Our Little One is Finally Here!

Our little Angel!

Gabrielle Grace Brannon made her debut into this world on January 21, 2009 (she honored her mom by waiting for Obama to be President!) at 3:35 pm. She weighed 7 lbs 4 oz and was 19.5 inches long!
She has LOTS of dark hair, much to her mom’s delight!

I started sporadic contractions on Tuesday night, which became more consistent around midnight. By 4am, I knew I shouldn’t head into work. At 5:30 am, I told Kiley he should probably get a sub. At 7:30 am we were headed to the hospital. When we got there, the nurse said I was only dilated to a two and it was probably false labor. I told Kiley that if this was false labor, I didn’t want to feel real labor! Within about 2 hours, I was almost to a 3 and was told it was real labor and I could stay! Another hour and I was begging for an epidural! Luckily, I was far enough along to get one!

Now, just a note on epidurals… I LOVE THEM! I told the man who gave me an epidural that I bet he was all the women’s favorite person. He told me that all the women forget all about him within 5 minutes. Just for the record, I will NEVER forget Richard and only pray that God will bless him for his fine work! I didn’t feel a thing after he left. Both Kiley and I are truly appreciative!

She doesn't do this very often, but when she does, she definitely has some lungs!

By 3:00 pm, I was ready to push! At 3:35, Gabrielle Grace entered this world in all her fame and glory! Kiley’s first response was, “She has wild hippie hair!” He couldn’t take his eyes off her after that. He is a natural!

Gabbie and her Daddy... I think he is in love!

Don't worry, we cut her nails as soon as she came home. They wouldn't do it in the hospital! Kiley is shocked she didn't claw her way out!

She had grandparents waiting to see her and has been surrounded by love since she made her debut!

With her Grandma Dianne and Grandpa Chuck

With her Grandma Dianne... If I can only be half the mom she has been, Gabbie will be truly blessed!

Grandpa Larry! He has been so excited! I think she will overtake Stella as his number one girl!

Honorary Nana, Deb. She is a dear, dear friend from work!

We got to bring her home the next day! We were all happy to be home! She has been a delight in the short time we have had her here. I look at her in amazement and cannot believe that it is not just Kiley and I anymore. Our lives will never be the same, and that is a wonderful thing!

The Brannon Family! We couldn't love our little girl any more!

One More Quiet Relaxing Weekend...

before we are parents! Yes, it is true. I can hardly believe it. I went to the doctor's this afternoon and I am not even dilated to a one. However, due to my high blood pressure, my doctor won't let me go past my due date. Now, I have been able to control my blood pressure throughout my pregnancy with medication. (No worries, it is totally safe for pregnancy... believe me, I made sure!) Regardless, they do not want me going past January 22.

So, if Gabbie doesn't come on her own before next Wednesday, I will be induced at midnight. I really don't think anything will happen before that, nor does my doctor. Looks like she will make her debut on her due date of January 22, 2009!

It is still so surreal to me that I only have 7 days left before I am a mom. We couldn't be more excited! Stay tuned...

Dallas and his Day at the Vet

Dallas and his owie!

I found a little blister like growth on Dallas this past Sunday. His Grandpa took him to the vet ASAP on Monday to make sure he was okay. The vet said we needed to get it taken off and tested this week. She thought it was just a benign growth, but wanted to make sure. This had all of us here a little worried. He went in first thing this morning and had it removed. He had to stay at the vet until 3:30 to ensure he was doing okay and came out of the anesthesia okay. He did good but is still extremely groggy. He has been walking around in a total daze all night. The vet said she is confident it isn’t cancer, but has sent it off to be analyzed just to be safe.


Dallas all drugged up! This is not his normal look...

I am not sure who had a tougher day, Dallas all drugged up or Stella alone wondering where her best bud was. You would think she would be in 7th heaven to have a day alone with her Grandpa, but she is just not herself without Dallas.

Dallas and Stella... they literally spend 24 hours a day together. It isn't often that they are seperated, but when they are, it really throws them for a loop!

For all those who aren’t dog lovers, this may seem like a silly post. However, for those who understand how animals can become family, you will know how grateful we are that Dallas’ prognosis looks like he will be more than okay! He is still going to be a dumb dog, but that is just the way we like him!

Getting Ready for Gabbie!

I only have about 3 weeks left before I am due… I truly cannot believe it! I have been so lucky with this pregnancy and felt great the entire time. I haven’t been sick once! Truly, other than being tired about 7 pm and unable to clean up after Dallas and Stella when they go outside, I can’t complain! I am still working, and hope to up until she arrives. I am looking forward to my 3 months off once she is here to just enjoy our new little girl.

I have also started to “nest”, at least that is what the books call it. I see it as more being prepared for our little girl when the time arrives. Either way, I have gotten her clothes washed, her bedding up, her swing ready, and all the other stuff ready for her arrival. Kiley won’t let me put the car seat bases in just yet, but I will soon! My nieces helped me pick out the paint! My father-in-law, Larry, had it painted for me! Thank you to both! I love it!

Gabbie's bedding! I love it!

An overall shot of her room. All the "stuff" (car seat, extra base, stroller, bouncy seat, etc) is jammed in the one corner at this point. No worries, it won't stay there!

My glider! Got up at 4am the Friday after Thanksgiving for this one! I only paid $125 for this $300 glider! Wahoo! Thank you, Larry, for setting it up!

Dallas and Stella are wondering what all the fuss and new stuff is. They are very curious and come into her room with me any time I am in there. They will have quite the adjustment when Gabbie arrives! We predict Dallas will adjust smoothly and Stella will become her protector.

Dallas is here wondering what is going on! I have not doubt that he will enjoy little Gabbie once she arrives! At least, I hope so!

As I have gone through everything, I am very grateful, and somewhat overwhelmed, at how generous all our family and friends have been. We really do have everything we need for Gabbie, and Kiley and I have bought very little ourselves. Thank you to everyone! Even more, I realize how loved Gabbie already is! She is definitely going to be a spoiled little girl, but we can’t for her arrival!

Christmas 2008

Well, another Christmas has come and gone. Once again, we had a wonderful Christmas visiting family in Utah. It is strange to think that this is our last Christmas without our own little one to enjoy this holiday with!

We were lucky and had great roads throughout our trip. Kiley had to put up with a prego meltdown in Wells, NV since I was worried we would have bad weather and run into problems. (Just for the record, I have only had 2-3 prego meltdowns… not bad for 36 weeks!) Of course, the main reason we were even going was because I wanted to be with family for the holidays, and this would be our last trip for several months. We decided to proceed and I am very glad we did!

We spent Christmas Eve with my family. I failed to take any photos, but will post those my sister-in-law took once I get copies of them. We left to head to Bountiful on Christmas Eve to avoid the bad roads. Glad we did!

We spent Christmas Day with Kiley’s mom, her husband, and his Grandma. His Grandma is 97 years old and still beats us all at cards! She is quite the trooper!

Hope everyone had a safe and wonderful Christmas! We are definitely looking forward to 2009 and the adventures that await us!