Wednesday, June 01, 2011

Memere and her Bean

My littlest granddaughter is becoming quite vocal. She has been babbling for some time, saying da-da-da and buh-buh-buh but this weekend I was introduced to a new sound - the Mighty Squeal. It came suddenly while she was lying on her back on the changing table. Never fond of the immobility required while being changed or dressed, she has added back arching, leg kicking and a loud voice to her repertoire of avoidance tactics. I was so startled by the Squeal that I picked her up diaper-less, the unbuttoned ends of her onesie flapping about her bare legs. The noise stopped as quickly as it started and the little Bean grinned widely.

Not ten minutes later she was seated in her highchair with a few itty bitty pancake pieces scattered over the tray. She likes to chase little bits of food around before pinching them tightly between her tiny thumb and forefinger and eating them. Between bites her Mama spoons mushy food into her little mouth. Bean's two bottom teeth are visible but her uppers are still making their way through the gums. She clamps onto the spoon and bites hard before letting it go for the next mouthful. When her belly is full, she arches her back, puffs out her cheeks and emits a deafening eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee until someone jumps up and unbuckles her. Despite some quiet admonishment from Mama and Papa, she grins her satisfied grin.

Her second mastery is the wave. Held securely in her Mama's arms, her cheeks still feeling my exuberant goodbye kisses, the Bean lifts her small arm and waves it in my direction. "Bye-bye Memere," my daughter says. The little arm waves, the serious little face watches me as I get in the car and roll down the window. "Bye-bye." My last glimpse is of the little hand raised in farewell. "She'll come back," I hear my daughter promise.

Yes, I will!

12 comments:

steven said...

lovely! this experience is probably some time in the future for me but i so look forward to the magnificence of the little moments. steven

Stella Jones said...

I like to read your posts about your grand-daughter because my grandson is about the same age and is reaching the same stages. It's lovely to watch them growing up and changing so fast, isn't it.. I could do without the squeal though!

Judith said...

What a lovely day, and visit,
and comment!!!!

Out on the prairie said...

Fun to watch their antics, I enjoy a call now from my 2 year old grandson.

Reya Mellicker said...

It always amazes me to think about how resourceful little people have to be. The learning curve is enormous, but they do it! Wow.

Brian Miller said...

big smiles. this makes me miss those days with my boys...

Berowne said...

Beautifully written, enjoyable...

Teri said...

I can't wait until my newest little one will be at that stage of looking back at me, making all those sounds, and basically being fun. At only one week old we forget about all the sleeping and eating and diaper changing that takes place before the rest happens. Aren't they just wonderful to be around though?

Hilary said...

So sweet.. I'm looking forward to the days of having grandchildren. It seems like that's not going to happen for a long time though. I'll just have to make do with beautifully told baby fixes such as these. :)

Pauline said...

Steven - I've fallen in love with my grandchildren the same way I fell in love with my children - head over heels!

Star - I love every minute, even the squeals ;)

J - she is a corker!

OOTP - my 10 year old granddaughter used to call me almost every night when she was two just to say "Wuv you, Memere."

Reya - you can see her little wheels turning ;)

Brian M - they are too fleeting, those days!

Berowne, thank you - I have good subject material!

Teri - I can barely remember the Bean as a newborn!

Hilary - you will love it! I find I need those fixes, too. Baby hugs are the best!

Barbara said...

Of course she'll come back! Who wouldn't?

Babies know just how to get your attention, don't they?

Pauline said...

barbara - they sure do! That screech could substitute as a fire alarm!