We have not had a baby in our house for thirty years.  To say I had forgotten what it was like is an understatement.  I am surprising myself by really enjoying the experience.

On arrival home in the evening I first get to follow her on a tour of the house (toddling/crawling).  I have seen drunken sailors walk staighter.  Although she has been here a week the tour is still daily

A couple of months ago, on an Easter visit, she found some chocolate eggs in the basement .  The basement seems a popular place for regular check.  Next year maybe we’ll put the eggs in a diferent place.

Then of course there is always a short time playing games on the ipad, dinner, bath and a personal favorite of mine rubbing lotion on a rash she has.

My daughter does the lotion rubbing, I just hold our granddaughter in place.  As you might guess she is not that interested in being held while bad mommy puts on the cream.  What a mean grandpaw I am.

This leads to the conversation before bed, which continues into the crib sometimes for a hour.  This part is a little frustrating as we don’t speak the same language yet but I am sure the story she is relating is fascinating.

Often in the middle we get a shouted rendition of ” MAMA MEE” which I think translates to “your not paying enough attention, get with it or I am going to throw a fit.”

Or it’s Italian and she wants a pizza.

Were my children this entertaining?

I think the context is a big part of this experience. As a young parent with a lot of balls in the air I did not have time to smell the roses as they say.  This time around I want to relax and enjoy it all.

But they are going to leave, right?