Grandma Time

            One of the best things about having a baby is that my mom comes and stays with me. Those few days that I have with her are days that I will always treasure. I took a pre-natal class before I had my first baby, and every time I have a baby, I have to watch educational videos at the hospital, but it is from my mom that I have learned the most about how to really care for a baby. I learned that when a baby is crying sometimes he likes to be wrapped up tight, and other times he just wants his clothes off! She has taught me to cuddle a baby and smother his fuzzy head with kisses and rub his back. My mom has given all my kids their first bath. It is her assignment from me because I am not very good at it, and I have an umbilical cord phobia. :) My mom talks to the baby as she washes them and keeps them warm with a towel. Then she covers them in lotion. It is a beautiful sight. It was almost Christmas Eve before we got home from the hospital after having Greyson. With all the partying going on that week, I had decided that my mom would not have time to come give my baby his first bath. But the day after Christmas, even though I knew she was tired and had a house to clean from having company, she called me up and said she was coming. Greyson didn’t cry at all when my mom gave him his bath. He just looked at her, and that is when she told me about this poem. She said that whenever she looked at new babies, she wondered what they would tell us if only they could talk.

Day Old Child

My day old child lay in my arms,

With my lips against his ear.

I whispered strongly, "How I wish--

I wish that you could hear,

"I've a hundred wonderful things to say,

(a tiny cough and a nod),

hurry, hurry, hurry and grow

So I can tell you about God."

My day-old baby's mouth was still

And my words only tickled his ear,

But a kind of light passed through his eyes,

And I saw this thought appear:

"How I wish I had a voice and words,

I've a hundred things to say.

Before I forget, I'd tell you of God --

I left Him yesterday."

--Carol Lynn Pearson

Baby!

Another labor story . . .

            My baby is 5 weeks old! Everyone says that babies grow up and change so quickly, but I feel like I’ve had this one forever! When exactly was the last time I slept for more than 2 hours in a row?! Greyson likes to cuddle, and he likes to eat, and he likes to sleep (play dead) during the day when his siblings are awake and can torment him.

            During my whole pregnancy, I prayed that the baby would be born at the right time. So I have to believe that we made the right decision to be induced on December 22^nd. I went in to the hospital at 6:00 a.m. and was started at 7. I have always prided myself on having the will-power to wait until I was dilated to a 6 before getting an epideral. Finally, at 11:30, I was in a lot of pain and called the nurse because I was sure I was atleast at a 6 by then. I was at a 3. I got the epideral anyway and decided the heck with will-power. Nate was getting hungry and decided to go get some lunch since things were going rather slowly. When he got back at 12:30, he met the doctor rushing in the door. Nurses were bustling around getting things ready—I was at a 10! Greyson was born at 12:51. The doctor layed him on my chest, and I started to cry. He was perfect. I have had 5 children, but I am always amazed at the miracle of birth. His was big, 8 pounds and nine ounces and his shoulders were huge—I felt that before I saw him. :) It was a busy couple of days at the hospital, and it was our 5^th baby, so the nurses left us alone for the time we were there.

            The recovery has been difficult. I had a bladder infection that wouldn’t go away as well as mastitis. I go crazy sometimes because I feel like I am not accomplishing anything because all I do all day is feed, change, and protect the baby! But it is also so good to sit and hold the baby and enjoy him. It is good to be forced to slow down. I also love watching my kids with the baby. They all loved him immediately. Someone told me that whenever there is contention in their house, they just have the ones involved in the contention hold the baby, and suddenly, everyone is calm. What a great gift to give to your children—a sibling! Someone to love and care for!