Mimi Visits the Sickies

On my calendar for this week, was the very clear entry, " Go to Cincinnati for Vivien's Birthday!!"  Hubby had arranged to take the day off and Miss Dixie was taken care of.  Some secret birthday projects were on the sewing table, not quite completed and the card was purchased. 

But then.

Oh, but then.

The Flu Season Hit Upon E/A's Home.

Miss Viv has had a rough winter.

Colds and viruses have jumped on her tenaciously and have refused to let her go.

Her mama has infused her little being with probiotics and good nutrition but dang the germs of the world. They will not let her go.

And to add insult to injury, they decided to hop onto her mama as well.  E/A, not the stoutest of constitution ever since the Grand Hip Replacement Event of '06, usually falls hard to most bronchial germs and this time was no different.

So when Mimi receives The Call, she leaves behind the chaos of her nearly painted living room, to the sick rooms of Cincinnati.  Well, one of them anyway.

Imagine my dismay to have to elongate my visit by three days.

Oh the despair of getting to spend more time with Little Miss Viv when the last visit was when the New Year was only a day old.  Oh my yes.  BIG Sacrifice.  Hah.

With my best Mary Poppins imitation, I have helped nurture E/A back to a semblance of health while entertaining the Birthday Girl as only Mimi can...

We have made bread with the help of a cherry tomato or two and some very helpful measuring tools.  Mimi has even received some very helpful Knitting Tutoring from the facilitator of the Cincinnati Family Enrichment Center's Chix with Stix(www.theplaceforfamilies.com), aka: E/A for my very problematic Knitting Attempt. We have disinfected and cleaned surfaces to discourage the propagation of any other germs that are perhaps considering moving in for the Spring.

She let me know which sponge and rag I could use while she followed me on the floor, scooting her diaper heavy bottom on the hardwood floor.

We have read all the Birthday books that the Mason Public Library could provide.  And now, we wait as the antibiotically protected mama is out gathering ingredients for the Best Birthday Cake ever.  After all, Cousin Lil Lady is scheduled to arrive this weekend for her first visit with her Birthday Cousin and we really need a carrot cake ready to celebrate!

Less anyone ever forget that March 9th is her birthday, Mimi made for her first birthday, a very growable Birthday Crown for her to celebrate each and every year in fine style.  I completely expect to see her wear it every year.  It was made with growth designed right in with adjustable Velcro......

Yes, I believe that if Miss Viv needs Mimi, birthday or not, I shall try to be there....

Grandparenting; the crown of the aged.....

Gracie Beth is 2!!

 I was with Gracie Beth's mama when she took her pregnancy test.
I was snug in bed on that cold, snowy December Night when GB's daddy called to let me know that Big Brother Grant needed a babysitter at 4:00am.
I was cozy on their couch at 6:30am when her daddy called to tell me that she had arrived.
I was the one that had the privilege of having the Celebratory Breakfast with Big Brother Grant when he woke up to the news.

 I was the one that rounded up BBG, Baby Girl , Hubby, Youngest Son and myself into a teeny little car on that cold, snowy December 15th, to introduce BBG to his baby sister.

 We all got to watch the sweet introduction of Big Brother to Little Sis.
I got to hold her at less than 8 hours old.

 I got to sneak a peek at her two day old self when bringing chickie pot pie to the little family.

 I got to watch the fun first year and all it's ups and downs and boo boos...

 I was joyful as one of her very select first words was 'Nana'....

 I got to have a traveling secret with her....When we went anywhere, I got to hold her little hand and rub her palm to calm down reverse car seat agitations....It calmed her right down....
I got to help feed this voracious appetite some of her first solid food.....And thoroughly enjoyed it......
And last year, I got to make her first doll for her first birthday....

So it was with lots of sweet memories, that Nana sat down to her sewing machine to create a most special Library Book Tote for such a big girl. I included flannel from her reverse seam quilt and fabric from the summer britches I made her last year.  I even included bits of her mama's mama collection purses in the mix.  And since she will be joined by Baby Brother Liam in April and hedged on the other side by Big Brother Grant, I thought it only fitting to douse her with pink and frou-frou tutu to ward off all the boyishness that will surround her soon....

My sweet little Gracie Beth...Your hugs are the best......
Happy Birthday!