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Heading to the hospital,excitedly telling Mr. Lincoln that we would talk every hour or so as the day progressed. He says he doesn't know who is more excited, me or MP. I said, "are you kidding? Me, of course. She's about to go through lots of pain. I'm just going to sit there and wait." Seriously, it is so much harder to watch those you love in pain than to be in pain, but it had been agreed upon that I would not be in the labor and delivery, which suited me perfectly.
Not rushing, thinking there is plenty of time, but thrilled to get a great parking space in Vanderbilt's garage.
Getting no reply after texting Josh, as MP said I should do, to find out where they were.
Guest services knew.
Calling cell phones, no answer, waiting, waiting, waiting...about 15 minutes...phone rings, it's Josh, "it's a boy. Mother and baby are doing fine!" My reply, "Come on Josh, that's not funny...who's that crying in the background?" Speaking with MP briefly, Mr. Lincoln beeping in, I tell him, "He's here." He replies, "who's here?" THE BABY...it's a boy...Simeon Paschal. Several Keystone Cop-esque moments.
Josh, grinning from ear to ear. Big hug. I get to see Simeon for the first time. Oh, man, he's beautiful, but then I realize I would not know if he isn't...but, he is. "Look at all that dark hair."
Watching MP sort of shake all over. "It's normal," says the nurse. "I know," I think, but I don't like it. Seriously, did I really ask her if she wanted another blanket like 10 times? Yep. One just cannot squelch the mama syndrome.
Nunny and Doree, thrilled. Doree cries. I wish I could do that more easily. Nunny holding her 9th great grandchild. She has 2 more on the way. What a full life she has. Is it because she is so lovely?
Mr. Lincoln comes. More ear to ear grins. He sits and rocks the baby telling Simeon that he really should share some of that hair with his grandfather who is probably going to be called The Fizzler. I know, it's a long story.
Walking back into the room with antibacterial foam all over my face and in my hair. I don't think I used that little canister outside the door correctly. I am still a bit dismayed that no one in the family seemed at all surprised.
Marshall calling, trying to find us. Apparently, I failed to mention one step in the directions, so he found himself wandering through the parking lot.
Uncle Marshall (Marshie), getting enough foam to pretty much cover his whole body. He looked like he was preparing for surgery.
Simeon, so comfortable in Uncle Marshie's arms. That man is perfectly designed to make a baby feel safe and comfortable.
Josh, over and over telling MP what a great job she did. Even though she was in labor at the hospital less than an hour, they had a few scary moments there. It helps to speak it aloud.
Beautiful Aunt She She (Sheri) arrives. She looks great holding a baby. Of course, she's full of questions, for Lord willing, we will be right back there in about three months welcoming Max to the world. The nurse asked her if she was from Italy.
Is there anything more calming than a baby resting on your chest? It is better than a sleeping pill.
MP taking a recommended walk around the halls as I push Simeon in his bassinet. I feel like Rhett Butler and Scarlett as they pushed Bonnie in her perambulator through Atlanta, "well, hello Mrs. Mead, and how are you this beautiful morning?" I have an active imagination.
After a couple hours away, Josh returns. His parents are coming soon. They need time together, so I head home. Well, I try to head home. Finding my car in that perfectly wonderful parking space is becoming a trial. "Can you help me find my car," I ask. Thank goodness for the valet workers in the red coats with good directions. Finally, I find my car.
A stop at Nordstrom to buy an outfit that MP and I had seen the day before. Every single person in Nordstrom knew that I had a new grandson. Oh, dear, I'm going to be THAT kind of grandmother, huh?
I'm exhausted. You would think I had given birth on this day.
Friday morning, I cannot wait to get to the hospital. MP calls and wants me to come and watch Simeon so she can shower. On my way!!
You can't say I don't learn from my mistakes. I used valet parking today. I only made 2 wrong turns in the garage before I found valet parking. That's a record.
MP's hospital room smells wonderful, Pantene shampoo, like her. Even the nurses comment on it.
Simeon had his circumcision this morning. He's in the nursery. Please bring the baby back.
Yep, as I suspected. He's still beautiful.
The Fizzler arrives with cupcakes.
I walk to the Courtyard Cafe for some tea and lemonade (gave up Diet Coke for Lent). It seems the Courtyard Cafe is on the other side of Egypt. I arrive. Is there a door? Are there two doors? How do I get in??? Oh, this must be it. I wander around, buy a sticky bun (no, it did not ruin my appetite for a cupcake), get the drinks, try to find the door. It must be over here. Nope. Maybe here. Nope. It is hard to look cool leaving a cafe walking back and forth and in circles. Finally, the door. Now, which way to go. Of course, I chose poorly the first time, but it was only a few miles down that corridor before I realized I was headed in the wrong direction. Upon my return to MP's room, I made her and Mr. Lincoln promise to not let me leave again.
Visitors arrive. Brilliant visitors who could write a book on hospital visits. They oohed and aahed, rocked Simeon, spoke of his beauty, stayed about 10 minutes and left. Again, they could write a book.
Simeon needs his diaper changed. Josh and I are in charge. Special instructions to take care of the circumcision. Why will that vaseline not come out of the tube? I'm sweating, Simeon is crying, Josh is fumbling, I cannot see the velcro thing on the diaper (I used cloth diapers where you just stick yourself with the pin and leave blood drops on the outside of the diaper), I'm thinking Josh is never going to let this baby stay with me, the job is completed. Whew!
The weather is growing threatening. Nothing on TV but weather reports. The storm of the century is coming. We can see things blowing around outside the window. Marshall texts me, "TWC just said 90% chance of a whirlydoomstorm in Nashville." The boy can coin a phrase.
Josh's parents arrive with a stack of clothes for Simeon that they purchased at the OC consignment sale. The boy will not lack for clothes. I suspect Max will wear some of them too. So sweet of them.
Mr. Lincoln calls and says, "either get home or stay put, but there is a storm coming." Josh and his parents need time together with Simeon, so I go home.
Found my car, thank you very much!
Marshall calls. We talk for over an hour. I love him. He is very wise about so many things. We are planning a great treehouse/clubhouse in Mellie's backyard for Simeon and Max. I'm like a 3 year old who has a new sibling. I'm ready to play!!
Mr. Lincoln and I hunker down. We have about 10 hail stones and 4 raindrops. The whirlydoomstorm fizzled out. We are not disappointed.
We clean out the closet in MP's old room. Why tonight? I do not know. I am sorting through her pictures and cards and stupidly long and boring letters I wrote her when she was at UGA. Mr. Lincoln brings out a little wicker bassinet that was given to me when MP was born. I burst into tears. There we go...all that emotion of the past two days needed to go somewhere. I wondered when it would bubble up.
I shall wait until this afternoon to see Simeon, MP and Josh. They are headed home from the hospital, and I want to be sure that Josh's parents get all the time they can before they fly back to Texas. I know it will be really hard for them.
The Lord has blessed us with more than we could have hoped or imagined. I intend to enjoy every single moment.
So for today, I wish you joyful moments, babies in your life, family, more than you hope or imagine, and I wish you
blessings
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