Grandmothering

I've just spend four days and nights babysitting 3-year-old Megan and 5-month-old Emma, and I am tired! I have new respect for mothers of toddlers! Just hauling that car seat with 14-pound Emma up and into the base and then out again was enough to pull every muscle in my arms and back - and somehow carrying babies through the house has redefined my space and I've managed to knock my shins, ankles, shoulders and other parts into the dishwasher door, step ladder, coffee table and door frame. I'm looking forward to a massage, once I get the house picked up.

Other than that, the girls were darling and precious - Megan talking non-stop (reminding me of her Aunt Katherine), insisting on wearing her Princess dress and hand-me-down Cinderella (pronounced Cindagrella) slippers, and wanting "just one more story"; and Emma finally cuddling up and taking a bottle and falling asleep in my arms. Emma is already turning over both front-to-back and back-to-front, and is almost sitting up. She has discovered her feet and is unsafe unless securely strapped in, since she can really arch that back. She's a talker, too. What is sweeter than hearing a baby gurgle and chirp?

The two portable video monitors helped keep that hundreds of trips up and down the stairs to a minimum and the swing Elizabeth brought over for Emma was great for helping her stay asleep longer.

Byron reminded me that my mother kept our girls pretty often - but I remember (1) Mother was at least 10 years younger than I am now, (2) Mother had full time help (Peggy stayed until my 8-years-younger sister graduated from high school - when Elizabeth was two) and Daddy was home most of the time.

I would do it again, just not right away.