She's Here

The quick facts:

June Lightfoot Arnold
8 pounds, 7 ounces
21 inches
6:20 pm, June 2nd

The quick story:

After a busy morning of chiropractor's and doctor's appointments, I was beginning to think those random Braxton Hicks contractions weren't so random after all. At 3 pm, I called our midwife and told her to come on over, for the contractions were now 3 to 4 minutes apart. We also called in another midwife from Bakersfield who has a lot of experience with vaginal delivery of breech babies (June was her 60-something breech baby; by contrast, our very capable and kind doctor has delivered only 3). Yep, June never did decide to turn down.

The plan was if labor progressed smoothly, we would continue our plan for a home birth; if I was not progressing, we would transfer to my doctor's hospital and then have the Caesarean (the only option offered by my doctor).

Not only did labor progress smoothly, it also went very quickly. By 6 pm, I was ready to push, but the Bakersfield midwife had not yet arrived in Fresno...or so we thought. The apprentice midwife opened the apartment door to walk to the street to see if Miss Brenda needed help, and she was on the doorstep about to knock. She walked in, gloved up, checked me, and said, "whenever you're ready honey." And I was. So, at 6:20, little miss declared that upside down is the new right side up, and was born.

She was pink and perfect; no suctioning or interventions were required for her at all. Everything was delivered, evaluated, and cleaned up and the AMAZING midwifery team was back on the road to their homes in the Valley by 8:30 pm. Michael and I enjoyed the evening at home, and Owen returned after staying with dear friends in the morning.

He is loving on her and singing to her (from Jingle Bells to Jesus Loves Me); he is a proud big brother. Michael was a great birthing help, and I am once again reminded how much he loves little babies and what a helpmate he is to me. Mom came today around noon, and I am so thankful for extra hands to help with Owen and give me time to catch up you poor, deprived people on pictures and news. Sorry to keep you waiting so long, and feel free to email me anytime. I might not be quick to return a call, but I'll log on when I can.

Thank you for all the love, prayers, and support you continue to send our way. Our God is faithful and, once again, He showers us with blessings beyond our imaginations!

Here are the pictures:

The mandatory "did she get hit by a bus?" picture:

Detrah doing the newborn assessment.

Michael "I once caught a baby THIS big!" (weighing June)With Detrah and her amazing apprentice Alex.
Sushi and June:
My boys and June:

More pictures as we get to know one another.

This I know...

I am not having a May baby.

Reminders about upcoming student loan payments put a damper on the joy of graduation.

4-year old's don't need a graduation ceremony for preschool, and yet, I will be attending Owen's.

I miss Texas...no, I miss my mom.

No pool is too cold for a 4-year old.

Strawberry and Peanut & Butter M&M's came from the mind of some overdue pregnant lady hoping weird food would induce labor. Seriously, if anyone tries these, please tell me how disgusting they are.

I'd rather watch reruns of The Cosby show than half the stuff on prime-time.

It's not a watermelon.


The list of things I do NOT know is too long to recount here, despite the fact that I'm overdue on a blog post. So, I'll leave my thoughts on breech babies, cross-country relocation, disciplining 4 year olds, tri-tip vs. brisket, contractions, and other thoughts that consume my maternity leave days to continue to knot up my brain.

Disneyland

Owen's birthday present from us was a trip to Disneyland, and after a long 3 weeks of waiting, we hit Anaheim this weekend with some of my best friends from my Glendale years, Rose, RaeEtta, and Rae's daughter Ashley.

With a 4 year old who finally can wait in a line, a short drive, cheap lodging (thanks Rae and Bert), and a family of only 3, we figured, this is a great time to go. So, we unloaded Owen's piggy bank of the birthday money he saved for treats and eats at Disneyland and hit the road.

Here are the pics from our day!



I survived the day WAY better than I expected. In fact, Owen finally collapsed in the stroller at 5:30, but we didn't leave until almost 9. He loved everything with his top 3 things being the roller coaster in ToonTown, the Jedi Training Show, and the Buzz Lightyear Shooting Gallery. We just loved seeing him enjoy himself, and once again, it was a reminder that when we are able, we should do more stuff like this.

If you've been to any of the Disney parks, what are some of your favorite memories??

1 Question Answered

After my blog vomit last month, one question has been answered.

*What date will Michael be defending his dissertation?

Well, he DEFENDED April 17th. Yep, words can't really describe what an accomplishment this is for him and our family, so I'll leave it at two: PRAISE GOD! Not in the sarcastic way people say when their order finally arrives or the light finally turns green on their morning commute, but I mean it. To Him be the glory!

After too many weekends of one parent playing with Owen while the other catches up on chores/work/rest, this weekend was family weekend. We all did everything together, but my favorite part was watching the boys fly a kite at the park. Here they are.

Parenting tip: low altitude kite flying is a great way to wear your child out...but I caution you that overuse will lead to a dramatic breakdown before you return to the car...leading to weeping and gnashing of teeth (and that may be you, not your child). Use at your own risk.







As for the other questions, all in due time.

Speaking of due time...

What a difference 9 months makes! And look, I'm not the only one getting bigger! Why do we make these faces? IDK. Oh wait, yes I do...it's easier than getting Owen to smile a real smile.


Us last July.

Nesting Nat

Nesting much? With a 2 bedroom rented apartment, there's not much nesting to do in my house itself...or at least, not much I'm willing to do with our Fresno fate still up in the air. So, I guess all my nesting instincts have gone to sewing stuff, mostly burp cloths for myself and others.

Here are pics that include:
bibs
burp cloths
pillow for my neighbor's 72nd birthday
stuffed turtle for church friend's 1st birthda
outfit (made with Mom) for church friend's newborn

I told Michael I have to stop making burp cloths or open an Etsy shop. They're so addicting. Must stop...and yet...

For Grandparents (mostly)

Because the file is cumbersome for email, I will force video of my child upon all of blog land, instead of just the grandparents who sent him the bike. But while you're here, it's pretty cool.

It's called a Skuut and it's a pedal-free bike. You "walk it, ride it, SKUUT it, glide it" (or so the box says). Owen, only having rode it around the living room so far, is at the "walk it" stage. Still, you get the concept of balancing on a bike pretty early. And since he knows how to pedal from a tricycle, when he's ready for a big boy bike, there will be no training wheels.


Michael and I are calling it the IKEA bike because it's wooden, the instructions are mostly pictures, and it came with a mini-allen wrench to put it together in leiu of real tools. But unlike most of our IKEA furniture, it took only 3 steps to put it together.

Please ignore the air mattress deflating in the middle of the floor (from Uncle Joe's visit) and Owen's threat to cut my toes off...he rarely means it.

Here's the video for the fam:

Happy Easter!

One thing I've loved about the past year is how Owen is at the age where he "gets" the holidays. Being able to anticipate Santa or brainstorm for his birthday, it's nice to see him aware of family traditions and be excited about them.

So, after much discussion about Easter (the dude should be in a passion play after his overly dramatic reenactment of the soldiers taking Jesus) and how the cross is not the end of the story, it was also bunny time! Owen felt the need to get the eggs before the squirrels absconded with HIS eggs.

Off to the races!!

Saying something about squirrels or spiderman...our speech path. friends can comment on the lazy tongue later. ;)
Spooky, Owen, Mommy, and one big purple Easter egg under my top.




My boys (and the bear)!



Proud of himself after a successful egg hunt!