Owen came out to visit today. He brought his mother, just in case he got hungry.
All activity ceased when he got here. There was nothing going on except for him.
One of my favorite things to do is to change his diaper. Lily is using the cloth diapers I gave her which I had leftover from when she and Jessie were babies. I change him and then I talk to him. I tell him stories and blow on his belly and he opens his eyes wide and listens to me. I swear, he does. He opens his mouth and makes little noises as if he is talking to me too. I kiss him and touch him and he is quiet. And then suddenly, he realizes that he is HUNGRY and that is mother is right there and he begins to cry.
I give him to his mama and she nurses him and he sucks, sucks, sucks and falls asleep at her breast and then she hands him over to me. Sometimes he wakes up and when he does, he is so PISSED! Why isn't the tittie in his mouth? WHY!??
Finally he fell deeply asleep and I held him on my chest under a quilt I made for Jessie. It is getting cool here this evening and the temperature was dropping, even as we sat there on the couch.
I swear, when I hold him, the entire world is fine. I am at perfect peace.I tried to talk Lily into moving in with Jason and Owen. I tried to bribe her with meals and laundry done and so forth. But no, she wants to live in her own home with her own husband, her own baby.
Sigh. I understand completely. And the funny thing is, six years ago she would have done anything not to have to hang out with her mama and now she loves coming out here, loves how much I love her baby.
She has no idea how much I love her. She may have an inkling because she knows how much she loves her son. But I am sure that like me, she is certain that no one on earth ever loved anyone as much as she loves her baby.
And so it goes.
I always told my kids that they would have no idea how much I loved them until they had their own children. And now I am saying that they will have no idea until they are grandparents.
Maybe what God is, is the greatest grandparent of all. And we have no idea. Because as much as we think we know about love, there is always another level of loving.
But what do I know? Not much. I just know that when I hold Owen, I know a little bit more than I ever did before.
It's getting cold tonight. Bundle up. Love each other. That's what it's all about.
Or as least as far as I know.
Sweet dreams. Stay warm. Believe in love.
Sigh.
ReplyDeleteGod (or Grandpa), there's nothing like holding a sleeping baby on top of your test like you're doing with baby Owen. I still remember it.
ReplyDeleteI agree, not much better than a baby sound asleep in your arms.
ReplyDeleteI've been listening to the Dixie Chicks in my car lately, and I absolutely love that song... I believe in love/love that's real/ love that's strong/ love that lives on and on/ oh, I believe in love. hehe
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had such a lovely day with Lilabell and sweet baby Owen. Sorry I missed out on it, but I'm sure there will be other times.
I will.
ReplyDeleteBethany- I know.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth- I told Lily that as slowly as each of these early days goes by for her, she will look back one day and say, "Did I really nurse him? Did I?" It goes so fast and this is pure heaven to be reminded.
Ginger- Yes.
HoneyLuna- You and I have spent some time listening to those sweet, crazy Dixie Chicks, haven't we? I love you.
Maggie May- I know you will.
Yea, put us on the "move in with MM" waiting list too... Our boy is a wee bit older than Owen, but he is very snuggly in cold weather!
ReplyDeleteI don't have kids, sigh, however, I didn't know how much I loved my mom until I married the Fab man. I'd do anything to hang out on the sofa with a blankie and my mom!
ReplyDeleteWe did have a good time. I think you are the baby wisperer, Owen never spends as much time awake without crying than when we are with you. He sure does love Gramama. I love you too.
ReplyDeleteLily- I have to use what I can to make Owen love me. I do not have the nurneys. He can tell that I love him already. I am sure of that. And here's my secret, if there is one- I believe that babies love to be spoken to as if they are the most important being in the world. And if you speak to them believing that too, they will listen. Until they are hungry, of course. And then only mama will do.
ReplyDeleteAustin thinks you look like a very good grandma.
ReplyDeleteThat made me all tearful.
ReplyDeleteBabies totally love to be talked to! They get all animated and talk back. I used to walk around with my baby and let him discover new things. I will never forget when he found the kitchen counter. I was making something with one hand. You will remember, he was on one hip and I was fixing with the other hand-arm-hip. Suddenly he spied the smooth counter. He squealed and squirmed and put his hands flat on the counter and started rubbing them around and cooing. He was high on the kitchen counters! Owen is a little young but remember to show him things like that, it is hilarious to see.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post! I really enjoyed it. I was doing the same thing as you were in that second picture last night with my granddaughter. I was babysitting her and she was not feeling well so I spent the whole night snuggling her like that under a blanket on the couch. It was heaven.
ReplyDeleteSteph- I surely hope to be. Tell Austin I think he looks like a very good son. And grandson.
ReplyDeleteMwa- Oh just wait! Being a grandmother is the most precious. Mmmmmm.....
Glimmer- What a great story! Yes- babies are constantly tripping. Everything is new and undiscovered. I find that Owen listens intently and concentrates on whatever I am saying- if he is not starving. In him mind, at least. Oh. I can't wait to see every step of his growing. Since I am a grandmother, I can see and acknowledge each part of that. It is so fascinating! I feel so lucky to be involved with a baby on this level again.
Lois- And that is what grandmamas are for. Aren't we lucky? I hope your granddaughter is feeling better now. I do.
Now THAT made my heart soar. Thanks, Ms. Moon.
ReplyDeleteI love that photo. It is sublime.
ReplyDelete