Waiting for Baby V: Thirty-Six Sweet Weeks!

WOW! I can't believe this week is finally here! This is my last week at Norman High School, and it is very bittersweet. It will be filled with many "lasts", some that will make me happy and some that will make me so sad. It will be my last spirit week, my last papers to grade, my last IEPs to write, my last classes to teach, my last morning duty, my last lunch with my friends in the lounge, my last parent/teacher conferences, and my last classes with my kids. I am so excited about these new "firsts" that I am about to embark on, but I miss so many things about being a teacher. So here's to my last week!

This past week was a good one again, filled with both ups and downs, as well as checking the to do's off of our list. It was another stress-filled week at school, but I have learned to come home and seriously take it easy. Put my feet up and take a nap! AND eat whatever sounds good to eat. :) Last week was my last week with my sweet student teacher too, and with just one day without her, I already miss seeing my friend everyday. She helped some of the kiddos throw a baby shower for me too, which was a dream! The kids were so excited and cute! We also had our last and final baby shower, hosted by my sweet sister, Jennie, and best friend from junior high, Joellen. It was amazing! I have more details of them both below. And Lucy's 3rd birthday was this week! We celebrated with party hats, a new bone, and a new owl toy to get her used to all the new owl stuff that will be around for her sister. Tee hee...

This weekend, we also got to get more ready for Ellie by organizing her room, putting up her decorations, and doing some laundry for her. I would say we are about 90% ready for her arrival, and after this week is over and more things are accomplished, I will feel more ready. I want her to stay in there for a few more weeks to have a bit more time, but also to make sure she is healthy and ready to come out!

Baby Shower #4

Hosted By: Becky and my students!

Decorations: A "Welcome Baby" banner, with bright baby owl plates and napkins

Food: Sausage balls, chips and dips, cake, and little smokies! YUM!

Activity: Becky brought little advice cards for each of the kids to fill out, and they were hilarious and sweet!

Guests: Students past and present, Becky, and some teacher's aides I've worked with. FUN! 

Gifts: Diapers, embroidered owl onesies, a leaf mosaic, herbal tea, and cute little outfits!

Our Favorite Part: The thoughtfulness of the kiddos, and all the at Becky did to make the shower possible! It was something I will always remember!

Baby Shower #5

Hosted By: Jennie & Joellen, with help from my Mom and Joellen's Mom, Diann

Invitation: A vintage and bright forest friends invitation!

Decorations: Oh my...There was so much! Bird mobiles and garland made by Jennie, flowers from Joellen, milk bottles to drink out of, sock and washcloth flowers, a clothesline with onesies made by my Mom, and little forest friends all around! It was so beautiful!

Food: Breakfast heaven! Crepes with all kinds of toppings, many homemade, deli meats and cheeses on croissants, hummus and veggies, and blueberry pancake cupcakes! Oh, and I can't forget, chocolate milk and orange juice! 

Activity: Joellen set up a fun station for everyone to decorate little wooden blocks for Ellie! There were several papers to choose from and cute stickers. We even made one too!

Guests: My family, high school gal friends and their babies, and some of my Mom's sweet friends too!

Gifts: Many cute clothes, blankets, toys, and play saucer!

Our Favorite Part: I love all the thought that went into each detail! The decor, the food, the activities were all so much of what we love. Thank you so much!

This weeks's pregnant details:
1. Total weight gain: +42 lbs. (+3 lb. this week...Oh dear!)

2. Maternity clothes?: Yep! Growing bigger and with warmer weather, my selection is getting smaller. 

3. Stretch marks?: Almost there, and no new ones!

4. Sleep?: Still not getting very good sleep at night because I cannot get comfortable. Annoying! But naps are part of the daily routine now, just trying to sleep when I can. 

5. Best moment this week?: The showers this week were incredible! It also feels so good to get so much done in her room. Almost done!

6. Miss anything?: Moving with some form of agility! I feel like an old woman when I try to get up and certainly sound like one too! That probably has something to do with my carrying around at extra 40 lbs!    

7. Movement?: Moving and stretching a lot which feels not too awesome sometimes! Goodness!

8. Food cravings?: Cheese, yogurt, and dessert!

9. Anything make you queasy or sick?: Nope!

10. Gender?: She has a girly room for sure! Excited to see our tiny one!!!

11. Labor signs?: Things are starting to feel different, but she hasn't dropped yet, so stay in there just a little longer Ellie!

12. Symptoms?: Exhausted at the end of the day, or pretty much after I do anything for more than an hour...Haha... 

13. Belly button in or out?: An innie still!

14. Wedding rings on or off?: On but they come off ASAP when I get home...

15. Happy or moody most of the time?: Happy usually, even when I get a bit overwhelmed from time to time. I am trying to enjoy each day just as me, and especially just as Chris and me. We are having fun looking forward to her coming too!

16. Looking forward to most?: Last week of school! YAY! So right now, I am looking forward to next weekend. We are having a sort of "stay-cation"/"babymoon". We have plans to sleep in, be lazy, eat at Melting Pot, and see a movie in the balcony at the Warren. Maybe a picnic or trip to Whole Foods too? Not sure, but we will see!

As always, I so appreciate you reading, and hope each of you has a great week. Spring Break is almost here...We can do it people!!!