Friday, April 23, 2010

There are just no words

First of all ~ It's a girl!!! Charlie Madeline was born on April 22nd (Earth Day) at 1:05 pm. She weighed in at 8 lbs 6 oz and 20.5 inches long. She is healthy, beautiful and just perfect.. as is Mom Jennifer.

There are just no words to describe the emotions and the love that I am feeling right now. The first time I saw her, as they wheeled her into the nursery to run all those test, and poke and prod her ~ she just took my breath away. And then when they placed her in my arms.... I still tear up just thinking about it ~ the overwhelming sense of love... and so much more. It's so totally different than the love of a child from a parent but I honestly don't know how to describe it. This little girl has captured my heart and my soul so completely. It's amazing and yet feels so natural.

And as impossible as I would have told you it was, it actually increased my love for Jen. To give me the gift of grandmotherhood is the most incredible gift ever. I am so proud of her and my heart is just swelling with love.

Charlie was born via c-section and I was with Jen up until about 15 minutes before they came to take her to the OR. We all (me, Julz, her Dad and his wife)left to give J&J some time alone. As I walked out of the room and down the hall, I just lost it ~ just started sobbing. Poor Julz didn't know what to think. I think it was the build up of a lot of things leading up to this plus the concern for Jen, about to undergo major surgery. I managed to make it into the rest room and dab some water on my face and calm down and come out just in time for them to wheel her past me and into the OR. She was sitting up and smiling and I blew her a kiss and smiled back as best I could but she saw (she told me later) that I was a wreck ~ aw crap, just writing this has got me going again!!!

Anyway.. it seemed like she was in the OR forever! They took her in right about 12:15 and as I walked to the waiting room ~ there is her doctor at the nurses station, eating his lunch and dictating notes from his previous case into a recorder. He went in about 12:30 or so. I couldn't  sit! I paced the halls the entire time. One of the things this hospital does is, when a baby is born (really a few minutes after) a lullaby plays over the PA system. We waited for what seemed like an eternity until finally at 1:11 I heard it! I yelled (very quietly I might add) to Jen's stepmom ~ "Listen, that's it ~ that's our baby!" We were all going nuts. Just before that though Jen's dad asked me "Boy or Girl?". I said all along I have been thinking it would be a boy but in the last couple of days, I've switched to girl. He said he's been saying girl all along but thinks it will be a boy. Too funny.

It wasn't too long (maybe 10 or 15 minutes) and they brought Charlie out. Jeremy came out with her and announced ~ "We have a girl!" They slowed down as they brought her past us so we could get a good look and snap the first pictures of this adorable baby. So much cheering and hugging ~ it's all kind of a blur. We watched through the window while they ran all the standard tests. We took pictures through the glass ~ we made dozens of calls ~ we texted pictures ~ we all fell in love with Charlie.


14 comments:

Karen said...

Teary here reading your description, you captured the feelings perfectly! and I am soooo happy for you...and Jen and the rest of the family. Welcome to the world Charlie, you are one lucky young lady!

Becky said...

I'm doing my best not to cry at this moment. I'm SO happy for you, I know you've been waiting 9 months for this precious gift. This picture, she looks like her daddy. He must be beaming. Jen looks so good, thank God. I said a prayer for all of you. Glad He heard me. Take care, enjoy every moment Barb. Love you!!!!

Anna said...

What a nice blog post. I got teary reading it. I can't wait to see Charlie and talk to Jen!!! Thanks for calling me yesterday! =)

Moneik said...

Congrats! Have fun being a grandma.

Jackie Kirner said...

congratulations to all!!

Sandra :) said...

Oh crap, I'm crying too, lol!! Welcome to the world, beautiful dear little Miss Charlie Madeline (adorable name) - congratulations to everyone!

WOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mary~Momathon said...

Congratulations!!! I am going to be a grandmother in August and I'm so nervous! Your grand daughter is beautiful!

Anonymous said...

I cried, too, reading this perfectly written story--it is so touching, Babs. I am so happy for you, Jen, and the rest of the family. Send Jen and Jeremy my best.

It is really amazing how much joy and love a child brings. Words cannot describe it but your story is as close as it gets :) Charlie is so lucky to have you as her Grammy. I can already imagine how crazy in love she's going to be with YOU!

Max can't wait to meet Charlie--he just turned 8 months last week and he really digs younger women. Hee hee :)

Enjoy every moment! Love ya :)

Beeshebags said...

Congratulations from one Grandma to another....a grandson would've been brilliant, but a grand daughter, to a grandma is just perfect. She looks sooooo cute....please tell Jen I say "you have a princess" in your lives now. Hugs Naomi

Grandma Judy said...

Congratulations on the baby girl! How great is that! I'm so happy for you.

Poor Julz...she's NOT "the baby" anymore!

Kisses all around!

Michele said...

Congratulations - she's beautiful.

andsewon said...

Oh what a sweetie! So beautiful and new, I am sure she has that magical sweet baby smell...yes it melts a Grammy's heart at 10 paces!!
Enjoy the moment and I am sure you are going to be one of those Super Grammy's!!!! I know being one is my fav thing in this life!
Hugs,
Lola
P.S. That name Charlie made me recall those Charlie Cologne TV ads with that tune!!;-)

Julie H said...

Congrats Grandma!!! New babies are so exciting and I can just imagine how it is when you are the grandma :)

Miss Healthypants said...

That is so, so awesome! :) Congrats again!!!! :)