While in DC

I realize I'm backing up a little here, so bear with me...

I spent Jan. - March of this year in DC; I was nanny for my grandson Austin while his official nanny, Liz, was on maternity leave. It was a wonderful experience, and I recommend it highly for any grandparent. Not only did I get acquainted with my grandson, but I also got to live full-time with my daughter for the first time in 15 years and get re-acquainted with her.

While I was in DC, Austin became a toddler. He learned to walk, to babble, to stack blocks, to throw fits. He even sings! He developed a sense of humor and played tricks -- hiding things and laughing out loud. He started eating people food and wanted to feed himself, although his skill with a spoon was not too specific. His favorite foods were graham crackers, grapes, cheese, cheerios, tangerines, and tabouli...wasn't much for meat or other veggies.

The kids also moved while I was in DC, to their original townhouse in the historic neighborhood of Fairlington. It was a great place to walk, with people and dogs out at all times of the day and flowers everywhere. When I left, the cherry trees in the pocket park behind the townhouse were starting to bloom.

I was afraid Austin would forget me, but I am happy to report that at our last Skype session, he pointed at my face on their computer screen and smiled.