On Being a First Time Grandparent

Wow, I don't have words to describe how it feels to be a grandparent, but I'm going to try anyway. It's much different than being a parent.

When you're a grandparent, you get to feel all of the emotion, excitement and fun of having a baby around but don't have to take 'total' responsibility. It sounds odd but it's true. You have true unconditional love, and can put up with baby's fussiness like a pro. At the end of the day/visit though, grand baby goes back home with Mom & Dad. Grandma's free to do whatever Grandmas do.

I have what I think I'd like to call Grandparentitis: I have baby's picture plastered everywhere you can imagine. All of my computer desktops have different pictures of Grandson Nigel. I have several 8X10's hanging in my home office (and in frames around the house) let alone cell phone and ipod backgrounds. The kids a natural model as far as Granny's concerned. :) The picture showing is my current desktop picture of him on my home computer. How cute is that?!?

To Recline on an Airplane or Not? That is the Question.

On an airplane flight, is it your right, or a privilege you shouldn't use, to recline your seat?

Great question. My hubby is 6'4 and every time we're flying in coach it seems the person in front of him invariably tilts his seat back, right into Andy's knees. Not very comfortable to be sure. What do you do?

Andy and I normally do anything we can to get into an exit row. If that is not possible, we have been known to pay extra to upgrade to first class as long as it's reasonable. When those aren't options, here are some other tricks we use.

First, we put Andy in the aisle seat so he can at least stretch out a leg after take-off. Once seated but before takeoff, we converse between ourselves how tight the space is and Andy's height. We make sure we're loud enough so the person in front of him hears. That works pretty well. Next, if the person doesn't take the hint and decides to recline, a good coughing fit right over their heads usually does the trick.

As for me, I'm always super aware of who is behind me on a flight. If it's a guy, I don't bother reclining my seat. I use a neck pillow if it's a long flight and I need to catch shut eye. My mouth ends up open and I drool whether I'm relined four inches or snoozing upright. What's the difference?