Life is racing by me right now. It seemed that Mandy’s pregnancy took forever, and then wham…Savannah was here and now the days are slipping by. With each day, she grows and changes, and I’m watching a miracle happen.

Birth…a few days old…2 weeks old.

Being a very young mother, I never thought much about time, or the fact that I needed to slow down and just appreciate all those little things that make early motherhood so incredible.

I got caught up in watching the girls grow very fast and being a fairly big coach for that.

Back then, with no digital cameras I took as many pictures as I could, but…you not only used film, but you had to pay to get it developed. Photography was a luxury. It was very expensive for young parents. Now with Savannah, we are taking a bunch and still I will be taking more.

I watch Mandy with her daughter and my heart swells with pride. She is an awesome mother. I hope just a little of her mothering goodness comes from me, but I’m thinking probably not. Mandy is her own person, doing things her own way, and I sure admire how she is doing it!

I’m skipping the Wednesday Hodgepodge this week, so I can tell you all about my visit with Mandy and Savannah Rose. It’s amazing how a baby changes so quickly. She is almost two weeks old and already she is more alert and interested in things around her.

I arrived early, as Mandy told me her best time of day was mid morning. She was wide awake, looking all around, and checking out the world.

Her eyes are a very light blue and her hair is auburn color, with beautiful highlights. I’m hoping for the blue eyes. Her Daddy has them and I think like her Daddy she would be so pretty with sparkling blue eyes!

I spent time taking pictures so Mandy could shower and dress. Did I mind? No way! What a thrill to have my granddaughter to cuddle and take pictures of!

Mandy took this picture of Savannah and me. I love it. At that moment it felt so right holding her tiny body!

We decided to go have lunch at Mandy’s favorite restaurant, as it was a really warm, sunny day. We dressed Savannah up in a dress that I’d worn as a baby! It was a little big on her, but she didn’t seem to mind!

I had trouble figuring out the car seat. Those buckles are amazingly difficult to open!

Mandy gave her a bottle as we sat at the restaurant. What a perfect day.

After her bottle I noticed her lips held the last drops of milk from her bottle.

And lastly, lest any of us forget, the tiny feet of this sweet baby. So small, so perfect!

It was a wonderful day and I really enjoyed sharing the time with Mandy. You see, she is a mother now, and I think that in some ways we can understand each other in ways we didn’t before.

I love you, Mandy & Savannah!!!

When you are reading this, I will be either on my way, or down with Mandy and Savannah Rose. Oh yeah, there is something about being a Grandma that makes you long for a visit when you can snuggle the baby, and even change a diaper or two! Or just look at her perfect little face!

It’s funny, but I used to hear people talk about being a Grandma, and this overwhelming love for their grand-kids, and I never truly knew what it was like. Then their was Savannah Rose. l remember when Mandy was pregnant and I realized I already loved that baby inside her, and then I saw this perfect baby and my heart melted and I was hers!

How does this happen? How does seeing your grandchild born and grown alter your life like nothing else ever could?

I’m not sure, but I think that God must have a hand in it. For nothing this pure and this good could come from any place else!

More pictures tomorrow!

1. I never thought anything could possibly come close to being as amazing as having my own children, until, I saw my daughter with her daughter!
2. Amanda is a natural mother. Watching her with Savannah, warms my heart.
3. I wish she could have had a regular birth, because the c-section has taken a lot out of her.
4. However, I have to say, she hardly ever complains!
5. It was so hard to leave and come home.
6. But my doggies and Hubby were so happy to see me.
7. I spent the first day home trying to catch up with laundry and cleaning.
8. I’m still hopelessly behind!
9. Lost 1 and a half pounds at Weight Watchers. Finally getting back on track!
10. I had to replant some cucumbers and tomatoes out in the garden, as the little chipmunks have eaten almost all of my plants!
11. I may have to get more cucumber plants.
12. I did get more Basil and planted that.
13. So far, the garden is doing really badly, but the patio potted plants are doing great!

1. How many students were in your high school graduating class? Did you know most, if not all of them?

Two hundred something and yes, I knew almost all. Not on a really personal level, but I knew names and faces.

2. What was the last thing you photographed?

My granddaughter, Savannah Rose and her Mom, my daughter, Amanda!

3. Pickles-love ‘em or loathe ‘em? If its love what’s something you eat that needs a pickle?

Like ‘em. I do like a nice kosher dill, but I am not a big pickle person. This is strange because I make pickles!

4. What’s a stereotype you seem to perpetuate without meaning to?

Not really sure. If I was blond, then it would be the dumb blond thing, but honestly, I can’t think of anything.

5. Ever been horse back riding? If so is it something you enjoy? If not, do you have any interest? Did you watch the Kentucky Derby? Will you be watching the last leg of the Triple Crown this weekend?

I love to watch the races and I have been riding, back when I was a child. I’ve always loved horses!

6. What’s your favorite ‘wedding’ movie?

“27 Dresses”! I loved that. I thought it was very funny. “Bridesmaids” was funny too, but a little too dark for me.

7. What is one ‘tourist attraction’ in the USA that you’d like to see in person?

Waikiki Beach, Oahu, Hawaii. I am fortunate enough to have visited many other of the USA’s tourist attractions! But look forward to this…Someday!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

This has been such a wonderful week for me. Watching my daughter become a mother was absolutely the best thing ever. I remember the day she was born, and it doesn’t seem so long ago. Now here she is, a new mother, herself. How wonderful this is! I was looking at pictures and I noticed that Mandy and her daughter look very much alike. It just made me smile. What do you think?

Mandy and me on the left and Miss Savannah Rose on the right.

Our host is Gattina. Come join us and tell us what YOU did this past weekend! After all, you never know when you will need an alibi!

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The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even for ever more.

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My weekend was full with a wide variety of things both marvelously happy and heartbreakingly sad.

With the birth of dearest Savannah, our world is now full of a sweet bright light! She is a gentle soul, a good sleeper, and the apple of her parent’s eyes, as well as her grandparent’s! Mandy is a natural mother and so good and calm with the baby. Matt is a good Papa Bear and very protective. I think the most heart warming thing was watching Mandy’s grandmother hold her only great-grandchild in her arms! That was true beauty!

Everyone is so happy to see her that we have banded together to fill her world with love! It’s a wonderful thing!

But just as our Savannah entered the world, our friends called to let us know that their 48 year old daughter has died from ovarian cancer. A wonderful young woman, with two small children, and a church filled with loving family and friends to say farewell.

I saw the face of her mother, my friend, and my heart broke for her. Her father, also looked terribly stricken as he tried to keep the family together, and my heart ached for him as well.

You see, this week and weekend was the best of times and some quite sad times too.

I’ve heard it said that grandchildren are the very best. That it is different from having your own children, but in so many ways, even better.

How is it possible, to open ones eyes one day and see a little bundle of joy, your daughter’s child, and absolutely, positively, fall in love!

Savannah Rose is an amazing, beautiful, sweet, perfect little girl! I look into her eyes and see the start of a wonderful life for her, and for her parents! Also for us, her grandparents.

Of course, all too soon, it was time for me to drive home, and get back to Hubby and to my puppy dogs. I must say, they were all happy to see me and this also made me feel good. However, I admit to feeling a real twinge of unhappiness when I had to say my good-byes to Mandy and Savannah.

Today I spent the day with my daughter and her daughter! Doesn’t that have a nice ring to it? Mandy is a natural. I know that she is still a bit under the weather from her c-section, but I am so proud of her! She just knew everything she needed to do, and didn’t need anyone telling her what to do.

I loved watching them, and oh, I tried so hard to be quiet and just watch, but I’m afraid I took too many pictures!

I couldn’t help myself! She is a real beauty and I just wanted to document her beauty!

By the end of the day, both Mandy and Savannah were exhausted. Looking back, I think they both could have used a good long nap in the late morning or early afternoon. Tomorrow is my last visit, and I will keep it brief. But I sure will miss both of them and Matt!

And…here we go!

1. Hallelujah! Savannah is Here!!!!
2. Right now, holding my grand-daughter is where I wanna be!
3. When I was walking the dog this morning, I saw a handful of goose feathers in the road and I thought uh-oh, no pate (lol).
4. The sun came up and that’s how I knew it was time to head south to be there for Savannah’s birth.
5. What were once vices are now little gems..
6. A fried egg sandwich is what I’ve been having for breakfast lately.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to visiting with my daughter and then my cousin, tomorrow my plans include more baby time and then home to Hubby and Sunday, I want to collapse!

1. What can the average citizen do to honor a military veteran and/or those currently serving?

My husband is a Veteran and I am so thankful that he came home from the War in Vietnam. No one honored him at the time. In fact they called him names and the men that served so bravely, were spit upon.

Several years ago I started doing something that was hard for me at first because I was always close to tears. When I saw a man or woman in fatigues flying home or having a casual meal with their comrades, I would go over and thank them for their service to our country. I have seen elderly men who served in WW II with their battle ship’s cap on and I also will go over to them and thank them. With each handshake, each smile, it got easier for me not to cry. I cannot even begin to tell you how happy and surprised these men and women are.

One man asked why I was doing this. I stopped mid shake and responded, “You see that man over there? That’s my husband. When he came home from Vietnam, no one said Thank-You.”

The young man turned and walked over to Hubby and shook his hand and thanked him! Hubby was so touched.

2. Besides a flag what is something you own that is red, white and blue?

A dish set that my cousin Janet gave me a few years ago.

3. Does love really conquer all?

No. But it sure helps a lot.

4. Strawberry shortcake or blueberry pie?

Strawberry Shortcake!

5. Do you share personal stuff with your hairdresser?

Oh yes, we are very good friends. I have gone in on bad days and cried my eyes out, and even called her to share good news!

6. Does money lead to selfishness?

It can, if one is not grounded.

7. What piece of furniture in your home most needs replacing or refinishing?

My mattress! It is older than it should be and lumpier than all get out. The next thing to get replaced is that silly, lumpy, thing!

8. Insert your own random here.

June is nearly here, and with that, time to spend with Mandy, the arrival of my granddaughter, and tending to the garden, Hubby and the pooches!