Well...we have successfully completed our grandparenting solo flight! Helen and Clint had the courage to leave us in charge of both Harrison AND Major! Things didn't look too exciting when we arrived because, as Helen has said, she was fighting a sore throat, Harrison had a nasty old cough, Major had had surgery on his ear, and Pops was trying to catch his knee mouse. I knew it would be hard for Helen and Clint to leave and not feel lost, but we also knew how much it enriches a couple's relationship to have that time together. We almost had to push them out the door.
Wouldn't you just know that Clint chose to call home at the very time that Harrison was upset! I had made a quick run to Starbuck's, which was only a short distance from the house, to get coffee for Saturday morning. I left Harrison in his bouncy seat at Pops' feet. I knew he could pick him up and hold him if he cried. Sure enough, he did have to pick him up, but Harrison didn't stop crying, and Burt was holding the phone under his chin and the baby in his lap when Clint called, so I'm sure it sounded bad. Clint called my cell phone, and although I wasn't gone ten minutes, I still felt guilty! As soon as I got back and took Harrison, he started playing, and we called Helen and Clint back to ease their feelings.
Harrison was such a sweet little guy. I knew he didn't feel up to par, so I bathed him early (about 6:00P.M.) This was a pretty big challenge because Pops was not much help with his bum knee, and a soapy little cherub is not easy to manage! We did fine, however, and as I gave him his bottle, I really had some QT with the Creator of the Universe. I prayed for Harrison to feel better and to get some sleep. He went from being fretful and fidgety to being peaceful and relaxed. I put him down at 7:30p.m. and he didn't wake up until 5:00a.m. I had the monitor close to my head, and I heard him cough all during the night, but he never woke up. When I got him at 5:00 the next morning, I knew God had heard my prayers. His cough was so much better, and I gave him a little juice, then snuggled him in the bed with us where he and I slept until 8:00 a.m.
Uncle Jed spent the night with us at Helen and Clint's house on Friday night, and this worked great because he could take care of Major. That meant cleaning his incision with Q-Tips and giving him his meds. Before Jed left on Saturday, he gave the medicine, but I forgot about the incision. Determined that Clint would see that we could be trusted to dog-sit also, I decided to get the job done. Burt couldn't do it, since it required sitting on the floor and holding Major's head. Major must have known that caring for wounds is not my thing, so he lay just as still as could be while I took care of him. I was proud of both of us!
Suffice it to say that the weekend was a blessing. Helen and Clint came home relaxed and refreshed, and they found a happy baby and a healthier looking dog. We had enjoyed our time, and it was a nice bonus to get to spend some time with Jed. Although Pops wasn't too much physical help, he is really my rock regardless. As you can see from the picture, he exposed Harrison to some advanced reading! As Clint said, just forget the "Baby Bunny" stories and get right into some meaty reading!
