In more ways than one, Kathie Lee Gifford has shown that she takes great pride in her role as a grandmother. On May 31, 2023, the American television presenter and actress who was born in France celebrated the first birthday of her grandson, Frank “Frankie” Michael Gifford, who was given the nickname “Frankie.” Frankie is the first kid that Gifford’s son Cody and Cody’s wife Erika have welcomed into the world. Gifford has been a doting father ever since Frankie was born a year ago, and he takes great pleasure in being in his company at all times. As a result, she used the occasion of his birthday as yet another chance to demonstrate how much she loved him.
Gifford had taken to Twitter some time before Frankie’s birth to post a video that she had filmed of events from Cody and Erika’s wedding. She proclaimed in the post’s caption that she was over a blue or pink moon and that she didn’t care whether they had a boy or a girl baby since she was over the moon. Gifford also praised God for the gift of a child and conveyed her gladness for her son and daughter-in-law as well as their family.
When Frankie was born, Gifford’s happiness was almost uncontainable. On June 6, 2022, she uploaded a video on her website in which she relived the moment she had her first encounter with the sweet infant. In the clip, the doting grandmother gently crooned to the infant Frankie as she gently rocked him to sleep while carrying him in her arms. She captioned the image with the following: “I finally got to meet the sweet little Frankie this weekend and the joy that filled my heart was indescribable!” I was unable to…
Grandma Gifford considers each and every minute she has had with Frankie to be a gift, and she can’t wait to spend more time with him in the future. Therefore, the wishes that she had for him on the occasion of his first birthday were an expression of her most heartfelt thoughts about him. Continue reading to find out more about Gifford and Frankie’s connection, as well as her touching birthday tribute to Frankie.
After Frankie was born, Gifford made an appearance on the Today Show and discussed becoming a grandmother and spending time with Frankie with Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager. Gifford’s appearance aired shortly after Frankie’s birth. During the course of the conversation, Gifford, who formerly co-hosted the program with Kotb for eleven years, said that she hopes her grandson would one day call her “Bubbie.”
Gifford has already discussed the origins of the name on the program, and she did so during one of her appearances. She said that her desire to be nicknamed Bubbie was sparked by the fact that her friend’s mother was Israeli. Gifford said that she had asked the lady what a suitable term for a Jewish grandmother was, and the woman had responded with “Bubbalah.” It’s your uncle Bubbie. In addition, Gifford disclosed that the name “Bubbie” might be translated as “dearest one” or “cherished one.” Gifford believed that it was only natural for Frankie, who is named after her late husband and NFL icon Frank Gifford, to call her Bubbie given that description. Frankie is named after Frank Gifford. She went on to say that
“And a little child will only respond with ‘Buh, buh, buh, buh, buh,’ whatever. I believe that it won’t be too difficult. Bubbie.”
Gifford went on to talk about her son’s desire to honor his late father by naming his kid Frankie after him. She confessed that it had taken her by surprise, but she could see how it made sense. The host of the TV show elaborated as follows:
“I was astonished that Cody named him after his dad because Cody understood what it was like to grow up in the shadow of a wonderful guy. I was surprised that Cody named him after his dad. But I believe he has never really gotten over, and he never will, the death of his father while he was still little since his father was his idol and he still is. ”
Gifford disclosed not just her favorite grandmother title but also Frankie’s name. She also said that her grandson came around three weeks earlier than expected. His grandmother said that Frankie was born exactly when God meant him to be, despite the fact that he arrived far earlier than expected.
Gifford’s life has been complete bliss ever since she became a grandmother and began sharing it with Frankie. In a conversation that took place on August 29, 2022 with Today Parents, Gifford said that each time spent with Frankie is a blessing. She also said that because of her affinity for infants, she had no doubt that she would fall in love with her grandson right away. She went on to say that
“But this is my son’s child — my husband’s son’s son’s child — it’s all such a beautiful tapestry of life and creation,” the speaker said.
Gifford has captured on camera many of the priceless moments she has had with Frankie. A video of him swinging in his chair while draped in a fluffy blanket with the words “I am loved,” a biblical scripture from Jeremiah, was posted on her website on August 5, 2022. Gifford posted the following in the caption of the post: “Happy FRANKIE FRIDAY!!”
On March 20, 2023, Erika uploaded a video to which Frankie could be seen giggling happily while his granny was singing to him and pounding on the table beside her. The photo was accompanied by a message written by Erika that said, “It’s been so so special for us 3 to have so much quality time with grandma lately.”
One year after Frankie’s birth, Gifford has no doubt had fun hanging out with his son throughout this last year. On the 31st of May, 2023, in honor of his birthday, she posted a current photograph of him smiling along with the caption: “Happy Birthday!” on her Instagram profile.
“I want to wish the cutest little boy in the whole wide world a happy birthday. So thankful to God for the privilege of having Frankie in our lives.
A good number of Gifford’s followers left comments on her post, raving over how cute Frankie is and how special his relationship is with his Bubbie. When Gifford’s daughter Cassidy and her husband Ben Wierda have their first child in June, many of Gifford’s admirers will get a double dose of cuteness. Cassidy is now pregnant, and Ben Wierda is Cassidy’s husband. There is no doubt that pleasant days are ahead.