Shenandoah Seasoned: Virginia Kate Arrives in the Valley
Submitted by treeman on Sat, 03/29/2008 - 08:45
(5 votes)
She arrived like a lamb on a day that left like a lion. Yesterday arrived pleasantly enough, warmest morning we have had yet this spring.... a few light showers... definitely a spring morning. I'd taken the day off, because I knew in advance of the impending arrival of my first grandchild, just not the time.
Becky was scheduled to have an "emergency" C-section. Because of the wait for a scheduled availability of the room, her doctor instructed her that she would call Friday when she could meet her at the hospital and then they would march in and declare the need for an "emergency". So to make a long story short, she met the doc at the hospital at noon and was scheduled for a 2:15 procedure.
Anyway I had stayed home to get some garden work done in the morning and await a call telling us when all would take place. I was leanin on the back of my pick-up truck lookin at the load of old dead weeds and talkin to Becky's dog Dolly when I got the call about 11 regarding the days planned schedule. Ann had arranged to take off from school about noon, anticipating the drive to Winchester Hospital during the afternoon. I knew she was anxious to become a grandmother, and I knew she was going to be ready to go when she got home, so I told Dolly we best be gettin the weeds unloaded.
As expected, we left as soon as we had a quick ham and cheese. I picked a vase full of daffodils for Becky's room and we were off. By the time we got to Winchester, a cold front was barreling down on us and the winds had gotten quite gusty. I had to hold my hat on my head as we traversed the parking lot.
We arrived about 2:30 and had a 30 minute wait till the delivery nurse scooted by the waiting room. pushing the bassinet. She hurriedly announced to us we could view the baby in the nursery and then kept just out of our reach so we couldn't pollute the newborn. Anyway in the nursery she worked on cleaning and weighing and measuring Virginia Kate where we could watch. We couldn't see her real well, but we appreciated the effort of the staff to allow us glimpses.
Virginia Kate: She is beautiful. 8 lbs, 8 oz. 21.5 inchesEach of us got to visit Becky for a few moments while she was in recovery to assure ourselves she was OK. Then we returned to the waiting area to begin the tedious practice of notifying family, friends and co-workers how proud we were.
Later, we were able to visit mother and child together and get our eager hands on Virginia Kate, or "Kate", which her parents intend to call her. Can you imagine 4 proud grandparents in a tiny hospital room passing a baby around and around? She was the sweetest little thing through out the whole ordeal. Nary a whimper, an occasional stretch, and a couple little smiles just for her Grand Pop.
Shortly before nine we filed out of the room, leaving mother, father and child alone to finally be with themselves. The wind is blustery and cold, we hardly notice. Driving back down the road, I pondered the question again, “Am I ready to be a grandparent?”
"Business...Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance and benevolence were, all, my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!"
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Thanyyou
Well thank you all for your kind words. Mother and daughter are doing great. Dolly, their border collie/black lab mix, just loves the baby and shares her toys and bones wiht Kate. Yes, Ann took Dolly back home earlier this week, and all heald their breath waiting to see how she would react. Dolly really is a sweetheart and i wasn't too worried, but I couldn't assuage mother and grandmother till they witnessed it them selves. (Dolly has always loved kittens)
"He who plants a tree, plants hope" Lucy Larcom
"Business...Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance and benevolence were, all, my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!"
Treeman very cute!!!
jo
grandparents
Treeman,,
oh you will love being a grandparent more than being a parent. my 3 children are the deepest love of my (our) life. Our eldest , a dau, just had our 2nd grandchild , a baby girl, mar 7th. she is now the 2nd next to th emost love of our life. hubby saids we raised 3 now it's time to spoil a couple...lol..the grandson, 20 months, we are so in love with him and his blonde curles.
i thought alot about grandkids while raising mine, wondering how i could love another child, that isn't mine, this much., that was a scarey ponder...until he arrived, at that moment, i saw my dau all over again, and my heart melted...i'm more protective over him then i was with my own, and i was over protective with them.....lol. my youngest will make us grandparents for the 3rd time come the end of september.
it's been a few days now since you've became a grandparent, tell me, are you not so madly in love with this baby that you get tears in your eyes when thinking about it ? :)
Peggy~
live as i
congratulations
Treeman you will make an
Dale, Photo Team Leader & Good Will Ambassador
Congrats to the new
Congratulations treeman on
Congratulations, treeman!
She sure is beautiful! As you know, my sister lives not too far from Winchester. Her daughter, Eva was born in Israel, though. That was a really nice story, and you tell it very well, as always!
Believe it or not, I'm a great grandmother! I don't have any kids of my own, but my husband's daughter's only girl had a baby girl about 2 years ago. We haven't ever had the chance to see her! I think she's going to be one tall drink of water. My step granddaughter is over 6 ft. tall!
I wonder if they make baby or toddler gardening tools. Maybe you ought to start hunting them down. This little girl has got to be a gardener!
Susan, the Texas Yankee, the Texas Rangerette and the Assistant Administrator
SKBeal's Snazzy Tra
congratulations !!
Congratulations Grandpa, or Grandpap, or Pappy...etc
I am so glad she is healty and all went well. She is sooo pretty ! I know she is going to just love to be in the garden with her grandpa.
You have such a wonder writing talent, I just love to see when you have written !
Wish the family the best for me, and give her a kiss.
"Compost, because a rind is a terrible thing to waste !"
"Compost, because a rind is a terrible thing to waste !"
What a wonderful
What a wonderful story! It brought tears, let me tell ya! My daughter's name is Becky also. She had our first grandchild while living in Texas, almost two years ago... the other end of the country from us. It was very hard not being able to be there right away, but still a joyous time. We managed to get a flight a few days later. What a happy time!!
Congratulations! I'm glad everything went okay! It sounds like you'll make a perfect grandparent! ... and what a perfect, beautiful grand daughter!
~ Connie ~ Zone 5 ~ MN