Close to Nowhere

Having a 2-year-old greatgrandson certainly makes for interesting weekends.

Oldest granddaughter Merideth and hubby Tim are regular visitors, along with 2-year-old Shepard and 6-monthold Ruby June.

Ruby June is delightful. She coos and kicks and smiles at everyone. She does test her lungs every now and again, crying until she gets fed, but overall, she is a very happy baby. She wants to sit up and see everything and everyone. She can roll anywhere. When she learns to walk, we’re going to spend a lot of time chasing that gorgeous smile.

Shepard, on the other hand, is what most folks call “all boy.” And, he’s hit the “terrible twos.”

It’s funny how some personalities are so dominant. Ruby June is sweet, cuddly, delicate, “all girl.” Shepard, from the minute he was born, has been on a roll. Even as an infant, he didn’t care much for cuddling. Now, to get a hug, I have to be a dinosaur roaring for one. When he does get scared of something, he always jump right in my lap. He’s rarely scared though.

He can flip the light switch on my lamp 100 times before I can get across the room to stop him. He’s found the little, tiny power button on the underside of the television and turns that off every time he gets a chance.

Mere asked me yesterday, after they’d been here awhile and my living room was destroyed and Shepard was bouncing off the walls playing and having a good time, was I ready for him to go home yet.

My immediate response was “no!” I usually just see the babies once a week and I hate to see them leave. The house becomes very quiet.

Apparently I enjoy running behind a whirlwind, yelling “No, Shepard, No!” as he turns off the TV, turns on the lamp and drags books off the shelves, all at 90 miles per hour, yelling “Jeep, Jeep,” every time he falls over one of his toy cars. (Tim and his dad are rebuilding Jeeps and Shepard thinks Jeeps are the best things ever.)

I’m actually looking forward to Ruby June walking and running. I’m just a glutton for punishment.