A NEW LIFE

Yesterday our fourth great grandson Noah was born. As you can imagine, with ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren, we have seen many babies but I can honestly say that this is the most peaceful baby ever.

He didn’t murmur for the first two hours and then he only slightly protested when being sponged and dressed. This photograph was taken when he was 3 hours old and despite being cuddled by all of us in the ensuing couple of hours he never objected once. I should also add that this photograph does him no justice at all. He is a handsome little mite, and his enormous hand is just a trick of the camera!




It had been a very traumatic day for his paternal grandmother. This was her first grandchild and she was beside herself with excitement, whereas I, being an old hand, remained calm!

The grandmother-in-waiting and I were concerned that Mum was being fed and cared for by the hospital but Dad was being left to his own devices and was refusing to leave the labour ward until the baby was born. Our many advisers were telling us that as he had been stressed out and awake for over 48 hours he would need to keep up his blood sugar levels and should, therefore, eat. It was decided that we would launch a rescue mission I was despatched to the hospital with some sandwiches, chocolate and drinks for him.

I rang the bell, now how am I going to explain this? The intercom crackled.

“Yes”

I speak into the grid, this is worse than leaving voice mail.

“I’ve bought some food up for Dan, he’s on the labour ward”

“FOOD!!??”

“Yes, he hasn’t eaten today and he won’t leave Georgina to go and get anything”

“Oh,” she sounded puzzled “Wait a minute, I’ll send him out”

Not too difficult. I thought there would be a problem. I was just wandering away from the door when I heard a voice coming out of the intercom again.

“Sorry, did you say something”

“Yes, I said it’s not convenient for him to come out right now. Go and wait in the main reception area and he’ll come out when he can”.

This threw my calm demeanour into turmoil. That must mean the birth is imminent. What do I do? Wait? But if he wouldn’t leave before the birth what chance was there that he would rush out to claim his lovingly prepared sandwiches afterwards. However, being the compliant person that I am, like an idiot, I dutifully waiting for 30 minutes, talking myself into leaving and then talking myself into staying.

At 1230 I thought "to hell with this" and left. Noah was born at 1235! At times life’s a bitch!!

And finally ….. You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me.


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Originally uploaded by anninfotel