Babies!

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When our firstborn was eight days overdue, mom was worried. She kept looking at my giant belly and saying, “How is that baby going to safely get out of there?”

Nelson came out just fine, weighing ten chubby pounds. Back then (1973), a mother wasn’t allowed to touch her newly born baby until he’d visited the nursery for identifying, scrubbing and a proper swaddling. After I’d been wheeled from delivery to my regular room, I sat in bed watching the clock, waiting for my first baby visit. Resting my head back and closing my eyes, I heard soft crying. When I peeked, there stood mom at the end of my bed in her hat and coat, looking at me and weeping.

I said, “Why are you crying?”

“I was so worried it wouldn’t all work out,” she said, “and I’m just so glad it did!”

Today I’m the grandma, and it was my turn to worry. Our son Hans and his wife Katy, living in England, were scheduled to have their twins induced today at 9:00 AM as she entered her 40th week of pregnancy. Last night Katy’s email described how she’d been praying she’d go into labor on her own, hoping the babies would come naturally. If not, the doctor would proceed with the induction. It was show time.

How well I remember the day Nate and I learned of these twins. We knew Katy was three months along with a baby when Hans’ call came through to our minivan as we headed for home after a radiation treatment. “How did the ultrasound go today?” I asked.

“Everything was fine,” he said, “except they found a little surprise.”

My mind had already raced through all the negative possibilities by the time he said, “There’s not just one baby in there, but two!”

I squealed with glee and announced the news around the car. After a day of negatives in terms of Nate’s health deterioration, God had chosen, at that moment, to bless with abundance.

The months passed, and today we arrived at the pregnancy’s grand finale, the birth of the twins. I received a text mid-morning from Hans. Katy had indeed gone into labor on her own at 5:00 AM, just hours before the scheduled induction, and was, at that moment, in the thick of it. Instantly I was following mom’s lead and flipping on the worry-switch!

What if there were complications? So many things could go wrong! What would it do to Hans, Katy and the rest of us if the babies didn’t arrive safe and sound? I became a knotted bundle of nerves until the Lord reminded me he would handle the births just fine without my assistance.

Instead of worrying, I  started a time of concentrated prayer, always an effective antidote to my fears. Only a few hours passed before Hans and Katy were on the phone sharing details of the successful natural births and two healthy little Nymans, Evelyn Sarah and Thomas Nathan. Each of the four names honors a different family member, and I like to think that mom (Evelyn) and Nate are as aware of this as Sarah (Katy ‘s mom) and Thomas (my brother) are. It’s remarkable that Nate has had two grandsons named after him in ten weeks time, a joy to my heart.

As Hans and Katy study the faces, fingers and toes of these little ones and marvel at God’s impressive work, the rest of us will eagerly await photos and bits of news about their first days “in the pink.” I’ve apologized to the Lord for worrying so much and not trusting his judgment over mine, and next time, things will be different… won’t they?

“Your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.” (Luke 12:30b-31)

24 thoughts on “Babies!”

  1. Ohhh… Congrats Hans and Katy!!! Can’t wait to see some pics of the new babies in our family =)… Woundeful names too!!

  4. Dear Margaret,

    First, WOOHOO!!!!! Congratulations…Twice!!!!!!

    I am one of the many daily readers of your blog who has never yet left a comment. I began reading it in September after finding out about it from Lori Bourne (Hi Lori!). Your sister, Mary (Hi Mary!), introduced us at Moody Church after the Christmas concert. I have 6 children.

    I am elated by the news of the birth of the twins! I was reminded of a message on “stones of remembrance” Dennis Rainey gave a few years back during Founders Week. He talked about God showing up and showing off at just the right moment. He certainly did so now with the perfectly timed and natural delivery of the twins! I wondered why He would wait till the last moment before Katy going into labor and then realized that…of course! He knew the perfect timing for their arrival and He orchestrated the timing of the induction for a time after when He knew she would already be in labor! *duh!* 🙂 Such a gift to have your 3 (Micah too!) grandchildren born with minimal intervention and natural labors!

    God bless them and God bless you!!!!
    Reading and praying,
    With warm regards,
    Andrea M.

  5. Thanking God for a safe delivery!!! Soon you’ll be sniuggling those sweet babes. Smooch their newborn necks for me!

  8. I am so excited and thrilled for all. What a happy time for us who read this blog. Congratulations Grandma!!

  9. Wept with joy with the news last night. Congrats to you, Katy and Hans and Little NickChuck. Katy will need a MUCH bigger pram with this load. God is so good

  10. Congratulations, Hans and Katy and Midge; So delighted God favored her with a natural birth and those babies are whole, healthy and such beautiful names! The Lord has truly blessed you all and it’s a blessing to my soul to share the JOY !!!

  11. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

    “Every good and perfect gift is from
    above,coming down from the Father of
    the heavenly lights” James 1:17

  12. Praise God! Congratulations to Hans and Katy and you! I know you can’t wait to go snuggle your newest grands and we can’t wait to see the photos and live it all vicariously through your writing. =D I’m grinning like mad over here out of happiness for everyone.

  14. I felt the same way… really anxious all day until you called with the happy news. Can’t wait for the little Nates (and the girl cousins too!) to meet each other. I hope it somehow happens soon. Love you.

  17. Congratulations grandma and to Hans and Katy. What perfect timing! Praise to Lord for this good and perfect gift–precious twins. I too am looking forward to pictures of Evelyn Sara and Thomas Nathan. Nate is surely rejoicing too.

  18. Rejoicing with you all! Enjoy your trip to England, Grandma and enjoy cuddling those little sweetie-pies.

  20. Yeah, Connie, we have a pram that will drop jaws – a triple seater! It’s like a royal chariot with the third seat (for Nicholas) elevated above the two side by side. Mom, I texted you in the ‘thick of it’ presicely because I knew you’d pray with passion, not to worry you, which I suspected it might do regardless! Thank you for your unending support, love you and can’t wait to see you!

  21. Congratulations Hans and Katy!! And Grandma Midgie! 🙂 I can’t wait to see pictures! Those names are so cute! I love them!!

  22. Congratulations to all Nyman’s. Two more reasons to take pictures and put them in albums!
    Way to go, Brits!
    Love,
    Terry

  24. I’m so happy for the whole family to have two new little ones to love on. Congratulations!! I’m also looking forward to seeing pictures.