Happy New Year

The weather is cold and icy and I am in a reflection mood. My sweet daughter reminded me that I had not updated my blog...that she had gone to the trouble of giving birth....the equivalent of pushing a basketball through a paper towel roll....and I had yet to write about it! She is offended and is wondering just what she has to do to get a mention on the blog! Therefore this writing is dedicated to brave daughter number one and her sweet baby Emma.

New Years Eve was the most memorable new year of my life. Our Katie was scheduled to go in early the morning of the 31st to be induced. The baby was ready, she was ready....and it was a go! Amy and I were there for support. Charles was working and was to meet us at the hospital later that morning. Jim and Greg were home waiting for us to call them to tell them things were moving along...so they could move along too! Andy and his little family had the good sense to stay put at home and come at a later date. Their little one is only two and they understand the whole RSV/germ thing. Then....the hospital called and told us they were full... she would have to wait awhile. The tears came....Amy and I rushed in to assure her that it was all good and now that we were dressed and ready we could plan a fun day of shopping and lunch. Not exactly what Katie had in mind. Only when you are 9 months pregnant...fully loaded... do you desire and look forward with anticipation to pain. But no sooner had we cheered her up...than the hospital called again to tell her to gather her things and come on! Woo Hoo!

The hospital was just so nice. One could do some major shopping in their gift shop. Her room was large and the nurses were just precious. She was assigned one nurse that took care of her exclusively. I don't remember much about the day except that it was happy and really low key. Katie had an epidural so she wasn't in much pain. Charles was part concerned husband part interested doctor. He drifted between roles. He kept us well informed about all the machines and the procedures.

What I do remember is around 10:30 p.m. the doc came in and everything started to move in warp speed. It was clear things were happening. Katie had asked that Amy and I be able to stay for the delivery. I had given birth to three children and was wide awake during all three deliveries.....but I guess I was busy and didn't really pay attention. It was the first time I had witnessed a birth....and it was amazing. Katie was a trooper..... I was so proud of her. When little Emma's head appeared....her eyes were wide open and she blinked! It was unbelievable. What a miracle it all is....this miracle of birth! It takes your breath away... I could do little else but cry....tears of joy.....and of pride. Wasn't it just yesterday that they handed me a little girl with similar black hair? How could it be that my baby was now having a baby?

A few hectic days were then followed by a few quiet calm and restful days. I stayed with Katie and Emma. Charles went back to work....everyone returned to their busy lives. For three sacred days there was three generations of women folk just loving on each other. Mother, daughter... mother, daughter... grandmother, granddaughter. Katie realized for the first time how much I loved her. I watched her becoming a mother with all the instincts and love from her new mother heart. She was born for this role...and Miss Emma is a blessed little one.

Charles is over the moon in love. He realizes that not all deliveries are the same. The birth of his daughter was fairly textbook.....but really like no other! Heart strings and love do that to new parents. It is only just beginning for them. With each coo and crooked smile they will fall more deeply in love. Their lives will be forever changed by the smell of a sweet baby head...and that is a good...a very good thing. The layers of the sandwich are growing...multiplying! And...life has never been better!