On the first Monday of each month, I do a Memory Lane Monday post. Yes, I know we already have TBT and FBF, but I like the sound of Memory Lane Monday. Plus today happens to be Monday and I had a memory today that I wanted to share, so there you go. So let’s step it up, and head down Memory Lane…
Today I want to go back about 9 years to March 30, 2010. My daughter Cara and her husband Paul were expecting their first baby (my first grandchild)! They knew they were having a girl and had already chosen to name her Helen, after my sweet mom and also an ancestor in Paul’s family whose name was Helen. I drove down to Houston where they lived (a 4-hour drive) to be there to help out once Helen was born. Things were tense because Cara was overdue and was supposed to go in the next day to be induced, but there was some confusion about the scheduling of it all with the hospital.
Day Before Going to Hospital
March 31, 2010: At the Hospital
All the details were finally ironed out, and we were at the hospital by 6 a.m. the next morning.
I was so glad my son Danny was able to be there with me because, as it turned out, the drip did not bring success on this day. Cara and Paul didn’t want any extra people in the room for Helen’s birth, so it was nice to have someone with me to kill time.
At this point they were hopeful that they would see Helen sometime today. But I guess she was shy about making her appearance. As hard as she tried, Cara could not coax her out.
April 1, 2010: Still at Hospital Awaiting Birth
So…we have an April Fool’s Day baby! Such happiness and relief abounded!
Uncle Danny wasn’t in town for much longer, so I was happy he was able to meet his new niece before he had to leave.
At Home
Paul and Cara made the trip up to our house with Helen as soon as they were able. I think this may have been Mother’s Day Weekend. We call this picture The Two Helens. LOVE!
Fast Forward 3 Years to March 30, 2013
It’s Saturday. Two days before Helen’s 3rd birthday. Cara and Paul were having a party for her at a local park. So Big Eagle and I had driven down to Houston for the celebration.
March 31, 2013
The next day was Easter Sunday. We went to another local park so Helen could play. And, yes, there’s Cara there standing behind Paul. Yes, she’s very pregnant again! And this time she’s told me she wants me there with them in the delivery room! When she told me that, I was beside myself with excitement! Big Eagle had to work the next day, so not too long after we got back to Paul and Cara’s house from the park, it was time for us to leave.
April 1, 2013
My phone rings around 5 a.m. that Monday morning. O-M-G! We’re having a baby! I’ve got to get to Houston! Remember? I’m supposed to be there for the delivery! Did I mention it’s a 4-hour drive? So I’m immediately back on the phone to see if the agency can get Mom’s caregiver to come ASAP and relieve me. Oh, the agony! They kept saying they would call me once they got a hold of her, but no call…no call. Just leave it to say, the caregiver didn’t show up until her regular time, and I got to Houston after the baby was born. Perhaps you read this post in which I alluded to missed opportunities. This was one of them.
But the important thing was that the baby was here. She was healthy and beautiful. And Momma was doing well. Another April Fool’s Day baby! What are the chances?
And here are my two beautiful granddaughters now. In this picture they are dressed to go to a Bollywood party. Today Edie is turning 6 and Helen is turning 9. Yikes! It’s Helen’s last year in the single digits! This is the first year that they are having separate birthday celebrations. Edie’s party was two days ago on Saturday, and Helen’s will be this coming weekend. God, thank you so much for the amazing blessing of these two precious girls!
So…that’s Memory Lane Monday for this month! Do you have a birthday memory to share? I’d love to hear about it in the comments. In fact, I’d love to hear about whatever memory you’d like to share. So feel free!
This post linked to Blogging Grandmothers Link Party