I'm A Tutu

"Buy Blue" is what a colleague told me when they reported the result of my amniocentesis, many years ago. Yes, I was having a baby boy - and that was 34+ years ago. And now my son was expecting a son! So what do you want to be called? " my son said. I quickly replied "A Tutu"! (Hawaiian for grandmother.) It will be distinctive. I'll have time to practice saying it since he won't arrive until March 1, 2025.

My daughter -in- law went into pre-term labor New Years Eve, so I caught a plane to help with baby preparations and relieve her mom who had been helping the expecting couple. I arrived to Washington State's COLD fog, rain and mud. I'm not in Maui anymore! The contractions were halted, and she came home from the hospital still pregnant.

I helped paint the nursery, cook some meals, grocery shop (OH My! They have a Trader Joe's nearby! Be still my heart), drive to doctor appointments, lunch at Chipotle (another "Oh my" yum!) - anything I could so the mom- to-be could rest and dad -to-be could get to work. It included taking care of the dog and chickens. I got a quick tutorial on how to clean nesting boxes and off I went.

I was rewarded with fresh eggs! I thanked this little hen and cuddled the red-feathered Fiona on National "Hug Your Chicken Day", who is just decoration/pet/model for my paintings vs an egg layer. Her history with the family is extensive as a survivor of raccoon attack. It gave her PTSD and a crazy feather-do. She will enjoy a long retirement on the farm due to her celebrity status.

Fast forward to me getting home to Maui, and fingers crossed for the expectant parents, and all hoping for additional weeks before delivery.....but the call came a few weeks later and Caspian Snoey was delivered at 34 weeks. He and mom are doing well - both recuperating from the ordeal. He's lounging in NICU, under a lamp mimicking the Maui sunshine, but doing just fine for a tiny guy.

Welcome to the world sweet boy! John and I can't wait to meet you in person! Soon! If you miss me at the hotel on a Thursday, you might have an idea of where I am - learning how - to tutu.

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Just welcomed #preterm #Baby Caspian into the world virtually as his #tutu helped #mychicks and after learning how to take care of their #chickens. #Grandparenting here I come.