Big News Comes in a Small Package

I have a granddaughter, born after an intense, amazing night — we joined the party about 3 am last night and I got to help as birth coach assistant to my SIL, Adam. A home birth — can’t imagine a more satisfactory labour or outcome. Baby joined the world just before 10 a.m. and weighed in shortly after at just over 7 pounds. Her name is being tested out for a day or two before being announced — Pater and I stayed to look after baby while new mom and dad napped a bit (after Pater cooked a big breakfast for everyone), but we came back to our apartment about an hour ago (it’s just 5 in the afternoon now), leaving them on their own as a new family. We’ve promised we’re only a phone call and a five-minute drive away, but they already seem competent, if a bit nervous. That will pass — they’ll be pros before the week’s out!

Pictures to follow. Sleep and food now.

28 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    24 November 2008 / 1:19 am

    This is so wonderful!!! Congratulations to you all. It sounds like the most beautiful experience and I cannot thank-you enough for sharing it.
    Welcome to the new baby, you have been born into the most lovely family, you lucky little thing!

  2. Miss Ripley
    24 November 2008 / 1:31 am

    I’m so pleased for all of you! Congratulations on becoming a grandmother! I think you’re right, they will make fantastic parents and will be more than competent in short order.

  3. Susan B
    24 November 2008 / 3:00 am

    Congratulations! I’m glad everything went to well and am looking forward to seeing pictures soon!

  4. Anonymous
    24 November 2008 / 4:36 am

    Félicitations aux nouveaux parents et bien sûr aux grands-parents aussi. Quelle joie, une nouvelle petite princesse. Bravo tous le monde! Vos lectrices attendent avec impatience des photos, ne nous oubliez pas!

    Orane

  5. Anonymous
    24 November 2008 / 7:24 am

    Congratulations to the new family! It sounds like an amazing experience, so wonderful that you could be there. Looking forward to seeing the photos. Patricia

  6. girlcook
    24 November 2008 / 7:50 am

    yay! grandma!!!

  7. Lesley
    24 November 2008 / 7:55 am

    Fabulous! Sounds like the ideal birth.

  8. Julianne
    24 November 2008 / 11:53 am

    Congratulations! I am so looking forward to this stage. I guess it will be a while, but I am already planning all the wonderful things we will do. Can’t wait to read of your new chapter in life.

  9. Duchesse
    24 November 2008 / 12:57 pm

    Such a beautiful way to receive your new granddaughter into the world. Now you get to enjoy watching her grow. Congratulations to all.

  10. NancyDaQ
    24 November 2008 / 1:42 pm

    Congratulations!

  11. mette
    24 November 2008 / 2:45 pm

    Congratulations from me too. Wishing all good to you and your family!

  12. materfamilias
    24 November 2008 / 3:32 pm

    Thank you all. I won’t be able to upload photos ’til tomorrow, but rest assured, she’s beautiful! Nana says so, and she should know (I’ve decided to be Nana since Adam’s mom already has grandchildren and goes by “Grandma.” Pater’s going to be GrandDad, which I quite like — my kids had a Poppa (my dad) and still have their Grandpa (Pater’s dad) so this is Pater-specific.)

  13. La Belette Rouge
    24 November 2008 / 4:16 pm

    Congratulations!!!! So happy for you all.:-D

  14. dana
    24 November 2008 / 4:52 pm

    Mazel tov to all the family! Sounds like everything couldn’t be better. I know little one is a beauty in every way. Best wishes to all.

  15. TheSundayBest
    24 November 2008 / 5:20 pm

    Congratulations.

    Babies…sigh…

  16. grdnstff
    24 November 2008 / 5:36 pm

    well, you finally met, in the flesh, so to speak .. how wonder-full for you all .. see you soon

    jane

  17. jillian
    24 November 2008 / 9:27 pm

    Congratulations to all! So glad to hear all went well and everyone is happy and healthy. Can’t wait for pictures!

  18. indigo16
    24 November 2008 / 9:53 pm

    Nothing better than the smell of a new baby,. Amazing, Hugs & kiss.es

  19. materfamilias
    25 November 2008 / 5:31 am

    and thanks to you as well, lbr, dana, thomas, jane, jillian, and alison. I’ve just spent a happy afternoon helping out with Nola (yes, she now has a name).

  20. Anonymous
    25 November 2008 / 6:01 am

    Nola…speakers? city? Whichever, she’s a very lucky babe to be so wanted and welcomed.And I’m sure you feel lucky to have her! Congratulations to all on a healthy, happy delivery.

  21. Anonymous
    25 November 2008 / 10:15 am

    Nola, what a lovely name. I and wondered what you would be calling yourself! Patricia

  22. materfamilias
    25 November 2008 / 3:07 pm

    Anonymous: You’d probably be surprised at how testy your comment on my granddaughter’s carefully-chosen name made me. I had to balance that against your warm wishes — always harder to evaluate tone from an anonymous voice. But no, she certainly wasn’t named for speakers (had to look up what you meant) or city (ditto), altho’ she probably will inherit musicality. Nola is a diminuitive of Fionnula, an Irish name.
    Thanks, Patricia. We love it as well. It was a fairly recent replacement for the longstanding “girl’s name” which didn’t work anymore after a best friend gave her new little one a rhyming name. Just a bit too cute to have the two little girls’ names rhyme. And she has my name as her middle name, and it all bounces along delightfully into her dad’s surname. Of course, everything about her is delightful!

  23. Anonymous
    25 November 2008 / 3:39 pm

    Congratulations on your new granddaughter! I am so happy things went well for your daughter and Nola, and how lucky you could be there.

    Nola is a lovely name. My great grandmother was Fionnula.

    Christine

  24. Anonymous
    26 November 2008 / 3:29 am

    Materfamilias, I also didn’t know what Anon was talking about and felt very protective of little Nola, (but I’m sure it wasn’t meant as a slight). So Nola has lots of people looking out for her already!

  25. materfamilias
    26 November 2008 / 4:06 am

    Thanks for that, Christine — it’s lovely to know that the name (in its fuller version, granted) has a history, has been well-used, with love.
    And Cybill, thanks for being protective of my wee one — I agree with you that this comment was not intended as a slight, but name and baby are so brand new here that we’re not yet ready for teasing. Nice to know she has guardians worldwide!

  26. Anonymous
    27 November 2008 / 5:44 pm

    Absolutely not meant as a slight! A thousand apologies!It was meant as a teasing nudge to explain the origins of such a beautiful name I’d never heard before.

  27. materfamilias
    28 November 2008 / 4:50 am

    Again, anon, thanks for the warm wishes you initially expressed. It is a beautiful name, thanks!

  28. Gina
    29 November 2008 / 7:18 pm

    Congratulations! What an absolute delight.

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