Brotherly and Sisterly love

It's been a week and our little family is doing very well. We had one really bad night for Griffin. Non-stop screaming for 3 hours! It was so bad, he lost his little voice. Talk about my heart breaking. But, good news is---a major change in my diet and it seems to be doing the trick. Don't ask what I'm eating cause it's pretty depressing---BUT worth the sacrifice to have a happy and healthy baby.

Charlotte and Griffin are so cute together. Of course, she's not always in the best of moods, but it has nothing to do with his arrival. It's just the typical testing any 2 year old would give you.

Charlotte and Griffin (3 days old)

Charlotte and Griffin (5 days old)

I'll check in soon.

What's in a name?

I wish I could say that I chose the name Charlotte and Griffin for these amazing reasons but the truth is...I just loved the way they sounded and the fact that they are great kid names but even better adult names. I mean, really when you think of it...we're adults a lot longer than we are kids, so it's important for me to know my kids will be able to grow into their names.

I wanted to share something about what the name Griffin represents. I wikipedia'd it.

As many of you might know...a griffin is a mythical animal---the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion.
This is what wikipedia says about it:
"The griffin, griffon, or gryphon (Latin: gryphus) is a legendary creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. As the lion was traditionally considered the king of the beasts and the eagle was the king of the birds, the griffin was thought to be an especially powerful and majestic creature. Griffins are normally known for guarding treasure and well valued priceless possession."

I love this...LOVE IT! How awesome to be able to tell my son, honey....your name symbolizes strength and a responsibility to guard and protect treasures and priceless possessions. He'll probably be confused and ask what treasure I'm referring to---and then I'll be able to share the treasures I'm talking about...
The treasure of family, love, friendship, salvation, service, and the church.

I'm happy with his name and with what I know it will symbolize for our family.

Love you baby Griffin.

Today I turned 30

Yep...I turned 30 today and received the best present ever! A new son 3 days ago.

I want to make sure I document the labor experience the way I did for Charlotte. Basically, my water broke at home around 3:15am--we called my friend Colleen to come over until my best friend Rachel could arrive to take care of Charlotte until my parents could come the next day at 12ish. (Yeah...it took 3 different people to care for Charlotte...--that's the beauty of living about an hour away from family).

We got to Kaiser Lakeview in about 20 minutes only to find that I was only dilated at 2cm and my contractions were so all over the place that once again I had to get on Potosin to get things going. This time however, I got the Epidural shortly after the Potosin was given numbing me beyond belief. I relaxed, watched COPS while labor got harder--well at least that's what the monitors were saying. I felt nothing. NOTHING. About 8 hours later...the nurse came in telling me I'm at an 8---and will be at a 10 very soon and will need to be ready to push. About 1/2 hour later...the delivery crew came in to tell me it's time. The male midwife told me he would like me to push laying on my side...with my leg up...(okay buddy...whatever you say)---3 very effortless pushes later..bam...my son was plopped on my chest. Then the crying began. I was sooo emotional right away. Not like with Charlotte--where I was in total shock until the next day.

A few things I want to make sure I document:
1. My anesthesiologist was half drunk...I'm sure. He was trying so hard to get my mind off of the pain of getting the epidural (which for the record, didn't hurt at all last time) this time it was bad...which also leads me to think---he was not quite all there. BUT I'm thankful for him and for his lovely drug---which made baby number 2's arrival---smooth sailing.
2. I had an adorable little Indian nurse Mini. I loved her and her accent. She told me I was sooo nice and that she loved taking care of me. How cute is that?
3. My male midwife, was awesome and after he delivered Griffin so quickly he said and I quote, "Are you ready to deliver the ugly twin"---meaning the placenta! Raresh was busting up while I think I threw up a little. I actually wanted to see the placenta this time around. Let me just say...once in my lifetime is more than enough!
4. After the birth...a little Asian nurse took over and asked if I could try to stand to go to the restroom--I was a little doubtful that I could stand right away but I tried...and bam...fell straight to the ground, and of course the little Asian had no business trying to pick me up. I'm glad Raresh was there to save me.
5. I got to facebook, watch Cops, and play Words with Friends through my entire labor. I love AMERICA!

Well...folks...that's my labor in nutshell and that's the way I will always remember turning the big 3-0!!!

Griffin John Isai has arrived...safe and sound

Hello friends...

My sweet baby boy...Griffin John has arrived.

on July 23rd 2010

at 4:25pm

7 pounds 15 ounces

20.5 inches

Absolutely perfect in every way.

There are no words to express my gratitude to the Lord for his constant care and provision regarding my son's arrival and regarding my entire family.

Thank you Lord for your goodness!

Still no baby boy...

Well...for those not calling me...texting me...or stalking my facebook...
I wanted to let you know that Baby Ace is not here yet. Although, it's a little frustrating---since all I heard was that if your first was early your second will probably early, too--it's been nice to be home with Raresh and Charlotte for a whole week. We've run errands together, went out to breakfast, took a little trip to the beach, enjoyed the pool, went for walks and took Charlotte to the park. It's not such a bad week when I think of it in this way.

Still...I can't say that it's been totally easy just waiting around for him. I'm extremely uncomfortable, LARGE, and just getting a little irritable.

So...for now...no baby. The only thing that brings me comfort is knowing...THERE IS NO WAY HE CAN BE IN ME FOREVER...right?

Until the next time, I'd appreciate your prayers for the timing of everything and for a speedy and healthy delivery and baby boy.

Last Day of Work...

Believe it or not...my first reaction is not YAHOO!!! It is so bittersweet. I'm so excited to be home with my family awaiting our little baby boy---I'm so excited to see him and hold him and kiss him and do all the things I've been dying to do---but I'm also really gonna miss my co-workers. I am so blessed to have such a great group of people that I work with. It's hard to imagine that Linda Games Isai...will not be at work on Monday bright and early ready to catch up on the weekend fun in everyone's lives.

But...the time has come...I'm ready for this next chapter in life.

Lord...thanks for a wonderful life, a wonderful job, and a wonderful new adventure that can begin at any moment!!!

Stay tuned!!!

Just checking in...

I had a Dr. appt yesterday that basically told me that I'm not having this little guy today or tomorrow...but maybe this weekend.

So we shall wait and see.

Charlotte was a week early---if baby Ace is a week early that will make his due date this weekend. So...anyone interested in making some guesses?

Can't wait to see you little man! We love you!

4th of July Weekend

I know I've mentioned that since May---my weekends have been JAM packed with festivities. We had birthday parties, holidays, weddings, showers, etc etc. The 4th of July was the last weekend I expected to really have anything planned, but since I felt like I had been on the go non-stop for 2 months, Raresh and I decided that for this 4th of July we wouldn't plan anything. We wouldn't do any BBQ's--we would just stay in, enjoy our home and play it by ear.

Well--fortunately the fact that we refused to make plans worked in our favor because his old roommate from England was in La Jolla this past weekend with his family and was hoping that we can meet up with them at Seaworld. At first, I was a little worried about committing to the trip because I'm 3 weeks away from my due date, we'd be going to San Diego, I'd be walking all day, and I'm stinking TIRED---but then I really thought about it and Raresh hasn't seen his friend in 10 years. They have never met each other's families and how often would this opportunity be presented to us. So--I decided I would go and do the best I can.

The weekend craziness started Friday, when we went up to March Air Force Base to get my military ID. Wow, it only took 8 years to get a spouse dependent card AND I'm so thrilled I look like a pumpkin in the photo! Grrrrrr Anyway, we had to get my ID because Seaworld would be free if we both had active military ID cards. So, needless to say---pumpkin or not...we were going to get those cards no matter what! Since we were in the neighborhood of the March Airfield Museum and my daughter is obsessed with planes and helicopters---we had to stop and see it. LOTS of walking and very hot! But all in all--it was nice.

On Saturday, we headed out to Seaworld bright and early and met up Raresh's friends. We had a great time and I even lasted until 4pm before I looked at Raresh and gave him the--my feet are going to explode look. I will say this. I'm glad we got in for free becuase Seaworld is no place for a 2 year old. The only thing to really do there is see shows and aquariums, right? Well, she doesn't really have the patience to sit and wait for a show to begin and then even really enjoy it. We saw the Shamu show---what a jip. The trainers don't even get in the water with them anymore. I guess a Killer Whale attack will change up the routine. Seaworld, does have a kid play area that was PACKED!---so we avoided that area. I wasn't in the mood to lose my kid.

On Sunday, our great country's birthday, we were all dressed and ready to go to church when Charlotte got sick. I was volunteering in the nursery that morning, but we never made it. We spent the whole day inside trying to get better. By 7pm, I was itching to see some fireworks, so we went to the local park in our area and celebrated the 4th with 8000 of our closest friends. 2 bummers about the evening, 1. we had to walk like 3 miles to get to and from our car and 2. our seats for the show were awesome except the car alarms kept going off because of the fireworks. I've never wanted to bust car windows as badly as I did that moment.

Finally, Monday came around and we were able to see Raresh's friends one more time before they headed back home. They came over for lunch and we just hung out. They have 3 kiddos, 8 year old Ethan who loves Legos, 4 year old Erin who whispers everything, and 20 month old Benji---who doesn't sit still for a minute! Boys are so much harder!!!! Yes, a mini panic attack occurred.

The Isai's and the Terman's

So that pretty much sums it up...for a weekend of no plans it sure turned out to be pretty busy.