A Wonderful Day at Shriner's Circus

The alarm blared next to my bed as I struggled to find my glasses on my nightstand. The sun had already broke through the clouds and the sky became clear. As I lay in bed, I hear commotion in the kitchen with Victoria sitting in her high chair and her mother feeding her oatmeal with fruit. She has been 'finding her voice' for days now and shrieks (screaming out loud) to hear her own voice. Two wonderful faces to wake up to. (And my black cat Shaddow as well!) Today was the day we are going to the Shriner's Circus with Victoria. I kinda had the feeling that she would do well with crowds but with the loud noise I wasn't sure about. Today was also the day that she was promoted from her carrier to a 'big girl' car seat. Not the 'big, big girl' kind of car seat but the kind that toddlers are in. She is a husky 21 lbs. But she is also over 27 inches long. Big girl! But I bet when she starts crawling (which she is showing signs) that weight will melt off

her. Fat babies are cute babies! As we were walking into the Thomson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN there were people with children everywhere. I was kind of nervous, myself being in large crowds. And I had my grand daughter in my arms so I had to make sure I kept a straight face and took care of the task at hand. We searched for our seats in the dark in the nose-bleed section. Yes it was packed with children screaming from excitement everywhere! My daughter found seats for us and I handed Victoria to her so I could take pictures of her first experience with the circus. There were tigers balancing on beams jumping through fiery hoops and elephants dancing. There were trained dogs balancing on the backs of their trainer wowing the crowds. Victoria did enjoy it but the loud acoustics and flashing lights bothered her. After a few attempts to get her to look, we decided to retreat to the corridor of the arena so Victoria will feel a bit easier with all the hoopla that was before her. Finally we were standing in the corridor looking at the action that was happening inside the arena. I noticed a stand that sold wands that light-up. I decided to buy Victoria a big pink light-up wand. She was mesmerized by the flashing lights. It was great! She seemed so excited to see her new present come to life with just a push of a button. Fortunately that diverted her attention from the flashing lights and the loud noises coming from inside the arena. Then an announcement came on the speakers saying that there will be an intermission and a display of pony rides and elephant rides were presented to the little children. My daughter was so excited that she grabbed Victoria and announced that she will go down to see if she is old enough to ride a pony. I told her that she was probably too young and the clowns will probably scare the crap out of her. Like always, she paid no attention to me and walked down to the bottom of the arena where the pony rides were. I stayed up in the corridor searching for them to just get a glimpse of my baby and her baby within the crowds of other parents. I noticed that my daughter was next to a crowd of people strapping on harnesses for Victoria to ride a pony. I honestly couldn't believe it! She is only 7 months old and she is enjoying what other kids way-older than her- are enjoying. My daughter and a helper walked in a circular-motion following a circle of ponies attached to one another. Victoria enjoyed every minute! Soon the ride was over and she had to leave her pony. I was hoping that she would come back up to where I was standing but they were

surrounded by a bunch of clowns that took pictures with my grand daughter. If she was scared she never let it show. Then my daughter took her to get her face painted in the form of a cat. Yes she was young but I am so glad that my daughter introduced her to that type of social action. She didn't cry or become irritated. She just smiled and was very attentive. Basically she people-watched. As I sit here trying to find the words to put into this blog, I smile to the fact that my daughter had shown me what a true parent does. Its never too early to make memories with your babies.

I am proud of the mommy that she is becoming.

Whats in a name?

Have you ever stopped and wondered what your grandchildren are going to call you? It's funny how you hear different names in different parts of the country of what you typically call your grandparents. Around here, most are called "Mamaw" or "MeeMaw" which isn't a bad thing at all. But I've always wondered what the name that fits me is going to be. My mother tells me to wait to see what the baby actually says. Sometimes it would be better to introduce myself with a name that would be easier for the baby to say rather that remain nameless until the baby can talk.

Originally, I thought my family went against the grain. I have found that this is not true. My mother's grandmother was named "Good Mama" followed by her daughter, "Mamae" (which is french slang for 'my mommy' with 'mon' (my) and 'mere' (mother) together) as my grandmother, finally my mother is named "Geema" from what my daughter decided to call her when she was around 1 1/2 years old. I often wonder what is wrong with plain "grandmother". Now I am on an adventure to find my own name.

I was thinking at first that I could take my own grandmother's name "Mamae" but that isn't very original and too informal, especially when it comes to the french language. All my nieces and nephews call me "Titi" instead of "Aunt", so I can build from that, I suppose.*Grandma Titi* would be a great name. I *am* the grandma and the baby will hear me being called "Titi" by other family members so maybe it isn't such a bad name. As a matter o' fact, I think that is a swell name.

According to www.grandparents.com  there is a list that is dubbed the "Ultimate guide to Grandparent Names". I can see this as something useful. Many grandparents choose their own names at first then wait for what the child can say or what they hear from their older siblings. There are lists of traditional grandparents names, trendy grandparents names and finally playful grandparents names. Fortunately I found the names that I have heard throughout my family in the "traditional" section.

Even if you don't plan to become a grandparent soon, you really should go to the site below and find your 'perfect grandparent' name (just for fun). Who knows what might stick in the future. Tell me....what are the names you have chose for yourself? Comments please! :)

http://www.grandparents.com/family-and-relationships/grandparent-names/trendy-grandmother-names