Jenny has complained that Jani has not received the attention that he deserves on this blog (which I have neglected for a long time now) and of course I agree with her. I guess it's about time I at least told the story of his birth before we all forget the essential details. Naturally enough everything is as much about Livi as it is about Jani. So far Jani doesn't seem to mind.
Births are meant to be dramatic events or so Holywood has taught us and Livi's was certainly no exception. In fact I was quite glad to hear all about it at 3:00 in the morning AFTER it was all over. Jani however, laid back baby that he is, didn't provide much drama, so those of us around him produced our own.
I took the train to Berlin on the 27th of May because the delivery was scheduled for the 29th and it was my contribution to the procedings to look after Livi so that Ulf could be with Jenny. On the day before Jani's arrival we got Livi all prettied up.
Of course a facial was also in order.
Very early on the 29th Jenny and Ulf went to the hospital where the Caesarian was scheduled for sometime that morning. Livi woke up at 7:25, just before I was to wake her. I dressed her and gave her breakfast and answered her question "Mama? Papa?" 154 times or thereabouts. She was totally satisfied with my answer that Mama and Papa had gone to the hospital to get Jani, she just wanted to hear it repeated, again and again. I took her to her daycare which is just around the corner and went back to the apartment to wait for news. Late that morning Ulf called to let me know that everything was fine, Jani had arrived at 8:27, had had an uncomplicated birth and was in excellent condition. He weighed 3935 grams and was 51 cm.
Jani at 12 hours old
Ulf came home from the hospital in the afternoon in time to pick Livi up with me from kindergarten. When we arrived we got the news that Livi had thrown up several times and they had run out of clothes for her. As Ulf was getting her dressed to leave she confirmed the news by throwing up again. After we got her home Ulf tried to contact her pediatrician, but it was Friday afternoon and there were no doctors available. We decided to take her with us to the hospital and Ulf would go with her to the emergency room to see what could be done. On the way there Livi started gagging and Ulf tried to pull over but in the process he sideswiped a parking car. He was not a happy warrior. Livi threw up again and Ulf called the police to report the accident. Luckily we only had to wait about half an hour for them to come. The damage was actually minimal and they were very understanding, especially since Ulf had a miserable and whimpering little girl in his arms. We finally made it to the hospital and Ulf took Livi off to be examined. I went to Jenny and Jani's room to meet my third grandson and fourth grandchild for the first time. Need I say it was love at first sight? What a beautiful little baby!
When Ulf and Livi finally returned with the probable diagnosis of a stomach virus we gave Livi a quick glimpse of Jani but she was pretty wiped out and Ulf and I went home and put her to bed. Later that evening Frank arrived on the Sprinter from Frankfurt. The next morning Ulf and Frank went to the hospital and I stayed with Livi who took a four-hour nap! She might even have slept longer but we woke her up. She seemed much better and hadn't thrown up again, so we took her with us to meet Jani.
Livi's first real look at Jani
He's sweet! Let's keep him!
A little later when Jani woke up and started crying, Livi started sobbing in sympathy. She thought he had hurt himself and it was difficult to explain to her that babies cry for many reasons other than pain.
Jani, one day old
Jani, yawning
We left the hospital in the late afternoon because we had an important date. It was Frank and my 40th anniversary and we had made reservations for eight o'clock at a gourmet restaurant just two doors down from Jenny and Ulf's apartment. Jenny and Ulf are friends with the owners so we got really royal treatment. We hoped Ulf would be able to join us after Livi fell asleep because it was so close that the baby phone would let us know if she woke up. Just as we were finishing our first course Ulf arrived and we insisted that he also have the scallops we had just had because they were really delicious. We had a fantastic meal and we were thankful that Ulf could be with us even if Jenny couldn't. She had given us a marvelous gift the day before though!
Unfortunately Livi was overly generous with her virus and Ulf and I were both very sick that night. Frank was lucky because he hadn't had any contact with Livi on Friday and only very limited contact on Saturday. Sunday morning Frank took a long walk with Livi while Ulf and I slept in. They all went to the hospital that afternoon but I didn't feel up to it. Frank was leaving and I had another day to visit.
Monday morning we went to the baker's down the street, which was quite an undertaking because Livi had her own ideas about the route to take. She had to visit every entrance way with her doll buggy. Our major enticement for her was the cookie that the lady at the baker's always gives her. In the end we managed to get there and back, which was about all I could do anyway.
Monday was my last day in Berlin and Jenny didn't really want us at the hospital because she was so afraid of catching the virus, which would have been a real problem after major surgery. It was a beautiful day though, so we arranged to meet outside where the danger of contagion was much less. After our visit Ulf dropped me off at the train station. It was sad but I knew I would be back in a few weeks.
Livi tries out the buggy board.
Proof we are in Berlin
Jani attempts to blow bubbles.
Here Jani. You can have some of my cookie!
Oh dear! Where is Jani's hand?
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