Onderon: After hearing from others that Onderon had rejoined the Galactic Senate, we traveled there to hear from the Onderon Jedi Order (OJO) leadership specifically and also to gather an update on the order and the system itself. Meeting with Knight Caius and local bar owner, Barb, we began our investigation into the recent happenings of Onderon. Joining soon after were Masters Zav and Zuric along with several others.

Residents of Onderon meditating around the circle, including Master Zav (right).

Master Zav was able to confirm that yes Onderon had rejoined the Senate. She stated it was always the goal for the world to align with others but because of reasons she didn’t wish to disclose to use they had left the Senate. However, now they were reinstated and all parties involved were pleased and all the problems fixed though again she declined to give us specifics, but that Onderon was glad to be back to the place they had helped form as a founding member.

Also a new Senator has been named from Onderon, a position once held by Master Zuric but had drawn criticism for a Jedi to be a senator. The new senator named Synsual Himura or Syn, was a local tavern owner who ran for the position and won the election. GNN will contact her office directly, but from the consensus she seems committed to her system and the people there and was stated as being fair and honest, with the good of the Onderon people as her highest priority. Master Zav, will continue in her role as advisor to the Senator.

Some of the issues on her table also facing many on Onderon is to make sure that people’s basic needs are taken care of such as public utilities, medical care and education. On the galactic stage she’ll promote freedom throughout the Republic and also over the current conflicts that the Republic faces or may face. Also she will have to address the fact her system of Onderon is a frequent target by Sith orders such as the Obsidian Dominion which recently tried to penetrate in the city at down time. However, Master Zuric was reluctant to involve the Republic in what he deemed as a Jedi matter though he did state that it was an issue the entire Senate as will as the grand Jedi council would need to address this issue along with the Republic military arms such as GAR. Again however the Jedi were reluctant to give details, decline to give information or who sitting on the Jedi council that seemed to be the head of several orders.

GNN wishes the new Senator the best of luck.

— Rakiko Lowtide, Daana Kira

ugggh oh hottie *O*

“Found your Achille’s Heel, did I?” He tisked, curving his papery arm around the Greater Siren’s serpentine waist. She didn’t blanch. “Don’t worry, Eddie, I’ve been seeing to her personally.” His smeary lips loosened into a galling smile.

Right about then my fuckin’ ‘happy place’ included seeing Aro with his mouth stuffed full of all ten of his fingers and his legs twisted backwards on their joints, with him still alive and writhing in misery… seein’ him personally to a masterful, mangled suffering.

Every one of my allies had backed off from us. The huge scruff-stemmed field diminished to this match of willpower between me and Aro, with Bella the centerpiece, the thing fought for, sought after.

“You could just come with us,” he coyly blinked his colorless eyelashes as though he was tryin’ to enchant me. “End this all before any of your comrades get hurt. Of course, I’d have to keep Isabella in my apartements, we’ve grown so very fond of each other.”

“I don’t know about y’all, but me and mine? We love a good fight.” Towering over Aro’s shrunken form, I felt the ripples of his power that came from his imprecatory being. The closer I got, the more feelers I felt threaded from him; crawly fingers testing and reaching and lookin’ for a way into my brain.

“I’d need the lovely, larcenous Alice, too. Without question,” Asinine Aro tacked on.

“I’m thinkin’… Fuck You.”

“So, we fight.”

“Fuckin’ right, we do.”

Aro attempted to pull one over on me; he just wanted one look inside my head. “Shake on it?”

I grabbed my crotch, “Shake this.”

Caius damn near fainted and all but sent his hand to the air to volunteer. Queer.

Pissed off that I wouldn’t be goaded into apotheosizing, Arsehole sneered so hard I feared his face would up and crack like an arid creekbed. “This is your army?” His bleary, pond-scum eyes stretched over my own soldiers.

“You’re one to talk,” I meanly inspected Scrawny Arnie’s look-alike minions. “I mean, y’all are wearin’ goddamn bathrobes!”

“Just robes.”

“Whatever.”

The troops were getting’ rambunctious; Alice was whinnying at Jizz, Maw was clutchin’ her pearls, I could hear the Rin Tin Tin’s pawin’ the glades and the two Sloppy Joe’s letting drop various of their own body parts.

Bubba was about to begin his bellyachin’, but I had one more thing I needed to say. Rose stood staunch and tall; she kept her eyes off Bella and herself formidably in front of Mama like a Gorgon.

Crackin’ my neck, stretching my shoulders back, I commanded this motherfuckin’ place. “Fiends, Romans-”

The male of the midget twins interrupted me, “Technically, we’re not Romans.”

“Oh, you wanna die right now?”

“No, Sir.”

“That’s better.” I continued, “Cuntrymen.” Behind me, the troops coalesced. “Lend me your ears.”

Fishing around, one of the flesh-meltin’ Manwiches came up putrefying trumps and shouted, “Got one!” Bang went the JR’s cover.

Image by claireviolet82 via Flickr

VOLTERRA, ITALY

Aro frowned as he and the others were sitting in the meeting room; it had been six hours since they had encountered the twins Poppy and Pansy Brunswick. They had also met another little girl named Peony Hildebrandt, who was seven years old. All three girls were with the wives.

Aro said, “We need to figure out who is turning these children and why.”

Marcus said, “It’s the Romanians, no doubt.”

“They are quite bitter since we took over their empire,” said Caius.

“And if they think that creating an army of immortal children is going to stop us, they have another thing coming,” said Aro. He stood up and said, “I say let’s see how they are faring with so many little vampires in the tower.”

They walked over to the tower, where Sulpicia and Athenodora lived. The women were smiling as they were watching the tiny vampires playing. “Such adorable little things,” said Athenodora.

“Such a shame that they’re just children,” Sulpicia agreed. “The Romanian Coven will surely be punished for turning them.”

Little Jamey Walsh saw them and cowered in fear. Marcus said to him, “Do not fear, for we are not going to destroy you.”

“But we demand an explanation as to why a certain young vampire is expecting a baby,” Athenodora snapped at her husband. “It was already bad enough that you raped her, but Jacquelyn is much too young to be given a child.”

“And yet, she is having one,” Sulpicia yelled. “How can you do this to her, Cai? She was a sweet little girl and you messed up her life!”

“She was acting like a spoiled brat who thinks she is better than us because of that Carlisle Cullen,” Caius yelled out. “She refused to accept the fact that the moment she turned fourteen, she was to be turned! So I had to teach her a lesson!”

“By raping her?” Sulpicia cried out.

“Have you learned nothing from what happened to Didyme?” Athenodora cried out. “You raped her and she went insane! She tried to get Marcus to leave and she also threatened to expose us to the humans! Aro had no choice but to put her out of her misery by killing her!”

“And I have felt guilty since my sister died,” said Aro. “What would she have said to Caius regarding this matter?”

“I say she should have been very upset by his actions,” said Sulpicia. “She never would have approved of your handling of Jacquelyn Cullen at all!”

“But now she is having a baby and my husband is the father,” Athenodora cried out in anguish. “I hope you’re happy, Aro! You ruined all our lives!” She pushed all three men out of the room. “And DON’T come back until you learn some decency!” she yelled.

“And any alleged immortal child goes straight to us,” yelled Sulpicia. “You won’t be handling any more cases until that baby is born!” Jamey began to cry. “Don’t cry, Jamey,” said Athenodora. “We won’t let them near you at all.”

As they walked away, Caius said, “I have a bad feeling that they will find out about the baby.”

“Let’s not worry about the Romanians,” said Marcus. “Let’s worry about how everyone else is going to react to this. Miss Jacquelyn is expected to deliver the baby in three months time. We have that time to prepare to confront the Romanian Coven. If they are building an army of immortal children, then they are going to be in a terrible position. We will have no choice but to destroy them and any other vampire who dares to ally themselves with them.”

Caius frowned as he thought about the baby that Jacquelyn was carrying inside her; in three months the baby would be born, and with that birth, his life, along with hers and Athenodora’s, would be changed forever…

———-

FORKS, WASHINGTON

Alec, Felix, Demetri, and Jane scowled as they followed Carlisle into the woods. Carlisle was teaching them how to hunt. Jacquel had slipped off somewhere after hearing the pitter-patter of rats feet.

“Do we really have to eat animals?” Felix complained.

“Yes,” said Carlisle.

“Why not just pick off a hiker or two?” Demetri chimed in.

“No,” Carlisle said firmly. “As I have said before, we only eat animals. If you want to stay with us, you’ll have to live as we do. And that includes eating only animals.”

“Fair enough, but why eat animals?” said Alec.

“When I was first turned, I hid in the woods,” said Carlisle. “And in hiding for over twenty years, I could only eat animals. And when I found that out, I could no longer live in fear of killing a human and drink their blood. Aro was quite intrigued by my rather unusual dietary habits, but Caius tried to get me to eat humans, which is why we never agreed on that at all. But anyway, there is a herd of deer over there; now we hunt.”

And with that, Carlisle charged after the deer, with the guards following.

——–

LA PUSH, WASHINGTON

Edward and Bella found themselves on the beach and Seth was following them. The others were just happily milling around. Jacob saw them and said, “You up for the bonfire tonight?”

“What bonfire?” Bella asked.

“Tonight, Old Quil is telling us a story about why we are phasing into wolves,” said Jacob. Bella frowned. “C’mon Bells, it’ll be fun!”

“Oh really?” Bella snapped. “Sorry, but I can’t stay; I have other plans.”

“What?” cried Seth.

“I have a test on Monday,” cried Bella, “and I promised Angela that I’d study at her house. Sorry, but I can’t…deal with this right now.”

“What? You can’t hang out with me? Not even as a friend?” Jacob protested.

“Oh, so you need ME to be able to have some fun?” Bella cried out. “You’re just as stupid as Henry is!”

As he watched Bella storm away from them, Edward asked, “Who is Henry?”

“Oh, him?” said Jacob. “He’s no one worth knowing.”

Edward frowned, thinking of someone who had not been worth knowing. But he found out anyway. That man had been Charles Evenson, who had been Esme’s cruel first husband. That cruel man who sent Esme fleeing from her own home and eventually to Carlisle and Edward. Edward recalled that moment he had stalked and killed that man as he begged for mercy. His death was all over the news, and that death shocked him so much that he decided to return home.

But all would not be well for him, and he still had more memories to confront if he wanted to be free…

———–

UNKNOWN TERRITORY, WASHINGTON

James, Laurent, and Victoria laughed as they ran from the scene of their last encounter; earlier, they had pounced upon seven men who had escaped from the county jail and ate them as they begged for their lives. The nomads had been hiding in the Pacific Northwest for a while now, stalking and eating any human who was foolish enough to cross their path.

Laurent said, “This is almost too easy. I need a challenge.”

“Don’t we all,” said James.

“There’s a little town called Forks, which isn’t too far from where we are now,” said Victoria. “Why don’t we hunt in the woods there? They’re so huge and wide and no one would be missed.”

“Good idea,” said James. “Let’s go to Forks!”

And as all three vampires ran to that small town, the residents had no idea that within 3 months, their lives were going to be changed forever…

What up kidds. It’s friday! where have you been at. Let me see., how was today pretty chill sort of day I think,.  I had no school. So when i don’t have class it’s always a good day. I got to sleep in, and that’s a relief too.

Today was super bomb too because I found gift cards that were given to me for graduation so now I have a twenty-five gift card to Mickie d’s, 100 from kohls and 25 from target. So im fucking excited.  But I am actually thinking of others and since my mom can’t pay for my brother running shoes right now I bought him some. They will come soon and both will be excited hopefully. Now I don’t have to worry about anything.

i hung out with my friends , played some cards traded cheap shit for good stuff. So people are going to tippin on my dick tipp tipp on my dick. I need to get a couple of card then im going to be fucking shit up. Pardon mon fracais. je sais que Je né parle come ca. translation sorry for my french, I know that I don’t talk like that. ha might be some miss spellings on that but i still got my french down I think.

Tomorrow going to franks, and maybe a date. hopefully……………. btw, Lakers owned! and The Heat sucked shit haaaaaaaaaa

Games of the Day

Lakers finally snap an 8 game loss to the cats/ now have a 6 win streak 92-84

Los Spurs crush the Heat to give them their worst lost 125-95

Bulls over the Magic in a close one 89-81

Song of the Day

“Bitch Please II” By Eminem

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The bouncer has to be more comfortable than his car seat, which he likes sitting in. 
This bouncer is really neat. It vibrates and play music.  You can set the music to play for 20 minutes or be baby activated.  The baby activated is neat because it only plays music for as long as baby plays with the whale that is hanging from the mobile. It will be a little while before Caius can play, but for now he can sit in it and enjoy the music.
The animals that are on it all have two faces.  Caius might be a little confused the first time he sees a turtle and there’s only one face. 

Now on to Bandit.   We weren’t sure how Bandit was going to take to the new baby, but he’s great.  He has decided that he must protect Caius and no one is allowed near.  He goes ballistic when someone comes to the house.  It doesn’t matter if he knows them or not.  He does eventually calm down and play nice, but he first has to let them know that he’s the boss.  He also decided he has to be near me when I’m nursing.  He literally wants to be in my lap.

“Uncle” Russ spending some quality time with Caius. He also sang some good old sailor songs to him.  Hopefully Caius doesn’t decide to join the navy.

Merry Christmas everyone.

 Here are some pictures

In the OR 

 Daddy and Caius

 Caius after his first bath and in his new sleeper

 Grandpa Hiscock happy as ever

 Grandma and Grandpa Hiscock with Caius

Mommy and Caius

After the Q & A, the Twilight Lexicon gave it’s final presentation on their experience visiting Montepulciano, Italy. In the book New Moon, Bella goes to Volterra to save Edward from revealing himself as a vampire in the sunlight. In the movie New Moon, this scene was filmed in Montepulciano, and so website wanted to pay a visit. Laura, co-owner of the Twilight Lexicon, visited the small town with Kimmy, owner of His Golden Eyes, another Twilight fan site. I already recognized Kimmy from television; she had been chosen as a fan website representative to interview Eclipse stars on the Black Carpet earlier this summer. Again, I marveled at how much interaction goes on within Twilight fan culture. Here were two owners of Twilight fan sites, collaborating with each other to visit a significant town in Italy, and both being invited to interact with Twilight stars in Hollywood. The fans are definitely in close communication with each other, as well as with the author and the movie stars.

Watching the short video that Laura played, showing her and Kimmy’s frustrating and exciting experience in Montepulciano, I couldn’t help but to think back to one of the titles Dr. K had originally given this project. On the website where students could sign up for research projects to perhaps participate in, this study had involved the words “how movie fans spur economic development.” Just as I was amazed earlier at the amount of money fans were spending at the silent auction, I was amazed at how much money must have gone into a trip to Montepulciano, Italy! These two women were not even staying in a main city—they had to spend money on extra busses, trains, and taxis to get to the small town where New Moon was filmed. On top of that, I am sure that they are not the only fans to have gone to Italy on a sort-of Twilight pilgrimage. In fact, upon coming home, I typed in a search on Google and found a USA Today article titled ‘New Moon’ rising: ‘Twilight’ fans swarm Volterra, Italy. This isn’t exactly a time in our history in which Americans, or anybody for that matter, is frivolously spending money. This is just taken from my own life experience, but I would say that spending money is all about priorities. We save for what we want most. In my case, that often ends up being coffee…But, for many fans, Twilight conventions and pilgrimages to places like Volterra, Montepulciano, and Forks have become top priorities. The attachment that fans feel to the phenomenon has become a legitimate need, and important outlet for social, intellectual, and emotional experience.

I laughed when I watched the end of Laura’s mini-video with Kimmy. When they found the clock tower, where Edward steps out and unbuttons his shirt and Bella runs forward to save him, the two women decided to do a re-enactment. Each one took a turn running up to the clock tower, arms outstretched, screaming “Edward!” Laura then remarked something along the lines of, “Come on, you know you would have done it too!” The fans remaining in the audience (very few) giggled and responded in the affirmative. As I’ve noticed reading Dr. K’s blog about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, fans appreciate an immersive experience. For these women, being in Montepulciano and re-enacting the New Moon scene was certainly an immersive experience. Perhaps that is a primary reason for fans to visit the sites of Twilight. I wonder if Universal Studios would ever consider creating a Twilight themed area? My mom has suggested as much!

Later on, the day proceeded to a game called Scene-It Presents The Twilight Stump The Experts Panel. The game was judged by Lori from the Twilight Lexicon, and one of the Twilight Moms present. The game, different from the trivia game played the two days before, consisted of groups of three fans coming up to the stage and sitting for open-ended questions. Fans would line up at the microphone beneath the stage and ask hard questions. Depending on whether the panel of “experts” got the questions right or wrong, either the fans on stage or the fans asking the questions would receive a prize. I was surprised, although I shouldn’t have been at this point, at how much specific trivia Twilight fans knew! Many were asking questions by heart, but a few were clutching books in their hands and scanning the pages for hard to remember details that would make expert-stumping questions. One memorable question that did stump the experts on stage was one regarding the designer of Bella’s wedding dress. The experts predictably guessed Alice, but, as the girl next to me mouthed, it was really…a designed that I can’t remember. I’ve actually spent the last 20 minutes looking for it online and in my copy of Breaking Dawn, so that shows just how specific these details are!

After the Scene-It game, there was an individual Q & A with Alex Meraz. I wrote down the questions that were asked, just to get a sense of what fans find important about the Twilight stars. Here is just a random sampling: “Which Cullen girl would you date?” “Where can we buy your art?” “What is the funniest thing that happened to you on set?” “What is your favorite dessert?” “Do you think that you have better abs than The Situation on the Jersey Shore?” Again, Jersey Shore made it’s way into the Q & A with a vengeance! The one question that required a bit of deeper thinking into Twilight, which was a question about Alex’s favorite quote from the books, caused a bit of an awkward moment. Like many of the other stars up on stage, Alex hadn’t read all of the books and couldn’t provide an answer. Fans didn’t seem to be too disappointed. They were more concerned with movie-related topics or items from the star’s personal life.

There was another no-minimum bid auction, which went much the same as the day before. I was amused that towards the end, some of the same things sold the day before were sold up to $200 cheaper the next day. I suppose that pockets were getting lighter towards the end of the convention, and fans were more reluctant to spend exorbitant amounts of money. In fact, many fans used the time to eat some (expensive) lunch at the hotel, rather than be tempted to buy more Twilight merchandise. After the auction, a Q & A with Chaske Spencer filled up the auditorium again. Fans loved him and were eager to talk about his charity, Be the Shift. Chaske even took the time to auction off a few of his own items to the audience to go directly to the charity. The older woman whom I mentioned in my last post ended up spending around $200 for all of the items, but only after Chaske mentioned that he would throw in a hug and a kiss on the cheek! She was so excited to win that part of the auction, and after she came back from the front of the auditorium to claim her prize, she snapped away pictures of Chaske for the reminder of the Q & A. Apparently, the attraction to members of the wolf-pack is not limited to hormonal teenage girls!

My favorite part of the day was the very end—the Twilight costume contest. I took some pictures, and perhaps I’ll post a few after they’ve been developed. The contest was divided into two parts: the junior and adult contingencies. The juniors had the cutest costumes!

One little girl, possibly around seven years old, had a short black bob wig and was wearing a cropped sleeve green shirt and cut-off denim shorts. She was so clearly dressed as Leah from the movie, and she did win one of the prizes. One little boy, around the same age, had a complete Caius costume. He was wearing a long blond wig, robes, and white makeup. He, too, won a prize. I distinctly remember that second prize went to an almost perfect imitation of Jane. This young girl had hear blonde hair pulled back, white makeup, red contacts, and a perfect Jane cloak. Someone had shouted out before that she would win, because she had won the last year! I could tell that she was a bit disappointed not to get first prize again…

There was very little girl, possibly around three years old, who could barely introduce herself without bursting into tears and grabbing her mother’s legs on stage. She was impeccably dressed in an exact replica of Bella’s green dress from prom in the first Twilight movie, along with Bella’s perfect hairstyle and headband. A few other girls, probably around ten to twelve years old, were also wearing this dress.

The adults had more mature costumes. One young adult was wearing a blue dress covered in blood stains, as well as blood stains on her face. She said that she was Bella after her first hunt in Breaking Dawn. Another young woman was wearing a fashionable outfit and had red hair—she claimed to be Victoria. There were quite a few Rosalie look-a-likes with blonde wigs and exact replicas of Rosalie’s outfit on Bella’s first day of school at Forks High School. One man, who had been dressed up for the entire weekend and was rumored to have gone to many other conventions, was dressed up as a classic vampire from Edward’s time. He was wearing a top-hat and an old fashioned suit. The first prize winner was a joint costume between two people. One woman was Bella, post transformation. On her back was a baby-strap holding a doll, which was supposed to be Renesmee. Tied to Renesmee on a leash was a man, dressed up as Jacob. This creative couple gave the crowd a great laugh!

Before I left, I did have the opportunity to introduce myself quickly to Laura, a co-owner of the Twilight Lexicon. I told her about my project, and that I had been in close contact with December, a moderator on her website, on how best to quote participants in internet forums. She was impressed at how many times I had read over the Explorations thread and how thoroughly I was studying it. Although she was also busy working on logistics at the convention, I was pleased that I had a chance to say hello. That, I think, is also a testament to the general accessibility in Twilight fan culture.

I have plenty more to say about the weekend, a few more conversations with fans to talk about! I’ll add that all in my next post.

All my best,

Student L

Julian Nathaniel August

Julian Francis Henry

Julian Thomas Bernard

Julian Theodore Miles

Julian Percival Hugh

Julian Edmund Percy

Julian Elliot Benjamin

Julian Barnaby Thomas

Julian Ivor Matthew

Julian Emery Knox

Julian Avery Paul

Julian Caius Blake

Julian Cornelius Bede

Julian Lucas Paul

Julian Phineas Grey

Julian Peregrine

Julian Rafferty

Julian Remiel Edward

Julian Henry Arthur

Julian August Steven

Possible siblings

Arthur, Barnaby, Dashiell, Francis, Felix, Hugo, Isaac, Leo, Marcus, Miles, Orlando, Rory, Raphael, Rufus, Rupert & Toby.

Briony, Cordelia, Eva, Eloise, Esme, Elowen, Flora, Francesca, Harriet, Helen, Ivy, Madeleine, Meredith, Nuala, Olive, Polly, Rose, Scarlet, Stella, Simona, Thea & Tessa.

]]> http://aaronshaver.wordpress.com/2010/07/20/life-right-now/ Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:57:20 +0000 Aaron Shaver http://aaronshaver.wordpress.com/2010/07/20/life-right-now/ I like my life right now.

I say that at the beginning of this post because I’m going to now tell you some things that may seem down about my life.

Some things may seem unhappy or uncomfortable or just not where you’d want to be.

My wife and I are searching for …a lot, frankly, in the way of direction. We are searching for direction primarily in where God is taking us job-wise. Most of you know I am on the job hunt because I felt God calling me to a full-time position in ministry. So I left the part-time position at a good church and am now doing the resume/interview dance with several churches. In the past 3 months I’ve said “no thanks” to some of those churches and some of those churches have said “no thanks” to me. We have options. But, Elaina and I are searching for direction. We are asking God for a direction.

At the same time, we just had our first baby,  Caius William Shaver. That is an adjustment to put it simply. Focusing on our marriage relationship has just taken on a new responsibility. Our life is now full of feedings, changings, doctor’s appointments, car seats, sleepless nights…etc. He’s only 6 weeks old but I can’t help but keep thinking about the next 12 to 20 years over and over and over.

Elaina and I live in a rented home …that we love in a town that we love. Which means all this searching for a direction in the ministry/job field will probably cause us to leave the little home and town we love. Maybe not …but, maybe.

Elaina and I also live paycheck-to-paycheck…which has taught us a lot. Most importantly, it has taught us how rich we are with family and friends. God has blessed us with family and a community who knows us and loves us and would never let us go without food for us or clothes for the baby. Our means come from beyond ourselves. And we are thankful for that.

Most every night, whenever Caius wakes us up and Elaina and I are half-alive and trying to take care of him…I will look over at my wife. With a groggy voice I will utter simply, “I like our life.” And she smiles at me.

A wise man told me to remember these times that seem tough now. “Because, one day you’ll be employed in a church full-time. Things will be good. Financially good. And, you’ll get comfortable. And, in that comfort you’ll forget each other.”

I like my life because I know I’m alive.

I like my life because I am in a place where I must rely on God for needs.

I like my life because my wife and I have to intentionally love each other in the middle of the uncertainty for the future.

Ivy Cornelia Jane

Ivy Beatrix Alice

Ivy Frances Amelia

Ivy Helene

Ivy Elisabeth

Ivy Guinevere

Ivy Juliet Anne

Ivy Lucinda

Ivy Katherine

Ivy Margaret Alice

Ivy Frances Jewel

Ivy Cordelia Pearl

Ivy Tallulah Jane

Ivy Winifred

Ivy Helen Maude

Ivy Adeline Jane

Ivy Francesca Alice

Ivy Cerdiwen

Ivy Leonora Jane

Ivy Juniper Pearl

Ivy Anna Margaret

Possible Sibling names

Ambrose, Arthur, Benjamin, Baxter, Banjo, Bede, Chester, Caius, Cedar, Dashiell, Digby, Emmett, Fergus, Felix, Frank, George, Hugo, Julian, Jasper, Jude, James, Leo, Miles, Maxton, Pierce, Rufus, Samson, Steven, Theodore, Tennyson, West.

Alice, Aurelia, Adeline Amabel, Ada, Branwen, Cora, Dora, Isobel, Eleanor, Fern, Grace. Gweneira. Henriette, Hyacinth, Klara, Louisa,Lavender,  Nina, Saffron, Tabitha, Ursula, Willa, Xanthe.

Here is the story of Caius William Shaver…so far. His story is really the product of a lot of love and hard work from his parents (especially his mommy) to bring him into this world. Caius William Shaver was born June 7th 2010 at 2:07PM weighing 7lbs 7 ounces and measuring 20 inches.

But, I should begin by telling you that Elaina and I arrived at the hospital with a birth plan. Yes, a birth plan is a list drawn up by parents of what processes you favor so the nurses and doctors are all well-informed of your desires and what you are willing to consent to during this very tense, complex, and truly life-changing process called CHILD BIRTH.

We had a birth plan.

As soon as we arrived at the hospital, the birth plan was effectively thrown out the window. As with many things in life, what you could never foresee happening somehow becomes reality.

Elaina’s water broke just after 4PM on Sunday evening thus beginning the next 22 hours of labor. That’s right…22! However, by 8PM, with no real contractions setting in, we became concerned and went to the emergency room. Our birth plan originally called for most of early labor to proceed at home and we intended to allow labor pains to move naturally into active labor without an epidural and to avoid at all costs a C-section. But complications arose once her water broke causing the hospital and doctors to place her on a 24 hour deadline to deliver or prepare for a C-section.

Elaina endured an intensified labor process for the first 14 hours at the hospital due to the medication that had to be given to induce contractions that had yet come on naturally. In the final hours of labor, Elaina opted for the epidural when she realized her weakened condition (lack of sleep and rolling contractions every 2 minuets for 14 hours) would jeopardize her ability to push during delivery.

Once the epidural took effect, it slowed her labor process and spread the contractions farther apart –exactly what we didn’t want it to do. Evidently, labor must always go forward and gradually become more intense until the baby is delivered. So you can’t go backward and have your labor slow down in process. Thus, the reason for the next step. After 22 hours of labor, our doctor strongly suggested a C-section operation.

This was a hard moment for me and Elaina both. I think we were both relieved to know this whole labor process would soon be over but it felt like we had to give up everything we wanted and planned for in this momentous event and turn it all over to the very thing we fought so hard to avoid.

I was suited in scrubs and led to the operating room where the doctors were preparing Elaina for surgery.

I saw it all.

The moment was very raw and visceral. I saw my wife on a table looking at me. I saw doctors working hard…hands moving quickly with no concern of being gentle or polite.

I saw a doctor reach in and bring my son into this world. It was shocking. This dynamic living thing shuddered and cried in front of me lying on my wife’s belly. But it wasn’t just a thing. This boy wore the evidence of me and my wife on his face.

He was so fragile and small. But he commanded my attention and love by simply opening his eyes.

Today, Elaina is recovering nicely and we both are happy and back at home with our new-born baby. Our plan was ruined at the word “go”, but in the end, with God in control, we got everything our hearts wanted!

I’ve posted some pictures for you to see the happy family.