The Braley Blog

“Pete’s Daily Connection”

Welcome To The World Little Man!

I was watching my baby with her baby the other night. What a powerful moment.

For those of you who don’t know, our daughter Sarah and son-in-law Steven had their first baby last Sunday. Sarah was our first-born. That was 1989. I had hair.

It was really different last week. We were at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, VA. You have to show your ID to an armed guard at the gate even to go to the maternity ward. “Hang on. Let me move the stuffed bunny so I can get to my wallet.”

Once there, Priscilla and I were able to go into the Labor Room until it was showtime. Then it was out to the waiting room with the other grandparents of other babies.

Those few hours in the Labor Room were weird. I watched my daughter have contractions and I felt TOTALLY USELESS.

I had been through this four times before back in the late 80s and into the 90s when our four children were born so I knew a little about what to expect.

I was probably useless back then too but at least I felt like I had something to do. I had to provide ice chips, encouragement and remind Priscilla to breathe because, you know, she wouldn’t know how to breathe in and out without me.

Watching Sarah was totally different. I wasn’t the expectant father. There was someone else there to get the ice chips, offer encouragement and Sarah seemed to breathe okay even without me.

Not to sound too sappy (Who am I kidding? This is a sappy blog), this was my little girl! I’m supposed to make the boo boos go away.

This was the girl who would always have a scraped knee or something in the summer. My wife and I had a plan whenever they fell: Don’t look at them. If they’re really hurt they’ll cry or call out for you. But, if they see that you saw them, they might milk it for some attention.

This was the girl who broke her wrist after a swing set accident when she was 8. She came running in to me screaming, “My arm’s falling off!” That’s because the bone had broken and it felt like it WAS falling off. I held her arm and carried her to the minivan while my wife drove.

This was the girl who sprained her ankle, a few times, playing softball. It seemed I always carried a backpack with Ace bandages, ankle braces, and ice packs. Along with hair elastics and earrings from all the other girls who forgot to take them off.

And there she was the other night holding Liam. She was happy. He seemed happy. Or maybe he was just hungry.

You’ll be happy to know that when I got to hold him he stretched out his long legs and filled his diaper. That’s what I’m there for.

I was down in Virginia earlier this year when Sarah had just found out she was expecting. We were driving somewhere when, out of the blue, she asked, “Dad? Do you think I’ll be a good mother?” I don’t remember what I said but I’m sure I came out with something clever.

Watching my baby with her baby —– I have no doubt.

5 responses to “Welcome To The World Little Man!”

  1. James Avatar
    James

    Congratulations, Pete! Wonderful! great article. And FYI, my son and his wife, Jamie, and Stacey are the proud new parents of Ashton James Casey, born Oct. 1. 7.04lbs., 19.5 inches. I hear your sentiments and share these wonderful thoughts and feelings with you and yours. Ashton is my 9th grandchild ~ 5girls, 4 boys.
    I couldn’t be happier and your joy is something I can truly relate to. Here’s to our grandsons ~ “Long may they live and long may their stories be told… ☺ ♥

  2. Patricia L. Jason Avatar

    Congratulations to the happy Mom and Dad, and, Grandma and Grandpa on the arrival of this beautiful blessing from God. Congratulations to the Aunties and Uncles as well.

  3. Yvette Gracie Avatar
    Yvette Gracie

    Beautiful column and a wonderful story of how life just happens when we really aren’t paying attention. You and Priscilla have raised wonderful children who are ready for life and whatever it puts in their way. They are men & women who are going to keep our future safe because they know what a power source a loving family is. During this week, I could only picture Sarah as that beautiful 3 year old who would come to the station to visit Daddy and how she turned that dungeon of building into a room filled with sunshine with her beautiful blue eyes and blonde curls. Having you and Priscilla there for her was exactly what it should have been. You two have always been there for your family and they for you. God has truly blessed the Braley/Perez Bunch this week when he sent Liam into the mix. He will be loved by so many caring people and he will be watched over and protected, as well. Sarah will be a great mother (she has a great role model to follow) and Steve will be a great dad. The three of them together will share all those “once in a lifetime moments” that make the sleepless nights worth it. And, Grampy and Grammy will provide love and guidance and most of all you will have that special bond that comes between grandchildren and grandparents. You love them and you care for them but, the burden of holing to all the rules and regulations is really not your main role. So, believe me. grandchilren are a joy you can’t even begin to imagine. It is unending love and pride and joy. I should tell you that grandson’s love their Grampys but, the are always attached emotionally to their Grammys for ever. The day will come when you want a hug and kiss from Liam and he will put his hand out for a handshake because “boys don’t hung and kiss like that”. I know you will scoop him up and give him the tightest hug and kiss but, you will know that he is going to grow up but, still keep kissing and hugging Grammy. He will change his grandparents hearts in ways you never could have imagined. Enjoy the ride – it is your gift for being good parents. Now, you get a little more of the fun part. As for you, you are a great writer. You had me crying like a baby with this one and as Jim Marshall would point out, it’s not even Thanksgiving yet. Frank & I send our love to the whole Braley Bunch and look forward to many photos and stories.

    1. Pete Avatar
      Pete

      Thank you so much Yvette! I love hearing from you.

  4. Peg Britton Avatar
    Peg Britton

    Liam is adorable :>) Good Health and happiness to all !

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