#307 - Don't Like Keeping Valentine Secrets

Another  Holiday

Heidi has been in the hospital since Thursday. We thought the baby might be born on Friday, Lunar New Year! No baby Friday or Saturday. Maybe a Valentine's Day Baby?

I actually ordered Valentine photo cards, a while ago. But, nobody is thinking about Valentines' Day today. We're waiting on baby.

No Melting

Today the ice is worse than ever. It's the kind of ice that inspires very cartoonish walking styles. I almost did the slow-motion splits!

There's no way Don and I could get to the hospital, even if Covid restrictions were lifted and visitors were welcome.

Communicating
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​Before 8 am, Heidi was texting. "...beyond frustrated!" Finally we talked on the phone and it was a relief to hear her voice. We shared about pros and cons of C-sections. After 9 months of feeling unhelpful with guidance about labor,  I was suddenly able to share what I knew about c-section surgery & recovery. 

​Heidi, Jamie, Don and I all talked on speaker phone. For a brief while, it  almost felt like we were in the hospital with them. I could hear how their voices relaxed, as they came closer to making a decision. They said they'd let us know...

Sit and Wait
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​We have learned to be patient during this pandemic year.

We know how to sit and wait! But not in these chairs!

Icy Message
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We got off the phone and I took my giddy energy outside to make one more sign in the snow. 

I couldn't scrape a design into the ice, so I grabbed some branches and candy kisses. I hoped that today would actually be the day. A Valentine's Day Baby!

Finally!

A short while later I was talking to my dad on the phone, when Heidi texted that she was heading in for surgery in 5 minutes! I got off quickly and texted family!

Don and I were giddy as we sat together, trying to recall all we could of Heidi's arrival 34 years ago. "So fast!" We both remembered.

She's Here!
 
​And before long we had a photo and good news. I cried when I saw these three.

I haven't shared baby news on social media and I've only shared with close family and friends through texts. It's so hard not being the one who makes the decision about when to announce news! I hate keeping good secrets. This stupid ranting blog is really just for me, so I'll assume no one will see this. I guess I'm safe sharing this pic. That's what diaries are for, sharing the things that you can't shout out with the world. Here is the photo!

Valentine's Day!

So Valentine's Day will never be the same. Don and I became grandparents on Valentine's Day... during a pandemic... in the midst of an ice storm. After talking with the new Mom and Dad and talking an hour with "Uncle Scott" and "Aunt Chali", we sort of celebrated.

Don came up with some very fine Valentine's Day "cards", that he shared on his phone! Because he thought way ahead, before we left TX, 40+ days ago, I got a gift. Grateful for a lot today.

Pandemic Ice

Knowing that Heidi, Jamie and Baby were safe in the hospital, we hunkered down ourselves.

The ice, (and closed restaurants) means no pandemic dine-out temptations.   The ice has also prevented us from picking up curbside groceries. What to eat?

Happy Valentine's Day

So here is our meal tonight! This is laughable and pitiful... and embarrassing. Why did we ever purchase these micowave-ables in the first place. Mmmm.. They were awful!

But the wine was great and our toast was the best.
​"Cheers to our baby granddaughter and her parents!"
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