Entering Grandparenthood WAAAAAYYY Sooner Than We Thought: IT. ROCKS.

This post is LONG overdue. Last November I flew to Provo, Utah to be with my daughter and her husband for 10 glorious days to be part of the birth of my granddaughter. Chelsea was due on November 7, and since things were looking a bit on the late side, I planned my trip for the 9-19th. Her doctor promised he wouldn't let her go over 7 days, so that put her in the hospital on the 14th at the latest. Brandon and the kids would pick the nearest weekend to drive down and meet the baby. The preparation with Chelsea, and taking care of her and Matt, were a sweet way to wait out the birth! They are so fun and happy!
Carly Lynne Bare was born on November 13, 2013. 7 lbs 12 ozs of beautiful baby girlness. The pictures work better than me talking, but I will say that being there and falling in love with that baby was my absolute highlight of 2013.

Aren't they adorable? They picked me up from the airport and took me to breakfast.

I arrived on Chelsea's birthday. Yay, presents!

Getting a birthday song. Seriously, I could eat these two up.

But I ate this instead.

Tucanos for dinner! Yay, birthdays! Chelsea's hip had been out, so as she hobbled around, we got a lot of very concerned looks. She was determined to have her Tucanos before the baby came. 

After church.

Couldn't help it. There's a baby in there.

Final appointment before the baby comes.

I treated her to a pedicure. So fun!

Ready to go!

Chelsea did great. They anticipated a C-section, but Chelsea worked it differently. Her stubbornness paid off and she had a normal delivery. She rocked it.

Here she is!

Proud Daddy!

So sweet.

FINALLY.

Going home!

I got to ride in back with the Precious.

Grandpa's here!

Aunt Maren and Uncles Jacob and Braeden.

Oh that Uncle Braeden. What a kidder.

This man was very humbled.

The family left and I got her all to myself again for a few more days.

Kinda. Gosh she's gorgeous.

Then it was time to go to the airport.

And say goodbye.

That was awful.

As difficult as it was to say goodbye to another piece of my heart, I knew it was only temporary. And a few weeks later we got this in the mail:

Joy.

Being a grandma is the best. And I'm kind of glad it came sooner than we thought it would in life. I'm still pretty spry. ;)

Loves and kisses, CarlySmooch.