Nanna's Journey

..seems to have given Gav an extra burst of  cheekiness.

The topic was of Erin’s waters breaking. Lots of laughter, albeit nervous laughter from Erin, about embarrassing and hilarious imaginary situations. The protection of their mattress from Niagara Falls was soon the subject.

“Couldn’t you just slip into a bin liner?” Gav asked Erin.

While we all rolled around belly-laughing at Gav’s comment, I’m sure Erin was laughing through gritted teeth.

If Gavin doesn’t watch out, he will definitely suffer a black eye in the labor ward.

The clock is seriously ticking now!

The calm before the storm.

The other day when I visited Erin, I stood alone in his nursery, taking in the delicious baby scents that already filled the room. Fingering his tiny socks, admiring empty photo frames waiting to be filled. A big teddy bear, perched up on the tallboy looks lonely, staring blankly at me with is shiny button eyes waiting for his owner to arrive. Peering in all the drawers, admiring his neatly folded clothing. I have to confess, each time I visit I have to look in those drawers.

Such a beautiful, peaceful room. I could of stayed in there all day.

At antenatal classes Gav was put to the test. How to wrap your baby in a bunny rug.

Placing his baby doll across the bunny rug, he proceeded to roll dolly over and over, like a sausage in pastry with the palms of his hands! Triumphantly, Gav held dolly up, adjusting the blanket down to reveal it’s face.

Laughing, I asked Erin what did the midwife say when she saw Gav do that?! “Nothing. She just raised her eyebrows. She knows what he’s like!”

Then, still lined up with their dolls, nappy pins open ready, they were told an easy way to get the pin through the cloth was to run the pin through their hair. Nudging the bald guy standing beside him, Gav asked “What are you going to do?”

Great news! The test came back negative for Pre-eclampsia. She has an appointment tomorrow morning to have her blood pressure checked again, so good to hear they are keeping an eye on her.

Her blood pressure throughout her pregnancy has been a “bit high” – how high exactly I don’t know as when I ask Erin she always forgets!

So for now, it’s more cooking!

Gav can’t understand why he can’t cut the umbilical cord with his treasured Buck knife. Yes, he was serious! Honestly, I nearly died laughing when Erin told me.

Gra gave Gav the Buck (famous American-made and very expensive) hunting knife for Christmas. A Buck knife is something to get very excited about (if you are a bloke).

“But Gra gave me that knife. And I’m going to hand it down to my son. So I want to use it to cut the cord! It’ll be really special”

“Noooo, you are NOT using that!”

“Why not?”

“Gav, the nurses will be very angry with you if you bring your Buck knife!”

Angry?? Blimey, that would be an understatement! Arrested more like it. Imagine the News headlines.. ohmygod, I really am going to die laughing!

I’m probably more worried than Erin, being her mum, an expectant Nanna and all..

Erin was tested today for Pre-eclampsia – she has high blood pressure, swollen feet and sudden weight gain. She had urine and blood tests and will find out the results soon. So rest has been ordered. Her Ob says if it is Pre-eclampsia, she might have to be induced… Ohhhhmygod.

I’ve been assured it’s not all that uncommon ..and at 34 weeks her baby was around 6 lbs, now at 36 weeks he has surely grown even bigger. Fingers crossed everything will be okay.

I’m going to visit Erin tomorrow to make sure she does rest – if she thinks she might be going in on Friday she’ll be wanting to make sure all the housework etc is up to date and might not be able to resist doing a few things she shouldn’t.

Gav went with Erin to the Ob appointment ..and as the Ob checked to see if she had dilated (she hasn’t) he exclaimed “I can feel his head”.

“Can I do that?” Gav asked

“No! You certainly can not. I am a Professional” was the Ob’s stern reply.

.

Was Gav thinking he could give his son a little scratch or a pat on the head?

“I was thinking about her in the kitchen whilst making a cup of tea and an overwhelming feeling came over me that baby will be born over the Easter holidays”

Good Friday 21st – Easter Monday 24th

Now, just in case the extraordinary happens and it actually occurs, I’m documenting it here on my Blog for the whole world to read! You do realise you are forfeiting your Birthday (26th) with this prediction!

Erin cuddling 3 week old Lilly. Relaxed and confident, Erin will make a wonderful mother, I have absolutely no doubt!

Asked her thoughts of her impending Motherhood, she answered with a smile, “I’ll be right”.

Today, 24 years ago, I was 36 weeks pregnant with Erin! Now I’m looking at Erin, with her huge belly as a mirror of myself back then. I hadn’t thought about it like that until now.

We actually have quite a few Mother~Daughter coincidences happening. Due the same date (although it was with my second pregnancy). Both 23 years of age when pregnant with our first. And both expecting a boy for our first.

I had an 8 hour first labor. So fingers crossed she does as well. My second labor, with Erin, was over and done in 4 hours.

Lee was 8lb 2oz (3620) – Erin was 8lb 41/2 oz (3750) …I guess that would be pushing the coincidence thing a bit far *grin*.

I wonder if Erin will give herself a 24th birthday present and have him on the 31st of March? Now that would be a coincidence! My brother Ron, his birthday is the 30th, so even that would be nice. And not to forget my girlfriend Dianne, who is putting her hand up for him to be born on her birthday, the 26th!

We are having friends Pat & Tanya with their two girls, 2 year old Caitlin and newborn Lilly, over today for lunch. Lee, Erin & Gav will be here too so should be a lovely day. Gav is going to put a roof on the cat-run today so they are planning on arriving early.

Today was a real scorcher. Erin has taken the day off work. Her foot (strangely just one) is very swollen again and I’ve ordered her to rest with her feet up.

Erin is battling working full time now. Her hours are long. Traffic delays (major roadworks) means she is doing 10 hour days. On her feet all day hairdressing – with only a stool in the back room for her to sit on in her breaks. I was quite horrified to hear if someone is sitting on the stool, she sits on a pile of magazines on the floor! What? Can you believe it?! Erin is a senior who has been working at this hairdressing salon for 7 years, her first and only job. Let’s look after our loyal employee-Not! *shaking my head*

So I decided to surprise her with a full grocery shop. “Mum, it’s like Christmas!” she exclaimed as she put away the bags of groceries, stocking up her pantry and fridge. Funny how things change when you are an adult – you can get so thrilled and excited about a gift of groceries!

The only thing left to do in readiness for HIS grand arrival was to wash all the baby clothes and pack her hospital bag.

Everything is now washed, soft and fluffy. We lay everything out on the dining room table to Ooh and Aww over. How tiny is this.. How cute is this.. Imagine him in this.. Erin carefully put everything away in the nursery draws that had earlier been lined with delicate baby scented Crabtree & Evelyn draw liners.

Her hospital and labor bag is packed.

Ready and organised.

I ended up cooking a chicken roast and staying for dinner. Erin and Gav got me to read through a baby names book as they jotted down names they liked. Three names have been narrowed down to two. And no, I’m not telling, you’ll have to wait and see.