Valley Elementary School

I grew up in a very small town. I love my little town. It is one of those places where everyone knows everyone and you can leave your car running while you run into the post office. I love the memories from my childhood and wish that every kid could grow up like I did.

A lot of my memories happened at school. I went to Valley Elementary School. The school was built in the late 1800's and has just always been a part of our little town.

There were plans to remodel a part of the school to make it a little better. Well, once all the estimates were in they found that it would actually be cheaper to tear down the old school and build a new school in the town next to us, Eden. When I heard the news I was so upset and hoped that the district would not make that decision. I couldn't imagine Huntsville without Valley. That just doesn't seem right. The meeting was last night and the district has decided to rebuild the school. I am really upset about this.

The school is across the street from the park that has a great playground for the kids. It is lined with 85 year old pine trees and during the winter, the park is turned into a big ice rink for the kids to skate on during recess. They built a brand new library right next to the school so the kids would be able to use it. Seriously, what better way to grow up!?

My kids would have never gone to Valley and all my family is past that stage in life but it makes me sad to know that such a big part of our little town will no longer be there.

Funny

My friend Ana posted a picture on her blog dedicated to me. It gives me the creeps but I did think it was funny.

Check it out here.

Curly Hair

Gus's hair goes super curly when we wash it. It's so cute.

2 weeks old.

100 diapers...

1 big can of formula...

a few sleepless nights...

and I am still in love with my little guy.
He has us wrapped around his little finger.

Stac's new DO

So a while into the pregnancy, Stac decided that she wouldn't cut her hair till the baby was born. Great, I thought it would be a decent change for her since she's had relatively short hair since I've known her, what could it hurt her to not have to pay for haircuts for a while and see what she'd look like with longer hair? So Yesterday I had to work noon to 8 at Bass. Stac decided the night before that she was gonna help the whole post-partum/ super hormonal thing happening to her by going and getting her hair done. I honestly expected her to come back with her hair short like she's always had it even though my vote was to just have it cut so it could grow out a little better. I told her that I wanted her to come to Bass and see me (cause I wanted to see whatever she decided to do.) She showed up and this is what she'd had done.

Yup. The picture says so. Stac got herself a HOT PINK streak put in. It really surprised me. But I love it. And I love her. Funny, huh?

Free tickets

This is Nate. And, Erin, this TOTALLY isn't an attempt to one-up you; cause that is why I haven't posted this sooner since you just did the giveaway.

Anywho...

Several weeks ago I got 4 free tickets for Mamma Mia from work. My thinking then was that Gus should've been born somewhere around or shortly after the 20th. So when I went to pick up my tickets, I was thinking that Rod and Teresa would likely be in town still, and that Stac and I and her parents could go out for a free show on the Strip (that none of us would usually pay money for.) In the events of the past couple weeks, I've completely forgoten to ask for the night off work, SOOOOO I'm giving away my 4 tickets for Mamma Mia show MONDAY NIGHT, yeah, tomorrow night @ 7:30. The seats aren't great, but they're free- They're section D, Row K, seats 5, 6, 7, 8.

First person who wants them can have them but YOU HAVE TO CALL AND TELL ME, No comment dibs or anything. If I don't answer my phone, leave me a message and don't call Stac for it. I'm trying to get her to relax a little and get some sleep today.

NLV finally called...

and I'm set to start the academy Feb 25th assuming I didn't do too bad on my physical and psych tests monday and today- I made it! Now HR should be calling me to give me the details of what all I'll need between now and then. Finally.

Oh yeah, this is Nate.

What's going on in the Garrard world?

So I thought I should post since it's been awhile. I should be sleeping but I don't feel too tired. Thanks to the two hour nap today. I am sure as soon as I get into bed tonight I will have to get right back out to feed Gus but oh well, here's some updates.

Nate is doing well. Today was the day we were supposed to hear from NLV but we haven't yet. I am not sure they will call tonight but maybe tomorrow. I am still trying to stay positive. I swear these people love to torture us by making us wait. Nate went and did his physical on Monday (he is healthy) and he has his psych tomorrow. I have a hard time believing they would pay for all these test to be done on him and not hire him. It does leave us a little optimistic because we know it costs money for it to be done so why would they have it done if they weren't going to hire him. Maybe we are wrong and this is normal to test everyone but we are still hopeful. We will keep you all updated if anything happens. Nate is in love with Gus. He is always holding him and always offers to take a nap with him. They are so cute when they sleep together. I love watching him with Gus. He is a great dad.

I am doing good. I feel pretty good. My insides still hurt and are a little sore. I keep telling Nate that I think I broke a rib during labor because it hurts when I take a deep breath or cough or roll over in my bed. He assured me that I did not break a rib but that my insides are just settling back to normal. I still think I broke a rib :) I have had a few emotional moments here and there. I am pretty sure it's all just part of the post partum process. I am usually fine one minute and then crying the next. Like when I watched Intervention last night and cried. Hormones are crazy. My biggest struggle that I have had since Gus was born is with breast feeding. I never got milk with Zoee. It just never came. I thought it was due to stress (cause that was sort of a stressful time in my life) but I was hopeful with Gus. I hoped it would come in and I would be able to feed him. Well, it's been 8 days and I still don't have milk. I can get a few drops if I squeeze but I know it's not enough to feed him. I have been supplementing with formula but I don't want to do that. I want to make enough milk to feed him. I pumped the other night for 15 minutes each side and I got 1 teaspoon. I actually measured it and that's all I got. I have really struggled with this and had a few break downs over it. I am still trying and still hopeful that it will happen. My doc said give it one more week and then go with just formula. I hate that I cant give my baby what is best. That is the sadest part to me. I know breast milk is best and it really sucks when you cant give your baby what is best. Other than that, I am good. Feeling fine and happy.


Zoee actually went home with my parents. They left on Sunday and they are going to be driving back down and stopping in Vegas for a few days on their way to San Diego. They offered to take Zoee home with them to give me a little more time to adjust. ( I know I am totally spoiled) I had a hard time deciding if I wanted to send her up there with them or not. I didn't want her to feel sad or think we were sending her away now that Gus was here. I asked her what she wanted to do and she said she wanted to go to Popits house so I let her go. I have talked to her a few times since she has been up there and she is having a blast like always. I am anxious for her to get back so I can hold her and kiss her again but I am sure once she is back I will have my moments of craziness. I will have to update you all later on how she is handling having a new baby. I don't think it has set in for her yet so that will have to be another post. (This is Zoee's favorite hat. She loves it and always wears it. Here she is sweeping the floor. She looks like a little Cinderella doing all the chores....funny girl)

Gus is one week old yesterday. I wanted to post some pictures of him yesterday but never got around to it. He got his PKU test done today and his circumcision. Poor little guy. Nate and I both watched and it was pretty cool actually. He now has an "American pee pee" as the doctor would say. He is just as cute as can be and we are so glad he has joined our family. He has already brought so much join to our lives and I can't imagine not having him. We love him a lot.




So there you have it. A little about what is going on in our household. I will post more later but I just wanted to end with this.

Congratulations Dad!

Nates dad interviewed for a principle position a few weeks ago and we were all hoping he would get it. Well, he got his call today and they offered him the position. We are all super excited and very proud of him. He is going to be so great and will do a wonderful job. One thing that I have always admired about Howard is the love that his has for his kids at his school. I have seen it from the time I met him. He loves what he does and the kids are so lucky to have such a wonderful man as part of their school life.

Congrats! We love you!

Meeting Sister

Some pictures...finally!

Signing all the papers. We're gonna have a baby!

Mom visiting me at the hospital.
Zoee came to visit and loved the big room. It was just big enough to spin around in. (She has been on this dress kick lately and all she wants to wear is dresses.)
This is Sarah a little bored about 1:00 in the morning. Even though I am sure they were all bored, I am REALLY glad they were there for support.
This was Nate and mom about 3:00 in the morning. Mom says she wasn't asleep. I told her it was ok to sleep because I was going to! Nate was out.
This was when things got really exciting. (after being in labor for 18 hours!) Once I saw the doctor come in, I got really nervous.
One of the first pictures of Gus. They wouldn't let us take any pictures until after the nurses had him for awhile.
Getting all cleaned up and measured.
The first time I got to hold him.
Dad holding his little hand.


His little foot.
Screaming!
Calmed down.

Gus

Good news everyone...

I love Gus. a lot. I had expressed some concern about how would I ever be able to love another baby as much as I loved Zoee and even more, how could I love a boy baby? I know it sounds so weird and a lot of people might think I am crazy but it really was a real concern. Everyone assured me that I would love him the second I saw him and held him but I was still worried.

They were right. It's the strangest thing.
I guess that's what it is to be a parent. You love all your kids no matter what.

After a really long labor, Gus was finally out and they put him on my stomach. I fell in love with him right then. I just wanted to hold him close and kiss him. They soon took him away to clean him and make sure he was ok. I kept watching him and just thinking how much I loved him. It gets better every time I hold him and look at him. He is just perfect. I cant imagine what it would be like without him now. Nate keeps making me repeat myself when I say how much I love him and reminds me about how worried I was.

So rest assured, I love my baby boy. More than I ever thought possible. I don't know where all this love comes from but it's there and it makes me happy.

Stacy

It's not very good, but there'll be more later...

This is Nate again. I'm home getting cleaned up and getting ready to load up the carseat and head back to the hospital to go pick up Stac and Gus. I just wanted to post a quick picture of him cause I know a lot of you are wondering what he looks like. I emailed this to myself from my phone, so it's not great, and there's supposed to be a second one but it didn't come through to my email for some reason. So this is all I have to offer for right now. Oh, and it's right after his first bath, so a lot of the curl has gone away, but the hair is still there. ALL of it.

Here's Gus!!

THE WAIT IS OVER!!!

tHE WAIT IS FINALLY OVER. GUS HOWARD GARRARD WAS BORN AT 3:23 P.M. hE WEIGHS 8 LBS 11 OUNCES. hE'S 20.5 INCHES LONG AND HAS DARK, CURLY HAIR.

Everythinng went really well Stac only had to push about 8 times and it was all over. He came out screaming. Stac is pretty tired now so people can start visiting in a little bit. this has been an exciting day. Thank you all for waiting with us. More later with pictures...

2:40 now

We've had 2 checks now and we're being told Stac is at at least a 9. The nurse is turning here from side to side still trying to get gravity to help get rid of the last bits of cervix. BUT WE'RE GETTING REALLY CLOSE HERE!! SHE'S GOT HER HAND IN THERE AS i WRITE THIS, SHE'S SAYING SHE'S ABOUT COMPLETE! So we'll see what happens here. Stac is getting more and more uncomfortable and feeling the pressure more and more. Oh. She says she's gonna go grab someone and they'll do a test push in a minute. If's it's looking good, they'll call the doctor in for delivery!!! I think I'm gonnahave a kid here soon.

Gotta go for now, I got a wife in pain on my hands.

10:15 a.m. update

It's been a pretty long night but we've survived. Mom, Erin, and Sarah hung out pretty late with us but gave up about 4. So we both crashed and got some sleep. They broke her water and not a lot has happened since. "They checked her at 8 and she was only to a 6, and pretty thick still. Thenurse just finished checking her just now and she's more than a 6 and getting very thin. So we're moving along here. Contractions are coming pretty regularly but the epidural is doing its job. Stac is doing really good, is feeling pretty good and all and is just trying to relax and snooze through the morning.

3:40 a.m. update

We're still here. Still waiting. Last time they checked, Stac was still at a 3. She's gotten some Staydol and enjoyed the drunk feeling. She and I napped for a little bit. She now has gotten the epidural, I'd say about 20 minutes or so ago, and just barely had her water brokn by the nurse. She's all kind of drugged up right now, saying things like "I want potatoes and gravy" ot "You guys can eat as long as it's not a chalupa". She swears she is peeing her bed, but Sarah and Erin keep reassuring her that it's just fluid when there's a contraction. Things are good and we're all hoping the water break will progress things through the night. More later...

We're there!!!

So.... we've been here for about 20minutes, Stac is in he bed GETTING THE PITOSIN IV HOOKED UP AS I TYPE THIS and what's the first thing we check out... the fact that the tv has the internet!!! Now if I could just figure out how to get pictures uploaded, I'd be able to update you all at home with almost real-time labor!

Anyway, we're here. We're hooked up. And we're waiting. I'm sure one of us will post again before we're all home so that's it for now. Wish us luck and a fast delivery!

NLV Wait Update:

This is Nate.

I'm home tonight since we were having a slow night at Mix. I kept reminding my manager that IF he needed to cut anyone I'd be GLAD to sacrifice my hours to help HIM lower his staffing levels and payroll :) It worked after a couple hours and I'm home tonight. Anywho.... I was about to go back up after my break and my phone rang. I didn't recognize the number and so I almost didn't answer it. I don't know why, but I answered it anyway, not because I expected it to be a phone call I've been expecting/hoping for for days now, but just cause I figured I had a minute to answer it. It was NLV's HR!! I couldn't believe it! They were calling to schedule me for a physical and psych test. Everything I've heard and everyone I've talked to have said that that's pretty much the last hoop they make you jump through and if I pass that, I'm pretty much in the academy. Here's the catch and why I'm cautiously optimistic even with this seemingly good news: Going back to everything I've heard and been told is that this particular phone call from HR to schedule the tests is made after and only after it's been decided that you're up to muster and accordingly, have passed the Chief Review..... theVERY Chief Review that was supposed to happen on the 9th.... the Review that has been postponed till the 22nd. So I'm trying to figure out how and why it is that HR is calling me to schedule these tests when I haven't officially passed the long-anticipated Review O' El Chief.

So here I am. I'm all set to wait another 3 weeks for good or bad news, when along comes unexpected, good news from right field kinda throwing me for a loop. I'm sitting here scratching my head, not completely sure if I should be excited or if I should call HR back and ask them if they realize I haven't officially passed the Review (which could potentially do more harm than good... so that won't be happening.)

For being such a potentially great thing, I'm feeling a little unsure of what to feel at this point. Weird.

an ok day

So when I woke up this morning I thought that today was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. You know when you just have that feeling when you wake up? That's how I felt. It has turned out much better than I thought it would.

The early morning phone call really helped relieve a lot of my worry and I went to the doctor and he had good news too. I am dilated to a two and He stripped my membranes, which hurt really bad, I might add. Our hope is that it will cut down on the actual labor time come Sunday.

I got really nervous once he did all that because it's really happening now. I am anxious.

Ready or not Labor, here I come!

These people are killing us!!

So after a very long, sleepness night we did not receive a phone call.

I woke up feeling pretty sad and felt like I could have a breakdown any minute. I did shed a few tears as I thought about it really not working out for us. I am not really sure how Nate was feeling. I asked him if he was ok and he said yes but that usually all he ever says. He left for work at Bass and I went downstairs to give Zoee some breakfast. Not long after he was gone, I heard my phone ring and I knew it was him. I ran upstairs as fast as I could, which is not very fast for a 9 monther. It was Nate and he said that Officer Sullivan had just called.

My heart stopped beating for a minute. Then he kind of laughed and said...

"The chiefs review is postponed till January 22nd."

Are you kidding me!? I don't know how much more of this I can take. Seriously!!

Today is the day...

that our life could change forever. Today is the review board with NLVPD. We were told that if Nate is chosen then we will get a call sometime tonight. I am so nervous I can't stand it. I have moments when I feel like he will get it but I also have moments when I feel like he won't. I really pray that he gets it. If he doesn't get it then we are back to the beginning and he will have to start completely over. I hope this entire last year of waiting won't be for nothing and we will get a call tonight.

We are still pretty sick. I really thought I was going to die yesterday. I don't think I have ever been that sick in my life. Maybe it just felt like it because I am already so uncomfortable being pregnant and all. Nate got home last night and he was freezing and was all bundled up and I was so hot and sweaty and was laying in front of the fan. It was quite the sight I am sure. I got up this morning at 7:30 because sleep was not happening. I did feel better and thought that I could get some stuff done but then I realized that just because I feel a little better doesn't mean I should over do it. I decided to just take one more day and relax and then I would try to finish up the things I want to get done before Gus comes.

I go to the doctor tomorrow and I am really hoping that he will tell me that I am dilating. I want to be somewhat dilated when I go in on Sunday. If not, I think we have a long delivery road ahead of us.

I will keep you posted on NLV. They said they would be making calls pretty late into the night so I am not sure how late that could be. Keep your fingers crossed!!

Germy Garrards

Well, It seems like some germs have come to visit the Garrard household. Nate was feeling sick all weekend long with a bad headache, fever, sore throat and a runny nose. He slept a lot and seems to be feeling better. I guess now it's my turn. I felt a cough coming on yesterday and spent most of the night coughing. I thought I was maybe going to cough my baby up. I hate when you cough so much you cant sleep. I feel it deep in my chest and feel like I have some chest congestion. I called the doc first this morning to see what I can take to try to stop it before it gets worse. I don't think it is as bad as it could be but I just want to stop it before it gets to that point. Hopefully Zoee will not catch anything and hopefully it can all be out of the house before Gus comes.

My mom is flying in on Friday afternoon. I am super excited to have her here. It will be fun. I have a baby shower on Saturday and I am looking forward to that too. Then it's off to the hospital on Sunday. I am nervous and wondering if I should have just waited to go into labor on my own. That would have given me some more time!!

January 13th

I went to the doctor today. He checked me and I have not started to dialate yet but I have started to thin out. (and I am sure you all want to know!) He said he would have his nurse call the hospital and schedule the induction for the 13th.

So here we go. The 13th it is. We will welcome Gus into the world!

PICA

Ok, so this might be strange and you all might think I am crazy but it is a real feeling!! Lately I have had this crazy craving for DUST.

Yes, dust.

Like the dust you get when you build a new house. Like sheet rock dust or cement dust. I was looking at my friend, Lindsey's blog today and they are remodeling their house and the pictures looked so good! I could almost taste it! I wanted to lick the floors and walls. My mouth was watering and my hands were getting clammy.

I have heard of pregnant women wanting to eating dirt and stuff but I never experienced this with Zoee. I just looked it up online and this is what I found.

What causes pica (cravings for non-food items during pregnancy)?
Expert Answers
Bridget Swinney, nutritionist

No one knows for sure. Some pregnant women develop strong cravings for non-food items such as dirt, ashes, clay, chalk, ice, laundry starch, baking soda, soap, toothpaste, paint chips, plaster, wax, hair, coffee grounds, and even cigarette butts. This phenomenon is called pica (which is Latin for magpie, a bird that will eat almost anything).

No one knows what causes these cravings, but a combination of biochemical, psychological, and cultural factors may be at work. In some studies, these bizarre cravings have been linked to an iron deficiency — even though none of the craved items contain a significant amount of iron. Some women who have iron-deficiency anemia crave ice until the deficiency is cured. And pica is sometimes listed as a symptom of iron-deficiency anemia.

If you crave non-food items, it doesn't necessarily mean you have any sort of deficiency, and it definitely doesn't mean you should consume them! In fact, eating non-food substances can interfere with your body's ability to absorb nutrients and may even cause a deficiency. And while eating ice is not likely to be harmful (except possibly to your teeth!), eating dirt and most of the other items mentioned can lead to illness, such as lead poisoning or bowel blockage, or in rare cases, even death.

If you're having any strong cravings for non-food items, it's a good idea to talk to your physician or midwife. While this kind of craving does occur in healthy pregnant women, it's worth getting checked for any underlying physical or psychological problem. And just talking with your practitioner about these feelings may help you deal with them in a healthy way.

Great. I am a magpie.