Privilege Blog

A Welcome Interruption

Today was planned as a post about leather jackets. Or perhaps “5 Trends To Try Now.” But I draft the blog posts on Sunday, and this particular Sunday guess what happened?

Welcome Mr. B! My brother and sister-in-law brought this little one into the world. You may remember their wedding, in May of 2011?

The families are over the moon.

I spent yesterday in the hospital. Mom, dad, and baby are all doing well. And I so thoroughly enjoyed my tour as Slightly Annoying But Helpful Village Elder I can’t tell you. Compensates for incipient jowls, protesting knees, and vocabulary decline, it does. After all, I’m pretty sure I know this baby business.

Don’t get me wrong. I haven’t been mother to a baby in 22 years. And child-rearing practices change. But muscle memory stands one in good stead, and somehow holding an infant recalls all sorts of events and knowledge. Most of all it feels wonderful to know this:

A project which begins with the universe ripping open its fabric to deliver life, becomes doable, even comfortable, over time.

How wonderful to construct something as complex as a human out of warm feet, a supported head, and patience for sucking. Congratulations Mr. P. and Ms. A! We are so very happy to have Mr. B. join the family and the world.

48 Responses

  1. Muscle memory indeed. That gentle sway as you’ve got that precious bundle held in your arms is never forgotten. Congratulations!

  2. Since my granddaughters entered the world, one by one, I’ve recognized why my left shoulder and upper back tend to “go out” occasionally — years of holding little ones on that side in various positions have obviously predisposed it to complain. Despite that less pleasant demo of muscle memory, though, I gladly, gladly pick them up and hold them on that side again and again. So pleased to know you’ll have a baby cuddle quite handy as well. Enjoy!

  3. One of the wonderful things about being a grandparent – or, in your case, a doting aunt – is the realization that you still remember all about taking care of the new little bundles of joy. Followed swiftly by an even more wonderful realization: you can hand them back to their parents once they being leaking/crying. :)

    Congratulations to your family; he is just precious.

  4. The best thing in the world a new baby,they have their own sweet smell.
    Congratulations to you all.Ida

  5. Congratulations to you and yours, Lisa!
    And ha! “Slightly Annoying But Helpful Village Elder”… I think the nicest thing that I can wish this lovely new baby is to inherit your clear-sighted zest for life. Many, many happy wishes.

  6. What a wonderful cuddly addition to this world! Congratulations to him and to his whole family. All are fortunate to have each other!

  7. Congratulations to you and your family, and welcome to the adorable, precious and already loved to bits Mr. B.

  8. Luckiest little boy in the world to have you as his aunt! And what an added treat it is that he carries the family C-name onward into the next gen!

  9. Welcome, Mr B! This is one of the best baby photos I’ve seen. So evocative. I can’t decide whether he looks more like a French vanilla ice-cream cone or the center of a calla lily. He’s wrapped up like an amazing bouquet of flowers. And somehow he makes me think of a big pot of Devonshire cream. Oh, happy day to you all.

    On another note, I’ve sent an email to your “skyepeale” account: is that something you check on a regular basis?

  10. What better than a leather jacket?

    Well of course a baby. And that is one fine looking
    newborn.

    Let’s hope your way with words is hereditary.

    Congratulations.

    xo jane

  11. ADORABLE! I love babies, many congratulations to your whole family – he is beautiful – look at the cheeks and the little fist!
    My husband was 46 when our first baby was born (first marriage for us both) and 49 when our 3rd and last was born. He is the BEST father!

  12. What fun it is to re-activate that muscle memory. My adult children seem a long way from making me a grandparent, though I am happy to cherish my role as great aunt and grounded elder for my great niece and nephew, ages 1 and 3.

    Rock and snuggle. And if they fuss, so be it. You can pace forever without exasperation when you’ve had a night’s sleep and experienced enough not to take it personally.

  13. How wonderful for all of you. I particularly love that soft head against my neck. As someone with grown children but no grandchildren yet, mostly what I think of is your children’s reaction: perhaps relieved that you have a little one nearby on whom you can focus, or maybe worried that you will wonder when they will come through for you. I assume that your brother is not too far from you in age, and I will be interested to hear how he adjusts to fatherhood.

  14. Such wonderful, happy news…congratulations to the whole family, he’s adorable! Babies bring so much joy and life to a family…you have so much to look forward to, plus, it’ll be great grandmommy practice for the future (not the near – just the future). ;)

    Kind of ironic, I just posted a ‘baby’ post…first one. Not an actual ‘baby’ baby post…but baby related none the less.

    Enjoy your sweet new, little nephew…
    xo J~

  15. How wonderful… congratulations, Auntie! I’m an experienced auntie, it can be so much fun. And when they get annoying… you can give them back! :D

Comments are closed.