When Did Our “Little” Girl Grow Up?

Last Friday morning, David and I were up before the sun even poked its rays out from the darkness of night.  We got ready with a mix of strange emotions running through our hearts and heads and we drove to the hospital to meet our daughter and her husband.

“Our daughter is having a baby!!!!”

 

When in the world did our little girl grow up?

 It seems like just yesterday that I was cuddling with my dark haired, chubby cheeked beauty; she took her first steps; said her first words; got on the yellow school bus for the first time; learned to drive; went on her first date…

Nothing could have prepared David and me for how it would feel to watch our daughter become a mom.  Our hearts have been filled with an immense joy as we watch her motherly instincts kick into overdrive, as she strives to be the best mom possible and to put the needs of her little one before her own.  There’s almost a sense of accomplishment, of sorts, as we think back on some of the parenting struggles and doubts we’ve had over the past 26 years, wondering if we’d completely messed up this parenting gig…only to watch our daughter and son-in-law rise to the occasion and blossom into wonderful, caring parents!

We cannot wait to watch this adventure unfold. (and I’ll try to not giggle a little when this baby girl grows up and gives them a bit of girl drama similar to  what we experienced with our daughter)

And I haven’t even begun to write about what it feels like to hold our new little bundle of love!  What a miracle!  It brings back so many memories of holding our kids when they were young.  Friends and family members warned us that becoming grandparents was going to change us forever and that it is the past role ever.

After only five short days, we must admit that we totally and completely agree!  I think I could cuddle her in my arms all day long, just watching scrunch up her little face in an assortment of different expressions.  It’s difficult to put her into her pack-n-play while she sleeps because I just want to soak her up!

I think we’ll be able to get used to this Grandma and Grandpa thing pretty quickly!  I must admit that I’m struggling a little bit with the realization that I’m sleeping with a Grandpa!!!!

Are you a Grandparent?  Do you have any words of wisdom for us as we start this new season of life?