Everything is OK until the word 'diaper' is mentioned
"Babies are sure sweet when they are 2" is a mantra I have been repeating since my own daughters were 2.
There are many aspects of a baby at age 2 that warm the heart and take me back to the time when I cuddled TW and TM and held them close to my heart. I cherish the memories of their breath on my neck when I held them napping; their little hearts beating against my chest; the smell the Johnson and Johnson tearless baby shampoo on their little blonde heads; their little arms around my neck squeezing me in a tender hug; listening as they struggled with language; consoling them when their hearts were broken; protecting them when the thunder rolled and the lightning flashed. Those were good times.
Memories are the icing on the cake as I cuddled little Audrey when she was 2 four years ago. Now it is my turn to embrace little Tess as she paddles her own canoe through the 2s. She still thinks I am special. Many times each day she turns and says, "Hi grampa" as if she was seeing me for the first time. This is accompanied by a lovely wave of her tiny hand. Of course duty demands that I return the wave and greeting.
She is quite deft at feeding herself. Perhaps the definition of deft has been broadened over the years but she gets most of the food inside her tummy, however, it is propitious to put a bib with a copious pocket to catch the bits that escape and try to make it outside the house.
One day she was moving her lips as if she were eating and the chef was still preparing her meal. Upon close inspection it was discovered that she was eating a whole grain cheerio from breakfast and there were two more hiding in the pocket of the bib.
It is normal for grandparents to believe their grandchildren are the cutest and smartest of all children. Most of these folks are clearly delusional and it is sad. My heart hurts for them because they must inevitably compare their children with the two cutest and smartest grandbabies ever born and those two just happen to be mine. Sorry folks. As Dizzy Dean used to say, "It ain't braggin' if you done it." Thanks Diz for that perspective.
Many people read to Miss Tess. Now remember she is only 2 but she is reading at the high school level. That is my story and I am sticking with it. I read the Dr. Seuss book "Go Dogs Go" to her one time and she then told the story while looking at the pictures. She can quote the title of her books with 100 percent accuracy. Did I say she was smart?
I was keeping her for a few hours last week and she asked me, "Grandpa, would you change my diaper?" I believe it is time to potty train the child, don't you?
Larry Vandeventer grew up north of Calvertville, graduated from Worthington High School and can be reached at Goosecrick@aol.com or at 6860 Sunrise Drive, Plainfield, Ind., 46168 or by phone at (317) 839-7656. He has written five books about his experiences.``
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