Boyd Hughes, Born 26/03/2012

 

 

 

At 20:06 on Monday night, my daughter Sarah, helped by her husband, Gary, gave birth to her first baby, my first grandson and the family's first boy since 1974. At 6lb 4oz he isn't the biggest baby in the world but he's beautiful, cute and vulnerable with a good set of lungs on him. Last night I went to see him for the first time and he was sleeping peacefully when I arrived. At times like this I realise what's really important in life and bringing children into the world is the ultimate expression of the love, partnership and commitment between two people.

 

It's amazing how small he is. I remembered Sarah being that small 27 years ago and I was afraid to pick her up in case she broke! It was the same last night when he woke up for his feed, I didn't yet want to hold him because he looked so fragile so I'll wait a couple of weeks until he's stronger and a bit more used to being handled. Babies initially find it uncomfortable because they're not used to the world so judging how carefully to hold him is best left to his parents for now.

 

Gary is helping and keen to be an active father and that's great to see. Both of them changed him last night and he howled as he struggled with uncomfortable movements as little fingers were gently manoveured through the arms of his baby-grow. Once he was dressed he settled down and he fed well before going back to sleep. Sarah is fine but sore and Gary as proud as punch.

 

There's no photo yet because, believe it or not, I forgot my camera! I had laid it out and charged the batteries in the flash, ready to pick up when I left home in the morning, then walked right past it on my way out to work. OK, I had my phone camera, but please! In the grand scheme of things he'll find a camera around him quite a lot in the next few months and it won't matter if he's two or three weeks old when his first "proper" photo is taken. It'll also give Sarah a few weeks to recover and she'll be radiant when the photos are taken.

 

So, yes I'm a proud grandfather but I do have to say I don't feel like one and I'm not comfortable with the label. Many people are asking me what I want to be called and my answer is "Brian"! Pops, papa, grandpa, granddad and other variations have all been offered and declined politely. I'll leave it to Boyd to decide when he starts speaking as that gives me a year or two's grace. I'm sure whatever I'm called I'll get used to it eventually but for now I'll stick with Brian.

 

Its also notable that in the 21st century, Boyd appears in a blog and his name and news of his birth is recorded around the world via Facebook and Twitter before he's officially registered and gets a birth certificate. 

 

Brian

29th March 2012