My last post, Far from Family, came about mainly because my daughter was going into labor. She is in California and I am in Panama, and at those times you feel the distance. It definitely was labor and the next day her daughter, my granddaughter came into the world! I still feel the distance because I am aching to hug my daughter and hold my granddaughter but I will be there soon. Meanwhile, we have technology to keep us close.
My daughter and I were chatting through the whole process on Facebook messenger until she was too busy and her husband took over. The other grandmother who was with her also kept in close touch by messenger and phone/Skype. I am so thankful for the great communication.
My daughter got checked in to the hospital about 4PM Panama time. I figure nothing would happen for a while so I went off to my 4:30 art class, iPad in hand of course. Soon a message came in that things were progressing rapidly, and classmates wanted to know what was distracting me. More messages came in, even more rapid progress, and soon everyone was getting excited, including parents who were stopping by to pick up their kids. Before class was over a message came in that it was delivery time! Of course at delivery time there is a lot going on so it was a little while before I got more news, but I found out later that the baby was born at 6:45 Panama time, just after I left class. It was fun sharing all the excitement with my classmates.
I have pictures! None of these are my own pictures except the first, and I appreciate everyone who shared pictures.
This is a blurry screen capture of a Facetime chat, my first look at the new baby. I knew all was well but it was wonderful to talk with my daughter and get my first look at the new little girl.
These were the first official pictures posted by dad on Facebook of mom, dad, and baby girl.
Soon after came this photo. It is like the baby’s beautiful little face is being revealed more in each picture.
This beautiful picture was posted on Facebook by a coworker friend of my daughter.
And, the next day they came home!
Now you can see the baby has a full head of hair, just like her mother did when she was born. I’m not sure if dad took this picture, or the other grandmother.
And, my favorite photo of all, taken by the other grandmother
Big brother meets little sister! He is only 2 1/2 and this is going to be a big change, but word is he did fine on his first night with the new baby in the house.
What would we do without Facebook?! Other than a few phone calls that came to me via Skype, all of our communication and photos were through Facebook. I remember when my daughter was born. It was just my husband, me, and the midwife. We had recently moved to another state too, so I didn’t know many people. I don’t think anyone knew what was happening until later when we called family to tell them the news.
An aside, while no birth is without risk, my daughter’s son was born by c-section for breech. Usually a c-section means all subsequent births will also be by c-section because of the risk of a rupture. I really felt that she would be fine birthing naturally, she was very closely monitored, and the staff was ready to jump in at a moment’s notice. But, I still feel relieved that the birth is in the past and now we know for sure that all is well. All is more than well. She succeeded, she did it and did it well, and I am very proud of her!
Now we wait for the next baby, another little girl, expected in a month. Unless she comes early I will be there for that birth.
The Panama Adventure 
Congratulations!!!!!
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Thank you!
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Congratulations
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Thank you
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Beautiful granddaughter and great story of sharing the experience. Thanks.
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My pleasure, and thank you 🙂
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How exciting. Thank you for sharing! Congratulations! This is what life is all about 🙂
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Yes indeed, and thank you!
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Congratulations on becoming a Grandmother again. What would we do without Facebook!! A great way to communicate with your family when you are so far away. Thanks for sharing the photos, lovely family.It must be hard sometimes when things like this happen, when you are so far away. It is good we are in the computer age now.
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Thank you 🙂 I could have been there but it worked out better for the other grandma to be there at first, and I will be there soon. Thanks to the internet though, I felt I was as there as i could possibly be without actually physically being there, which is wonderful.
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Congratulations to all! This post is a clear demonstration on how many different ways there are of communicating with our loved ones from a distance. I think you used almost everything at your disposal! 🙂
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Thank you Amiga :). Yes indeed we did, except conventional phone. But I also did enough of that here with hubby and friends who were following the news.
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Congratulations! What a beautiful baby!
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Thank you! 🙂
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Congratulations !!!
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Thanks 🙂
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Congratulations!!! I’m so happy for you and your daughter’s family. So exciting and she is such a precious blessing. Lovely photos!
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Thank you so much!
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Congratulations!
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Thank you 🙂
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Beautiful baby. Congratulations I don’t know how we survived without the internet either. Glad mom and baby are doing great!
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Thank you! I wouldn’t live in a place without internet, for sure. Mom is tired as is to be expected but both are doing very well. Even big brother seems to be taking it all in stride.
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Congratulations!! I’m so happy for you and your daughter… well, both daughters! Glad to hear all are doing well. Babies make life joyous, their innocence is almost contagious :). Happy travels when you head back to the states for a bit!
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Thank you so much. It’s a really good time with these new children and I’m looking forward to my trip back 🙂
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YES THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL BABY, CONGRATULATIONS,, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT LITTLE BABY YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE FUTURE,, TAKE CARE GOD BLESS AND AGAIN CONGRATULATIONS. DAVID
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Yes indeed. Thank you so much 🙂
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