THE TRAVELING GARDNERS

(Flooding picture's and info available on khnl.com) Yes, this is what our island currently looks like. The rain and storms that are currently hitting our island have been called the worse that Oahu has ever seen. If this weather continues through out the weekend then Hawaii will be in a state of emergency. Dan was sent home from his office today. His military base was evacuated due to serious flooding. Thank heavens we live safe up on a high hill. Down the hill from us though, other military housing has been flooding. One of Dan's buddies in his unit was sent home, and told to get personal belongings together and evacuate his home. Hopefully this crazy weather winds down. Until it does, we will be hanging out in our house safe up on our little hill. Just so you know - our phone lines are currently down. We are safe. If needed you can get a hold of us by e-mail Jordan1380@hotmail.com

This is our cutie pie at 6 days old. Look at those pretty baby blues!

These are pictures of Dan, Benjamin, and I in the NICU(neonatal intensive care unit). When we aren't in our hospital room catching up on sleep we are with our little man.

born at 2:51 am March 14th 2006 6 pds 7 oz black hair blue eyes This picture is of Dan and I holding hands over Benjamin. We just couldn't get over how tiny he was. Dan wanted to show the contrast of the size of our hands when compared to baby Ben's little body. We love our little man!

Aliens have officially taken over my body, and replaced me with a person that I don't even recognize. Watermelon in my stomach, chipmunk cheeks, can't see my toes unless they are being elevated to reduce swelling and prevent cankles. Who said pregnancy was pure bliss? Not I friend......not I. ;) So I was just looking over the baby shower pictures that I posted, and I was wondering...how in the world was I brave enough to post those pictures??? Is that really me? No I refuse to believe so. All I know is that this turkey is basted and done. I am seriously ready to be holding Benjamin in my arms. Not in something that used to be known as my stomach. On a positive note - just found out that my Mom and Tom have an official reservation to come out in April! Wahoo! I miss seeing family!!! Tomorrow I have my 38 week appointment. We will keep you posted and tell you when we have any news! Until then I will be cleaning like a crazy woman and eating whatever falls in my mouth. And more th...

Right now we are playing the waiting game. Waiting for Benjamin to arrive. But also waiting for certain items of his to get in stock or arrive in shipping. I found pictures on line of what his nursery furniture and decor will look like. So since we can't decorate his nursery right now and take pictures, I thought this would be the next best thing to show you. So imagine all these items put together in the nursery! ;) Can you tell I am getting anxious for him to be here?????? We loved this sports lamp! The best part of this lamp and the furniture is that it is tax free. Thank you military Navy Exchange store! This is the cute crib bedding! This furniture minus the changing table in this picture, and add the one below.

Today we found out some heart breaking news. Someone close to us, Kent Madsen passed away today. He was an amazing man. A loving father, grandfather, and husband. He had such a big heart. We will miss him very much. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Madsen and Robbins family. We love you very much. Here is a picture of Kent, Nancy, Dan, and I here in Hawaii when they visited us.

The very next day following the baby shower Dan and I were talking about the many items that we still needed or wanted to buy. As we are talking, our door bell rings.... it's our upstairs neighbor Connie bringing us extra diapers and a brand new cuddle boppy pillow! She just had a baby girl about a month ago and just happen to have extra diapers and was given two boppy's! So she decided to share with us. Can you believe that! So we are completely set with newborn diapers! Thank you so much Connie and Kevin!

I got back to the house from the baby shower at 10:30pm! I was wiped out. So I grabbed the cute winnie the pooh stuffed animal that was given as a gift from the baby shower and laid down on the couch. Included in these pictures are the huge pile of clothes received from the baby shower that still need hangers and hanging up! Also, a pile of toys and diaper bags that were given to us. diaper bags, blankies, and toys........oh my!

Baby Shower time! Thanks to my friends here in Hawaii, I felt really special this night. Stacia threw me a baby shower back on Febuary 18th at her house. It was so much fun. And earlier in the day, Dan brought me to a maternity shop to buy this special blouse for the baby shower. It was really a great night. Thanks so much again Stacia! And a big thanks to Dan and Lio for watching Stacia's 3 girls while we had a fun girls night. How cute is this little baseball outfit? Stacia the scribe - something really cool done at the baby shower - we went around the room and everyone gave me a piece of advice regarding baby Benjamin. And Stacia wrote all the comments and advice down for me to keep. Here I am holding up one of the many cute outfits that we received. Also, if you notice I am surrounded by presents! We really got spoiled at this shower! The youngest guest at the baby shower, Lana Langdon. She came a month early. Originally she was suppossed to be just 1 month ahead of Benjam...

The pregos hanging around the yummy food table. Ale (3 months pregnant) and me. My friend Stacia and I. Stacia - thank you so much for throwing me this fabulous baby shower! Everything turned out so great! How much string does it take to go around Leah's prego belly? Warm anfd fuzzy cuddly blanket made by Theresa. Thanks to everyone who came to my baby shower! L-R - Theresa, Candace, Julia B., Chris, Julia M., Pearl, Ale and me! (not pictured: Stacia taking picture and Kelly Story) I had so much fun. The food was so yummy and the gifts given were appreciated so very much!

This picture was taken at 35 weeks. I am now technically in my 37th week! But our doctor last week told us Benjamin is farther along then originally expected and ready to depart the motherload! Heeellllooooo doowwwnnn theeerree! Yes...it's true...when you are pregnant you lose sight of things. Including your toes. Although you can barely see them, this is me looking down at my comfy cheetah house shoes. Thanks again Grandma Sue. I wear them all the time!

Dan's army unit surprised with a mini baby shower at a great seafood and steak restaurant called Monterey's. We received some cute baby outfits, toys, a baby/toddler bathtub, and this "Jump a Roo!" A big mahalo to SSG Arrigo, SSG Johnson, Mr Perez, and SSG Hudson. Here are a few pictures of Dan putting together the Jump a Roo.

After we saw our OB doctor last week and he told us that Benjamin was in place and ready to go, we freaked out a little.........and then decided that we needed to step it up, and get ready for this little dude! Let the baby proofing and readiness begin! We ended this Saturday with a complete car wash and vaccum. And wouldn't you know, the very next day it began storming and flash flood raining?? That's okay at least the inside is still pretty and clean.