Published: March 17, 2009 10:30 am      

Hey I'm a grandma!

I now understand what all the other grandparents out there have been telling me about the joys of becoming a grandparent.

Christopher, my 23-year-old, has made me a grandmother, and it's great!

Jayden Michael Culli was born at 6:47 p.m. Friday, March 13, 2009, at Carbondale Memorial Hospital. He weighed 6 pounds, 11.2 ounces and was 20 inches long, healthy and has a head of dark hair, which he has to get from his proud mommy, Brittany, since Christopher was a bald baby. (Chris will hate that I told the whole world that!)

Of course, I'm one proud grandma, going around showing off pictures, even putting city finance director Merle Hollmann to shame! Merle gets teased on a consist basis about showing off precious pictures of his new granddaughter, Catherine. I'll be taking my pictures over to his office later today.

Baby and mommy are well, and got to go home on Saturday. Dad is proud and says he will hold the baby as much as he can. We'll see about how long that one lasts when the sleep deprivation sets in!

My younger son, Caleb, is almost as proud, announcing to everyone he meets that he's an uncle. He wanted to know as soon as Jayden was born and wanted to see pictures — lots of pictures. Caleb hasn't gotten to hold the baby yet, which is a bit of a bummer for him. Caleb and I were planning on visiting the new family on Sunday, but Caleb got sick and I didn't want the baby exposed to the germs. So, Caleb has to wait another week before seeing his nephew.

So, if you see me out and about, I'm sure to have a picture or two I'll be more than happy to share — just ask!