Oh Baby!

It's been a long time since I've written on my blog and with the birth of my first blessed grandchild a few days ago, it seems a great reason to put fingers to keys once again.

being held by Uncle Robbie

So let me just say that becoming a grandparent was not at all what I expected. First of all, knowing my beloved daughter was in labor just about killed me. I knew the pain she was facing and had no idea how long she would labor and all I wanted to do was take it on for her. Spoken like a true mom. It doesn't matter how old your kids get, to you, they are still your babies and I couldn't bear my baby in that kind of pain. But she did it! Valiantly and bravely and with love and help from her devoted husband Rob, their doula, and midwife. Bravo!

Secondly, having this time in Vancouver to be with my daughter throughout her pregnancy has been such a blessing for me. To talk about birth, motherhood, parenting and how all these things have evolved and changed over time was such a gift. It's not that we didn't do it "right" in our day, but theories change along the way with new information and a changing world. I felt so honored that she wanted to ask me questions and get my advice (this continues) and even though I was a too young, inexperienced mom, it seemed like I had everything I needed to be one. So this is what I tell my daughter. That within her lies all the wisdom and instinct she needs to take care of her baby. There's a sort of comfort too, knowing she now knows how much I love her because now she's a mom.

tired but beautiful mama

snuggling with his Daddy

So now I just have to gush about "the world's most perfect human being". My grandson, Niko Slade Kozlowski. He is the most perfect, beauteous, astonishingly miraculous tiny person and I am utterly besotted with him. He is exquisite and most perfectly made. Plus, he's really, really cute! I have been in awe watching his parents fall in love with him by the minute and how he has completely perfected the circle of love between them. It is magic. Seeing Rob so involved, so supportive and so interested in every little thing that is going on makes me quite emotional.

sleeping like a baby

And I swear the baby knows who I am. He seems to be listening to me when I talk to him. Well, come on, if he can hear his parents' voices in the womb, surely he can hear mine too, right? All I want to do is gaze at him all day long. I don't even have to hold him as long as I can see him and bask in the wonder of the bonding between them all. I just know he and I are going to be really good pals and if I get to exhibit even half the love my mom bestows on all her grandchildren, then I am truly blessed indeed.

My maternal grandmother who lived all her life in Liverpool used to sing a lullaby to her grandchildren there called "Lula Bye". Although she was known as Granny, my English cousins called her "Lula" as well. In honor of my Granny, whom I only saw a few times in my life but whom I loved dearly and felt very close to, I will be called "Lula".

This is the beginning of the next generation. I wonder how many grandchildren I will be blessed with and I look forward to watching my sons become dads too. This generation has it far more together than any other as they view parenting as a true partnership and an extension of their commitment to each other.

Just the way it should be.