Joe and I have had a rule since the grandkids came along. No overnight stays with Popa Joe and Grandma Jen’s until you are potty trained. I do not know really why it would matter since I could change poopie pants a million times. I grew up in a daycare that the minute I stopped needing my diaper changed, I started changing other diapers. Besides, when does a Dillier man ever change a diaper without some “deal” (right Jamie?)?
Honestly, I do not know why I have been so fearful of watching kids. Perhaps because the last time I officially “babysat” a child, not a doggie was approximately 22 years ago. Maybe it was that I had an overdose working in the family daycare business!
I have tried to make sure to see the grandkids at least 1 time a month since they were born. They get big too fast and I want to monitor their cuteness. Early last week before Lily’s birthday, I was gloomy that I had not seen Lily for a long time.
I called to wish Lily happy birthday. While chatting with Jen, she snuck in that Nate had a training retreat for his company in Vegas. I said we are going to St. George! The next thing you know I am watching Lily overnight!
Now do not get me wrong here. I adore all of these grandkids but poop and boogers are not my bag (but whose bag is it anyway?). That is rather why I skipped parenthood (well besides a few other things we will discuss another day). The whole time I am saying ok, sure, yes….I think, man, is Jamie going to be ticked at me!? I have not even watched her boys for more than 5 minutes!
Saturday I met Jen and Lily in Mesquite. I had a massage appointment in the morning. We do not cancel Grandma’s massages. We had lunch and then Jen loaded up the truck with Lily’s steamer trunks. I have never driven through the gulch so slow!
One of my biggest concerns watching kids is that #1 they will get hurt and #2 they will be inconsolable, #3 I will not be able to entertain them enough, # 4 I will lose my patience.
Both of us did really well. She was easy going and Ozzy entertained her mostly. We went through the carwash, walked to the park, she ate dinner well. When Joe came home from golfing, we ordered pizza. That is when it all went to hell. I carried the pizza in the kitchen, I turned towards the counter with Lily behind me and the dog pushed her into the wall to get the pizza. Oh great my fear realized. She was hurt, my #1 fear. I was literally one step away and my back turned for 30 seconds. She has a bump bruise in between her brows. Now none of the kids will let me watch their babies! Luckily, kisses, cuddles and a distraction calmed her quickly. I have not lost that touch anyway. She ate some pizza (yeah, more food!).
I put gave her a bath and brushed her teeth, we went to bed in the spare bedroom. Joe and I decided that I should sleep in the room with her. I am glad I did. She has been starting to get a cold. I was reading her a book when Mommy and Daddy called. She talked to Jen all right then when she heard Daddy’s voice she started sobbing. We ditched the phone and read more books and she fell asleep. I decided to just sleep on the air mattress with her. She woke several times during the night with her cough and some crying.
Sunday morning I started Cinderella while cooking breakfast. She ate and watched it with Joe while I went to shower. When I returned I found them watching golf. Joe went golfing and we watched Sleeping Beauty. Lily snuggled up to me and fell asleep. I got to watch the show until her parents came and interrupted me! Oh well, I am sure I will get to see it 500 times again in the next few years.
It was a fun visit! I miss her already!
Although I am not quite ready for more than one of them at the same time. Or if all things considered, if they can trust me with the precious cargo. I think that Grandma’s is open for business now.
Wow, sorry for the long post!
12 years ago
3 comments:
Thank you so much I am sorry that she was getting a cold.
It makes me so happy that you both are growing closer, though the experience is difficult it definitely has it's rewards for everyone. I hope you know that I trust you as well as those whom have or have had kids.... in fact you are probably even more cautious...you just needed to bust out of your shell and not feel less worthy because no one else is Lily, Alex, and Max's Gram Dillier. And Lily will start to remember getting cozy with Gram Jen watching princess shows ..oh and clapping with the audience with Papa Joe for the golf shows.
Dang another babysitter in Utah..what the crap are we doing here?
You know, diapered kids are actually easier to babysit than potty trained ones because you don't have to drop everything and race like a bat out of hell to the potty when they need to go. And there is no such thing as an accident. Butt wiping is only slightly more gross with diapered kids than potty trained kids, at least until they can do it themselves (I do not yet trust Alex with this task)
But anyhow, no, I'm not mad :) and I'm glad you were able to have an overnight visit with Lily!
Jen, I feel same way as you...so scared something will happen to them....babysitting two at a time has me crazy scared. I'll either loose one or someone will get "damaged". Maybe, if I can keep them both in same room or even within two feet of each other I can make sure we all live thru the experience....duck tape? I had only one child, and little babysitting experience...I'd still be checking to be sure Jamie was breathing at night (and alive) if she hadn't moved out of the house. The grandkids are blessed to have you in their lives!!
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