Day 161 / 2016 - Newborns and the Knitted Teddies

A new baby has arrived in the family and Oma (Dutch for Grandmother, Nana, Nona...etc) is just itching to get back home to have her cuddles. We have booked a flight for the 7th of July but I don't think she will survive that long.

A Birth in the family is more difficuilt for an "always on the road Oma"  as they are not able to drop everything to be there the minute the baby is born. They feel they miss out on those all important early moments of bonding time and think it will affect the relationship for with the baby for the rest of their lives. They also feel a little bit left out as everyone else will see the baby first while they have to wait for what seems like an eternity.

They have a burning desire to know all the details described to them (what hospital mobile phone policy). Needing updates every 45 minutes starting from before, during and after the birth, have you gone to hospital yet, how far apart are the contractions has the baby been born yet and the all important what is the birth weight and size (we already knew the sex).  Has the mother and baby settled, are they feeding okay.

Oma's also take seriously the important roll of organising the rest of the family, have they all been contacted do they know the visiting time. Its a special time for an Oma even after the 8th grandchild the newness of it all is still just as exciting as if this baby was the first. Opas on the otherhand just sit back and wait they know their part doesn't kick in untill later in life when the young grandie comes in holding parts of there treasured toy look up with those eyes and say can you fix this for me please (aawww moment please).

Oma's must have a hormone that activates when a new baby is born (or on the way at least) that tells them they must go out and buy stuff for the baby. Every time we go shopping we need to pass through all the aisle containing the newborn clothes, toys and those other icky but equally important baby sanitary and feeding thingies. If they are lucky enough to get to know the sex prior to birth then its easy to chose the colour but if not well they agonise about what colour to buy, should it blue should it be pink or maybe a neutral colour (yellow) in the end they buy one of each just in case.

There seems to be a maternal instinct that kicks in, while a young mother feels as though they need to prepare the nest for the new arrival Oma's on the other hand have to knit something especially if they need to keep their minds off not being able to organise the family (although modern technology has help in that department). Firstly they scour the shops for a suitable pattern then next is the type of wool and knitting needles finally there is the feverous click clacking as they prop themselves up in front of Dr Phil and The Chase.. "knit one pearl 3". Oma is not good at pacing herself and once started keeps going untill she finishes generally wearing herself out in the process. This is where Opa also comes in making sure she is nourished with cups of tea and food to keep her strength up. Finally she comes up for air proudly showing the finish product. 

But wait there is a older sibling, they can't feel as though they will miss out so back she goes scouring for a new pattern (can't be the same as the newborns), choosing the right wool then comes the clickity Clack, more Dr Phill and Opa once again serving up the cups of tea and food. Finally once again emerging exhausted but triumphant with her newly knitted creation ready for delivery on the 7th.

In fairness Oma misses all her grandchildren equally and is the part she hates most about travelling is not being able to see and touch them. When a new baby is born it just highlights how much she misses them and if Star Trek was real she would be saying "beam me there now scotty." at least just for a few hours.