My dad's side of the family has a saying that I often heard growing up and now truly understand. It's "Every crow thinks its baby's the blackest." Well, I propose modifying it to include grandparents, as well. Maybe, "Every grand-crow thinks its grandbaby's a raven," or something like that. Because one wonderful thing about grandparents is that they are probably the only people who truly worship your baby as much as you do. While your friends and coworkers may smile politely as you ramble on about your baby's latest antics, eventually they're going to want to tell their own story. Grandparents, on the other hand, can't hear enough about your little one. "What did Whitley do today? How did she sleep? How did she eat?" Keep the details coming! Additionally, everything exciting your baby does is even better in the eyes of his/her grandparents. A picture you thought was cute is worthy of a magazine cover to them. Some maneuver you thought clever is actually pure brilliance! Conversations with my parents often go something like this: "Tom and I went out to eat last night with friends, and Whitley was so good at the restaurant!" "Of course she was- she's perfect!" or "Those ladies at Whitley's daycare are so sweet. They really seem to love her." "Well, they'd better!! How could they not?! She's perfect!" You get the idea. I think I'm beginning to understand the adoration grandparents feel for their grandchildren, though. First of all, babies are addicting, and they grow up just too darn fast! Ask the mom who surprised my sister in Macy's by unabashedly stroking Drew's curly head as he sat in his stroller. Seeing Stacy's alarm she explained, "I'm so sorry, but my baby boy is 17!" Similarly, when Whitley and I are out and about, we come across good-natured, grandparent-like folks everywhere. They're smiling, waving, and playing peek-a-boo in the aisles of Walmart, check-out counters, restaurants, airports... moms and dads of all ages just can't help themselves once they see those big eyes and chubby legs. Thus, I think it's safe to assume that the stretch of time between first baby and first grandchild must start to feel pretty long (especially if moms are willing to affectionately accost the babies of strangers in public). And a parent's arms must ache to again cuddle, caress, rock, bathe, and change a little one, at least every now and then. But most significantly, as I look at Whitley, I can't help but think that meeting your baby's baby must be a pretty miraculous thing. To know that the tiny angel in your hands is part your child, part your spouse, part you. Feeling the excitement of finding evidence of each, the humbling pleasure of knowing a bit you will go on for years to come, the joy of experiencing love at first sight once again. I could be totally wrong, and grandparenthood may be much more simple or complex. But I do know that Whitley is extremely blessed to have four beautiful, generous and loving grandparents, just as perfect as she is. And I hope that all the grand"crows" out there, who think they're grand"chicks" hung the moon, sun, and stars, and make them shine as well, have a wonderful day. To CC, Day Day, Grammy, and Papa, we love and miss you very much, and here is your present (because there is nothing better than a giggling, naked baby):
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