It wasn’t supposed to be hard at all, just an easy gig.

All 4 grandparents were together to watch the little man, our two year old grandson. We would be watching him while his baby sister was being born. So while his parents were “vacationing” in the hospital a few days, we were in charge – or so we thought!

Easy peasy – the whole schedule was written down – a nice flow chart of the day – just a matter of following the plan and using common sense. Come on, he is just 2 years old and we have decades of wisdom and experience.

Suddenly a kink appeared in this pleasant sounding plan – the two Grandmas were “summoned” to come to the hospital to visit the new baby girl – so the 2 Grandpas would stay and be in charge. What could happen? Nothing to it! As he likes to say – Oh,Oh!

As soon as they left, he knew. A wide grin appeared on his face – the challenge was set – how much do these two old dudes know? Love was not an issue – no one could love this little man more than us two grandpas – it came down to stamina and endurance – both physical and mental. How can a little guy move so fast? He has 6 legs and 4 arms and they never stop moving. I watched one of our granddaughters once for almost 24 hours. The most physical move I made was twirling around and trying not to let the princess tiara fall off, or turning pages in the princess book.

But this little guy was fast and strong. Kick the ball, throw the ball, find the ball, kick the ball, throw the ball, find the ball… Where are those grandmas? It’s been an hour already. Build a block tower, knock over a block tower, build a block tower, knock over a block tower, build a block… Where are those grandmas? It’s been 4 hours. Grandpa Eric and I figured the best way to survive was in a tag team mode. When one was in the ring, the other grandpa would sit in the corner and regain strength. When it became too much, the rested Grandpa would tag in. It worked well for chores too. One would make lunch while the other stayed in the battle. One would help him eat, one would clean, etc. Where are those Grandmas? It’s been 8 hours. It took both of us to change his diaper- one to actually change it and one to distract the 6 legs and 10 arms from going completely rogue. It was a fair fight – he got on a clean diaper- finally- we think.

Lunch was done, back to playing before nap time. Is he allowed to do that we asked each other? I don’t know it isn’t on the list. He would test us to see both our knowledge and endurance – he was winning. I thought maybe we could duct tape him in bubble wrap until the Grandmas got home – where were they BTW, it has been 10 hours and they still aren’t back! Finally it was time for him to take his nap. We broke down the routine – one would play, one would do the bottle, one would tell stories, etc. It took both of us though to get the sleep sack on him – it was like trying to dress someone while they are running a three legged race – once again victory – and no tears – at least none by our grandson.

Where are those ladies?? It has been a day and a half and they are not back yet –God please let them come back.

Lunch was done – check, diaper changed – check, sleep sack on- check, bottle ready – check. Little man was finally in his crib for nap time. Our prayer was that the Grandmas would return while he (and us) were napping. For no other reason than his after nap diaper is usually epic! While they were off sipping tea and eating crumpets with the queen and princess, we were in survival mode with a 2 year old. Surely they were stalling – it’s been 3 days – where could they be?

Was he crying? No – just talking to his monkey and bear in his crib. He was surely telling them how easy it has been to wear down these two Grandpas to his mighty will, and how he can’t wait until after nap for round two. I’m sure I could hear him say on the monitor “Maybe I could take them outside and show them how fast I can run.” I stared at the monitor, both hoping he would fall asleep and that I would be jolted by the sound of the Grandmas coming in the door. It has been a week – where are they? Well at least he fell asleep. And so did Grandpa Eric. It was my task to stare at the monitor. At least there had never been a pout or a cry from the little man – how could there be – we did Everything he wanted to do, Whenever he wanted to do it – over and over and over.

Finally he woke up – well Grandpa Eric did anyway. The little man was still asleep. It was a pretty good nap. I was still watching the monitor – there was no way he was climbing out on my watch.

He stirred and started talking to his bed buddies again. Oh No we would have to get him out and start all over again. Where are those Grandmas? They are doing this on purpose.

Grandpa Eric happened to be upstairs where the crib was located – that was great cause that meant Grandpa Eric would get the diaper – the “Big One” as the little man would say in his Hulk Hogan voice. I yelled up the stairs “do you need any help?” Grandpa Eric yelled back “no thanks I can handle it”. Surely he was being macho but quietly wishing I had been upstairs at this precise moment. He probably had some choice words for me as he navigated the disaster area. I wasn’t about to argue – I have had my share of the post nap diaper event. Well at least once – that is a lifetime worth of princess diapers.

It was time to bring the little man down – what great adventures lay ahead for the balance of our shift? Suddenly, like a glorious sunrise – the front door opened and the wondrous Grandmas had returned. The two hours of actual awake time seemed like days, but now the cavalry was here. I don’t think you have ever seen two old men move as fast as we did making our way to the door to leave – it was our turn to go to the hospital to visit the new baby girl. So off we went – taking the D train from Brooklyn to the Upper West Side to the hospital. We had bonded, we had survived, and we ventured new ground as a team together. Now we were just 2 Grandpas on a train – leaving the Prince in good hands as we are off to see the Princess.