Franklin is Born!

Last night, Larnie gave birth to a beautiful baby boy: Franklin Severson Raught. He was born at 5:48 p.m. - 6 pounds - 19 inches.


Julia texted me at 7 a.m. yesterday to say that they were at the hospital. About every 2 hours, she kept texting me updates -- Mom's at 3! Mom's at 7! I left work at 1:30 -- went and picked up Myan -- missed a ferry - finally caught the 3 o'clock ferry - and arrived at Swedish Hospital in Seattle at 4. While I was trying to find a parking spot at Swedish, Julia texted me: Mom's at 10! She's ready!!! I texted back that I was trying to find a parking spot!

Myan and I got upstairs and saw Julia. I ran into Larnie's birthing suite to give her a kiss and let her know that we were there and then Julia, Myan and I went back to the waiting room to talk about the days happenings for a few. We went to the cafeteria and got something to eat...went out for a smoke...and went back up to the waiting room.

About 5:30 Nick (Larnie's boyfriend...and Frankie's Dad!) came to the waiting room and say to Julia -- they're ready for her to push! So, Juj jumped up and ran out. About 20 minutes later...Julia came back to the waiting room. I assumed that they were still laboring -- or they were waiting for some odd reason -- something -- but then Julia handed me her iPhone and there was Frankie lying on the cleaning table. WHAT?? HE'S HERE?? I could NOT believe it. Julia left literally 20 minutes before that -- and came back with ... a picture...of Frankie OUT of the belly! What a surprise!!!

Julia stayed with Myan for a minute while I ran in to give Larn a kiss and to kiss Frankie. I then left the room so they could do whatever it is that they have to do -- clean up, I presume -- and went back to watch Myan so Julia could go be with her Mom.

We hung out until a little after 10 p.m. -- Larnie and Frankie were then moved to another room and we were all settled in. Larnie was in great spirits -- said that it was virtually painless. She only did NINE pushes and little Frankie was out. NINE! Amazing work, Larn. And, thankfully, the little guy was -- well, little!

A new life is with us now . . . another member of this odd clan that we call family. I can't wait for them to get home so I can sit on Larn's couch and hold the little peanut.

Myan's Day Out!

Myan's pose when something's not quite going her way.

Myan got to spend an entire afternoon with Nicole (Aunt Nikki) my longest/dearest friend here on this side of the water. While I was out in Seattle with Julia kicking up my heels to celebrate our birthdays - Myan got to spend an afternoon being spoiled (I'm assuming) and getting to hang out with Nicole. They spent the day at the park -- and from the pictures that Nicole took -- it looks like Myan was on cloud nine! Myan told me when I saw her the next day that she's going back to Nikki's tomorrow. I asked her, 'Did Nicole say you could come back?" She said defiantly, 'YES' as if to say -- I don't have to ask, it's a standing invitation. We'll leave that up for Nicole to decide ;)

I had a wonderful night out with Julia and Myan had an amazing day out with Nicole. I didn't have to worry or think about Myan as I knew she was in great hands! That's such a blessing....However, if Myan doesn't stop talking about Nicole and how much fun they had -- I'm not sure if I'm going to send her back ;)

Catch Aunt Nikki!

Hello Lovely!

I'm not sure this is sanitary ...

Myan doesn't like noise!

I'm outta here...

Not sure what she's doing, but I love this pic all the same!

Swaggerin...

Here Ducky, ducky, ducky...

Lovely, quiet picture...

A Star is born!

Precious...

Waiting for ducks...

Talking back to someone...I presume

Duck feeding!

Julia and Jenn's Birthday Evening!

Juj and I went to Seattle on Saturday night for a girls' night out. It started with the ferry...then a taxi ride to the Seattle Center for dinner at the Space Needle (compliments of Dad/Grandpa!). The food & service at the Space Needle restaurant was absolutely amazing. The dinner was so, so good. I recommend it to anyone. A little pricey, but the view is stunning and the food is honestly amazing.

From there, we jumped in another taxi and went to 6th Ave to my surprise b-day gift for Juj - the Grease Sing-A-Long. They were passing out 'Pink Lady' pins and 'T-Bird' pins and posters! There were so many girls dressed up in the Pink Lady jackets, it was so cute. The sing a long was hilarious -- the whole audience was cheering, singing and having a great time. The whole audience cheered when Mr. Travolta came on screen and 'BOOOO'd' when the opposition showed up. Rizzo by far got the most cheers -- throughout the entire movie!

I did fall asleep once...in honor of my Mom I assume -- but Juj woke me up for the last song and said that I only slept for 15 minutes or so. I'm 38 -- what is happening to me!!! #$)%&

It was a beautiful night -- just the two of us - catching up, goofing around and just enjoying each others company. What a wonderful, magical night with my beautiful niece and friend, Julia Rose Bryant Page Garcia. ;)

4th of July!

Dad and Myan at the Golf Course!

Myan and I went to Chelan for a 5 day vacation for the 4th of July. The 2nd of July was Dad's last treatment, so Myan and Dad took the bus (I followed in the car) down to Wenatchee to the clinic. She loved riding the bus and Dad said that she was on very good behavior while riding. (It could have gone either way -- so I was pleased to hear that!)

We hung out at the house on Saturday -- went to the park and just hung out -- and played lazy all day. Myan and I got to see the fireworks over Campbell's from Dad's front sidewalk - so that was extremely easy for me! It was a nice warm up of firework action for the next night when we planned to go out on the lake shore and watch the Manson fireworks.

We did go golfing while we were in Chelan -- Dad drove, Myan sat on his lap -- and we 'played' the first 9 at the Chelan Golf Course. I haven't played in ... well, 15 or so years -- but I legitimately bogeed #5 which was a par 4. Yes, yes I did. Not bad, you say? You're right!

I forgot to take my camera to Chelan with me (I KNEW I was forgetting something) so I just got a couple of cell phone pics. Sad, but true.

Overall, we had a great long weekend hanging out with Grandpa, Tiffany, Evony, Chava, Steph and Dale. It was a relaxing weekend with the benefit of it being cold over in Chelan! No 100 degree weather. It was heaven.