Rock-A-Bye-Baby

On the treetop... 

I sat in the chair, slowly rocking, letting the rhythm relax and take over. I held a sweet baby in my arms and I smiled as I breathed in the aroma of Johnson’s baby lotion. At first he fought me. He didn’t think he was sleepy. Or maybe he knew it but he didn’t want to give in because of what he might miss. His little body would slacken. His head would nod and his eyelids would slowly close. Suddenly he’d cry out or jerk, just to wake himself up. He’d look around a bit or fuss then he’d relax again. Finally, the continuous motion of the rocking chair got the best of him.

As I sat there with the warm bundle against my chest, I listened to the precious baby snores and sleep sounds. For a moment I was transported back in time when I was rocking a baby a lot like him. That would be his daddy, my baby boy.

I rocked all my babies. It’s something I liked to do. Some self-proclaimed experts say it’s the right thing to do and some argue that it’s wrong. I don’t care. I was rocked and for me it was natural.

I pondered cuddling my perfect little dark haired girl, nestled on my shoulder, and how the motion seemed to  comfort her if she cried. I remembered gazing into the eyes of my first son as we rocked and how I watched and laughed as he wiggled his eyebrows at me. I smiled as I envisioned my last baby, holding him tight while we rocked, his tiny fingers twirling my hair until he was able to drift into slumber.

I still rock, with the Littles, or without. Even though the Littles aren’t so small anymore, they still like to sit with me. We rock, or not, for short times anyway. And I’ll enjoy it, as long as it lasts.

Now there’s George. I’ll rock him, anytime he’ll let me. I don’t know who is comforted more by the rocking; me or him.

When the wind blows, the cradle will rock... 

I seem to have lost my knitting mojo, as well as the time to find it again. Oh well. All the kids want or need potholders so I’ve managed to squeeze in a few in my spare time but that’s about all.

I can knit and rock, babe in arm. I just haven’t. It will wait for another day, another time. Maybe.

When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall, 
And down will come baby, cradle and all...

Whoever You Are

Whoever you are, 
 I hope you don't have to travel far… 

It’s interesting how kids simply say what they feel or tell it like they see it. Sometimes they speak about things you don’t want to know and sometimes it’s just to figure out a situation. That’s what happened the other day.

It was spring break and a trip was planned to Utah, hopefully to meet the newest grandson. The littles were on spring break too so we decided to take the boys if they wanted to come. The minute we asked, the youngest started packing!

We had an additional passenger as well. One of the men working for my husband has a daughter in Colorado who is very sick and in intensive care. He’s out there and since it’s on the way to Utah, he asked if his friend could hitch a ride with us. We had room so it was no problem at all.

It was dawn, the truck was loaded and we headed off. First stop was to get the boys. We went in, they inspected our guest, and I told them Miss Dorothy was coming with us. All seemed fine, and we bundled into the truck again and set off on the journey.

Ready to go!

We rode along for miles, gazing at the mostly non-existent scenery when Caleb asked, “Mamye where did you find Dorothy? Where’d you get her?” We all laughed and I told him we were taking her to meet her friend. That seemed to satisfy his curiosity and he went back to his games.

It was McDonald’s for lunch, because it was quick, there was a place to park the truck with the trailer attached and there was a playground to let two little boys blow off some steam. After their romp we stuffed ourselves back into the truck for many more hours of travel.

Not long after, Caleb looked over at Dorothy and said, “Who invited you?” Again we laughed, because he wasn’t being rude. He was only trying to figure out who this lady was that he’d never seen or heard of before, in the truck beside him.

More than halfway to our destination and weary from the ride, we stopped for the night at a local hotel. The hours passed too quickly and we happened off again. We were meeting Dorothy’s friend then continuing on to Utah. About an hour later we arrived at the designated meeting place. Suitcases were switched and Dorothy went with her friend. Caleb leaned over to me and said, “Aw, she’s gone. I liked her!”

Out the windshield...to Utah

It was interesting how he’d gone the full circle. After he figured out, from as much information as he had, that Dorothy was okay, he liked her and was sad when she was no longer with us on the trip. His honesty and acceptance was refreshing. She’ll remember the trip and that little boy, whoever you are.

Boys acting silly.

As I ride down that long lonely highway without you,
I can't keep myself from wondering about you...

Finally! Baby George made his appearance. And if I may say so myself, he’s perfect! He has dark, silky hair, and he’s a sturdy baby at 8 pounds, 5 ounces and 21 inches long! I’m sure there will be more about him along the way!

Complete awe.

Fresh from the oven!

Three generations.

Feed me Seymour!

Here’s his blanket, ready for him to come home to. I think I may have enough yarn to add a teddy bear!

George's rainbow.

And for baby George, whoever you are, and wherever you go, I wish great things. I love you sweet baby boy!

My baby boy's sweet baby boy.

And I know heaven is in your smile.
Whoever, whoever you are…

My Special Angel

You are my special angel 

Sent from up above. 

The Lord smiled down on me 

And sent an angel to love… 

My precious first grandson recently turned 8 years old. It hardly seems possible that he can be that age already. Just the other day we were all in the delivery room. My daughter’s husband was in the Navy so her dad had agreed to go in the delivery room with her. He does that farm/ranch type stuff so giving birth would not gross him out or anything. I, on the other hand, was prepared to stay in the waiting room. I’d packed a bag of yarn and had some knitting needles and was content to build a nest in the sitting area and wait til all was done. I’d waited with them in the labor room and the doctor came and they were moving her to another room. I gathered my knitting and was walking the other way and the doctor said, "This way mom." Wait. What? This way? As in the delivery room? I don’t think so. He said, "Yes, you too."

The smiling birthday boy!

The delivery room was nothing like I’d experienced when I’d had her. This was an ordinary ‘hospital’ room. Maybe they called it a birthing room. I’m not sure. But there was a TV and the bed, a vanity type thing and a chair. I put my knitting in the chair and squashed myself against the wall. I was fairly sure this wasn’t something I wanted to witness.

I remember Law and Order was on and the Doctor and my husband were taking turns watching the television and comforting/tending to Callye. I was still back out of the way, as much as I could be since we were all in the same room, when suddenly things began to happen. I moved a bit so I couldn’t see anything I didn’t want to see. Push, push and he was here!

The doctor did his thing, let Callye have a look, gave E to the nurse and she wrapped him in a blanket and in turn handed him to me. Yes, here he was. My firstborn’s firstborn, fresh out of the oven!

Sweet baby boy!

I don’t know if that’s the reason or if it’s just because he was the first but we have a bond. Don’t get me wrong. All of the littles are special. Unique and delightful individuals, they are all happy to see us when we go over or they come here. The other two love the visit but are ready to go when mom and dad come. But if given a choice I think E would just as soon stay here permanently!

Frogs and snails and puppy dog tails...

Of course he’s not always an angel. He’s a typical little boy, mischievous and full of energy. Even though he’s getting to that stage little boys get to when they don’t want you to hug or kiss them, he still has a hug for me every time I see him. I know that probably sooner than later there will be a time when he will want to be ‘cool’ and not have his Mamye cuddle him in public! I have a feeling it might still be okay when it’s just us. Until that time comes though, I’ll hug him when I can and let him know I love him always.

The smile from your lips brings the summer sunshine. 

Tears from your eyes bring the rain. I

I feel your touch, your warm embrace, 

And I'm in heaven again… 

I finished the shawl except for (surprise) blocking! That’s this weekend for sure because I have to get it in the mail. Of course I saw something that doesn’t look quite right to me. I don’t think it’s a mistake, just a little loose in one spot. I think I can fix it and nobody will notice.

I had a request for another rainbow scarf, just like the one I made at Christmas. Easy enough, so I got started. I ran into a problem though. I forgot which yarns I used! It’s a scarf where I gather different textures and colors. I started it but it didn’t look right. It was pretty but it was too dark or something so I took it apart.

What it is supposed to look like...and what it looked like.

But I needed something for TV knitting so I made a quick colorful cowl out of some self striping sock yarn I had. It’s not very big but I like it and it can be folded over and pinned if I needed it to be warmer. While that was going on I gathered yarn that I think will make a close copy of the original rainbow. I hope anyway!

Quick and easy.

A little self striping sock yarn and a little cowl!

It’s back into the routine (or drag) at work so there’s little time (or energy) for things I want to do. I think about it but I’ve not been very productive. Good thing I didn’t make any resolutions!

We’ll see the littles in a week or two. That’s something to look forward to!

You are my special angel,

Through eternity.

I'll have my special angel,

Here to watch over me...