THE TRAVELING GARDNERS

While Dan and I were at the hospital with Isabella, my Mom was watching the boys at our house. She made sure that the boys were spoiled just as much as their new little sister.  McDonalds Happy Meal time!  She even stole Dan from the hospital and took him and the boys out for chicken wings and frozen yogurt!  The sun was bright, but they still had fun at the playground!  She definitely kept the boys busy. She walked them to the playground and park. She walked them to the pool. And by the end of the week when she left, they were exhausted. We all slept for a long time and caught up on our sleep when Grandma left. We sure do miss her. The boys love their Ocean Grandma.

Isabella Marguerite Gardner Born June 27, 2011 at San Ramon Medical Center 8 pounds 11 ounces 21 inches long About 4 hours before the surgery, we dropped the boys off with the Moore Family. They took the boys to the local Alameda Fair. Dan surprised me and brought me to a hair salon. They waxed my eyebrows and cut, colored, and straightened my hair. Dan then went home and cleaned up the house. I was so grateful for my amazing hubby and wonderful friends. My c-section was scheduled for 5:30pm at night. This is one of the last pregnant pictures before the surgery. I was retaining so much water!!!  Putting on my brave face. They could not find a good vein for my IV. I felt like a pin cushion. Ouch!  While Dan was waiting to be called in to the OR, he took pictures of himself in the mirror. He had to wait an hour. It took that long for the anesthesiologist to do my spinal block.  IT'S A GIRL! First pictures of our sweet girl being checked after she was delivered. P...

I have been in and out of the labor and delivery. I am losing fluid. Baby girl is not moving as much. And according to the ultrasound the fluid is low. So, I continue to be on bed rest. And I am also going in for non stress tests. This monitoring just checks if Isabella is moving around enough. Each time we go in, we wonder if they are going to deliver early. So her actual due date is July 4, 2011. We originally were scheduled for a July 2, 2011 C-Section surgery. But, my OB Dr Johnson wants to take her earlier. As of today's appointment, she is coming this Monday! It looks like we will be having her June 27, 2011! So soon! I have mixed feelings. I want our baby girl here right now in my arms. But then I think we don't have her clothes or room ready. So happy that Dan got the hospital bag ready! Time to finish getting ready and quick!

We celebrated Father's Day the day after the real Father's Day. On the real Father's Day, I was in bed on bed rest. So, I was not able to spoil Dan like he deserved. He said he understood. After all, I was on bed rest growing a baby. However, I wanted to do something special for him to show him how much we appreciate and love him. So I called up Nothing Bundt Cake and ordered him a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. We also ordered the best Chinese food we have found in the bay area called Shangri La's. Dan had to pick up the cake and food, since I was still on bed rest. But it was still a relaxing and fun Father's Day celebration for Dan. Dan had the day off. He got in a great work out like he wanted to. I was able to rest. Dan had fun. And the boys tried chopped sticks for the first time. :) 

TRI FOR FUN Today Dan accomplished a goal he had made for himself. **To complete a Triathlon before he turned 30 years old. He did it at 29 years old. And we are so proud of him. He did a Triathlon; sprint level in 1:18:26. That is 1 hour, 18 minutes, and 26 seconds. Everyone has told him this is a fantastic time for his first Triathlon. He is a bit competitive and said he could have done better. He said he could have shaved off 5 minutes from his run had he been better hydrated. We think he did great!                                                        What a great way to celebrate Father's Day weekend! So proud of Daddy! His buddy from work, Steve helped him in training and preparing for the big day. Steve...

A few months ago we began decorating Isabella's nursery. It started with some pink paint. The boys were so excited that we would be painting a room. They decided to sneak in the room the day after Dan painted, and do a little "touch up".  They painted the inside of the closet. They painted the carpet. They "touched up" a few walls. And they painted themselves. I walked in and said put your hands up! And immediately took off Zachary's outfit that was soaked in pink paint. Then I said, "Don't move. I am getting my phone to take a picture!" We couldn't be too mad. Dan had left out the roller brush and paint holder with some leftover paint inside. And they were just trying to help right? The bad news is some of this pink paint will not come out of the carpet! Any suggestions?