Since last August, I knew that this May was in reserve. I knew that my 'schedule' would be put on hold and that any and all activities would be paused as I helped Eldest/Admin prepare for the life changing event of having her second child. I remember all too well that overwhelming feeling of having a toddler and bringing a brand spanking new little one into the mix. I remember with fear and trepidation as my due date approached, looking for an out to the situation. As God would have it, I found myself wonderfully overdue and having two extra weeks to work out my issues; I was then,more than ready to welcome our second child. As God would work it, that is what happened to E/A.
(pictured: The Labor Trail, where we walked every night and some mornings...)Turns out that God in His infinite wisdom, gave both of us puh-lenty of time to figure out how we would get through this thing called Bringing a Human Being Into This World.
Hazey Jay (her daddy's nickname) aka, Hazel Jane, had her own agenda and plan for her debut. HJ's arrival date was May 1. Her birthday is May 12. Eleven full days to make peace with the wait and surround her home with the right amount of busy-ness and rest. Eleven days to wrestle with issues and make pillows for her bed. Eleven days to have fun with her sister, the illustrious Miss Viv, and Eleven Days to make all the teeny final touches on her sweet little room. Eleven Days for her mama to walk, dance, bounce, walk and rest for The Big Event.
I shall remember this time my whole life. Even when my memory gets iffy, I shall relish the days that E/A and I spent together, along with Miss Viv and Wonderful Man. I just know I will.
One lovely Friday evening, after Papa had arrived and the night was settling in, a long walk started the process that would culminate in Miss Hazel Jane's arrival 24 hours later.
It was a privilege to be a part of those sacred hours. To watch WM step up and step into the supportive, strength giving, encourager that makes for a wonderful husband and places himself right up there in the running for Father of the Year. It is every parent's dream to see their daughters so tenderly, protectively cared for by their husbands.
The time frame from laboring at home to laboring at the hospital, happened quietly throughout the night so that Miss Viv barely knew that the Big Event was happening. The afternoon and evening that Mimi and Papa watched over the Big Sister, consisted of fun and frivolity involving hungry ducks and fun filled parks. Make no mistake; Miss Viv is but a mere three years old, but her thoughts were staying near to her laboring mama and her absent daddy. Complete strangers were told, unbidden, that 'her mommy was in the hospital, pushing her baby sister out.'. She could be involved in the funnest of play but her mind and heart were in that unfamiliar spot; Her Life Was Radically Changing And She Knew It Involved Pushing a Baby Out.
Papa's job was to keep her safe on the playground and to attend to her needs while Mimi's job was to park herself on a bench nearby and intercede on her daughter's behalf, the needs known only to her Maker.
As the three of us settled in for the night, The phone call came: Hazel Jane had joined our family in a completely natural, healthy way, just like her mama hoped and prayed....
The next morning consisted of preparing for our trip to the hospital to see Baby Hazel.
Reporting the scene at the hospital, little girls meeting each other for the first time, is pretty much beyond my expertise. Suffice to say, in all my years, I have not witnessed a sweeter scene....
Baby Hazel and her parental units arrived at their home close to midnight that same night. With Miss Viv asleep and my mind running through so many things, I opted to keep reading my book and allow HJ to settle into her home with her mama and daddy without my assistance. I fell asleep with the sweetest little face on my mind...
The first words out of Miss Viv's mouth the next morning were, 'Is my Baby Sister home?' After receiving the affirmative, she zoomed into mama and daddy's room to greet her new sibling.
Shortly after breakfast, Mimi and Papa left the sweet, happy, exhausted little family to their own devices while they adjusted to their new normal on their Babymoon. I knew that after daddy returned to work, I would return to get acquainted. But for now, it was important for the four of them to have time together to cement the bond that had been forged nine months previous.
By the end of the first week on Babymoon, the siblings arrived, thus bringing the quartet of little girlies together for the first time. Since I was not present, I can only go by the reporting of Neighbor Deb as to the wonderfulness of the viewing; three of my sweeties, three spouses and four of the most dazzling granddaughters ever, hanging out and sharing their lives. I do believe I would have combusted had I been in attendance.
So, as the earth erupts in blossoms and summer is a whisper away, our family celebrates our newest arrival....A wondrous time, a glorious memory...
Welcome, welcome Hazel Jane...We have waited for you a long time......
