Just a few hours old.
We got to babysit. Charlie is sleeping in the same cradle his mommy slept in - the one that my dad built for her.
Christmas 2007 - his new swing.
On the carousel at Seaport Village
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Time is certainly flying by! I really wanted to post a little more often on this site. So much happens, and it is so easy to forget the details.
Charlie had a wonderful first birthday. He had his party here at Grandma & Grandpa's house. There were lots of people here ... Grandma & Grandpa Sump, Aunt Jessica (Sump), Jose (roommate), Brandon (roommate), Jose's mother - Sherry, Travis (Billy & Becca's friend), Travis's mother, Justin (B & B's friend), Justin's mother, Jeanne Milton, Cambria Clark, Chatele Clark, Jason Beard, and more that I can't remember. The theme for his party was Jungle/Zoo Animals. He had one of those big "jumpers" in our front yard. The kids loved it ... so did the adults! He received so many nice presents. And, of course, he kept us all entertained with his charm and sweet disposition.
Right after his birthday, we went straight into planning for the Thanksgiving holiday. We decided not to go to Bishop to be with Randy & Leslie. Since Billy would have to work early on the morning after Thanksgiving, Billy and Becca couldn't go with us and I didn't want to face a holiday without them. So, we invited Charlie's Grandma & Grandpa Sump and Aunt Jessica to our dinner. Everything went off without a hitch. Dinner was great (even if I do say so, myself!) and everyone had a great time. After dinner, Billy set up "Guitar Hero" and we all took turns playing in the band or singing. Bill (Sr) and Dave played together and got to know each other better. Charlie had fun being with his whole family!
Rebecca and I were worried about how Charlie would react to Santa Claus. We took him shopping one day and decided to introduce him to the Santa at the Hemet Mall. I figured he would be ... like so many children his age ... afraid of Santa. WRONG!!!!! He went right to him and posed for pictures like a pro.
Becca and I baked ... and baked ... and baked. She decorated a gingerbread house from a kit we had stored for a year or two. It smelled like stale, rancid oil, so I sprinkled some cinnamon on it to cover up the foul odor. It worked! She did a wonderful job of decorating it and it became the centerpiece for a "tabletop" in our dining room. We laughed and giggled and had so much fun making all of the baked goods we would package as gifts for friends and neighbors.
Dave decorated the outside of the house with lights and moving figures ... and of course, his train. Our electric bill soared out of sight, but it was worth it to see the look on Charlie's face every time he went outside.
Billy, Becca and Charlie went to the Sump's house for a Christmas celebration on Christmas Eve. After the gift exchange, they all came over to our house and slept here so that Charlie (and his mommy) could wake up and be here early on Christmas morning. Santa Claus was very good to all of us. We had lots of gifts, but most importantly, we shared Christmas together. Charlie liked all of the toys and books he was given, but I think he would have liked empty boxes with ribbons and paper to tear off.
Next, it was time to celebrate Rebecca's 21st birthday! We went to her favorite restaurant - The Olive Garden - and invited Bill & Jeannette Sump to come along. We had a great time and then took Becca back to her house to celebrate with her friends. The next day ... Sunday ... Rebecca and I went to Soboba Casino. She took some nickles my mom had brought back from Las Vegas and a few dollars from her daddy - around $11, I think. We played the slot machines for about two hours - winning some, then losing some. It was a fun experience for us both and it cost under $20. You can't beat that!
Now, here we are, waiting to usher in the year 2009. So much has happened in this past year. We will have a lot to remember, to celebrate, and even a few things to shed some tears over. All-in-all, 2008 has been very good to us - the good things far outweigh the bad. We have each other, we are all fairly healthy, and Charlie can make even the worst day seem like heaven on earth. What's coming in 2009?
Charlie had a wonderful first birthday. He had his party here at Grandma & Grandpa's house. There were lots of people here ... Grandma & Grandpa Sump, Aunt Jessica (Sump), Jose (roommate), Brandon (roommate), Jose's mother - Sherry, Travis (Billy & Becca's friend), Travis's mother, Justin (B & B's friend), Justin's mother, Jeanne Milton, Cambria Clark, Chatele Clark, Jason Beard, and more that I can't remember. The theme for his party was Jungle/Zoo Animals. He had one of those big "jumpers" in our front yard. The kids loved it ... so did the adults! He received so many nice presents. And, of course, he kept us all entertained with his charm and sweet disposition.
Right after his birthday, we went straight into planning for the Thanksgiving holiday. We decided not to go to Bishop to be with Randy & Leslie. Since Billy would have to work early on the morning after Thanksgiving, Billy and Becca couldn't go with us and I didn't want to face a holiday without them. So, we invited Charlie's Grandma & Grandpa Sump and Aunt Jessica to our dinner. Everything went off without a hitch. Dinner was great (even if I do say so, myself!) and everyone had a great time. After dinner, Billy set up "Guitar Hero" and we all took turns playing in the band or singing. Bill (Sr) and Dave played together and got to know each other better. Charlie had fun being with his whole family!
Rebecca and I were worried about how Charlie would react to Santa Claus. We took him shopping one day and decided to introduce him to the Santa at the Hemet Mall. I figured he would be ... like so many children his age ... afraid of Santa. WRONG!!!!! He went right to him and posed for pictures like a pro.
Becca and I baked ... and baked ... and baked. She decorated a gingerbread house from a kit we had stored for a year or two. It smelled like stale, rancid oil, so I sprinkled some cinnamon on it to cover up the foul odor. It worked! She did a wonderful job of decorating it and it became the centerpiece for a "tabletop" in our dining room. We laughed and giggled and had so much fun making all of the baked goods we would package as gifts for friends and neighbors.
Dave decorated the outside of the house with lights and moving figures ... and of course, his train. Our electric bill soared out of sight, but it was worth it to see the look on Charlie's face every time he went outside.
Billy, Becca and Charlie went to the Sump's house for a Christmas celebration on Christmas Eve. After the gift exchange, they all came over to our house and slept here so that Charlie (and his mommy) could wake up and be here early on Christmas morning. Santa Claus was very good to all of us. We had lots of gifts, but most importantly, we shared Christmas together. Charlie liked all of the toys and books he was given, but I think he would have liked empty boxes with ribbons and paper to tear off.
Next, it was time to celebrate Rebecca's 21st birthday! We went to her favorite restaurant - The Olive Garden - and invited Bill & Jeannette Sump to come along. We had a great time and then took Becca back to her house to celebrate with her friends. The next day ... Sunday ... Rebecca and I went to Soboba Casino. She took some nickles my mom had brought back from Las Vegas and a few dollars from her daddy - around $11, I think. We played the slot machines for about two hours - winning some, then losing some. It was a fun experience for us both and it cost under $20. You can't beat that!
Now, here we are, waiting to usher in the year 2009. So much has happened in this past year. We will have a lot to remember, to celebrate, and even a few things to shed some tears over. All-in-all, 2008 has been very good to us - the good things far outweigh the bad. We have each other, we are all fairly healthy, and Charlie can make even the worst day seem like heaven on earth. What's coming in 2009?
- A murder trial - anticipated for 36 years - will finally happen (Dave's brother, Billy, was murdered 36 years ago last September)
- Dave will retire and devote all of his time to his new business
- We - Dave & I - will go on a cruise to the Bahamas
- We will have a year of amazing adventures with each new development in Charlie's growth
- My best friend, Pat, will be battling cancer (remember to pray for her)
- The world will do its best to recover from financial disaster
- And ... please, Dear God, may we see peace?
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Charlie can ...
It is just a little more than 24 hours until Charlie will have his first birthday. I can't believe a whole year has gone by since this tiny bundle entered our lives. It is difficult to remember a life without Charlie in it.
Here are just some of the things he impresses us with ...
*He waves bye-bye and says, "Buh bye"
*He blows kisses
*He says, "Hi!"
*He puts his finger in the hole in his nose and says, "Nuh." (He had discovered the hole in his nose and had his finger in it all the time, so we decided to teach him that he was touching his nose. He won't finish the word, but he gets it started with, "Nuh".)
*He says, "dog".
*He says, "papa" and "Mom-mom" and "Dad-dad". No "grandma" yet, but I keep trying!
*He crawls quite well, but isn't too interested in trying to walk yet.
*He loves to stand behind the steering wheel of the car and "drive" while he makes a motor sound.
*He calls his bottle or sippie cup his "baba". (Rebecca is weaning him from the bottle - cups only!)
*He loves to take Grandpa's glasses and hat off of him.
All he really has to do to melt my heart is give me one of his big grins. He's got Grandma wrapped around his little finger ... and I have no intention of changing that!!
Charlie's First Halloween
Celebrating Halloween with costumes and trick-or-treating is not so popular these days. However, I still remember how great it felt to get dressed up in a costume and have fun, so I'm glad Rebecca and Billy are okay with dressing Charlie in a cute little costume and take him around to a few friends, neighbors, and family for a little harmless fun.
Rebecca and I took Charlie to the Pumpkin Patch in Murrieta to get a couple of pumpkins. They had a hughe air-filled slide that Rebecca rode on with Charlie. There was a petting zoo and some other rides, but it was hot and time was slipping away so we chose our pumpkins and headed out. Billy and Becca came over with Charlie to carve pumpkins. Brandon, their housemate, came with them. While Rebecca decorated a little pumpkin for Charlie and Dave and Billy carved pumpkin masterpieces, I made chili (Rebecca's favorite!). Brandon handed out candy to the trick-or-treaters that came to the door while we got Charlie dressed in his costume. I had purchased a "Squirt" costume at Downtown Disney. (In case you don't know ... Squirt is the turtle from the animated movie, Finding Nemo.) He was too cute for words!!!!!
We took him to a couple of houses where we knew the people and then it was time for him to go to Grandpa & Grandma Sump's for some more fun.
We're already planning next year's Halloween fun!
Rebecca and I took Charlie to the Pumpkin Patch in Murrieta to get a couple of pumpkins. They had a hughe air-filled slide that Rebecca rode on with Charlie. There was a petting zoo and some other rides, but it was hot and time was slipping away so we chose our pumpkins and headed out. Billy and Becca came over with Charlie to carve pumpkins. Brandon, their housemate, came with them. While Rebecca decorated a little pumpkin for Charlie and Dave and Billy carved pumpkin masterpieces, I made chili (Rebecca's favorite!). Brandon handed out candy to the trick-or-treaters that came to the door while we got Charlie dressed in his costume. I had purchased a "Squirt" costume at Downtown Disney. (In case you don't know ... Squirt is the turtle from the animated movie, Finding Nemo.) He was too cute for words!!!!!
We took him to a couple of houses where we knew the people and then it was time for him to go to Grandpa & Grandma Sump's for some more fun.
We're already planning next year's Halloween fun!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Memories - Wedding & Seaport Village
In May we were invited to a wedding in San Diego. I was anxious to show off my perfect little grandson. Rebecca and Billy couldn't go to the wedding but they were delighted to have us take Charlie with us. They wanted everyone to meet Charlie, even if they couldn't be there. They agreed to meet us the day after the wedding to go to the San Diego Zoo.
We had a great time at the wedding and Charlie was his usual charming self. We went back to the hotel after the wedding and Charlie entertained us. Dave was feeding Charlie - who was propped up in the corner of an overstuffed chair. At one point Dave got a little "frog in his throat" and turned his head away to give a little cough. Charlie thought that was the funniest thing he had ever seen! Every time Dave would turn his head and "fake cough" Charlie would laugh with that beautiful belly-laughter of a baby. He laughed so much and so hard that he got hiccups. This went on for about half an hour. Later, all we had to do to get Charlie to laugh was to have Dave fake cough. I'll never forget the sight and sound of him that night.
The next morning we got ready for our first trip to the zoo with our grandson. Billy and Rebecca had some things come up and weren't able to meet us, after all. I told Rebecca that I would understand if they wanted to be there for Charlie's first zoo trip, and we would not go to the zoo. Through tears, she told me that she really wanted to be there ... so we changed our plans and took him to Seaport Village instead. We took him on the carousel. He grabbed the pole and held on just like he knew all about riding a carousel. He smiled and cooed and had almost as good a time as Grandma and Grandpa!
We had a great time at the wedding and Charlie was his usual charming self. We went back to the hotel after the wedding and Charlie entertained us. Dave was feeding Charlie - who was propped up in the corner of an overstuffed chair. At one point Dave got a little "frog in his throat" and turned his head away to give a little cough. Charlie thought that was the funniest thing he had ever seen! Every time Dave would turn his head and "fake cough" Charlie would laugh with that beautiful belly-laughter of a baby. He laughed so much and so hard that he got hiccups. This went on for about half an hour. Later, all we had to do to get Charlie to laugh was to have Dave fake cough. I'll never forget the sight and sound of him that night.
The next morning we got ready for our first trip to the zoo with our grandson. Billy and Rebecca had some things come up and weren't able to meet us, after all. I told Rebecca that I would understand if they wanted to be there for Charlie's first zoo trip, and we would not go to the zoo. Through tears, she told me that she really wanted to be there ... so we changed our plans and took him to Seaport Village instead. We took him on the carousel. He grabbed the pole and held on just like he knew all about riding a carousel. He smiled and cooed and had almost as good a time as Grandma and Grandpa!
Memories - Charlie's First Easter
In preparation for Easter, I found Charlie a little outfit with a necktie. How cute is that?
The Easter Bunny brought Charlie toys, books, and other things. Except for a chocolate bunny, there wasn't really any candy since he was too young to eat candy yet. Still, he made out like a bandit!
It is our tradition to color Easter eggs and hide them along with plastic eggs that contain money and/or candy inside. Rebecca and Billy searched for the hidden eggs that included the grand prize egg with $50 in it. Smaller denominations of bills were hidden inside the other eggs - ones, fives, and tens - but the search was really about finding the $50 prize. Dave and I sat on the front porch swing with Charlie while his mommy and daddy looked for eggs. The much-prized egg was nestled between Charlie and me!
At the end of the day, Charlie, his mommy, and his daddy took home huge Easter baskets and a cash prize totaling $100. Watch out ... next Easter Charlie will be finding his own eggs!
The Easter Bunny brought Charlie toys, books, and other things. Except for a chocolate bunny, there wasn't really any candy since he was too young to eat candy yet. Still, he made out like a bandit!
It is our tradition to color Easter eggs and hide them along with plastic eggs that contain money and/or candy inside. Rebecca and Billy searched for the hidden eggs that included the grand prize egg with $50 in it. Smaller denominations of bills were hidden inside the other eggs - ones, fives, and tens - but the search was really about finding the $50 prize. Dave and I sat on the front porch swing with Charlie while his mommy and daddy looked for eggs. The much-prized egg was nestled between Charlie and me!
At the end of the day, Charlie, his mommy, and his daddy took home huge Easter baskets and a cash prize totaling $100. Watch out ... next Easter Charlie will be finding his own eggs!
Memories - Valentine's Day & St Patrick's Day
In January, after getting permission from his mommy, we took Charlie to Sears for a photo session. The resulting pictures would be a birthday gift for his daddy. We bought him a new outfit, complete with pants, shirt, sweater, and shoes! The pictures could not have been cuter. The photographer turned out to be someone that knew us and she went the extra mile for the photographs.
Charlie had the cutest outfits for Valentine's Day and St Patrick's Day! I took lots of pictures.
Just before St Patrick's Day, Dave and I wanted to go to the Orange County Swapmeet. Since it was close to Cindy & Al Brady's house, we asked if Charlie could come with us. It would mean an overnight stay. Mommy and Daddy said it would be okay, so Grandma, Grandpa, and Charlie set out for a little adventure. At the swapmeet, we found some great things for our little grandson - some high-top Vans, some low-top Vans, shopping cart covers, and more. There were also a few things for us and some things for Billy & Rebecca, but who really cares about those ... it's really all about Charlie, you know!
While we were visiting with Cindy and Al, they received a phone call from Cindy's son, Matthew. He and his wife wanted to announce their pregnancy. It was very ironic that the call would come while we were there. Matthew had grown up calling me "Auntie Debra" and I had been there so often as he grew up ... until we moved to Hemet. Then, the visits were few and far between. Cindy and I would become grandmothers at almost the same time, even though there was almost fifteen years difference in the ages of our children! Isn't life amazing?
Charlie had the cutest outfits for Valentine's Day and St Patrick's Day! I took lots of pictures.
Just before St Patrick's Day, Dave and I wanted to go to the Orange County Swapmeet. Since it was close to Cindy & Al Brady's house, we asked if Charlie could come with us. It would mean an overnight stay. Mommy and Daddy said it would be okay, so Grandma, Grandpa, and Charlie set out for a little adventure. At the swapmeet, we found some great things for our little grandson - some high-top Vans, some low-top Vans, shopping cart covers, and more. There were also a few things for us and some things for Billy & Rebecca, but who really cares about those ... it's really all about Charlie, you know!
While we were visiting with Cindy and Al, they received a phone call from Cindy's son, Matthew. He and his wife wanted to announce their pregnancy. It was very ironic that the call would come while we were there. Matthew had grown up calling me "Auntie Debra" and I had been there so often as he grew up ... until we moved to Hemet. Then, the visits were few and far between. Cindy and I would become grandmothers at almost the same time, even though there was almost fifteen years difference in the ages of our children! Isn't life amazing?
Memories - Rebecca's Birthday
For Rebecca's birthday, we - Dave, Rebecca, Billy, Charlie, and I - went out to eat. We went to Acapulco Restaurant, in Hemet. Santa had brought Grandma & Grandpa Miller a digital video camera and Charlie's daddy needed to show them how to operate it.
We had dinner, opened presents, and enjoyed some cake - all caught on film, thanks to Billy!
We had dinner, opened presents, and enjoyed some cake - all caught on film, thanks to Billy!
Memories - Charlie's First Christmas
During the month preceding Christmas, we were lucky enough to have Charlie visit us often ... even spend the night with us. He was such a sweet spirited baby. I enjoyed each moment I could hold him, cuddle with him, and give him a bottle. We set up a complete nursery at our house so that his visits could be spur of the moment without much need for preparation. He slept in the cradle that my dad had built for Rebecca, when she was a newborn. He was rocked to sleep in the rocking chair that we used when Rebecca was a baby. And of course, there were many new bells and whistles that we didn't have when we were the parents of a newborn. I did a lot of shopping!
Rebecca asked us for a baby swing she had found. "Please! If I get that swing, I won't ask for anything else." Well, Santa Claus overheard her request and on Christmas morning, there next to the tree was the swing she wanted with a tag that said, "To: Charlie ... From: Santa". There were plenty of other presents for everyone, including Rebecca. (Thank you, Santa!)
Billy had taken a job at KB Toys. You can just imagine all of the toys he brought home for his new little son! There were toys he could use then, and toys that would be saved for later. Little did they know how advanced Charlie would be. He was able to make use of the toys much earlier than the ages stated on the boxes. That's my little genius grandson!!!!!
Rebecca asked us for a baby swing she had found. "Please! If I get that swing, I won't ask for anything else." Well, Santa Claus overheard her request and on Christmas morning, there next to the tree was the swing she wanted with a tag that said, "To: Charlie ... From: Santa". There were plenty of other presents for everyone, including Rebecca. (Thank you, Santa!)
Billy had taken a job at KB Toys. You can just imagine all of the toys he brought home for his new little son! There were toys he could use then, and toys that would be saved for later. Little did they know how advanced Charlie would be. He was able to make use of the toys much earlier than the ages stated on the boxes. That's my little genius grandson!!!!!
Charlie's First Few Weeks
Charlie and his parents came to Thanksgiving Dinner at our house to meet his extended family ... "Aunt" Leslie, "Uncle" Randy, Laurie, Brian, and Gloria. Forget the turkey ... Baby Charles was the star of the day! He also awed the audience at his Grandpa & Grandma Sump's house.
The next day, he had a rash that seemed to be spreading all over his tiny little body. Mommy and Grandma didn't know what else to do, so we took him to the ER (on the advise of the nurse on duty), since the doctor's office was closed for the holiday. After about eight hours in the ER, the ER doctor seemed to think that everything would be okay and told us to keep an eye on him and follow-up with a visit to the pediatrician's office. Thank God!
Rebecca wanted to try breast feeding ... Charlie had a little trouble with it. He wouldn't "latch on" and so he wasn't gaining weight. Rebecca was concerned that he wasn't getting enough nourishment so we called the lactation nurse at the hospital and they said to bring him right in. He had lost more than 10% of his birth weight, so they worked with Rebecca and gave her a nursing aide that would help Charlie to nurse. She had to bring him back because of the amount of weight he lost in the first week. On the next visit, he had gained an appropriate amount of weight and no further visits to the lactation nurse would be required.
Rebecca tried ... REALLY tried ... but decided that, in the best interest of Charlie's health, breast feeding would be phased out. Rebecca's big brown eyes looked into mine and she said, "I was bottle-fed and I turned out all right." That was one of the first indications that she was the mother, and she would make decisions about her son. She was not a child, or an irresponsible teenager ... she was a MOTHER. I told her that I had complete confidence in her and her abilities to be the parent.
My confidence was not misplaced; she is a GREAT mother!!!!!
The next day, he had a rash that seemed to be spreading all over his tiny little body. Mommy and Grandma didn't know what else to do, so we took him to the ER (on the advise of the nurse on duty), since the doctor's office was closed for the holiday. After about eight hours in the ER, the ER doctor seemed to think that everything would be okay and told us to keep an eye on him and follow-up with a visit to the pediatrician's office. Thank God!
Rebecca wanted to try breast feeding ... Charlie had a little trouble with it. He wouldn't "latch on" and so he wasn't gaining weight. Rebecca was concerned that he wasn't getting enough nourishment so we called the lactation nurse at the hospital and they said to bring him right in. He had lost more than 10% of his birth weight, so they worked with Rebecca and gave her a nursing aide that would help Charlie to nurse. She had to bring him back because of the amount of weight he lost in the first week. On the next visit, he had gained an appropriate amount of weight and no further visits to the lactation nurse would be required.
Rebecca tried ... REALLY tried ... but decided that, in the best interest of Charlie's health, breast feeding would be phased out. Rebecca's big brown eyes looked into mine and she said, "I was bottle-fed and I turned out all right." That was one of the first indications that she was the mother, and she would make decisions about her son. She was not a child, or an irresponsible teenager ... she was a MOTHER. I told her that I had complete confidence in her and her abilities to be the parent.
My confidence was not misplaced; she is a GREAT mother!!!!!
The Beginning
Late July 2007:
I was at work when the phone rang and, of course, I answered it since that is my job. My beautiful daughter, Rebecca, was on the other end of the line. Things had been a little strained between us (she needed to try out her own wings) and I was thrilled to hear from her. I tried a little "small talk" but I stopped because of the urgency in her voice when she interrupted with, "Mom, I need to tell you something. I'm pregnant." My baby was having a baby!!!!!
I went with her to help her set up "emergency health assistance" and to seek out a doctor. She set up an appointment ... and wouldn't you know it ... it was on the day that Dave and I were leaving to catch a plane for our vacation to Washington, DC. We - Billy, Dave, and I - went with Rebecca to the doctor for her first appointment. He informed her that she was about 25-26 weeks pregnant! I was going to become a grandma in a little over three months. Armed with a copy of the sonogram photo that clearly announced HIS gender, we went off on our vacation, anxious to exert our grandparents' bragging rights.
This little miracle from heaven, before he was even born, helped heal wounds and cement new, solid relationships; the relationships that had become distant and hurtful came together with renewed enthusiasm and love. I wonder if he will ever truly understand what a difference he made in the lives' of his family.
Rebecca and Billy had made a deal that if the baby was a girl, Rebecca would get to choose the name (her choice was Leslie Nadine, a combination of my dad's and mom's names), and if it was a boy, Billy would get to choose the name. And so, little Charles Irving Sump (from Billy's maternal and paternal grandfathers) received his name while still in his mother's womb.
October 2007:
Aunt Carole, Aunt Ruth, and Mariah (hmmm ... I don't know how to spell her name ... sorry, Sweetie!) came out to California, from Illinois, to visit and be here for Rebecca's/Charlie's baby shower. Linda Bassett (a very close friend of mine) hosted the shower at her house. There were about 30 or so people there, including ... Rebecca's "Aunt" Linda, from Vista, CA (she is really my cousin), lots of friends from church, some of Rebecca's friends, and, of course Grandma Jeanette and Aunt Jessica (Billy's mom and sister). People showered her with so much love and so many presents! Baby Charlie wouldn't need anything for quite a while!!
November 2007:
By the first week of November, Rebecca was ready for Charlie to come out and join the world. I wanted him to be "fully baked", but I also desperately wanted him to be born before Thanksgiving. The traditional Leber Thanksgiving had been moved to our house (from "Aunt" Leslie's, in Bishop, CA) to accommodate the eminent arrival of the newest family member. I hoped he would be born, and be old enough to attend the festivities. Based on Rebecca's blood pressure and Charlie's development, the doctor decided that he would induce labor on November 13th, if she didn't start labor on her own by then.
Being the OCD type that I am, I had done Internet research on diet, exercise, birthing plans, and anything else I could think of that concerned pregnancy. I found a site that gave an example of things to put in the hospital delivery bag - some things for the Mommy, the Daddy, and the Baby. I ran around getting all kinds of things ready for the big day.
Tuesday morning ... Rebecca's doctor told her to come back at 3:00
Tuesday afternoon ... Rebecca was told to check in at the hospital - they would induce labor
I was beyond thrilled ... I would get to be there when Rebecca gave birth! They put in the IV and dripped in the substance that would induce labor. Rebecca had asked for the medication that would ease the pain of birth - the epideral (hmmm... don't know how to spell that one). The anaesthesiologist gave her the shot in her spine and added medications to the IV drip. She was well on her way! She dilated fairly quickly at first and then it slowed down. The doctor had the nurses suspend the meds at about 10:00, with instructions to begin again early the next morning. Billy slept on a special lounge chair beside Rebecca's bed, and Dave and I laid down on the couches in the waiting room outside. The nurse came to get me at about 2:00 a.m. - "Rebecca wants her mom in the room with her." When I got back in the delivery room, Rebecca was a little miffed at Billy because she couldn't sleep and he wasn't having any trouble sleeping ... at all!!!
Wednesday morning, November 14, 2007 ... Rebecca's blood pressure kept going too high - if they could not get it under control, they would prep her for surgery. But, finally, my brave little girl (who said she just couldn't do it) gave birth to a beautil, healthy baby boy ... Charles Irving Sump joined his adoring family in the outside world.
I was at work when the phone rang and, of course, I answered it since that is my job. My beautiful daughter, Rebecca, was on the other end of the line. Things had been a little strained between us (she needed to try out her own wings) and I was thrilled to hear from her. I tried a little "small talk" but I stopped because of the urgency in her voice when she interrupted with, "Mom, I need to tell you something. I'm pregnant." My baby was having a baby!!!!!
I went with her to help her set up "emergency health assistance" and to seek out a doctor. She set up an appointment ... and wouldn't you know it ... it was on the day that Dave and I were leaving to catch a plane for our vacation to Washington, DC. We - Billy, Dave, and I - went with Rebecca to the doctor for her first appointment. He informed her that she was about 25-26 weeks pregnant! I was going to become a grandma in a little over three months. Armed with a copy of the sonogram photo that clearly announced HIS gender, we went off on our vacation, anxious to exert our grandparents' bragging rights.
This little miracle from heaven, before he was even born, helped heal wounds and cement new, solid relationships; the relationships that had become distant and hurtful came together with renewed enthusiasm and love. I wonder if he will ever truly understand what a difference he made in the lives' of his family.
Rebecca and Billy had made a deal that if the baby was a girl, Rebecca would get to choose the name (her choice was Leslie Nadine, a combination of my dad's and mom's names), and if it was a boy, Billy would get to choose the name. And so, little Charles Irving Sump (from Billy's maternal and paternal grandfathers) received his name while still in his mother's womb.
October 2007:
Aunt Carole, Aunt Ruth, and Mariah (hmmm ... I don't know how to spell her name ... sorry, Sweetie!) came out to California, from Illinois, to visit and be here for Rebecca's/Charlie's baby shower. Linda Bassett (a very close friend of mine) hosted the shower at her house. There were about 30 or so people there, including ... Rebecca's "Aunt" Linda, from Vista, CA (she is really my cousin), lots of friends from church, some of Rebecca's friends, and, of course Grandma Jeanette and Aunt Jessica (Billy's mom and sister). People showered her with so much love and so many presents! Baby Charlie wouldn't need anything for quite a while!!
November 2007:
By the first week of November, Rebecca was ready for Charlie to come out and join the world. I wanted him to be "fully baked", but I also desperately wanted him to be born before Thanksgiving. The traditional Leber Thanksgiving had been moved to our house (from "Aunt" Leslie's, in Bishop, CA) to accommodate the eminent arrival of the newest family member. I hoped he would be born, and be old enough to attend the festivities. Based on Rebecca's blood pressure and Charlie's development, the doctor decided that he would induce labor on November 13th, if she didn't start labor on her own by then.
Being the OCD type that I am, I had done Internet research on diet, exercise, birthing plans, and anything else I could think of that concerned pregnancy. I found a site that gave an example of things to put in the hospital delivery bag - some things for the Mommy, the Daddy, and the Baby. I ran around getting all kinds of things ready for the big day.
Tuesday morning ... Rebecca's doctor told her to come back at 3:00
Tuesday afternoon ... Rebecca was told to check in at the hospital - they would induce labor
I was beyond thrilled ... I would get to be there when Rebecca gave birth! They put in the IV and dripped in the substance that would induce labor. Rebecca had asked for the medication that would ease the pain of birth - the epideral (hmmm... don't know how to spell that one). The anaesthesiologist gave her the shot in her spine and added medications to the IV drip. She was well on her way! She dilated fairly quickly at first and then it slowed down. The doctor had the nurses suspend the meds at about 10:00, with instructions to begin again early the next morning. Billy slept on a special lounge chair beside Rebecca's bed, and Dave and I laid down on the couches in the waiting room outside. The nurse came to get me at about 2:00 a.m. - "Rebecca wants her mom in the room with her." When I got back in the delivery room, Rebecca was a little miffed at Billy because she couldn't sleep and he wasn't having any trouble sleeping ... at all!!!
Wednesday morning, November 14, 2007 ... Rebecca's blood pressure kept going too high - if they could not get it under control, they would prep her for surgery. But, finally, my brave little girl (who said she just couldn't do it) gave birth to a beautil, healthy baby boy ... Charles Irving Sump joined his adoring family in the outside world.
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