Monday, February 27, 2012

Waiting to make new memories

Our 1st grandson is due in a few weeks...or should I say our third grandson?

Seems that a couple of decades ago our son "adopted" a couple of baby boys.

Cecil Kent...
And Leland Sam.

They shared Jeff's childhood bed and joined him on his romps and "fatherhood" was a lot more like "big brotherhood" back then.

When the days of childish play had ended, I gathered up Cecil and Leland and tucked them safely away. 


They silently waited with other gentle memory pieces; tiny socks and booties and jammies that our son outgrew during those few short weeks of his life as a tiny newborn.

He didn't stay "tiny" for long...


A baby shower so often is a time to give baby gifts to the mother-to-be. 

This shower was to have a gift for the father-to-be as well.

Before such a party began yesterday, I called our son to open the gift addressed to "Luke's Dad".

That address caught him a bit off guard.  It sounded so old to him.

Funny, I can barely remember when I wasn't "Jeff's Mom"....and smiled as I was introduced as such to the young women who attended the afternoon baby shower.


The card noted that we thought that Jeff was going to make a great dad...for real this time.

He was a bit puzzled by those last words. 
Moments later...he got it.

The fact that the adoption papers were still to be found amazed him.

The ladies who had arrived for the shower were amazed that the dolls were still in such good shape.

(A good long soak in oxyclean and some gently scrubbing removed all the grime that had a record of their much loved earlier days).


The boys are ready for playtime again, waiting patiently, as they have for so long, and keeping watch from the crib.

Waiting with us all for the day when their new playmate Luke will arrive.

11 comments:

Pondside said...

I love this! I saved our son's clothes and toys, and our daughter's as well. Your idea of a shower gift for dad is sweet - new dads get left out sometimes.
Good job on cleaning those two much-loved babies! Now, that's a labour of love.

RoeH said...

I'm always amazed at how different this generation is than we were. Baby showers were always for the mom only. Dad's couldn't even come in the house. Heven Forbid!! Then my daughter had one given to her and her husband. The whole neighborhood and churh and work people rejoiced the coming birth with a back yard barbeque for everybody. Probably set them back a few bucks for the coming babe. :)

ellen b. said...

Ha! Our boys each have one of those adopted babies, too. LOL!
I wonder what box in the garage they are in. Wowie...that little one is going to be in their arms soon. So exciting!

Vee said...

What an exciting time! I have a flat teddy bear that I could give to my son, but nothing as adorable as this. I think you're an amazing saver of memories.

Judy said...

Oh what fun! My daughter's 'adopted baby' still hangs about the house...and is now looked after by the grands. Jill Mavis was her name...we still have her adoption papers as well.

Have fun with the waiting...and the making of new memories!

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

You had such foresight as a young mom to save these items. Unfortunately, I'm a tosser and that's what I did. What a special moment for Jeff, and I trust that one day little Luke will appreciate his grandma's thoughtfulness too!

I see Google has changed their comments page format while I've been away. But so far I like it.

Lovella ♥ said...

OH such a sweet post. I love how you cared enough to tuck away the boys until they would be loved and needed again.
I'm with you in believing that the Dad's need a bit of attention during this time too.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

You have a very handsome son, Jill! His Cabbage Patch Kids look in such good condition, and now they will have a chance to be loved by Luke when he is born.

I've also enjoyed passing on some of my son's toys to his two boys.

Lorrie said...

This is so great. I have a Raggedy Ann doll that our daughter received at age one. I saved it and recently gave it to her since she's expecting her first child.

I love the look on your son's face when he opened the gift. The dolls weathered the years well.

a woman who is said...

Such a sweet story! Congratulations on the soon to be arrival of your grandson!

Vicki said...

Somewhere, in a box, perhaps at my Laura's house, reside two youngsters who came to live at our house so many years ago. I don't remember their birth names, but my toddlers renamed them Holly and Michael. I'll have to ask Laura about them!