Mikayla Corey Sleeth

She is so pretty! Mommy and baby are doing wonderful (as is Daddy). We stopped by today to drop off a small token of our love. Mikayla had just eaten and was sleeping so peacefully. Abby was getting ready to take a nap, too, so we didn't stay long.

They already had a house full with supper preparations under way (looked yummy). Justin's brother, Jacob, was helping Justin put in some electrical in the baby's room, while Theresa and Mandy were busy in the kitchen.

Steve and I went to Taylor's soccer game after leaving Abby's. It was really fun to watch. They ended in a tie but everyone was happy not to have lost the game. Little by little I am starting to learn more about soccer which is great. I currently have three grandkids in the sport.

I wish we had land (with a new house on it) so we could look for moving companies to pack, move, and unpack our things. Come on Powerball! Till the next event...Halfmoon

Mikayla Corey Has Arrived!

Abby called me at 3:00 a.m. yesterday to say they were on their way to the hospital. I told her I would meet them there and quickly got dressed. Steve had just started back to work Wednesday so he was unable to attend the event but he debated going anyway. I know it bothered him that he couldn't be there for Abby, he's always tried to be there for our kids. He told me to drive careful as he went back to bed.

Driving down our road (about halfway to the first turn), I realized I should probably take my meds with me for the day with me since I'd be needing my next dose when I normally wake up. And, also, since one of the pills is for high blood pressure and another to slow down my heart, it would probably be a good bet I'd especially need those.

I turned my car around and drove back home. As I pulled into the driveway, the yard light came on and Steve met me at the door. "What's wrong?" I told him about my meds and he agreed and said, "Watch out for the deer" as I left again.

This time I drove all the way to the stop sign at the first turn. Man! I forgot the camcorder and camera! I debated whether I should go back home again. Time is flying and Abby only lived about 15 minutes from the hospital. Back home I drove, angry with myself that I can't remember things. Just the day before I thought about making sure both items were charged up. Of course, I didn't follow through on that either!

The light came on as I pulled in again and Steve was at the door. I explained the situation as I ran to grab the things and flew back out the door. As I was driving down the road again, I realized Steve hadn't said anything to me about being careful. Well, I thought, the deer had just better look out for me. (Normally I drive 30 mph at night on our road because you are sure to see one to six deer moseying across it.)

When I finally made it to the Interstate, I breathed a sigh of relief. Justin called to tell me Abby was truly in labour. He laughed when I told him about my travels thus far and said I had plenty of time. Theresa and Jade (Justin's mom and sis) were there when I arrived. They preferred waiting in the maternity lobby during labour. I had to be there with my baby girl who sailed through the labour and delivery with flying colors. If Abby got grumpy at all she would apologize to the nurses who just lauded her through it.

Mikayla Corey Sleeth was born at 12:51 p.m., Thursday, September 25, 2008, weighing 6 lbs 5 ozs, 19 1/4 inches long. Born on the seven year anniversary date that her parents had been going together! What a day! She is beautiful! I left my camera at the hospital thinking it would be best not to have to drag everything in again, or I'd post a picture here, but I'll try to add it tonight. She caught right on to nursing, which I loved as some of my grandbabies had trouble with it. The doctor thinks she has blond hair. I forgot to ask Abby what color it was after her evening bath.

Well, I'm on the way to the hospital to see my darling daughter and granddaughter (and of course son-in-law). I'll be back to let you know what cute things she does later :) Isn't it great that we don't need snowmobile parts this time of year? Halfmoon

Mikayla Corey Has Arrived!

Abby called me at 3:00 a.m. yesterday to say they were on their way to the hospital. I told her I would meet them there and quickly got dressed. Steve had just started back to work Wednesday so he was unable to attend the event but he debated going anyway. I know it bothered him that he couldn't be there for Abby, he's always tried to be there for our kids. He told me to drive careful as he went back to bed.

Driving down our road (about halfway to the first turn), I realized I should probably take my meds with me for the day with me since I'd be needing my next dose when I normally wake up. And, also, since one of the pills is for high blood pressure and another to slow down my heart, it would probably be a good bet I'd especially need those.

I turned my car around and drove back home. As I pulled into the driveway, the yard light came on and Steve met me at the door. "What's wrong?" I told him about my meds and he agreed and said, "Watch out for the deer" as I left again.

This time I drove all the way to the stop sign at the first turn. Man! I forgot the camcorder and camera! I debated whether I should go back home again. Time is flying and Abby only lived about 15 minutes from the hospital. Back home I drove, angry with myself that I can't remember things. Just the day before I thought about making sure both items were charged up. Of course, I didn't follow through on that either!

The light came on as I pulled in again and Steve was at the door. I explained the situation as I ran to grab the things and flew back out the door. As I was driving down the road again, I realized Steve hadn't said anything to me about being careful. Well, I thought, the deer had just better look out for me. (Normally I drive 30 mph at night on our road because you are sure to see one to six deer moseying across it.)

When I finally made it to the Interstate, I breathed a sigh of relief. Justin called to tell me Abby was truly in labour. He laughed when I told him about my travels thus far and said I had plenty of time. Theresa and Jade (Justin's mom and sis) were there when I arrived. They preferred waiting in the maternity lobby during labour. I had to be there with my baby girl who sailed through the labour and delivery with flying colors. If Abby got grumpy at all she would apologize to the nurses who just lauded her through it.

Mikayla Corey Sleeth was born at 12:51 p.m., Thursday, September 25, 2008, weighing 6 lbs 5 ozs, 19 1/4 inches long. Born on the seven year anniversary date that her parents had been going together! What a day! She is beautiful! I left my camera at the hospital thinking it would be best not to have to drag everything in again, or I'd post a picture here, but I'll try to add it tonight. She caught right on to nursing, which I loved as some of my grandbabies had trouble with it. The doctor thinks she has blond hair. I forgot to ask Abby what color it was after her evening bath.

Well, I'm on the way to the hospital to see my darling daughter and granddaughter (and of course son-in-law). I'll be back to let you know what cute things she does later :) Halfmoon

Good News

Steve went back to work today. Hooray!!!!! It will take a while to get used to working again, I'm sure, but that happens every time you're off for a while. We're just happy to have a regular paycheck coming in!

On to other news, Abby hasn't had the baby yet, but she is more ready for the birth. According to the doctor, she should be in labour within 48 hours. If what the doctor did doesn't work, they will induce her Monday. It's great having a specific date in mind as a backup.

Of course, you know I am itching at the bit to hold a new granddaughter in my arms. I'm sure Abby and Justin are even more anxious than Grandma. Heather is past the halfway mark on her pregnancy too. I know what Abby has been going through has revived Heather's memories of her last birth and can't help but excite her for the birth of her baby.

Our insurance rates have gone up again. Makes me want to start looking around for car insurance. That's it for now. As usual, I'll keep you posted on Mikayla's birth. Halfmoon

Marking Time

Abby called me this morning. Every time I see her name on my phone my heart starts racing and anticipation starts rising. Nope, not the baby yet. They have a rolloff (? dumpster) and will be having it picked up tomorrow evening probably if Steve wants to bring anything over to go in it.

Darn it anyway. When will she go into labor? I can well remember being near the term date and feeling big as a house, anxious for the blessed event to happen. Of course, once the hard labor started, I always wondered why I ever wanted it to happen. I'm sure Abby cannot wait.

Heather, her kids, Abby, Justin, Josh, and his kids came out Saturday evening for a campfire. Heather and I made chicken and noodles for supper and it was yummy. We all stuffed ourselves, then went outside to sit around the fire. The kids love being with their cousins and I love having my grandkids over. The evening was a perfect night weather-wise.

For once no one said anything about diet pills. I suppose with the only two females here being pregnant, that was the reason. When all my girls are around, the subject of weight usually comes up.

That's it for now, I'll write again soon. Hopefully with news of a granddaughter being born. Halfmoon

False Alarm, But A Lot of Fun!

Tuesdays are the nights my best friend, Linda, comes over to visit. We both work on the crafts we are making. She normally cross-stitches her own creations, while I normally crochet afghans. We watch America's Got Talent or House and then later we watch Raymond.

Last Tuesday started like any other. Linda gave me my allergy shots (did I mention she is a nurse?), when my phone rang. Abby was on the line and said she'd been having pains all day. I asked if she wanted us to come over and she said she'd like that. Linda was the nurse for my doctor when I was pregnant with Abby and we became close friends. When we went to the hospital, Linda went with us. We had been playing cards all evening together when I was in labor. So, she was there when Abby was born and has been like a second mother for her ever since.

Steve went with us and we watched tv for a while and then got the cards out. Nothing like tradition, right? Abby's pains subsided, so no baby was born; but we had so much fun playing cards. We laughed a lot while entertaining each other.

I met Abby at her doctor's office the next day and she's closer to deliver than before, but so far no baby has appeared. The 23rd she will go to the hospital and have a limited ultrasound and a nonstress test. If anything's amiss, she will be induced. If not, she has an appointment on the 24th and she and the doctor will decide how to proceed. It's all so exciting. Grandbaby number eight will be here before you know it.

I wonder if Abby and Justin have ipods to take to the hospital? I'll keep you posted when that baby arrives! Halfmoon

I never thought I would be able to say it! It is finished! And it looks so great, it makes the siding look really, really bad. Lord only knows when we will be able to get that done. I know Steve won't be tackling it!

It's raining today (and last night, and tomorrow) and we don't have to worry about it. It feels so weird not watching the weather report six times a day worrying about rain in the forecast. Ok, we do still watch it, but without the trepidation.

We went to Ab and Justin's last night so Steve could help put a screen door on. They installed the inside door two nights before. They look so great, I'm jealous! Our two doors are gross.

Abby is nesting (Heather's term). She has been cleaning a lot and done six loads of washing in the last two days. Baby clothes galore! She's sorting them into newborn, up to 3 months and then 3 - 6 months. So, how do you end up with 4 or 5 little tops without the pants that match? They were all there when you put them in the washer! Hopefully they are already in the bin of clothes folded.

She's been dilated to one for two full weeks and she's tired of it. She has approx 11 days to go, determined, of course, by the little one's whim. My last two went two weeks over but normally first babies don't go over the due date.

Steve and I were contemplating driving to Alabama off and on since work is slow. Then last night I realized, "I can't go to Alabama, Abby will have that baby while I'm gone, as sure as shooting!" She jokingly said, "Go ahead and go, Mom, maybe I'll have it then." I'd never forgive myself if I was gone when she had her first baby. So, we'll stick around and if she has the baby soon, and if he's still off, maybe we will take off for the week that Theresa is there helping Abby.

My week to help will be the second week! I can hardly wait.  Halfmoon

Up on the Rooftop

I've never seen a more hardworking man in my life than my beloved husband, Steve. Or been so proud of anyone than I have been of my two hardworking sons, when they are working their butts off to help their Dad.

Steve decided to start on our roof when he had some slow time at work. Unfortunately, shortly after starting the roof, he had cellulitis in his arm just above the wrist. Joshua even took at least three days off work to help us out. What can you say to a young man so willing to give up his days he could be fishing to sweat it out up on the top of a house? All I can say is I'm proud of you, Josh, and I love you so!

Yesterday Justin (Abby's husband) called me and said he was off early and wanted to come over and help Steve. How cool is that! Even my son-in-law is wonderful! Now the north side of the house is nearly finished, hooray! Steve started on the south side of the highest peak (10/12 pitch) today. I'll be happy when it is all finished (I know Steve will be too!) Since I am unable to work with my back disability, perhaps I should check into Los Angeles jobs, who knows maybe there will be something I can do from my home when I am able to tolerate sitting at a computer.

Well, the rain is supposed to start again, let's hope it's not a large amount. Halfmoon