I went back to work this week. It is good to be back. The kids are wonderful. I had a 4th grader put a little sign on my front that said "Hug me!" The staff is also so supportive. My youngest kids don't completely understand what has happened, but I was expecting that. The older ones do and many have told me that they are sorry that the baby died. I've gotten lots of hugs this week, which has been really nice. They really lift my spirits.
Tomorrow is my first day back at my second school. I'm not sure exactly what the kids have been told so that will be my first order of business when I get there.
We have an amazing support system. I am part of an e-mail list made up of music teachers from all over the country, and even a couple abroad. One of my best friends on the list (hi, Patti!) was the one I asked to spread the news on the list. That prompted a mass of e-mails from people on the list, some expressing condolences, and others sharing their own personal experiences of losing children too early in pregnancy. One of the things I've learned this last week and a half is that lots of women have experienced the same thing. It's hard, but I'm doing ok. Jeff is very supportive of me and I hope he can say the same for me.
My parents flew up from Denver on Sunday night of last week and were here till last Wednesday. It was wonderful to have them here, even with the circumstances being as they were. There was a lot of crying and hugging. We talk daily.
One of the best things that happened that night was holding my son, whom we have decided to name Jacob, in my hands. He was still in the sack and looked absolutely perfect, from what I could see. The first thing I saw was his tiny behind and his legs, which looked like frog legs because they were so skinny and were bent at the knees the way frogs legs are. That part makes me laugh.
Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers, but know that we will be ok. Not right away, but we will be ok. I will keep up with the blog as our lives progress.
10.20.2004
10.14.2004
This is Michele, Stephanie's sister.
It is with great sadness that I write this post. Steph and Jeff lost their son very early in the morning this past Sunday. They were in Las Vegas with Jeff's family. Steph was able to see and hold her son. She and Jeff are very sad and are mourning their loss but, all things considered, they are doing very well. Jeff returned to work earlier this week but Steph is taking the rest of the week off to recover. She is doing well physically. I have talked with her many times and I am proud of how strong she is. I have all the faith in the world that they will get through this okay. She has said to me, "That which does not kill us makes us stronger." They have a strong faith and a wonderful, loving relationship which will no doubt see them through.
Steph returned to work briefly yesterday to visit, and was shown an outpouring of support. The regular teachers talked with their classes and answered any questions that the children may have had. They also know that any more questions should not be asked to Steph when she returns, but should be asked of their regular teachers. The children made her cards which are wonderful and are raising her spirits. She feels very blessed to be at a school like that where she is part of a family.
Please keep Stephanie and Jeff in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
It is with great sadness that I write this post. Steph and Jeff lost their son very early in the morning this past Sunday. They were in Las Vegas with Jeff's family. Steph was able to see and hold her son. She and Jeff are very sad and are mourning their loss but, all things considered, they are doing very well. Jeff returned to work earlier this week but Steph is taking the rest of the week off to recover. She is doing well physically. I have talked with her many times and I am proud of how strong she is. I have all the faith in the world that they will get through this okay. She has said to me, "That which does not kill us makes us stronger." They have a strong faith and a wonderful, loving relationship which will no doubt see them through.
Steph returned to work briefly yesterday to visit, and was shown an outpouring of support. The regular teachers talked with their classes and answered any questions that the children may have had. They also know that any more questions should not be asked to Steph when she returns, but should be asked of their regular teachers. The children made her cards which are wonderful and are raising her spirits. She feels very blessed to be at a school like that where she is part of a family.
Please keep Stephanie and Jeff in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
10.03.2004
14 Weeks, 2 Days
Retail therapy is good. My mother sent me a check last week to go clothes shopping. I did some of that today. In my newest belly shot, I am wearing the skirt, and one of the shirts I bought today.
I spent the weekend in Spokane visiting family and family friends. It was a good trip. I also had a gathering to attend for the music sorority I was in in college. It was weird being in Spokane and not going to my grandmother's. This was the first time I haven't had free access to the house. (For those of you who don't know, she passed away a little over a year ago.) There were lots of tears all weekend long. Last night I stayed with a friend of my mother's. I was able to sleep in 'til 9:15 this morning. It was really nice. I haven't slept in that late in I don't know how long.
We're waiting for Mount St. Helens to go. It's pretty exciting.
Things continue to go well. I'm still feeling great! I'm really excited for feeling the baby move in the next few weeks.
I spent the weekend in Spokane visiting family and family friends. It was a good trip. I also had a gathering to attend for the music sorority I was in in college. It was weird being in Spokane and not going to my grandmother's. This was the first time I haven't had free access to the house. (For those of you who don't know, she passed away a little over a year ago.) There were lots of tears all weekend long. Last night I stayed with a friend of my mother's. I was able to sleep in 'til 9:15 this morning. It was really nice. I haven't slept in that late in I don't know how long.
We're waiting for Mount St. Helens to go. It's pretty exciting.
Things continue to go well. I'm still feeling great! I'm really excited for feeling the baby move in the next few weeks.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
