The highly anticipated visit of Twiggy and Cliffy

Maybe it sounds natural that a new grandchild would have the opportunity to meet all of her grandparents in the first 3 weeks of her life. But what if that grandchild lives in British Columbia and her grandparents live in Florida, Colorado, and Rhode Island? I might dare to say that's even more impressive! Last week, that's what happened for us when Grandma Twiggy and Grandpa Cliffy completed the trifecta of Baby Millie Grandparent Squad visits by making the longest journey of all from their home just 400 feet from the Atlantic Ocean to our home nearly as close to the Pacific. 

They came to celebrate the life of their first granddaughter, and celebrate we did. But rather than just the usual games of Euchre, dinners and and city touring (all of which we managed to do :) the focus this trip was all on Amelia - her story, her humorous mannerisms, physical attributes and much more. After all, this was what they skipped their trip to Greece for, which isn't to say that they struggled with the decision, of course.  

Grandma Twiggy (formerly Kiki for those who might be confused reading this - you will have to ask her about the name change, but we love it!) was lovingly restless anytime Millie wasn't actively in the mix, and took to cuddling or feeding her for hours on end. Grandpa Cliffy also returned to the veteran form that he demonstrated through raising 3 kids of his own, coming in from the bullpen at those rare times when Twiggy had reason to leave the mound.

Needless baseball references aside (go Red Sox), these moments were special moments in time for all of us. Because if watching your parents care for your child is something exceptional, then the inverse is even more moving. Declarations came in abundance all week long. If Millie knew what in the world we were talking about, she would have understood the hundreds of times that she was called the most special child, the best little baby, and at other times, simply 'beautiful.' Julie was aptly called  'a natural'.  And as for me, Grandma Twiggy and Grandpa Cliffy said simply: 'our little hardass has become a softy!' - a comment that I welcomed, but would caution anyone against believing heading into Fantasy Football season.

In between baby-gushing sessions and prolific baby-shopping extravaganzas, and while I labored under the toil of 2009 Red Bull Canada Business Planning, Cliffy became the guy who spent countless hours getting our house back in order after a month (year?) of neglect - tuning up the grill, repairing the vacuum, weatherstripping the door, fixing the basement bath shower head, and going to town on several overgrown trees and bushes in the yard. Thanks Cliffy! I'm not sure the trip to Whistler covered your fees :) 

We miss you guys already.  Love, Millie, Walter, Julie and Jaimeson