My granddaughter at 10 days old.
THERE IS A SIDE TO GRANDPARENTING I never considered. And that is the joy of watching my husband in the role of grandpa. Randy holds his little Isabelle with such gentleness, cradling her in his arms like the precious baby girl she is to all of us.
Grandfather and granddaughter.
He is a man who works with his hands—pounding, fixing, drilling—as an automotive machinist. Oil and grease stain his skin and rim his fingernails. He works hard. But those same strong, rough hands wrap a swaddle cloth around Izzy and tuck in her bare feet as he gazes at her with such tenderness that my heart aches.
Two generations connecting.
And then at one point, this 10-day-old baby reflexively wraps her tiny hand around her grandpa’s right thumb. A kiss before she can kiss him. Love so sweet, so beautiful, between a grandfather and his newborn granddaughter.
© Copyright 2016 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Ah! Makes my heart melt. She is beautiful and the photos are ‘just right.’ And – we have another share, my Izzie, Isabella, turned 13 last week.
Oh, the joys of your Izzie/Isabella and my Izzy/Isabelle. This grandmothering gig is pretty sweet.
That little photo of the hands is one for the wall isn’t it. Beautiful. c
Thank you. When I saw Izzy’s tiny hand wrapped around her grandpa’s thumb, I knew it was a moment to capture with my camera.
*sigh*
Such tenderness.
Beautiful
Thank you, Marney.
The joy! Just when you think you can never love another human being as much as your children, along comes a grandchild. Also take note, if you thought your kids grew up too fast, hang on to your hat, this goes even faster!
Your second sentence summarizes well my thoughts.
Please don’t tell me grandbabies grow up even faster than our kids…
Awwwwwwwwww,
She is amazing, Audrey.
God is amazing, isn’t HE? xxxx
Yes, she is. And, yes, He is.
Isabella is beautiful! What a wonderful picture you captured.
Thank you cousin Bev. Isabelle is definitely a keeper.
Precious!!
Agreed.
OK, I actually cried! I never thought I’d see an “adorable” side to Randy, but now I see he has hidden treasures under that outer layer. Isn’t it wonderful to watch our husbands grow more understanding, loving, and “complete” with age? These Helbling men are truly a gift from God.
It’s there, always has been…this side of him. The grandpa part has been lying dormant, just waiting for this moment. I am blessed.
Ahhhh – you can just feel the LOVE in your Beautiful Captures of Grandpa and Granddaughter – she is going to have him wrapped around her little finger – ha! I enjoy seeing my nephews interact with their grandparents since I have no children of my own to share with my parents. There is just a unique bond between them and I am lucky in the special bond I have with my nephews too. LOVE SWEET LOVE 🙂 Happy Day – Enjoy!
That would have been a good head: Wrapped around her little finger.
I’m so glad you have that special bond with your nephews. What a wonderful aunt you are, Renee.
The last one will be an adult next month – turning 18 and graduating from High School at the end of May. He came into my life when he was about 4 I think. How do they grow up so fast?!? Especially when they are tiny they change day to day if not hour to hour.
How do they grow up so fast? That is a good question.
Oh! Congratulations to you and your family on this new little person who is so, so sweet. These photos are beautiful!
Thank you, Kathleen.
Nothing melts a grandpa’s heart like a wee little girl.
I can tell your comment is written from experience.
She is beautiful Congratulations. As you already know, it gets better and better from here and yes the time goes by just as fast as it did with our own children.
Thank you, Cheryl. I like the sound of “better and better.”
Audrey, that picture of grandpa, and granddaughter is precious. I had 4 girls, and I have pictures of my dad with theses babies. One in particular, is one I will always treasure. He was looking at her with such love and wonder. He always had room in his heart for one more. Love knows no bounds with our love for our grand babies. Yes, they do grow up too fast. She is beautiful.
Ah, Norma, your #17 great granddaughter is, indeed, beautiful.
What a treasure are those photos of your dad holding your babies. I will try to get some photos of your son with his granddaughter when he arrives in a few weeks.
One word comes to mind……………….”Precious”……………………..
I’m good with that word.
‘Nuthin’ softens up a tough man’s heart, like a purty lil girl..’ What a nice picture.
Thank you, Jake.
Such a sweet hand shot, grandpa and his little girl, oh it’s just beginning. Looking forward to future posts of your sweet izzy as she grows…. they are just so special, those grand babies!
Thank you, Jackie. I’m pretty certain that hand shot will always be a favorite of mine.
Aw, such sweetness. My dad was a mechanic and your description of Randy’s work and his hands reminds me of my own fondness for the smell of oil and grease. Perhaps Isabelle will love the smell of Grandpa – it’s a unique scent after all! 😀
Oh, I think you are right. Isabelle is already in love with her grandpa. I can see it.
Awe!!! So sweet. Nothing like a man with a newborn baby
Yup.
What a lovely tribute to your husband. It was a very sweet and moving written piece with few words but your photos said it all. . .
Thank you. I also just wrote a poem about Randy, inspired by a photo that’s part of the Image and the Word exhibit at the Emmy Frentz Gallery in Mankato. The opening reception was last evening. I have four poems in the show.
Audrey, it makes me cry it is so beautful.
Ah, Dee…
Finally getting around to leaving comments—I had read your posts but hadn’t had time to leave comments. This is my favorite post this week , of course. Beautiful pictures and beautiful moments captured. She is such a precious little bundle and Randy’s love shines in all of these pictures. Great job capturing those moments forever.
Thank you, Beth Ann. Thank you.
Wonderful post Audrey, it brought a tear to my eye. My big brother always had a soft spot for his kids, he’ll give little Izzy lots of love. Great photos, can’t wait until we get to experience as well. It was great to see you all for a short time that day.
Thank you, Rosie. I’m excited for you also to experience grandparenting. Not long now…
And, yes, it was great to see you also.
The photo of the hands is beautiful, amazing. It’s trust, love, security without a word being spoken. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you, Carol.