OOH, BABY!! – Minnetonka Mini-School Archives

OOH, BABY!!

By Nicole Tiggas and Kristi Dahl

This article is about Mini-Schoolers and their offspring. We interviewed six Mini kids and alumni to get information about their babies and how having a child has affected their lives. Both of us interviewed either the mother or father of the child. Some have already had their babies and others are expecting their firstborn.

Alison Grahn-19 years old
Q. When was your baby born?
A. April 9th 1994
Q. How much did he weigh?
A. 7 lbs, 11 oz
Q. Height?
A. 20 1/4 in.
Q. Full name?
A. Lucas James Grahn
A. What adjustments have you made and how has having a baby changed your life?
A. It’s difficult, because I was used to going out a lot and now I’m at home. I have to work around his schedule.
Q. What hospital was he born in?
A. Fairview Riverside
Q. How long were you in active labor?
A. 24 hours, I ended up having a C- section.
Q. How old is your baby ?
A. Almost 19 months
Alison is on the deans list at Metropolitan Community College, and she is being actively pursued by many “elite” sororities. Alison has been living on her own with Lucas as a single mom since he was born.

Collin Davis-15 years old
Q. When was your baby born?
A. February 28th 1995
Q. How much did she weigh?
A. 8 lbs, 2 0z
Q. Height?
A. 22 inches
Q. What’s your baby’s full name?
A. Kaylee Paige Davis
Q. What adjustments have you made and how has having a baby affected your life?
A. It’s hard to do. It’s a full fledged responsibility that has to be done 100% all the time.
Q. What hospital was she born in?
A. Fairview
Q. How long was the mother in active labor?
A. Four hours
Q. How old is your baby now?
A. Eight months

Jaimie Jordan-18 years old
Q. When was your baby born?
A. June 21st 1995
Q. How much did your baby weigh?
A. 6 lbs exactly.
Q. What’s your baby’s full name?
A. Jaleesa Denise Simmons-Jordan
Q. What adjustments have you made and how has having a baby affected your life?
A. I don’t get to go out as much. I can’t just get up and go. I have to leave at least ten minutes early for everything because I need to get her in the car and make sure I have everything I need.
Q. What hospital was she born in?
A. Methodist
Q. How long were you in active labor?
A. About 12 hours
Q. How old is she now?
A. Four months

Alison Young (Godmother) says: “Jaleesa is really cool, she has more personality than any four month old I’ve ever met. She has a mongolian spot on her butt! She likes bath time, eats at six, she’s a good sleeper, and entertains herself and everyone around her. She likes to listen to Bob Marley and Grand Master Flash. She’s an old school kid.”

Erica Gysland -17 years old
Q. When was your baby born?
A. July 20th 1995 at 1:14 am
Q. How much did he weigh?
A. 7 lbs, 14 oz
Q. Height?
A. 20 1/2 inches
Q. What is your baby’s full name?
A. Joel Daniel Gysland
Q. What adjustments have you made and how has having a baby affected your life now?
A. It’s a new experience but one I don’t regret. You take so much for granted when you’re young that you can’t when you have children. No energy!
Q. How long were you in active labor?
A. I was having contractions for 3 days, I was in active labor for 17 hours, and he was coming out transversed so they did a C-section.
Q. What hospital was he born in?
A. Methodist
Q. Anything else?
A. He was born with six fingers on each hand. He’s such a good baby, he has slept through the night since the day he was born. He’s the cutest baby in the world! Joe Bundy is going to be the Godfather!

And here are two ladies who are expecting their first!

Nichole Tiggas-16 years old
Q. When is your baby due?
A. December 26th
Q. Do you want a boy or a girl?
A. Doesn’t matter
Q. How many months along are you?
A. Seven
Q. Are you coming back to school after the baby’s born?
A. Yes
Q. What was your first reaction when you found out you were pregnant?
A. I thought I was before I took the test so when it came up positive I was surprised, but I had thought I was already.
Q. What do you want to name your baby if it’s a boy?
A. No idea
Q. What about a girl?
A. No idea

Pauline Von Ruden-31 years old
Q. When is your baby due?
A. February 2nd
Q. Do you want a boy or a girl?
A. Doesn’t matter
Q. How many months along are you?
A. Six months.
Q. Are you coming back to school after you have your baby?
A. Yes
Q. What was your first reaction when you found out you were pregnant?
A. I suspected I was pregnant before school got out last year, but I wanted to finish off the school year before I knew. I took a test while Jason (her boyfriend ) was out of town for the weekend. He knew before he left that I was going to take one. It came up positive, so I sat on my recliner and laughed hysterically for about 15 minutes. I wanted to tell someone, but ! wanted Jason to be the first to know, so I told him when he got back. And now since my mother has discovered she is going to be a grandmother she’s become a garage sale fanatic, every time she’s over she brings us more clothes!
Q. It it’s a boy what will you name it?
A. Jackson
Q. And if it’s a girl?
A. I don’t know

For the ending of this article, Pauline had suggested that we ask the Mini-School students for suggestions on names for a boy or a girl. Here they are along with the names of the people who have chosen them: