3 generations under one roof

Today is a special first birthday, this time for my great nephew Brendan who is three weeks younger than my grandson John is. Brendan and John were due within two days of each other, but one was a bit early and the other a tab late.  Brendan’s mom Jessica is doing his first birthday up on round top, which is a park locally that sits high on a hill over looking the valley, which we live.

Being so close to Halloween that is the theme of this birthday party, but no one is to come in a scary costume. There will be games to play of course, and candy given out to everyone. Great grandparents will be there with donuts and apples along with plenty of hugs. The kids will be free to run and play on the wooden playground equipment up there and it should be fun for everyone. I just hope it gets warmer than the 55 the weatherman predicted.

Today is my grandson Johnny’s first birthday, and we had the party at the local playground for a few reasons.  My house is somewhat small, the playground offered more activities for the kids then my house did, and the final reason we chose to have it there was because my ex husband and his girlfriend were invited. The kids could not really play on the playground because it poured pretty much the entire time, but we stayed dry under the pavilion.

Johnny showed no interest in the toys at all. He is teething again, with the ninth and tenth teeth. He is miserable to say the least, but he enjoyed the cake and ice cream. He is playing with the toys after we brought him home, and he likes the noisy ones the best! Personally, I think the most heartfelt card he got, was a special card from my daughter’s boyfriend whom is not Johnny’s dad. He wrote it to Johnny so he could read it later as he grows up. Coming from a man, I was deeply touched it brought tears to my eyes.  

Jonathon,

 If you are reading this then you are old enough to understand all of the thought and emotion that are behind these words.

Almost 6 months before your first birthday, I was fortunate enough to have you come into my life and in that short time I grew to love you like you were my own son. In fact, if everything has goes as planned, just before your second birthday you will become my son. 

But that really is beside the point, what I really wanted to say to you was that you have had such an impact on my life that I will never be the same. I love you Jonathon and I hope with each year, I have been able to remind you of that and that I am proud to have the opportunity to see you grow from a boy to a man.

Love, Tim

Just reading that brought tears to my eyes. This man has known my grandson for a few short months and loves him so much. Johnny’s biological dad has never laid eyes on him ever even though he lives a few blocks away.  

My ex did not show up, and gave no reason when my daughter called from the parry to remind him, he has only seen our grandson two times during the past year.  My daughter says she is done trying to involve her dad to anything, and my boys feel the same. Me I was like go ahead and invite them, while thinking to myself, I did not like it but I would deal with it.  It is not that I don’t like his girlfriend, she was a high school friend 25 years ago, and they got together a year and a half ago. I threw him out 3 years ago. I did not want to see him, today as he has been vacant for so long, I feel as if these are my kids and I simply do not wish to share the good things.

 My grandson John is on the final hours of being an infant, with ten hours left to go until he was born a year ago. I find myself getting somewhat misty here, perhaps more then I should be, but it has been a wonderful year for him.   Ray and I found out within minutes of my daughter getting a positive EPT test. It was a special time that I was able to share with my daughter and my boyfriend at the same time. 

When my daughter announced she was pregnant with John’s older sister Alexis almost five years ago she was just 16. I got mad and told her to get out, while my husband told her to go to her room, yes he grounded her. My response was not much better I admit it. I was angry she had gotten pregnant on purpose after losing another baby when she was fifteen.  Her first baby was still born as the result of a cord accident nine weeks before her due date. I was angry my daughter would get pregnant again as quick as a teenager.

I was there when my daughter gave birth to all of her children. I could not imagine giving birth to a dead baby. However, my daughter did what she needed to do, and even picked out the burial outfit, while she was calmly doing this I had tears streaming down my face. When she gave birth to Alexis my daughter turned purple and needed oxygen, and my first words when I seen Lexi turning her head as she emerged I yelled its alive Amber. Until Lexi was born we did not know she was a girl, and after Kylie is was hard to get excited about Lexi.  Man I have spoiled her since she was born though.

Then Amber got pregnant for John and I was proud and excited. I asked Ray how it felt to have a grandson before his only child even hit puberty. Ray He was as excited as I was, and we shopped for John from the moment we knew he was a boy when my daughter was only four and a half months along.  When Amber went into Ray sat by the phone, when John slid out just before 6:30 on October 1 2007, I quickly snapped a photo and sent it to Ray who came right over. Ray held Johnny before Amber’s father did, and Johnny and Ray bonded so fast.

When my daughter returned to work, I was the baby sitter, and since I working all night working anyways I often take care of him when he is wake for a bottle or a diaper change.  When he took his first steps a few months ago, he walked that first step from his momma to me.  He is too funny when he chases my daughter or his big sister, and laughs even louder when they turn around and chase him.

Now in less then 10 hours he is going to be one year old.  Man where did the last year go, it seems to have gone by in the blink of an eye.

Man the past year has went by fast. My grandson was born October 1, of last year. It does not seem that long ago.  He is the best baby I have ever known, he only cries when he is hungry or wants a bottle. It has always been that way.  None of my babies was like that, so he is a blessing.

He started walking a few days after he turned 9 months old, which seemed unreal, as he is a bigger baby.  He went into a Rain forest jump-a-roo by fisher price at about 5 months and I believe that is what helped him to gain the strength in his legs so he could walk faster.  He is running, I kid you not. Loves to chase you, and then will turn around to have you chase him.   My great nephew who is three weeks younger and was in this rain forest jump-a-roo also walked quite early, even thought he is bigger then Johnny.  

As the next few days slip by us, I keep looking at him and singing that Alabama song Never be one again. Yes, I know that song was about a little girl, but I cannot help myself. Gosh, I love interacting with him. It is so sweet to see him running all over. We are on a five day count down until his first birthday.