Maggie Mae

I had my first child in 1975. Jason Patrick Charlton was born on March 30, 1975. It just happened to be Easter Sunday when he FINALLY made his appearance in this world. He was 2 weeks overdue, according to my doctor, and I had been in labor for what seemed like a month....okay, it was 12 hours, but the longest 12 hours of my life! After being in labor all that time, He did not want to come out, so the doctor made a decision to take him caesarian section. He was showing signs of fetal distress, and I was all for whatever worked the quickest. They knocked me out, and the next thing I remember, someone was holding a baby in my face telling me it was over. Now, back in 1975, there was no such thing as ultrasound, so you found out the gender of your baby when it was born. I had hoped for a girl. I don't know why, all these years later, but that's what I wanted. This pretty baby they were holding in my face could have been a girl...but, alas, when I asked "What is it?", the nurse said with so much enthusiasm, "It's a BOY!!", all I could think to say was, "I really wanted a girl." My excuse is that I was under the influence of some pretty major drugs, but I have been ashamed of that remark for 36 years. I did ask if he was okay, and was relieved when told he was perfect.

Back in those days, a c-section baby was put in an incubator for 24 hours following birth, so I didn't even get to hold my baby until the following day. When they finally put him in my arms, I fell in love and couldn't have cared less that I had a boy, not the much desired girl. And I have been in love with that boy ever since that first touch.

In December of 1977, I was expecting my second child. Again, no way to know the gender of a baby until it was born, so I thought, I have a boy, I hope this is a girl! Justin Blake Charlton was born on December 19, 1977. This time, I wasn't disappointed though. I knew how wonderful little boys were, so I was thrilled that I had another healthy, beautiful little boy.

Jump to 2003. My older son, Jason, told me in March that I was FINALLY going to be a grandmother. Happy day! I was 49 years old, and yearning for a grandbaby to love. Technology has changed so much since the 1970's, parents can know the gender of their babies way before the baby is born. Yay!!! I'll know what color baby things to buy! Maybe it will be a girl!!! Well, Dad and Mom didn't want to know the gender of their baby until it was born. (Can you imagine?) So, on September 12th, 2003 Connor Anderson Charlton was born. I'M A GRANDMOTHER!!!! When I laid eyes on that beautiful little boy for the first time, my heart jumped into my throat, I literally choked on a sob, and cried like a baby. I fell in love all over again. And Connor has been a joy every day since!

Then, late in 2005, my younger son, Justin, told me it was going to happen again! Another grandchild to spoil! I am soooo blessed! On June 19, 2006, Riley Andrew Charlton was born. It happened again! Love at first sight! Another beautiful little boy in my life to love! Life is GOOD! Riley is a lot like his daddy, more quiet and reserved, but with a good sense of humor, and very sweet natured. Another joy!

Riley hadn't been with us very long, when his mommy and daddy told us they were going to have another baby. Once the shock wore off, I thought how blessed we were to be expecting a 3rd grandchild. We waited so long for grandchildren, and now we were expecting a third one! And it wasn't long until we found out, IT'S A GIRL!!!!!

On November 18, 2007, Maggie Mae Charlton came into this world, and our lives have been changed forever! I was 53 years old now, and FINALLY have a little girl to dress up, buy dolls for, play tea party with, have manicure/pedicure parties with, all the girly stuff! And she is a very girly girl! Yea me!

Maggie has a headful of curly, red hair, big blue eyes, and porcelain skin. She is so smart, it scares me sometimes. She's sassy, funny, and beautiful...and no, I'm not prejudiced, it's a fact! She's lovable, and loving. She's ornery, and sweet. She is my granddaughter, and I don't love her any more than I love those boys, but I love her differently. I'm a girly girl too, so it's nice to finally be able to play tea party, and dress up, as well as baseball and war, shooting Nerf guns at each other.

Today is Maggies 4th birthday, and I'm 1200 miles away from her physically, and that breaks my heart. But I'm so very happy she is part of our family, and I can't wait until I can give her a great big hug and kiss and tell her how much I love her, and how very blessed I am to have her in my life!

Happy Birthday my sweet, sweet Baby Girl!!! Nana loves you so very much!