Twins got their second injection in the Moderna very young children’s vaccination trial this afternoon… Twin A (who ran the fever after the first injection) did not run a fever this time, but had a loss of appetite at dinner. She didn’t eat much and really didn’t want her before bed bottle either. Twin B whose temperature was 99.9 last time had a temp of 100.1 this time–still not high enough to count as a fever. Both seemed a bit subdued after dinner, but that could be because they were tired. They had their morning nap cut an hour short so they could get downtown for their 1:30 appointment at the vaccine trial clinic and neither got an afternoon nap. (Stuck in rush hour traffic on the way home with Twin B crying the whole way home because the trip to the clinic upset her.)
We’ll see how they do tomorrow.
And cute story: Twin A is now walking and walking quite well. At the clinic, she kept walking across the waiting area, then down the hallway and into a doctor’s office where he was holding rounds with his pediatric residents. The first time Twin A showed up the doctors were concerned until mom (lugging her sister who is not yet walking) came to claim her 15 seconds later. D1 then took her back to waiting area, put her down–and off down the hall she went. By the fourth and fifth time the toddler showed up all the doctors were amused and chuckling at her toddler persistence. Mom told them that Twin A just trying to get an early start on her pediatric residency.
We are with DS#1, DIL and the 2 grandkids at the slopes. Its a juggle with the 10 mo old (who is cutting his top 2 teeth) and 4 yo gd, but it is a labor of love. Got to be on the slopes with gd today which was a longtime dream (to take a grandchild on the slopes at the same age our kids were when they started on skis).Made my heart sing.
Once DD is finished breast feeding (and the baby sleeps longer stretches) she will not be so tired. GD had to stop breast feeding at 12 weeks due to DD not having long enough breaks to get to the lactation room with her shift work. DD won the M - F job with private office so GS was able to breast feed a long time. Now continuing to breast feeding GS2 and she returned to work Dec 1.
Our phone conversation Saturday was very positive - he seems to now see how stressful some of his future pursuits will be for his wife (and their current situation is going OK except for his under-employment and having 3 children that need a lot of time and attention as a baby and two toddlers – but their household income is fine due to DD’s career), and IDK how much he has thought about the effect on his prolonged absences will be on his older two children - but he was quite eager to have DH and me support (in time and energy) his family - I will see what he thinks they may need after Jan 1 - if DD needs me to help her in his absence, or if she needs me to come some days during the week maybe every other week. If his parents lived closer and they did not have health issues, they would/could be more involved - but the writing is on the wall that they may not see his parents until SIL/family come to see them in the summer. IDK if SIL was concerned about this lack of balance with time/energy with his own parents, but it is what it is. After all the prolonged absences, it also most likely would be a super huge drop in family income and IMHO more life stresses on DD than there are now.
When I say prolonged absences, it will be right from the get-go. One situation would be 6 months. The other has not been determined.
DH had to travel internationally when DDs were in early elementary school (his work travel had me become a SAHM, but his income was enough to support our family and DDs were raised well); our DD - the mom in this scenario, was greatly upset at times with her dad’s travel - crying/upset, one time saying “Valentine’s Day is a family holiday” when DH had to be in Asia. DD was maybe 3rd grade.
I think SIL will do well with our visit - it is going to be a very happy time. Nothing heavy! We will hear what all SIL thinks about all his options. I plan to listen a lot, interact with the children a lot. Let DD catch up on her rest. In many ways SIL has had very sheltered living and ideas, and over the last 5 years has been living a lot like he is only responsible for himself - he only handled both of the older children/toddlers by himself in Oct (we needed to take the younger child with us to grandparent’s funeral because something happened and DD knew it was not safe to leave this toddler with his dad, while the dad could take care of the older child).
@garland good for you to welcome baby and move forward with life.
My mom was upset at 50 that she wasn’t a grandma yet (my older sister ‘fulfilled’ having the first grandchild) - sis got married 6 months before DH and I did. DH and I were married 15 years when we had our first DD. MIL asked on our wedding day for grandchildren (DH’s brother had a grand-daughter to start off their grandchildren) - MIL had only sons so she was thrilled with this first grandchild and our two DDs later.
SIL and DD had ‘ideas’ before they married about lots of things, but how things are working out with careers and locations, and their ability to be a one income family (SIL’s income).
We certainly believe in responsible parenting. DD was talking about future children and my comment was “you need to plan college costs with the 3 children you have.” If they have more children - and if so, hopefully with a big gap, we may not be physically able to help them (time and energy/ability due to medical circumstances that may evolve).
I don’t want the grandchildren to suffer (emotionally, in routine opportunities, etc.) due to poor decisions their parents make; the parents can (and should) make sacrifices for their children.
The rubber is hitting the road so to speak. Real time issues. Major decisions now which have long lasting consequences. Which is theirs to make. If they evaluate everything and make a poor choice, maybe they can recover. DD is under about as much as she can handle now - but SIL is a debater and only now is having a more open mind and seeing what the bigger picture is for his wife and children.
As a grandparent I do not tell my kid when and how many children they should have, but their decision should not factor in my ability to help out. I feel I am here to give them a break here and there, but not to provide them with daily childcare. I have worked hard raising my kids and am now to enjoy my grandchildren.
I am down in Cancun with my extended family. I get up in the morning the GD and I put her down for her naps in the afternoon. D1 and SIL are appreciative of help I give them and I enjoy my time with the GD.
Now they are sorting out SIL’s career and options. SIL is just now seeing the bigger picture now that his wife’s maternity leave ended several weeks ago.
There is looking at all the pros and cons of their situation and any major decisions they make moving forward. But it is their marriage, their children, their lives.
Financially DD’s career and pay raises/bonuses have kept them doing well with 3 children under age 4.
Will be giving Christmas hugs to the grandkids and kids in a few hours! Excited! Sending warm greetings out to all the grandparents and soon to be grandparents on this thread, and Happy New Year.
We’ll be heading over for Christmas Eve with grands and kids too, shortly. Warmest greetings to all–wishing all the best of the season, and a happy, healthy New Year, to all!
Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! We, too, will be heading over to spend the evening with our D, SIL, GS, and GD. We’ll go back tomorrow for brunch and gifts. Oh, and we’ll see if Santa made a delivery.
Congratulations to all the expecting grandparents!
Wow, @CottonTales, you are an angel. Enjoy every single minute with your dear grandson.
@garland ~ Hand, foot, and mouth is not fun. GS had it when he was 2-1/2. Thankfully, he did not pass it on to his baby sister.
Stay safe, Grandparent Thread Friends. Covid numbers are exploding. Dr. Osterholm, one of my heroes, is calling this a blizzard. I’m glad GS and GD are finished with preschool for two weeks. Both wear masks all day at preschool, except when eating. We had hoped the preschool would make them mandatory, but they are only strongly recommended.
As of 3 hours àgo, I am a very proud and happy member of this club. Baby boy was born at a whopping 5 lb 15 oz and perfect in every way. Mommy and Daddy doing great and I will meet the little guy in a few days after they are home and settled.
Twin B is sick. She vomited all over me when I was holding her during dinner because she was fussy and refusing to eat. Temperature of 103.5. D is pretty sure she has Covid. (D is an EM doc and she is seeing a lot of covid right now.) D has emailed the Moderna vaccine trial twins are enrolled in and will take Twin B (and Twin A if the study asks) to get a quick and PCR covid test.
Twin A is doing OK. No fever. Didn’t eat dinner but that could be because of all the commotion going on. Twin A is the one we suspect got the actual Moderna vaccine since she ran a fever after her first shot.
Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! We, too, will be heading over to spend the evening with our D, SIL, GS, and GD. We’ll go back tomorrow for brunch and gifts. Oh, and we’ll see if Santa made a delivery. 
Hugs to all.