Family,  Marriage Confessions

The Grandparents and The Bean

June 29, 2009 /

This past weekend Chris’ mom and sister, Annie, came to visit the Bean for the first time since he has been home from the hospital.  They left yesterday at 11:30 AM.  At 6:00 PM yesterday, my parents pulled into my driveway for their week long visit.  We have been surrounded by grandparents and aunts and smelly dogs.  Its been pretty awesome.  The Bean has been in heaven.

But there is a dark side to grandparents.  A very dark side.

You see, these grandparents that are hanging around?  Well, they were once my parents.  One time, not that long ago, it was me they came to see.  It was my art work that hung on their fridge.  It was my bowel movements they were interested in discussing.  (…although that was about 26 years ago)

Now?  Chris and I are a thing of the past.  We’re just the host family.  Cause the parents have become the grandparents and all bets are off now.  The same people who wouldn’t let me stay out past 9:00 PM on the weekends in high school are suddenly promising ponies to the Bean.  The same people who never let us have Fruit Roll Ups because of all the sugar are now pledging entire ice cream parades to the Bean.

Who ARE these people?

Well, they are grandparents.

The Bean hasn’t taken a nap in his bed for three days now because his Grandmomma Jackie has been holding him hostage in her death grip.  And the rest of this week isn’t looking so good either.  As I write this, my parents are arguing upstairs over who gets to change his poopy diaper.

Again, I ask.  Who ARE these people?

They are the grandparents.

They don’t smell his poop.  They don’t see his spit up.  They don’t hear him crying.  All they seem to be able to see see are his pudgy cheeks, fluffy hair, and big eyes.  Its the most extreme form of selective reasoning I’ve ever seen. I’m totally baffled.

And the Bean is just living it up.  He’s got these people right where he wants them.  He looks around and just giggles at all the commotion he can cause amongst them with one tiny sigh.  And then he looks back at me with this quizzical gaze and I can just hear him thinking.

“Who ARE these people?”

They are grandparents, kid.  Soak it up.

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15 Comments

  • Hilary

    June 29, 2009 at 11:51 am Reply

    I went from being the favorite child (in my mind at least) to basically a human pod incubating “the Grandbaby” as soon as we told my parents we were pregnant. Now my daughter is all my parents want to talk about whenever they call. And when they visit, well, it’s all baby, all the time. I know my place.

  • Lori

    June 29, 2009 at 12:26 pm Reply

    My parents came to visit a few weeks ago. They had never come to visit us in FL before and we have lived here for almost 3 years. They had never seen our house. “Finally,” I thought, “my parents are visiting!” As soon as they rang the doorbell, I opened the door and my own mother didn’t even hug me. I am the first born and the only girl for crying out loud! I said, “Hi!” and my mom came in and said, “where’s the baby?” She walked up to Aaron, pried Porter from his arms and continued to hold MY baby for 10 FREAKIN’ DAYS!

    I lived in CT for 4 years before they came to visit and that was only to see Aaron graduate. First, I was replaced by Aaron and now Aaron has been replaced by Porter!

  • Jilene aka NONA

    June 29, 2009 at 1:08 pm Reply

    Yes we grandparents are a funny breed! ?We just love everything about the grandchild even the bad smells.!
    I hope you enjoyed the time off. Nona ( Italian for grandma)

  • Erin

    June 29, 2009 at 1:17 pm Reply

    Excellent description of the grandparents – my children can do no wrong in their eyes! This weekend was with the in-laws, next is with my parents. The kiddos are in heaven!

    And I’m chopped liver 🙂

  • Jacquie Barnes Horton

    June 29, 2009 at 3:58 pm Reply

    Haven’t you heard the saying “Grandchildren are your reward for not killing your children!” A very wise saying in my opinion.
    Tell my cousin Patti to have at it and spoil that baby rotten!
    The pictures of the Bean are precious and you and Chris seem over the moon.

    Love, Jacquie

  • Toni S.

    June 29, 2009 at 4:42 pm Reply

    My kids (2)have spent thelast MONTH, yes, MONTH, with my parents. It’s been nice, don’t get me wrong. But, when they get home, we have to , um, “undo” all the things that “Nana & Papa” have let them get away with. Most stuff I wouldn’t have even dreamed of doing for fear of getting grounded. *SIGH* Such is the life of a parent and former child, LOL

  • andrea

    June 29, 2009 at 5:15 pm Reply

    my mom actually told me that i should have another one so that she could keep the first one! needless to say she barely notices when i walk in the door after my son, and of course that’s the least of it!

  • Lorraine

    June 29, 2009 at 5:48 pm Reply

    Well I’m a grandmother of 2 and what you have stated is all true, being a grandmother is the best thing since sliced bread. Unfortunetly my grandchildren lived 3000 miles way in jacksonville,FL, and are moving again in january to Key West FL, even furthur away and more expensive to fly there exactly double the price. I cryed for hours. But it should only be for three years which is still to long, but her husband in the Navy nothing they can do about it.
    P.s. I absoulty love your blog!!

  • Jean

    June 29, 2009 at 7:22 pm Reply

    So cute. Truly well spoken about grandparents. I have two boys 10 and 4 and my husband and brother still complain about not getting enough attention because “I HAD TO GIVE THEM GRAND KIDS” Oh we wouldn’t want it any other way.

    PS.Your Love Story Box on the left side of the blog still says your pregnant with Bean. Change it, it’s driving me crazy. Sorry had to get that off my chest.

    Good Day.

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