In Orbit

Livin' out in California
Seems to suit you well
But my news is all second hand

So it's hard for me to tell

--Manfred Mann's Earth Band

Forty-eight days is a long, long time. Forty-eights days ago we left Ketchikan.

We had envisioned standing on the back deck of the ferry watching the town and project fade into the sunset and fjords, buuut…Lachlan was having a hard evening. I caught a glimpse of the town passing by while waiting in line for cheeseburger since Michele and I had to eat in shifts. Michele missed the experience altogether. It’s only a seven hour ferry ride from Ketchikan to Prince Rupert, B.C. which is the nearest point to access the North America road grid. After four and a half hours the ferry crosses the mouth of the Portland Canal and the border of Alaska and Canada. It may have been my imagination but the color of the world changed there. Behind us the monotone, daunting beauty of SE Alaska. Ahead the sun was coming out; as if the asphalt strip of civilization stretching toward this point on the northern B.C. coastline had even domesticated the weather. A sigh of relief or of acceptance.

We did enjoy the rest of the trip to Seattle. Northern British Columbia was absolutely stunning. Not in the same way as Alaska. Rolling, forested hills and river valleys with green, green farms scattered few and far between.

“Michele look, GRASS! Can we stop? Can we stay?”
“No,” she said.

Lachlan did great. We didn’t get a good chance to test drive him before the big road trip since Ketchikan only has 20 miles of continuous road but for the most part he seemed to enjoy the time in the car.

Once we hit Bellingham there came a sense of closure for both of us. That place was the starting point for this whole endeavour.

Our two weeks in Seattle went by much too quickly. It was great see friends and family. Most of my time was spent working on the house. Michele and I are truly grateful for all the help we received around the place. After the whole experience I have now spent a total of 17 days/nights in the house we bought a year ago. Does that qualify as a permanent address?

On September 13th my parents convoyed with us from Seattle to Palo Alto. Again, Lachlan did great. We got down here a week before my classes started but mostly spent the time unpacking. We did make a trip to San Francisco and took Lachlan to the ocean beach for the first time. We happened to pick a day when the area was experiencing some pretty high winds off of the water. If he remembers the experience, he’ll think of the beach as the place where his face gets sandblasted and daddy can’t see.

So now I’ve been in class for three weeks now. With five classes it feels a bit like a drink from the fire hose. I’m painfully reminded that I forgot most of my mathematics beyond algebra and elementary trig approximately 20 minutes after taking my last final as an undergraduate. I’m taking engineering economics, project finance, advanced structural steel design, structural dynamics, and construction seminar. For my mental health I’m also taking a golf class. Once when I was younger I was kicked off a golf course for wearing jeans and vowed to boycott the “sport”. So far my game more closely resembles lawn mowing so I guess that means my vow still stands.

Michele is settling into life on-campus. She’s enjoying the weather and chances to get out around campus and meet other new moms in the grad student neighborhood. She has also had more time to catch up with her sister, Christie, and her family who live just down the road from campus.

Lachlan is now 2 months and 3 weeks old. At last check (last week) he measured 14-lbs 3 ounces and 25-in: a good size boy according to his doctor. He's still a pretty happy camper and is enjoying living in one place for more than two weeks. He likes walking around campus with Michele in his stroller. He likes bath time but most of all he likes his star. The star I speak of hangs above his floor mat, lights up, and plays really annoying music. Three months ago I would have immediately thrown such a device into the garbage or out the window of a moving vehicle. Now the little diddy is a fair trade for a smiling Lachlan even if I'm sitting there trying to find a non-homogeneous solution to a differential equation for harmonic loading on a moment-frame structure.

Maybe that's progress.

Now for the Photos!!

Lachlan loves bath time

Play time with dad

Study break

"Drive south until you can roll the windows down"

On Tuesday Michele and I pack up with Lachlan in tow and head south. Rather than taking the ferry straight back to Bellingham as originally planned, we will be taking the ferry to Prince Rupert, B.C. and taking the slow road down between the Canadian Rockies and BC coastal range through Prince George, the Okanogan, and finally down to western Washington and our Seattle home. Perhaps not the brightest idea with a newborn but the regular Alaska Marine Highway ferry, Columbia, got broke for the season. Having been left little choice we get to accept this inconvenience as an adventure.

Not sure how the boy will handle the ride. We don't have much road to test him out on here in Ketchikan. He still likes to eat and now weighs in at a shade under 12 pounds. He's lost most of his baby hair and is now a cue ball like his daddy was. Michele and I thought his eye color would change but it staying a slate color. Not sure where he gets that from.

We are looking forward to introducing him to family and friends and catching up with them ourselves. We've missed them very much this last year. It will be nice to get back to Seattle. Michele hasn't left the island since early May and I haven't been out of Ketchikan for nearly half a year.

Ah yes home, Seattle, home: where we will spend 14 days in our home (house? investment? money pit?) to get it ready for the next set of renters before moving on to California for the year. I will be attending Stanford this coming academic year and, if all goes well, will be done with a master degree in June. I'm continuing to study civil engineering specifically focused on design/construction integration. The program is a combination of structural and construction engineering with a little bit a management on the side so it won't be too much of a departure from my career path so far. I've put off grad school for a year now and with 20/20 hindsight going back to school this year is much more of a practical inconvenience than it would have been last fall. This year I really am excited about going to school, which is the one ingredient I was missing when I choose to go to Ketchikan over school last year. Plus we now have a 12 pound bundle of warm, hungry motivation to keep me on task. Michele will continue to stay home with Lachlan and we will live on campus. With her sister's family close by and the promise of lots of places to play with Lachlan outside in the sun (which she also hasn't seen since May:-) she may be more excited than I am.

Despite the excitement we both are feeling about our upcoming time in Seattle and the Bay Area, right now Michele and I are actually both having a hard time saying goodbye to Ketchikan. Perhaps we haven't expressed very well before or it's not something we've felt until recently but we really love this place. It might be because it is the birthplace of our first born. Maybe it is the view of the mountains and the Tongass Narrows in the morning. It could be the whales on the south side of Pennock in the morning or the black bears in Herring Cove in the evening. For me it might be the smell of a nice, wet southeast summer day on the way to work but for Michele it might be the guarantee of running into friends while running errands around town. On the other hand it might be the incredible hospitality we've experience from the folks around town and specifically our church, South Tongass Alliance. Actually this is the reason, no matter how terrible a fisherman you may actually be, the odds are still in your favor to land a big salmon no matter what side of the rod you use (I'm getting all choked up...)

Michele thinks that's a lame reason. Lachlan will understand someday.

Proverbs 24:27

"Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house."

Project Overiew

Sleepy Boy

Happy Boy!

Evening Bear

Lachlan and Grandma Karimi

Week Two Photos

Wha'chu lookin' at!

Wildflowers out at Harriet Hunt Lake

"Lachlan, that shirt's ok for now but if you be wearing that in public 18 years from now we will need to talk."

"So full...can't see straight...but(gasp)...must keep eating!"

Michele taking Lach snorkeling on the beach

"I think it's about lunch time."

Little bundle of joy

Ok, there is the joy

And there is the sleep

More Photos of Lachlan

Getting ready to leave the hospital

First nap at home in the bassinet

Scrunched up in the swing

Lach and Tank assuming the napping positions

Michele and Lachlan out for their first walk on Creek Street

First bath (no, we didn't get the belly button wet)

Close-up in the lamby towel

Lachlan and Rian perched over the Tongass Narrows

Momma and babe 'snoozled' up together

Tired boy

"A porcupine speaking of its baby says, "O my child of velvet."' --Afghan Persian Proverb

Friday morning I was out the house and running out of downtown Ketchikan at 4:30am. As one crests the Grant Street viaduct and heads down the hill, the road turns into a trail where the last two houses sit at the edge of the woods. This particular misty morning I noticed garbage strewn across the trailhead in front of one of the houses. “Must have been a raccoon here last night.” I began thinking as I rounded a blind corner and narrowly avoided running into a big black bear.

Fortunately, though, he was more shocked to see a human up at that time than I was to see him in my running path and he abandoned his stinky breakfast for the woods. Rather than running after the bear down the trail I decided to head back home to help get Michele ready for her induction.

As we sat at the breakfast table I reassured her. “This time tonight…we will be eating dinner with a baby!”

“I hope so!” she said.

…

The two doctors Michele has been seeing in Ketchikan over the course of her pregnancy said the baby has been on the big side since the halfway point. After seeing due dates come and go both doctors recommended that her labor be induced in order to deliver naturally. So we scheduled and rescheduled her induction; finally ending up with Friday, July 20th.

At 7 am Dr. Tung performed a Cytotec induction which got Michele’s contractions going at 5 to 10 minutes apart. The contractions were just strong enough to give her pause as we walked around the little hospital. At that point we both were wishing to be back in Seattle at a bigger hospital. Not for the pain relief alternatives and advanced medical care but for just a few more options for hallways and staircases to walk. After eleven hours of boredom, discomfort, and inconsistent contractions; we were sent home to rest when the doctor’s check showed she was still at 50% and 2 cm (about the same stats as the check-up on Tuesday).

We had a little Kung Pao chicken and went for a walk on the waterfront. At that point the contractions began increasing in intensity about 3 minutes apart. Stumbling past the stares of the local fisherman we made our way toward the car and heading back to the hospital.

At 10:00pm we were officially admitted to the hospital though the nurses measured very little physical progress with Michele. At 11:00pm she was given a push of Stadol to help her sleep.

Second shift on Saturday July 21st began at 4am and despite the painful contractions, by the doctor’s check at 11 am Michele was only 3 cm dilated. The Pitocin drip, a stronger induction drug, started at that point. By 2pm she was at 4 cm and the doctor broke her water. She called in the anesthesiologist an hour later but being on call, the anesthesiologist did not arrive until 5 pm at which time Michele started pushing without the meds.

At 6:11pm, Lachlan Devere Johnson was born screaming and ruddy at 8 lbs 9 oz and 21 inches long. Michele claimed his nose has hers. She said he has my eyes and chin. I will leave time and the attached photos to decide. He held up to the labor very well; maintaining a strong heartbeat through-out. Now that he is out he likes to EAT! Sleep good, eat…more good.

Concerning the name: Lachlan is a somewhat ubiquitous Gaelic name (same origin as Rian) meaning 'land of lakes'. An alternate meaning we found and prefer is ‘warrior from the land of the fjords’. Having spent nearly a year in southeast Alaska, Michele and I wanted a name for him to reflect his magnificent birthplace. Devere is a family name he will share with his paternal grandfather and great-grandfather: both men of the kind of character Michele and I wish to pass on to Lachlan.

Michele is doing great but a little sore from the long labor. She hung in there like a champ and had the respect of the nursing staff at the hospital who were equally as wonderful in their encouragement throughout labor and delivery. Although her description of labor pains had me reminded me of the final scenes of ‘Braveheart’ she says it’s been a great experience for her giving birth here in Ketchikan. She and I are both very fond of the little gift God has given to us.

“Ready to do that again, Michele?”

Perhaps that’s a question best saved for later.

ENOUGH RAMBLINGS NOW MORE PHOTOS

Mom, Dad, and baby shortly after delivery

"Your not going to publish this, are you Dad?"

"Mmm, time to eat!"

"Watching someone else labor is soooo exhausting. Zzzz"

Ephesians 3:16-18 “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

Another Update

Michele and I just returned from the hospital this evening. The doctor performed a mild induction attempt with Cytotec. Long story short, no baby yet but the contractions are little stronger and more frequent this evening. We decided to wait it out at home rather than in the hospital. The baby appears to be healthy and wasn't fazed by the experience. If nothing significant happens tonight we are scheduled to do it all over again tomorrow.

Update

Michele is still very pregnant!
We went to the doctor yesterday and Michele is 2cm and 80% effaced. The doctor recommended an induction this week which is now the second recommendation for an induction that we have received. Therefore, if Michele does not go into labor in the next 48 hours she will be induced on Friday July 20th at 6:30am. We would appreciate your prayers.

Pictures and updates to follow!

-RJ, MJ and “The Thunder Ball”

THUNDERBALL!

Well nothing really new to report at this time. Michele had her weekly check up and we are progressing at the rate of a snail. The baby has a nice strong heart beat and is very active despite the lack of space. Rian listens for his heartbeat every night at which time he gets a kick or punch in the ear by the ‘Thunderball’. We are looking forward to meeting this little boy. The doctor did say that if he does not come on his own by next week Michele should probably be induced. We are tentatively planning on an induction for Wednesday or Thursday next week but are praying that he comes on his own.

Rian is working hard and Matt Anderson, his replacement, is coming in on Wednesday to cover him while he is on vacation with wife and family.

Fourth of July was enjoyable in Ketchikan. There was the small town parade where half of the locals parade down Main Street and the other half stand on the sidewalks and watch. Here the locals on the sidewalk are joined by the throngs of tourists from the cruise ships and the hatchery workers in their Xtra Tuffs on break from the slime line. It poured during the entire parade and the candy thrown from the floats appeared aimed directly at the rain puddles. Ketchikan may not be a swanky urban hub but we do have standards. If you go out on main street tonight you might still find yourself a nice half dissolved pack of smarties. We’re told the fireworks show is pretty impressive here but it was cancelled this year due to (what else?) rain.

"Anchor chains, airplane motors, and train whistles"

Not sure what I was originally expecting but the climax of project construction was rather uneventful. I was shaved and bathed and on June 11^th, nearly one month after Ketchikan's ship berth III was originally scheduled to open, the Diamond Princess became the first ship to use the dock. The ship came in at dawn. Ok, not really. Up here civil twilight ends at 3:00am this time of year. But it was early none the less and flat calm on the waterfront. The ship pulled nice and slow up to the dock and, "phthphthphth!"

The sound of marine grade rubber on steel (I love that sound).

Maybe I was expecting some fanfare or a parade but at 5:30 am my only company was a couple of longshoreman and the port security officer. With my camcorder in hand I think they thought I was gungho tourist. The Contractor and crew had already left the ‘Rock’ for a week’s worth of R & R. So there I was with my mug of coffee…

I guess in structural engineering where all equations should equal zero; when nothing happens it is a good day. It's a very good day when nothing happens and you have Crab Benedict for breakfast with your wife. June 11th was a very good day.

As is typical every day now in Ketchikan the north pacific fleet (of cruise ships) arrives in caravan early each morning. Monday through Wednesday the caravan of three or four ships arrives headed north from Vancouver, Seattle, and San Francisco. Thursday through Saturday the ships go the other direction back to Canada and 'America'. Usually the same ships will visit Ketchikan every week or every other week. With ten thousand visitors arriving daily into the downtown area Ketchikan has changed significantly in the last month and a half. At the end of April, two people walking down the sidewalk would have been cause for rubbernecking, "What's going on over there?!"

Now, when construction isn't going on, I prefer to retreat to my office trailer to avoid the crowds.













With work slowing down, Michele and I had a chance to change focus a little bit and enjoy spending more time with each other and anticipate our upcoming arrival. As such, this web log (or "blog") will transition to more of a family blog with lots of photos.

With a little extra free time we have gotten the opportunity to get out and explore our surroundings a little bit more. Friday we took a trip to the Misty Fjords National Monument. Billed as the 'Grand Canyon of the North' the sight of 3000 foot cliffs jutting up for the the sea is pretty impressive. Although if I was marketing the park, "Yosemite with Seaweed" might be a more accurate slogan. If you've seen Princess Bride, the Misty Fjords really are the "Cliffs of Insanity".

Michele finished up work at the hospital last week. She is now preparing the apartment and household for our baby's upcoming arrival. We are making weekly doctor's visits and now have three different due dates: June 30th, July 7th, and July 16th. What do those dates really mean? Means I can set up a betting pool with the construction crew to make a little side income. And most importantly it means she is term. So now we wait but said not to expect anything until after the 4th of July. We'll keep you posted as events arise. Thank you for your prayers.

RJ and MJ


Manscaping

Construction RJ

Long-haul RJ

Ned Flanders RJ

Pencil-pusher RJ