Miscellany: It s a whole new ball game
Just when I thought I was getting the hang of being a parent, something happened and now I'm looking at a whole new ball game — being a grandparent.
First grandson, Mitchell James Norris, arrived Aug. 23, six pounds 10 ounces of pure perfection and wonderment for his parents and the welcoming committee of grandparents and aunts awaiting his arrival in the hospital corridor.
"There's nothing quite like being a grandparent," several people told me. I thought they meant "spoil the baby and send him home." What I found, however, was that things sure have changed in 20 years — and boy does that make me feel old.
The technological advances made in the past 20 years are wonderful. Take for instance, 3D sonograms. The first sonogram images of Baby Mitchell were the black-and-white blobs that I've never been able to figure out. When Jamie and Michael proudly showed us those first images, I oohed and ahhed and secretly wondered if they knew I didn't have a clue what I was seeing.
The 3D sonograms taken about six weeks before his birth were more realistic. We could tell he was a baby, had facial expressions, and the makings of a contortionist with his foot tucked up by his ear.
Not only has technology changed in the last two decades, but so has caring for babies. They no longer sleep on their stomachs with little rumps pushed up in the air. They also take baths swaddled in blankets. (Apparently this is so they don't get cold while they're immersed in warm water.)
Babies apparently don't cry as much as they used to, either. At least Mitchell doesn't cry as much as his mom did. I swear she cried her entire first year. When Mitchell was born, he barely made a sound. We're still waiting to see if he has a temper and can get mad enough to do more than an occasional "whaa."
So far, Mitchell is a "good baby." He sleeps through meals, football games, and church. He cries (sort of) when he's hungry and pretty much sleeps the rest of the time. Of course, I don't know what he does in the middle of the night. That's not my shift. I'm the grandmother — available for snuggling, spoiling, and a little later, saying "yes" when Mom and Dad say no.
Yup, I'm looking forward to this grandparent business.
— DONNA BERNHARDT
