28 Weeks and all is well!
Erin went to see her OB doctor yesterday and everything is looking good. No word yet from the cardiologist but he seemed to think she is just going to have high blood pressure and a high heart rate during her pregnancy (more commonly known as gestational hypertension). She has an increased risk of preeclampsia but the doctor said he would tell her when and if it was time to start worrying about that! She is wearing a blood pressure monitor for 24 hours and since she is working today we will see if “work” causes her blood pressure to increase (like it did on Thanksgiving Day). I am so relieved and thankful for this good news and appreciate everyone’s prayers and support. 
“The Glorious Gift of Christmas”
Last night was Wynne Baptist’s annual Christmas banquet for women and it was so awesome. Ashley signed up to host a table for this event. It is unbelievable how much work these ladies put into their tables and it is quite a sight to see. Each hostess decides how to decorate their table with a certain theme. These range from nativity scenes, to flowers, and even to whimsical themes that are so much fun. This year Ashley chose to use as her theme “A Candy Christmas” and she did a beautiful job. Here are just a few of the tables from last night. 
The speaker (Annie Chapman - www.steveandanniechapman.com) and the praise music were inspiring and everyone left with a renewed sense of the true reason we celebrate Christmas.
I am looking forward to this Christmas season!
Update on Erin!
Erin went to see Dr. Stern (her regular OB) on Monday and he made her an appointment with a cardiologist on Friday. They will do an echo and another EKG and no telling what else. Dr. Stern was a little concerned with her rapid heart beat. I’m still hoping that this is nothing to worry about. However, I will continue to worry as that’s what I do best! On Monday she will go back to see Dr. Stern for another ultrasound. Her placental fluid levels appear to be a little high so they will be checking on that as well.
Dr. Stern did laugh and say he hopes her only problem is the "Nurses Curse." Then he added it could be genetic because Ashley is her sister. He is Ashley's doctor also. (We have banned Ashley from having any more kids due to all the drama she caused when Rylee and Parker were born!)
Does anybody out there think that we actually know too much these days with all the technology that is available today? Some days I think that’s true but know with all this knowledge the doctors are more capable of preventing and “fixing” so many things. I am so thankful for that.
Waiting on Friday…..
“NURSES’ CURSE”
There is a spot on patients’ charts where the doctor fills in any possible complications of pregnancy or risks for a certain patient. I think they automatically put “NURSE” in this blank spot when it applies. In the health world it is called the “Nurses’ Curse.” Now I am a believer. When Ashley had her last two kids she had emergency C-sections with both of them! With Parker the doctor even said he had never seen anything like what happened to Ashley. I told Erin we would have none of this “MAMA DRAMA” with her babies. Well, as usual, I was wrong wrong wrong!!!!!!!
Erin was admitted to the hospital on Thanksgiving Day with high blood pressure, high heart rate, and visual disturbances. They began treatment for preeclampsia with steroid shots to boost Grant’s lung function in case he had to be delivered. After a 24-hour observation period it was determined through lab tests, ultrasounds, and monitoring that this was not the case. I am SOOO thankful for that. She will be seeing a cardiologist next week to check on her symptoms but I am praying that this also checks out to be only pregnancy related changes that are not critical. Baby Grant looked great on his ultrasound!
Each grandbaby takes 10 years off my life with all of this stuff! Maybe we could do a rewind and the girls could pick a different occupation????
She will kill me for posting this picture when she was in triage!!
After her counts went DOWN!
Thanks to everyone for your prayers and support…….
PARKER’S FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!
We celebrated Parker’s 1st birthday yesterday and nobody had more fun than he did. Every time he opened a present he would clap his hands and grin so big. Ashley made him a carousel cake (carousel cakes are a tradition for our family for 1st birthdays). There was lots of good food to eat including sausage balls, pigs ‘n a blanket, chicken quesadillas, hot wings, veggies, and dips. He had so much fun digging into his little cake!
In the above picture he is trying to invite everyone to join him. He is so good at sharing!!
HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY PARKER – I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!!
I think I am the luckiest Grammy in the whole world…………
YIKES!!!!!!!!!!
No, I did not wash a load of clothes while I was home for lunch with NO CLOTHES in the washing machine!
Note to Self: Check and see if there is a full moon tonight.......
WORRIED!!!!
No, I did not brush my teeth this morning with moisturizer!!!!!
NOTE TO SELF: C - R - E - S- T!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Halloween 2008
The kids were so cute in their costumes and had a great time trick or treating. Even Parker endured wearing his scarecrow costume all night. The only costume I made this year was Rylee’s and she was soooo proud of it. I think she made a beautiful Dorothy and will probably dress up as Dorothy many times until she outgrows her dress. Luke was a very handsome gangster!!! He thought this costume was so much fun. Mom was here this year and enjoyed seeing the kids dressed up and so excited about Halloween!
I think Halloween is such a fun holiday. How many times do children get to dress up any way they want and just “pretend” for a whole day?
Next year there will be one more to add to the fun and I can hardly wait........
The Fright Night that Wasn’t
Last night we went to Parker Homestead’s “HAUNTED HOMESTEAD.” The lines were sooooo long we knew the little ones wouldn’t last (a couple of the little ones would have probably been very scared before it was over) so we decided to try to find something else to do. It just so happens there was a carnival in town so off we went. Since we got there late we asked how long they would be open and their answer was “when the crowd thins out.” I’m sure at least 15 people were there – BIG CROWD. However, the kids had a great time and it was a good substitute for not being able to go through the homestead.
Parker took his first carnival ride on the carousel and he looked like he really enjoyed it. 
Rylee rode the jet skis and they were so dangerous they had to put caution tape on them.
Luke and Seth (his cousin) loved the Tilt-A-Whirl. I’m just glad when they got off the ride their stomachs were still in the same place as when they got on.
We will all be ready for next Friday and lots of candy.....
HALLOWEEN 2007
I normally wouldn't put this out here but Kaye challenged others to put up past Halloween pictures - so here goes! This was the one and only time I have dressed up for Halloween since I was like 9 or 10 years old. Last Halloween was spent in New Orleans and EVERYONE there really celebrates and dresses for the holiday. This was a group of girls I worked with and I have to admit the whole day was a lot of fun. Henry and Jim gave me a going away party that night also! I have had a going away party (OR TWO) but never one that was a costume party - it was very appropriate for leaving New Orleans. I miss all the girls I worked with down there and hope to see them again someday!
If you don't know which one is me - sorry..............
DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!
Isn’t he the cutest thing on the block???? Erin is now halfway there and so far is doing great. You can’t yet tell she is pregnant but soon she will be busting out of those jeans – (pleeeez don’t tell her I said that).
Just wanted to let everyone know that this cute little bundle who will soon be playing with snakes and snails and puppy dog tails will now be known as:
GRANT ASTON OGUIN
Grant was a favorite for both Erin and Russ and Aston is his maternal Great-Grandmother’s maiden name. We thought it was just perfect for him. We can’t wait for the next 20 weeks to pass so we can meet this little guy who already has our undivided attention!!
FUNERAL HOME HUMOR
I work at a wonderful funeral home here in Wynne two days a week (for those who don’t already know that). Of course, how many people read this blog and don’t know that about me – my guess would be NONE. Don’t tell anyone but we have some fun times working at the funeral home – shhhh! (Is that normal?)
Soooo, today my sister (who works for a repo business) calls while I am at work and tells me that that were busy cleaning out some property they had taken from the vehicles they repossessed. The previous owners of the vehicles have the right to have their personal belongings returned to them. The young man who was doing the cleaning said there was a box among the property items and the tag read “Tennessee Creations.” Now you would normally think that a small black box with that TAG would probably be something really nice and it immediately made the girls’ curious. Then he broke the sad news that it was full of cement dust – like Quik Crete. The girls were very disappointed that there was no wonderful CREATION in the box. Upon further inspection it was then brought to everyone’s attention that the tag actually read “Tennessee CREMATIONS.” Someone’s loved one had been repossessed in June and evidently was not being missed at all.
I called Lynda when I got off work to get an update on the CREATION and she said the deceased person was actually the owner of the vehicle they had repossessed. Who said you can’t take it with you??? This person was actually taking his vehicle where ever he went and had a chauffeur to boot.
They are trying desperately to return this person to someone….
We'll see what other lessons she has in store for him......I know, I know, one excuse after the other. Erin said everyone was probably tired of watching Parker eating sand.
A BIG Question Answered…..
Jeff and his girlfriend, Melissa, were at the birthday celebration and Erin started talking to Melissa about her work as an ultrasound technician. So, the two of them got busy and cooked up a trip to the hospital to take a peek and see what little Baby Oguin might be! Erin just couldn’t wait another minute so after the party off we went. I am so happy to announce that it is a BOY!!!!! Russ was grinning from ear to ear – you know how men are about having a boy first! Now, Erin and I are knee deep in fabrics trying to decide about “his” room. She has decided that I will make his bedding and we will definitely find the most special fabric for this special boy who we can’t wait to meet in 2009......
I'm going to try to post this video of Parker. We need to check his diet and see what he is missing. He loved eating the sand.
Oh, it was so hard to come home on Saturday!
Below are some things I have been meaning to put on this week but just haven’t found a lot of spare time! This probably won’t make a lot of sense but I wanted to get these pictures added.
On Wednesday it was raining so we went to the Navy Air Museum in Pensacola, Florida. There were many airplanes, displays, and flight simulators. The Blue Angels fly and train out of the Pensacola Navy Base. They would have been flying on Wednesday but the weather was too bad.
Parker proved to be a pretty good pilot….
And so did Luke….
And as you can see Rylee REALLY loved it…..
After the museum we went to The Track where they have miniature golf, rides, go-carts, and a video arcade – just what Luke ordered!
Even Rylee got to drive a go cart – they put this sign out just for her.
The go cart tracks got progressively bigger and faster with the largest being a huge wooden track. Rylee and Luke were not allowed to drive these – THANK GOODNESS!!!
Thursday and Friday were beautiful beach days and we spent the whole day just enjoying the sand, beach, and sunshine.
It is a good thing I just had a great week. Got home tonight to a broken air conditioner! Needless to say, it was a lot cooler outside than inside.......
Just wanted to post a few pictures. Will write more later. We are having more rain than we usually do but enjoying it still. The surf is high today with high winds – we may have to do something indoors for a while.
Parker LOVES the waves and sand!
Luke and Rylee getting ready to go crabbing on the beach - they brought back a bucket full and then let them go!
More later...........................
I guess by now everyone knows how we love and celebrate birthdays. They are important to us because that is the one day every year that we feel is our day and secretly expect to be treated special. Everyone is my family does feel special on their day just because we all feel so loved by our friends and family and are so glad they want to spend that day with us.
Luke and two of his friends, Hunter and Whitt, were treated to a Redbirds baseball game in Memphis for Luke���s 9th birthday on July 28. During the game the Redbirds shortstop threw Luke a ball as he was coming back to the dugout ��� he loved that! We all ate until we were sick, sat in the terrible heat, and cheered the Redbirds on for about 6 innings. It was all we could stand since the first two innings took an hour and a half and we were exhausted.
Whitt gave Rylee a little stuffed animal that he won while we were there (they have games for kids to play at the baseball park) and I looked at the tag on it and it said ���Not for use by INFANTS or CHILDREN.��� Okay���. Am I the only one that thinks that is really weird? Is this little stuffed animal for use by adults only? This is what they give to kids for spending money to play their games?
Russ, Luke, Hunter, and Whitt had to climb the rock wall at the ballpark. They all made it to the top! 
Earlier in the day Luke got a new shotgun for his birthday (he LOVES going hunting with Pete ��� if I am right, I think they go dove hunting or maybe deer, or something like that). Anyway, he was excited about his gift. Erin and Russ got him one of the new Wave Boards (like a skateboard) and he quickly got frustrated. I think it takes a little patience to learn and he thought he should be able to do it immediately.I guess the title of this is a pretty big hint what my wonderful news is!!! Erin and Russ are expecting their first baby on February 27. I can’t wait to meet this new baby and add one more to my growing brood of grandchildren. My life has been blessed beyond measure with my girls, my son-in-laws, and my grandchildren.
Life just couldn’t be any better………….
If anybody read this in the Arkansas-Democrat Gazette today the witness to this assault was my nephew, Keith. He followed this man for over 45 minutes talking with 911 the entire time. The man once got out of his car to try to come after Keith but he changed his mind and got back in his car and took off. The state police were very impressed but I’m just so thankful he didn’t get hurt in the process of keeping up with this man.
Witness to purse grab in mall aids police in nabbing suspect
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
A bystander who witnessed a Saturday afternoon purse snatching in the parking lot at McCain Mall followed the suspect along Interstate 40, relaying the man’s location to the officers who eventually arrested him, police said.
Ercil Kermit Gates, 41, of West Memphis was charged with robbery and later charged with two counts of breaking and entering by Little Rock police in connection with two vehicle break-ins earlier in the day. He was being held at the Pulaski County jail for the Tennessee Department of Corrections where he is wanted on a parole violation.
North Little Rock police said a Jacksonville woman was walking in the parking lot of the North Little Rock mall when a man snatched her purse. The woman, who wasn’t identified Saturday, fell to the parking lot, scraping her arms and legs and cutting her head, police said.
Police said the woman’s head wound required stitches. “Fortunately a witness saw the crime and was able to follow the suspect,” said North Little Rock police spokesman Sgt. Terry Kuykendall. “He was able to stay in contact with 911 operators and provided valuable information that ultimately led to the arrest of the suspect near Interstate 40 in Lonoke County.”
When questioned by North Little Rock detectives, Gates said he committed the robbery, the arrest report states. Gates was then taken to Little Rock police headquarters, where detectives charged him with breaking into a car parked at a west Little Rock gas station Saturday morning. He was also charged with breaking into a car at Custom Audio and Video at 10014 N. Rodney Parham Road about 10 a.m. Saturday.
Lynda’s account of this was much more exciting…..
Having a party there is what all parents should do – they do everything and the parents can just relax and watch it happen. They restaurant is very safe with kids going where ever they want and the doorman will not let any child out the door. (I wish I had thought of a restaurant like this – they make tons of money just selling coins for the games – no such luck - ha!)
