The Dart: Vidalia family experiences joys of child

Published 12:01 am Monday, February 16, 2015

Jan Hancock, right, plays peekaboo with her granddaughter Annabeth Blanchard, 13-months, while her mother Mary Katherine Golden holds her. Golden is excited for the nicer weather that spring brings because it will give her and Blanchard a chance to get outside and play. (Sam Gause / The Natchez Democrat)

Jan Hancock, right, plays peekaboo with her granddaughter Annabeth Blanchard, 13-months, while her mother Mary Katherine Golden holds her. Golden is excited for the nicer weather that spring brings because it will give her and Blanchard a chance to get outside and play. (Sam Gause / The Natchez Democrat)

VIDALIA Mary Katherine Golden is constantly on her toes. But she has to be with her 1-year-old on the move.

When The Dart landed on Stuart Street in Vidalia, Golden and her daughter, Annabeth Blanchard, were playing in the front yard, and Blanchard was scurrying around.

“It was exciting,” said Golden of her daughter’s first steps. “We knew it was coming. She was crawling fast and standing up on things, just curious. She is around older kids at day care and she wants to keep up with them, too.”

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Blanchard’s excitement grew when her grandmother, Jan Hancock arrived.

Blanchard walks with the help of her mother. (Sam Gause / The Natchez Democrat)

Blanchard walks with the help of her mother. (Sam Gause / The Natchez Democrat)

The 1-year-old ran back and forth between mom and “Gran,” giggling and stumbling a few times.

“She fills my heart with joy,” Hancock said. “She is loads of fun. It is just different with grandchildren.”

For Golden, having Annabeth at this age has been the best experience.

“I thought I would miss her being a newborn, but this has been so much fun,” Golden said.

But her activities aren’t just limited to running left and right in the yard.

“She loves to dance and play peek-a-boo,” Golden said. “We also have a cat named Merlin and she likes to go up to him and yell, ‘Stop.’”

For Hancock, she is just like any grandmother, pulling out pictures of her granddaughter on any available occasion.

“You always hear people say, ‘Let me tell you about my grandchildren,’” she said. “It is different and wonderful all together.”

But the fun came to a halt, when little Annabeth ran out of gas and snuggled into her mother’s arms.

“I just have to be more aware of what she is doing and getting into now,” Golden said. “It’s not hectic, it is fun.”