Madison and Me

I am an only child who had an only child who recently had his first and only biological child (although he has a precious 14 year old stepdaughter whose name is Morgan). I've been told that only children seem to have many advantages (i.e. don't have to share toys or ice cream with a brother or sister) but disadvantages also come with the package. For example, I could never blame anyone else for tearing up something or spilling something on the floor.

This past weekend I recognized another disadvantage that has greatly affected me. Only children don't generally have many babysitting opportunities and I didn't do much babysitting for neighbors or relatives growing up. I'm learning late in life that those babysitting experiences I missed then could be very helpful to me now.

Last weekend I volunteered to keep my 5 1/2 month old granddaughter, Madison Campbell Butler, for the whole weekend. I have kept her overnight before but had other folks here to help me and had friends in Montgomery on standby. However; this time I went to her house while her parents were out of town and learned quickly how little I actually knew about keeping an infant. Here is where I should also mention that I took my dog (Miss Annie) and had Madison's dog there as well. I'm sure you seasoned grandmothers out there are asking, "what in the world was she thinking?" Obviously, I wasn't. So it was me, two dogs (no fenced yard or dogie door), and precious Madison. Little did I know what an adventure I was about to have.

I received all my instructions concerning feeding times (how much), nap times (how often), baths (how to use all the equipment that now comes with an infant bathtub), and several life line telephone numbers. I used the first life line number at 8:15 Friday nite when I called Madison's other grandmother for help. She could hear Madison screaming in the background as I said, "Jeanette, I don't know what else to do." We ruled out everything that could be wrong and decided that she was just having a "little Madison I'll get your attention fit." And get my attention she did. I finally got her fed and to sleep about 9:30. I then grabbed one of the two novels I had packed and quickly realized that I must have been dilusional to even think that I would have time to flip a page on either novel or the People magazine I had also tucked in my overnight bag.

Just as astounding is that I never once gave any thought to the fact that the nursery is located up stairs. That reality hit me square in the face during the first afternoon. Up and down the stairs for each diaper change and for anything else I needed. For some reason I could not keep up with bibs, burp cloths or telephones so seeking them out became a treasure hunt of sorts. I did settle one issue by putting my cell phone in one pocket and the house portable phone in the other pocket. I wanted to make certain that I had easy access to those life line numbers when needed. I finally fell into bed Friday night worn out and it was only day one.

The next morning started off with our real effort to begin bonding. Madison woke up in the greatest of moods so we played and made funny noises and I sang (I went from Jesus Loves Me to White Christmas within 20 seconds). We read books and bounced in the swing between me taking the two dogs out on leashes. I longed for the two hour morning nap time that never arrived. She was down 20 minutes and then up like a rocket. So we played more, cried some, ate some, changed diapers and made many trips up the stairs to the nursery over and over again. Afternoon came and I thought surely we would have a long nap. I say we because I planned on busting the bed wide open while she slept. WRONG! Miss Madison seemed to want to cherish every waking moment with "Honey." So, my songs moved to Happy Trails, Mary Had a Little Lamb and Go Tell it on the Mountain. She didn't seem too impressed with my singing so I know she has a high level of intelligence.

By Sat. evening I was worn to a frazzle. Parents, and other grandparents continued to call to check on me and I told them that I felt that Madison was trying her best to send me back to Montgomery but that it would not work. So, we hung in there and made it through Sat. night. Then the clouds opened up and when she woke up Sunday she was a different child. She smiled at me, laughed out loud, scanned the room and was delighted with everything she saw and heard. She was an angel. No whining, crying, or screaming, and she ate right on schedule. She also took naps as they had said she would. I swear a rainbow should have appeared outside the window that morning.

It was Sunday when I finally realized that Madison Campbell and I had bonded. I looked into those gorgeous big blue eyes and my heart melted. Just holding her close, rocking her and watching her sleep made all the other (except going up and down those dreaded stairs) worth while.

I have now realized the joys of being a grandmother in ways I have not experienced before. How blessed I felt as I left there to come home knowing that she is healthy, happy and loved by so many. And, I cannot wait until the next time I get to keep her at my house (no stairs here). I think the next visit will be much easier for us both since I have taken notes and feel a bit more secure in my grandmother abilities. Everyone told me it was like riding a bicycle....that it would come back to me. Well, I haven't ridden a bicycle in years so it did not come back easy for me, but it eventually did come back.

Sunday afternoon Chris and Cynthia came home to find Madison safe, sound and sleeping peacefully. I gathered Miss Annie and my things and drove back to Montgomery and collapsed on the sofa. While I don't know a lot of things, I do know that Madison became a permanent fixture in my heart during those 48 hours and things for me will never be the same. She carries my maiden name and looks so much like Chris and me when we were her age...which is kind of scary. She obviously has some of the Campbell temper as well. However; in spite of it all, I would not take anything for the time we were able to spend together. She is one of those riches that is right in front of me and I intend to cherish and honor her in every way I can. Being a grandmother is definitely grand!