Waiting for Nora

Our youngest daughter is expecting her first baby -- our fifth grandbaby. We've been waiting for Nora's appearance for several weeks now -- enough though the official due date was just yesterday.

One of the doctors told our daughter in late February that she was going to deliver the baby early because Nora was already in position at that time. The doctor didn't do us any favors in telling us that she was going to come early. Now, almost four weeks later, we are still waiting.

At her appointment last Monday, my daughter found out that she was dilated to 3 centimeters and her doctor told her that she was "on the launching pad." Five days later, we're still waiting for the countdown to commence, and the baby to appear.

Every time the phone rings, I race to see who is calling. I'm expecting a call at, literally, any moment that will herald the news that labor has begun, and they are on the way to the hospital.

Waiting for this grandbaby has been the toughest one of all the babies. My life is on hold -- I don't want to make any plans or appointments. I have vacation days that I've saved up to use when Nora arrives, but I can't schedule them until she makes her arrival.

Waiting for every other grandbaby has been so different than this one.

Grandbaby #1 was born in Wisconsin -- 10 hours away. Her due date was about the same time that our son was getting married. I knew that I couldn't see the baby until after the wedding. If the baby came early, she would just have to wait for Grandma. I scheduled a flight for the weekend after the wedding, hoping that the baby would arrive before I got there. Jenny arrived the day before Grandma's flight -- perfect timing.

Grandbaby #2 was born in Indiana -- 2-1/2 hours away. I could get to him at any point of the day -- even after work. I just needed to get that phone call, and I could leave whenever I wanted. David kindly made his appearance on a Saturday in which we were already planning to be in his hometown. Very convenient of him to time his arrival with our schedule!

Grandbabies #3 & #4 were born in Delaware -- 10+ hours away. Once again, I had to schedule, in advance, when I could visit the grandbabies. The babies were due in mid-March. Although we expected the twins to be born early, I decided to wait to visit the babies until my daughter's spring break in April. Therefore, I didn't get to meet Emily and Kyle in person until they were more than a month old.

I want to meet Nora on the day that she is born (unless her arrival is the middle of the night!)!!! She will be born in Chicago -- 3+ hours away.

A couple of weeks ago, my daughter asked me what my plans are for when Nora arrives. I don't know what I'm going to do -- everything depends on her timing. If it's a weekend, Grandpa can go with me, and we will probably make it a one-day trip or a two-day trip & stay overnight in Chicago. If it's a weekday, I have to figure out when I'm going to leave, how long I'm going to stay, how many vacation days I'm going to use, can I miss a class period, etc. The only thing that I have settled in my mind is that I'm driving.

I usually live a structured life. I have my "to-do" list and know what is planned for the next week or so. There isn't a lot of room for spontaneity. But, I'm not living a structured life right now. I didn't make any plans for my week of Spring Break because I'm waiting for Nora. I wouldn't commit to being available for a Technology Committee meeting at church because I'm waiting for Nora. I don't want any obligations to get in my way of being able to drop what I'm doing, jump in the car, and head for Chicago.

So you can arrive anytime now, Nora. Grandma's ready to meet you!!

Next Post: Watching Spring Arrive