I dropped Toddler off at camp this morning and after clinging to my leg for a few delicious moments that made me feel wonderfully needed, she said, "Bye bye, Mommy" and promptly started decorating a cardboard star-wand with blue glitter. And for the first time, I left the school. On the way out, I assured Toddler's teacher that I would be within a two-block radius and tethered to my cell phone. And before I could utter my phone number, the door was shut to that colorful room. So, like it or not, the separation process is underway.Having a good chunk of time to spare, I met Sister C for breakfast. C is 38 weeks pregnant, glowing and gorgeous, waiting for her little boy to make his debut. We lingered over yummy food and drink, talking life and law and little babies. And I had a feverish resurgence of belly envy. I looked at her - all sunny smiles, on the precipice of perhaps the biggest day of her life. I looked at her belly - round, taut, bulging with promise and I thought: Yup, I'm officially envious.
It didn't help that I went to see her finished nursery which is hands down the coolest, funkiest, most artfully arranged baby haven I have ever seen. I will ask her if I can take a picture and post it here on ILI because it is that amazing. It's a sanctuary of blues and aquas and greens, full of animal motifs and rich patterns... Leave it to my Phi Beta Kappa, Summa Cum Laude, Yale Law Grad beauty of a sister to be good at yet another thing. I have zero doubt she will make an incredible mother and I can't wait to see it happen... and soon!
I'm also envious of another thing: Elaine. Elaine is the miracle of a baby nurse who stayed with Husband and me during the first weeks of Toddler and Baby's lives. And now she will stay with C and her new fam. A seasoned veteran of all things baby, with a cool Jamaican accent and sweet smile, Elaine brought a sense of sanity, calm, and happiness to our home during a time when things could have easily been insane, hectic, and anxiety-riddled. She answered infinite questions, taught infinite lessons, showed me how to burp and bathe a baby. I am forever indebted to this woman and I cannot wait to see her again. I know that baby nurses are largely a Manhattan phenomenon and that there are many of you out there who are judgmental of paying someone to stand by and keep the postnatal peace. I know plenty of you probably think having a baby nurse is indulgent and unnecessary and you are certainly entitled to your opinion. But I have zero regrets. And when I have Baby #3 (and Baby #4 - I can dream!), I will welcome Elaine back into our humble abode.
When will my baby nephew arrive? When will I be reunited with Elaine? Stay tuned! My guess: C will go into labor late Thursday night and her cutie will arrive this Friday, July 10...
I know you don't know her (or maybe you do!), but when do you think C will give birth? What are your thoughts on baby nurses?
Based on your description of your sister, my guess is she will go into labor on her due date and deliver without incident early into the next day. It seems as everything else has been charmed for her, why wouldn't her L&D follow suit?! Now if she could just bottle this perfection and sell it to us poor schlubs (or at least do an infomercial!), we'd appreciate it :)!
ReplyDeleteAs far as baby nurses, as I too live in Manhattan, I also had a wonderful nurse that stayed with us for the first month and a half after my daughter was born. She taught us so much and we cried when she left. We did not use her with my son three years later, not because we didn't want to, but because I gave birth 3 weeks early (immediately following my daughter's 3rd birthday party!)and she was unavailable (I didn't want someone new). I missed having her though I didn't *need* her as I had with my daughter (b/c I knew what I was doing and I had our nanny who stepped up). That said, if we went for #3 (doubtful but not off the table, though a decision needs to be made in the next 18 months), I would definitely have her again, the peace she brought with her and to our house was worth it, for sure! Wishing C a safe and wonderful birth experience!
D