This is Matt's mom:


She flew in from Idaho the other day, walked into the Family Room and asked how she could help. I offered her what may be the worst job in the whole construction industry: sanding drywall. It's messy, miserable work, possibly unhealthy, and as you sweat from the labor, the dust curdles back into joint compound, filling your pores and clogging your eyes. She picked up a sanding block and went for it.

And this is Steve:


He drove over a hundred miles to do this the other day. He said he could afford gas for one trip, and instead of choosing the party that happens tomorrow, he decided to come down and sand drywall. The man is a sanding machine, stopping only to hand me tools or help out with something else.

The two of them worked tirelessly and unselfishly this hot August week, and for what? So Annabelle and her family could have nice smooth walls? People like this are a true inspiration. They make the pain of life worth bearing. If you live your life right, these folks show up to help carry the load, and without them we would crumble under the burden of it all.

Photograph by Ashley McNamara

Ashley McNamara has done it again with her amazing photography. Check out some more pictures of Annabelle here. Holly wants everyone to give Ashley some business and when you see her portfolio, you'll quickly realize she's worth every penny.

Extra!

Michele Clock has written an article on Annabelle and her parents that appeared in today's San Diego Union-Tribune. It's a nice companion piece and follow-up article to the one Alan Schnepf wrote on June 5th. Today's article is here.


That's one of Kristin Rachelle's photos there on the front page of the East County section!

(And, in case you missed it, the June 5th article is here.)

Note: You may purchase back issues of the newspaper up to 30 days after the publication date. Back issues are available at The San Diego Union-Tribune offices in Mission Valley, Chula Vista, and El Cajon. Or you may call (619) 293-1609 and arrange to have them mailed to you.

Though Annabelle is home, we've been given permission by the man himself to come over and keep moving on the Family Room this weekend. The Big Party is next Sunday, so it would be nice to get some things taken care of -make it look like we're not just spinning our wheels over there. Join us!

Recently it became apparent that a nursing rocker was in order for Annabelle and her mommy, after their return from the hospital. Holly picked it out, and some money was drawn from the Annabelle's Circle account for the purchase. Thanks to everyone for their ongoing support and contributions. (It's pretty nice!)

A few members of Annabelle's Circle were able to accomplish a number of things this past weekend -enough to get all the laborers out of the rest of the house and into the Family Room where we belong. The mother-daughter Cambone team took to the front door and got the final finish coat on the thing and it looks beautiful. I was able to get the mail slot installed and plug that ugly hole in the stucco on the front walk. Holly's brother was in town and took to the mudding like a pro -slapping it on every wall and ceiling in sight. There was some more patching and sanding and painting that got the dining room up to speed, as well as a few pieces of trim on the roofline and a couple sheets of drywall up. So, all in all, it was a weekend of solid accomplishment. Special thanks to Wendy for keeping the kids out of the fray on Sunday, while we all pressed on.

The word on the street is that Annabelle is coming home on Monday! This is good news, and since it's the last baby-free weekend at 2016 Dayton, several of us are heading down to do some work on the Family Room and some general house-cleaning. If you're interested in joining us today or tomorrow, give me a call or just show up! See you there.

Matt mentioned here a while back about those sporty "Go Annabelle" t-shirts that everyone is asking about, and I thought I'd mention it again. I've ordered a couple for my family and plan on wearing it in solidarity at the upcoming Linden Celebration.

Click here for the order form, if you're interested.

Wow.

Sean Day has been posting for Matt at The Dawg Run and has been generously helping with the regular updates on Annabelle and Holly's condition, as well as on Annabelle's surgeries. (Matt has been posting some as well.)

From Sean Day (via The Dawg Run) PM

Annabelle is here!

She was delivered successfully a short while ago. The doctors gave her a bit of oxygen and then she started breathing, crying, and swallowing on her own pretty quickly. She has also been waving her arms around. As expected, her legs were a bit deformed and there is an opening over her spine. The doctors covered the opening right away to keep it sterile and protected. Matt was able to hold her, and they set her down near Holly's head so she could give her a kiss. Annabelle was then taken to the neonatal area where friends have been able to peek in on Annabelle one at a time.

The removal of Holly's cysts also went well. She is in recovery and coming down off of anesthesia. Once she is able to sit up and be put in a wheelchair, she will be off to visit Annabelle. Matt and Holly will be meeting with the team of specialists tomorrow to go over the treatment plan. It sounds like little Annabelle has surprised them so far.

Welcome to the world, sweet Annabelle. Thank you all for your continued support and prayers.

From Sean Day (via The Dawg Run) AM

Always the over-achievers, the Lindens have decided to forgo the next week and a half of anticipation and are set to welcome Annabelle to the world today. Holly began having some mild contractions this morning at about 5:30. They called their doctor a little later in the morning and he said to come on into the hospital. They arrived there at about 8:30, and after being monitored for about an hour, they have scheduled the C-section for 1:00 today.

Matt will keep me posted by phone and may send along some pictures from his phone. I will keep you updated on their progress throughout the afternoon.

They appreciate all your thoughts, hopes and prayers today.

Update:

Holly will be headed into the OR at about 12:45 with surgery to begin around 1:00. The doctors will be removing a couple of cysts as well, so it is expected that everything will take between one and two hours. Matt will be able to be in the operating room for the delivery.

They are at the Mary Birch Hospital. For those that would like to be at the hospital with them, Matt said it would be best to meet in either the downstairs or 3rd floor waiting room