February 1, 2011 at 9:42PM weighing in at 6lbs, 7.5oz, my grandson was born and I was there , and I mean there, to welcome him into our world and family. It was an honor I never expected but was thrilled beyond belief when they asked me to be a labor coach.
I didn't watch my own children being born so to see LJ take his first breath and to see the look of awe on the faces of his parents was priceless.
There is so much to write, I don't know where to start.
I will start with the call I got from Christina saying she was in the ER because she had broken her fibula in a fall going to her car. She told me she was possibly going to need surgery so they would have to induce her. I showered and got dressed. Joey was on a flight to Connecticut and amazingly, he was the last flight to land. Someone was watching from above, probably many.
I arrived in the labor and birthing room about 10:30AM. They had just started giving her the pitocin to start her labor. She was 80% effaced and 5-6 cm dilated. So good for a 1st baby. We were looking at at 9 PM birth or there abouts. Okay, Joey arrives in Connecticut and Bob Imperato went to pick him up. This is Joey's second family and he is their 5th son. He was in the hospital at 11:30 AM. Kisses all around. Nurses in to check and they were happy Daddy had arrived because they knew it would make Mommy calmer. So true. Now comes the boring part. The wait was on. Everyone but me was sleeping because no one but me had slept the night before. I sat in a rocking chair rocking to develop my rocking muscles because I knew I was going to need them. Labor started getting stronger after about 2 hours. Christina was a trooper. She was breathing through them but they were getting closer and stronger. About 3PM they gave her the epidural and she was comfortable for a while and she slept. Again I was left watching the monitor and she was sleeping though some strong contractions. She changed position at some point and the contractions got much worse. I would say she probably disturb the comfortable world that LJ was in and now he wanted out. WE still had a few hours to go. The doc delivered a few by c-section and another one down the hall but he kept checking in on Christina. About 9:15PM, Christina got an incredible urge to push and the pain medication was no longer working. The nurses were great. They told her what to do, they got the doc, he checked her and told her to push when she wanted to push. This kid had 3 contractions, pushed 9 times and LJ was born and on her belly. I was amazed, AMAZED!!! I got to hold her broken leg during the whole birth so I saw his head bulge and then crown and then saw his beautiful little face. He has beautiful dark hair. Mom and Dad were in awe and in love. Christina said it this morning to me...."It was like falling in love all over again.". Yes it is. Joe held his son and just stared at him, then Christina's Mom, Karen, got to hold him and then Me!!!! Oh my God, this is the greatest feeling in the whole universe. I talked to him and he listened and stopped crying and then he smiled! I know it was probably gas but I have my beliefs....leave me alone in my world...it was an I love Nana smile!!!!!! That's my story and I am sticking to it. Then Christina breastfed him and he took to it like a pro. Christina was shocked. AT this point Christina moved to her room on the 11th floor. LJ and Joey went to the nursery to be checked out and all the important stuff done. Christina was exhausted but beautiful!!!!! A very proud Mommy! Joey is hopelessly in love with his son. When he cries he picks him and walks with him and tells him stories and LJ quiets right down. I can't wait to hold him again.
So please bear with me if my blogs are suddenly updates on LJ. I can't help it...I am in love with my grandson. I will protect him to the ends of this earth and universe.
Thanks for listening. I leave you with this thought....If your children ask you to be a labor coach, don't turn them down, even if you are squeamish. It is an honor worth your weight in gold. And I know it will never get old even if I have 10 or more grandchildren.
I love the song by Dolly Parton: I Hope You Dance. On February 1, 2011, I DANCED, like I never danced before. Thank you again Christina and Joey. And thank you LJ, for coming into my life. I love you. XOXOXOXO
