"Numba' Fidy"

For those of you who don't understand my attempt at Ebonics...... the title of this is referring to my 50th post. I'd like to say I have something really spectacular to write about, but, nope. Just another catch-up.

We went down to the valley this past weekend for my brother's graduation from Mesa High. Just to give you a taste of how non-traditional my family is with certain things ........ here is his Graduation Announcement:

Unfortunately, because of weather conditions, they moved the ceremonies inside the school. Half in the gym and half in the auditorium. Each graduate was given only TWO tickets for friends and family members. Yeah, I was mostly sad and upset....... but a little glad. Sorry Kevin, but those things are WAY too long. I would have said the same thing about my own graduation. Especially with kids. There's no way a two and three year old are going to sit quietly listening for their uncle's name to be called.

Anyway. The rest of the weekend was spent just hanging out. We played with cousins in their inflatable pool. It wasn't planned. My sister-in-law and I were just talking outside and the next thing we knew.... our kids are playing in the rain puddle left by the aforementioned unfortunate weather. Thank goodness for extra swim diapers. Griffin has an issue with wearing wet clothing, so after his decision was made to get in the water, he came running out of the house naked. He wanted to keep ALL his clothing at a safe distance (in the house) from the water.

Jeff had gone upto the Showlow Softball Tournament a few days before us and we met up with him later. I have to pat myself on the back for making it the entire trip without going crazy and only yelling once. The usual 3.5 hour trip took us only 4 hrs. because of a nursing break in Payson. The tournament was not the funnest I've ever been to. The wind was TERRIBLE. The boys and I only watched one game. Sorry Jeff.

All in all, the trip was good. We love being with family. Griffin especially loves to go places with Grandma Hope, because the money she plans on spending for groceries or graduation gifts, usually ends up buying grandkids new gifts and toys. Shown below is Kai sporting the Ninja Turtle Mask that was part of this trip's gift.

INTRODUCING........

TREYSON DOUGLAS GARDNER

May 9, 2008

8 lbs. 1 oz --- 20 in. long

He's here!!! And I'm glad we made him come when we did. Who knows how much bigger he would have been. For those of you with bigger babies, sorry, but this one was my biggest and I like the small ones better.

For those of you who DO NOT want to know the labor details...... skip this paragraph. Like I told you before, we went to the hospital at 3:30 pm. I made sure that our amazing nurse, Bethaina, knew my wishes. I told her that I would try for a bit without an epidural and let her know if things got too bad. If I wasn't going to progress very fast, she knew that I wasn't opposed to help. The doctor broke my water at 4:22 pm. The first little while, I wasn't feeling much. A semi-strong contraction came around 4:45 pm -- it was tolerable. I just kept walking around in the room. Jeff was getting bored. He was used to the fast paced previous labors and didn't really know what to do. His prediction was that this labor wasn't going to go quite as quick and we were going to be there for a while. My sisters, Jill, Shannon, and Celynda made it up there around 5 pm. Shannon and Celynda left to pick up Griffin and Kai. Jill stayed. She's wanted to be there for my other births, but never got the chance. The contractions started getting stronger. Jill started timing them for me around 5:15 -- they were 2 minutes apart. Jeff came back in the room just in time to suggest calling the nurse to check my progress. The moment she came in, I was ready to push. The pain was crazy. She checked and, indeed, I was fully dialated. From that second, until the baby was born, I'm not sure I opened my eyes at all. The pain came so fast and so intense and it seemed like one contraction just rolled into the next with no breaks. Treyson was born at 5:41 pm -- 1 hr. and 19 min. after they broke my water.

Note to self -- get the epidural next time.

Anyway -- we got home the next night and everything has been going well. Griffin LOVES Treyson to death and wants to hold him all the time. He has put Trey to sleep twice for me now. Kai -- not so much. He'll look at him every once in a while, but he's content just being crazy as always. Pretty soon, they'll all gang up on me, but for now......... I'll take advantage of how cute they are.

To be....or not to be (in pain). That is the question.

Okay -- so the day has come. I saw my doctor this morning and he thinks it's best if we induce my labor this time. Both he and I are worried about the possibility of the labor going so fast that the speeding tickets on the way to the hospital might not be worth it.

IT WILL BE TODAY!!! I go in at 3:30 pm and he'll come break my water probably around 4 pm. The title of my post is because the doctor said that I can have an epidural before he even breaks my water! I've never been able to experience labor pain free before, so I'm tempted. On the other hand, I've done it before, I should be able to do it again. Especially if it goes as fast, or quicker. My plan, as of right now is to NOT get an epidural and see how speedy I progress.

I've wanted this baby to come for a while now, as a lot of you know, so I'm glad I know the WHEN part. But I am filled with so much nervousness, excitement and anticipation...... I don't know what to do with myself. CARSEAT -- installed, BASSINET -- set up, HOUSE -- semi-clean. Holy cow, am I seriously ready to bring another baby home!?

WISH ME LUCK!!!! I'll get some pictures up as soon as I can.

STILL PREGNANT

For those of you who may have been checking anxiously -- I'm still here -- still pregnant. It's good because I know the baby just keeps getting more and more healthy the longer he stays in there, but......... I want him out.

I just thought he'd be here by now. Griffin was 5 days early -- Kai was 3 wks early -- and I figured this one would come somewhere in between those two, but sooner rather than later. I was really hoping for May 2nd. That sounded like a good birthday date. Nope didn't happen, despite my trying. I didn't go to the extremes of caster oil or anything. I guess he's just not ready.

Jeff's in the middle of finals right now and it doesn't help that he's feeling awful. It's like, "Here, if the stress of finals and a baby due any day aren't enough........ let's throw on this great stomach bug that's been going around. That will make things easier." He really has been working hard on school and I'm happy for him that it's almost over. Hopefully we'll have an enjoyable summer and be able to find a place to live in the valley for all of his internships. I'm excited to be close to family again. Griffin and Kai really miss the grandparents and cousins.

I'll keep you posted. By the way, if any of you out there know of someone trying to rent their house or a cheap apartment with 3 bedrooms, let me know. Gilbert or Mesa area is our preference.