Can anyone guess what I might be talking about today? Well I was first introduced to this term when "The Great" and I traveled to NC to visit my parents for a week. This meant we were visiting his proud and loving grandparents who had prepared the house just for him. I'm still trying to figure out how you prepare a house for a one year old...... Anyway the house of yes is a term coined by my mom which means anything goes for the grandkids. Anything? Anything? Is this the same house that I grew up in where me and my sisters were mini soldiers who were always on work detail? I was very confused yet amused to see how one word, grandparent, can change everything. So today this blog is dedicated to Dan and Regina Ford the proud grandparents of Ethan, Madison, Madelyn and Matthew.
In September 2012 we were celebrating my dad's 60th birthday with family and friends. The husband and I just found out that I was pregnant. We announced that we were expecting at the party and my parents went nuts. My mom was dancing around the room exclaiming "I'm going to be a grandma" about 50 times. While my dad was strutting around like a peacock grinning from ear to ear. Needless to say they were very excited and couldn't wait for the arrival of their first grandchild.
Fast forward to April 2013 "The Great" has arrived and my mom wastes no time in coming down to Georgia to meet him. She and my sister stay for two weeks to help out but there is one memory that will always stick with me. Around 7:45 am after "The Great" had been fed, my mom would waltz into our bedroom and exchange the baby for breakfast. That's right we were served breakfast in bed but only after handing over the baby. I was so delirious and it happened so quickly that I never fully comprehended that "The Great" was gone. My mom's little "chocolate drop" which she affectionately calls him belonged to her until he needed to be fed then afterwards he was right back in her arms. "Yes I will hold you". "Yes you are my grandson". "Yes I'm cooler than your mom because she has rules but I don't". This is how it all began and if you ask me it's only gotten worse because she has influenced my dad!
My dad has always been very reserved and quiet but when it comes to his "grands" he will talk about them to a brick wall. He will text me not to say hello but to ask for updated pictures of the grandkids. I know what you're thinking...that's not bad. Let me stop you right there, he only wants the picture to show them off to his friends who are now grandparents as well. They do a comparison of their growth, current developmental activities and overall well being. As if that's not enough after getting the pictures his response via text is "thanks". Not have a great day, how are you, diddly squat! The nerve of that man using my children as trophies. ☺️
When my parents came down in June to assist with ME and "The Great" it was more of the same. "Yes you can have that snack before dinner". "Yes I will get you more toy cars even though you have a million". "Yes you can stay up just a little bit longer". As if this wasn't enough they immediately became smitten by ME. At six weeks they were a bit fussy but my parents weathered the storm in true "seasoned" parents fashion. They tried everything and would not be happy until their grandchildren were comforted and soothed. What happened to "I would just let you cry it out". If the pacifier, rocking or made up songs didn't work this is what was commonly heard. Ethan looks sad, feed him". "Madelyn just smiled, feed her". Are six week old babies always hungry?! You see in the house of yes even six week old babies get their way. I would try to fight but because I am a good daughter I just step aside.
All jokes aside I'm glad that my parents are able to love and spoil their grandchildren. As my mom says "being a grandparent is something that you can't explain you can only experience it". Being a grandparent not only benefits our children but the parents as well. In addition, to providing FREE quality childcare their words of encouragement and affirmation remind us that we're doing just fine. I was fortunate enough to grow up with my grandparents and I am excited that our children will be able to experience this wonderful gift. We will visit them in August and I can only imagine what wonders await in the House of Yes.