This is Mimi’s last day of babysitting.  Mom and Dad will be home this evening.  I think I have done a little better with this “stay at home mom” stuff.  Last June when I came out and babysat, I couldn’t get anything done.  I  no more got done with breakfast than it was time for lunch.  Dishes were piling up, laundry wasn’t happening, certainly didn’t have time to shower and I was exhausted by the end of the day.  I thought my daughter was crazy for even attempting it.  It truly is the hardest job in the world.

Some things have changed since then.  I am getting the hang of this stay at home mom stuff better.  Dishes are done after each meal, a little laundry going each morning, I get a shower “most” days and attitudes with Max and Molly have changed.

Last June, Molly was busy and into everything and I had to watch her like a hawk to keep her out of things.  Max was a little “match head”.  Say the wrong thing or not say the wrong thing and his emotions might blow through the roof and did.  Here I am now 8 months later with a more mature Max and someone going through the terrible two’s.

Max and I have always had a special relationship.  He is my first grand child after all.  I think I have treated him a lot like I treated his mom.  I never used baby talk with this mother and I always talked to her like she was an adult.  You could have a conversation with her at a very young age.  Same goes for Max. We have some great conversations.  I never quite know where they are going, but we discuss all kinds of things and he get’s it.  He always does well when it’s just the two of us, even though he can have his moments.  This time, it’s like a completely different child.  I barely saw the Max of old.  He has been helpful, cooperative and a lot of fun.  We went bowling yesterday and had a blast.  Something I can’t wait to do with him again, but without his sister next time.  We both agree on this point, she was a bit of a wet blanket yesterday at the bowling alley.  Not something either of us ever want to repeat.

Eight months ago Molly kept me busy by letting the pugs out, playing in toilette water and just being cute and innocent, learning her way through the world.  This time she has developed an attitude like I have never seen.  You still see the fun adorable little girl but you also get Miss Attitude.  Some of my favorite things:  When she says, “I’m so mad at you”, storms off into her room and slams the door.  Two minutes later she’s back saying sorry Mimi, I wub you.  What was that?  Before I even figure our why she is “so mad at me”, she’s back apologizing.  Yesterday it took me four tries to find the right shirt.  One was to small, one was too itchy, and one was just “NO!”  She is not very fond of the word ‘no” and apparently I say it a lot.  I try to disguise it by using a different approach, “let’s not do that,” let’s try this, “let’s go over here”, still means “no” to her and still gets the same reaction.  Usually a look that could make you back up followed by a quick “hit” to some part of your body.  Whatever she can reach.  When she “taps” me I “tap” back and boy does that make her mad.  Kind of fun to watch though.  Last night we were battling to get on PJ’s and I mean battling.  I eventually got them on her, but took a quick blow to the head and she took a quick time out to think about it.  I take comfort in knowing, this too shall pass.

Tomorrow I travel back home and know that I will miss my little angels terribly.  I always love getting to come and spend quality time with them alone.  It really gives us an opportunity to bond, even when Molly is “so mad at me”.  They are blessing and I love every minute of it.

Until next time ……