Thomas William Howard was born on July 24, in his Kyabram home, arriving six weeks before his due date.
His parents, Meredith’s son Jai and his partner, Leah Summers, were caught by surprise when their first child decided to make an early appearance.
Ambulance officers arrived at the home to provide medical assistance and Thomas has spent the past month at the Goulburn Valley Base Hospital in Shepparton.
Without knowing it, Meredith had already played a part in her grandson’s life, having been part of a group that knitted beanies for premature babies through the Life’s Little Treasures Foundation.
The foundation is a support network for parents of prematurely born children.
Meredith said ambulance officers that arrived at her son’s home had a beanie from the organisation on board to keep her tiny grandson’s head warm.
“When the ambulance turned up they had a little beanie for him. The quicker you can get the baby’s head warm the better,” she said.
Meredith had been part of the Lesley Lowe-led group that knitted the beanies for the foundation.
“I was only aware of the foundation when Lesley asked us to become involved. It has a little bit more meaning, on a personal level, now,’’ she said.
Meredith said the foundation was a beautiful charity.
“Before Thomas’s arrival I’d never had any experience with premature babies,” she said.
“All mine were two weeks early. When Thomas arrived he was only just over two kilos (4lb 7oz).
“He is going really well and in another week or so he will be home.”
Jai’s brother Kane, and his wife, Laura, have two little girls — one who turned eight last week and a four-year-old.
“They are very excited about meeting their cousin,” Meredith said.
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