Gramma...and the Bip Update

Kevin was gone last weekend to visit Gramma (his dad's mom) in a nursing home in North Carolina. It was a tough trip. Gramma is 95 and has recently been admitted to a unit of a nursing home for patients suffering from dementia and Alzheimers. She's the oldest of all of our grandparents and had such a full and busy life before she was robbed of her husband in the late 90's and then of her health little by little since then. This latest move out of her daughter's house and into the nursing home has been so difficult for her as she's not able to do all the things she once loved and be around family all the time. Kevin grew up with his grandparents living in the in-law suite attached to his house and loved being surrounded by his extended family, so it was especially hard for him to see her and wonder if it was the last time they'd see each other again.

Gramma lovingly sent back some gifts for the kids (craft projects she had done) and I hope that we're able to convey to them just how special she has been to us and how her strong faith helped shaped their grandpa and their dad. Thanks, Gramma!


While Kevin was gone last weekend, I decided to be brave and try to get rid of the "bip" (our name for the pacifier). I was leery that it would work - or that I would get any sleep. But, suprisingly, Natalie put up very little of a fight. We had already worked our way down to using it only at bedtime, so it just made that time a bit more of a trial. However, it was NOTHING compared to what I THOUGHT it would be. So, we're good for night-time sleeping now, but a new phenomenon has presented itself which I did NOT anticipate. Natalie has decided that she doesn't really NEED to nap anymore. Grrr... I've tried coaching, playing a cd, having her cuddle with stuffed animals, etc, etc. I finally decided that as long as she "hangs out" in her crib for at least 2 hours every afternoon, I'd have to be fine with that. Maybe the nap will come back... maybe not.