A week with the princesses

The best thing that ever happened to me, hands down, was having my kids. I enjoyed them at almost every stage and now that they're young adults, I love hanging out with them. They grew up close to each other and remain so, and they've both chosen wonderful partners to expand their circle (and mine). I am grateful every day for all of them.

But getting to be with my granddaughters is just priceless - I crave being with them and hate to leave them after a visit. Observing their development is fascinating and every milestone is such an experience. Lea adds to her vocabulary on what seems like an hourly basis, and her thought process and logic are almost palpable. She recognizes cause and effect, knows colors and shapes, and, best of all, has figured out that Mimi will come almost immediately when she summons me.

And Susanna is working on figuring out her world - taking in all the sights and sounds around her, trying out all her body parts (she seems determined to roll over already), and smiling and laughing in response to goofy gestures and funny noises. She has a sweet nature and doesn't even flinch when Lea "loves" her a little too vigorously. I can't wait until I hear her little voice call my name.

My daughter and her husband are amazing parents. They have infinite patience and, despite their profound lack of sleep, unbelievable endurance and resilience. They deal with the inevitable challenges that come with a two-year-old and a newborn with wisdom and humor. I am humbled by how well they handle everything - much better than I did, I confess.

It was a great week - taking Lea to school, going to the museum, reading, and just plain being together. And even though I lament the distance between us, I feel fortunate to able to see them as often as I do. Thank goodness for e-mail, webcams, and blogs.