Image by karen horton via Flickr

Valentine’s Day Gift

Valentine’s Day is the day for lovers.  When I think of that day I immediately think of red and white hearts.  I think of cupid and his arrows.  I smile, because I even think about chocolate candies and the little hard candy hearts that only come out during this time of the year.  On February 14, 2008 I became a first time Granny.  My oldest daughter gave me a beautiful Valentine’s Day gift.

I worked with people that were grandparents and found them to be totally out of touch with reality.  They all think their children are the most beautiful creatures on the earth.  They think their children are the smartest babies created.  They even tell others about every milestone the child reach that is way ahead of schedule.  I would always leave those conversations thinking, “I will never be that kind of grandparent”.  Did I tell you my daughter gave me a gift?

My heart was struck the first time I laid eyes on Mariella.  My name is Maryalice and my daughter honored me by naming my first grandchild after me… sorta.  She smiles when she looks up at me.  My heart skipped a beat the first time she reached out for me to pick her up.  What a special gift!

In most of the baby books that I have read I notice each month that Mariella says more words than the average child her age.  She has greater cognitive skills and she was walking way ahead of schedule.  She has a very large vocabulary, she can tell you her age and she learns everything quicker then most children her age.  She is so well behaved in restaurants.  We are always stopped and complimented on her beauty.  She truly is a gift from above.

When I was talking to my sister in Ohio last week the baby took my cell phone and hung up.  She constantly finds the off button on everyone’s laptop and can immediately cut the computers off if we are not giving her enough attention. The amazing thing is that each computer is different and thus the off/on switch is different on everyone’s computer. The local police were summoned to the house late one evening when she dialed 911.  We had no idea she was so smart! (If this were anyone else’s grandchild I would find it disappointing that they were not aware of the child playing with the phone) Knowing technology is truly a gift nowadays.

Valentine’s Day is for lovers.  I am totally crazy in love with my granddaughter.  I just hope I don’t turn into one of those crazy grandparents.