Rick and Pam's Fam

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Melanie Marie Holmes

Melanie was born on December 28th, 1984 in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Rick was in Puerto Rico for medical school and the whole family lived down there.

Unfortunately for Pam, San Lucas Hospital where she delivered did not believe in giving epidurals to pregnant women during labor. She describes the pain as the worst in her life. They eventually gave her nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and she became quite hysterical.

Rick was on OB rotation while Pam was in labor so he became available to do the delivery, coached by the head of the OB department. Pam was under so much duress, she really would have preferred to have her husband next to her. But she survived and now Melanie can brag that she was delivered by her dad and Melanie's daughter, Gracie, can brag that her BahPa delivered her and her mama.

While in the hospital, Melanie was wrapped in a paper baby gown but didn't mind because she was described as a very mellow baby. The hospitals in Puerto have a tradition that is completely normal to them but completely foreign to my parents, at the time. In the hospital, it was just as routine for a newborn girl to get their ears pierced as it was for a newborn boy to be circumcised. My parents didn't get it done there, but after 2 weeks of my mom hearing "Oh, what cute little boy!" no matter how much pink she had her wearing, she decided to have her ears pierced.

The whole family moved when Melanie was about 6 months to Oregon and Rick finished his rotation and the rest of medical school in Puerto Rico.
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Melanie is now married to Robby McKinnon and has been since October of '04. They have a daughter, Gracie, who is 2 and a half and a son, Gus, who died of SIDS last year on August 1, 2007. As always, more info will be given as the blog goes on.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Intermission For Awesomeness

Left to Right:

Cardboard cut-out of Rick, Phil, Jenna, Hill, Pam, Rick, Mary, Brady, and Mel in front.

Happy 54th Birthday Rick!

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Hillary Leigh Holmes

Hillary was born on May 8, 1981 in Redmond, WA. Rick, Pam, and Phil were living in Federal Way, WA in an apartment across the hall from Pam's sister, Lynnette and her husband, David.

Pam describes the labor as her easiest of all four children. Her water broke, she had regular contractions, and the only hitch was that they were 45 minutes away from the hospital and Rick had to weave in and out of traffic during rush hour.

She was so relaxed during the labor that she watched Hillary's birth in the mirror. As she was crowning, she saw Hillary's dark hair. It was a smooth and quick delivery.

Phil loved her right away and he always called her "Mimi." They have been close all their lives. Pam would also put a small braid right on the top of Hillary's head and used orthodontic rubber bands that she borrowed from Rick's younger brother, Jeff.
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Hillary married Casey Huffmire in June of 2003 and he has been a wonderful addition to the family. Hillary also has two wonderful children, Lilly (2) and Owen (1). They are all living in Orange County, California while Casey works at Canon as a patent lawyer. Stay tuned for more posts about this wonderful family.

Friday, March 28, 2008

Philip Dean Holmes

This little stinker is the first to join the Holmes Clan.

Born in Seattle, WA on September 10, 1979, Pam describes the experience as very chaotic. She was in labor for 12 hours and her doctor was stuck on the bridge so he couldn't make it for the delivery.

Once Phil finally made his arrival at around 11am, Pam remembers thinking, "Oh yeah! That's what I've been doing this for!" She describes him as a very cute little baby boy and nurses would come in and say the general "He's so cute" but then stop and look again and say "He really is cute!"

Due to the high volume of children born that day, there was no room in the hospital nursery so Phil had to be put in a cardboard box in the hallway. Nevertheless, he did end up going home with the correct parents and they've loved him ever since.

Phil is now 28 years old living in Utah, within driving distance from Rick and Pam, and is married to his wonderful wife, Jenna (she'll get her own post later), who birthed him twin baby boys, Henry & Jack, on April 2, 2007. He works in computer networking at a company in Draper, UT and enjoys his job and family. Year-round, you will find him hiking, hunting, and scoping the mountains. He is a great addition to the Holmes Family.