Hmmm.....I wonder if they know who they're up against?

Home at Last

The Scott Family is now home! With a new baby girl, a mommy who is recovering from surgery and two dogs, it's going to take us a few days to adjust. It will probably be a day or two before we're up for visits and phone calls, but feel free to send us emails. In the meantime, please enjoy some more photos from Evie's (pronounced E.V.) first days in the world. We'll try to update picts regularly.

Proud Mother and Father

updated by: Proud Father

Yes....it's true! "Baby Girl" Scott has finally arrived. Evelyn "Evie" Virginia arrived at 6:16 pm on Sunday July 01, 2007 weighing in at 7 lbs. 9 oz. and 19 3/4 in long. She is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen! She has cute little chubby checks and thin black hair (which shocked us both since Steph and I were bald until we were 12 months old). Mom and baby should be returning home on Wednesday July 04....what a celebration that will be!

I have attached a picture for all to see!

Whew!

WE HAVE A BABY!
update from Aunt Jonna:

Steph and Bryan are the proud parents of Evelyn Virginia Scott, born approximately 6:30 p.m. on Sunday July 1st. She will be called Evie (pronounced E.V.) As far as vital stats go, all I have is that she is 7 lb, 9 oz.

The birthing process is one I'm sure Stephanie will not soon (if ever) be repeating. I had many phone calls throughout the day, so forgive me if I don't get the details in the right order, but here's what I remember: Stephanie was hooked up to Pitocin around 10:30 or so on Saturday morning. The day progressed very slowly. In fact, nothing really happened. Seems that baby Evie failed to read her eviction notice, or at least take it seriously. At about 10:30 that night, the doctor gave Steph and Bryan two options: up the Pitocin, break her water and push through the night, or stop the Pitocin, take a sleeping pill and start fresh in the morning. Stephanie, wise girl, chose the sleeping pill and got about 5 1/2 hours of sleep. They started again this morning. By late this afternoon there was very little change in dilation, (from a 3 (yesterday's number) to a 5). The decision was made to have a c-section and get on with life.

Both mother and baby came through great! Reports from the hospital are that Evie is gorgeous, has black hair, and looks a bit like Stephanie. I'm sure Bryan will be posting pictures very soon.

Can't wait to meet her!

The time has come...

**UPDATE** We're on our way! I'm scheduled to be hooked up at 10am. Pray for me...I'm a little sceeared.***

We went to the doctor today- I'm scheduled for induction tomorrow (Saturday.) We have to call at 6am to make certain they still have "room in the inn," but the plan is that I'll be hooked up at 7am to the Pitocin machine. There is a chance that they'll have a run on the hospital by pregnant women tonight, and I'll have to be rescheduled, so we'll just have to wait and see, but we're trying to stay positive.
Why am I being induced, you ask? (as if you don't already know it's well beyond time) When they took my blood pressure today, it was 190/110. My heart rate was 125. My feet and legs are purple all the time, and you can make handprints on my shins, kind of like a hypercolor t-shirt. I'm still really nauseous, and even though I'm getting an IV bag/day and drain my nalgene bottle full of water several times a day, I'm still a little dehydrated. How anyone can be dehydrated and retain water at the same time is beyond me, but there you go. I'm still only 75% effaced and dillated at 1cm...I'm still having strong consistent contractions, but they aren't making anything progress.
The final push for the induction was the fact that I begged the doctor and offered to bring him chocolate chip cookies if he'd deliver the baby this weekend (he is already on-call.) His response was, "to ease ALL OUR SUFFERING," let's go ahead and deliver. I don't know what suffering he needs to be eased, I'm certain I've been a fabulous patient. :-)
Her technical due-date is Monday (if you go by the first day of my last period,) but if you go by the ultrasound, as well as when she was really...um..."made," she was due last Monday. Either way, she's full term, and I'm serving her eviction papers tonight- Bryan already drew them up.
My aunt Jonna has agreed to take over the blog for me this weekend, once we go in. She'll update it as information becomes available. So check back in to see if we have our baby girl...hopefully by this time next week, we'll be home eating her little fingers and toes.

10 Questions...

So, Shannon over at "Rocks in My Dryer" (http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/) Has started a new game for this Friday...answer the following questions, if you're up for some fun...or at least a mindless time-consuming activity.

1.) Jack Bauer or Sawyer?

Oooh, such a decision. Sawyer is so delicious, but he has some major issues, and I'm trying to make my life less complicated, not more. Jack Bauer is tough, but then, he's always gone, and there is always the risk I may get killed. Both are a little too high-drama for me. Personally, I'm pretty happy with my hubby. Unless, of course, Clark Kent came knocking....nah, I would still stay with B, he's a major catch.

2.) If your life is ever made into a made-for-tv movie, who would play you?

I'd like to think someone like Angelina Jolie would be hired, since my life is just so interesting, and one would need versatility and depth. However I fear the more likely candidate is America Ferrara from Ugly Betty, but she's pretty cute, right?

3.) What are three things are you doing now that, if you knew 20 years ago that you'd be doing them, you would have freaked out?

Since I was only seven and a half, 20 years ago, I'm not really sure I'm quite to the point where I'd horrify my younger self. However I'm not a professional athlete, which was my childhood dream, so I'm pretty sure my younger self would be asking "what happened?" That and the size pants and bra I wear (even when I'm not pregnant) may horrify her.

4.) You have five minutes to pack up and leave. What goes and what stays?

The photo albums and the heirlooms go, everything else is replaceable. (Family members and pets are a given)

5.) Your pincushions are selling around the country like hotcakes at a maple syrup convention. Who is the most important person to buy one and why did they buy it?

The thought that I would even make a pincushion is hilarious. However, if Oprah bought one, then she would talk about it on her "favorite things" show, and I'd be an instant millionaire.

6.) If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Peanut Butter and Honey sandwiches.

7.) What's the most nerve-racking "close call" you've ever had?

I dated a guy 5 years my senior in high school for 2 and a half years. When I was approaching the end of my senior year, we started talking about getting married once I graduated. The plan was for me to go to the community college and become some sort of medical tech, and then we'd start having lots and lots of babies. The mere thought of a) being married to him and b) never having gone to college, both scare the begeesis out of me now. I'd be an uneducated stay-at-home mom with a house full of kids, probably living in Spokane. Oui. I'm so glad I dumped his sorry self and lived my life. Had I not, I'd have never met Bryan, and really, the thought of not being married to Bryan scares me more than anything else.

8.) Name five features your ultimate dream house would have.

A big wrap-around porch, hard wood floors throughout (upstairs and down,) a gourmet kitchen, a game room in the basement and central vac- central vac is key to happy living...I long for it now.

9.) Who has been the most influential non-relative in your life?

My college advisor, Dr. Heffernan (now Schindler- yay!). The woman taught me to think in a whole new way, and encouraged me to pursue my interests. We still talk regularly; I love that woman.

10.) What one non-physical feature would you most like to change about yourself?

My propensity to be judgemental and self-righteous...and pretty snarky in the process. I hate this about myself and work daily to make it stop.

And here are a few more I'm adding...
1) Superman or Batman? (I like Superman)
2) If you were somehow forced on to the show Survivor, what one "luxury item" would you bring? (me: a letherman, or bugspray...it's a toss-up)
3) If you could live anywhere in the world, money being no object, where would it be? (Me: Germany)
4) What is your dream occupation? (Me: Photo-journalist for National Geographic)
5) If you were to go on the show, the "Amazing Race," who would be your partner? (I could never go on the show...I'm too pushy, nobody would want to play with me, my husband included; he tells me this every year when a new season begins.)

Works for Me Wednesday- The On-Deck Circle

It's time for another addition of "Works for me Wednesday," as hosted by http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/

Ok, so I hate running out of things when I'm using them. Perhaps it's because I was raised pretty poor, and there were many days when we weren't sure what we'd be eating. Either way, there are certain things we use regularly that I like to keep on hand.
As such, we have created the "On-deck circle," aptly named by my cousin Lora. Staple items that we use all the time (ketchup, peanut butter etc.) we always have a spare. There is a designated place in the pantry where we keep the "on-deck circle." when we run out of the bottle of syrup on Saturday morning, for example, I am at peace knowing that there is a back-up syrup sitting on the on-deck circle. Once the item from the on-deck circle has been put into the rotation, we add it to the grocery list. We never have that crisis in the middle of a meal when we've run out of something, and I always know what I do and don't need at the store. The on-deck circle also works well for basic replenishment. For example, if you take a coke from the fridge, you get another from the garage and replace the one you took. If you take a new roll of toilet paper from the tube and put it on the roll (this in itself is miraculous), when you're done, you go get another roll to put back in the tube.
We have a mini on-deck circle in other parts of the house as well. For example, we always have a back-up pack of TP and paper towels in the garage...when that pack gets opened, we know it's time to buy more, and we never run out of TP...a true crisis. We have an "on-deck-circle in the linen closet with a back-up tube of toothpaste, new toothbrush, deodorant etc. If you take a new tube from the closet, you add toothpaste to the grocery list.
We're still working on things being replenished consistently (like the TP), and there has been an occasion or two when an over-zealous guest has opened an item from the on-deck circle, without checking with us first, leading to a minor snafu where we had two open mustards at the same time, but for the most part, we rarely run out of staple items. And I'm satisfied knowing I will never have to go to the store 10 times a week, because we ran out of ketchup on wednesday, and then I forgot to get toothpaste and we're completely out of that now, and is there enough toilet paper left in the bathroom?

Please don't be offended...I'm just cranky

Ok, it has started...the constant "just calling to check on your progress..." phone calls. My particular favorite are the ones that start out with the statement (sometimes dripping with judgement,) "well we haven't heard anything from you, so we thought we'd call to make sure everything is okay."
Yes, everything is okay- that is why you haven't heard anything. There is nothing to be heard. When we have something to say, we'll say it. We usually don't call you every day to tell you that we have nothing to talk about, what makes this day any different?
Now before you start leaving comments on my blog telling me that "people mean well," and I "need" to understand that folks are just excited, let me say, I get it. I'm all over it...people are excited, people want the baby to be here. I am so thankful to have such a wonderful group of friends and family who are so supportive and loving. This girl is never going to starve for love and affection, and for this, I am grateful.
But, you see, I'm cranky, really cranky, and I'm not afraid to admit it. I've been on bedrest since January, I've been in pre-tem labor with no result for the past two months. I have an IV sticking out of my arm, where it has been sticking out of my arm for the past 5 months. I am still so nauseous that I choke on my stomach contents all the live-long day. If anyone wants the baby to be born, it's me.
So when you call, please don't start the conversation by lecturing me on how I haven't called you. I will call you when there is something to call about. You won't be forgotten. We aren't going to wait until we send out the birth announcements to remember that, "oh crap, we never told anyone the baby was born...oh well, they'll find out soon enough!"
I am not against people calling. I'm bored out of my mind- if you are just up for a chat, feel free. But if the only reason you're calling is to check and see if I magically went into labor, gave birth and forgot to tell you in the past 12 hours, please know that there is a chance that I may unhinge my jaw, reach through the phone and bite off your head. I am not normally such an angry and violent person, but I'm fat, and hot and uncomfortable. And my hormones are raging; I cannot be held accountable for my actions.

Ok, Now my panties are completely in a twist

As most of you know, I graduated from Pepperdine University. My husband did not. He graduated from ACU, which is located in Texas--nowhere near Pepperdine, geographically or ideologically. Or so I thought.
As does every alumnus of Pepperdine, I received the quarterly "Pepperdine People" magazine. You know the one, the magazine the university publishes and distributes to all the Alumni. The one where they highlight all the really smart, successful, famous and rich alumni and faculty so we feel better about the hundreds of dollars a month we send in to pay toward our student loans. Especially when we're not really smart, successful, famous or rich. The one they use to solicit donations to endowment and scholarship funds.
I'm all good with them sending me a magazine. I have no trouble with them highlighting the rich and famous. I even don't mind when they ask me to send them money, on top of my student loan payments. I understand why they do this- not that I'll oblige them, but they're certainly welcome to ask.
What I have a problem with, is the fact that the magazine was addressed to "Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Scott." Never mind the fact that I don't even have a name, I'm just "Mrs. Bryan Scott," but he didn't even attend Pepperdine! Ever! Why is his name on the magazine? Now before all you etiquette snobs post a comment, quoting emily Post, telling me that this is proper form, let me tell you that I don't care, nor do I agree. Emily Post wrote her etiquette book nearly 100 years ago. It's 2007--times have changed. For example, not only am I allowed to go to college regardless of my station in life, I'm also allowed to vote, to own property and make decisions without referring to my husband for approval.
If I'm good enough to earn a degree from the University, and to be solicited for money, I'm good enough to have my own name. Why could they have not sent it to "Mr. and Mrs. Scott?" "Mr. and Mrs. Bryan and Stephanie Scott?" Or Mr. and Mrs. Stephanie Scott--I am, after all, the one who attended the university. How about just "Bryan and Stephanie Scott?" The Mr. and Mrs. is already implied.
Now had the magazine come from ACU, in Texas, and was made out to Bryan, I would have said, well that's Texas, and he is the alumni, so it makes sense that they made it out to him. But Pepperdine is MY Alma Matter. And Pepperdine is located in Southern California...the West, the home of liberal Hollywood! One would think that a graduate would at least earn the right to their own name being placed on the mailing label, regardless of their anatomy.
I am Mrs. Scott...my last name is Scott, I am married. My name is NOT Mrs. Bryan Scott. When I went to the Social Security Office, I did not change it to Mrs. Bryan, I changed it to Scott, Stephanie Scott- class of 2002. Please act accordingly.

The Mysteries continue...

Liver panels came back today and all is okay. They thought I was developing HELLP syndrome, (google it) but the panels say nay. We're going to closely monitor the pain and the swelling in my liver area to see if anything changes. All I know is that it hurts like a *bleep* and I find it most irritating. That and the increased nausea...such a joy.
Baby still remains within me, and she has yet to be named, I'm hoping we'll figure it out when she arrives. I can't imagine her being "baby girl Scott" on the little card...that would just make me sad.
To add serious insult to injury, another woman I know (former co-worker) has given birth early. She wasn't due until the 17th. Of JULY. She had a healthy baby girl yesterday. She is the third woman I know who has given birth in the past three weeks. This does not count the celbrities that are easily popping their kids out, including Julia Roberts. I'm starting to think I'm really not pregnant at all, it's all in my head--I've just become fat, and have some serious gas (which accounts for the movement in my tummy)
Oh, and I have switched back to Degree, and find it most effective, in case you were wondering.