Happy Halloween!

New Kid in Town

Benjamin's already old news... He has a new cousin, Tayla James, who was born yesterday. She was 6 lbs 14 oz, and she and mom are doing great!

The Story of Benjamin - part three

So we waited, and waited. Then the nurse came in and said that she was still having trouble getting a good read on my contractions monitor. They checked my progress again, and I was only at 7 centimeters. It had been several hours since I had made any progress. My blood pressure was still very high, and Ben's heart rate was starting to decline. Dawn, the nurse, was very sensitive and cautiously told me that it was time to think about other options. I knew that she meant a c-section and I said, let's do it.

They prepared me for surgery, and gave Minda scrubs so that she could accompany me and take pictures of Ben. A short time later, they took me to the OR. The room was cool and bright. I met the anesthesiologist, and the CRNA. I liked them a lot, I felt very secure with them taking care of me. We talked about the music on the radio, about golf, and about Kim Jong Il. They increased my epidural so that I didn't have any pain.

The thing I hadn't expected from a C-section is how long it took. I mean, I'm very glad that the doctor was not rushing, but it felt to me like it took forever before I heard one gurgling cry... then a pause, again, so very long... and then another gurgling cry, and then I heard the healthy cry of my boy.

They cleaned him up a bit and wrapped him up, and then brought him to me so that I could see him, and touch him with my free hand. He was absolutely amazing. He went back up to my labor & delivery room, and they finished my surgery. Then they took me back to my room, to finally hold my baby.

The Story of Benjamin - part two

We made our way to Fairview Ridges Hospital, and before long, I was in the labor & delivery room. I met my first shift nurse, Connie, and she got me hooked up to the monitors. Then she took my blood pressure... and it was quite high. She had me lay on my left side, and when she took it again, it was a little better, but still high. Up until this point of the pregnancy, I had never had problems with my blood pressure. So I didn't know exactly what to think about it. When the nurse was out of the room, and I felt another contraction starting, I decided I would be more comfortable sitting up. She came back and explained that I MUST stay on my left side. She dimmed the lights, and before long, started an IV of fluids and a small amount of pitocin. They broke my water, and discovered that there was meconium staining, so that would be something that they would need to watch. (Non medical speak: he pooed in the pool) At that point, I was dilated between 3 and 4 centimeters.

Laboring on my side was miserable. There was nothing that I could do with my body to work through the pain, other than to breathe. So I did my best to work with it mentally as much as I could, and it was so wonderful to have Minda and Raina there, rubbing my back, and constantly encouraging me.

I hadn't wanted to stay in bed, so I hadn't wanted an IV, and I hadn't wanted an epidural for that reason, plus I was concerned that I'd have a reaction to the medication. But I talked to the anesthesiologist, and since things were not going the way I had hoped, I decided I wanted an epidural. Whew! Loved that. I was still stuck on my side, but at least I didn't feel the pain of the contractions. They checked me again sometime around this point, and I was 6 centimeters.

Minda & I hadn't watched Dancing with the Stars from the night before, and Raina had never seen DWTS, so we watched it online on Minda's laptop, while we waited for things to get going. Any time now...

To be continued...

TallyScrapper Survivor Game: Week 4

Week four is over, and I did get it done... I just didn't post it here!

For this challenge you are to create a layout inspired by a CD or record cover. Your layout must look similar to your inspiration. You must include a pic of your CD cover or record cover AND since Baby Heil was born on the 14th (also my birthday) you also must include a list of 14 things that you like.

The Story of Benjamin - part one

Ben is napping, it's snowing, for pity's sake, and so after more than a week of intending to write down the birth story, I'm finally getting around to it.

First off, at my appointment on Monday, when I was 40 weeks and 5 days, it was decided that I would be induced on Wednesday, October 15. So with that decision made, I made plans for what I would accomplish on Tuesday, and Dave bought plane tickets for Wednesday morning.

Naturally, Ben had other plans. Tuesday morning, I woke up around 3:00 and was having contractions. I had "practice" contractions for several days, so I didn't think much of it, and eventually dozed off for a little bit. They woke me up again after 5:00, and shortly after, I decided I wanted to get up and move around. I washed the dishes, and then tried to watch a tv show, but I couldn't focus on it. Still, I wasn't completely sure if this was it. Finally around 8:00, I started making phone calls.

Raina and Minda came, and we played Phase 10. I'm quite sure I lost but I don't know who won. About the same time we finished the game, I was ready to go to the hospital.

To be continued...

*Yawn!*

I owe several people phone calls, and several others emails... but my baby is napping and my bed is calling me...

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Introducing Benjamin Gary

October 14, 10:54 pm
7 lbs, 12 oz, 20 1/2 inches long.

TallyScrapper Survivor Game: Week 3

This week's challenge is to:
- Use the sketch below
- Use the title "Everyday Life" and layer it
- Use a single month calendar with wings on it
- Use pictures and journaling about that month
- The lower right hand corner of your calendar should say 2008



I read the challenge after it came out yesterday, and I flat out HATED it. There is too much structure, I didn't like the title... yes, pretty much, hate at first sight. I thought, ok, kid, you need to come now because I don't want to do this challenge. And then, I at least came up with an idea using some beautiful pictures I had seen of someone else's family on someone else's blog... And a layout grew from there. Ahem, if you own these pictures, and you notice one tiny tiny piece of revisionist history, please don't bust me...

And so I present...

Get Out....

I'm ready for this baby now. Missy & I went for a mile and a half walk this morning, and since then, I'm feeling pretty achy. But so far, no hints as to when he's coming...

TallyScrapper Survivor Game: Week 2

This week's challenge is to:

* use the word Journey on your layout
* use a chipboard alpha that has been painted and has different sizes
* use NAKED chipboard embellishments
* your layout must contain some pink

I decided I wanted to use an old (old old) photo that I hadn't used before. This was taken in Norway and I believe given to my grandmother when she visited 30ish years ago. The only clue to her exact identity was written on the back: "Marg og ku" (Marg and cow)

We Made It!

October 1st... that was my goal. I wanted to be able to work today. From here, whatever. You see, on the 1st of the month, I earn 18 1/2 hours of vacation time, as long as I'm not out on leave. With that secured, I can now relax... although I am still hoping that he decides to arrive late in the day on the 8th or the 9th.

TallyScrapper Survivor Game: Week 1

Just because I'm crazy, I signed up to play a game on TallyScrapper that lasts the duration of the Survivor TV show. We'll see how it goes! Really, creating one page per week is not really that much of a committment... yes, I'm saying that now...

Anyway, this week's challenge had all kinds of funky requirements:
* must be 12x12
* must have a stitched edge
* must have a paper pieced tree
* include an owl, bird, hedgehog or deer
* have 2 photocorners
* journal on a cloud
* 3 photos
* and title it Life Is Beautiful

But is it contagious?

I've come down with a severe case of PREGNANT. Luckily, there's a complete cure.... but the side effects last a lifetime.

Whine, whine, whine! I'm big and my head aches and the braxton-hicks are kicking my butt...

Minnesota Renaissance Festival

I wasn't sure if I would make it this year, but I did go to the Renaissance Festival today with Dave's older brother and his family. We got there about 9:30, in an effort to beat some of the heat (80 degrees today!) and the crowds. That was smart. Since the last few weekends the weather has been crummy, it's like all of Minnesota came out today to enjoy a last taste of summer before cold sets in. By 1:00, it was packed, so we wrapped it up and left around 2:00. While we were there, we enjoyed the performers, the food, and a few of the shops. For years I've wanted to get a Christmas ornament from the glass blowers; this year I finally did.

And now, bed!

An Eclipse?

This was actually last week, I was taking a few quick pictures of some scrap layouts... I knew I didn't have the right lighting to get a good photo, but these were going in the mail so I thought, what the heck. First photo, forgot to turn the flash off. Second shot, flash off, arms tucked close to the body to hold the camera still, don't bother checking the viewfinder to see I've got more belly than page...

Copying Minda...

What Lisa Means

You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong. You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know. You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

I Bought a Boat

I was looking at Craig's List, and I saw this boat and it was too cute and too cheap to pass up! The only trouble is that it was in South Minneapolis (very close to Nancy's, actually) and it took a little bit of navigating to get around the construction.... Getting home was easy though, once I figured out what streets are still open.

It's solid wood, and needs a little TLC of sanding and touch-up paint. Right now it's in my living room, because it's too heavy for me to get it anywhere else :)

More PTA than SLA, but...