, and every activity that they accomplish is exciting. There is no right or wrong way to be a baby–you develop and grow at the pace God intended. Their laughter and smiles are spontaneous which are quite infectious to grownups.

I pray that as I babysit and make memories with my grandson and have a small part in helping him grow and develop that I can see things through the eyes of love in his life–through the love of God.

Recently, I was reminded of a song written a number of years ago by Gloria Gaither entitled, “We Have These Moments Today.” Her words reiterated that time is short and it passes by so quickly. It caused me to reflect on and to cherish every special moment that I have with not only my grandson but with my daughter and her husband, my spouse, and other family, friends, and loved ones as often as we are given the opportunity to do so.

Have any of you babysat for any or all of your own grandchildren? I am sure you have a number of memorable stories that you could share. I would love to hear some of them from you.

Blessings,
Yvonne

Reading: “Grace”–quotes and passages for the heart, mind, and soul by B.C. Aronson.

QUOTE FOR THE DAY: “Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”–Marcel Provust, writer

The Arrival of Our Grandson: Nana’s Corner

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On Saturday, November 1st, we welcomed our first grand baby, Gryphon Sawyer, into this world. He was 6 lbs., 9 oz. and was 19-1/4″ long. After several hours in the Labor and Delivery area of the hospital, my daughter and her husband were able to hold Gryphon for the first time. However, due to an unforeseen elevated temperature and white blood count during a complicated delivery, they placed him in the NICU.

We called on several friends and family members to pray. After undergoing several tests, which came back negative, he was able to be discharged on Tuesday, three days after he was born. We were all so thankful to God, relieved, and happy that he was able to come home sooner instead of staying in the NICU for a longer period of time.

Since that time I have enjoyed staying in Virginia and getting to hold Gryphon every day. I know that all children are a gift from God and even Jesus allowed all the children to come unto Him. He is so precious and my husband and I are actually looking into buying a house in this area when my husband retires sometime in the not too distant future.

When my daughter was born almost 27 years ago and I held her in my arms for the very first time, I sang “This Little Light of Mine” and “You Are My Sunshine” to her. It brought tears of joy to my eyes back then and then again when I sang these two songs to Gryphon. My prayer for Gryphon is that he would grow in the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and that he would have a heart for God.

Psalm 9:1-3 says,

“I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders;
I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.”

May this be our prayer as we rejoice in all that God has blessed us with in our lives, and that we continually give Him thanks and praise for all that He has done.

Blessings,
Yvonne

Nana’s Corner: The Baby Shower

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On Saturday, October 4, we had a baby shower for my daughter at the Tea Mansion in Bellwood. The theme was whimsical woodland animals. For most of the summer months, I hand painted the flowerpot centerpieces, made up the tablet favors for the adults and animal masks for the children who attended, purchased various whimsical woodland animals to use with the flowerpot centerpieces, and created an art print for everyone to sign. When the guests arrived, they selected a victorian-style hat to wear during the three-hour event.

The menu consisted of tea sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, two kinds of tea, white lemon-filled cake, and chips, nuts, and homemade chocolates in various baby shapes from MIDS Candies. Delicious!

Games and prizes were provided by my daughter’s enthusiastic sister-in-law. Everyone also had an opportunity to write down their well wishes to “Baby Bee” (my daughter and her husband do not want to know the sex of the baby until birth).

Gifts were unwrapped followed by lots of ooh’s and ah’s from everyone. Four additional baskets (candles, crafts, writing, and coffee/tea baskets) were awarded to the individuals who had the four special numbers called out during the opening of the gifts. They were all delighted at their selections.

Three hours passed quickly, but the sounds of laughter, excitement, fun, and just a time of relaxation of “getting away from it all” was a blessing to all who attended. The children definitely enjoyed coloring the animal masks and looking through the gift shop.

Yes, the baby shower is over but the memories from that time will live on as the beginning of what is to come with the birth of a precious God-given gift which is to happen within the next few weeks.

Today, I want to give thanks to my daughter’s mother-in-law, Cindy, and her daughter, Chelsea, for helping me put together a most blessed event. Thank you so much for all your patience, love, and support for the past 3-4 months while working on the details of the baby shower.

Blessings,
Yvonne