Cousins with Cousins

Casey with baby Logan - Matt with baby Taylor

Logan's Birth Experience

All I can say is WOW - - what an experience. Our 2nd Grandchild in two weeks. Life is good. Michelle allowed Lindsay, Linda (Brian's mom), and myself to be in the delivery room. As the time got closer and I saw my daughter pretty pasty white, and then very upset at the stomach

- I was questioning whether I would be a good person to be in there, (the mother tiger protective thing in me, I guess) but then thought - - I HAVE TO! Michelle was feeling her contractions on one side, therefore, I immediately thought something was wrong - however was reassured by a nurse that this happens to alot of people. Michelle kept looking at me saying, "I thought I wasn't supposed to feel these contractions, but it hurts really bad on one side." We went with the flow and then came push time. Linda had one leg, Brian the other, Lindsay with video camera in hand and I was rubbing Michelle's forehead. Then Linda changed positions with me and I was doing the whole leg thing. (Birds eye view! - but one that will be remembered forever for every Birthday celebration.)

Pre-birth - awaiting the new arrival (they missed our great Thanksgiving dinner!)

Logan and Michelle

one second after birth

Logan

Our little newborn - Logan

awwwwwwwwww

awwwwwwww

New Mother and Son

Logan joins our crazy world

Seconds after birth (notice the eye contact with his mother - - wow - AMAZING!)

Seconds after birth

Minutes after birth

Michelle, The Dickerson Fam visit & MORE pictures/video of Taylor

Dr.'s Visit Today for Michelle - - Greg Dickerson Fam Visit & pictures of Taylor

Michelle went to the Dr. today, they say she's dilated to a "2", however not thinning. The Dr. did something today (something about breaking a membrane from the water sac, which she said helps people naturally break their water in about 24 hours - 50% of the time. . . ) So we're on alert, however, little Logan seems to be a stubborn little guy, so I wouldn't be surprised at all if this goes on for awhile. With all my cooking today and tomorrow, THIS will probably be the day that Logan decides to make his appearance. I have Brooke and Caroline on alert . . just in case.

The (Greg) Dickerson family have been here and we've so enjoyed their company. Yesterday they ventured off to Sea World - today to Disneyland (however, right now it is raining pretty steady - - hopefully not that bad in Orange Co.) We've enjoyed Wii games, listening to the whole adventure about the Ironman competition in Arizona, Brady listening to "every word" Steve says about the Navy (Steve loves the attentive audience), watching "Planet Earth", etc., watching Alli dance the whole Irish thing, and Brett - - what can you say about him. He's a CRACK UP and has become best friends with Ozzie as well as little Cade (next door). It's been great having them here, even though we only really see them at night. They've been venturing off everyday to some So. Cal amusement part. (hats off to them - that's hard on a body)

Tomorrow (I think?) we will all celebrate Thanksgiving together. Could be that Steve and I have to run of to a hospital or something, but we're hoping we at least get to eat dinner. Michelle's been having quite a few contractions for a week now (to the point where one day I told her to just go to the hospital so she didn't have a FREEWAY BABY!) Somehow her contractions just kind of start up - then die down. If she is still around next Monday, her Dr. said she would consider inducing her, so we'll see. (I kind of think she won't last that long!)

I'm enjoying little Taylor so much, I can't even put it into words. Wow, I forgot how sweet those little newborns are. LOVE the cuddling and warmth. Matt and Brooke were over a good part of the day and I got to hold and rock and sing to that little baby. (o.k. - - I do miss those days! - - - but do enjoy my sleep!) Anyway, NOW I SEE what it's like to be a Grandma. (I've heard about this, but never experienced it - - from Pat, Nancy, Dan, Vickie, Alena, Mike, Mark, Shelly, Janie, Pete, and many others. . . just didn't "get it" until now!)

I LOVE BEING A GRANDMA! Below are new pics of Taylor and a little video shot tonight.

Love to all and HAPPY THANKSGIVING. WISH WE COULD BE WITH EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU. . . .But we do count our blessings daily for our wonderful friends and family - - - we are very thankful to have each and everyone of you in our lives.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES!

Little Taylor sleeping (again) just like Daddy Matt - awwwwwwww love this picture!

Steve caught this one with his cell phone - - eyes wide open!

Another one compliments of Stevie boy!


awwwwwww - nothing like a sleeping baby!

Grandma's new swing - - I think she likes it, as she was pretty content in it. (Video)

Guess you can tell we pretty much love her very much! (alot!)

More Taylor

k - this might be the way Brooke sleeps - next picture is ALL MATT

FREAKY - - if I don't have 25 pictures of Matt sleeping like this - then you can call me a big liar, but she sleeps JUST LIKE MATT!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BROTHER ERIC & DAD!

The Lone Ranger turns 81!

We had a wonderful celebration dinner at Olive Garden for Dad's 81st birthday. Actually, his birthday is tomorrow. Today, however is brother Eric's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIC! Wow - alot of Nov. Birthdays in our crew. Happy Birthday Monica, Colleen, Janie, Tony, Melissa, Lindsay, Mark, & Brooke *yesterday* - - and if I'm forgetting any of the MANY birthdays, my apologies! Hope all have a wonderful celbration!

Here's pics from Dad's celebration!

Here's Dad with his Birthday Cake - - 81 tomorrow! Happy Birthday Dad! Here showing us a picture on his cell phone (don't ask!) - - with his birthday cake!

Michelle, Brian with baby Taylor (and Logan in belly - -still - - yikes!)

Dad blowing out his candle

Brian "gettin' a kick out Dad and his cell phone buddy(ies)

Olive Garden celebration

Great Grandpa Rey with Great Grandaughter Taylor

Brooke, Taylor, Matt & Steve

Teri, Birthday Boy, Brian Michelle

Teri & Dad

The Birthday Bash!

FOUR GENERATIONS!

Four Generations

GREAT GRANDPA, GRANDPA, FATHER, Rey, (Daughter,Grandma & Mom) Teri,

(Grandson, son & Father) Matt

and (Great Granddaughter, Granddaughter, daughter ) Taylor!

Allie doing the "Irish Dance" - Brooklyn & Aubrey try!

Carolyn and Brett - American Idol singers - - I vote YES!

Little Taylor-up for a close Tie - - - But lost to - -

The AMERICAN IDOL QUEEN & KING - Carolyn & Brett

***This video taken by Aubrey Elrod***

More news -

Michelle is still hangin' in there. She's still swelling up quite a bit and working full time. She stays pretty busy with Brooklyn, Aubrey & Ethan, so guess there's not time to think about how miserable she must be right now. She has a Dr.'s appointment tomorrow, so maybe we'll get an update. But, from experience, I know those babies come when they're good and ready!

We will have a crew for Thanksgiving including the following;

Greg, Caroline, Bret, Allison, & Brady Dickerson,
Michelle, Brian, Brooklyn, Aubry, & Ethan Elrod,
Matt, Brooke & Taylor Dickerson,
Sandy & Tom Lynch, Morgan & Daniel Andersen
Casey & Jennie Gartland.

We're really looking forward to the company. I've just been having a "mother's intuition" that Michelle will go into labor on Thanksgiving day! Maybe this is left over feelings from the time Pete, Kim and a very pregnant Janie were over for Thanksgiving and as soon as we were finished with dinner, Janie started labor! Thus, Tony arrived into this world! So, be ready Sandy & Caroline - if we have to leave FAST, the dinner's all yours! haha!

Everything else is great with our crew.

Some more pictures of little Taylor - -Visit to Grandma & Grandpa's House

Well, Taylor is officially 2 days old. Here is her first visit to Grandma and Granpa's house. We got to cuddle with her most of the afternoon and early evening. Of course, Oz doesn't know what to think of this moving creature we keep loving on. Here's some more pictures.

Taylor, Matt and Teri

Courtney getting in practice for her February arrival

Taylor sleepin like a log


Daddy (looking quite tired) and Taylor **hey, Matt - just cause you're not sleeping doesn't mean you don't have to shave - - lol***

awwwwwwwwwww

Dad and Taylor

cute cute cute!

Grandpa Stevie with Taylor

close up

Dad's eyes slowly closing!

Grandpa & Taylor again

Taylor Dickerson!

More Pictures - Grandma visits Taylor (1 day old :)

Observations of a new family

I went to visit with Matt, Brooke & Baby in the hospital after work tonight. As I entered the room I found Matt in a chair talking to his new daughter and Brooke standing up and looking quite well and content. I visited for about an hour or two. I watched with envy as Matt craddled little Taylor, and then the invitation came - "Do you want to hold her mom?" - - Of course I jumped at the chance and didn't let her go until I left. Matt decided that it would be best if he leave Brooke and Taylor at the hospital on this night and go home to get a good night's sleep. This way he could help Brooke upon her release tomorrow so she might be able to get in a nap or two.

When I got home, I decided I HAVE to go to bed early, for last night was with little sleep. I took a bath and while in the bathroom blowing dry my hair, Steve walked in and said, "Matt's here." So, I came out and we talked about the whole parenting thing. He looked a little down in the dumps, so when I asked him what was wrong, he said he thought he might be having a little separation anxiety from Brooke and the Baby. (Mind you he had only been at our house about 20 minutes).

At that moment, I realized that my son had become a FATHER with a family. He will now understand our past rules, our concerns, our nagging, our questions, our warnings, our punishments. He now is one of US! (It's great when you start seeing them cross that line from offspring who don't get it, to responsible parents who do!)

WELCOME TO THE CLUB MATT!

Although, this club includes such payments as sleepless nights, endless worries, plenty of laundry, sacrificing your life to make your child's better, - - and many more installments to come - - It also includes a tug at your heart like no other, years of laughter, learning, and reward points in the way of smiles, hugs, special achievements and so very many other paybacks! I say it's an ELITE club that we belong to. I know I wouldn't change my membership for anything in the world! Congrats to my son - who is one of my "reward points" - - WE love you dearly and congratulate you on your new "LIFETIME" membership. (It will hold it's value always).

Love to you and Brooke - - Mom (Grandma T-T) and Dad (Grandpa Stevie)

An Angel sent from God to us - our little Taylor - 1st full day of her precious life.

Grandma T-T with bags under her eyes (long night last night - and work today) - holding that little gift. Tonight was Grandma's time to bond, and she loved every minute of it!
Wow - she's beautiful. Isn't it funny how everyone in your own family is BEAUTIFUL?


Brooke starting to wear down - - but what a great mother she is.

I think Taylor is praying here saying, "Thank you, for letting me come into this world healthy and very wanted. Also thank you for my Mom's health"

(this might be a "hallelujah")

"Me and my shadow" - - and my new daughter!