Meet my new granddaughter, Addison Jane Tabolt! She was born to my stepdaughter Emily and is already a week old, having been born on July 5th at 5:06 p.m. and weighing 7 lbs. 6 oz. Addison (she is most definitely NOT an "Addie!") has possibly the most expressive face I've seen in an infant this tiny, pursing her lips, raising an eyebrow, wrinkling her nose, all seemingly at will (even though we know it's not). She has a head of dark hair (Emily says that explains her heartburn over the last several months), perfect little fingers and toes, and inky blue eyes. Addison has already captured the hearts of her Aunt Taryn, Uncle Ian, GrammaLee (that's me!) and Gramps (Warren) and has even inspired several nicknames already ("Squink" from me and "Little Honey" from Taryn). We think we'll keep her.
Addison took about 14 hours to come into this world once Emily went into labor so yes, we awoke at 3 a.m. to begin this journey! It was definitely a team effort - I helped her through her toughest contractions, Warren made sure Emily's mother (Leslie, who drove down from Utica) stayed calm and relatively sane, and Taryn was in the delivery room to support Emily AND cut the umbilical cord. Two days later we took Emily and Addison home.
What mixed feelings have arisen as a result of this. On the one hand, I was thrilled to be able to be there for Emily, to see and hold my granddaughter, to share this experience with Warren, to see Taryn be a source of strength for her sister. On the other hand, I can't help but feel sad that in all likelihood it will not be me who comforts Taryn when the pain of labor becomes unbearable, and it will not be me who looks into her child's eyes and remembers my own joy at becoming a mother, it will not be me who tells Taryn afterwards what an amazing job she did. Instead of only the wonderful, Addison's birth brings the bittersweet.
And yet, I would not wish it otherwise, for when I hold her and caress her precious cheek and rock her tiny body into sleepiness and gaze into those already inscrutable eyes I am inevitably reminded of all the blessings I have had, do have, and will continue to have as long as my body and spirit are able. Welcome to the world Addison!
Blessings and Love to All.
