Today we have a very special occasion - nana and papa have written down their memories of becoming grandparents for the first time and being with us for the first six weeks of Daniel's life.
It was such a sweet time with them here - cuddling and loving Daniel, singing to him, playing with him, cooing over him in wonder and amazement, encouraging us through the struggles as first-time parents, helping with housework. We miss them so much and can't wait for the next time we see them!
It was such a sweet time with them here - cuddling and loving Daniel, singing to him, playing with him, cooing over him in wonder and amazement, encouraging us through the struggles as first-time parents, helping with housework. We miss them so much and can't wait for the next time we see them!
There is nothing like being a grandparent !
A few years ago, a friend of mine, who herself had
just become a first time
grandparent said to me “Being a grandparent is like falling in love all over again”. How strange, I thought, what a funny
thing to say. I had no idea what
she really meant.
Well, now I know and it is utterly wonderful!
We arrived at the hospital early evening after
Daniel had just been born, and
waited in the corridor with anticipation. Suddenly this little troop
appeared through the double doors along from the delivery suite. And there was
Agnese in front, being pushed in a wheelchair by a nurse with Neil behind, proudly pushing this little transparent cot along the
corridor with our new little grandson inside.
What joy!
We peered carefully into the little cot and that was our first sight of
Daniel. Love at first sight or
what!
We were so proud of Neil and Agnese and I felt so
tenderly towards them, in their now new life of being parents and all that
would mean.
This was now a completely new world to all of
us. When they were finally settled
in their room, we were allowed in to fully admire and congratulate them afresh.
Agnese was reclining on the bed, clutching Daniel on her chest where he was
safe and cosy and exclaiming “I have a baby”. I remember the lady with the tea trolley arriving and
offering Agnese some refreshment and also offering cake. How I laughed, when Agnese said
incredulously “You have Cake?”
Having been denied sweet treats for so long during her pregnancy due to
gestational diabetes, Agnese was now set free to enjoy the forbidden fruit!
Later on, Neil said to me “Come on Mum, you can
change Daniel’s nappy.” I was
taken completely by surprise and felt completely out of my depth – it had been
a long while since I had done this and Daniel was so little and helpless. I fumbled my way through and I
think Neil had to take over. Neil was so competent and I was very proud
of him.
Well after a whirlwind week of visiting Agnese in
the hospital and getting to know our little grandson, it was time for Agnese
and Daniel to come home. We waited expectantly for Neil to arrive
home bringing his new family back in the car and Papa went out to bring Daniel
into the house via his little car seat, where he looked so tiny in comparison
to this big encasement that he was in !
The next five weeks were a learning curve to us all
and what challenges and fun it brought. The first time and many times after, as we changed
Daniel he would repeatedly spray a fountain into the air (as we whooped with
surprise and laughter), often wetting the fresh nappy about to be put on! Then
there were the times his yellow poo leaked out of his nappy on to our laps as
we were cuddling him and admiring him.
I busied myself reading Agnese’s books about
breastfeeding and learnt so much, far more than I ever knew when feeding my own
children. It was fascinating and I
am amazed at how God has made us women and designed us to feed our
children. I learned about the composition
of the milk to feed the baby as it grows and how the milk changes to nourish
the little one and so much more.
Agnese and I would have chats and share information with each
other. It was all so absorbing.
I remember the first time Daniel smiled (about 5
weeks), which I was longing for before we had to leave to come back home to the
U.K. Agnese was holding Daniel on
her lap and I was peering over her shoulder and we were continually coaxing him
to smile. All of a sudden he
smiled and Agnese and I were taken completely by surprise and whooped in glee –
this of course startled Daniel and he did not look so happy then!
Oh my, how the weeks flew whilst we were there and
it was soon time for us to come home.
We so enjoyed the privilege and joy of being there for his birth and we
continually thank the Lord for him.
Agnese and Neil continue to send us little videos
and photos of him almost daily and we so look forward to them and play them
over and over, until I know exactly what he is about to do next !
Being grandparents is the best!
1 comment:
I remember that moment when I was being pushed in the wheelchair and seeing you sitting in the lounge and patiently waiting. I had an overwhelming urge to cry tears of happiness. I didn't have that when Daniel was first born as I was so focused on the mechanics of everything that was happening around. But at that moment, seeing you guys there, I was filled with so much happiness that we've given you a grandson and that God has given us all a healthy baby boy and that we are all together in this moment :)
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