My daughter's daughter

My daughters daughter.

I am a grandmother now. Wow. It was an amazing thing to watch my daughter give birth. Cami is amazing. She was calm and in control. She was so prepared to give birth that when I got there only about an hour before the birth I could not tell by looking at her at what stage or how hard labor was for her. I was thinking it might be a long while before she had this baby. When the nurse midwife came in and measured her though she was at 9 cm. A nurse stayed with her the entire time after that and they hooked her up to the fetal heart monitor. Only one time they both came in and seemed to be a little insistent about that. I guess because Cami was laying on her side the monitor wasn’t getting a consistent reading. They were telling us in pretty polite terms that they weren’t ok with the way things were going. So, to let them know we weren’t trying to be difficult, I asked “what do you need?” And all they needed was for Cami to roll a little more toward her back. She did and they started to monitor the baby and seemed happy about it.
The Nurse midwife, Cheryl, was getting all the delivery things ready. Cami started pushing with the contractions. To me it seemed at first a pretty long process to get the baby engaged into the birth canal. Then, I watched Carli crown and the head didn’t recede any more into the birth canal but stayed put. Finally the nurse midwife told Cami to keep it coming and that cued Cami into pushing more to get Carli out until she was told not to push so they could check the cord. (No cord around the neck.) Moments later she was born, sniffed,and placed on Cami’s belly so she could rub her all up and down and make her turn from the blue to pink. 6 pounds and 12 ounces. 8:36 am and 19 inches long. She is so tiny. I never had a baby so little. She looks like a Strasser. She has the cute little chin and lips and her ears are little and flat against her head.
After she was born and pinked up the nurse took her and they put her under the light to warm her up. I was surprised at how they didn’t clean her up very well, but still didn’t really let Cami hold her. That was probably because Cami was stitched up. I am very skeptical about Cami needing stitches. Carli was so cone headed and I never saw anything that looked like it would cause tearing. The nurse midwife said it wasn’t bad, but bad enough to need a few stitches. I hope she didn’t do it just to get a few more dollars out of the event. Even after the stitches they made Cami wait a bit to hold Carli saying she needed to get warm first and wrapped her up in three blankets before giving her to Cami. I was surprised that they didn’t sniff out more fluids from her when they took her from Cami.

Cami's wedding

WOW! Cami is married and I loved her wedding. It was perfect. The best part --- family and friends who show they are there for you. Especially when it seems they are going way above and beyond what could even be asked. So, I have to say I have the best people in my life ever. I am very blessed.
Just one moment to send Kudos to the Banks' kids. I sent out the email newsletter asking for RSVPs and requests for help and they were where they needed to be to help us have the day run smoothly. It was such a relief. Today I appreciate my family more than ever before in my life. They really can come together and be a great support. Even though we are large in numbers because they each did their part it was all good. It was fun to have them together all day long. They even came to my house after and after unloading we raided the food and visited some more.
The Strassers put on a big bbq for our family. Good food. Way too much to be sure. And if it wasn't for the Kirtley family I don't think we would've even been able to start a half an hour late according to my plan. The food was so delicious and that was a good thing because I didn't eat anything at the reception. Then, when I came home from setting up the reception, the backyard was all taken down too. That was a big help and relief and I don't even know who to thank for that.
My brothers wives, Clare, Tina, and Jean along with Stacy and Kelle and Les Plotner (oh - and Nancy Murphy and Rosemary Kirkland) helped me set up the reception. The breeze was a little strong and blew over a centerpiece, made us tape down tablecloths and toppers, and made it so the flower seed packets couldn't be scattered on the tables, but it sure felt nice on an otherwise very warm day.
Sharon Dalton did the hard work. She provided all the flowers. She took care of the food and the food table and the drinks table. I totally loved the flowers. I mean totally LOVED the flowers. They were so bright and cheerful. They made everyone look happier and more beautiful.
Karen Long made a gorgeous cake according to Cami's specifications. --- just simple and white. Mindy Long made baskets to have them on different heights. I can't believe I didn't get a piece of cake. She did all this on her own birthday. She is amazing. I have frozen the top layer. I hope I did it right enough that it is good to eat for Cami and Justin later. I"m not sure about that tradition.
Talking about breaking traditions - well not breaking them, but we definitely picked and chose from them. We did the cake feeding thing - for the photo op. We did the bouquet toss and garter toss - which was so much fun. I'm so glad we did that. Cami didn't seem to feel the need to keep up with what anyone else thought and that was so nice. Who says weddings have to be formal dress up affairs? I loved the picnic. I think they did a good job of seeing their guests even without a line. Probably better than I did. Near the end I think a bunch of people came that I never had a chance to say hello to. It was a whirlwind. I was distracted by trying to see that everything was going OK and wanting to say hello and visit and knowing there wasn't much time for any one. (do the math - 120 minutes in a 2 hour reception --- 120 guests - each guest gets 1 minute) Crazy.
I loved seeing Cami with her bridesmaids. I thought she did a great job choosing friends who have meant the most to her in her life. Each for different reasons and at different times and all such good friends. Kudos to Brittany and Suzette who had to make a quick weekend trip the weekend before finals. Now that is being a good friend. Plus, all the bridesmaids had the cutest dresses - each their own style and bright and beautiful and together with Cami they were picture perfect. I loved it.
Did i mention that Mark, Ray and Glenn set up all the chairs for the reception by themselves? They were dropped off at the church inside the church and they had to take them out to the field and set them up. They did and because they did that in the morning we didn't need to later when it was warmer and we were on a tighter time schedule. That was a big help.
Karen and Glenn came from Houston. I was so glad they came. We were able to have my whole family (siblings) there because they came.
Kenny's family came from Moreno Valley. Both his kids and their families came. Ken brought his camera and was the unofficial family photographer for our family. I can't wait to see his pictures. They always turn out really nice.
Bryce's family came from St. George, Utah. They stayed at my house and made it like a big slumber party - not even complaining about their sleeping arrangements. Lia helped out big time by watching the kids while we were at the temple Saturday morning.
Jay and Jean came from Orange, CA. They brought WaWa who seems to entertain the kids and took care of him so he didn't cause any problems. It was all good.
Kathryn and Steve had their whole family come. They were a huge help at the end when everyone else was tired. Steve's truck was very helpful as we brought tables back into the church.
Brittany and Nathan Christensen watched the sign in table and gifts. That was huge because the table wasn't in the shade. Then, in the end they and the Freestones helped load up the gifts into Justin and Cami's truck. It is so nice to have people jump right in and help where they see a need and not need to be asked.
So, once again, I went to see Cami off and it took a long time because of loading the gifts and fixing the car and when I came back to the reception site the whole thing was taken down. I have no idea who all helped with that, but it was taken down quickly and that was sooo nice.
Rosemary Kirkland, Stacy Heath, and Lisa Kirtley were all taking pictures where I didn't have a professional photographer. I often like those best. Capturing moments as they happen.
I can't leave out Scott, Levi, Zac and Mark. They set up the lattices, tables and sound system. Zac worked all week- doing something each day to help us be ready. We had a huge to do list and I think by Saturday it was finally complete. Then, they helped take it all down too.
It was fun to see the boys be happy for their sister.
It was fun to see Cami and Justin sooooo very happy.
I was happy.
I am happy.
I am blessed.