April Fool

I bet you thought I snuck out and was never going to return, didn't you? Well, April Fools! Here I be. Before you ask, I do have a note from my mom so you can mark this as an excused absence. *wink*

I come bearing good news and bad news. What shall I begin with? I guess I'll get the bad out of the way.

My grandfather passed away a week and a half ago.

It was not unexpected or sudden. We all knew that his number could be called at any moment. But somehow, it didn't really make it any easier. We were quite close through my childhood. I was possibly his undeclared "favorite" since I was the only grandchild with a special nickname: Sweets. He suffered a massive stroke several years ago that left him speechless and largely immobile. He was not a vegetable. He could comprehend his surroundings and perform on cue, but his brain did not allow him to respond vocally. His quality of life was obviously not optimal but he was a strong man and toughed it out for those years. He had lost his appetite and had been having seizures as of late. Sometimes over 10 a day. So, we suspected that it was his time. Sure enough, the Lord took him to heaven on March 20.

While I always believed I lost the grandfather I knew with the aforementioned stroke, it was so hard to say the final goodbye. It was the first time I had to participate in such an event avec baby. While Nate was on his best behavior, I still found it difficult to grieve. I wanted to put on a happy face so he couldn't sense my melancholy. At the wake, I stared at Grandpop in the casket. The last time I had seen him was Christmas and since Nate was so sick that day, I barely got to speak to him at all. I was regretful that we didn't have more time. That I couldn't tell him how much I loved him. I just hope he knew.

He served in the National Guard so he was given miltary honors, complete with playing Taps at his funeral. Nothing gets me choked up more than that bugle. There weren't enough tissues in a pack to saturate all my tears. But I do find comfort that he is no longer in pain and he is in a better place, alongside his twin brother who passed years ago.

Grandpop, you'll be forever missed. Love Always, Sweets.
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Ok, now onto the good news.

Nate turned 8 months old on Thursday. 2/3 of a year has passed since he was born. It seems like things have gone by at light speed but yet I can't even remember what life was like before he came a part of our lives. My entire day revolves around this little guy. I wonder how on earth I spent my free time before. Probably sleeping. Those were the days. But I digress...

For a month, Nate had been thisclose to crawling. He would get up on all fours and rock but the moment he would attempt to move forward, he would flop on his belly and "swim", frantically kicking his legs and flailing his arms. He would quickly become frustrated with his lack of ability and would scream for someone to rescue him. He seemed much more interested in pulling himself up to a standing position. I was sure I would see my son walk before he would crawl.

But everything changed the moment he turned 8 months old. Ever the punctual baby, he crawled - belly off the ground - for the very first time. His bait? The remote control. As if I needed to demonstrate more proof that he indeed has a penis.

Relief was written all over his face, as he was finally able to reach the object he had been dying to reach for ages. Guess he had enough of soap operas and reality TV and was putting in his request for more Nickelodeon. I was so incredibly proud. And a bit sad. One more milestone away from that newborn I carried home. He is gradually growing up on me.

Since he has mastered the fine arts of crawling and pulling up, he is now building speed and fine-tuning his precision. The boy can go from laying on his back to standing, holding onto the entertainment center in 5 seconds flat. Or from sitting in the middle of the bedroom with a rattle to eating one of DH's dirty socks by the hamper in under 10. I swear he has a radar ingrained somewhere inside of his skull that tips him off to prohibited articles. I have determined our home to be a death trap and am currently in the throes of a babyproofing tirade. Heavy furniture must be bolted and secured to the wall. Floors must be vaccuumed or swept daily to avoid ingestion of questionable, potentially harmful items. I'm trying not to be that mom. I know Nate is going to get into things, regardless of my efforts to distract him. But I have yet to curb the paranoia.

Did I mention he is now trying to cruise? Yes, I heard you. I am about to have my hands FULL. Do I have an early walker in my midst? Is it legal to knock him over so we can have time to adjust to all these new milestones?

Stay tuned...topics to come next: why sweet potatoes bring me immense joy, sleep regression in all its glory, why I dread clothes shopping, spring cleaning, and my first week home sweet home.

Since I am a SAHM now and all, I should have plenty of time for my neglected blog, right?