Or better yet, I SHOULD say that our whole family has a new
little man in our lives! That’s right… Baby S has made his debut, and every one
of us is thrilled!
Jacob (Jakey) (JJ) (You name it...)
Here’s how it all happened…
Since many miles divide us, Todd and I had sat down with
Megan and Joe over the weekend of the baby shower. We asked them directly how
they’d like all of this to play out, and when we should plan to make our pilgrimage
to the east. Once we all got to voice that we wished the whole situation was
different, we accepted the fact that it’s not, and decided how to proceed from
there. Since Joe had time off from work for family leave, the kids decided
to use that time to go home from the hospital and get used to their new
big/little reality. They asked if we could come out to Connecticut You just never know, you know?
It was pre-determined that the baby’s birthday would be July
15 – about a week before his actual due date. It was a crazy thing
because on the morning that Megan and Joe reported in at the hospital for her
surgery, Megan felt that she was already having contractions, about 8 minutes
apart. We all concur that indeed, the 15th was to be his birthday
one way or another.
Joe was able to be part of the delivery. He sat alongside
Megan and talked with her, supporting her as only a best friend can… and these
two are definitely best friends. The doctor pronounced “It’s a boy!” and the
two felt so happy. As she was wheeled off to recovery, Joe watched as they
washed, weighed and measured his baby son. What a feeling!
Joe kept us in the loop with messages and pictures of their
new addition. My immediate first impression was that the baby looked like him. Finally
we got the news we’d been waiting for… Megan
was recovering well and the baby seemed to be healthy and happy. (Tears)
(Praise God!) They proudly announced that Jacob Joseph was here,
weighing in at 7 pounds, 1 ounce, and measuring in at a whompin’ 20 inches.
We’d played a baby name game at her shower, and each guest
announced their favorites. Afterwards, I
asked her if she’d heard the name that she and Joe had chosen, but she said
“No.” This surprised me since quite a few solid names were shared. She and Joe
picked one they felt was strong, and one that worked well with their lengthy
German last name. I think they did a great job. Jacob… my new favorite name!
Todd was at work, but we talked on the phone and
congratulated each other about being grandma and grandpa. We planned to
celebrate later when he got home. Tony and Lesleigh, who happened to be in
town, and happened to be staying at our house that day, congratulated me and each
other, all sharing in Megan and Joe’s wonderful news together.
I spoke with Megan on the phone from her hospital room and
she sounded good. From a thousand miles away, it isn’t always easy to assess
emotion or what the two might want or need; but she clearly sounded good that
day. Anyone who’s had a baby knows all of the mixed feelings that pump
through new parents; but I must say she sounded upbeat.
Later that night, Joe set up Skype from their hospital room.
Since Tony & Les were here, the six of us (excuse me, SEVEN of us) gathered
around and were able to see each other and exchange the priceless experience.
Through all of the distance, we were able to see the new baby in his mother’s
arms, witness the kids’ smiles at each other, watch them place tiny kisses on
the baby’s soft head, hear their birthing experience and watch them as they
told it. My oh my, how technology can be a gift…!
Skype session from the hospital - Amazing!
I’ll be honest – it’s hard having this new grandma title,
without being able to hold the baby. But as everyone around me keeps saying,
“Soon – you’re going to be there soon…” Soooo…. for now we text, and skype, and
chat on the phone a bit -- not a lot of time for that, after all,
rumor has it that babies are life changing and take a lot of adult time and
attention! Oh man, how exciting! The next generation begins…
Baby Jacob has brought new experiences to us all so far. Obviously, Megan and Joe have never been parents before. Todd
and I have never been grandparents before, and Tony and Lesleigh have never
been uncle and aunt before. It’ll be fun for us all to try out our new roles on
this lil guy, and we’re all ready to meet him up close and personally.
Until then, thank God for FaceTime. (Seriously!) :)
Katie Kolberg Memmel is the author of "Five Fingers, Ten Toes - A Mother's Story of Raising a Child Born with a Limb Difference." For more information, visit her website at www.katiekolbergmemmel.com
