Thomas Bruce Johansen

We started moving into our house in Millercreek the first part of March 2003.My parents and Brian (and family) were very helpful, they came down to help us finish and clean up our place in Elmo. Well I was at the end of my pregnancy, James was 13 months and Amanda was 3. I had been having some (braxton hicks) contractions not many this had been a much easier pregnancy than the last. I had attended water aerobics regularly my whole pregnancy and hardley gained any weight. Annie was up with Brian helping my moving cause. Yes we went walking, nothing like with Amanda. It was 1 mile around the block we lived on and we went around a few times. Late that evening we went to the hospital to see if it was working. It was I was dilated to a 3 and almost completely thinned. The nurse at the hospital gave as a recipe for a baby ( sorry can't post it ) and sent us home. That night Pete and I did our best to induce my body into active labor, but nothing happened fast enough. The next morning (Monday) I had my scheduled appointment with Dr Neilson at 10:30. Annie accompanied me since Pete was off to work. Annie being as persuasive as she can be helped me convince the doc into starting my labor. He thought it would be late in the night or early in the morning and Annie having to go home would still miss the event, but he agreed and I started pitocin. Annie and I walked through the parking lot to the hospital and called Pete, I believe he was working on the other end of the county that day. I had decided to try and have this baby without an epidural (Yes, I know God created man that created epidural for a reason) At one point towards the end of labor I bit Pete who was at my side trying to help me relax. It wasn't long after that I agreed to pain meds, less than 20 minutes after meds Thomas was born.

March 10,2003 4:29 Pm 6 pounds 11 ounces 20 1/2 inches long

( the biggest of my babies)

Thomas was named after Pete's uncle, Elijah Thomas Johansen [1918-1981]

and after my Daddy Bruce D Sharp.

His nickname Baby (little) Bruce came from Aunt Peggy who married Uncle Bruce Kremers.

Grandma Jolene was the one to start calling him "Tommy"

Uncle Ken calls him "Frank" ( Jesse James' brother)

Today Thomas is 47 1/2 inches and 52 pounds