The Baby Expert: A Visit from Grandpa and Grandma

Christmas came on January 20^thfor us this year. That’s when Grandpa and Grandma arrived from the States to Taiwan to pay their little Caitlyn a visit. I’m still trying to figure out how they packed so much stuff in their suitcases. It couldn’t have been an easy task.

I guess after looking at all the books I ordered for Caitlyn, I did go a bit overboard. But they were such a bargain! I kept trying to explain and get this point across to the wife. My crowning achievement was a boxed set of 3 books. Most bookstores have it listed at $30. The price I got it at? $7! The majority of the other books I ordered averaged $3.

Any sane person would have bought as many books as I did at this price. I’d say which online store I got these books at, but I fear that so many other people might start buying books too that there wouldn’t be any left for me next time. Call me selfish, but I’m just looking out for the best interest of my child.

In keeping with my theme of buying too much, my mom decided Caitlyn needed more clothes to wear even though I told her countless times not to buy any more. I think we can officially open our own clothing store with all the extra clothes we have now. The only possible way we can get through all of Caitlyn's clothing is to have her change outfits every hour. For the next five years.

But it seems like my mom has the same reasoning as I do with my books when it comes to her rampant buying. Turns out there’s a Carter’s outlet store near their house, and she has a membership card, so most of the clothes she buys are discounted at 75-80%. Now I know why 99% of Caitlyn’s wardrobe consists of Carter’s clothing. She’s can be a walking advertisement for them.

I also happened to tell my mom in passing to bring a couple of beanie babies from my coveted collection for Caitlyn. But instead of keeping things simple, she apparently decided to take matters into her own hands and tried to go out and buy as many stuffed bunny rabbits as she could. Why bunnies? Because Caitlyn was born in the year of the rabbit, according to the Chinese zodiac. And how many bunnies did she buy? 12 to be exact. I can clearly see where I get my habit of overdoing things from now.

And how was the reunion of Caitlyn and her grandparents for the first time since she was born? Cautious at best. After seeing all the video clips of Caitlyn’s fury and hearing stories of what happens when strangers hold her, my mom and dad barely dared to look at her in fear that she might start screaming and crying. For the better part of the first day, they didn’t hold or touch her. They just timidly looked at her and in turn, Caitlyn looked at them.

Finally, Grandpa’s patience ran out and he decided to go for broke and hold her. That lasted about 3 seconds. Weekly FaceTime sessions apparently didn't help much. But now, after spending some time together, Caitlyn is used to them enough that she’ll play with them and even let them hold her for a little bit. Hurrah for all of them!

The next big test comes tomorrow. That’s when we go to my aunt’s house for a Chinese New Year’s celebration. I’m pretty sure we all know how that’s going to turn out. Ah well.