Our Newest Valentine

This is what has my attention this weekend.

 

 

James was blessed with a full head of hair.

It's similar to the color of his Aunt Sara's hair.

James is three weeks old and almost 8 lbs. this Valentine's day weekend.

He wasn't due for nine more days, but he was eager to meet his family, so he poked his water sack and announced "I'm coming!" His parents had moved to a new home just hours earlier. They thought they'd have a month before James appeared, but I guess he didn't want to miss anything.

So, today we have a new Valentine to celebrate. He's sweeter than any box of chocolates.

In three weeks of being a Nana, here are some things I've learned.

1. Parents with thick, dark, abundantly curly hair can have a child with light, straight, silky hair. God loves to surprise us.

2. Things that seemed important before James arrived - like cooking and cleaning - are suddenly on the back burner.

3. Holding James makes me think of my parents (who are 95 an 92.) The age span and the contrast of new life to old - it's very philosophical.

4. Our son and daughter-in-law are naturals at caring for a newborn. I'm sure they have moments of being unsure, but they handle James with tender, unhurried confidence. It's a beautiful thing to witness.

5. Having a newborn in the NICU for a week allows the nurses to get Junior on a schedule. This has turned out to be very beneficial for James and his sleepy parents.

6.  I can't express how much I love and adore this little boy. It came immediately, like the rush of a waterfall. When I snuggle him close, the worries fade, and life is perfect. He is so tiny, yet brings big joy to my heart.

For Valentine's Day, my husband and I got each other the Willow Tree grandparents statues.

We are so grateful for the gift of James.

Baby James - a Month Early!

Hope everyone is having a good 2016!!!

Since Christmas, I've been wanting to spend some time blogging, but life has intervened. We've had a job loss, a move, a snow storm and THIS precious event...

Baby James arrived one month early!!!

By the hand of God, he was 6.15 lbs. upon arrival, so he was not in any danger, but he was wheeled into the NICU anyway, because, well...he was a month early! He spent five days there under a blue light with nurses getting him on a wonderful schedule, and his parents holding him whenever they could.

I WAS STUCK IN MARYLAND IN THE SNOW BLIZZARD!

I can smile about it now, but at the time...my heart was breaking because I so wanted to be here to see our first grandchild arrive. I figured traveling a month before James' due date to see my sister, I would be fine. James had other ideas. The best laid plans...

I met James the night I came home. We drove straight to the NICU from the airport, where I got to cry over this beautiful child with a full head of hair.  He was wrapped up like a burrito and as warm as a baked potato. I think he winked at me in our time together, but I'm not positive.

I looked at our son, who was now a father, through tears, and I cried as I embraced our daughter-in-law, who did a marvelous job of handling labor (she pushed for only about ten minutes before the boy was free - who gets that?!?)

I don't even have words to describe our love for this child, who is now home. Every grandparent knows the feeling. I'm now in the 'I'm nutty about my grandchild' club, and yes, you'll have to tolerate photos now and then of this sweet boy.

A side note - I had a great visit with my sister, even once the snow began. I've not seen snow like this in 25 years. It was beautiful, I must say. And we had fun digging out.

TWO CARS BURIED

MY FIRST MESSAGE TO JAMES FROM MARYLAND

It was an emotional week. The day James Daniel was born in sunny Florida, even the skies in Maryland celebrated, raining down two feet of angel flakes.

That's my story and I'm sticking with it.