Nanna's Journey

I’ve decided to add Special Events that happen along the way – kind of giving a time capsual feel to my blog. I’m a little out of date with this entry as it happened a week ago – but later on, I’ll sneak move this to the correct date in my blog (and no one will notice).

An eclipse occurs when the earth passes between the sun and the moon in perfect alignment blocking the sun’s light. It is rare because the moon is usually either above or below the plane of the earth’s orbit. The next lunar eclipse will be December 2011.

It was a misty night here so unfortunately not the sharpest of photos. I spent the evening desperately clicking away in-between periods of thick cloud cover.

..and you are 9 weeks 4 days old

While still too small for you to feel, your are wriggling, shifting, and dancing already! Makes you almost wish for a window to peek in whenever you want!

Most joints are formed and you are practicing bending and flexing.

You will curve your fingers around an object placed in the palm of your hand! How amazing! “At only nine weeks, if you happen to have an ultrasound, you may observe your infant fascinated by everything he or she can lay their fingers on (mainly other fingers, toes, ears and nose!”

Fingerprints are already evident in the skin.

You squint, swallow, move your tongue and can make a fist.

Average size is – Length 0.9 inch (2.3cm), weight 0.07 ounce (2gm)

Today being “Erin-Day” we braved the cyclonic weather conditions and headed to Babies Galore to have a look at prams.

Little wonder I had a blank look on my face as the sales assistant rattled off the trendy names of prams these days. Bugaboo, Peg Prerego, Mountain Buggy, Trekko, Jeep, Quinny, Transformer, Transition (to name just a few!). We spent a good hour comparing prams …wheeling, rocking them to and fro, turning, folding, lifting, noting safety and baby comfort. So much to consider. The extra nifty features. Some prams were so wide and bulky (tyres that looked like they belonged on a drag-car) that would be a nightmare to use shopping!

The Bugaboo Cameleon won hands down. As light as a feather, turning with remarkable ease on a threepence 5 cent piece, an extendable handle for tall parents like Erin & Gav, adjustable wheel suspension – are we really talking about a pram? Folds up nice and compact. Reversable seat and handle. It even comes with a DVD (seriously). Unclick the front tiny wheels and it flips over and converts to a chair (ground level). The stroller seat is higher than normal – so it is the standard height to fit perfectly at restaurant tables. You can unclasp the 2 tiny wheels so that the stroller converts into a 2 wheel stroller (you’d have to see it to get your head around it) for beach walking or simply switch big wheels to the front for rough ground. It also has a stand to put the pram base into – so it converts into a bassinet. The fly net has high UV protection – great! And later, a wheeled board can be attached for a toddler.

There you go … justified the Bloody price *faint* .

Very spiffy looking with a very spiffy price tag! The baby better like it!

Of course Dad, Papa, is thrilled with the news. Great-Grandchild No 10!

This is my favourite photo of Mum & Dad (2000).

I wish Mum was still with us. I know how proud she would have been of her growing family.

Poor Erin is still so sick, throwing up until her throat hurts, living on dry crackers and 2 minute noodles.

“This is going to be an “only” child – I’m not doing this again!”

She is 2 months now – so she should only have about another month of sickness, as it usually only lasts the first trimester (well, this is what I keep telling her). Her washing and housework has understandably fallen behind, just going to work takes all her efforts.

So I offered to go up today and get her washing up to date, do the floors, bathrooms etc so she could have a nice day tomorrow (instead of desperately trying to catch up). It took some persuasion as Erin felt guilty – but I assured her she could do my washing when I was old and frail! Deal then!

Erin rang me early to say Gav had sprung into action at the thought of his MIL coming to do the housework!! Erin said thanks heaps anyway Mum, Gav’s taken the day off and will clean the house.

I’ve just discovered I have MIL POWER!

Erin is not enjoying this at all. She called in this morning on her way to work, looking pale and washed out, complaining of a sore throat from vomiting!

She has the odd day where she doesn’t feel too bad, but mostly feels dreadful, sick all day and even through the night. The nauseous feeling never leaves. I went shopping yesterday and bought her some Swisse Pregcel and some pretty maternity (she is not showing yet tho) clothes from Pumpkin Patch. Poor love, I don’t think she really wanted to look at maternity clothes, no matter how pretty!

I rang Erin from Japan to see how she was. Morning All Day Sickness has now set in. Since Monday.

Ahh.. the joys of pregnancy!

Gav sent Gra a SMS message : How good am I!

Men always think THEY are the whole reason it happened.

Gra SMS back: Can we pick the names?

This morning Erin called in to visit with the exciting news! It’s very early days at only one month pregnant, but that doesn’t decrease the excitement and sheer joy I feel at becoming a Grandmother!

Gra did a happy dance in the kitchen and shouted with gusto with his head in the pantry when Erin told him he couldn’t tell anyone yet! Over the moon is an understatement!

So what will I be called?

I’d like to be called Nanna. With two N’s please. Or Nan would be just as lovely. And Gra wants be called Pop or Poppy.

*Big Happy Sigh*

Wonderful afternoons of holding my grandchild on my lap, reading aloud, and growing an imagination in a child’s mind.

I hope I can be patient, loving, and able and willing to make time. Firing their imagination, growing their ambition, guiding them in solving problems, and giving them a sense of their own worth.

Of baking biscuits, singing (most likely out of tune), telling wonderful stories and taking the kids to run and play in the park. Bashing wild notes on the piano. Maybe even some lessons?

A wrinkly face with laughing eyes and soft giving hands.

You know, the kind children will remember as loving and loving them when they are my age!

I hope I can be all of that and more.

I can barely contain my happiness, and I can think of nothing else.

My inspiration? My beloved mother, who was a much adored Nanna.