On March 13th this year my Grandson Jayden was born, and three days later he was home at our house where he’ll be staying while his Daddy is off in Alaska working. My daughter seems quite happy to be back home and after her four years in Singapore and the truth be told I’d missed her more than I realized.
I had mixed emotions to being around a baby as in my life I’ve earned my money on ship’s or was a single guy never in baby mode so I never saw very much of the little people. So there I was just a couple of months shy of turning 65 and a baby was going to invade my quiet life. I was nervous, to say the least. Was I going to like it? I had no idea. So I took the wait and see approach. Which is better than the hit the door running approach!
Little Dude (Jayden) arrived at my door wrapped up so only his tiny face was visible. I know that I’ll get flack for saying this but here it goes; “I really think that all new born babies look like Winston Churchill.”
So being cursed by being born male I was relegated to the back burner, as Mayang and her sister Clara went into full on YaYa status. I was informed that they would be the ones to be the ones to care for the Little Dude. I got to thinking that pretty much relieves me of diaper duty, and what could be wrong with that?
While sitting in my man cave pondering the big picture and inventorying cold SMB’s, it dawned on me that the goofy Philippine nickname would be arriving soon to stick with this mini-person for life. Now his name I had no trouble with, “Jayden Logan” but I remembered 10 years ago when my Granddaughter was born, and I was requested to pick out her name, which I dubbed her “Heather Colleen” and then they started calling her Ling-ling. I fought that tooth and nail, and by sheer will changed what they called her to Colleen. Now my daughter thanks me for my hard headedness.
So to save my new grandson a lifetime of being called Ding or Dong or worse yet something with Boy or Boyet in his name, I started calling him Jay or the Jay-man once in a while. But at his 7th Monthasary I noticed Jayden’s real name was on the cake, so if the goofy nickname has not appeared yet, I think I’ve won.
I have found that around 4 months babies start getting a personality (Albeit I’ve met adults that have skipped that phase of life.) This Little Dude is laughing and smiling all the time now, but the problem is I’m the dominant male figure in his life, the boy won’t accept any male but me. His Titos and male cousins can’t pick him up, his doctor he hates and I’m thinking about his Dad when he gets back from Alaska is going to have a problem. I encountered the same thing every time I returned from sea with my kids and it does take them time to adjust to you again.
I have really bonded with the little guy, more than even I expected, he is nothing but fun to be around and I like my house cluttered with all the accouterments required in the safe moving and storage of mini-people. Just a day or so I bought him a walker to aid him in scooting through the house and knocking down Christmas trees and such. That is now stored in my computer room, did I really need all that room? And yes I require a car seat to be used or I won’t put the car in gear it was the first thing I bought him.
So as I reflect back over the past seven months and being allowed the sharing of his domicile, I find it to be a good and wondrous experience. Something I would recommend to others within my age bracket, for it will make you feel younger. Remember this one small thing, no matter how big and bad or tough you think you are, when a baby hands you a toy phone; “You’ll answer it!”
P.S.
I’m still not allowed on diaper duty. Curse my bad luck!
Paul, thanks for sharing, my first child will be in here in less than a month and I am excited, when I was in Iloilo in July and realized no car seats for babies and the way people drive was not a good mix. Lucky the child will in the states for a few years and the awasa will not have a choice nor say in the matter.
I’m also eagerly waiting for the nickname, in her family it seems like it could end up being something like toto or nonoy, I told her we should just start calling him cano from the start so when we move there, he will not know the difference 🙂
Dirk;
I’ve never been fond of nicknames; I had an English teacher in High School who called me Pauli, asked him why and he said I just call you that for short. You add a letter to a four letter name and you think you’ve shortened it?
So congratulations’ or the birth of your upcoming baby, may he or she be born healthy and happy. They are fun to have around, and as they grow the fun grows along with them. BTW I had the car seat for the baby in the car a week before he was born.
Loved your story, Paul. I feel much the same as you, having kids around the house is a joy… most of the time anyway! 😉
Bob;
I didn’t realize how boring my house had become until my Daughter and son-in-law came in from Singapore, a couple of weeks later after the baby was born, I thought to myself; “This is how it is supposed to be!”
hi paul
u have one sweet little boy there mate ok may god bless him ok and give him a good life…..peter martin tassie
Thank You; Peter
I like the little guy, he was just in to visit me about 15 minutes ago.
Hi Paul, I know how you feel.
We ladies can retire at 60 here, so I started getting my pension in October and our first Grandchild arrived in December. He is 5 today. He now has 2 sisters and his cousin Alex. Our other Granddaughter is my others sons step-daughter but she is loved just as much as the rest.
Come to think of it we retirees have more time to spend with the children.
Hi Marjorie;
The ladies of the UK retire at 60, now that is a great idea. I loved watching my Granddaughter Colleen grow up. But she didn’t live with us, so I’d see her every week for a few hours plus some weekends. She is 10 now and very busy with her swimming group and all the competitions she must attend. But it’s different with Jayden around 24/7, everyday it’s something new he does, and I’m excited to see it happen.
And best of all if I get tired I can skulk upstairs to hide and read a book.
Paul
What a nice story. I can relate to all you expressed as my wife and I after six years of marriage and no plans of having a child were blessed with my son Jaeden Reez. My wife was 43 and I was 57 at the time of his birth. Unplanned and not wanting to crowd our quiet life, he is such a blessing and has also changed our lives for the better. Therefore may you and I both enjoy our Jayden and Jaeden…lol.
Ron;
Life will surprise you when you least expect it. Congratulations on the birth of your son as I know that everyday will be a great adventure for all of us with the presents of Little Dudes in our life. My sedate retirement went out the window, and I’d have it no other way! Give Jaeden a hug from my family.
congratulations on your little miracle of life. I will take all the grandkids I can get no matter how or when they come to me.
I retired at 56 and so very glad I did. When we moved here to the Philippines we decided to bring our four year old grandson with us to give my daughter a chance to establish herself. He and I were best buds exploring Iloilo and I took him around when doing some business with the banks. He won the hearts of the ladies in the bank, SM, Shakeys, etc. After seven months with us he went back to his mother. I am reaping the benefits of his stay here. When I walk into the bank with standing room only I get called by name almost immediately. I felt so guilty yesterday, I was in and out of that bank in 5 minutes and those poor people where still cooling it in the lobby. My grandson always gets taken in the back room by a teller and fed sky flakes and cold water. (and not because he was naughty but because he was always saying hi and looking so cute!) The service I get at Shakeys and the other merchants continue to be stellar!
It definitely was a good decision to bring him here. He enjoyed exploring the creepy crawlers, tuko, paka, etc… Yes he grabs those huge tuko and the hotel staff would be yelling and I would be laughing!! Life without him has definitely changed but will look forward to his next visit in the summer. In the meantime, enjoying myself as a woman of leisure (or AWOL…I’m a retired DoD govt employee so AWOL has a double meaning for me. Basically, AWOL’d from work and didn’t wait till I hit 60. Early options are great to have!!) Enjoy the little man while you can! Let
Did you retire from the Pentagon, Lola?
The Redskins are losing to the Giants 16-10 as I speak. LOL
John, Never was brave enough to move to the Pentagon, though, I had a job offer there when I was in Germany. It was a no-brainer not wanting to move to D.C. when I was enjoying traveling(working) in Europe.
P.S. You are talking a different language when you talk about colored skins, raiders, giants, etc! LOL! Enjoy the football season!
Let, the ‘Skins beat the Giants in the end, 17-16, and what a game that was. It was one of the best games the Redskins played in a very long time. DoD is all over the world, I know, but when you mentioned it, I automatically thought of the Pentagon, just across the Potomac River from where I worked on Capitol Hill. I retired from the Library of Congress after 40 years of government service. Sorry to hear that you didn’t give DC a chance. If you lived in the metropolitan DC area, I’m pretty sure you’d love just everything about it, including your proximity to the power center of the free world. LOL Seriously, DC is really a beautiful, cultural, international city. It being international, DC is where I met my wife from the West Bank. I can relate to your experiences in the Philippines with your grandson, as I have experienced the same thing when I brought my son there for a visit for the first time when he was just 8 years old. Wherever we went, young Pinays wanted to take pictures with him. 🙂
John Reyes
Salaza, Palauig, Zambales
Let;
My father told me that if you’re not retired in your 50’s you’ve failed. (age 53 for me). I not had Jayden out in town much yet, but his time is coming. Maybe I’ll receive the perks you get! (lol). We travel the purok and I have to stop so all can look at the Little Dude, he’s quite the hit. I hope your little buddy gets back soon, so the fun can begin again.
Paul, Your Dad was right!! It sure feels good retiring early–only success feels like this! Skype and Facebook are my best friends and a way to get into my apo’s everyday antics…. LOL. Gotta love all this social media tools available when you are retired. But, I miss having him around at the construction site of my bungalow.
Let,
You live in Iloilo right. I was visiting another expat who lives there when i visited the Philippines in October. I really like it there. Will be retiring in March 2014 at the age of 55, but will be on terminal leave starting in November 2013. Will be living in Cavite where my fiance is from.
Papa Duck, Iloilo is a beautiful place and the place my husband and I call our real home. Very conducive to a laid back retirement life and still enjoy the modern trappings and eating places… Yep I’ve got my priorities right!
What a handsome strapping young man! Good for you Lolo! My family and I send our best wishes.
Stevo;
Thank you for that, he is a cool little dude!
Paul,
Just wait till Jayden gets older. All the girls will be after him. Unfortunately i won’t be having any chilfdren around the house, unless my youngest son brings my grandaughter to visit there. My kids will be Annes dogs that she will be getting for her house. I envy you, you are one lucky guy. It’s nice have to kids around the house to keep you young. Take care
PapaDuck;
There is nothing wrong with dogs! Coco the Flying Labrador and I still walk everyday albeit we will start taking Jayden as soon as my daughter lets us. She still takes him out of the kitchen when the microwave is turned on. Her first child!
Lolo Paul,
As always a good story! Thanks for sharing with everyone the pics of the “Little Dude”. He’s a cute kid, and it sounds like you have a great attachment to him. You say you worry about when his father returns for fear his son will not go to him. I fear when his father returns for fear you won’t want to give him up. Just make sure there’s enough room in your house for them all to stay and you’ll be good. 🙂
I wish you and your little guy the best! Enjoy your time with him because they get big FAST!
Scott
Scott;
My son-in-law will be home for a couple of months in March vacation and then he returns to work. Of course he’ll stay here at the house. The Jay-Man (Little Dude) and his mother will stay here with us while he’s working in the United States. I like this arrangement very much. I know in a few years they’ll all be going to the Big PX called America, but I’ll make the best of the situation as long as I can.
Hi Paul,
What a cutie,gonna be a heart breaker for sure! That’s the little guy…….not you Paul. Lol !
Regards Dave.
Dave;
Oh I knew who you meant, the last time cute was used in the same sentence with my name was when I tried to trick my brother Dan into going outside in the snow wearing shorts. My Mother said; “Cute Paul, really cute!”
Enjoy it while you can Paul. I’m missing it with my little guy right now but he does get plenty of attention, lol. Dad shouldn’t worry too much even after a few months away they’ll reconnect easy. It’s amazing how much joy that smiling little face can bring into your life. Have fun while you can.
Mark;
You are right about that, I’m enjoying everyday, and trying to find some extra ones!
he is a very cute little guy and you are very lucky grandpa to be able to spend every day with him right now. thanks for sharing the cute pics of him and the heartfelt story we all enjoyed. please give him a hug from grandma Donna and make it a good one cause if I were there, with his moms permission ,I would give him a very sweet grandma hug.( i can never have too many grandchildren and I will take them any way I can get them.)
Hi Donna;
The hug he’ll get for sure, we’ve found hes fond of them. This was a scary time for me being around an infant. But I took to it like a duck to water, my voice get’s him smiling when I’m in the room with him. I’m waiting until his mama trusts me enought to take him out on my morning walk with my dog Coco the Flying Labrador. Soon I hope!