Tonight was our first Lailah/GranPa Brian sleep-over since GranMa Rose moved out of the home we shared together (to her own place last fall). Lailah dropped by around 5:30pm tonight since it was Katie and Jordan's (Lailah"s parents) fourth anniversary of being together, and Lailah wanted to babysit me instead of having to watch cartoons all by herself at her parent's place (and/or whooping it up … [Read more...]

Another Friday, another day babysitting the beautiful little girl whose name cannot be uttered out loud (ssshhh: Lailah), the holy terror, the one that demands on a minute by minute basis: "come down here (to the floor, and off the comfortable lazy boy), and PLAY with me now, DARN IT!", the little one that is trying so desperately hard to give her Granpa a stroke (I know she must have a life … [Read more...]

Got home from class tonight and my phone starts to ring - unusual since it was ~9pm. Seems Lailah asked her mom to call Granpa Brian to see if he was available to play with her tomorrow (this, in addition to my usual Friday playdate with her). I had to check my social/business calendar (I'm very, very busy these days, ya know?) to see if I had any major power meetings scheduled for Wednesday, but, … [Read more...]

Note to self: when taking the granddaughter to Sam's Club, do not, repeat, do not, take her down the toy aisle. Silly me, we passed a 3 story dollhouse sitting on a shelf. I picked her up to show her all the various rooms and furniture in it. Tried to move on many times, but she wasn't having it. Tried to tell her it'll be a Christmas present, but that didn't go over (too young to understand that, … [Read more...]

So. I had the baby girl (Lailah) yesterday. She is such a hoot to be around. Picked her up at 11:30 and it was sprinkling a bit so she didn't want to go to the park. We went home and did so many things together (painting, of course, some choo-choo trains, etc.), but the best part this time was reading to her. There are times when she likes to "read" a different book (in her hands), as I read aloud … [Read more...]

Had Granddaughter Lailah over the house yesterday from 10am thru 7pm. We first did some shopping at Sam's club, which she loves since it gives her some "running around" space and she got a sucker from the greeter, and received lots of smiles from everyone there. After getting home from that, we played "play-doh" (twice), "Minnie mouse dress-up", "choo-choo trains", read a few books (with reading … [Read more...]

On a more upbeat note... Where to start, how many times have I tried to write this story? Coming up with a gimmick to start the story, has both advantages and disadvantages. I could start with: A member of the female persuasion came into my life in April, 2012. I instantly fell in love with her, my heart being captured in a way I’ve never felt before nor imagined – but that would be … [Read more...]

Lailah turned two today, we celebrated her birthday yesterday at Katie's and Jordan's place.  Due to weather, we ended up waiting a longggg time to eat (Jordan couldn't grill out due to the rain), thereby delaying the present unwrapping.  Consequently, AND, also due to the vast quantity of gifts, our baby girl fell asleep during the last third of the present opening process.  She was so cute, … [Read more...]

Someday, I'm going to have to write about my previous lack of desire to have kids attitude, and how my life has changed with the birth of Lailah.  And, what I missed out on the first 30 years of my adult life.  Although she is not related to me, I absolutely adore her. She is now my Universe.  What fun she is.  Who would have thought.   … [Read more...]