The Gang's All Here

And here they are! Looks like a pretty good, pretty FINISHED family, don't you think? The following photos are some that my very good friend Melissa White took of my kids last Sunday. (Thank You, Thank You) Jack was one week and one day old, and I'm surprised at how much he's changed already! Joe took him for his weight check this morning (isn't that funny? With number six, we had to split up taking kids to school and taking Jack to the doctor, and I ended up with the five oldest while Joe took the baby!) Anyway, he's doing great...already up to 8 pounds, 10 ounces, so well past his birthweight at the two week mark. We're all doing well and adjusting nicely. Jack figured out the day/night thing, and is already doing a good 5 or 6 hour stretch at night. He's a bit cranky during the day, and doesn't really like to be in the car (not good when you have five older brothers and sisters), but overall, everyone is doing as well as can be expected. Enjoy the photos....I sure am!

Long Lost Cousin....Found

I had lunch today with my cousin Austin, who also happens to be serving his mission here in the San Luis Obispo area. I can't remember the last time I saw Austin, but I'm pretty sure he wasn't taller than me when I did! It was good to see him, and for his parents and grandparents, his companion told me privately that Elder Simmons is doing a great job and is working hard! We had a good lunch at Firestone Grill, and then took him back to the bank where he met Eric Wells, who I'm sure Uncle Greg will remember.

The Story of Jack

Well, somehow, I find myself with a few moments of extra time this morning. We're home from the hospital, Joe, Maggie & Harry are at school, Charlie is off to Tiny Tigers, and John and Jack and I are sitting around in our pajamas, enjoying a quiet morning. Thanks again to both Kate and Melissa for toting all my kids around with them...it's really nice to not have to get everyone in the car right now.

So, the story of Jack...

I went to the hospital early Saturday morning to be induced. I've been induced three other times, and have always had good experiences. I knew I was facing a long day, but I was looking forward to meeting my new baby. I got checked in, and then the Dr. Yin broke my water. My nurse was Wendy, which was a great surprise. (Wendy is friend of ours from church for those of you who don't know her). I was all settled in and just waiting (I find that's the biggest part of being induced)....we started the pitocin at about 11:00, and then called for the epidural at about noon. I've had four epidurals and never had a problem, but this time the doctor hit some fluid, so he had to take put it in again a bit lower. Sometimes this happens, and I guess it can change the effectiveness of the eipidural. It can also cause spinal headaches....which I know from experience are pretty painful. (I had a spinal tap in college which resulted in a three-week long spinal headache) Luckily, I don't seem to have gotten the headache, but my epidural was certainly different than any I've ever had. At 3:00, I was only dilated to four centimeters, and I was starting to feel the epidural effects in my arm. Joe decided to go and get the kids from his parents and take them home for a little break, since it seemed like we were going to have some time. I decided to have the epidural turned off for a while, since it seemed like we were going to have some time. I started to feel the contractions again, but they weren't too bad. I was checked again at 5:15, and was still only at about 6 centimeters. The doctor went to get some dinner and Joe was home feeding the kids. At about 5:45, the contractions started to get worse and come faster...I was in the room by myself, and kept telling myself I should call and get the epidural turned back on. I told myself I'd wait until 6:10, then I'd call for Wendy, which I did. She came in, and I told her I thought it was time (to be honest, I don't think I was very coherent at this point, but luckily she figured it out!) Joe called at about that same time to check in, but I couldn't even talk, the contrtactions were coming so quickly. I guess he figured out that he needed to get there fast, so he got all the kids in the car and rushed over. Wendy called Dr. Yin, who was luckily still at the hospital.

Anyway, long story short, Jack was born at about 6:25, after about 5 minutes of pushing. Joe and the kids all arrived at about 6:35. I felt a bit bad about them missing everything, but at the time, there was no way I was waiting for anyone or anything!

Here are a few pictures of the first hour....

Jack and I stayed in the hospital until yesterday, and are glad to be home. Everyone is doing well...Jack of course sleeps all day and crys all night, but that's not too surprising. Joe is taking a few days off from work, and we're just trying to relax and recover.

P.S. The weather is unseasonably warm right now...I'm talking 86 degrees today. So, I'll always remember bringing my January Jack home from the hospital in just a onesie!

Introducing

Jack Clarence Brundage. 8lbs 2 ounces, 20 inches. Born at 6:25 pm on January 10, 2009.

I'm Having A Baby Tomorrow

And for the sake of history, I thought I should post this picture that Harry took of me....this is 39.5 weeks pregnant. I saw my doctor today, and although I'm having contractions, I'm not having enough to qualify me as "in labor". So, I'm going to the hospital tomorrow morning to be induced.
On another note, I need to say a big thank you to this lovely lady, Kate, who planned a beautiful baby shower for me last Saturday. We had a delicious lunch and opened gifts, and generally just had a nice time celebrating this new baby coming into our lives. Thanks so much to everyone who came....it really was a lovely day.

P.S. Don't you love my new header? My ever-so-talented sister Alyssa just whipped this up for me today...thanks Lyssie!

Scooter Mayhem

Harry and Maggie each got electric scooters for Christmas. We've been having a lot of fun with them (even me, 38 weeks pregnant have tested out thier features). We've learned a couple of things about the scooters, however. One, always keep TWO hands on the scooter...don't try and wave at someone as you go by...your coolness factor diminishes greatly as you fall to the ground and break open the skin on your palms. And TWO, always turn the scooter ON before you try to go down a hill....if you don't, you might find that the scooter stops going, yet you continue to go, ending in a face-plant on the sidewalk. Harry discovered this tip yesterday. It could have been worse....a lot worse...(I was thinking Unlce Taylor when I first saw Harry's bloody mouth)....he did finally knock out the top tooth that has been hanging precariously for the past few weeeks. He also knocked very loose, and finally pulled the other top tooth that previously was not loose at all. Oh well...now they're out....we won't have to worry about it anymore!

This picture is about one hour post-fall...with second tooth still "attached". This is the final result.....(The mustache was part of an earlier activity of the day...has nothing to do with the accident). The tooth fairy was sure busy at our house last night!