Fly Away Home

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Yesterday I had to say goodbye.  It was very hard.  For some reason, Hudson’s mommy wouldn’t let me take him home with me.  So I had to force myself onto an airplane and leave wonderland.

Hud and I had a heart to heart talk before I left.

 

“Nonnie?  Is it true?  You are leaving me?”

 

“But who will talk and walk and sing to me at 4:00 a.m.?”

 

“I have an idea.  Let’s take a vote.”

  

“Everyone who wants Nonnie to stay, raise one arm.”

 

“Everyone who wants Nonnie to stay, raise two arms.”

 

“Now, Hudson.  Your pretty mommy is going to take good care of you.”

 

“So, you’re really leaving then?”

 

“Here’s a million kisses to hold you over until I see you again.”

 

Shopping with Hudson

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This morning the sun was shining and my daughter was needing to get out of the house.  So we packed up Hud Bud and went to IKEA.  I had never been to an IKEA store before, so it was a good adventure.  I wanted to get a step stool for their kitchen because for some reason, their microwave is on top of the refrigerator and it’s a tricky reach.  My son-in-law asked us to pick up a contraption for one of their kitchen cupboards – some kind of slide out rack to hold pot and pan lids.

Hudson was pretty excited to put on his bear suit and see the world.

My daughter and I enjoyed strolling through the displays. 

Hudson slept the whole time.  But we checked on him every 2 minutes.

 I found a clock I really liked.

We picked up a small light for the nursery.

I insisted on getting this tray for when they eat in the living room.

She saw a great price on a food chopper, so into the cart it went.

When we pulled up to their house I said, “We forgot the step stool.” 

She said, “We forgot the cupboard thing, too.” 

I said, “Welcome to motherhood.”

 

Hud Bud

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Hudson’s auntie has dubbed her new nephew Hud Bud.  Isn’t that cute? 

Hud Bud.  Hud Bud.  Hud Bud.  So fun to say!

Here’s what I’ve been doing lately:

1.  When there are no more diapers downstairs, I run upstairs to get a fresh supply.

2.  When there are no more wipes upstairs, I run downstairs to get some more.

3.  One afternoon, I went through all the baby clothes that were passed on to Hudson or given as gifts.  I sorted them all into sizes, put them into separate baskets and labeled each one.  Newborn, 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months, 6-12 months, 12 months, 12-18 months, 18-24 months.  Whew.  The kid has a lot of clothes.

4.  I made Cinnamon Struesel Coffeecake, Spaghetti Pie, Chicken and Rice Hotdish, Vegetable Beef Barley Soup, BBQ, Bowtie Lasagna, Banana Bread, Chicken Salad…..so far.  Some to eat, some to put in the freezer.

5.  I found a hamper full of dirty clothes and started in on laundry.

6.  When my darling daughter needs her boppie or an ice pack or help putting on her socks, I am there.

And my favorite: 

7.  When 4:00 a.m. rolls around, and mommy and daddy have been up several times in the night, I get to take over with the little guy.  Just Hud Bud and me, singing, talking,  praying, rocking.  He won’t remember these precious days, but I’ll never forget them.

First Photoshoot

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This is my grandson, Hudson.  (I love saying that.) 

PB and I had him all to ourselves for awhile this morning while his mommy and daddy caught up on some sleep.  We took a few pictures.  Well, okay, we took 80 pictures….in about 15 minutes.  He makes the cutest faces while he’s sleeping.  And sometimes he moves his arms – that’s so amazing.  And he makes the sweetest little squeaks.  And he breathes such precious little baby breaths.  Sigh. 

Sometimes he looks like he’s pondering great truths.

Sometimes he looks like he’s hearing angels sing.

Sometimes he stretches one arm.

Sometimes he stretches both arms.

Sometimes he just thinks.

Sometimes he shows off his double chin.  Or triple chin.

Sometimes he thinks about his Nonnie and smiles.

We could just stare at him all day long.

Bling for Baby

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Today I decided to dress up for Little Mister. 

I put on the earrings I wore to his mommy and daddy’s wedding. 

I slipped on the bracelet his mommy brought me from Africa. 

I donned the gold locket that holds a picture of his mommy when she was a newborn baby. 

I figured wearing all that bling would send some good vibes to my grand baby. 

You know, make him want to leave his cozy nest and come out into the world to meet his Nonnie.

Sure hope it works!

I’m looking a little nervous because…..

because……..

because…….

I think it’s working…….

Stay tuned….

See those cute little babies??

The one on the right is Katie, who I think might be……

maybe she’s……

stay tuned……

And the one on the left is Sam.  Oh, by the way, he recently became engaged to a beautiful young woman who I love with all my heart.  Weddings, babies, babies, weddings.  My cup runneth over.  But we’ll talk more about them later.

I’ve gotta keep my hand on my cell phone….

and the kleenex box handy……

and sniff some more Baby Magic lotion.

Ah…there….that will calm me down.

 

 

Impossible Love

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How is it possible to love someone who I haven’t even met? 

Before he coos his first coo,

before he smiles his first smile,

before his sweet voice says “Nonnie” for the first time,

before he does anything for me,

he is loved because……he is.

He will be loved when he cries, when he poops, when he is colicky.

He will be loved if he plays baseball or not.

He will be loved whether he is quiet or loud, silly or serious.

He doesn’t have to do anything, just be himself.

I know these things, because I have been loved like this.

So have you.

 First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.   1 John 4:19

Nothing, you see, is impossible with God.  Luke 1:37

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sermon Notes

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We had a guest speaker at church today.  It was his very first sermon and let me tell you, he nailed it.  He brought a tear to many an eye in our sanctuary this morning.  There was a real sense of holiness and power during his very short message.  I know I’ll never forget it.

Oh, I should tell you that this memorable sermon was given by 4-year-old Jon, a faithful member of our preschool Sunday school class.  Here’s what happened:

PB had just finished serving everyone communion.  At our church people come forward, take a small piece of bread and dip it in the cup of grape juice.  They may pause at the altar or go back to their pew for some quiet moments.  When everyone has come forward, PB takes the elements to people who had not been able to walk up the aisle.  Then he returns to the front of the church and puts the bread and cup on the altar, covering them with a white cloth.

It was at that moment when Jon came sprinting up the aisle, climbed the steps, hurried to PB and tugged on his suitcoat.  “Pastor?” he asked expectantly.  My dear husband turned around to see an eager little boy hoping he was not too late for this special event.  Getting down on one knee, PB let Jon take a piece of bread and dip it in the juice.  The little guy put it in his mouth with great satisfaction.  “Remember Jon, Jesus loves you.”  The small blond head nodded.  Then he ran back down the aisle and it was over.  But oh, what a hushed and holy moment.

I am not interested in a debate about the pros and cons of offering children communion.  I just know that I wish I had run down the aisle with such abandon.  If only we were all as desperately eager to be included in the holy sacrament.  Oh, to be equally satisfied with the chance to taste of the goodness of God.

PB wiped his eyes and folded up his sermon.  No need for another message today.  Thank you Jon.  God is good.  All the time.

“And a little child shall lead them.”  Isaiah 11:6

A Watched Pot

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I decided to quit “watching the pot” today.  You know, a watched pot never boils.  I’m assuming a watched pregnant woman doesn’t go into labor, either.  So instead of checking my phone every two minutes, I am getting my mind off the impending birth of my first grandchild.  Here’s how I’m trying to stay distracted today:

1.  Turn on favorite tunes real loud and vacuum, mop, scrub, spit and polish.  Sit down and cry when Shane and Shane’s song “The One You Need” starts playing.

2.  Go to coffee shop downtown to have a coffee and read.  Read the same paragraph four times then leave.

3.  Stop at Walgreens to pick up a few items.  Find myself in the baby aisle sniffing Baby Magic lotion.

4.  Sit down to watch the Badger basketball game.  Flip channels during commercials and end up watching “16 and Pregnant”.

5.  Send texts to my husband, my sons, my other daughter, several friends, praise band kids, my third cousin once removed; everybody BUT the mommy-to-be.

6.  Consider making a big pin to wear to church tomorrow that says, “Yes, I’m still here.”

Well, that took care of part of the day….. 

You know, a watched pot does eventually boil.  Maybe I should call my girl and tell her that….yah, I think that’s what I’ll do….