I am a Grandfather (Again)
 

Just getting in from the hospital and some errands after. My stepson Colin and his bride Kayleigh are now the proud parents of 7lb 7oz, 20" Gavin Colin Callaway, who entered this world via c-section at 3:35 PM CST today. She was originally due around the 10th of January, but they had determined that the child was rather largeish for her slight build, and was unlikely to change from his breach position, so they'd scheduled her for a December 31 procedure.

He didn't want to wait. Kayleigh began experiencing contractions this morning, and after they tried to suppress the contractions due to a lack of cervical dilation on her part, she then quickly dilated to 3cm, and the c-section proceeded.

The procedure went perfectly, and both mom and child are in perfect, perfect condition. Two grandmothers, three grandfathers, one grandmother's other significant other, and three neighbors were in attendance.

Gavin is my second grandchild, but in reality, he'll be the first as I have no access to Joseph, son of my child Stephen. Even though Gavin is not my blood grandchild, I've been stepfather to Colin, Gavin's father, since Colin was three, and I couldn't feel prouder or more grandfatherly if he was my own bloodline.

None of us really wanted our kids to be parents at 19. If we'd been allowed to design their futures, this happy event would have come along a few years down the line - say, after they had money, jobs, educations and a place to live. But now that Gavin is here, I cannot begin to express the joy and wonder I feel about the whole affair.

As I held him in my arms moments after he was brought to Kayleigh's room, I was overwhelmed with a feeling that I hadn't felt since I held my own son his natal day. As my eyes welled up and Selene stood smiling at us, I remarked that "we never really get used to this, do we?"

I pray I never become jaded to such a grand feeling. I pray that my grandson will grow healthy and strong in a world that is safe, guided by the hands of his loving family.

Today will always remain firmly in my heart as a blessing.

Congratulations Els! What a wonderful winter solstice gift! :)

Hey you with the pretty face,
Welcome to the human race
A celebration Mr. Blue Sky's
Up there waitin' and today
Is the day we've waited for


Congrats All !!

Congratulations Gramps. ;)

How wonderful. I'm very happy for you, all of you.

Huge congrats Els. What a beautiful child and such a pretty mom too! She looks so elfin.

Christmas babies eh? *smiles* Guess the stork's been subcontracting to Santa.

Loadsharing. Good idea.

Congrats Elspode. How is you renaissance of wonder coming along?

What a wonderful gift, congrats man!

Good on them for getting it done under the wire in 2009--now they get a whole year's worth of tax deductions. :)

Congrats, Els!

Beautiful child, congratulations to you and your family!

Congratulations!

Wonderful! Congratulations!!

As always, your beautiful words have moved me.
I hope any blessings you believe in come down on you and your extended family.

He is your grandson, as you rightly assert.
In times where fathers appear disposible by choice on one or other side, it's an affirmation of an "alternative" lifestyle that you feel this way.

(I'm sure the majority do care btw, it's just in the media the image of deadbeat Dads and shrewish Mums seems to predominate.)

Congratulations old man!

Welcome to the world Gavin!

Congrats!

Tonight, for the first time in ages, we had the entire extended family in one place as we celebrated our family Yule. The stars, of course, were Gavin, Kayleigh and Colin, but my eldest Stephen, his wife Julie and mother in law Georgia made it up from their place 75 miles away despite the 9" snow we've accumulated the past three days. Middle son Clifton also made it, although Colin had to go pick him up after work as all the side streets are still for shit, and Clifton's car is buried right now. Colin has had my truck since Thursday when the ice and snow started so he would have one less new daddy thing to worry about.

TF managed to get dug out of Paul's place up North, although she had to have a neighbor pull her up the hill outside the cul de sac in order for her to get back to Raytown. Then, she did the Nanook of the North thing and trudged the two blocks uphill from her place, dragging a makeshift plastic bin sledge full of Yule gifts behind her. Kaleigh's parents (not to be confused with new mom Kayleigh) were to have been with us, but they can't get out of their neighborhood.

My giant turkey (24#) came out so tender that I couldn't remove it from the pan in big enough pieces to require slicing. We feasted and opened presents, and dressed Gavin in a Santa suit.

Pretty great Yule celebration this year.

Good on you old man, you were long overdue for this night you so richly deserved. :thumb2: