Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Welcome Baby

6 months or so later...

Here is our baby surprise! (Yes, we knew we were going to have one, and yes it was planned- we just didn't know the gender...)

Introducing:




Emily Aurora Feagin                 
Born 9/1/12 at 5:13 am 
Weighing 8 lbs. 13 oz.
Measuring 20 inches long

It's a girl!! Hooray! Throughout my pregnancy, during this long, hot summer, everyone- I mean, EVERYONE, told me it was going to be a boy. Everyone had their opinion. I guess they thought that because of how large I was. I didn't want to say anything- that I had a feeling it was a girl, because what if it wasn't!? I really wanted it to be. I wanted to dress up a little baby girl in cute frilly stuff again, I really did.
Elena is elated, of course, to have a baby sister. Aaron adjusted to the idea very quickly (he wanted a brother) and seems to really love his baby sister too.


We named her Emily after my paternal Grandmother- Emily Rose, and Aurora because she was born in the wee hours of the day. Right on her due date, I might add.
She was my quickest and easiest labor yet. Here's the story: I had trouble sleeping that night- more than usual. I couldn't get comfortable in any position. I even tried some of the yoga tricks, but they didn't work. I powered through for several hours, but by 3:30 am it was not getting any better. So, I called my OB and told her I thought I was in labor but wasn't sure. (My first two were induced.) She told me to come on in to L&D where she was on call. I lucked out to have the same doctor on call that delivered my first two kids! We checked in around 4:30 and I was wheeled up. The whole time I kept asking for the anesthesiologist. I wanted that shot ASAP, before it was too late! I sat for what felt like forever at the nurses' station, then finally got a room. In agony I waited for them to hook me up to all the monitors, and IV drip, and for the doctor to come in. She finally did (she was busy that night- delivered 6 babies!) and when she checked me she laughed. "You're at a 9 and you think  you're in labor!?" Oh. Is it too late for the epidural? Yep, it was. Crap! But I told myself I could do it. Here was my chance to be a "real woman"!  I had chickened out and got the epidural with the other labors I had. It all happened so fast from that point. I started to really want to push, and luckily they were inclined to oblige me. Probably around ten after five I started to do so and she was born by 5:13. Phew! Jim said she kept us in suspense for even longer- for a while he could only see her face and wasn't sure- boy or girl? Then when she was all the way out her legs were crossed. So sneaky!
She was my biggest baby yet, and I did it all without the pain killers! Wahoo! I now have a very empowering feeling of "I just did that!" And she was so perfect. I have had an amazingly quick recovery, most likely due to the fact that I didn't use the drugs. To those of you who have never used an epidural- GOOD FOR YOU!!
The very next day my Mom & Dad, and brother Dan arrived from Reno to meet the baby and stay the week. That was so much fun! Mom will be coming back the end of October as well and we are immensely looking forward to that visit...more pics to come!
Until later!

Monday, March 19, 2012

Baby!

We have announced our soon to be addition on facebook, but for those who don't do facebook- here it is! We are expecting our third child the end of August! Here is one of the early sonograms:
We are compiling a list of boy & girl names since we don't plan to find out what it will be until it's born. We are very excited, but this coming fall is going to be a busy one! James will be starting a new Masters program, Elena will be starting 1st grade, and Aaron will be starting his Pre-K education. Not to mention new baby! Exciting new adventures await us all!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Birthday Shenanigans (sp?)

4 year old Aaron's birthday cake. He LOVES his trains these days! (And has for quite some time) This is the one he chose. I wish I could boast this kind of talent, but alas, this is from our local bakery.  
 We celebrated very simply, as a family, by going to the local petting zoo. Here is the Prince and Cinderella!
"Laney-Lane" 
 "Ronsky"
 Tall as a cow now!!
Daddy makes a pretty convincing spider. Poor little miss muffet!
Aaron got to have his first ride on a horse! He made me proud with his lack of fear. This was big for him, as he is usually afraid. It shows me how much he is growing up!

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Turning Four!

Aaron turned 4 yrs old on September 17th. Shortly thereafter we went to JCPenney's, where I always get a great deal on photos. This year he was so cooperative and good- I was so proud of him! In years past it was like pulling teeth to get a good picture with him just not crying. Hooray! And me being the cheap-o that I am, I did not buy the CD for an extra $50. Because I can just scan them in, of course! The result is a bit grainy, but you get the general handsome idea.






I can't believe how big my boy is getting! 

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Reno in July

After three blissful days in Disneyland, we drove the 10 hours back to Reno. The drive was tolerable, really. There were some really picturesque places in that desert we drove through. There was the most beautiful rainstorm at one point in the middle of the desert. And Jim is just a sucker for those small towns. Independance, California really captured his attention with its quaintness.
 We got out to stretch next to this lake- Mono Lake, I think. We caught a gorgeous sunset.
We stopped in Bishop, CA at a small roadside bakery. My parents always stop there when they drive down to So Cal, as it's been there for generations- run by a Dutch family.They have the best European goodies I have been able to find in the states! Delish! The even had Italian Gelato. Mmmmmm!
The next day was Elena's 5th birthday and we were lucky to find a grocery store who would make a cake "same-day". She had requested tinkerbell fairies and we all thought they did a great job with it! She loved it and it sure was delicious!
After cake- PRESENTS!
We also took an overnight trip that weekend to San Jose to visit the graves of Jim's grandparents and to visit some of his family there.
We enjoyed a nice dinner with Uncle Fred & Aunt Lenore...
And cousin Mark with his two kids.
Back in Reno, the cousins all had a blast together!
We played in the fountain out at Legends...

 We had a picnic at a park in the shadow of the Reno Temple...
and had a picnic on the beach at Lake Tahoe!
The water was chilly, but the sand was warm! 
All of us in front of the Reno temple. (Although a bro & sis are missing)

We had such a great trip and it was so hard to come home. Post-vacation depression lasted several weeks afterward. And to this day the kids still re-live Disneyland by often requesting to watch the YouTube clips of the rides. Favorites are Splash Mountain and the Little Mermaid ride.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Our Trip to Disneyland

Leaving on a jet plane!
We scored some tickets to LAX for a flight that left in the middle of the day! (and not at 5 a.m.) A direct flight, no less! The kids did really well for the 5+ hours we were stuck there- thanks to portable DVD players and some other fun things we brought along to do.
Here's the excited Elena at take-off.
Everything went smoothly with the rental (thank goodness) and we eventually arrived at the hotel in Mission Viejo after several hours of work traffic on the I-5. We beat my family there- my sister and her family and my brother and parents who drove separately from Reno, NV. (About a 10 hour drive) Funny, it took us less time to get there from across the country. Technology these days...
All the cousins were ecstatic to be reunited and after some initial shyness, the playing ensued with reckless abandon.
From left to right: Jackson (4), Elena (4), Aaron (3), and Adyn (1)- Although all of them- except Aaron- have had a birthday since then and are a year older.
Here's just a snippet of the fun that first night. Thank the stars we were on the first floor!
The next morning was Disneyland!
And here we are riding the bus/tram to the park!
 
~Aaron likes to pretend he's angry~
Elena and Jackson in line for a ride. The weather was gorgeous- NO HUMIDITY!! But it was rather hot. We got a lot of use out of a spray bottle/fan we had brought along from home.
About to soar with DUMBO!
Some Disney ambiance for you...
MICKEY MOUSE!
Waiting to see the Princesses...
PRINCESS TIANA!
BELLE!
HANDY MANNY! (not a princess)
PRINCESS JASMINE!
PETER PAN and CAPTAIN HOOK! (also, not princesses)
Mater and Lightning McQueen! (not even close)
We were there over the 4th of July weekend. It was NOT as crowded as we thought it would be!
PIXIE HOLLOW!
Don't look too closely, please...
Elena and Grandma Bergam
California Adventure
Bug's Life Land had some cute rides...
I love the looks of innocent wonder and joy!

Pixar Parade
Yay! The Teacups!
Waiting for the World of Color show- pretty awesome!
Goodnight Disneyland!
 
A magical time was had by all and there were no major incidents. (Other than when Elena wet her pants in line for a ride and they had to shut it down. But hey, they let us have $30 store credit to get her a new pair of shorts! I did not know Disney did that. The next day I brought two backup pair!)