Well it was quiet a surprize for Amanda and Ed when they went to the hospital to get prepared for the 3pm Ceasarian, Mason had been active, and decided to do a full turn and the head was down and ready to go. So the doctor said that she could go home OR they could walk around and see if the contractions would get better and show some progress. So that is what we did for almost 3 hours, we got something to eat as she was starving having not had anything since dinner the night before preparing for surgery. But believe me, it was a slow walk. She was getting contrations every 3 minutes, and they got worse as we walked, but she was determined that when she went back up they were going to give her a room because she was in labour. And holy cow, she is stubborn! Ed kept saying after each new contraction, 'Okay, are you ready to go upstairs now?" And she would say NO, not yet. So we continued to walk around. Then Mel came and joined us, bringing flowers and a fairy tale book she bought for Mason. Just as Amanda started to look at the book she went into a contraction and while she was squeezing Ed's hand, she tried to look through the book. Which made us all laugh, and her too. Ed and Amanda are like Abbot and Costello, that's what they did the whole time, kid each other and joke. As Amanda went into another contraction, through gritted teeth she asked Ed for the time. Well it was 4:30pm, and all she said was DAMM, I would have been through by now! But when we did go up, they put her in a beautiful room that looks more like a luxury bedroom then anything, except for the medical stuff. They kept checking her every two hours because they thought they still might have to do a C-Section, but by midnight they said it was a go for normal delivery. But it sure did do a momma proud when the nurse repeated exactly what I had tried to tell Amanda earlier, about the breathing. As she was going to have a C-Section she didn't bother to learn what to do, and she is so stubborn that she would not hear any of it from her Mom. But we can laugh about it at the same time, because she knows I meant well, and I knew she wouldn't listen anyway, LOL. But you know, she was a real trooper, they finally gave her a epidural in her spine, and it had a pump attached that would give her more as needed, without overdosing, which was great. With that she was able to relax and go with it. I got about two hours sleep on the waiting room couch, and when I woke up at 3:45pm, Ed Senior had just left them and said that she was 9 1/2 cm dilated, so she only had a 1/2 cm to go before she would be delivering, so I said I woud just go see what's up, and then be back. Well Amanda kept telling me to stay a bit longer, and her doctor came in and it was time to push, and he went out and told the family that it would be another hour or so before she delivered. But when he came it the head was starting to crown, and hell, by then I wasn't going to leave. But I knew to stay back, and let them do their work. And his head was out, and he was already making noise, I think he said what the hell, or something like that it baby talk. I had everyone laughing when I told him to "Come towards the light", but that would be the only time I would be telling him that. It was soon after that he was out. A beautiful little boy, who looked exactly like his mother when she was a baby. They were so quick, quickly giving him to Amanda to hold right away, and Amanda started to cry, and Ed cut the embilical cord. At that time I told them I would let them have this time by themselves and I slipped out to tell the rest of the crew that he was here.
Coming in at 8 lbs 9 oz's. He has an adorable little face, is healthy and they took him home today. Right in time for Mother's Day! For now, we are going to give them time to bond, just the three of them. Ed even took a week off without pay to spend with his new little family, so we are going to let them have some time to themselves and get used to their new little boy. Then I can go over and spend some time with them.
It was so neat in the hospital when Amanda was first holding him, I told her to take her finger and brush it across his cheek as she talked to him, and I told her to watch how he responded. Of course he turned his head to her, and his little mouth opened. Amanda laughed, seeing that he knew who she was. What a wonderful event to watch. Her sister took some amazing pictures of Mason, some close ups that I shared with the people here that I have emails for. I wish I knew how to bring a picture here for everyone to see, but I keep screwing it up. If anyone who has a picture of Mason and knows how, please do. I have been sleeping for the last two days off and on, as it really did a number on me.
Mason will be calling me Omi, like my kids did for their grandparents on my ex-husbands side. They were German and Dutch, and they called their grandparents Omi and Opi, and their Great Grandparents Oma and Opa. So that is how he will too.
I am going to be going to stay at my other daughters apartment for about 10 days starting next Friday, so I can watch Nova, and Nevarro, while Beth goes to Cuba with her friend, and Mel goes out west to my step daughter's prom and graduation, then to New York City with her male friend who is modeling there. But from their place it is easy for me to get to Amanda's by sudway. And I can take Pebbles with me if I want.
As for me, I am still going through a relapse in increased pain. But my mood is improving. I was also having major panic attacks, which I haven't had for years. But there is nothing like seeing your grandchild come into the world to bring your spirits up. I have also been spending days with Amanda since she went off on maternity leave. Doing some quality time with her, and I would talk to Mason through her tummy.
So, anyhow, that is the long and short of what I have been up to. Thought I would fill everyone in.
Lots of hugs to everyone
Wendy
greetings for MASON--
, granny