Ok, so I've been back from Peru for a week and am finally getting around to talking about it. From Peru you say? Yes, thank you for asking.

 

Josh (Terra's brother) had this brilliant idea to hike the Inca Trail to Machupichu so I had talked to Terra about it back in Febuary and she thought it was a good idea at the time. Of course Samuel was still still a good five months off or so. So anyhow I took off to Peru with Josh and another friend Scott and left my poor wife at home with two little boys and a newborn. Needless to say she hightailed it up to my parents while I was gone to spread the joy.

 

The Inca Trail hike? Hardest thing I've ever done. One of the best things I've ever done. I can't really decide if it was harder than the Marathon or the bike trip to Idaho on the Iron Horse trail. On both of those you had the option of quitting so there was always that psychological temptation. On this hike, unless you want to be carried down on the shoulders of some porter then you can't even think about quitting. So in some ways it was easier - you HAD to finish.

 

But it was a lot of fun. Really. I'd highly recommend it. I've uploaded some photos from the trip so take a look see.

 

Anyhow, I'm back at work and getting ready for school to start in a few weeks. This will be an interesting semester. Three kids at home, a pretty demanding job, and school. My poor long-suffering wife. Terra is wonderful.

 

Anyhow, that's it for now. Shoot me an email and say hi when you get the chance.

 

Everyone is doing pretty well today. Terra's pain is very much under control and she can walk (very) short distances. She should be able to go home tomorrow sometime. Samuel is doing fine although he's not too happy about having some minor cosmetic surgery done on his privates (circ). Hopefully we'll get more sleep tonight than last but I'm not counting on it.

Ok, things are finally settling down around here. Terra's pain is very much under control thanks to the wonders of Percocet. Here's a summary of what happened:

 

Went in to be induced on Friday, June 2 at around 11 am. We had to do three hours of antibiotics before proceeding to petocin. By the time everything had progressed enough (dilation, etc) it was 8:30. Terra pushed really well for two hours but by 10:30 it was clear something was wrong and we elected for a C-section. To say I was nervous was an understatement!

 

The C-section went smoothly and at 11:05 Samuel Jeffrey Patrick was born weighing 8 pounds, 11.5 ounces. Turns out he was facing the wrong way (face up) and absolutely would not turn to go under and into the birth canal. He ended up with some nice bruises on his head and left shoulder. After the c-section Terra's pain medication through the epideral wore off almost immediately and she was in excruiciating pain. Took about 45 minutes to get that decently under control. 

 

Anyhow, everything is now under control and Terra is doing quite nicely. Micah and Brendan are doing fine and are under the watchful eyes of both sets of parents. That's all for now. Check out the photo gallery! Thanks everyone for the prayers! Once again I'm amazed at the wonders of birth and creation.

 

 

Blessings,

 

- Jeff

 

 Psalm 139:13-18

 

13 For you created my inmost being;
       you knit me together in my mother's womb.

 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
       your works are wonderful,
       I know that full well.

 15 My frame was not hidden from you
       when I was made in the secret place.
       When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

 16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
       All the days ordained for me
       were written in your book
       before one of them came to be.

 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
       How vast is the sum of them!

 18 Were I to count them,
       they would outnumber the grains of sand.
       When I awake,
       I am still with you.