Happy Grandparents Day!!!

Part 1

AHHHHHH!!!   Those words have never been truer for me than they are today!   The way I am feeling today, I think these words could work any day of the year for me!!

By now, most of you know I AM OFFICIALLY A GRANDMA…I can now use my Grandma name, CeCe!!  I have been with Katie almost non-stop since Thursday afternoon, when her labor began slowly.   To try and recount this story in one blogpost would be the end of my blogging career, however, I can try to share what these past few days have been like.   I plan to devote today and Wednesday to this real life experience…Pardon me if I ramble!   If you aren’t a fan of this type of thing, I get it!   I won’t be offended!

After arriving in Pittsburgh on Thursday afternoon, the reality that I would soon be a grandma was crazy!   Katie was taking it in stride, about every ten minutes when those lovely pains would pass through.   She and I tried to keep ourselves busy and even ventured out for a little shopping!   I may have been a little nervous about being out and about, but she was interested in moving and staying busy!  

We took food home for dinner and slowly, the pains started to become more intense.   They were not really getting any closer and the code for calling the doctor was her water breaking, or contractions that were in the 5-1-1 range…Five minutes apart, one minute in duration, and for one hour.   The night seemed to drag on but it became apparent that there was not going to be a baby on September 5.  

Katie and I continued the “watch” while Anthony got a little sleep.   Finally, we determined that although we weren’t at 5-1-1, we need to speak to someone.   After a quick call to the doctor (around 1am), we sprung into action and we were out the door around 1:45am.  

They got checked in and headed to the appropriate floor, while I waited for Greg who was at a nearby hotel.   We waited in the family waiting area for nearly 4 hours while they were in triage.  

INSERT THE PERSONAL REFLECTIONS OF A DIVORCED COUPLE!   I have worried about this day and how things would be when our only child would have a baby.   I didn’t want it to be awkward for her to see her parents together.   I didn’t know how it would feel to be in close quarters of a waiting room with my “ex-husband.”  I didn’t know if I could pull it off.   But I did know that the joy of welcoming our grandchild would be so overwhelming.  I was certain that any difficulties would be over-shadowed with this joy…or at least I was going to channel it when I needed it!!

I would like to say, these last few days have been really good.   I know many will not understand or appreciate the ability to manage through this in a fairly new divorce situation, but I can safely say, it was real.   As predicted, the joy of seeing our first grandchild was the connection we needed.   As my counselor has said, the anticipation is often worse than the reality.   So true.   This weekend has given me the reassurance to know that it will not always be easy, but it can happen.

Now, back to the story!   It was a long day for all of us, but especially Katie.   As you know, hospital staff come in and out of the room all day and this was no exception.   She was kept comfortable, thanks to the epidural, and completely surrounded by pillows.   Every once in awhile, the doctor would check her to see how close she was to being able to push.   I gotta say, it was not moving overly quick, but there was progress.  

Then, there was pressure…lots of pressure and soon, some concerns about her blood pressure dropping and the baby’s heart beat slowing.   No one sent out an alarm, just calmly gathering a group of staff who were determining the cause.  

The bottom line, this baby was “sunny side up!” and needed to be face down for delivery.   They turned the baby a couple of times, but it didn’t stick.  

Fast forward to “TIME TO PUSH!”   Grandparents were asked to leave the room and soon, it was just Katie, Anthony, doctor, nurses, and Katie’s doula.  (support person – not a midwife..more on that later)   We waited anxiously in a family waiting room nearby.  

For two hours, there were people going in and out of the room, and no one would give us an update.   I know with the HIPPA laws, there is limited info to give, but it became a little frustrating.   We had been there since 2am, and the pushing had started at 2pm.   Soon…it was going on 4pm.  

The large digital sign outside of her room was a constant reminder of the time and Lordy…it was moving at a snail’s pace.   Finally, the doula came out and shared that Katie was doing great, it was just taking time because that little baby kept rolling back into “sunny side up” position.  

Then, we heard crying!   It was a loud, consistent cry from a very small person!   WE HAD A BABY!!!

We waited outside of the door, trying to hear anything…finally the nurse who had been with Katie all day, came out and said, “She did great!”   We burst into tears and waited  for Anthony to come out and share the news with us.  

It’s all kind of a blur, but Anthony opened the door, looked at us and said, “We’re going to have to try it again tomorrow!”   Yes, this is my son-in-law’s idea of humor!   I gave him “the look” and soon he shared what we had been waiting for “It’s a boy!”   We squealed…as you can imagine, and we asked his name, and like the most beautiful song I had ever heard, he said, GABRIEL ALEXANDER!   I’m not sure, but I think that is when I melted into one big puddle!  

I hugged Anthony and we sent him back into the room to be with his new son.   We have a grandson!  Anthony’s Mom, Greg and I all hugged and breathed a sigh of relief!   After another 90 minutes or so, we were able to enter and see the baby with our own eyes.   It was a moment I’ll never forget.   My first priority was to hug on my baby…She had a rough time, but she was my hero at that moment.   Seeing her holding her baby was really too much for me to bear!   I cry, even as I type this.  

We left shortly after our introduction to Gabriel and allowed them to re-group and prepare to move to their room.   It was our cue to grab a bite to eat and bring some food back for them.   Then, we would have our chance to hug on our newest family member.

I’ll stop here for now…there's so much more to say.   But I cannot see the screen anymore as I am crying my eyes out. 

I have a grandson, Gabriel, and my life is forever changed!   If you need a good cry, listen to this!   Welcome Home Beautiful Boy!!

https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcafee&p=beautiful+boy+by+john+lennon+video#id=1&vid=0a765fc859ec526f3a33bc27f76569bc&action=view