home from Thailand, new grandson

[Martha]

My husband and I got home from Thailand this morning. It was a wonderful trip to witness the birth of our new grandson, Jedidiah Theodore, born on Mother's Day, May 13. He is a gorgeous little boy (aren't they all?), with masses of dark hair, just like his daddy was. He weighed 7 pounds exactly. Jedidiah is the other name for King Solomon in the Bible--see 2 Samuel 12:25. It means "loved by the Lord."

He was born at home, a planned home birth. I got to cut the cord, something I have never done before. He is happy and healthy, and the family was pleased with the home birth experience.

The people who were not pleased were the people at the local registry office, when an American couple showed up, baby in hand, to register the birth and get a birth certificate, without having had the baby in a hospital, as is proper, and having the hospital send the records for the birth certificate. Getting the papers proved a challenge, facilitated by me and the other lady who helped with the birth swearing that we had been there, and two Thai friends going in to swear that they had seen DIL pregnant. Also all prenatal visit records had to be produced. We know the officials have to be careful, but it was hard for the mama.

I had a wonderful time visiting with my son, DIL, 2-year-old granddaughter, and new little Jiah (pronounced Jah-yah, taken from the initial J and the last two syllables of the name Jedidiah). My husband joined me there on May 20. I did lots of laundry, dishes, cleaning, and playing with children. A little sightseeing: the Grand Palace, the Emerald Buddha, and the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, and the zoo were the highlights. Also a big market.

Food-wise, and MC-wise, I did very well. Don't ask me how Thai food is, though, because I didn't eat any. My son was very diligent about watching my diet, and didn't let me eat anything he wasn't sure of. We didn't eat out much anyway, since a very pregnant lady and then a tiny baby in the house make it easier to eat at home, and their community delivered food for two weeks after the baby came. I cooked meals for myself that were safe, while the rest of the family ate the provided meals. On the occasions when we were out, I took along food that I cooked at home. I was only sorry for myself once, when I hadn't made enough for the next day's lunch, so all I had to take along was cold rice, while the rest of them ate better food. I did eat some stir-fried vegetables called "morning glory", which I know as swamp cabbage, and despite the unpleasant name, am very fond of. I stressed to the waitress--the fourth one they sent me, who could speak a little English--not to use soy sauce or oyster sauce, but I did have D the next day. I took Imodium, and I was fine. I didn't get a headache or fatigue, which is my usual reaction to soy, so perhaps it was the greens themselves that bothered me.

The flights to and from Bangkok were fine. I took Imodium before the trip each time, and China Airlines provided decent GF meals. They didn't give me anything that looked like it had dairy in it, but I couldn't tell about soy. I haven't had a bad reaction, so I'm hoping that if there was anything, the Imodium will keep it in check.

It was a wonderful month in Thailand, but it's also good to be back home.

[Martha]

I forgot to mention that I did get to eat lots of awesome fruit, none of which bothered me: mangoes, papaya, pineapple, pomelo, dragon fruit, mangosteens, rambutan, langsat (I don't know the English name; this is the Indonesian name), guavas. I wanted to eat durian, which DH, DS, and I all enjoy, but DIL doesn't like it, and it stinks something terrible if you don't like it, so we didn't want to bring it into the house, and just never took the opportunity to go to a little fruit stall and eat it there.

[MBombardier]

Wonderful report, Martha! I was just wondering this morning when you;d be back! Welcome home, and congratulations on your new little grandson!

[Gabes-Apg]

Martha
what a wonderful wonderful post to wake up to this sunday morning

not only that you travelled and had no major MC issues (woo hoo)
but the experience of being there for the home birth and cutting the cord, amazing
i am soo pleased that it allwent ok, and that your Son did look after you food wise

I will remember that china airlines are pretty reliable for gluten free.

awesome news!

[carolm]

Wow Martha,
A successful trip on many levels. Traveling without MC issues has got to build your confidence. I am happy for you.

Carol

[Denise]

Hi,

Congrats! So happy you had a wonerful trip!

Denise

[Gloria]

You did it! Congratulations on both your travel accomplishment and your new grandson!

I'm pretty impressed that you were able to eat so many fruits. You must be healing very well. You (and your son) were smart to watch your diet, but it sounds like even a few outings were OK.

Welcome back - we missed you.

Gloria

[Lesley]

Sounds wonderful Martha!! The whole thing. What an experience to be there for the birth and cut the cord.

And the food experiences sound delicious indeed. Glad you came through it so well.

[tex]

Hi Martha,

Welcome back. It's great to see that the trip went so well.

Tex

[Kari]

Martha,

Congratulations on your grandson!!! It must have been an amazing experience to be there for the birth, and to even get to cut the umbilical cord - what an honor being bestowed on a grandmother :).

Glad the travel to such a far away destination went well for you - gives us all courage. Thanks for sharing.

Love,
Kari

[Deb]

That's awesome, Martha! These grandbabies are sooo special!

[MaggieRedwings]

Welcome home Martha and congratulations on the birth of your grandson.

Sounds like a very special trip and one with few hassles other than registering the birth. Glad things went so well.

Love, Maggie