The Last 24 Hours

Well - lots of you already know some or most of this, but for those who don't here is the rundown of the last 24 hours in the Elliott house. Really, the whole ordeal started before then, on Friday morning. Around 5:30am, I woke up with some light spotting. I called into work, and called the hospital and spoke with a nurse there. She said there was no need to come to ER, and I could wait until my Dr's office opened at 9:30. My Dr just told me to stay off my feet for a couple days and didn't seem overly concerned. It never got worse, and even went away at some points during the weekend. So, I went to work as usual on Monday. All day I had funny feeling of having to use the bathroom. Around 5:30pm or so, I got up after sitting for about an hour and a half taking a test online. I felt like I peed my pants. Immediately I called my mom and we headed to the ER. The ER sent me up to Labor and Delivery. After tests, bloodwork, etc. it was determined that my water broke. The dr also said it felt like I was dialated a couple of centimeters. Being only 22 weeks along, this was scary! The good news is I wasn't having contractions, so I hadn't actually started labor yet. After some deliberation, I was sent to a hospital in Lewisville that is better equipped to handle this kind of situation. Most of the prognosis at first was basically lets wait and see - there is a chance that labor will begin soon. I made it through the night with no pain and thankfully no contractions. We saw baby girl on the ultrasound and heard her heartbeat several times. Today (Tuesday) I saw several doctors and baby girl is still hanging in there. The plan right now is to wait and hope that she doesn't try to come on her own before next week. At this point, I will be 23 and a half weeks, and should labor begin, there is a lot better outlook for mom and baby. She is breach, so a C-section would probably be needed, and right now it is just too early for that. I am on antibiotics to help delay infection, and we are both being monitored closely. The biggest issue right now is that there is no fluid around the baby which prevents her lungs from developing as they should. Of course, this is on top of all the other complications that come with premature births. The dr taking care of me said that if everything remains the same they would start me on steroids on Friday. This would help with lung development. We can also hope that baby girl produces more fluid and that it sticks around rather than leaking out. After a couple days of steroids, we would wait and see if she tries to come. If so, a c-section would be performed and we would hope and pray for baby girl's survival and low complications. She could also hang out as long as she wants, only increasing her chances of being ready. There are several specialists already on board to take care of me and baby girl. So - for now, I am just hanging out, praying A LOT, and trying to keep myself entertained. I keep reminding myself that God is in control and he already has this all worked out. We appreciate your prayers - they are being heard! Every hour, day, week, that we make it without labor beginning is that much more hope! I will try to post updates as they come.

What we're up to...

Well, not much exciting has been happening, and I have been too lazy to blog about even the ordinary things. I think I may be a late spring/summer only blogger - it seems like the rest of the school year is too crazy for me to keep up. I love reading blogs, though, so maybe I will be inspired to keep mine up. Anyway, just to fill everyone (the 2 people who may actually read this) in... ~Russel and I have joined 24 Hour Fitness and are on track to lose weight and become healthier! We've been at it for about a month now. The scale is showing a 6 pound loss for me, which doesn't seem like much (in my eyes anyway), but I am noticing a difference in how my clothes are fitting and just feeling better in general. I also purchased a BodyBugg, this device that you wear on your arm that monitors your calorie burn and activity throughout the day. Then you plug into the website what you ate and it helps you track your progress. It has been really helpful as it is a constant reminder to think about what I am eating and I like playing the game of trying to get my calories consumed vs. calories burned where they need to be. I will be updating the blog with progress as it will be neat to look back down the road and see how far we've come. ~We are still praying, hoping, wishing, trying for a baby. Most of you know that we have been pregnant twice and have miscarried both times. I am hoping that the weight loss will help prevent this from happening again, as there is no other factors that we know of yet causing this. ~Going along with the above, it seems like EVERYONE I know is having babies or pregnant. I have one friend who is struggling right along with me and it seems like we are SURROUNDED by babies! I know it's not entirely true, but you sure notice it a lot more when you want it so bad! ~ Speaking of babies, Russel's sister had a baby recently. His name is Trevor and he was 5 weeks on Friday. He is precious! I am ready for him to be able to play, though! I am excited to be an aunt! ~Tomorrow is the Math TAKS test, the last for the year for 3rd grade. I am SO ready for it to be OVER! We have worked very hard all year (especially these last few weeks) and I know my class will do great! I was a little worried before the Reading test in March, and they all stepped up and passed! This is the first time in all my years of teaching that all my kids have passed the first time around! Hopefully the trend continues and the Math scores come back the same way! ~We are down to the wire in the countdown to summer. We have 5 weeks left!! I am lookingo forward to some fun and exciting projects to finish out the year. With TAKS behind us, we can plan lots of fun things without having that to stress about. Well...I think that's the gist of what's happening with us! Updates to come!

Cruising to Cozumel

Yes, I am still alive, and Yes, I have cruise pics! However, I am not having a fun time trying to upload several of them on here, so you'll have to go to Facebook, MySpace, or Kodak Gallery to see the rest.

Anyway, we had a FABULOUS vacation. If you've never taken a cruise, I highly recommend it!

We left on Wednesday night and drove down to Galveston to spend the night there. Our hotel was right on the beach, so we killed some time in the morning swimming and hanging out.

I was so nervous in the days leading up to the trip that we would forget some important paperwork or not have something we were supposed to, and they wouldn't let us on the ship, but everything went smoothly! We did have some misplaced luggage, but happened to pass by it sitting in the hallway, so there wasn't any searching or worrying about it.

We spent the first night exploring our "home away from home" as they kept calling it. It was amazing...a whole city right there at your fingertips. We ate fantastically (decent food available at your disposal nearly 24 hours a day!) and enjoyed the drink specials as well! After dinner, we made a "deposit" as Russel calls it in the casino...my "allowance" was gone in about 10 minutes...those darn slot machines! The ship we were on is nicknamed the "City at Sea"....and it is definitely a happening place at night...each night there was a revue type show, and you could also enjoy karaoke, comedy shows, BINGO, among other entertainment.

The greatest thing about cruising is while there are so many options for entertainment, you don't have to do anything, and can just lay around and relax! The ship boasts 3 pools and lawn chairs are abound at each turn. We also enjoyed a game of mini golf while overlooking the gulf!

The 3rd morning, we arrived in beautiful Cozumel, Mexico. Since we were only there for the day, and didn't really research beforehand, we didn't know what we were doing, so we probably didn't take full advantage of being there. We decided to just do our own thing and went shopping and exploring the city a little bit. I did get a gorgeous ring (an early anniversary gift) and Russel was treated to "too much tequila" by the jewelry shop owners (amazing what they will do to get you to buy something). Anyway, it worked, but I don't think Russel enjoyed the after effects too much.

After Cozumel, we spent another day and a half sailing home, and arrived Monday morning back in Galveston. After waiting in some fun long lines and trekking through customs, we were slapped in the face with reality and headed home. Again, we had a fantastic time, and cruising is definitely on or future vacations list...now, onto some pictures. Enjoy!

The hotel in Galveston from the water

Towel animal...each night the housekeepers made a different animal and put it on the bed

Our bed/room...this is basically it, minus a small bathroom/vanity area...also notice the fake window...for more money you got an ocean view room, otherwise, you just got tricked!

One of the 3 pools with a water slide

Mini golf anyone? Fun way to pass the day...with a terrific view!

Our ship docked in Cozumel

Cozumel

My favorite of many sunset pictures...you just don't see views like this in Fort Worth!

Us on formal night...

Thanksgiving & The Days After

As sad as I am that my week-long break from work is over, I must say that I really do have so many blessings to be thankful for this year. I had one terrific, family, food and fun-filled week. Below are some pictures showing some of the fun we had. I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday and that you remembered to count your blessings and thank God for your list of "What I am Thankful For..." First off, we got the luxury of having two Thanksgiving meals in one day. We started off the early afternoon at Russel's parents' house, and enjoyed some time with his mom, dad, sister, and soon to be brother in law.

Russel & I at his parent's house. =)

Russel's sister Elizabeth and her fiancee Jesse...they are getting married in March...I can't wait!

After that, we headed to my parents' house for another meal and more time with family. Needless to say we ate a lot, but it was so yummy, who could resist!

My Aunt Kelly, Me, My Sister Chelsea

Chelsea, sister Samantha, and I...if you look closely you can see the SNOW in the background!!!! C-R-A-Z-Y

Chelsea and I...I sure do love this girl! =)

As much I said I'd never do it, since I am not the world's hugest shopping fan, I did actually venture out on 'Black Friday'...I didn't actually buy anything, but I enjoyed some more family time with my mom and sisters. And, no, we didn't get up at 4am...that will take much more convincing for me!

One of my favorite parts of the weekend was the 'girl's night' we had on Friday. After our afternoon of shopping and hanging out, my mom and sisters came back to my house where we watched 'Hairspray', ate popcorn and chocolate and just did girl stuff! So fun to just get to talk to my favorite girls in the world. Below you can see some of the fun we had. Hopefully I don't get in too much trouble for posting these!

Aren't these lovely? We decided we needed some clay on our faces! Thankfully the results were much better looking! =)

So, that wraps up my Thanksgiving week! Kudos to you if you made it all the way through this post! Don't forget to leave a comment to let me know you stopped by!

Melinda =)

Did You Know That Washington D.C. Lives In Austin?

I've had a request to post funny school stories, and boy do I have a doozy. I am not sure if this is so much funny as it is "here's your sign", but remember the "victim" I am writing about is only 8, so I guess I should be nice. =) Also, this actually happened in another 3rd grade class, not mine, but it was too funny not to share. Anyway, every week, my students answer 6-8 geography questions as part of something called "Daily Geography". They are responsible for using maps, dictionaries, glossaries, (ie whatever resources they want) to find answers to 2-3 questions a day. Everyday, we go over the answers together so they can make sure they have them right. Then, at the end of the week, they take a "test" over that week's questions. I put test in quotes because the test questions are EXACTLY the same as the practice, just in a different order, AND they are allowed to use the same resources on the test (maps, dictionaries, etc.). So, last week one of the questions was "What is the capital of Texas? Why is it an important place?" We talked about how Austin was an important place because the governor lives there, they make decisions/pass laws there, the capital building is there, etc. Another question was "What is the symbol used to show Washington D.C. on a map and what does it mean?" So, we discussed the star in the circle and how it means that Washington D.C. is our national capital. Fast forward to test day. My co-worker is grading the tests and comes down to my room to share with me a classic answer. One of her students wrote as the answer to "What is the capital of Texas? Why is it an important place?" "Austin is an important place because Washington D.C. lives there." Needless to say we got a good laugh and tried to figure out how this particular student jumbled up all that information in their head. So, next time you drive through Austin stop and pay Washington, D.C. a visit. I am sure he'd love to see you! Until next time!

I Survived!

Well, I did it, I survived another 1st day of school! It is amazing to me how quickly first days go by. I have been blessed this year with a very sweet class, and I really enjoyed getting to know all their little personalities today. I must emphasize the little part, though...I had forgotten how little these babies are at the beginning of the year, not only in size, but in their independence level. I was reminded of this very quickly when following directions I had written on the board wasn't such an easy task for them. The 3rd graders I sent off to 4th grade in May were pros at this. I guess I forgot that I actually have to teach them this skill. Nonetheless, they were all very sweet and very well behaved and I can already tell that it is going to be an awesome year. Also, much to my delight, I have already had parents volunteer to help! In my 2 and a half years of teaching on my own, this is one department my group has always been lacking in. It seems like I always get a parent or 2 that takes of care of things like class parties and whatnot, but having someone willing to make copies, or whatever else I need done is a welcome surprise! Anyway, maybe having some extra hands around will help me not have to live at school these first few weeks. I am still waiting for the year when I have it figured out and I can get home before 7 the first week of school. I'll let ya know when that happens. All in all it was a very good day, and I have a really good feeling about this year. I hope everyone else's first day's went as well as mine.

Louisiana Trip

Russel and I went with his sister and dad to Houma, Louisiana for the weekend to see his grandparents. For those of you who care, Houma is about 40 miles southwest of New Orleans. Anyway, it's about a 9 hour drive, so that was fun. We left at about 5 am on Friday morning (that's the earliest I have been up in a while) and after making stops to eat and make a deposit to the economy of Shreveport-Bossier City (IE the casinos) we got there around 3:30 that afternoon. It was nice to see his grandparents, his grandpa has been pretty sick with Leukemia among other ailments, so we wanted to be sure to get this trip in as soon as we could. Right now, things are stabilized, and he's actually functioning pretty well, but there's not much more the doctors can do for him. So, we just pray that he stays comfortable and leave it up to God at this point. He is 87 years old, so it is a comfort to know that he has led a long, fulfilling life. He and his wife are still able to live together in their home, without much dependence on other people. I know that this is important to him, so I am glad for that. We also did some sightseeing while we were there, and ate some awesome food. I, living in Texas my entire life, have never been a huge seafood fan. Eating seafood in Louisiana, however, is a whole different ballgame. You can definitely tell a difference in that it is so fresh, and seasoned to perfection. I had shrimp boiled with all kinds of seasonings along with potatoes and corn at one meal, and Bourbon Mahi Mahi another time. Yum-O! On Saturday, we drove up to New Orleans to do some shopping and eating in the French Quarter. I really enjoyed that. We saw the Hard Rock Cafe, and shopped and ate at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company (if you are a Forrest Gump fan, you should check this place out). Sunday, we headed out that morning and stopped to visit some more family in Lafayette. Heading home, we ran into some MAJOR road construction traffic (in Texas of course) which delayed our getting home till about midnight. Poor Russel had to get up for work this morning. I, thankfully was able to sleep in. Anyway, we are tired, and glad to be home, but had a blast! I am going to try to post some pics, but I've never done that on here before, so we'll see!

Home, Sweet Home

The Casino that took 13 of my hard earned dollars!

Bubba Gump Shrimp Company

Russel & I at the New Orleans Aquarium

Russel, his dad, his sister, and I inside a shark's mouth at the aquarium.