OUR BEAUTIFUL NEW GRANDAUGHTER

INTRODUCING TAYLOR ELIZABETH DICKERSON -

*BORN 10:53 p.m. * Wed. Nov. 12, 2008 *6 lbs. - 17 .75 oz*

Wow - what a night! To follow of pictures in order of sequence. Brooke's labor went perfectly and moved right along as it should. I arrived at the hospital around 12:30 to find Brooke in good spirits, but having consistent contractions. Michelle arrived shortly after and we chatted in Brooke's room for awhile. Patty (Brooke's mother) arrived from San Diego. When Brooke's contractions started getting intense, they came in and gave her an epidural. Shortly after (and this just amazed us, since we didn't have that miracle drug when we had our kids), Brooke was laughing and chatting with us all while I watched her contractions on the monitor spiking! Steve arrived shortly after and we were able to have some bonding time with the "new parents to be" and chatted about the old days when they were both babies. Brian came to the hospital, then Casey, Courtney & Lisa. At this point we took turns going into the room until it was time to deliver. Matt and Brooke wanted this to be a personal experience, so we gathered in the waiting room - - and waited, and waited and paced and waited and drank coffee and waited. . . . .

Patty would go down the hall to ask nurses at the station how everything was going, and would report back to us. The last report from Patty was "I heard them in the room saying - PUSH PUSH", then the excitement started setting in for all of us, we knew it was close! After about a 1/2 hour went by, I decided I was going to check out the situation (since, in my foggy memory, I didn't think that you pushed for very long - - guess it depends on the individual!) When I walked down the hallway I saw that the door was almost closed, but opened just a crack and I saw several nurses and people moving around pretty fast. I knew this was probably a good sign that something was happening so I headed back to the group to give me 007 report. As I turned to walk down the hallway I heard a new babies cry and turned around - - YES - it was coming from their room! Then I saw a nurse with gloves on coming out of the room. I knew at that point that our new Grandchild had entered into our world. I told our "group" that I thought the baby was just born. About 15 minutes later Matt (pale and overwhelmed with emotion) came out and said, "It's a girl". He had big tears in his eyes and said, "Wow - what an experience." Of course then it gets his mother crying and I think I saw some tears in Michelle's eyes too.

We went in to see Taylor shortly after. She is beautiful with blonde fuzz on her head. She was very alert with her eyes open as if she was already learning about her surroundings and the warmth of her mother's skin next to her. It was amazing. Matt is a very PROUD papa - and Brooke seemed so at peace while stroking Taylor's back. Then I noticed that if the baby started the whimper, Matt would gently stroke her back.

All I can say is WOW - - What an experience! This is what life is all about! Below are pictures in sequence order:

Matt & Brooke - pre-birth

Brian and Steve waiting . . . (passed the time with their little hand held games)

Casey, Teri, Michelle & Courtney in the waiting room

Michelle and Courtney in the waiting room


The soon to be Grandma's!

Patty phoning people to give updates as we receive them from the anxious father




Brian and Steve - still waiting . . .

AND SHE ARRIVES! THE PROUD PARENTS WITH THEIR NEW DAUGHTER

Taylor Elizabeth Dickerson (very alert seconds after birth)

and the two became THREE!

Taylor already bonding with her mother

Introducing Matthew Adams!

Here's the "new member" of the fam! Proud parents (Claire & Steve) with the adorable son Matthew (gots to love the name!!!)

Another "blurry picture" - - wasn't using a flash!

Ozzie loves little Matthew

Brian getting back in practice!

The downside of pregnancy!

After a long hard day on her feet, this is what Michelle's feet look like now-a-days when she gets home. YIKES - - - told her she needs to sit down and put her feet up!

Autumn in Peoria (Pictures by Dan Dickerson)

Dan sent us pictures of the beautiful Fall colors in Peoria. Thought I'd share a few of them for all you Californian's who tune into the blog. This is my favorite time of the year in Illinois. (Beautiful pictures, Dan!) But. . have to remember what follows these beautiful colors - - b-r-r-r-r-r-r-r!

Munching Michelle!

Michelle is just eating everything I have here. Her appetite is unbelievable! - - and because of this her belly keeps growing and growing and growing! She eats everything in site! What's a mother to do??? **obviously this is a joke!***

Michelle looks great and is so very active. Won't be long now until Matt & Brooke deliver - and then Michelle &Brian. We're getting pretty excited!

Rosie's Visit

We spent a wonderful weekend with Rosie, who flew in for the weekend. On her arrival day, Steve brought her by our shop to say hi. I was wearing an orange top - - So was Rosie. That night we went to Harrah's Rincon in San Diego. On Saturday morning I woke up to meet Rose in the lobby - She had (again) the SAME EXACT color top on. Then at breakfast we both pulled out our cell phones (same exact color and exact PHONE). It was kind of weird. Here's pictures from her visit. You will see the matching tops below!

Rose and Steve

Brooke, Matt, Rose, Steve & Oz **the ham

Rose & Teri Brooke, Matt, Rose, Teri & Oz **the ham

Matt (loving father) & Brooke (loving mother to be!) Yes, the HAM decides to "butt up" to Matt to get in the picture.

Matt saying, "What the heck?"

Prego fishing! (Michelle's out of control!)

For Michelle & Brian's anniversary, Brian took Michelle up to Big Bear to a lovely hotel on the lake. (I thought this was so sweet!) - - But later I hear that Michelle is getting on a boat and going fishing - - 9 months pregnant! Nothing stops her, I tell ya! (Last weekend was spent walking around Disneyland with 3 children!) Here's a picture Michelle sent to me via phone of her fishing on Big Bear Lake. She's a true Dickerson!