New Years Letter

Well what a year! It has definitely been the most exciting, best year of our lives! January 12th we found out I was pregnant. We were so excited. It only took a week or so for the morning sickness to kick in. Poor Kyle had gone to the grocery and bought every fruit and vegetable he could find and I couldn’t stomach any of it! For a straight week I ate only rice and bean burritoes from Chipotle because it was the only thing I could bare eating. We waited until february to share the news- I told my students I had a valentines surprise. The girls in my class were excited, the boys were like, where are the presents? I had my hands full teaching full time, commuting and going to grad school at willamette at night- all while pregnant. Many of my girlfriends and colleagues thought I was nuts. Kyle and i have always been overachievers- this past year i took it to a whole new level! Thankfully by spring break I was feeling better. I started to enjoy eating again. We found out we were having a girl in May. We were thrilled! In june I said goodbye to my students and colleagues at St Vincent’s. It was very emotional. That school is very special to me. Kyle picked me up on my last day of work and we went straight to Black Butte to celebrate the end of commuting, working and grad school and my birthday. I couldn’t even have champagne! I settled with cider. We had a fun birthday party with my parents and the triplets. The summer was filled with parenting classes, pregnancy exercise classes and getting ready for our baby girl. Kyle’s parents helped us transform Kyle’s office into a beautiful pink nursery. Abigail arrived one day late on september 13th- on my parents’ anniversary. It was a wonderful day. Those first two weeks were how shall I say- exciting. we quickly learned what being parents entailed. What a job! As kyle’s mom says it’s the best job and the hardest. Abigail has stolen our hearts. She has got personality. She lets you know when she’s happy and when she’s not. She just started doing this poutface with her lowerlip that breaks my heart! Kyle now lives with two drama queens . My dad says we better have a boy next! Our lives have completely changed. I am now a stay-at-home mom. Abby and I keep busy with moms groups and playgroups. I am teaching her to be miss social like mommy. The past month has been a whirlwind. Kyle had a few job offers he was considering, so we had a lot on our mind. He ended up deciding to stay at Tektronix- it helped him decide after they promoted him and gave him a raise! So it looks like we ‘ll be in the Portland area for a few more years. For 2008 we are looking forward to going to Louisiana in the spring. We are hoping to work on the house. Abby will start swim classes and baby sign language in March. We know we will have fun raising her and watching her grow. We are thinking of you and send you our love. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Love, Sara, Kyle and Abigail