We are all waiting, although some of us are waiting perhaps more impatiently (and definitely more uncomfortably) than others. My lovely daughter (isn’t she beautiful?!) is stuck in the city, within reach of her midwife and her hospital, during the middle of a prolonged patch of heat. There has been no rain here for weeks (as you can see by the state of the lawn at my daughter’s place) and temperatures have been in the mid to high 20s.
Meanwhile, we have been “stuck” on our little island, hosting our other kids in sequence. Oldest daughter last weekend, granddaughter all week, youngest daughter and crew this long weekend, son and daughter-in-law next weekend, and a two-week baby-sitting gig at the end of the month. I love having them all here on the island (although, yes, I do start finding quiet places to hide out). But I’m feeling the cord to this one above tugging and tugging. She’s well supported by her partner, though, and there’s not much I can do but wait. At some point in the next few days or weeks, one more series of miraculous transformations will begin: that gorgeous bump will reveal itself as a whole tiny person; my daughter will become a mother; her partner will become a father; the three of them will become a family, and so it will go. Amazing.
In the meantime, while I’m waiting, I try not to text too often. She’s not one for chatting on the phone to mom, that girl, so the photo, attached to a phone text the other day, was very welcome and much appreciated.
I can’t do much to ease her waiting, but I do try to ease my own impatience. This weekend’s attempt? Took advantage of another daughter’s skills (she’s a Registered Massage Therapist) in the sunshine, then soaked it all out in the ocean afterward.
Rhiannon, wish you could have been here. . . I am so looking forward to meeting you as a mother. I suspect you’re nervous about the whole gig, but your sensitivity, tenacity, intelligence, loyalty, commitment, and fiercely loving nature are going to show themselves in a rich new light, very soon. I’ll be here, waiting, to welcome you to the club. Love, Mom . . .
August seems to be a waiting month. A tiny new addition to the family is indeed worth the wait! Babies really do redefine everyone's role. The sunshine and a massage by the sea perhaps make the waiting a little easier. Happy B.C Day.
Hope you enjoyed the BC Day weekend as well — wasn't the weather perfect?!
Perhaps as we speak. Here's to mother and babe, whenever it chooses to make its way to the waiting world:).
I don't like to emphasize it, but I was late every time, from 9 to 22 days! Crossing my fingers she won't be. . .
It was exactly this time last year that we began to get impatient, waiting for wee Theresa. It's a very special time – hard to explain, that feeling of 'limbo'.
A massage by the sea from one's own daughter must be one of the loveliest things!
Here's to a safe arrival!
It's anxiety-tinged, there's no denial, but so much hope and promise in the anticipation.
And yes, it's entirely lovely, a massage at the hands of one's own child, and even more so in one's own yard, beside the sea. . . .
The very best kind of anticipation! (Except for mom-to-be, I'm sure.) Before you know it you'll be sharing pics of the new babe.
Yeah, I think mom's not enjoying it too much. . . But it's all exciting, and I'll be sure to share a picture or two once baby arrives.
Mater, goodness. Your final paragraph is beautiful. I will be watching out for the news and the new arrival.
Thanks, MB, it was certainly written from much emotion. . .
I love this whole post! And that photo of you getting a massage is awesome.
IKR! I insisted my husband go grab the camera because otherwise, who'd believe the luscious goodness of it all!
I hope it all goes well for your daughter. I still remember that time of waiting it out and beginning to think the baby will always be there and you will always be huge, and then the change and all the joy of a new person in the family.
With our eldest, I remember looking at a table that laid out stats for likelihood of delivery at Week 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, etc. Of course, the likelihood peaked at Week 40, but then began to drop off. And it was easy enough to think that the chances of delivery dwindled to nothing as I moved into Week 42. Despair . . . 😉