Phoebe arrived an hour ago. She weighed in at 7lb 12oz. I could hear her exercising her lungs in the background and Frances said, "She's perfect!". I will go out soon to buy two newspapers so that one day Phoebe will read about what was going on in the world and in the city of her birth the day that she was born - January 15th 2021. Let us hope that the life she paints will be long and lovely in spite of the ups and downs that are part and parcel of being human.
Welcome to the World, Phoebe. May you know much love and happiness.
ReplyDeleteI share that wish JayCee.
DeleteMany congratulations Grandad Pudding. I believe by the Bachelor's would be an appropriate song for today,
ReplyDelete"Every time I hear a new born baby's cry..."
DeleteHappy Birth-Day, little Phoebe!
ReplyDeleteAnd congratulations to the proud and happy parents and the - no doubt - equally proud and happy grandparents! Opa und Oma Pudding :-)
Opa and Oma sound like Oompaloompas in a famous story by Roald Dahl. Thanks Meike.
DeleteCongratulations to the mother (she no doubt did the hard work), and may the proud grandparents be blessed with much enjoyment of their grand-daughter.
ReplyDeleteYou are very kind to say this Tigger.
DeleteGreat news. Congratulations to all.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jean.
DeleteCongratulations Grandpa. Hope Frances and baby will recover from their hard work. Your 2021 must have just got a million times better.
ReplyDeleteIn the darkness a star is shining.
DeleteCongratulations Grandpa Pudding! Hope it won't be too long before you get a cuddle.
ReplyDeleteI might have a little cuddle tomorrow.
DeleteGefeliciteerd! Phoebe is a lovely name.
ReplyDeleteLian
Thanks Lian.
DeletePhoebe!!!!
ReplyDeleteWelcome, darling girl! You are loved!
Congratulations to all. Your life has just changed immeasurably, Mr. P. Oh! I am so happy to hear this news.
If I have any trouble grandparenting I shall contact Mer and Boppy for advice.
DeleteGreat news! Congratulations to the proud parents (well-done, Frances) and to you and Shirley-grandparents for the first time. It's a great adventure. So happy for all of you. Welcome to the world, Ms. Phoebe!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely comment. Thank you Mary.
DeleteFinally .. she has arrived! You all must be so so happy and proud. Your world has changed forever and Phoebe will bring so much joy in to your lives. Congratulations to Frances and Stewart. Enjoy Ma and Pa Pudding xo
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind thoughts from the other side of the world Carol.
DeleteCongratulations GP. I am very pleased to hear she has the same name as our cat.
ReplyDeleteI hope she doesn't kill garden birds like your cat!
DeleteWhat a wonderful day it is! Your life has just changed for the better one more time, my friend. Congratulations. I am already picturing little Phoebe bouncing on her grandfathers knee and learning to use a camera so that she can record the joys of her life.
ReplyDeleteI hope she doesn't say, "Grandpa! You smell!" Small children can be so direct. Thanks for your kind thoughts Mama Thyme.
DeleteThat's wonderful news and Phoebe is a lovely name. Congratulations to your daughter and her husband and congratulations to you and Shirley:)
ReplyDeleteYou made me smile this morning and I thank you for that.
Thank you Lily. That's very kind.
DeleteCONGRATULATIONS!!! This is such wonderful news! I'm so glad to hear that Phoebe arrived safely and that she and Frances are doing well.
ReplyDeletePlease pass along my very best wishes to the new parents and of course I'm sending them to you and Shirley too. Phoebe picked a fine family to be born into. Lucky little girl!
I can't wait to tell her about her rich auntie in South Carolina!
DeleteThank you for your kind thoughts Jennifer.
Many, many congratulations to you all. How wonderful. Such a beautiful name too. Xx
ReplyDeleteAlmost as beautiful as the name Christina. Thank you ma'am.
DeleteCongratulations to all! I have found being a grandparent one of the greatest joys of my life. All the best.
ReplyDeleteI expect that I will discover this too. Thank you Terry.
DeleteThe happiest words in any language:
ReplyDelete*Mother and Baby are well.*
My prayers and hopes for Frances, Phoebe, and the proud father.
And for you and Shirley, Neil.
You will have joy watching Phoebe's development in the weeks and months ahead.
I am sure Phoebe is fast asleep as I write these words.
You may be an intellectual giant but you are also a kind man John. Thank you.
DeleteCongratulations to all! How exciting to have the arrival of this new family member and your first grandchild. Phoebe will enhance and change your life in so many wonderful ways. Enjoy this precious new phase of your life!
ReplyDeleteI will try to obey your command Bonnie. Thank you.
DeleteCongratulations to all the Puddings and welcome to little Phoebe. I love that name.
ReplyDeleteThey were always certain about a girl's name. Much less certain about a boy's name.
DeleteIsn't there a song? 'Oh bring us the phoebe pudding or bring us the phoebe pudding...' Our heartiest congratulations to all of you! I cannot wait for pictures. I have been checking in her multiple times a day for news. Now I will be checking for pictures.
ReplyDeleteThanks Debby. I believe that Shakespeare wrote these famous lines in "Hamlet":-
Delete"Debby or not Debby
That is the question".
Congratulations to Frances Stewart and of course the proud grandparents, I read your blog everyday but I’ve rarely commented but I have followed Ian’s success and Frances & Stewart’s progress from London, the wedding and now the birth of your granddaughter, lovely idea with the newspaper’s and Phoebe is also a plant so maybe plant one for her.
ReplyDeleteTweetart ( Debbie)
I never knew that "phoebe" was also the name of a plant. We will look out for that one Debbie... and thanks for revealing yourself (as the bishop said to the actress!)
DeleteOh, this is such lovely news; many, many congratulations to all. Phoebe - 'bright, radiant, shining one'. May this little one truly be a light of joy and love to all who encounter her, and may she grow in health and the wisdom to recognise what are the things that really matter the most in this sometimes topsy-turvy world. You and Shirley are going to be excellent grandparents; we have all seen through your writing what wonderful children you raised, have had a tiny glimpse of your love for them, and can sense how precious and treasured Phoebe is going to be. To be born into a family with so much love flowing through it, is an incredibly special gift for her to be given. My love to you all ... and welcome to this extraordinary, beautiful, sometimes frustrating, but always alive with imagination, new discoveries and possibilities, and things that will astound and amaze you, world, precious Phoebe. It may be cold outside today, but your arrival has warmed the hearts of many people across the globe. xxx
ReplyDeleteI read your comment out to Shirley Elizabeth. It made her cry! Thank you.
DeleteHow wonderful! Well done Frances and congratulations to all. Wishing you all health and happiness ..... enjoy the cuddles YP.....will you be a Grandad or a Grandpa or something else? x
ReplyDeleteI shall be Grandpa. I have bought a pipe with St Bruno tobacco and I am planning to dye my hair grey. I have already got a big bag of Werthers. Thank you Libby.
DeleteJust read the happy news. Congratulations all round and what a lovely name!
ReplyDeleteWell done Frances....and Stewart!
So kind. Thank you Frances.
DeleteCongratulations all round! I wish all of you all the joy in the world!
ReplyDeleteShe shares a birthday with my Liam 😊
Your Liam is a goat too! Both Capricorns.
DeleteWhat great news for the whole family and welcome to the world Phoebe.
ReplyDeleteYeah - welcome! And sorry we have been doing our best to **** it up!
DeleteWelcome to the human race, beautiful little Phoebe! And congratulations to Stewart and Frances, as well as to both sets of grandparents! May every last one of you be filled with boundless joy at the arrival of this newcomer to our worldz
ReplyDeleteYou may have a hard exterior but you are soft inside. Thank you Bob.
DeleteHow exciting! Congratulations to you and Shirley and Frances and Stewart. I once read that having a child is the ultimate act of optimism -- and we all need optimism in our lives, don't we?
ReplyDeleteThat is true now more than ever. Thank you Steve.
DeleteCongratulations. You will make a fine grandpa.
ReplyDeleteBut I very much doubt that I will be around when she becomes an adult.
DeleteSo happy for you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Margaret.
DeleteCongratulations to you and all the Pudding family on this happy, happy day.
ReplyDeleteAs Debbie said, your blog has allowed us, from all corners of the world, to feel part of Frances and Stewart's journey and I thank you for the privilege of sharing in the joy of Phoebe's birth.
There will surely be a global village raising this child.
Adele
And she will be able to have a free holiday on South Island NZ with her Auntie Adele.
DeleteWelcome little Phoebe - so glad you arrived safely.
ReplyDeleteWell done to Francis and for sure Stewart, you and Shirley are all very relieved that babe has arrived at last.
Now keep safe and well and enjoy being doting Grandparents.. and enjoy an ale or two to wet the babes head - she is certainly a bright star in your lives. Elle xx
Such kindly thoughts which are much appreciated Elle.
DeleteMy wish for Phoebe is, of course firstly, good health. I also hope that she is as fortunate as you and I have been to have lived in a country without a war on our soil and where you and I have never had to go and fight.
ReplyDeleteThank you Graham. That would be something.
DeleteCongratulations to all the family on your new arrival. May she be blessed with good health, good luck and happiness. I have been reading your blog for years but never commented. Jo
ReplyDeleteThanks a million Jo and thanks for coming out from behind the trees. Much appreciated.
DeleteCongratulations - I hope that you get to see her soon!
ReplyDeleteAll being well we will see her tomorrow Margie. As I write both mother and baby are still in the maternity hospital awaiting the results of a blood test. Frances's platelet count went low and there was bleeding but they are both fine.
DeleteI can only echo the good wishes everyone has already made.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful news - many many congratulations to you all, and welcome little Phoebe to our world. We should apologise for the state it's in, but it just got a whole lot better with your arrival.
Grandpa - you'd better get Clint fitted with that baby seat so that your beautiful little granddaughter can accompany you on your walks, as you show her the magical place she was born into. Suggest you buy her an all-terrain buggy!
I doubt that the mum and dad will allow Mad Grandpa to go rambling with the little princess. Thanks for your kind wishes CG.
DeleteLovely! Congratulations to all.
ReplyDelete