Baby Story - not quite like TLC

Taryn, Meredith, Gavin, Conner and Brad

The 12 hours after Gavin came into the world he got to meet his big brother and sister who were super excited to see him. He is going to be one tough little boy!

Gavin Mitchell Head - 9lbs 10 oz, 21.5 inches long, 15.75 inch head

My newest nephew entered the world Tuesday 2:51am and I was there to be the photographer - let me just tell you TLC edits out A LOT for A Baby Story.

For example epidurals don't always work and there is a lot of pain for the mom (and those witnessing). Even with a doctor ready to poke you and give you more sometimes the baby decides they want out right then before they get the medicine in you.

There are at least 10 random people in the room - granted Meredith delivered at a training military hospital but I didn't realize that there would be that many people in there.

Dads don't cut the cord when the baby comes right out - they cut the second round right before the baby gets cleaned.

The "cheese" that the baby is coated in does not come off easily!

Moms really only get to see the baby for a few seconds and then they take them back to give them a bath, shots, weigh and measure and other random things.

I can sleep through most anything - even my sister-in-law going through hours of painful labor- I did wake up 30 minutes before Gavin was born.

This was around 3:40 when the doctors were all done.

Should be interesting when Molly Frances decides to make her appearance - that is all I know!

The Farm

One of the best things about visitng grandparents is that it is like stepping back in time. While they always put up the new pictures we send they don't take down the old. Here is a picture from sometime in the early 90's - that would put me in 5th or 6th grade. This is one of those fun finds while I was staying with my grandaddy earlier this month!

Back row: Brian - Brad - Ashley

Front row: Dad - Mom

Brian - Mom - Grandaddy Head - Dad- Brad- Me

Here is the Head family at my Granny's funeral - the reception was at Head's Free Will Baptist where my grandparents went to church for as long as I can remember. It is funny how much alike my dad, brother and gradaddy look.

Dad - Mom - Grandaddy Key - Brian - Brad- Me
We visited my Grandaddy Key while in town - my grandparents lived about 17 miles apart from each other and occasionally helped each other farm back in the day. Both of my grandaddy's were extremely hard workers which is where I am pretty sure everyone in my family got their work ethic from. Grandaddy Key was put in a nursing home last year after a lengthy illness - he seems to love the socialization there. Who doesn't love Bingo day??

The farm house - Both of my grandparents house look a little alike - white siding, red brick chimney and tin roof.

This is the view across the street - this is my parents land in Tennessee.

And last but not least - my favorite thing about the farm - fresh produce - especially tomatoes. I eat about one each meal - my grandmother's used to cut them in slices and put them on a plate for us all to eat. They are best with Miracle Whip and a little salt!!

Tagged

I have been tagged by my friend Beth in Alaska - so her goes.
1. I can be somewhat crafty and prefer to make some things by hand because it is cheaper. I have a hard time spending more than $20 on something I know I can make and I have not had to buy a card in over a year after buying a box of 200 blank cards - I just make it for whatever the occasion is.
2. Jon and I set a rule that we would not spend over $20 without talking to the other person and we are actually pretty good about doing this. (it is the little things that add up though)
3. This is the longest I have gone without playing some sort of sport on a team. Moving, pregnancy and visiting family has made it difficult but I really miss my team sports.
4. Jon and I spent our first anniversary in Sudan. When we got back to the states we did anniversary 1 part 2 and went to a minor league baseball game and it is still one of my favorite memories.
5. I had a tongue ring and almost had to cut my tongue off when it got infected and the doctor could not remove the ring. Luckily right before they were going to hack off my tongue (and sew it back on) the ring came loose. My parents were so thrilled when the found out it was gone - they really love those first "great" decisions you make in college when friends say please do this with me.
6. I never wanted to have a girl - always a boy- but am very excited about Molly Frances McPherson!! While some people feel she has no chance because I will be her mommy I feel she will be more well rounded because I won't expect or force her to be a girly girl I will just accept it if that happens (and then get lots of help from friends).
7. I miss Alaska - while I have only been there since August it really is a beautiful place and I have made some really good friends.

Tagged:


Steph
Kelli
Mandy
Paige
Lisa
Tressa
Jen

Jon's favorite run on EARTH

So while in VA I am able to go to some old stomping grounds and yesterday I went to Jon's favorite place on earth to run - Burke Lake. I took my niece and nephew (but forgot the camera) an we had a picnic and played at one of the playgrounds for 2 hours.
Why you ask is this Jon's favorite place to run? - Here are the answers I can come up with: 1. Good memories 2. It is a 5 mile loop (leisurely run for him) so no seeing the same thing twice 3. there is no cars trying to hit you or people yelling at you 4. it is a trail run - easier on your knees. There has not been a year we have been married that he has not mentioned running Burke Lake - he loves this run and weather. I am hoping that when he comes in December it won't be snowing too bad and he will be able to run it one day- I know it won't be cold to him no matter what the weather since he will come from Alaska. He does PT there outside and I bet it will be closer to 0 (or negatives) and 30 will feel nice to him!
If you ask my niece and nephew we went to Jon's favorite playground in the world - they didn't quite understand the run park but they are 2 and 4. I let them know I am sure uncle Jon would love this playground but he liked to be the people we saw running more.

Mobile

Well just to update everyone I am in Virginia/Maryland for the next 2 months. My granny died two days before Jon was to leave for a month for war training in California. Since I was planning on coming down to VA/MD for his little sister's wedding in December he mentioned getting a one way ticket and just staying for awhile. While I love Alaska and the women I have befriended I just couldn't pass up the chance to be with family! This will be the longest I have been around them since before leaving for college. I am getting to stay with my brother and his wife and hang out with their kids for a few nights then going up to my parents for awhile. We figured this would be the best time for a mobile Ashley - I am sure when Molly comes I will need to be a tad bit more stable (at least for a few months).
I will be posting some pictures soon but let me tell you the shock it was to go from 8 degrees to 78! On the drive from Tennessee to Virginia we got to drive through the moutains and see the leaves changing colors - very beautiful.