Welcome Lilly Claire Miller

The first Saturday of Spring Break Hannah and I hit the road up to Fortuna to hopefully be there when our niece Lilly made her debut. (Josh had his annual kayak camping trip with the guys to Lake Sonoma.) Hannah and I enjoyed relaxing at my parents, playing games, being spoiled by my mom's delicious cooking and spending lots of time with my sis before Lilly's arrival. Each day we hoped it would be the day Lilly would decide to join us. Nicole and I went on daily walks hoping to maybe bring on labor. :)  One night of the nights we had a sister's night where we went out to Las Caz for Mexican food (Nicole asked for extra jalepenos in her quesadilla); watched a movie (or more like spent almost an hour trying to pick one out to buy on the T.V.), enjoyed some junk food and ended up not deciding on a movie and stayed up chatting as late as we could keep our eyes open. It's crazy to look back and think that was our last night (just the two of us) before two new little girls entered our lives. :) Hannah and I had to reluctantly leave on Wednesday because I had a meeting with the substitute taking over for my classroom. It was so heart wrenching leaving and not having met my new niece. :(



Hannah playing a game of jacks with Nonne



Our last pregnant picture together

my beautiful sister 3 days before Lilly's arrival

Hanging out with Nonnie

Hannah and I made it home early Wednesday evening to dinner made by Josh. Even though it was really hard leaving my family it was good to get home to him. Hannah was VERY excited to be with dad again. Thursday I met with Jill (my sub) and then we hosted  our weekly "Survivor" dinner at our house with friends. Friday morning we got up to run errands and pick up a couple of Hannah's birthday gifts. It was when we were in REI looking at a sleeping bag and balance bike for her that we got the call from my sis that they were heading to the hospital. I was excited beyond words as I told Josh and we quickly made plans to head home, pack and hit the road again.  We made it to the hospital about 6:30 that evening and we able to go in and see my sister and Shaun for a few minutes. Hannah was thrilled to be at the hospital with the hope that she might meet her new cousin that evening. As the evening went on and it was pushing 9:30 Josh and I decided to tell Hannah that Lilly was coming in the morning and she'd get to come back to the hospital to meet her. Josh took her home to bed, while I stayed at the hospital with my family and Shaun's family. After 4 long hours of pushing (my sister is amazing!), Lilly Claire entered this world weighing 10 lbs. 3 oz. measuring 20.5 in. My heart melted when I saw her for the first time.... I couldn't be happier for my sis and Shaun. Nicole did an incredible job. I am so excited for the future memories our girls will create together. Hannah is such a proud cousin....the expression on her face when she saw Lilly for the first time was precious. I'm counting the days until we're all together again.



After arriving at the hospital Friday evening...can you feel her excitement through this pic? :)



proud auntie and cousin

Every time I held Lilly, Jordyn would start kicking in my belly :)

Proud Nonnie and Nonne

with my amazing sis



Holding Lilly for the first time....she couldn't stop looking at her :)




finally got her to look away from Lilly for a picture



proud parents and proud cousin (still admiring Lilly)

Pregnancy Update

My last day of work was Friday, March 16th. It was bitter-sweet...saying goodbye to my students was hard. I have a great class and have really enjoyed my year with them, on the other hand March 16th marked the beginning of me getting to be home with Hannah and spending more time with my family. My students showered me with lots of hugs, sweet letters, and thoughtful gifts on my last day. Josh had the day off so he and Hannah came to my class to join us for lunch. I treated my students to a pizza party and a parent surprised me and brought in a cake as well. The students also brought in snacks and treats to share. I'll be off for the remainder of the school year which I am very excited about. Timing my due date with the end of the school year gives me an extra long break off with the girls (& Josh once he's out of school). I've already been back once and will go back again to visit my students, watch the school play and of course pass out their diplomas at promotion.  :)

Hannah snuggling with "lambie" and her new blanket that a student gave to Hannah and a matching set for Jordyn.

Josh and Hannah the morning of my last day of work after making crowns together

I had an appointment last Monday. Hannah was excited to be there with Josh and me at the appointment and see her sister on the ultrasound. Everything looks great, Jordyn is head down and I'm 1 cm. dilated. Hannah was 3 weeks early, however this doesn't make me feel like Jordyn will necessarily be early. I was a lot more swollen (hands, feet, ankles & face) with Hannah and my swelling is very minimal with Jordyn. (yah!!) I have another appointment next week and will be 37 weeks this Saturday. We'd love Jordyn to come anytime after this weekend (Hannah's birthday party is Saturday and Easter is Sunday).  Never can predict however....so who knows. :) I kinda have a feeling this little one wants to hang out in my tummy a little longer than her big sister did. :)

"sprinkles" for Jordyn

Our family has felt so fortunate over the past month with all of the sweet "sprinkles" for little miss Jordyn. We are so lucky to have so many thoughtful family members and friends. My sister threw the first sprinkle up in Fortuna for family and friends at the end of February. We enjoyed a delicious brunch and were so excited to receive a new video monitor (a group gift). It's a color monitor with night vision (like our other monitor), however it also has the ability to zoom, pan the room in all directions and allows us to speak through the monitor into the room. I know people survive without video monitors and have for ages, however once you have one you can't imagine being without. They are so awesome on so many levels!! We also received some adorable new clothes, hats, hair accessories and many baby necessities. :)

Part of the invite from the "sprinkle"Nicole threw for me

Letters Nicole painted/decorated for Jordyn's room

beautiful quilt my cousin made for me

"Little Sis" Hat and sleep sack from my mom...so sweet

Our new video monitor

Hannah admiring Jordyn's adorable hats

diaper cake from Amy and Angela 

From my sis and Shaun, so cute! (their daughter Lilly has a matching one)

finally a pregnant picture of us together

close up picture of the letters

The second weekend of March held two sprinkles for Jordyn. The first was held on Friday thrown by my amazing coworkers. It was held in the private patio area at Mary's Pizza Shack. We enjoyed some of Mary's yummy appetizers, drinks and many laughs. (perfect way to kick off the weekend) My coworkers were kind enough to chip in for a new glider that we really wanted. We borrowed the glider we had with Hannah and decided we really wanted to purchase our second one. We wanted to get something nice that would later on be a quality piece of furniture for our living room. I absolutely love the people I work with. Over the past 8 years I've taught at two schools (both amazing) 6 of those 8 years have been at Evergreen. Working with some of my closest friends makes going to work that much better. It's really fun because many of us have kiddos that are around the same age (& some even go to daycare together). I was so occupied with visiting with everyone that I didn't take any pictures.  :(

On Saturday one of my college roommates and close friends Karina held a sprinkle for Jordyn at her home.  Family and close Rohnert Park friends were there. Hannah was very excited to once again celebrate her sister. She loved helping me open gifts and made sure to hold up each item to show to the guests. She also commented on every item with an "awe!" or "soooo cute!" Karina put together a beautiful lunch. I enjoyed chatting with good company, ate more than my fill :) and was fortunate enough to receive many thoughtful gifts (including a group gift that went toward the glider & purchased more much needed items). I can't wait for Karina to have kids someday so I can return the favor. :) 

Again I was so preoccupied at Karina's that I only took two pictures on my phone. I'm finding more often that I'm not so good about taking pictures these days.

 Hannah ready to help me open gifts at Karina's

home made shortbread

February Fun

The first weekend of February began with a trip with friends to the Sacramento Zoo on Saturday and our annual Superbowl Sunday party at Ian & Kara's with over 30 kids/adults.

We'd never been to the Sacramento Zoo before, so it was fun to plan a trip there to meet up with some of friends who lived in the area & others that this was a half way meeting point for. Overall there 10 kids and 11 adults for our sunny day at the zoo. That particular day was 1/2 price (a good thing and a bad thing). We made sure to arrive right when they opened and enjoyed the first two hours with minimal crowds, after lunch the crowds got bigger so we decided to end our day around 1:30 (which was perfect because it was nap time). Hannah was very excited to see the flamingos (or "mingos" as she has nicknamed them). We of course started out there. :)

The kids enjoyed a small play area while waiting for the rest of our group to arrive. It was fun to see Hannah play with Gavin (my friend Amber's son), who is 4 months older than her. Listening to their little conversations was quite entertaining.

It was so wonderful to see my friend Andrea, her husband Devin and their little guy Hudson. Andrea is one of my closest college friends (and former roommate) and I wish we lived closer. The zoo was a good half way point for us to be able to meet and cut down on drive time. I can't wait for our next "play date" together. :)

Hudson amused by Hannah's "funny face"

Hannah and Gavin intently looking for a lion

watching mom's favorite animals the monkeys

Hannah, Henry and Gavin

Best pic we could get of them (missing Tyler, Maddie and Mariah)

Hannah and Gavin loving the ferris wheel

with two of my bestest friends from high school (Lisa and Amber) and our little ones

Valentines day was a lot of fun this year because Hannah really got into making Valentines for her friends. She diligently worked for two nights in a row on water coloring, glittering and signing each and every Valentine. It was a lot of fun to watch her work. :)



water color background



adding some glitter



finished product

Below are a few pics I snapped throughout the month that make me smile. :)

She fell asleep with her book propped up on her while reading before her nap

exploring under her trundle bed with dad...gotta love the head lamp!

wearing one of her Valentines stickers



making monkey bread with mom

 Mid February I headed up to Fortuna for a "sprinkle" that Nicole threw for me, (pics and stories soon to come), to go to a friend's shower and to spend the three day weekend with my fam. Below are a couple pics of Nicole and I both finally looking pregnant. :)  Sometimes I still can't believe we're pregnant together. We always wished for this as young adults and now that it's coming true it's still unreal  at times. We're both soooo excited!!

The last week of Feb/first week of March was spent at Outdoor Ed with our three 6th grade classes. We went to Alliance Redwoods for our second year in a row and the kids had a blast! It was a little rough being 8 months pregnant while there because I couldn't do some of the intense hikes with the kids that I normally would be able to do and I wasn't able to zip line like last year, however all in all it was a great week. Hannah was able to come out and visit for an entire day and had a blast watching all the big kids participate in classes and challenge courses and of course enjoyed playing in the play area. This year because both Josh and myself had Iphone 4S's we were able to FaceTime with each other every day (for those of you who don't have Iphones, it's basically a video chat). Despite all the fun and great memories created with my teaching partners and the kids, by the end of the week I was ready to be home with my family and sleeping in my own bed with my honey.

She had lots of fun on this slide

Hannah and her best friend Kenzie (one of my teaching partner's daughters) with the big kids

Another fun thing for Hannah this past month was being able to watch her dad coach wrestling. Last year when I took her to a dual meet she was somewhat interested, this year however she was very into it and asked many questions. To my surprise she sat through over an hour of the meet. She loved cheering on her dad's team and was very excited to stand with him for a few minutes while he coached. Josh's team ended up being overall league champions this year! :)