BB update
Yesterday morning was our hospital visit. The ward was pumping with babies and moms literally overflowing out of beds. The nurses come in and tell the moms they need the beds so they need to get dressed and go wait in the kangaroom for people to come collect them.
The girl who makes our cards, Michelle, had come with on her 1st visit so was rather overwhelmed at the whole experience. I hate it that I have become desensitized to it all but I think its emotional survival mode. I need to be strong and keep a slight distance or will just crack at every visit.
We give out 21 bags, only 7 boys and the remaining girls. Must be the Womans Day celebration in keeping with Wednesday the 9th.
In the kanga room we chat to the mothers of these minute mini people who look like frail birds. I always ask how much they weighed at birth and their current weight now and so many don't know. Weird cos that is such a major in our culture. They also only name their babes much later. One girl looks about 16 years old and her baby daughter in the neonatal ICU weighing 950 grams. The lady next to her has a daughter of just under a kilo. I tell them how strong black woman are and we pray extra hard for these very prem babes. The other preemies are all looking good and firmly attached to milky breasts.
When I restock the tea & coffee I notice the kettle is missing. One of the mothers stole it when she went home. Irritating but will ask at church who can replace for me.
I remind the nurses I haven't forgotten about them and still intend doing up their toilet/restroom. (I really do!!)
Have 1 lady who has just given birth and we get to see her big healthy daughter within minutes. She squints at us in that beautiful calm way that newborns do immediately following birth. Her poor mom tore so was getting stitched and had to be put on a drip due to blood loss. At least she can stay until the following day. (Many leave after 6 hours!)
The remaining woman are all fine and happy to receive their gift. Some very quiet, some weepy and a few friendly. Like always I guess.
No stillbirths today, praise God! I love bringing that bag back home with me. I only had 17 bags with me so had to drive home and fetch another 4. Sofia my 2 year old saw my car pull in so she had to come with, along with Analisa, the 6 year old daughter of my nanny. The 2 of them had to wait on a little bench while I took the remaining bags.
Analisa looks like Grace Jones. Gorgeous big smile, so black she is almost purple and not a word of English. She calls me Mummy, very cute. Sofia is very blonde and fair with a pudgy baby body and speaks in 2 or 3 word sentences, they make a lovely pair and communicate perfectly. LOVE kids.
And so that was a typical Bosom Buddies visit.
Pls remember to keep aside all baby clothes for us. We hope to do an additional day soon which means another 15 bags a week.
Thanks to all of you who support us, you are awesome!
Mel
The girl who makes our cards, Michelle, had come with on her 1st visit so was rather overwhelmed at the whole experience. I hate it that I have become desensitized to it all but I think its emotional survival mode. I need to be strong and keep a slight distance or will just crack at every visit.
We give out 21 bags, only 7 boys and the remaining girls. Must be the Womans Day celebration in keeping with Wednesday the 9th.
In the kanga room we chat to the mothers of these minute mini people who look like frail birds. I always ask how much they weighed at birth and their current weight now and so many don't know. Weird cos that is such a major in our culture. They also only name their babes much later. One girl looks about 16 years old and her baby daughter in the neonatal ICU weighing 950 grams. The lady next to her has a daughter of just under a kilo. I tell them how strong black woman are and we pray extra hard for these very prem babes. The other preemies are all looking good and firmly attached to milky breasts.
When I restock the tea & coffee I notice the kettle is missing. One of the mothers stole it when she went home. Irritating but will ask at church who can replace for me.
I remind the nurses I haven't forgotten about them and still intend doing up their toilet/restroom. (I really do!!)
Have 1 lady who has just given birth and we get to see her big healthy daughter within minutes. She squints at us in that beautiful calm way that newborns do immediately following birth. Her poor mom tore so was getting stitched and had to be put on a drip due to blood loss. At least she can stay until the following day. (Many leave after 6 hours!)
The remaining woman are all fine and happy to receive their gift. Some very quiet, some weepy and a few friendly. Like always I guess.
No stillbirths today, praise God! I love bringing that bag back home with me. I only had 17 bags with me so had to drive home and fetch another 4. Sofia my 2 year old saw my car pull in so she had to come with, along with Analisa, the 6 year old daughter of my nanny. The 2 of them had to wait on a little bench while I took the remaining bags.
Analisa looks like Grace Jones. Gorgeous big smile, so black she is almost purple and not a word of English. She calls me Mummy, very cute. Sofia is very blonde and fair with a pudgy baby body and speaks in 2 or 3 word sentences, they make a lovely pair and communicate perfectly. LOVE kids.
And so that was a typical Bosom Buddies visit.
Pls remember to keep aside all baby clothes for us. We hope to do an additional day soon which means another 15 bags a week.
Thanks to all of you who support us, you are awesome!
Mel
posted by Melanie at 1:40 PM
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