April 27, 2011

In about 36 hours, I'll be able to hold my grandson for the first time.  He still hasn't made his appearance, and unless he does before 7:15 AM on April 27, he'll show up then or shortly after!  My gorgeous daughter-in-law is huge with child; being 4' 10" tall doesn't give the baby much room to grow but OUT FRONT!  How that girl manages to pick up a 21-month old and hold him over that large belly is beyond me!  But she does! 

I'm packing my overnight bag tonight; I'll be staying at my son's house in Raleigh Tuesday night so they can get to the hospital at 5:15 in the morning.  I'll take care of my two small grandsons for the day, getting to do what I can't do on a regular basis because I work full-time, but it will be a joy to do so.  Two little boys will be very surprised later in the day to see that their mother doesn't have a large belly any longer and that the baby brother they've been expecting has actually arrived.  The oldest, Niland, is 3 years and 9 months, so he'll be able to understand that much, but Benny, at 21 months, won't have a clue. 

Through the miracle of technology, I've already seen a photograph of my unborn grandson at 7 months gestation - a 3-D photograph of him in the womb which shows what he actually looks like!  Amazing!  But to be able to hold him and touch that newborn skin and smell his sweet baby smell will be heavenly.  After the loss of my oldest sister, the gift of new life is even more precious, profound and mysterious. 

Children are little bits of heaven wrapped in runny noses, dirty faces, slobbery kisses, and mighty hugs.  If you still have little ones in your house or life, don't wish them to grow up quickly.  It will happen all too soon.  I noticed my age typed on a prescription the other day - 61 - and it hit me that I'm really that old, but I don't know how it crept up on me.  When did I get to be 61 years old?  A new grandson, as with each grandchild my children have given to me, reminds me that life is fleeting, yet God knows the number of our days.

I'll post a photo of the new baby - who has yet to be named - as soon as I can find the time.  Please pray for a safe delivery by C-section on Wednesday, April 27.