DendriticSnow of Celeste

The great news of the day started early. I happened to be awake around 3 am, when the Philosopher texted to say that a healthy baby boy was born via c-section around midnight! Mother and baby were both doing well. The baby weighed 8 pounds, 14 ounces. That's almost exactly what the Philosopher weighed when he was born--8'13". And when I was born, I weighed 8'11". So it seems pretty consistent across generations! Later he sent a picture, which is lovely. So there is much rejoicing in the land, although little sleep! The Sparrowhawk woke up before I went back to sleep, so I told him he should check his phone. Then we were both so excited we had trouble going back to sleep. All the siblings, cousins, and the aunts and uncles are jumping for joy as well. Oh happy day. We still don't which day will be the birthday, because we don't know if "around midnight" was technically before or after.

I've had something like five hours of phone calls and Zooms over the course of the day. Queenie is doing well, with just a few more days of soft food only before she can try eating regular food again. Hopefully this will happen before she gets tired of mashed potatoes. I had a wide-ranging chat with old friends from Philadelphia. I spoke unexpectedly with Madame. Her kids have moved her temporarily to her son's home, which is a condo on one level, so she can't fall on the stairs. I think this is a good thing, but I won't be seeing her on Wednesday. That's the day she'll get her cochlear implant turned on, so my fingers are crossed for that! I was going to go out for a walk, but it started raining and has kept it up all afternoon and evening. We should have popped some champagne or something to celebrate, but somehow or other we were both too busy and too dazed! Maybe tomorrow.