She is the proud grandmother of Jacob (3/23/09)

We have a new addition to the family. His name is Jacob. He was born last week. He is healthy and has a great set of lungs. As a matter of fact he started crying during the birth process as soon as the air hit his face. He wasn't even all the way out yet.

I have gained a new admiration for all those who work in the obstetrics department. I was privileged to be with my daughter while she was in labor. It was HORRIBLE! She was hurting so bad and there was absolutely nothing I could do to make it better. I held my breath with every contraction and relaxed when she did. I would have given anything to have been able to take away her pain.

Even in these times women still die during childbirth. The numbers have dropped dramatically due to better health care and the advancements in modern medicine. In the 1900's maternal death rates were approximately 1 in 100 live births which was a great improvement over the 1800's when 40-percent of women died during or as a result of childbirth. This has dropped to 11 in 100,000 and even fewer in developed countries. This knowledge that women still die was in the back of our minds as we watched her struggle to give birth.

Her water had broken around 5 a.m. that morning. Mercifully it was all over by 10:04 a.m. that same day. As soon as she cradled the down-covered infant in her arms all the pain of the previous few hours became irrelevant. He was beautiful and she was radiant. Daddy was beaming and the rest of us were relieved that things had gone so well.

Jacob's three-year-old sister, Emma, was impressively gentle when she was finally allowed to see him. She was allowed to hold him with our assistance. She petted his soft hair and was delighted when he curled his tiny fingers around hers.

Then we had a biology lesson as Jacob got his first meal. Once it was explained that mommy's breasts had milk in them and Jacob was drinking the milk, Emma declared that her boobies also contained milk. One of her little friends disputed this by saying that since Emma's were flat the baby couldn't get them into its mouth. Apparently the two babies that Emma had previously insisted were in her tiny belly had evaporated.

I was allowed to spoil Emma until my daughter Beth and the baby came home. Every feeding and diaper change was fascinating for Emma. When Jacob was put in his seat and parked in front of a window to get some sun Emma had me read to him. As we finished each book she placed it gently in his lap. Jacob was quiet while we were reading so I assume he enjoyed it.

All too soon it was time for Emma to go to her daddy's house for the weekend. I was (and still) am jealous of his ability to see her so often. But then he is her father and I am the Grandma who lives far away.

Now I have a second grandchild to spoil. In a few more days I will have to go back to being a long-distance grandma. There will be no more discussion of boobies. I will resume reading adult books instead of children's books. There will be no more toddler hair to brush or baby heads to cradle. Life will go back to the way it was.

I wonder about all those grandmothers of long ago. They must have been so afraid when their daughters were pregnant because they knew how dangerous childbirth was for both the mother and the baby. It truly is a miracle to bring a new life into the world.

Jacob is here. Emma is adorable even if she does refuse to wear the "I'm the Big Sister" T-shirt I got for her. My daughter is safe and settling into her new life with two children instead of only one.

All is right with the world.

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