MY NEW GRANDSON XANDER LOUIE KARLBERG

You know that old saying, “Good things come to those who wait.”? Well, it’s true and much of my life, at least the important parts, is proof of that.  

My son AJ was born in 1970 and although we began to try for a sibling after a few years, it wasn’t until 1980 that his brother Thor was born. Yes, a ten-year wait, but absolutely worth it. 

My granddaughter Haley was born in 2001, and she will turn 13 in October. Obviously, this is the only child my eldest son plans to have. For these last almost 13 years, I have been extremely grateful (and will continue to be so) to have this one grandchild to love, spoil and share with important things like school functions, shopping, The Nutcracker, huckleberry picking, movies, overnights, birthdays, holidays, etc. Currently Haley has left her girly-girl phase behind, but Nana has high hopes that it will return in a year or three so they can once again shop for gorgeous dresses and audacious shoes. 

Today, my grandson was born, the son of my youngest son. Most likely, he will be this son’s only child, but again, I am extremely grateful to increase my grandchildren by a factor of one. Actually, my grandson’s mother has provided an older brother and sister for him, so you could say by a factor of three…perhaps when Xander begins to call me Nana, they will as well. 

It was an honor and a privilege to be present as he came into the world. The nurse said he arrived with a hand up by his face (his father sucked the first two fingers on his left hand) and holding on to the umbilical cord. Xander weighed 7.6 pounds and was 19 inches long. He was the most alert newborn I’ve ever seen, opening and closing his hand as though reaching out to us as he lay on his mommy’s tummy. He kept opening his eyes, blinking and appeared to be looking around. He also blew little bubbles with his mouth. Can you tell Nana was fascinated?  

What a joy to hold him the first time, to look between his face and his father’s and recognize the brow and eyes as well as the mouth. Xander also has long feet with almost prehensile toes…his father and grandfather are able to pick up tennis balls with their toes. His hands are large with long fingers, and already pianist and surgeon have been mentioned; but if he is as good as his father with those hands, he’ll be able to accomplish anything he desires.  

Haley pointed out that when Xander is as old as she is now, she will be 24. By then she will be a grown woman and Xander will be half grown. I look forward with great anticipation and joy to watching them both grow and develop into the wonderful woman and man they’ll each be one day. So, yes, it’s true, good things do come to those who wait.