Thanksgiving Blessings

It is Thanksgiving and we have so much to be thankful for. As many of you know we have had a rough week, but it has shown us how amazing our family and friends are.

Here is an update of what's been going on for those who don't know.
On Friday (Nov. 9) I was in a minor car accident. I was instructed to go to the hospital for observation since I was pregnant. An hour before I was supposed to go home, I started having contractions. The doctor started me on magnesium to stop the contractions and gave me a steroid shot for the baby's lungs. That is when I got scared. Monte was in Vegas and it was just Lexie and I here. I called a friend of mine that I work with, and at the drop of a hat she came and picked Lexie up and kept her all night. Monte couldn't get a flight out until Saturday morning, so he called some friends and they came and stayed at the hospital until Monte got there. They slept in the very uncomfortable waiting room chairs all night! Also, family members all over the country immediately started praying for us. On Saturday, I was transferred to another hospital and doctor that specializes in preterm labor and premature babies. When I got there my contractions slowed down and decreased in intensity. I got to go home that night. Everything was good, we thought. Sunday afternoon we took Lexie to a birthday party. When we got home I started bleeding, so we had to go back to the hospital. Our wonderful friends picked Lexie up from the party and kept her for us. My parents flew out to take care of Lexie because I was going to be in the hospital for a while. The bleeding stopped the same day it started, but I continued to have contractions every 2 minutes for a couple of days. My contractions slowed to just a few a day which is normal, so I got to go home. Luckily, the baby did great through the whole thing. His heart rate was perfect the whole time and his movements were strong. Now I am on bed rest until the baby is born. I always thought bed rest sounded good, but it sucks!! I am a teacher and a mom. It is not in my genetic make up to even sit down.

This would have been hard enough, but while this was going on Monte's dad had a heart attack. Poor Monte. I felt so sorry for him. He handled things so well. He was a rock during all of this. Again we had family members all over the country praying for his dad, and those that were able went to see him. He had a double bypass a couple of days ago. I just talked to Monte's mom, and she said he was doing well. Hopefully they will be able to get him up to go for a walk later, and his heart rate was good.

So here is what I am thankful for this Thanksgiving:
-Family: Our families were amazing during all of this. I am lucky that my parents had the ability to drop everything and come out without any notice. We are also lucky to have family that prayed for us, and called and kept us updated on Monte's dad since we couldn't go to him.
-Friends: Since we don't have family out here, it is nice to have friends that we think of as family. Our "California family" took care of us when our biological family was not here. Also, my friends (coworkers) have helped me tremendously. I was not ready for a sub in my classroom, and they immediately got everything ready for my sub. Luckily I had already picked my long term sub, so they contacted her. My principal was also very caring and told me not to worry about anything school related.
-Prayer and medical advances
-Lexie: She handled everything so well. She got bumped around between houses a few times until my parents got here, and then her routine was completely messed up because she had to come to the hospital every day. She has been very sweet. She cuddles up with me and sings to the baby. (Of course she sings Jonas Brothers songs because she knows he likes them.) He kicks a lot now, so she gets to feel him move and kick.
-Monte: I knew I married a wonderful man, but this really proved it. He slept at the hospital every night. He would only leave when my parents were there to stay with me during the day. When I would wake up in the middle of the night, I could look over and see him sleeping on the uncomfortable chair bed. I knew he loved me, but this was above and beyond love. He would not leave my side even though he was having a family emergency on his side of the family. (And going back to family, his side told him not to even think about leaving me.) My husband is a very strong man. He handled this week amazingly (probably not a real word). I am so lucky to have found someone who loves me so much. Just so you know, I love him so much too.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana) and The Jonas Brothers Concert

Tonight Lexie, her friend Mikayla, and I went to the Miley Cyrus/Jonas Brothers concert. We had a great time! (Lexie also went Thursday to the concert in Oakland with one of her friends.) I am thinking we should probably name the baby Jonas because he LOVES the Jonas Brothers. He was dancing the entire concert. I am glad it was dark so the people sitting around me couldn't see my tummy moving. Some of Lexie's friends ended up sitting next to us. Lexie was very excited about that. I actually sat two rows behind Lex and Mikayla because we couldn't get 3 seats together. (And that was 2 minutes after the tickets went on sale. As it turns out, I guess we were lucky to get them at all. At least we didn't pay $1000 each for them.)

Lexie and Mikayla

At this exact moment, I felt like I was transported back in time to the Ed Sullivan Show when the Beatles were on. I remember seeing videos of that, and all the girls were screaming hysterically. When these guys came out, it must of been what it was like when the Beatles came out. I have never in my life heard girls scream that loudly.

This was the Hannah Montana part of the show.

Cell phones are much safer than lighters to wave in the air (especially in California!).

This was Miley's encore. After the show she came back out and sang a song she wrote about her grandpa. At the concert Lexie went to in Oakland, she and Billy Ray came out together and sang their song. (Surprisingly, I was a little disappointed I didn't get to see the Achy Breaky Heart man.)

Lex and her friends swaying to the music.

Mikayla, Juliet, Lexie, Colby, Serina, and Logan

My Birthday Weekend

What do you get when you have a baby that loves to dance, a daughter that loves Tiffany's, and a husband that is really into cool gadgets? Awesome presents!!!! My birthday was Friday, and Monte and Lexie surprised me with great gifts.

I knew it was going to be a great day when a kid in my class brought me organic chocolate. I thought, "Oh my gosh! This kid really knows me. It's chocolate AND organic, how perfect." Then the homeroom mom brought me beautiful flowers and a gift certificate for a super deluxe mani-pedi. My grade level team also brought me flowers. (They are the best group of ladies I could ever hope to work with. EVERYONE on the team is wonderful and helpful.)

Back to Monte and Lexie... They tricked me at first. There were two Tiffany's bags on the coffee table, and I said, "Ooh, my favorite color bag." Then Monte said, "Uh oh, we just used old bags because we needed them." Of course I thought they were joking. Then I opened the first one, and guess what was in it? An iTunes gift card. (I loved it, but it wasn't quite Tiffany's.) That was from the baby. I guess that was his way of telling me to give him some new music to dance to. Then I picked up a big gift bag from Lexie, and inside was a little blue box. She got me a really cute necklace that has a cursive "s" pendant. I have wanted it for a while. She knows me well. I can't believe she hid the fact that she went to Tiffany's from me. She loves that place. She did a very good job of keeping it secret. Then I open the other little blue gift bag from Monte. And oh my gosh, guess what was inside!?! An iPhone!!! It is the coolest gadget ever invented!! I can't stop playing with it. I have wanted one since the first time I played with one at the store. It was voted the best invention of 2007, and I agree. This thing is awesome.

Then today, we went in to the city to eat at The Slanted Door. It was so good. If you are ever in San Francisco, you have to eat here. (Make reservations before you come.) It is a really hip restaurant right on the bay. It has a gorgeous view. It is a favorite eating spot of many celebrities, but we didn't see one today. (Although Lexie swears she saw the High School Musical director. But of course, she also thinks she saw Paris Hilton at Safeway.) Tonight we saw "Martian Child." It was a really good movie, but it is a serious movie. I was expecting a little more comedy. This was an awesome birthday. Monte and Lexie treated me like a queen. I am lucky to have such a wonderful family.


Here is the necklace Lexie got me. She has great taste!


Monte, me, and my iPhone (box)


Monte and Lexie at The Slanted Door. (This picture was taken with the iPhone.)


This is what my mom and dad got me. My other Bible is in several pieces, so I really needed a replacement. The other book is the sequel to "90 Minutes in Heaven." It was a great book, so I can't wait to read this one. And this is the best smelling candle in the world. It is called Christmas Eve, but I burn it all year. My parents and Monte's parents also gave me money. I plan on treating myself to something I would not normally buy myself. I am not exactly sure what that is yet, but I'll know it when I see it!

Halloween

My little girl is growing up. This is the first Halloween since 1995 that I did not go Trick-or-Treating. Lexie decided that instead of hanging out with mom and Monte she wanted to go out with her youth group from church. She really had a good time. They went "candy gathering" in a neighborhood around the church, and then they went back and had pizza and played games. Monte worked at home and handed out candy to kids. I went to the gym, and then I came home and ate the candy that he didn't give out. (I have no self-control!)


This is Lexie and Alex. They went to the church thing together. (He is not her boyfriend. His mom and I are friends, and they are the same age.)


This is my class. (The parents took a million pictures, and my eyes were closed in every one!) We had a great party at school. All of the parents kept commenting on how good my class was. They really are a great group of kids. I got lucky this year!

Another Niece!

My sister had her baby this morning. We have another niece! Her name is Lydia Grace. She was 7lbs 13oz and 20 inches long. I can't wait to see her.


This is my sister when she got to the hospital. She looked great! (That's my brother-in-law behind the mask. Apparently he gives really good epidurals. I hope he is free to travel in January!)




And just three hours later, we get Lydia. She looks just like my nephew Harrison. I can't wait to hold her.