I am officially a grandma, a gigi, a granny, a NANA to a perfect little girl named Tiana. She came into the world on July 29, 2025 and my heart is bursting with love for her because, if you didn’t catch it the first time, SHE’S PERFECT.

Chubby cheeks, long legs. a head full of hair, and the sweetest little face I’ve ever seen. Let ME tell it, it’s my son’s face. Of course they change everyday, but when I look at her, I see Gavin… that could just be the bias. Or it could be that I’ll always naturally see him when I look at Tiana.

I feel like I’ve been hoping and waiting for YEEEEEEEEARS to be able to claim the title of grandma after hearing so many friends, coworkers, and family talk about how life-changing it is and totally different from what you feel as a parent.

Now, I can see what they mean. And I love it here!

That’s the best of times.

Tiana was four days old yesterday.

It was also the worst of times.

My mother-in-law passed away.

In the midst of something so wonderful, there’s this loss and navigating how it will affect everyone. She wasn’t in the best of health (she had been managing illness and was in the hospital), but she seemed to be improving and on the road to going home. Instead, she died in her sleep.

Life’s juxtaposition of circumstances can be beautiful sometimes, and cruel others. This time it was both all at once.

Rest peacefully, Mama B.