Birth Story

I thought that I would take a little time to write down Brady's birth story. The weeks leading uo to his delivery I was getting excited and nervous all at the same time. I was really tired of being pregnant and regular movement and activity had become difficult especially in the summer heat. Luckily this time around I didn't really start having sciatic pain until the last couple weeks and I never really swelled up around my feet and ankles like I had with Nathan. For the last 7 weeks of the pregnancy I had been going in once a week for a non stress test at the hospital and little Brady was always responsive and active. The nurses also always mentioned to me how I was actually having quite a few contractions. I never felt anything I would consider a contraction at the time, just strong rolling motions from the baby, which I guess are actually contractions. There was even one visit when the nurse came in and said I was contracting like a women on pitocin. But nothing really ever came from them. Last sunday before the delivery I finally really started having what I would call contractions. Painful enough to get me breathing heavy but so far apart that I wasn't too worried about him trying to make an appearance before the scheduled day. Monday morning I went in for my final doctors appointment and pre-op work up. When the doctor checked me I was 2cm dilated and 80% effaced, which surprised me since I never really dilated or progressed with Nathan. I was told that if I started having regular contractions not to what until the morning to go into the hospital. I spent the rest of monday preparing to spend the next few days at the hospital. I was so excited to finally be able to hold our new little one although I was quite nervous about having surgery again. You would think working as a Vet tech for 12 years I would be ok with  needles, but really when the needles are meant for me I am not so brave. I was hoping to get some good rest the night before but at around 2:30 I really started having some painful contractions which made it difficult to sleep. They were still about 10min apart so I waited until around 5am and then got up and ready to go the the hospital. They wanted us there at 6am since the c-section was scheduled at 8. As they prepped me for surgery I was still having contractions. I really think Brady would have made his appearance on Tuesday whether or not the c-section was scheduled. For me the worst part of prepping for the surgery was when they placed the spinal. The original poke to numb the area on my back didn't work so it was quite painful when he tried to place the needle. They stopped and tried again and although it wasn't as painful it took him a few tries to find the right spot. After that the surgery went quickly and by 8:29 Brady was out and crying. The nurses were all impressed with how pink he was right away. The one thing that was so different for me this time was how much I could feel when they were working on me. With Nathan I was so numb I didn't even know they had started the procedure until Nathan started crying. With Brady I didn't feel any pain but I could feel pressure from all the tugging and pulling.
Dave followed Brady to the nursery while I spent about an hour in recovery. I started to feel a little pain and they gave me some morphine to help out but I kind of wished I never asked for it because I spent the rest of the day throwing up and none of the anti emetic drugs seemed to help. Luckily by around midnight I was feeling better and was able to enjoy the next three days recovering at the hospital. Right from the start Brady has been such and easy going baby which has made recovery so much easier then I expected. Rarely cries and already sleeps so well.

 Nathan came every day to visit and just loved spending time with his new brother. Everything was about the baby.

 With me on the other hand he wanted to keep as much distance away from me as possible. I think the Hospital gown and IV and other lines really scared him. Thursday he did ask for me to come home but wouldn't give me a real hug.

 Friday we finally made it home from the hospital just before noon and it was so nice to be home. I actually think Nathan was more excited about Brady coming home, because when he saw me the first words out of his mouth were "where is the baby?" I am so glad that he loves his brother so much.

                                    Opening his present from baby Brady!

                                   "Lightyear is flying!"

                                   All home together as a family!

Introducing.....

Brady Randolph Griffith

Brady joined our family on Tuesday August 21 at 8:29am weighing 7lbs 9oz and 18 1/2in long. He was healthy and strong from the moment the Doctors pulled him out. So far he has been a calm easy going baby and we are so thrilled to have him here.

All my Boys! I sure do love them.

More pictures and story to come.

Morgan Hill Aquatics Center

Saturday we made a trip to the Morgan Hill Aquatics Center to enjoy some water fun this summer. Grandma, grandpa, and cousin Aidan joined us for some time at the splash zone. Nathan wasn't feeling his greatest Saturday and was tired so I don't think he enjoyed as much as I thought he would. It took a lot of coaxing to even get him to get in the water. But eventually he started to have a good time.

He really enjoyed playing with this waterfall type structure that we could block all the water coming down and then release it all at once so a huge wave a water would pour off the edge.

                Yes I am huge in this picture with just over 3 weeks to go!

                                    Getting warm with Aidan!

Summer Cabin Getaway

This past weekend we took a small vacation to the family cabin. It is sure nice to be able to just take a few days off and enjoy time with family.
Friday morning after breakfast we headed over to an apple farm that was recommended to us by a friend because they have the best pies. Cover's Apple Ranch. It is a small farm run my a Mennonite family and Nathan loved that there was a little train to ride.

There was also a small animal barn for the kids to explore and some corn available to feed all the baby animals.

Nathan had to ride the train one more time before we left and luckily grandma was willing to go with him. Seriously he was so happy about this train.

Later that night we enjoyed some of their delicious apple Dutch pie and Boysenberry pie. I even broke my no sweets rule so I could have a try and it was yummy!

Saturday Morning Dave went golfing with Javier, Jesse, and Brianna and somehow ended up with tying for first place with Javier.
Then after lunch we went to Pinecrest lake and just spent a little time relaxing on the beach while the kids played in the water and sand. Of course Nathan would not get in, but would only touch the water with his hands.

Sunday morning we got up and clean the cabin, then spent a few more hours relaxing before finally heading back home.
Now it is back to reality and prepping for this baby of ours. Only 4 more weeks I get to hold little Brady in my arms. He is already quite a mover, more then I remember Nathan moving around and boy does he kick hard. I think we may have our hands full with this one!