So...I'm a grandma now. Those of you that know me are rereading that and saying "what-the-what" or recalulating how old you thought my daughter was.
The exciting event happened about a week ago. She's as cute as can be. Big blue eyes. Lots of hair with cute little cowlicks everywhere. She already recognizes me and just coos when she sees me. It's just the sweetest thing!! Finally, I know how my girlfriends with grandbabies feel. It's all the love of your own kid without all the work! This grandparent thing is a killer job!!
The only unfortunate part about the whole situation is that she is....a Guinea pig!
We got our daughter a Guinea pig for Christmas. She had been wanting one for a few months but we just weren't sure that she was ready. I had her read books on their care and write me a report about them so that I knew she really read them. She even wrote a "care contract" for all three of us to sign. So the hubs and I discussed it and piggy shopping we went.
We took time out from our date-day and stopped in Petland. Of course, John had to check out all the puppies first and then check to see if they had one of those ugly hairless cats he wants. Meanwhile, I headed for the Guinea pigs and began the search. All I knew is that she wanted a black and white one. Preferably an American because they are supposed to be easier to groom, at least that's what she read in those books. So while I'm chasing the pigs around their cage, John is trying to make nice with a ferret and ends up being attacked! Amazingly enough, ferrets don't like it when you blow in their faces! Whodathunk it?! Apparently not John.
I must have looked desperate or something because one of the employees came over offering assistance. I began to tell her about Josie and the piggy quest and told her what we were looking for. I told her it had to be an American because they are easier to care for. Tyiara told me that the Abyssians are just as easy to groom. Now there's a bonus because their hair is all over the place and it really adds to their personality! They also had one with an afro! Must've been a mix between an American and an Abyssian. Anyway, she gives her sales pitch and it's our lucky day because when you buy the cage the piggy is free! I'm liking this! So while John is off looking at the fish or apologizing to the ferret, Tyiara and I go down the small pet aisle looking for goodies for our new pet. She goes and piles up all the goodies on the counter and I meet back up with John at the Guinea pigs. I'm really torn because there was only one black and white Abyssian and it was the cutest thing ever but how was I going to keep it a secret until the following weekend at Christmas? It would never happen!! I was already about to burst from excitement and there is no way Josie would never notice it. Tyiara told me that we could bring Josie back in after Christmas and she could pick it out. So that's what we decide to do. I paid for everything and ended up winning a $20 gift card! Now that's what I'm talkin' about!!
Fast forward to a few days before Christmas. I called back down to Petland to reming them that we are coming down in a few days and to make sure they will have a black and white one. "No more deliveries until after New Year's." Say what now?! Fortunately, they had one left like we were looking for and they put it back for us. Whew! Christmas disaster averted!!
We made a big deal out of it Christmas morning. The cage wasn't under the tree and we acted like there was a present we forgot. She already opened her DSi so she wasn't expecting anything else big. So I lugged it in from the garage and sat it in front of her. It was wrapped in a contractor's bag and she was very confused! She got the bag opened and started screaming! John got the bright idea to ask her where the piggy was. Now keep in mind that this cage is full of stuff and nowhere ready to house anything. The poor girl is searching all over the cage for her pet but it's not there. "It must have gotten out," she said. No, baby, your dad is being a goof. It wasn't there to begin with!
Josie and I headed off to Petland that Monday morning. We went in and picked up some food and an exercise ball. We went over to the Guinea pigs to see what was there and they had two left. Wow! Neither was black and white. Looks like I called at the right time! Poor little afro guy was still there though. We lugged everything up to the counter and before I could say anything, Josie told the salesperson, "I'm here for my Guinea pig!!" Evidently, she was used to overly excited kids because she just took it in stride and went off to find it. She brought it back out and took it back out and what do you know?? It was the same one I picked out before Christmas!!! Now that's destiny right there!! Josie was oohing and ahhing and "Mommy loves you" all the way to the truck. We got in the truck and that's when she made her announcement. "Oreo, that's your grandma! And now we are going home to see grandpa!" Umm...that's who? Grandma?? To a Guinea pig??? Oh what the hell! I'm already a mom to two dogs and two cats.
I must admit this grandma thing isn't too bad. I get to play with Oreo and let her snuggle and purr on my shoulder while I do crosswords and then put her back in her cage. Josie is in charge of the feeding and the cleaning and grooming. I'll admit...it's not my preference of a grandchild but it'll have to do for the next ten or fifteen years! The only thing is now I want to get a little friend for Oreo! Why is it I always think our pets need to have live-in friends?!? I'm sure I'll be going back to Petland before too long!!
