I remember the day they broke the news
It was a perfect day to chose
We were all gathered round at your nanny Fay’s
It was one of those warm late summer days
When your mum, usually calm and quiet
Looked about to start a riot
Can I have your attention! She did shout
That she meant business there was no doubt
“Matthew and I are having a baby!”
A split second’s silence, we thought that maybe
We had misheard
Did she really say the ‘baby’ word?
Then tears and hugs, we’re pleased as punch
It was a very special lunch
For years, they had always said
No children, we’ll have dogs instead
And a great relationship we’d all forge
With sweet little Henry and George
But deep down, I always knew
That one day there’d be a little you
You didn’t make your mum’s life easy
Her pregnancy was very queasy
Not for her a healthy bloom
She spent too much time in a hospital room
Her blood pressure went very high
At times she might have wondered why
She’d put herself though this strange ordeal
This wasn’t supposed to be how she’d feel
The positioning of your placenta
Also threatened to present her
With another problem, so to speak
Would she get past her 26th week?
The consultant was a little surly
“If we’re lucky your daughter will be early”
Luckily, the wonderful midwives
So used to introducing lives
To the world, knew all was well
Yet when you’d come only time would tell
With your birth date several months away
I looked to book a week’s holiday
Just a little glimpse of winter sun
At a time to suit everyone
While we were away we wanted no drama
But we mortals can’t interfere with karma
No sooner arrived in sunny Malta
Our whole life once again would alter
To enter this world you couldn’t wait
More than six weeks before your due date
You were born, and how it thrilled us so
Your granddad and your nanny Jo
Before we had laid eyes on you
We knew we’d love you our whole lives through
To get home and see you we were excited
For your mum and dad we were delighted
As you grow, Olivia, you will see
You’ve joined a big, loving family
Sadly someone had to make way
There’s only room for so many to stay
Your great-grandma, who we all still mourn
Waited until you were born
She was thrilled to hear that you were here
And sent her love to you loud and clear
Then blew a kiss for you to keep
And went peacefully off to sleep
Olivia, we hope as you grow
That you’ll soon come to know
That you’re welcomed and loved by everyone
Our own little ray of joy and sun
By your lovely Rowe cousins and Caseys and all
Growing up with them you’ll have a ball
But the family now has a new little boss
I present you Miss Olivia Ross

Nanny Jo
March 2008