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A Spring Debut

After very long, and in Lily’s case, exhausting wait, the midwife tells Lily that it’s nearly time. ‘In about thirty minutes, let’s say,’ she announces. Unfortunately - and Lily tells me later that my face fell, although I was convinced I was staying upbeat - it’s time for me to meet Tom and collect Bee from nursery. Whilst my back is turned, Lily and Russ put their heads together, make a few phone calls and enlist the help of Lily’s lovely friend, Ruth, to assist Tom with Bee so I can stay with Lily. Huge thanks to all of you!

An hour later, I’m thrilled and overjoyed to meet my beautiful new granddaughter who is a very cross little lady indeed as she greets us. I feel immensely honoured to have been present at her birth and I’m so grateful to Lily and Russ for sharing such a precious moment with me. Welcome to the world, baby Iris!


Happy Nana
Happy Grandad!
Happy Great-Gran!
Poor Bee is left with the strong suspicion that Nana and Grandad’s arrival means Mummy and Daddy will disappear - probably to Hospital - so when we arrive a few weeks later so that I can give Lily a hand, Bee refuses to acknowledge us. Luckily, we are forgiven quite quickly and I spend the rest of the week playing at being gruffalos, ‘Shhh, Nana… the Big Bad Mouse!’,  losing at Snap, ‘Beebee’s cards!’… how come they are always Beebee’s cards and never Nana’s?… and even being dressed with cries of, ‘Here you go, Nana!’ as articles of clothing get passed to me in a rather random manner.

Log-rolling!

It all feels very quiet when I come home, but there's a house story to write (with a scarily tight deadline, which I meet - go me!)... there's a boat to anti-foul (go Tom and my father-in-law who do the job, hurray!).

Lifting out to be scrubbed!
A garden which we are gradually taming...


Oh, and a book to promote. My novella, Moonbeams in a Jar is available for preorder now and is released on 22 May. 

Comments

Pondside said…
Whew! That was/is a whirlwind, Chris! We are deep in baby-land too, with the two big sisters to amuse and love. It's a great time of life, with new challenges and possibilities along with the old ones we decide to keep around. Congratulations on your new wee one - she is lovely.
9 May 2018 at 12:16
Chris Stovell said…
It's certainly busy, as you know, dear Pondside, but I do feel incredibly fortunate to have this time. And thank you so much.
9 May 2018 at 14:32
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