And Baby Makes Four

Four grandchildren, that is.  Each one precious, unique, exuberant and perfect in every way.  But, then, I’m their grammy.  I adore them all.

On Monday morning, I got the call I’d been anticipating for about a week.  “Mom, I’m having some contractions.  It’ll probably be here within the next 24 hours.”  We’re all calm here.  I tell her BH and I are playing bridge but will be out by early to mid afternoon.  Nothing to be panicked about….even though I’m the go-to person to head into Baltimore to take care of her 20 month old.

Three hours later, in the middle of our game, I get a call from her husband.  Things are progressing….more rapidly than they expected.  “Okay, we should finish here in an hour, so call Justin and Jeannette to come stay with Kevin until I get there.”  That’s my son and his fiancee who live very close by.  It’s Memorial Day so no one’s working.  All I’m thinking is here I am playing bridge and my daughter’s in labor….she is going to divorce me.

Not thirty minutes goes by and I get another phone call.  This one from Justin.  “How are things?”  “Okay.  Chelsea’s still here and Kevin’s taking a nap.  I think they’re leaving soon.”  “When he gets up, just take him outside to play or watch the Orioles game with him in TV.  I’ll be there as soon as I can.  I’ll text you when I’m leaving.”

The game seemed interminable….there are some excruciatingly slow, old bridge players and today they were worse than ever.  But, finally, we flew out of there like bats in hell and raced to Olney where I threw some things in a bag and took off to Baltimore.

They had left about an hour before I got there and Kevin was having a blast, watching the O’s and hitting his ball with his bat, although it looked a lot more like golf than baseball.  Jeannette had written detailed instructions on a napkin that we followed to the letter, including the pasta with butter dinner.  We wore him out chasing us in the park and then later around the house.

This daughter of mine loves surprises.  We had no idea if it was a boy or girl or what the name would be.  By 5, I was done with the suspense so I texted Matt.  “What’s going on???!!!”  “Brendan Oscar arrived at 5 pm.”  OMG!!!  Wow….another boy….just what she wanted.  She’s a practical one….it’ll be hand me downs his whole life.  No worries about conjuring up another bedroom.  Brendan?  Seriously, I could cry.  However, we all agree that Brendan is a whole lot cooler name than Brenda, my name.

I will also tell you that this daughter is beyond brave.  This was her second natural birth in a birthing tub.  The difference was that this birthing center was about 40 minutes from her home and this boy came at lightning speed.  They were a little concerned she might give birth in the car.  When she arrived, the staff told her it would take 40 minutes to fill the bigger pool, but she said this baby was not waiting that long.  And 30 minutes later, Brendan entered the world.

So, at dinner time, I asked Kevin where the baby was and he pointed at his tummy, “Mommy.”  “Well, guess what?  The baby decided to come out from hiding today and you have a little brother who will be coming home with Mommy and Daddy after you go to sleep.  Baby Brendan.”  And he repeated, “Brendan” clear as anything.

Shortly after reading “Good Night, Moon, “Curious George Goes to the Zoo,” and “Clifford the Big Red Dog,” it was lights out and I never heard another sound.  Until a couple of hours later when Chelsea, Matt and Brendan entered the back door.  Can you stand it?  Wow….it’s a new world these millennials are creating.

This little one is a sleeper as opposed to his big brother, who didn’t close his eyes for hours after he was born.  He’s so mellow, Chelsea is bored.  Of course, that will all change as Kevin enters the terrible twos (not my grandson, lol) and Brendan becomes a little more demanding.

We all wondered how Kevin would react to his new brother.  Would he be angry or change his habits?  Would he insist on more attention?  But, nothing like that happened.  The next day, his daddy took him to the park but he didn’t want to play.  He wanted to come home to see his brother.  He wants to sit right next to him and smother him with kisses.

Nothing like me, thank heavens.  My mother told me the day they brought my sister home I ran out the back door into the woods.  Two years old!  All the neighbors spent hours looking for me until I suddenly showed up again.

Next week, BH and I move into Baltmore for three weeks to help the new family settle into their new routine.  We’ll be living a block away.  Can’t wait!  Who knew grandparenting could be so satisfying?