Tribute Journal

Cinderella Days! Celebrating Mom!

Cinderella Days! Celebrating Mom!

Our “Cinderella Days” are usually about doing all the fun things that my granddaughters want to do that day. But since their mom, my cute daughter, Malia, was going to be featured on a local noon TV show giving home décor ideas and promoting our local Parade of Homes, we decided it would be a good idea to celebrate her on this week’s “Cinderella Day”!

Makena and Marli worked so hard coloring pictures and gluing letters on a poster we made to wish their mom good luck! We sent her a text and photo before she went into the news station, to let her know we were all thinking about her. It’s so important that we show our children and grandchildren how to be excited for others who work hard to accomplish something that is important to them! Most often, kids love to help and be involved!

Makena and Marli were intent little workers as they made the “Good Luck”poster for their mom!

Makena loved helping me arrange these flowers so she and Marli could take them home and surprise their mom when she got home from work!

The girls helped get everything ready to watch Malia on TV, right down to getting the Junior Mints in the freezer! (It tickles me that Makena and Marli love this treat as much as I do!)

Enjoying treats while being patient until their mom comes on TV!

Makena and Marli (along with grandpa and grandma) were so excited when Malia’s segment came on the program! Great job, Malia!

View Malia’s segment here!

As her mother, I know how hard Malia has worked to establish her career, yet balance it with being a good mom too! Having a fun “Celebrating Mom” day with Makena and Marli confirmed in my heart once again, how lucky we are to share our lives with each other! Also, having my granddaughters be excited about doing things for others makes the days they decide what to do even more special!

After a recent shopping trip together, Makena and Marli modeled the cute outfits they picked out on their own! They were so happy and grateful…I’m so in love with these girls!

When kids learn to help and serve others, even if it is a family member, I think they’re inclined to be more appreciative of the days they get to do what they love!

Take time to celebrate someone you love…or someone you know who just needs a happy day!

–Mary

Advice This Maternity Nurse Tells New Parents…And Grandparents!

Advice This Maternity Nurse Tells New Parents…And Grandparents!

The birth of the royal baby has obviously been the highlight of the news this week. (The stars must have aligned perfectly on July 22, 2013, because coincidentally, it was a very busy delivery day at the hospital where I work too!) As I’ve watched the media scrutiny and press coverage that has taken place while this birth has been anticipated, it made me appreciate even more the calm demeanor and lovely graciousness exhibited by the new royal parents! Can you imagine having millions of onlookers as you maneuvered your newborn’s car seat into place for the first time! I’ve also been amazed at the volume of parental advice already being offered up by these same news sources! I would imagine that like many couples I see as they plan to welcome their new babies into the world, Prince William and Kate Middleton consulted their obstetrician and prepared themselves as best they could for the birth of their son.

Along with showing their child the abundant love that seems to come inherently to help guide the decisions and actions of new parents, I trust that the royal couple will rely mostly on the examples shown them by their caring parents and good friends. As public figures, more than likely what Prince William and Kate, along with their sweet baby, would appreciate most from those who are so fascinated with their lives and more than eager to share their vast knowledge about child rearing, is what most new parents want, that of being shown common courtesy and genuine regard from everyone as they try and navigate what is best for their family!

If ever there was a time for team effort, parenthood would be it! Sharing ideas and making plans together as you welcome a new baby into your life makes it so that no one feels left out or too overwhelmed. I always cringe a little when I see a new mom or dad (or for that matter, a grandma or grandpa) feeling inclined to criticize how the other is caring for their new little baby. Believe me, there are many ways to do the same task when it comes to caring for a newborn, so unless you don’t want much help with the job at hand when raising a child, it’s best to kindly acknowledge the efforts of others and work together!
As mentioned in my about me introduction, the social media age we live in has created an onslaught of information out there for parents-to-be! It’s wise then to become well-informed about the expectations and trends you’ll encounter with a new baby, but it’s also smart to trust your own good instincts when it comes to knowing what’s best for your new little one! Babies are much more resilient than we fully recognize at times, but extreme measures are usually never in the best interest of either the baby or the parents. (I also think as grandparents that we need to trust in the job we did raising our children; they’ll usually ask if they want our advice! Our own good instincts will also guide us to know when to lovingly offer help.)
No matter how much you study and prepare as you embark on the journey of parenthood, the learning curve will most likely be wide and varied –especially since the disposition of each child is so different! It seems cliché, but just like the words uttered at an amusement park ride–hang on, hold tight and enjoy the ride!

My sweet granddaughters, Makena and Marli as newborns!

What I’m learning now is…

As a grandparent, the one thing I know for sure is that before you know it, your children are grown and raising families of their own! The best advice I got as a young parent was from my mom one day when my children were little. I had anxiously exclaimed that I would be glad when they were old enough to take on more of their physical needs. My mom wisely cautioned me when she said, “Oh Mary, you’ll find that each stage of your children’s lives is busy–it’s just a different kind of busy! You’ll worry and care about them just as much, if not more, when they get older!” So true! What I’m learning now is that being a parent of older, married children still has its hard challenges and sacrifices, along with its joyous blessings! But just like when our children are young, it’s all so worth it as we get the privilege to watch them work hard to accomplish their goals and live their dreams! We should always cherish the opportunity to share in our children’s challenges and heartaches, as well as their successes and triumphs! (I also know that Princess Diana would have loved being a grandma!)

What are some things you’ve learned on your parenting journey, or as grandparents?

–Mary

Cinderella Days! Picture Perfect!

A “Picture Perfect” Day! Seeing The World Through The Eyes Of A Child!

I decided to turn the tables a little this week for my “Cinderella Day” with my two, sweet granddaughters. (I was a little blurry eyed from working a long 13 hour day at the hospital!?) After the girls modeled the cute “cut-outs” in their fun summer shirts, I told Makena that she and Marli could decide what we played for the day, and that she could take all the pictures! (Insert squeals of delight here!) Is there anything better than seeing the world through the eyes of a child? After yesterday, I was again reminded that the answer to that question is a resounding “NO”!

Taking this approach, reminded me once again of the “tech” edge my cute, young granddaughters have on me! I know my daughter lets Makena take pictures on her phone, but I was still so impressed with her photography skills!

Nothing like feeling fancy and ready to have a fun day!

Makena was so excited to be the “photographer” for the day! Her camera skills were impressive!

These are some little troll dolls my girls had…it goes to show you just how ageless some toys are! Makena and Marli love to comb and style their hair! Makena decided that the dolls were going to pose for a “family picture”! (Makena was certainly calmer doing family pictures than I’ve ever been! Ha!)

Marli obviously became a popular subject for Makena to photograph!

Everything and anything became fair game for Makena’s photo fest! (Much like grandma in their eyes, I suppose! It was fun to watch Makena’s creativity flourish with her new assignment of photographer for the day–right down to the posing of some stuffed animals! Believe me, I took mental notes!)

At one point in the morning, Makena and Marli shut the door to the playroom while I took a phone call. Soon Makena came and got me, and I was informed that I was invited to “Bear’s” wedding! As funny as that was, what was even more hilarious was Makena and Marli’s footwear for the nuptials! Talk about fashion trend setters!

The wedding was definitely “Project Runway” worthy! I actually had to coax Makena to take this picture! She was a busy wedding planner and had other more important pictures to take! (These are slippers that belonged to her mom and Aunt Mandi!)

The girls and I went and had lunch with Grandpa! Marli met him in style! Just before Makena clicked this picture, she said to me, “Oh my gosh, grandma, doesn’t Marli look so cute!” She won’t get any arguments from me there!

Just “chill-laxing”! A faux-fur blanket is another good investment that your grandkids are sure to love! (Yes, I snapped this after Makena decided to retire from her “tographer” duties for the day! Great job, Makena!)

This “selfie” is definitely my favorite “pic” of the day! (I actually didn’t discover this picture until after the girls had gone home!)

I didn’t want Marli to feel left out, so I convinced her that she could get in on the camera action with her play phone. How I wish I could have really retrieved some of the pictures she pretended to take! I was glad I at least captured this one!

This “picture perfect” Cinderella Day, reminded me once again to…

I’ve heard another fun thing to do is buy inexpensive disposable cameras, then let the picture-taking party begin! You might need to go to an hour photo place afterwards, since our modern, quick-view gadgets, often make for impatient picture viewers!

I’d love to hear about any fun “picture perfect” camera ideas you have!

–Mary

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