Let me begin by saying our newest family member, Arwen Eve Stoltz, made her way into the world on Friday, November 27 at 4:51 pm. She weighed in at 8lbs 14oz and 21″ long and was PERFECT!

COVID sure did mess up our original plan regarding being in PA to meet our new Granddaughter. I was going to fly up on my own about a week prior to her due date. Ideally, the COVID restrictions would have been eased and I would have been able to go with them to the midwife center for the birth while Derek’s Mom kept Freya; Bill would join me after she had arrived, stay a week or so and we would fly back together. Nothing happened that way.

First, all restrictions were still in place and my daughter was only allowed one support person. No one else would be allowed to even be in the building. While disappointing, that meant I would stay home with Freya and how could I be upset about that? Then, about 3 1/2 weeks before her due date, my son-in-law was exposed to COVID at his workplace and tested positive. Thankfully both Michelle and Freya tested negative. The issue was who would go with her if she went into labor early, which her midwife had told her was a possibility. Derek had to quarantine for two weeks as long as he remained asymptomatic, longer with symptoms, so would not be allowed to attend the birth, nor stay with Freya. It quickly became apparent that I needed to go up early. Bill and I decided to drive up in my car (we drove straight-through from Clearwater FL to Somerset PA – he stayed a couple of days then flew back to FL (double-masked.) Now, if labor had started while Derek was still in quarantine, or if he developed symptoms, I was there. Thankfully he remained asymptomatic throughout his 2-week quarantine in their basement, which thankfully ended before Arwen decided it was time to be born.

I loved my extra time with my girls. We quickly fell into a routine, with me getting up with Freya so Michelle could get extra rest. It was very stressful for Michelle not knowing if Derek would be ok or if he would be able to be there for the birth of their daughter. Any time she felt anything in her belly, we hoped it wasn’t labor, which was very strange because before Derek’s positive test, she had been hoping to go early, as any 9 months pregnant woman does.

Finally, the first important day arrived and Derek was able to escape the basement. They were nervous about Freya’s reaction to seeing him for the first time in 2 weeks would be. She wasn’t verbal enough to express that she missed her Daddy, but Michelle would notice her watching the door from the garage once in a while. It was so sad. When she finally saw him, she ran to him and hugged him tightly.

With Derek out of quarantine, I decided to spend Thanksgiving with Billy. If labor began, I could hop in my car and be there in 3 hours. I enjoyed a delicious meal, perfectly prepared by my son. We played board games and watched some TV. The only excitement was his one neighbor was playing music very loudly. I don’t mind people playing music but this was ridiculous. It was unseasonably warm, and would have been a perfect day to open the windows, but we literally couldn’t.

Shortly after starting my drive back to Somerset on Friday, Michelle called to tell me they were on their way to Pittsburgh to get checked by the midwife; Freya was with Derek’s Mom. She thought her water may be trickling, which is what happened with Freya. I told her I was on my way back. A little while later, she called again to say they were staying and labor had begun. I got in touch with Tracy (Derek’s Mom), who said she would bring Freya home so she could go to bed in her own home. I was only at their house about 30 minutes when I got the call that Arwen arrived – Mom and baby were both doing fine! I immediately called Bill and then my Mom to share the happy news!

Freya arrived and we played for a little while before I got her ready for bed. She had no idea that she now had a little sister!

I had fallen asleep while watching TV when I heard the garage door opening. It was late, I think about 11:30pm or so. I was so excited to congratulate my daughter and son-in-law and get to hold Arwen for the first time. She was so sweet! I took pics to send to Bill and my Mom, knowing they would forward them to everyone. (Sorry I can’t share full face pics as my daughter and son-in-law are concerned about internet safety and I am respecting their wishes.)

The following day, Freya met Arwen for the first time. It bought back memories of introducing Michelle to her baby brother, many years before. Like Freya, she was too young (Michelle was 18 months when Billy was born, Freya was 20 months) to fully understand the full impact of the situation. Freya did smile big and liked “holding” her, for about 2 minutes, before she wanted to get done and play.

Bill arrived the following week to meet his new Granddaughter, but not before greeting Freya. It was a special time and Bill and I marveled at now having two granddaughters!

I just realized some of you might be questioning that Michelle was home so soon after giving birth. Thankfully her labor and delivery happened quickly and with no complications, so they were able to leave the midwife center about 5 hours after birth. She needed to return about 48 hours later for a postpartum check, and also bring Arwen to the pediatrician. They were both just fine. Had she gone to the hospital, she would have had to stay 48 hours.

Eight days after Bill arrived, we headed out. Our first stop was in Lancaster to pick up Billy, who would be joining us on our road trip back to FL. More on that next time!

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