A PRECIOUS JEWEL Excited, overjoyed and inadequate were just some of my feelings, when told I was going to be a first-time grandmother. Would I know how to be a grandmother? Would my grandchild enjoy my company? These thoughts and more ran through my mind, in those first moments and months leading up to the birth of Peyton Nicole, on January 15, 2001. Living almost 650 miles away, and in a different state, provided quite a challenge for my husband and me to arrive just six hours after Peyton's birth. However, all my fears and feelings of inadequacy of being a grandmother vanished the first time I held her and realized how my love for this precious jewel from God filled my heart and soul. As the days turned into weeks, and the weeks turned into months, we have been able to follow her progress through weekly phone calls and a multitude of pictures sent to us via e-mail. This past year we've had the opportunity to see Peyton every three or four months, and have watched, as she developed a personality, increased her mobility, and became fascinated with her world. At ten months old, she is full of life and able to entertain others, as well as herself, in ways that bring smiles and bouts of laughter to all. She is almost always smiling and loves to be photographed. Faster than a mouse scurrying away, when a light is turned on, is the speed at which Peyton can crawl, as she explores everything in sight. Her daily routine consists of finding ways to excel in crawling, climbing, reaching, pushing, pulling, squealing and jabbering, while mastering her newfound walking ability. Everything that comes within reach of Peyton, not unlike all other babies, goes straight to her mouth. She has found her tongue to be her most useful tool of discovery, and has taken it one step further by sticking her tongue out and licking whatever she might be holding or near, like you would an ice cream cone. She is the epitome of multitasking. Peyton's mobile abilities are like a tornado, which comes and goes in seconds. She has built-in radar for everything that is considered "off limits," and can find cordless phones, TV/VCR and DVD remotes, with lightening speed. Her latest fascinating discovery has been with self-discipline. Peyton's mom, Amie, has found it necessary, after repeating the process of telling Peyton no and removing her from the latest "off limits" situation, to resort to a re-enforcing light smack on the palm of her hand. Not unlike most parents, Amie found the discipline harder on her than it was on Peyton. After a day or so, Peyton began to apply this new method, after being removed from one of those "off limit" situations, by smacking her own hand. A beautiful and delightful little girl, Peyton has brought continuous excitement, wonder and joy into the lives of all who know her and that, I have found, is the key to being a good grandparent. Simply enjoy them and all the rest will take care of itself. Grandparents are blessed with the enjoyment of reliving the memories we shared with our children and yet, when things get too chaotic, we're able to leave them with their parents, without guilt. I can assure all first-time grandparents that your fears will cease to exist the moment you're able to see and hold your grandchild. Grandchildren are like a treasure chest full of precious jewels enriching our lives. -- Roberta Carmichael «:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«^i^MISSI ^i^«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§« Richiele Marie [email protected] (Missi) I disbelieved in reincarnation in my last life, too. »§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«