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!