Wednesday 9 March 2016

Letter to a New Grandchild.





                                         Big Sister and Daddy, making a splash.



Dear Very Small Grandchild,
Well, you're on your way, a tiny person with fingernails and elbows and knees that can move.
You have a lot of growing to do, and we need you to stay put, warm and safe and fed for another five and a bit months.
We will wait for you through the Spring and Summer, and then, by late Summer you will be ready to see sunshine and changing leaves. You will be ready to meet your family, although you will know their voices already. You will be familiar with your sister's voice because she uses it all the time, and she will want to talk to you and sing to you and teach you so many things. I think she will be a wonderful big sister for you, a great source of entertainment as well as a loving, caring person.
She is already gearing up for the role. In fact she was the person who gave me the official news. An evening phone call; "Annie, Annie - I'm going to be a big sister. The baby is very small, really small, so I have to wait. You have to wait, and Daddy...we all have to wait......but I'm going to be a BIG SISTER!"

In no time at all you will be joining in, crawling, walking, paddling in the sea, like your big sister before you in the photo. I realise anew how fleeting babyhood seems, and how precious is the time to enjoy it as a grandparent. Sometimes (or more than sometimes) as a parent, the days and nights are tough, exhausting, seemingly endless, but for a grandparent it's just plain wonderful.

But we will all have to wait.

You are already a very fortunate little baby. You will be born into a family that wants to give you so much. So much of everything, of life's experiences, of music, of books and friendships and fun.....and most of all of love.
See you later,
Love from Granny.

P.S. Grandson was born on 09.09.16 in one of the new NHS Birthing Centres, where he and his parents had two nights in a large room with double bed and birthing pool. Thank you, NHS midwives for impressive care throughout.
Everyone is well and very happy.

23 comments:

  1. Wonderful indeed. Congratulations! And best wishes to the expectant parents.

    ReplyDelete
  2. How lovely to find this wonderful bit of good news today. Best wishes to all of you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Leslee and Joan: Many thanks for your kind wishes. Big Sister and I will have a day at the zoo soon while the expectant parents sort out another bedroom.

    ReplyDelete

  4. What good news. Best wishes to the whole family.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Joyful. Your little one will make a smashing Big Sister. Fortunate children.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Congratulations. A new baby is such good news and the way you received it is so wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  7. mm, E.C. Zhoen and Starting Over: thank you all for the good wishes - not too smashing I hope, Zhoen! And letting Big Sister announce the joyful news is a great way to hear it.

    ReplyDelete
  8. RR,
    Oh, likely a bit of both meanings, although she's past the most hitting age.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congratulations. Such a sweet letter to the growing babe.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What wonderful news for all the family! It's obvious that Big Sister is already revelling in her new role. Best wishes to you all.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Joy and Peregrina: thank you for your comments. Big Sister is already receiving messages from new baby, messages like cauliflower is bad for you. This could be quite a useful partnership for them both.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh yes the ''messages from new baby' could become a whole new source of interest and creativity for all concerned!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Firebird: Quite! And there are times when creativity needs a bit of restraint!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Congratulations to you, parents and the big-sister-to-be! That is VERY exciting.

    Yes, when my own kids were small it seemed such a long, long time passed slowly by. But ... well, I don't have to say it, really. I thought today that it's amazing that the twins are two now, though.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Jenny: I know there are scientific reasons for the apparent acceleration of time, but I really can't believe how the last three years have rushed past.

    Sandra: thank you for visiting and for taking the time to comment.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh, so lovely! I'm going to be a granny again in July too.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Pam: you will probably beat me to it. Baby 2 is due in late August, but is already responding to Big Sister's voice. Poor Mama is getting a lot of kicking.

    ReplyDelete
  18. A warm welcome to the new arrival (he took his time, didn't he?) and best wishes for a speedy return to restful nights for all.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Joan: Thanks you for your comment. No, he was right on target, It's an unexpected break in blogging that has taken the time.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Delighted for you and family. Jan x

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thank you, Jan. Everyone is settling down and getting to know one another, but no one can get used to those broken nights.

    ReplyDelete