"Make a joyful noise to the Lord"

That indeed was the song that was playing in my little CD player in my room when Gavin Robert Cram was brought into this world on tuesday September 11th at 8:25am. Right smack on his due date. I'm still in shock of all how it went down, but I am so glad he is finally here and healthy.

I know I said I would write before I went to the hospital, (and I almost did) but John talked me out of it and boy am I glad, because the way things happened I could have had this baby in the car. What I mean is...

As soon as I rolled out of bed, BAM! Ouch! Crap! Hee hee hoo hee hee hoo...whoowhoowhoo. I didn't even bother to write them or count them. I knew these were the ones that get babies born. So I got ready real quick called my mom at 7:04am and then woke john up at 7:08am and then I called my sister and Rod at 7:09am (Rod watched Tyler for us), called John's mom at 7:14am. By 7:27am we were getting in the car leaving for the hospital hitting all the nicely paved streets of Riverside (joking). John ran red lights and honked and flashed his lights at slow people on the freeway. I was worried, but they needed to go a little bit faster. We arrive at Parkview Hospital at 7:47am they wheeled me to labor and delivery. My room was ready since I called ahead. My nurse Judy checked me and I was at 7cm, totally thinned out and at 0 station...WHAT! 7cm? I knew at this point there was no way i was gonna have a epidural. I began to panick (I was contemplating throughout this whole pregnancy...epidural? or no?--I even told John in the car on the way over I was definately having a epidural because I was such in pain). I just remember crying in fear that I was about to face the worse thing in my life. It actually wasn't that bad. It does feel good to push, really it does. And when all is said and done, you feel good. Anyway, I progressed real quick. Judy checked me a total of 3 times. First I was 7cm. Second my water broke and I was at 9cm. Lastly, I was completly dilated. After that last check I was like I have to push. I suddenly felt weak, but really had to push. Good thing the doctor was there getting ready. The nurses were asking John how long I pushed last time. Heehee...PUSH! I have to push. At first I thought no one was listening to me. So yeah I pushed, pushed, pushed...Gavin was born! Yeah! Of course they had to take all the precautions since he passed meconium (his poop), so they really suctioned him good and John did the honors of cutting the cord.

He spent a entire hour and a half on my chest. It was wonderful. I remember hearing the background again on my CD player, "How great is our God"...perfect songs for such a perfect occasion. Here are some pics that you are dying to see...

8 lbs 7 oz 20 1/2 in

feetsy

fingers
his eyes are already blue...looks just like tyler

my favortie picture so far. Tyler just came right up to us and said baby and curled up next to me...


Proud daddy again!!

"Is this a tank top?"

Yes, that is what my good 'ol innocent husband said as he was folding the clothes today. I looked up to see which one of my tank tops he was folding. It wasn't a tank top, it was my maternity underwear. I know, embarassing. Truth be told I bought a bigger size than normal--can't really try them on in the store to see my size, so I guestimated. I was wrong. I hardly wear those anyway since I found my correct size a week later. But you know when laundry is low you have to compromise. I laughed. So did John. I burned them.

So my contractions came for a visit I guess. They were indeed contractions. But not strong enough to stay or cause me to cry out in pain either. So we will see tomorrow. I get it Gavin. You are testing me. I get it God. You are in control.

Happy Birthday to me!

I'm gonna side track myself (and everyone else) from this whole labor progress with my birthday. Yesterday my family came over and helped me celebrate my 27th birthday with pizza, salad and yummy sundaes! It was one birthday I will never forget. I went crazy emotional on everyone and just broke out in tears for some reason. All I remember...I just got off the phone with Marcellos whom we order our pizza from. They apparently lost the credit card number of John's grandma's credit card so they cant charge the pizza. Well after 10 mintues of John's grandma scolding them on the phone and how they can take her idenity and then to here my mom and John's mom talk about how they are scamming us, and also to hear in the background the guys laughing at me because I'm so big and ready to pop-just kinda got to me. So I told everyone to shush, and at that moment Tyler pulled down a pizza box full of pizza in the kitchen. I of course couldn't get made at him. He just wanted pizza. Then in desperation I looked at John (who was one of the guys on the couch laughing how big I was) to help with the situation and I just lost it. Just out of frustration I guess. I told my mom to lock me in my room until the night was over. It is definately hard to control your emotions when you are pregnant and this far along. Plus it annoyed me that the the stupid US open was on and all the guys were lined up on the couch watching it, except for my brother, who was playing with Tyler's batman and superman figures. But at the end of the day I felt bad that I got crazy, because it was all very nice that everyone pitched in to help make my birthday special for me. So thank you to my family! I feel loved. Soon very soon everyone can have the real Jaime back...

Contraction!!!!

I never thought I would be so happy to have contractions in all my life. First I was like, "what is that feeling..." Way different than when I was in labor with Tyler. But as the hours went on, oh yeah that is a contraction. But on the good 'ol scale of pain...it's probably like a 1-1/2. It only bothers me when it's the intense peak of the contraction. But not bad enough to...take a shower, watch a episode of racheal ray, and to have something to eat. Now I will get ready. Then I will count. Maybe by then they will be intense...stay tuned!

Just waiting...

I have a couple more hours until the first option will be passed up. You think I could start contractions, and have a baby in 2 hours? Hmmm, there is always a first for everything!

Some celebration...

...just not baby celebrating. It's birthday celebration and it's mine exactly. A day early, but well worth it. My in-laws took me out to dinner tonight for my birthday. We went to the Old Spaghetti Factory. Loved my meal and the bread was fresh and hot all the time. I found out tonight that almost 10 month pregnant chicks don't fit well in a booth so I sat on the end in a chair. I also found out that sitting in a chair is uncomfortable at almost 10 months pregnant. But then again, so is sitting in the booth. I'm so uncomfortable you guys it's pitiful. I don't even want to go out places because I'm huge and nothing fits anymore. My pants fall down since my belly is so low and my shirts don't even cover my belly anymore because it's so darn big! Maybe Gavin will be my birthday present from God. We have the next 24 hours to accomplish that. If not, we're looking at the 10th, which is cool because John's boss said he would give me $200 if he was born on his birthday. Or the good old due date on the 11th, which is probably the outlook I should have by now. And if all else fails, my planned induction at 7am. Either way I will have a baby by wednesday. So we have:

9th-Birthday present
10th-$200!!
11th-EDD right on the dot
12th-induction

Anyone care to make a bet!!

(Tyler seemed to get some spaghetti in his mouth and not ALL on his shirt and shorts. At this point in his toddler patience he wanted to go outside with papa and forget the spumoni.)

The timing has almost come...

I feel it in my bones...my pelvic bones that is. Gavin is almost here...It's hard for me to say that since I have been wrong in the past. But I have very hard evidence that shows me the birth is imminent. Of course I will keep you posted. I will blog right before I leave for the hospital. Well if I'm not in crazy pain.

Big Bee Update

So yes we have a bad bee problem. There is a gap in one of our eaves in the roof which let the bees go in to our house and make a pretty big size honeycomb hive. The bee experts say its probably around 40 pounds or so with as many as 1000 bees at any given time. Our little bees are feeding the queen bee wherever she lives. So, we're talking big bucks to fix this big problem. We have gotten estimates from $750-$3000. We are obviously going with the lower number.

So of course with the arrival of Gavin just around the corner, this is the BEST time for this! But we have to do it. We have no choice. So as I sit here in the office, Propacific bee removal is gasing them out of our home and getting rid of them on the exterior. I tell you no joke. I heard them buzzing outside through the window and it kinda made me jump. I thought I was "bee-ing" attacked. Then tomorrow will be the removal of the hive day...so much damage. They will have to go and open up our house from the outside or in, whichever is easier. and remove this active honey comb hive. Then build our house back up, and of course seal it properly this time.

I never knew so much about bees until this week. I feel closer to those little suckers. I still don't like them though.

39 week update!!!

This one is a happy one. I am 2 centimeters now his head has dropped and with more improvements that I will leave out for the weak stomache. But I told my doc. I said, "doc, I am not gonna make another week follow up appointment with you, okay? I just want to plan on seeing you in the hospital sometime before tuesday." She said, "Would you like to be induced?" (Of course I'm a little slow and was thinking she was talking about right then and there.) "If you don't deliver by the 11th, it is fine to induce you, if you like to on the 12th at 7am?" I said sure doc!

So if Gavin is still cozy and comfortable inside my tummy still, I am scheduled at Parkview at 7am for induction. Just watch, I will probably have to be induced. I should have kept my mouth shut..."Oh he's gonna be born late August I just know it...Tyler was born 3 weeks early...I am right, stupid ultrasouud is wrong..."

Tyler was a surpise to us since he was so early. Gavin, it's been like a anticipation/anxeity/summer heat kinda feeling. At least my bag is packed this time. So at this point I am just waiting around for those painful contractions to start. I told John, I will get some for an hour, go to the hospital and I will be 7 centimeters and I won't be able to get an epidural.

Wow I'm a little negative ain't I? I should be positive. Shame on me. Oh well.

Stick a fork in me I'm done!

I'm ready to pop...please, pretty please with sugar on top! I wore my "mumu" today to church. Because the only other pants that feel comfortable on me right now were getting washed. I was pretty comfortable in my "mumu". It dawned on me today how big I am too. I'm really round like there's a baby inside me (go fig). I feel like Gavin is growing out and my belly is so hard you can bounce a penny off my belly. Here's some belly shots for those of you that haven't seen me in awhile, haven't seen me, have seen me lately, just want to see me...

these are all fake smiles too by the way. Notice my "getaway bag" in the far left corner. I am soooooo ready. I learned to have it ready this time around, not pack it while having contractions.

Ahh...a nice little dip

for me of course. I was the photographer. But all the boys had fun in the pool today at my moms. I again was a nervous wreck because of Tyler's ears. The kid wanted to just jump in and didn't want anyone to hold him. He kept on putting his face in the water and just cracked up. It made me smile. I enjoy him so much, it's ridiculous. I can't wait till his tubes fall out!

I'm buzzing mad a KB

So we come home today and find out our bees are back. No! There back...no no no. No kidding we were welcomed with 1 gallon of honey on our door step, and no it wasn't a gift from someone. We also found out while scoping out how and the heck they came back. Is that good ol Kb homes forgot to stucco one part of our house above our front doorway. OOPS! So of course this made it easy for the sweet little honey making bees to make there little home along with the honey. We called a proffessional bee guy and they told us what we didn't want to hear, which of course was money money and more of it. If in fact the honeycomb is in our structure (which Mr. Bee guy said) they would have to take apart whatever structure of our house to remove the honeycomb. Because this honey is coming from there and dripping out of our walls because it's been like 120 degrees lately. And the reason why we don't have hundreds of bees flying around right now, it's because the 10-20 bees that we do have are "freeloading" he said our honey and taking it back to where ever they are chilling at. It's easier for the sweet little honey making destroying bees to take it, rather then go to a flower and start the whole process. Smart bees. Bad for us. So Kb will be in deep doo doo if Mr. Bee guys says could have been prevented if the stucco was finished. I know we can't prevent bees from making hives. But from bees making hives in our attic or our structure because someone ran out of stucco! C'mon. I'm ready for it. I'm 9 months pregnant. Give me a fight. I'm pumped.

The yummy honey dripping down uor house

Oops! Do I see stucco net and a hive?

Monkey See, Monkey Dooz!

Yes we did it, finally. Everyone that thought Tyler was a girl, can now see he is indeed a boy. It was, I have to admit kinda sad seeing him walk out without his curls, but I have already gotten use to it. He is still simply adorable. Here are some pics of the big event. John kept on giving me the EYE (ie:stop taking so many pictures jaime, the poor girl is getting embarrassed...something like that). I still snapped away. I'm sure she's use to it. He did such a great job at being still (enough for a toddler) and sitting in the safari car while watching high school musical really helped. Okay I'm sure that wouldn't be his DVD choice, but it kept him content...

the first cut...

Tyler playing with his cut locks...

Oops! Got some hair on my sucker!

Wouldn't give me a famous tyler "cheese" smile

38 week update

Not gonna lie, I thought for sure I would have delivered by now. What's the deal here? I guess I was right with Tyler, but way off on Gavin. Oh well, he will come in God's timing.

Blah blah...still 1 centimeter. My doctor basically said I will most likely have a september baby and might be close to my due date september 11. My fluids are up and told me to continue to drink as much as have been.

It is my God given pregnancy right to have free will to complain about anything. SO here it goes...

at church on sunday I...couldn't really sing since I couldn't really breathe...have much room inbetween my mom and john in the chairs, I had no idea where to rest my arms...couldn't waddle quick enough to the car so I would get to in the air condition. Every night I can't...sleep well enough since every bone in my lower half is widening for gavin's arrival...sleep over 1-1/2 hours before I have to flip on my other hip/go pee/or turn the air up higher. I cry all the time. Okay maybe not all the time, but I cry because I'm done.

There I complained. 2 more weeks to go. I guess Labor day will have a new meaning to me next week!

37 week update

Yee haw! I'm almost there.

So I had an ultrasound done tuesday to check the sizes and what not. I had no idea what was on the screen. I mean she did tell me head is down, showed us the femur, and the abdomen. But man oh man, is he crowded in there! John was dissapointed. He thought it would be like it was when we found out we were having a boy.

So Dr. Bryan told us that Gavin is measuring about 6 lbs 8 oz. John asked what her opinion on what he may weigh at birth and she said 7 lbs. 7-8 oz. She asked what tyler weighed, and we said 7 lbs 3 oz.

"God, I have been praying for a healthy baby boy thoughout this entire pregnancy. I know you have had your hand on my belly and on Gavin throughout these weeks. You have blessed me with once again a healthy pregnancy. All I ask that Gavin be born soon. Why you may ask, well if I go to my due date I will be giving birth to a watermelon!!"

So yes, Gavin like puts on the weight in the last weeks. If he is gonna be born weighing 7 lbs 8 oz or so, he better come next week. Or I'm in big trouble.

I also found out Gavin's swimming pool is a little low on water. I mean my amnio fluid is low. I have to pump more liquids into me or she's gonna place me in the hospital so they can do it for me. Kinda scary, but seems easy...drink drink..pee pee pee...drink...pee pee...drink drink...pee pee drink while peeing drink. I thought I was doing pretty darn good in drinking plenty of fliuds, but she said it could be the heat. So I have John my wonderful supporting hubby counting my ounces as they go down. And asking me how much I have drank thoughout the day. I'm waiting to get text messages to remind me or something.

I'm still 1 centimeter by the way...

Miracle

I sit here at my computer getting bills situated and stuff. I'm 36 weeks and 6 days pregnant. Gavin doesn't let me forget that he is a little growing miracle inside my belly. I just got done cupping his little foot through my belly. It's amazing. Poor thing has no more room in here and wants out. But apart of me just like when I was pregnant wth Tyler...will miss the movements in my belly that only I can feel. What a miracle.

Appointment update....

So I'm about to get personal...for those of you that will understand this:

1 down, 9 more to go.

No not days, weeks, or even months. Not even minutes or seconds. I'm definately not delivering on september 11. That may be my "EDD" educated due date. Let me tell you about edjumacation people. I know my body and I was there when Tyler was born. His due date was April 22, and his birthday is April 4. Let's try this again.

1 centimeter down, 9 centimeters to go...

36 weeks pregnant

So my sister came over to visit with me and Tyler on her day off. He enjoyed that piggy back rides and piggy toe game.

I'm due in 4 weeks. Oh my. This time when I was pregnant with Tyler, I gave birth the following week. 3 weeks early. So yeah I am kinda nervous (and packing my bag). I have to register myself and Gavin at the hospital tomorrow along with my 36 week appointment. That's all my body can handle right now!

Jesus had long hair!

I am sick and tired and tired of being sick of people's comments on Tyler's hair. Yes it is long. No he's not a girl. But thank you for the beautiful comment. I mean seriously here. If I want to let my childs beautiful hair grow until it hits his feet, I will and just leave me alone. For those that think that we will cut his hair when someone tells us he's a beautiful girl...too late. We already got that comment. There usually people that are old too. It's still a compliment, hence the beautiful part! In fact, when we were leaving the hospital the day after he was born (dressed in blue) someone said in the elevator what a beautiful girl. Can boys not be cute anymore? Because to me newborns look all the same...Grrr. I did trim his hair a little since I know it was getting in his eyes and such. But we will cut it soon. Then I will get to hear, "It's about time...."

Where have I been lately?

Just to catch everyone up...here are a "few" photo's to what's been going on in my life for the past month...

We put our house up for sell just like everyone else in California...just for fun since I'm prgnant!

We also had our family throw a nice family co-ed baby shower for our little Gavin (count down is on)...
Papa and Tyler playing pool
Grammy, mama, and nana...
rod, jen, mama, and justin...hey where's dada?
There he is! Helping mama cut the cake...
Tyler taking a little finger sample...
We also slept
We also bought a car or as John calls it, DUV (Durange, utility vehicle)
We went to go see the best circus in town where John felt like a kid again. And I just felt like going pee every 30 minutes...

My favorite part of the circus...poodles doing awesome tricks! I mean the dog is riding a scooter!

Talented elephants that know how to balance. CAUTION: All animals were treated nicely, I promise. As soon as a elephant pooped, they came by and scooped it up with a nice big shovel.

Tyler enjoying as well...who's belly is that?

What can I say? The Cram clan minus Gaivn...soon and very soon...

All and all a very exciting month. But of course that will not compare with the next month or next couple of months will hold for us. The count down is on. I'm off of work and ready to birth my Gavin. Okay, I'm a little freaked and anxious, but who isn't that's nine months pregnant?

A stroll down memory lane...

I can not believe our little Gavin will be here before we know it. I came across some picture cd's of tyler when he came into this world. Tyler is now going to be a big brother. We are going to be new parents again. Wow! To be honest I'm nervous. We have to start from scratch again. From the first poo poo, to the umbilical cord falling off, to eating rice cereal, to eating solid food...I think we will be okay. Here is a picture of John and I being new parents to our little 20 minute old baby boy Tyler. Never have we both experienced instant love like that before. As soon as he popped out and we saw his face. Love. Love. Love. Love. I cried. I just could not believe that he was finally here on earth with us. Now We are going to be doing it again real soon. I can't wait for Gavin to be here.

I don't think babies look all that cute when they are first born...I mean look at poor Tyler. He looks like he got beat up in a Rocky movie or something. He had a little cone head too! That's what happend when you push with all your might, and then have to wait 45 minutes for the doctor to catch your baby because she's in traffic. Stupid nurse said I would be pushing for 2 hours. Try 6 pushes, poor Tyler was squished in the birth canal getting all coney. Okay nurse what's with all that eye medicine...I think you went a little over kill, don't ya think so? Can you tell I could not STAND my nurse.

Watch out John!

So Sunday afternoon I was beat. Just from being tired, heat, sick, pregnant...I thought I was gonna enjoy a nice little nap with no disturbance BUT...

Nice I know... me cuddling up next to the cape crusader and covering myself with tyler's "cars" blanket. See John, I like to cuddle!!! Batman doesn't mind.

sick-o!

So I went to Urgent care on Monday to find out for sure what I had. Because I knew it wasn't just a "cold". I was coughing up some nice green stuff. (Sorry for those with weak stomachs). So of course we wait for an hour. Get roomed, wait for 15 minutes. And BAM! This person who looked like a doctor, spun around me, said somethings, scibbled some things...and then he was gone. I was told I had bronchitis "kiddo". I looked at John and started laughing. He was perplexed to see why I was laughing. I said, "the doctor was in the room for like a mintue. He checked my ears, said good. He checked my thorat, said good. Listen to my chest and back, said bronchits." I asked the doctor about my ears, because I had a feeling that they were retracted or something. He said yeah your right. Then why didn't he tell me that, when he looked at them? Don't ask , don't tell rule I guess. He put me on Zithromax and said I can take Sudafed plain for the decongestant, and Robitussin DM name brand (does he have a deal with robitussin or something, because CVS brand seems fine with me and my wallet) for my coughing. I was so bummed. I only take a tylenol IF I have to. Now I have to take a antibiotic. I was not gonna do the sudafed thing cause it makes me jittery...and like robitussin works anyway.

So then I see my OB doctor on tuesday. She feels bad for me and tells me I need to rest. Because we don't want this to turn into pneumonia. HECK NO WE DON'T!! Then she noticed that my white blood cells were elevated from my pee test (sorry again, but important for the story line) and places me on Keflex for 7 days. She called me her little petri dish. How cute.

I am never sick, maybe a cold twice a year...maybe. Now I am on 2 antibiotics in my last 2 months of being pregnant. If you know me, you know I don't want to take anything. But I know if I don't, it will hurt Gavin. And that is not happening. So I suffer. Poor me. I know. I'm trying all these home therapies for headaches, congestion...just reading up on my pregnancy bible. What to expect when you are expecting. I guess I should have expected to get sick while I'm expecting!

Long nice trip to Santa Maria...

John had a race in Santa Maria on Saturday. John, Tyler and I along with John's parents and brother headed up for a nice break from Riverside heat. For some reason, everytime I wanted to take a picture, either the camera was at the hotel OR it was in the video camera bag OR it was charging OR the battery wasn't put back in...So I snapped this on the way home of Tyler. His eyes say it all in this picture on what a long drive. We had to tow a trailer, so it took us a little longer. But actually the way John and his dad drove...I don't know if that really matters. I had to remind John a few times he wasn't in his go kart anymore!!

Anyway, we gained a few days of nice weather. And I gained something extra...a nice virus, bronchitis.

4th of July

So John and I headed down to san clemente pier with Tyler to see the fireworks. Tyler is now obsessed with the beach. Park and Beach are words that need to be spelled out in our house now, or he will whine until no tomorrow to go there.

People thought we were gonna hit traffic, find no parking, but it wasn't a problem at all. It actually took us 40 minute with the toll road to head down there. And John knew of a great residential area that he used to go and check the surf when he lived in south oc. So we found a perfect parking spot and headed down to the sand. John asked if I could stand the walk down. It was a gradual steep hill with 3 sets of stairs. I said of course. It was they way up I knew would be fun! Twice. We went up and down twice. Why? I don't know.

We found a great place on the sand to watch the fireworks and Tyler enjoyed watching everyone shoot off illegal fireworks while we waited for the real show. He also love throwing the sand on the blanket (crunch crunch) which ended up in john's mouth and mine!

After it was over we headed up. It was pitch dark and everyone else was smart enough to bring flashlights. Us? We used our digital camera! I even accidentaly took a picture of my toes. Now that was a fun walk. I had to go up a little hill, down big huge rocks, over the train tracks, up big huge rocks and, whew I made it. With flip flops on too. Almost 8 months pregnant. Now we had the big walk up the gradually steep hill with 3 sets of stairs. That nice little adventure brought on some braxton hicks contractions, but hey it was and adventure!!

Anyhoo, here are some pictures...

Tyler was all over the place until the show started. Then he was like this for 40 minutes.

What a spontaneous day!

John is spontaneous. Sometimes not always a great thing. But today it was. We decided to head down where it was cooler and chill. Not knowing it would take an hour and a half to do so. Stupid traffic. We both remember back in the day when it use to take like 35-45 minutes...

We had fun. I was nervous on the other hand. I have this fear that a huge wave is gonna grab tyler and swallow him. John says it's my own personal fear, he's right. Tyler has been to the beach before when he was younger. It was funny, when the tide came in he would make sure to touch the water. And we all know when each tide comes in your feet kinda get stuck in the sand, tyler never wanted his feet out of the sand. We joked that he was gonna get bit by a sand crab. Me on the other hand since I'm a little out of porportion (big belly) I had to watch it when my feet sunk. I am surprised that I didn't eat it.

I had another fear, that water would get in his ears since he has tubes. I, being the overly protected mom brought his swimplugs "just in case". John said we wouldn't need them. Again, he was right. See, John is a "pro" he has had multiple tubes when he was young so "he knows". I just on the other hand work for a ear nose throat doctor that's all!

I know John would like his son to be at the beach more since he lived and surfed when he was younger and up until we moved back to riverside. But maybe it will happen. It probably will what am I saying.