Jeremy's Bris

Ok, so I am finally coming back down to earth here. Taking a deep breath! What a crazy couple weeks all culminating with Jeremy's Bris on Friday. A bris is a crazy thing. I'm not sure what percentage of newborn baby boys get circumcised but I gather the number is relatively high. In other faiths, it is performed in the hospital, is fairly uneventful and I do not think parent participation is required. In our faith, we had to plan a party just eight days after giving birth. Not such an easy task. It is safe to say that Josh and I were both experiencing quite a bit of anxiety over this. Our first mohel was unavailable so we had a new one on the way. He was very particular and very focused on giving us a beautiful ceremony - all they way down to scattering rose petals on the "operation" table . I very much appreciated that but I was more concerned that he just did it right!! The day felt a little wild to us but after all is said and done, we had good company, a very nice ceremony and a successful circumcision! Thank you to everyone for taking time out of your day to share this joyous occasion with us. It was especially nice sharing the day with my cousins who also have their own small children as well - thank you Lauren and Tami for driving up (and down) here. Thank you to my parents for all your help and all the great food - I think we will be eating roast beef and turkey all week long, and a special thanks to Uncle Larry for taking such good care of Zach!!

And the afterparty - Zach jumping in the ice cold drink buckets!!

Oops, did I really say the resemblance was NOT overwhelming?

I changed my mind....

Jeremy Max Shayne

Born June 17, 2010 at 8:43 PM
6lbs 13 oz., 21.5 inches

We were on cloud nine since we had the ECV procedure last week and then the s&*t really hit the fan. I started having crazy contractions on Monday afternoon but it wasn't your run of the mill labor pains. I did not feel good. Off to the doctor I went to find out I was running 100.5 temp and had a baby inside me with his little heart racing anywhere between 160 and 200 beats a minute. Not good! Lots of liquid, maybe a bladder infection and a ton of rest was ordered for me. A follow up non-stress test was scheduled just a couple days later - I was sure it would all be fine. Not so much. Babies heart was still racing Wednesday morning. Not quite sure what to do "Wheels" made an executive decision. He wanted this baby out and he wanted it now. I was 2 centimeters dilated and about 70 percent effaced. He swooped in and broke my water, told me he had a lecture and he might not be able to deliver the little guy but he would try and he was off. This was 2:00 PM yesterday. No more than an hour later, I was another centimeter and 100% effaced. A few more insane contractions, the nurse told me I could get an epidural if I wanted to - of course I did; and by the time that was in place it was about 5:00 PM and I was dilated to 6. Turned on the laker game and by 7:00 I dilated to ten and was ready for practice pushing. The baby was doing great so we literally waited for "Wheels" to get back from his lecture and he made it back in time to deliver Jeremy. It was a wild week and an even more wild day. We are still blown away (and thankful it happened so fast) and everyone is healthy. Now I just need to figure out how to pee so I can go home.

Jeremy is super mellow so far! He definitely resembles Zachy when he was a baby but it isn't overwhelming. He is a really good eater, has very little, very light hair, deep grey eyes and a cute little nose. Zach is doing awesome. He is being a great big brother and loves holding and kissing the baby. He just really wants us to come home.

Randi the rock star

THE BABY HAS TURNED! But, we got a little help from Dr. Wheeler (AKA "Wheels" "Smooth Wheels"). Got to Hoag at about 6:20 a.m. for check in and to get an ultrasound for positioning before the External Cephalic Version (ECV). For anyone that does not know, ECV is where the stomach is manipulated so that the positioning of the baby changes. The point is to elimintate the breech by causing the baby's head to face down. Before the procedure started, Randi got an IV. Wheels then looked at both of us and said, "this is gonna be easy." The procedure took less than 30 seconds and it was a success!!!!! (We were told that the procedure can take 1-3 minutes, and if it does not work at the 3 minute mark, then it won't work.) Randi did amazing. It was unconfortable for Randi but "not that bad" - probably because the procedure was done in record speed. We think that we caused a hospital record for this procedure, maybe a world record. In fact, when Randi went back to the hospital today for a non-stress test, all the nurses knew who she was. Apparently the word got around that Randi's ECV was the easiest. Randi saw one of the doctors who assisted Wheels. He told her she was a "rock star." Now, let's just hope the baby does not go back to the breech position. Good job Randi!!! And a special thank you to Wheels because now Randi is soooooooooooo much at ease.

Turn Baby Turn

We had Randi's 36 week appointment last week and saw via ultrasound that baby's head is still positioned up, with the legs down. Now, supposedly, there are some things that can be done to try to get the baby to turn. I'm just not sure if this is one of the ways: Randi at Scooters Jungle this past weekend going down the 40 foot slide. Very impressive!!!!!!
(It was one of Zach's friend's birthday party.)

Zach was loving it too! From 10:30 a.m. (when we arrived) to 12:30 p.m.(when we left), Zach did not take one break from the slide. We left Scooters Jungle with Zach crying because he apparently did not get enough of going down the slide.



This past weekend, we took Zach to Sesame Street Live in LA. Zach liked it and can't stop telling his friends that he saw Big Bird. But, I would say that Zach's favorite thing at Sesame Street Live was the popcorn. I don't think Zach's stomach agreed with the large bag of popcorn he ate. Our house smelled like fart the entire Sunday afternoon. I think we ripped through a half a pack of wipes on Sunday.
Here's a pic of Randi this past weekend, still looking great.

Birthday Season

This time of year is always so fun because our weekends are filled with birthday parties. Long overdue, but Grady recently celebrated his 1st Birthday and we were so happy to be a part of it.




Last weekend, we went to Katie's Birthday party. Katie, is Zach's little girlfriend from MyGym. Her parents can really throw a great party. They have a huge bounce house, a pinata and Laurie (Katie's Mom) had an amazing non-alcoholic beer called Buckler waiting for me. It was amazing and so much better than O'Douls!!






In a few more days, I will be full-term - woohoo! I was very excited for this baby to come early but now I am hoping he cooks a bit longer. Looks like we have another skinny guy on our hands. He was only 5 lbs, 7 oz yesterday and hasn't flipped over yet. I went straight to Taco Bell after my appointment yesterday, and I wasn't even hungry. :)