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Here today, gone today
Thursday, July 25, 2013 at 11:44AM 
Speaking of little princes -- which just about all of us have been, haven't we -- our grandson has been with us for a few days.
You don't have to be "royalty" to rate high with me.
Andrew arrived on Monday afternoon with his mother and sisters, who were keen to swim.
Since TG keeps our pool sparkling for just such occasions, and the weather has been more or less idyllic, we were all set to laissez les bon temps rouler, y'all.
And we did pass a good time.
Yesterday Stephanie had to go home to North Carolina. But only for a day.
And she left little Andrew with us here in South Carolina. But only for one day.
Because later today, Stephanie, with Melanie and Allissa in tow, and Erica, accompanied by baby Andrew, are headed for Knoxville where they will connect with Audrey.
Tomorrow the lot of them plan to drive up north to spend a few days with relatives.
When Stephanie and her girls left for home yesterday, baby Andrew was taking his afternoon nap.
When he got up, it was suppertime.
Like most seventeen-month-olds he gloms to his mother when she's available, but in her absence he becomes independent.
He loves to climb on things. Both the higher altitude and the adventure of achieving it hold charm for him.
Today I found him having climbed not just onto the seat of the antique school desk in the kitchen (the one Javier parks himself beneath), but onto the desk part, so as to better reach for a glass jar of shortbread cookies.
The fact that I did not have a coronary when I saw him -- I was technically not in the room when he did it, but just around the corner for a mere second -- is testament to how mellow I have become.
But that was this morning. I've gotten ahead of the timeline.
Early in the day on Wednesday, Andrew hung out in his swim trunks, accessorized when necessary by his Carolina-blue passy.
After his nap, Aunt Erica dressed him for dinner in a blue onesie with a single smiling yellow star on the front.
Speaking of smiling, and of stars:
He snagged a window table and dined semi-al fresco, looking out at a pop-up shower that covered the pool with dancing droplets and washed away two days' worth of his sisters' chalk-art efforts.
Then it was time to have a shower of his own -- he wailed the whole time -- and submit to being baby-powdered and fresh-diapered and dressed in a cute outfit to go with us to Wednesday night prayer meeting.
Once he was ready, he amused himself by playing with his basketful of jar lids.
Then, sensing the time to sortie was near, he seized his backpack and trotted toward the door.
Once there, Captain Adorable attempted to escape. But we nipped it in the bud.
He fully enjoyed the church nursery. When I went to claim him at going-home time, he was driving a car. He did not want to park it and leave.
My guess is that, his father being a pastor, church nurseries don't hold much in the way of mystery.
He was initially distraught at Erica's and my disappearance but according to the workers, the mood lasted approximately twelve seconds.
At ten o'clock on the dot this morning he went to the door that leads upstairs to the guest room where he sleeps.
He gestured up, because it was nap time and he was ready.
He's sleeping as I write, but I miss him.
I'm already planning the hot meal I'll fix for him before he leaves with Aunt Erica to go over the mountains to East Tennessee later this afternoon.
Soft chicken, potatoes, and carrots, with a dot or two of gravy. Cold milk to drink and a shortbread cookie for dessert.
And I'm trying not to think about kissing him goodbye, or the silence that will fall around me when he's gone.
UPDATE 1:05 p.m.:
Thanks to Aunt Erica and her iPad, Andrew had the opportunity to FaceTime with his parents and sisters today.
Here he is, still in his pajamas, waiting for the call to go through:
Most of the time he exulted in virtual interaction with his family, but I had to show you the moment when he looked up at me.
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Happy Thursday
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Reader Comments (8)
He surely is Captain Adorable. What a cutie pie.
Now that is truly one adorable little boy! He's getting older - looking like a toddler. Glad you got to spend lots of time with him!
He has such a sweet cherub face. I especially love the profile photo you took of him! I'm glad that you had a great time making memories.
Oooooh TOOOOO Cute Miss Jenny!!! LOVE the story but you girls need to give a fellow some Room!! I Wail when I have to take a bath as Well! It's primal for us Wild Things!!!Hahahaaa......
LOVE all the photos Jenny! What an adorable subject!!
hughugs
Precious, precious post! I had to stifle a bit of emotion when you spoke of kissing him goodbye:( Glad you're enjoying your family. Miss y'all!
Fondly.
What a sweet boy. I love the photo of him walking away from the camera with his backpack. One of the best things about being a grandparent for me has been the sleepovers with the kids. It's such fun to spend time with them without all the hullabaloo of the siblings' interactions.
P.S. How long has your kitchen been that shade of blue? Was it like that when I visited? I love it. I think it's almost exactly the same shade as my kitchen, such a happy colour.
Which just goes to show you the state of MY memory lately! Ha! At least I didn't miss the blog post, just didn't remember it!