The Night of Your Birth!

Wow! It's been 20 days since my lost post on here!  It has been beautiful chaos the last few weeks...You were born, came home and we ALL fell in love with you! My monkey is a hit!  Here is how it all happened...

Monday morning, the doctor came in and induced mommy so that you would come on out and join the world.  For the longest time, we were really dis-heartened because though she had many painful contractions, you just weren't quite ready to be born.  About 4:00, Gigi decided to text everyone and let them know that it would be a long wait and not to get into a huge rush to get to the hospital.  Thirty minutes later, the nurse came in and checked on mommy and you had her almost where she needed to be! I panicked and began calling everyone and telling them we had about two hours and that was about it.  Everyone went into hurry mode and made it before you were born! 

We finally got to meet face to face at 8:07 pm, Monday, September 13, 2010! What an amazing evening that was! There are no words to describe the feeling or emotion in the room before and after you were born. 

The doctor decided to let your mommy stay in a "holding pattern" for about an hour and a half for various reasons, one of them being their convenience because it was a busy day, and mommy wasn't hurting thanks to the epidural they gave her.  So about 6:30 they let mommy start pushing. She was amazing the entire pregnanacy but she really showed us what she was made of on this day.  She wanted her privacy so I stayed in the room but in the sitting area with a curtain between us. The nurses tried to get her to let me help but she insisted she wanted to bring you into the world in her way and on her own...just you and her, together. 

 When it was almost time for you to present yourself, mommy had Gigi go get Nana to be there to take your first pictures!  I got her and together we waited behind the, "curtain of oz" as I called it, as she pushed you into our world! While we were waiting for the ultimate moment of your first breath and cries...we prayed together and separately for you and your mommy to be safe and healthy! We held one another's hands and cried together...it was an emotional moment for both of your grandma's. When the doctor had you in his hands, we all wept such tears of happiness! Finally, our baby boy was here, healthy and safe...mommy has healthy and okay!!!

Well, your mommy being who she is which is very independant and determined, the doctor asked Gigi to come cut the cord but mommy spoke up saying she was going to do that. The doctor laughed and told her HE didn't cut cords and neither did mommy's so for Gigi to come on. I started laughing and told the doctor that she really wasn't kidding, so he handed her the scissors and SHE CUT THE CORD!!! Dr. Watson said he had NEVER in thirty years had that happen and laughed!

Gigi and Nana came from behind the "curtain of oz" and got to see you just a moment after you were born! It was incredible...there you were! Right there in front of us to touch, smell, breathe in! Nana began taking pictures of everything that was going on as the nurses buzzed around and the doctor finished taking care of your mommy. She was just smiling and smiling as she layed there waiting on the doctor to finish so she could hold you! Once she got her hands on you...we had to leave and give you and mommy time to really get to meet each other. We went out to the waiting room and told all the family who had been patiently waiting on you that you were here!!! Everyone was so excited that there is just no way to put it into words!

As soon as mommy was through with her alone time with you, the family began to come meet you 2-3 at a time...What a great night for them! There was laughter, tears of joy, huge smiles...you name it!

You weighed 7 lbs 13 oz and were 19-1/2 inches long...gorgeous light brown hair and blue eyes...

That night when it was time for you and mommy to go to your regular hospital room...Gigi got to stay with both of you. THAT was when I held you for the first time! We got to bond that evening as I held you and took you in...It was a magical moment in time that I will never forget and can never be replaced in my heart.  My monkey was here!

Finally at the hospital~

Well, Monkey...Mommy and I are in the hospital now and have been for about 3 hours. They started the IV but she (in true Mommy & Grandaddy fashion) has a rash from it...they moved it and now she has another rash where the new one is! Always something with them...haha. They inserted some cervidil (basically like a really, really thin tampon) that lays against the cervix to stimulate or irritate it to hopefully help soften the cervix so that induction will go easier on Monday. If all else fails, she will have a C-section but I don't know when they would give in and go that route. He just said it was something he was looking at. She just isn't progressing normally. Did we really expect this to be any different than the rest of her health?

The important thing is that she is doing great and so are you! Your little heart is just beating and beating and you are moving around in there, still. I am sitting here in Mommy's room looking at the warmer they will lay you in once you greet us and it brings tears to my eyes...I am going to try, so hard, to be strong for Mommy during this process and NOT CRY!!! She hates it when people get mushy and cry...I will be strong just for her and you! Just knowing you will be in that little bed in a few hours...taking your first breath of life, getting ready to be with Mommy and be her new little man is enough to make me smile so big! It is all coming to fruition.  The last 40 weeks have passed, though sometimes it seemed like they never would, and you are about to enter our lives forever. You are going to change our worlds and we are so ready for it to begin!

I love you, baby boy!
Gigi

Shane is coming soon...

So, mommy went to the doctor today and he told her that if she doesn't go into labor by Sunday at 6PM to go check in the hospital!!!  They are going to do some things to help her dilate and if that doesn't work, they will induce her on Monday...finally!!!  Mommy and Gigi are SOOOO excited and cannot wait until we see your beautiful little self! We have dreamed of this day for so long and now it's within sight!  Mommy is so happy today!

She is re-washing all your blankets and getting everything finalized in your room!  We are still working on Miss Holly and her manners but she is much better and she is going to love you!

Papa has worked so hard on your room by adding a huge (8' x 3') window that slides open 4'...he wanted you to have lots of sun and light! He also did many others things for you and so did Grandy! They are so happy to have a baby coming to the house!

Monkey, we will meet you by Monday! Everyone can't wait!!!!!

Single Mom's "Embrace Grace" ~

Baby boy...your mommy is at her 1st ever meeting for single mommy and mommy's to be...it is a long story of how it came to be but we will just say God sent an angel with a divine intervention!  It was an amazing story and fulfilled something she has been hoping to find.  We will see how she feels when she gets home and how it went but I really pray she will love it, fit right in, grow in the Lord, make new friends so you will have more playmates and learn and experience new adventures.

Mommy and Gigi will go to church here on Sunday and see how we like the sermon and music but so far what we have seen and heard, we both really like!

Monkey, God watches over all His children and is watching over you and mommy already! I pray you walk with him every day of your life and live for the Lord...your life will be full of peace, love, joy and happiness if you do this.  You will know compassion and empathy for others. You will be an even more amazing person that you already are.

Gigi loves you, Monkey!

Never Worry...

Two things heavy on my mind right now...

First, you have the BEST mommy...When you are old enough, you will see and know just how good she is and how much she loved your from before you were ever born. She never gave up and never stopped growing and learning while you were in her tummy! She wanted and will always want what is best for you above all things.

Second, you have a family who loves you more than you will ever be able to comprehend. There are so many of us who are just waiting on you to get here and join us! Monkey, there will always be times in your life that people disappoint you or let you down but you must always know that is part of life and you will become stronger and a better boy/man from going through that experience as long as you learn from other peoples mistakes.  The other thing is that no matter how disappointed or hurt you may feel by someone's actions...there are so many of us to help pick you up and dust you off, if you need and ask for it! The love you will have in your life will be overwhelming and you will always have your family to help and look out for you.

Your mommy and I thought yesterday was the day you might come to meet us but you weren't ready just yet! Soon, though!  We are all counting the hours and hoping they don't go into many more days...we are all so excited!

Shane's Mommy Can't Say "Castor"

Tonight, mommy and I decided it would be a great idea to go to a store and walk around to get YOU motivated to come meet us! On the way, mommy began talking about rather she wanted to take Castor Oil or not. It was the funniest thing...probably a "you had to be there moment" but still...She could NOT say the word castor! It kept coming out castro and the harder she tried the worse it got. Her mouth would make the motions of trying to say the "o" first and then the "r" which is backwards and then she would try to correct it but still...WRONG. I laughed so hard and told he it was like when she was little and couldn't say the word squirrel...no matter how hard to tried to say it correctly, it would still come out so adorably cute...she would say "squeal"...your mommy was so cute any way and when she would say that we would always laugh and have such fun with her! Like I said, probably one of those "had to be there" moments but the point is we had a lot of laughs tonight just like every night.  Though this wasn't the plan, I am so glad you and mommy are with Gigi...you already brighten my day and you aren't even here, yet.

The store mommy and I went to was Joanne's to get some fabric. Mommy found the coolest fleece to make you a blanket which she says will be THE blanket you are attached to...she says she will make sure! It is red and black striped with little white skulls embroidered all over it...it is your pirate blanky and is going to be so awesome!  She also picked out the wooden letters to spell your name on the wall above your bed and the paint to go with them as well as a couple more sports balls to go around them.  She is so excited about getting everything just perfect for you!

Aunt Bee has been so very busy with teaching and school that we haven't seen or talked to her this week. I miss her a lot but I know when you get here...she will always have time in there for you! She is already having dreams about you and her at night...she had a dream the other night that you and she were in the swimming pool and she already had you swimming!  So many things are planned for you!

Randomness

Today your mommy actually didn't slap my hand away when I tried to feel you moving! I was so excited...BUT...you are a stubborn little guy and wouldn't move but it's okay, honey...it's in your genes on both sides (the stubborn part) except from Gigi!!! I cannot wait to see you for the first time! I keep hoping that "today is the day" but you just aren't ready to greet us yet...that is okay, too! You will be well worth the wait! 

Your mommy is doing so good. She is just a couple of weeks away from your due date and she is still up and around, doing a lot more than most women in her situation and in this horrible Texas heat! It has been over 100 degrees for 20 something days now! Tonight we are actually getting a break  :)

Tomorrow, mommy is going to get the letters to spell your name on your wall above your bed. I am going to paint them to match your things and you will be official!  I cannot WAIT to see you laying in your crib looking up at me! The days to come are going to be so love filled, excitement filled and joy filled that none of us will be able to contain ourselves! You are a lucky boy, Shane Michael!

Cake or Pie...

So, mommy and I were laying in Gigi's bed watching old episodes of Grey's Anatomy after dinner. Mommy decided she would share with me where she had her "secret stash" of skittles and starburst and "allow" me to go get them for her. She was kind enough to give me the blue (raspberry) ones because "she didn't like them". 

A short while later, there was a pie on Grey's Anatomy and mommy decided she needed pie...baby Shane needed pie!  There wasn't any pie here at home and Gigi did not want to go to the store to get pie. Mommy whined and whined...Gigi suggested that McDonald's chocolate chips cookies would be a good replacement. Mommy agreed and off we went to get cookies...came home, warmed them up, got a cold glass of milk and retreated back to Gigi's room to watch yet another episode of Grey's Anatomy!

Mommy informed me that she only has two weeks until you are born and she had to fulfill all her food fantasies before you come and meet us! This could be a very interesting couple of weeks...get ready for the sweets baby boy!

Nana

Baby Shane...your Nana loves you so much! She has shown over and over again her love and amazing strength just for you and you aren't even here with us yet. You are one lucky little boy to have people loving you that much!  There are no words for the love she has for you, baby boy! She has been so good to your mommy and loves her, too. If something were to ever happened to Gigi...your Nana would take up the extra Gigi duties and love you extra just for me! Good night and sweet dreams in mommy's tummy, baby Shane!

Today and My Thoughts of You and Mommy

My little baby Shane...today I have been thinking all day of how my life will change the second you arrive. Though, it's always nice to get off work and finally make my way home in the evening, I will be rushing home from work! I won't be able to stand it until I make it home and get to snatch you up! I will be able to snuggle with you, take in your baby smells (hopefully good ones!), give you tons of kisses, and know that the world outside doesn't matter at that moment! I can't wait to sit and rock you and talk to you, though you won't have a clue as to what your crazy Gigi is saying...haha!

Also, I can't wait to watch your mommy and how you make her life so beautiful.  She deserves so much in life and you will be the amazing start to that new world for her.  Yes, it will be hard to be a single mommy but she is so incredibly strong and she will make it seem effortless because of the amount of love she has for you.  She loved you from the second she knew you were coming.  The year was filled with changes for her but never did she regret you or the life ahead! You saved her, baby Shane, and gave her something magical to look forward to. She will be your best friend throughout your life...you will always be able to count on her and her being there for you, no matter what!

Melt Down Day

Today was planned to be a great "relax and enjoy" day for me, Gigi...as it turned out, it was a great day but...I was a bit worried during the late morning hours that it was going to be a horrific day. You see, Brandi, aka...Mommy had a massive, hormonal melt down. I didn't know what to do...it was one of those, do I turn back and go home, do I let her ride it out, do I call for back up...hahaha...I talked to her and talked to her but still couldn't decide what was the best plan of action for some reason. This was a hard one. After our last talk, I decided it was best left in someone else's hands because I had exhausted all my thoughts and ideas...none of which were working.  I went on to my destination, switched cars and talked it out...decided I needed to call in the back ups...the special forces...Sharon and Bee and of course, God! Sharon prayed and prayed for her and sent several messages...Bee picked her up and took her shopping (hoping to walk that baby right on out)...a little retail therapy never hurt anyone!  I checked on her a couple of hours later and she sounded fine.  I was out all day and until 10:30 this evening...she was okay...she simply requested chocolate! That is to be expected and would be strange NOT to want chocolate on any rough day in a woman's life!

Now, the problem of what started the melt down  is still there and I, Gigi, have GOT to find a way to get resolution some how, some way...it's a really tough one and all I can do at this point is pray and pray for guidance and thank the Lord for my amazing friends who have taken her under their wing during her tougher days. You guys are not only good to me but my kiddos...Brandi right now but if Bee is ever in a pickle...I know you will be there, too! I love all my friends! Not all of you have had to help me in the same ways but you have ALL been there for me in some way or another in my life and I couldn't do any of it without you guys. You all have your special place in my heart.

Gigi

Quiet and Loud

Well, not much today...it's been a quiet day on the "news front" and a loud day if you include Gigi's coughing (me)! I am hating this bronchitis BUT so glad to be getting it out of the way before our bundle of joy arrives on the scene!

Mommy has been pretty quiet today...she seems to be nesting, yet again. She is doing more laundry for baby Shane but I truly think she is washing all the fabric away...she wants them to be just perfect! She washes, folds delicately or hangs and straightens, looks and looks at them and then softly puts them away.  She doesn't even know I see these things. She is so involved in getting everything just "so".

I am so proud of Mommy...she has taken such amazing care of baby Shane from the moment she learned of his pending arrival into our lives. She loves him, nurtures him and prepares for him every day...all day. She gave up so much for him to join our hearts and lives. She had an "option" as all women do but made the decision to honor us with our baby Shane...there was never a moments doubt in her mind that this little boy would be the turning point in her life...a turning point she needed and wanted to fulfill her life and dreams.

This Gigi loves baby Shane's mommy and is so proud of her. He is one lucky little man!

Training Miss Holly for Shane

Oh, my...this is not a fun task! Miss Holly is Brandi's dog that just turned a year old. She is like Marmaduke...big, clumsy, thinks she is still a baby and loves to jump on you...the unfortunate part is she is 1/2 our size and it hurts! With Shane nearly here, we have GOT to tame her down...she was kicked out of doggy boot camp! She is a little rebel with paws!

Shane will be here anytime up to 3 wks from now and he won't like it so much when Holly pounces on the bed and scares the daylights out of him...hahaha. She also likes to put her big paws up on the crib and look inside. That might freak me out and I am an adult (sometimes). 

Holly will be a great "play toy" for Shane and when he is a little older she will be a great horse to ride around the house...haha! Until then, we must TRAIN! TRAIN! TRAIN!  My baby Shane must start his life out as a respected little man...even by the dog!

Church

Brandi  made a promise to make sure Shane is raised in church with the solid background of the Lord in his life. He will still stumble and fall but will have the strength to get back up and do what is right in his life. With Christ in his corner and all of his family leading by example and teaching him values, morality and respect not only for himself but as importantly, for others, he will have a good background to be a man that we will all be proud to call ours but also that the Lord will smile upon.

My first blog on baby Shane

This blog is to document my first grandson who is due to arrive anytime in the next 3 weeks.  His name is Shane Michael Bishop.  We are so incredibly excited for his arrival and as the days pass the feeling of love gets more and more overwhelming.  Brandi is going to be a fantastic mom. Some say she is too young but she was born to be a mother...both of my girls were. She began caring for, protecting and doing what was best for him from the day she found out he was going to enter this world.  She puts him first even when it would be easier and maybe not the easiest road...that is a good mommy.

Brandi has made a couple of trips to Labor & Delivery already but so far so good. They have stopped the labor and he is still hanging out in his mommy's tummy! He is definitely ready to come out and meet the world!

I love you up to the moon, baby Shane!

Love, Gigi