Me, Obaachan~

On February 20, 2008 I became a grandmother-- or obaachan in Japanese-- for the first time. Little Hannah Foley Oba was born after six hours of labor to her proud parents, Sam Foley and Yuka Oba in Gifu, Japan. She weighed in at 8 pounds 4 ounces.

I have never wanted the title "grandmother," feeling far too young for that particular designation, but as I have no choice in the matter and the fact that I will actually be called obaachan makes the transition that much easier.

I never thought I would react to becoming obaachan--doesn't that sound younger than grandmother? --with such sentimental feelings. I positively gushed over all the pictures, immediately wanted to buy baby clothes for her, and had to restrain myself from flying out the door and buying a ticket, barring the cost, for Japan.

I'm sure I'll get over it. Well... maybe not. It is such a transitional event in my life.

But there is more, unless of course my daughter is, as she fears, permanently pregnant. She was due to make me a nana, the name for grandmother in Australia last week. I am waiting for news...