Did you know I became a grandmother last year? Yep, I know, I know, I don’t look nearly old enough 🤣🤪🤣 Ok, we can stop laughing now. Alas, the passing of several decades puts me in the category of being plenty old to bear the new title, “Mimi”. and I wear it proudly.
Every Monday I’m caregiver to little Lillian, my yummy little Cupcake. She was born the day before my birthday last August and has been the light of my life ever since. But, I’ll tell you, she’s exhausting and I’m convinced that’s the reason women go into menopause in their 40s LOL. There’s a certain age when we aren’t designed to raise children full-time anymore. I admire the older mom’s out there or the grandparents raising their grandchildren. I don’t know how they do it without dropping from sheer exhaustion.
Yep, spending one day a week with my special little Cupcake is perfect and I look forward to it every Monday. Right now she’s almost 8 months old and crawling everywhere. Each week I see a steady progression in her development, and she’s now pulling herself up, trying to walk and climb, not to mention, learning to eat. That’s always a fun time with pureed food ending up in places it doesn’t belong.
Lillian is merely one of several reasons why I’ve come to embrace our stationary lifestyle. We were in town for her birth and the moment she was placed in my arms, only hours old, I was smitten. The love I feel for this tiny human is hard to describe but those of you who are already grandparents understand.
And as much as I adore spending Mondays with my special Cupcake, come 4:00 in the afternoon, I count down the minutes to the five o’clock hour when her dad (my son) comes to pick her up. By 5:00 I’m beat and spend the rest of my evening in front of the television in a somewhat vegetated haze watching baking competition shows (The Great British Baking Show) or some sort of reality TV. Do I dare admit that I watch ridiculous shows like The Bachelor and Bachelorette? 🥴 Sure I will. That little human keeps me busy all day exhausting me more than any long hike on the trails ever does and by the end of the day, there’s not much left in me. But I love every minute!
So, now you know how I spend my Mondays. What do your Mondays look like?
Live Laugh RV 
63 responses to “Monday’s at Mimi’s”
Adorable ☺️
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Thank you! 😊
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I’m a new Oma with my grandson 8 months old. I love my Tuesday & Wednesday with him. And yes, I’m exhausted at the end of my day. But it is blessed fatigue.
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Congratulations! I was torn between using the titles “Oma” and “Mimi”. In the end, I felt my mom would always be “Oma” and it didn’t sound right to me to use it. My sister uses Oma though. Enjoy those Tuesdays and Wednesdays. They’ll be grown before we know it.
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Grandma? what happened to that pic by the window? That was cute
too ! Although these captures are adorable. It must feel good with something to look forward to each week!
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We do enjoy our Mondays with Lillian. Oh, the picture taking has just begun but I don’t think my blog readers need to be inundated with too many grandchild pics. 😁 It was tough picking which ones to share.
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Congratulations, Ingrid!
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Thank you Mitzy 😊
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I’m not one of those who says all babies are gorgeous, so believe me when I say that Little Cupcake is gorgeous. It is a blessing for everyone in the family that you’re close enough to spend quality time together. Getting worn out and vegging on the sofa with a dose of reality after gorging on Cupcake all day sounds like just desserts!
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Awe, thank you Joodie. We think she’s pretty darn perfect. Yeah, any quilt I may initially feel about watching mindless shows quickly dwindles when the exhaustion sets in. But she is a yummy little thing…. think puppy or kitten ten-fold.
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Lillian (AKA Little Cupcake) is darling, and you are a beautiful Mimi, Ingrid. 🙂 I love how much delight you find in your time with her…and I also enjoy how honest you are about how exhausted you are at the end of the day, LOL. Your daughter must be SO grateful to have you there!
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Thank you Laurel. Lillian is actually my son’s child and my daughter got married in December. So the family is growing. I love that we all live less than 30 minutes away from one another. Both children highly encouraged us to settle here … they had to work on us a few years. 😁
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Lucky you! You already know, I’m sure, that time passes much too quickly when there is a little one around. They simply grow up much too fast.
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Yes they do which is why I’m savoring every moment. For me, the best part about being a grandparent is the confidence I have dealing with a tiny human. I’m able to enjoy her development progression and see it in a new light that I wasn’t able to as a new frazzled mom. And at the end of the day, I get to hand her over to her parents so I can relax 😁
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I feel the same way when my daughter visits for the day and brings her dog. We get to enjoy the dog then send it home at the end of the day. (My grandchildren are all ‘adulting’ now, though I sometimes think they won’t really get what it is to be an adult until they become a parent…)
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What a cutie and such a stylish dresser already 😍 I can quite understand though that she must wear you out. And I confess I enjoy baking and reality shows too, without your excuse!
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Haha! Like minds and no excuses. Yes, she can be exhausting but unlike being a parent, I get to give her back at the end of the day and indulge in TV binging 🤪
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What a CUTIE PIE! I have not been around babies in so long for long periods of time. When I am out and about and see babies and kids boy are they busy bodies. I love how they just take the world on by force with a smile on their face, joy in their heart, and usually some type of treat in hand too. ENJOY your time together – SPECIAL for sure 🙂 Happy Day – Take Care (((((loveandhugs)))))
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Thank you Renee. They are busy little things, and I agree, I love the joy and laughter in a little person’s face. We were at the park the other day and it was so refreshing to watch the children play without a care… my new stress reliever… to some degree 😏
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Loved the joy that poured from your post, Ingrid! Grandchildren are the best!! I now have four grandboys, and my youngest is 6 months old, so I’m going through the smitten part all over again! I watch little Hunter 1-2 times a week, leaving my house at 5:45 a.m., I so much know about that last hour of waiting for my daughter to come home! 🤪🤣 And I too love every minute of it! Not sure about coming June though when the 6 year old will be there all day too, it’ll be double-duty exhaustion! 🥴🤣
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So nice to hear from you Donna. Yes, they are a joy and exhausting at the same time. Eeek, adding a six-year-old into the mix with a 6-month-old is definitely a double whammy but oh so fun. I’m sure you and I can agree that as much as we loved RV travel, being near our little grandchildren is the best. They will grow up soon enough and I don’t want to miss any milestones. 😊💌
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What a sweet adorable little one. Lillian sure does have lots of fun on Monday’s and so does Mimi!
Savor every moment! ❤️
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Oh yes, she will grow up soon enough. Thus, I savor my Monday’s with her.
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Omigosh! Ingrid! Lillian is Just. Too. Cute! Within the past couple of days, I just said to Alan that the only regret I have about not having kids when we were younger is that they missed out on more time with my mom. She had such an over-the-moon relationship with her grandkids. One of the best teachers in our kid’s elementary school once told me that she could always identify kids who spent time with grandparents. Apparently, she could easily detect the positive influence. May I ask . . . Why did you choose “Mimi?” And is Al “Grandpa?”
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Hi Mary. Yes, Al is grandpa. I struggled with my title. Jessica (D-I-L) has a grandma and Nana who also watch Lillian. Oma (my mom) I just couldn’t bring myself to use (miss her) so that was out. Then a couple of my RVing friends use “Mimi” and my daughter recommend it as well so I thought that might work and I’ve finally embraced it. By each grandma and great grandma using separate names, it makes it less confusing who one is referring to and easier than using grandma Ingrid, grandma Lisa, grandma Donna 🤪
Interesting that a teacher could tell which children spent time with grandparents. When I think about, that does make sense. Hopefully, Lillian grows up to be very well adjusted. Al and I are already talking about taking her camping. 😊
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Mimi suits you perfectly – an excellent choice (and very easy for little kids to say)! Yes, yes! Do take Lillian camping! I see several benefits. 1. You get to make priceless family memories together. 2. You’ll have a first-hand opportunity to positively influence the next generation of stewards for our public lands. 3. There will be an endless supply of fodder for future blog posts!!!
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Thank you Mary and I 100% agree on your thoughts about camping
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Ditto what you said about grandparents who raise their grandchildren. Where do they get energy and patience? Lillian is adorable. I wish our grandkids were closer to us.
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I know you and Barb are enjoying the time with your Lily while the family stays at your place. Having the acreage is perfect for long family (or friend) stays. One of the major downsides to subdivision living.
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Lillian is precious and so petite. What a doll. One day a week sounds just perfect. Glad you are so close and able to watch her grow and change. That cactus outfit is too cute! I noticed it right away. Beautiful photos.
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Thanks Pam. Yes, one day a week is perfect. Watching her remains fun and something Al and I look forward to. She is a petite little thing but big in personality. I have to refrain myself my going into the kids dept while out shopping…. too many cute outfits for my live doll 😁
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Ingrid,
You’re so fortunate to live close to your adorable granddaughter. Our grandchildren are on each coast, and it’s so hard. Thankfully, we have FaceTime and Zoom, but that’s not enough. You will LOVE camping with Lillian. I’ve always said that a grandparents’ job is making memories. Enjoy and hug her at every chance. Joe
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Hi Joe, yes I am fortunate to live close by to our granddaughter and that was intended. I’ve learned from others (hi Helen) what a joy it is to be a grandparent and how difficult distance can be. Zoom is not the same as having that baby fall a sleep in my arms, which I love and cherish because she’s growing fast enough. Always nice hearing from you.
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I love this post. Adorable pictures of Miss Lillian.
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Thank you! I too think she’s adorable, but I’m sure I’m biased 😁
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I love being a grandma. You obviously do, too!
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Yes I do. It’s a special role.
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Lillian is adorable. My great grandmother’s name was Lillian!
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Thank you Nancy. We’re seeing some of the ‘older’ names making a come back. Love it!
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Lillian is adorable, Mimi (what a cute grandma’s name)! Looks like your photography is heading toward baby portraits! Well done, you really caught her essence! 8 months and crawling- oh boy time to child-proof the house. How lucky you are to have one day a week to spend with her. When my oldest daughter was born while we lived in San Diego, my mom took care of Megan every Friday. She always said it was a dirty job but someone had to do it (with tongue planted firmly in cheek) 🙂 Enjoy these days!
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Thank you Terri. Right now, Lillian isn’t too cooperative in the photo dept. I have to be quick with the iPhone and grab whatever image I can before she crawls off. But I do have plans to turn her into my little model 😁 My kids got so used to me being behind a camera that they knew when it was time to pose. I’ll get her there eventually!
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I guess now we know why you wanted to settled near your kids. Seems as though your mothering gene is alive and well.
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Yeah, the kids were our number one reason for picking Phoenix. If not for them, we may have picked Fredericksburg TX. Hard to say, but I’m so glad we’re here. My mothering skills came right back to me the moment Lillian was placed in my arms, but this go around, I have a confidence that I didn’t have as a new mom. Hope you enjoyed your bachelor week.
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Lucky you! She is adorable.
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Thank you Jana. She’s a lot of fun even though tiring.
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Oh yes!!! I get it! Congratulations! You are blessed. Savor every minute. Perhaps work on photo book to commemorate her milestones. I was faithful for each of my grandsons to create them photo books as we know working parents never seem to finish the initial baby book! My favorite book I did was for neighbors twins I helped babysit in their first year. As neighbors and since I wasn’t yet a grandma, I had lots of pics. When their 5th birthday was approaching, I wrote an ABC book telling their life story! Then did the same for one as each approached 5. Each one has a stack of their own stories….❤️📚📸
I’ve made photo books for our mom’s 90th, my husband’s brothers 70th (battling cancer) and more. My husband keeps asking when I will be one for him. Guess what, it will be our Pixxi books from our website! Thanks to you!
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Or maybe you’ve started???
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Nope, not yet. It’s on the list 😁
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Yes, I’ve thought about starting a photo book but still haven’t gotten around to completing all our RV travel tales. One day, I’ll need to make it a priority. Thanks for the inspiration. 😊
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Congratulations. Such a blessing!
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Thank you and yes she is!
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She is beautiful…I think I see her Great Grama (Al’s Mom) in her eyes! My grands from Indiana call me Mimi too. Congrats to all!!!!
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Thank you Donna. Darla thinks she has Char’s nose but maybe it’s part of Darlene she sees ??? Time will tell. Right now I’m loving her developing personality. She’s a tenacious little thing.
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Ingrid, thanks for sharing your delightful Mondays with us. I am so old I got tired just reading about it 😉. Jim
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Haha! That doesn’t surprise me. We’re already looking forward to taking her camping when she’s around 3. That will really exhaust us 🤣 We must be crazy!
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Ingrid, I can feel the love through your words and photos! Your Mondays with Lillian are special days you will always remember!. I know you are enjoying every minute with her. I am grateful for all the time I got to spend with my grandkids when they were little. I really miss those days. They grow up way too fast! My oldest is in college, his sister just went to her junior prom, one is in middle school and the youngest in elementary school.
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I knew you would totally understand my emotions. I didn’t realize your grands are already in high school and college. Yes, they do grow fast which is why I’m trying to savor my time with Lillian. The other day she was fighting a nap and eventually fell asleep in my arms. I didn’t mind holding her for an hour because soon enough she’ll be too big to nap in Mimi’s arms. 😊
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❤️
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Lillian is adorable. Well, grandma, you hardly look old enough to be a granny. You’re not what I would imagine the Little Old Lady From Pasadena would look like. But I could see yo in a super stock Dodge (go granny, go granny, go granny, go!).
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HaHaHa!!! I’ll call my agent 🤣
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Lillian is adorable, Ingrid! God bless your family. ❤️☺️
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Thank you John. Her personality is equally cute!
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I am sure it is. ❤️
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