I can’t believe it took us so long to make it up to Atlanta to see Doug and Melanie Johnson and their little girl, Grail. While we have been meaning to get up there since she was born, unfortunately we weren’t able to actually make it until she was 3 months old. Brittain made the trip up with us and the anticipation she was feeling was too funny. Already being obsessed with babies and with the arrival of her baby brother or sister, she couldn’t wait to get up there and be around baby Grail.
Of course as soon as we arrived we all immediately fell in love with her. I also loved seeing the transformation in Doug. I’ve known Doug since we were young and got to know him even better when Dan and I first dated in high school. Before I actually saw him in action with his little girl it was difficult for me to imagine him as a Daddy, but as soon as I saw the interaction between the two of them, you could immediately tell that he was smitten with his little girl.
We had such a great time catching up and getting to know Baby Grail.
Sometimes living around so many family members can bring about mixed emotions, but it’s a time like Grandparent’s Day at preschool that makes you excited your child has grandparents that can be there. Not only did Brittain have her Gramy and Papa and Mimi and Doot, she even had a great-grandparent there, Pappy. Apparently she was pretty special because their picture was in the paper shortly after that day.
A recurring thought I continue to have this time around during pregnancy: “Now I remember why I didn’t enjoy pregnancy the first time around.” Seriously, I am just not one of these women who basks in the joy of being pregnant. While I love the outcome, I do not enjoy everything leading up to it. And, to make things slightly more difficult, this time around I can’t just lie down whenever I feel tired or sit around and do nothing. I now have a child who needs entertainment and my attention.
This is why when a weekend like this happens, it makes my life so much easier…and it makes my heart happy to be able to spend time with the people that I love the most. And seeing Brittain having such a great time is just an added bonus.
