Bubbles, Bubby, and the final frontier

I have a pretty large bubble—the amount of personal space I need around me. Strangers and folks with whom I'm not intimate best stay at arm's length or I get crabby, uncomfortable, anxious.

Folks I love the very most are welcome to enter my bubble any time they want, of course...as long as they don't dwell there too long.

Indeed, I need my space.

Bubby, on the other hand, has not yet learned about bubbles, doesn't understand the concept of personal space. Especially when it comes to his brother, whom he loves so, so much that time and—especially—space know no bounds.

To wit:

Bubby will eventually figure it out. Especially considering how often Mom and Dad—even Gramma—gently remind the enamored big brother that "Baby Mac needs some space."

Despite concerns about rendering Baby Mac claustrophobic at times, I adore the unabashed, in-your-face loving Bubby offers his brother. Such things are short lived and it surely won't be long before the "Mom, he's touching me!" complaints start up between the brothers.

From the looks of things, though, I'm pretty sure Baby Mac will be the one to first utter the refrain.

Which means Bubby's bubble-bursting privileges will remain intact for at least another year or two—about the time it will take before Baby Mac will be able to put into coherent words such pleas for intervention.

Today's question:

How big is your bubble?

Oh, joy!

I know grandmothers shouldn't compare their grandchildren. But since being around Bubby and Baby Mac the last couple of days, I've found it impossible to not compare the boys. Not in terms of bigger, bolder, brighter, or anything of that sort. This isn't a judgement, merely an observation.

I'm talking here about smiles. For I truly don't recall Bubby—as full of unabashed goofiness as he is now—ever smiling as much as Baby Mac does at this age. Megan and Preston agree. I mean, the kid is 10 weeks old and he's more full of grins and giggles than most kids twice his age.

Here's a small sampling of the happy expressions I've been blessed to receive since Friday...and this doesn't even include the ones he generously doled out during the 3 a.m. feeding I covered.

No, in comparison—and by comparing the pert-near thousands of photos I have of Bubby by the same age—Baby Mac clearly has Bubby beat in the smiles-per-hour category.

But then again, Bubby was at a slight disadvantage: He didn't have a goofy older brother to entertain him and encourage continual rounds of grins.

I can only imagine the giggles and grins we'll see from Baby No. 3. And yes, Megan and Preston plan to have more. Eventually.

How could they not after giving birth to sheer joy personified?

Today's question:

Fill in the blank: Of all the people I know, the one who most exudes joy is _______________.

Station identification

We pause now for station identification.

And to bring you something Grandma's Briefs has been lacking this week.

A hefty dose of precious:

Thumbs up on turning three!

We now return to our regularly scheduled programming.

Happy Friday!

Today's question:

When seeking a break online, do you go for cute (kitty/kiddy videos), comedy, games, music, or other?

Noise, toys, and the boys who love them

I like to give Bubby a gift each time I see him. As a long-distance grandma who visits with her grandson only a handful of times a year, I don't consider this spoiling him. Plus, the gifts are usually something small, like a book or Hot Wheels car to add to his collections.

Last time I saw Bubby, I also saw Mac for the first time. Which meant bearing gifts for two grandsons for the first time. In light of the occasion, I went a wee bit larger on the gifts.

Bubby's "big-brother gift" was a few hats: a fireman hat, a policeman hat, and a Woody from Toy Story cowboy hat (part of a review costume you can read about HERE, with awesome pics of Cowboy Bubby).

The fireman hat was Bubby's favorite. Not only because firetrucks and the folks who drive them are his favorite people in the world, but because with the flip of a button it made noise. Lots of noise.

Mac's "baby-brother gift" was a more quiet affair: a tummy time mat. It was the only item Megan requested for her newborn as she still had all things baby boy remaining from Bubby.

Yes, Baby Mac is using his tummy-time mat inappropriately here, not on his tummy at all. But we let it slide this time, considering he's just a baby and all.

Both boys seemed content with the toys I gave them. As I went through the 700-plus photos I took during my visit, I came across this video that underscores that. It was meant to be just of Mac making the most of tummy time but inadvertently shows Bubby making the most of his gift from Gramma, too:

I'll be visiting my grandsons again next month (woo-hoo!) and am already considering what gifts I'll bring them. I have one in mind that I think both boys will like, one they can share.

One that is silent.

For Baby Mac's sake.

And for Megan's and Preston's ... to make up for the fireman hat.

Today's question:

How do you feel about toys that make noise?

He ain't heavy

No doubt about it, Bubby loves and adores his baby brother Mac.

Today's question:

With whom are you closest in your family, immediate or extended?

Meeting Mac

Yesterday, Bubby introduced me to his baby brother.

My heart is now full.

Today's question:

Whom did you most recently meet for the first time?

Big three

Over the weekend, Bubby had his first of several celebrations scheduled for marking his third birthday. What a remarkable year it has been, filled with fun and firsts as he moved from toddler hood to the big three.

Bubby had his first move to a new home, this one with a dedicated playroom:

Bubby, Mommy, and Daddy had their first real family vacation, to Sea World:

He colored Easter eggs for the first time:

He had his tonsils and adenoids removed:

And he got his very first big-boy bike:

Through all that, he attended his very first full school year of preschool:

Then summer arrived, and Bubby took his very first swim lessons:

But the biggest change of all for Bubby as he transitioned from age two to age three, was going from being an only child to a being a big brother. All indications are that he'll do just fine:

Happy birthday to my incredible Big B! May your third year be the best yet!

Photos: Thank you to Megan for letting me steal most from her Facebook page!

Today's question:

What has been the highlight of your past 365 days?