As Margaret Thatcher so famously reported some years ago: "We are a grandmother"!
Elodie Grace was born by Caesarian section on Tuesday 18 October at about 4pm. After my visit last Sunday, my daughter became increasingly unwell and it was clear by Tuesday that they would have to deliver the baby quickly. I got on a train for the 3+ hours trip and arrived at the hospital just about the same time as my granddaughter was delivered. She is almost 8 weeks early, weighs only about 3lb (1.4 kilos) but is breathing unaided and seems healthy. My daughter's blood pressure is still not stabilised but she is improving and she has been taken in a wheelchair to visit Elodie several times now.
I stayed with them all until Thursday evening and then felt confident that I could safely leave them; they are in good hands. The hospital staff have been fantastic and my son-in-law has been amazing (as indeed has my daughter herself).
I hope to go down again when my daughter is discharged from the hospital. I imagine the baby will have to stay in for a few weeks, until she gets a bit bigger. Because of infection control measures, only the parents themselves are allowed into the Special Baby Care Unit so I will have to be content with photos for now. (This one was taken by my son in law.) But isn't she beautiful?
It has been a worrying few days. I am thankful for her safe delivery and pray that both my lovely girls continue to recover well and my son-in-law finds the strength and energy he needs to support them both.
Many thanks for all your encouraging comments. Premature babies are by no means uncommon and it is so heartening to read that others have gone through similar things and thrived. I won't be giving too many updates on my blog as it isn't really a personal journal, but I imagine that some snippets of grandmotherhood will find their way onto here! It will be quite an adventure....
She is so precious! Glad mommy & baby are doing good.....
ReplyDeleteCongrats to you and the whole family!
God Bless our Precious Grandchildren!
She is adorable! Congratulations and best wishes. What a beautiful name! It's wonderful that she is breathing on her own. She is about the same size that my own granddaughter was when she was born and now she is a happy, healthy 3 year old! I hope you will post pictures of her from time to time. You are going to love being a grandmother!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the club, Jennyfreckles, and thanks for sharing this photograph of your truly beautiful new granddaughter. Here's wishing Mum, Dad and baby all the best!
ReplyDeleteSo sweet! Glad they are doing well.
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny .. I'm so pleased for all concerned .. and welcome Elodie Grace .. what a lovely name - where does it come from?
ReplyDeleteCheers Jenny and enjoy the next visit down and lots of happy times ahead - Hilary
"Welcome to the light, Elodie Grace", as we say here. I'm so glad to read that both girls are well and safe. What a delicious baby!Already so perfect and beautyful! Congratulations to the young parents, they made a great job! :o) and I'm sure you'll be the most delightful grandmother!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the arrival of your granddaughter. She really is beautiful (and I don't even like babies all that much). It must be hard that you haven't been able to hold her yet. Hopefully she will soon be home with her parents. I'm sending lots of positive vibes her way. Good luck to all of you. She's lovely :-)
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful!~ glad everyone is doing well. She's beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Jenny. She is a sweetie. When she is bigger, you can use her as a prop. Just put her in front of the Saltaire buildings and pretend you are focusing on the architecture.
ReplyDeleteDear Jenny, What a beautiful news!!! Congratulations! I can imagine how worried you were and I am so very glad they both are doing all right and recovering well.
ReplyDeleteAnd YES isn't she sweet? I do hope to see your 'snippets of grandmotherhood'... For the moment, take care you too. Have a good relaxing week-end!
She is truly beautiful! Congratulations on becoming a Grandmother! I'm sure you are eager to be able to see her and hold her. I hope that she grows quickly and becomes stronger with each passing day.
ReplyDeleteOur now 38-year-old son was 5 weeks premature and had respiratory distress syndrome. He's now a healthy husband and father, so we expect the best for little Elodie Grace. So, CONGRATULATIONS GRANDMOTHER! You now have someone to spoil as you didn't dare spoil your own. So enjoy! (And do keep us posted on her progress - all blogs are personal). Jim
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of grandmotherhood but we both sincerely hope you survive it and are able to cope with all your heavy new responsibilities, all or both of you!
ReplyDeleteElodie is a pretty French name and Grace goes well with it and is.. well..graceful!
ReplyDeleteOh Jenny you and your family are so blessed with that beautiful child! Congrats to you Grandmother! ~Lili
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Jenny, and also to your beautiful new granddaughter,and her parents. I prayed for them tonight.
ReplyDeleteAs you may recall my Daughter in-law and Son had a beautiful baby girl named Hope back in May. She was also a little over 2 months premature. Well they all are doing just fine, and I am sure you will all do just fine also in God's care.
God Bless you Jenny, and your family.
Dianne :)
Whenever I see another of God's miracles I can't help but smile and feel uplifted! What a beautiful baby and beautiful name. She is in good hands. Thank you for sharing. I'm so glad your girls are doing well and that your son-in-law is ready to take care of them both.
ReplyDeleteJenny, this is certainly cause for great celebration! Your baby granddaughter is beautiful. She looks perfect! I'm so pleased to hear everything is settling down now, after all the worry and I wish you all the most beautiful future together. Big hug xoxo
ReplyDeleteA beautiful name for a beautiful little girl! So glad all are improving -- a worrying time, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the whole family! She is adorable. A whole new outlet for your photography....perhaps a new blog?!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations grandmother. She is such a gorgeous little mite. Sorry to hear of the worry you must all have had. I hope they both continue to improve.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, all 'round.
ReplyDeleteCWolfe, Texas
Congratulations to all. Another of God's miracles arrives! Although you are doubtless frustrated by the need to be content with photographs just now, the first embrace of your grand-daughter will be all the sweeter. Enjoy! And I'm sure we'll all love to see pictures posted of beautiful Elodie from time to time.
ReplyDeleteCongratulation to you all! I hope your daughter and her daughter will soon be home
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! And I will add little Elodie Grace to my prayer list. My daughter in law is due in 8 weeks too...this makes me even more excited to see our little one. The NICU is an amazing place, but home will be even better. Looking forward to seeing a picture of her in your arms! ((((hugs)))!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. And yes, she IS beautiful! Praise God for that sweet little life.
ReplyDeleteOh dear Jenny, I'm so happy for you (and glad I surfaced in time to see this post to congratulate you and your kin)! Elodie Grace is lovely... you must be aching to hold her. My best wishes for your daughter... may mom and daughter both get stronger each day. Hugs to you, grandma!!
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your lovely comments and good wishes. It's so good to be able to share my joy with you.
ReplyDeleteI clicked in here, after seeing the recent photo, the picture where she is one year old!
ReplyDeleteShe is just wonderful!
I am so pleased that it all went well.