March 11, 2008

Bleh...

That is how I'm feeling. Two days in a row. Plus a persistent headache for about 3 days. And a stomach ache yesterday evening and all afternoon today. Not to complain or anything!

I don't really like being pregnant. But I know it is worth it. I've just never understood the people who say "I love being pregnant!" HOW??

March 10, 2008

Busy Day

Throw up breakfast - Check
What a way to start the day! Thankfully I'm NOT doing it everyday :)

Field trip to Gattitown - Check
Lots o' fun!

Dentist appointments for Wilson and Luke - Check
They did awesome!! I'm so glad that teeth brushing every morning (Andy's job) and night (my job) is the hassle and not the time in the dentist's office. The boys were angels. I'll take the fussing and crying every night at home while brushing teeth if it means they'll act as well as they did at the dentist today, every time. Wilson was such a brave, big boy. He laid back in the chair and I sat on the bottom of his chair with him. They let him wear cool sunglasses during the teeth cleaning. He survived the flouride sponge and picked a small toy motorcycle out of the treasure box. He had lots of compliments for his behavior! Luke had his first checkup- 2 pics with the dentist, they looked in his mouth, that's about it! He laid down with daddy holding his hands and was a little afraid at first - but no crying or screaming- and was very brave. He picked a big green foam die out of the treasure box. Then they both sat on the bench and pretended to play video games (they weren't really playing) while I checked out and made the next appts. Very successful!!

First t-ball meeting - Check
Little crazy in that they said they'll be asking for our money all the time. FOR WHAT? That worries me! We don't have extra cash! We already paid our $80 to play! We'll have a fundraiser, I'll work the concession stand for 1 hour, lots of practices and weekly games. Wilson picked #5 for his uniform. He is on the Reds. Red t-shirt and gray baseball pants. Coach seems nice. Hopefully Wilson will get to play- it sounded iffy since he is 4. They talked about how the league is competitive and they play the good kids etc. (These kids are 4, 5, and 6!) So maybe not exactly what I had in mind. We'll hope for the best.

Boys in bed! - Check

March 9, 2008

Update

We told the boys about the baby last night and both are very excited! Wilson had LOTS of questions and went back and forth between hoping for a sister or another brother. He said the baby can sleep in his room. He really wanted to know how the baby would come out! He asked Daddy if it would hatch from an egg! This morning he asked me if my belly had grown more overnight. Thankfully, I could say no! I showed them pictures of what the baby looks like now and how small it is etc. Then we looked at ultra sound pictures from each of them. They were very interested and this morning Luke wanted to look at more baby stuff.

Today is my SIL's birthday, Happy Birthday Stephanie! We went to a surprise party for her last night which was lots of fun.

Yesterday, Andy and the boys went sledding with Uncle Mac, Aunt Stephanie, and their cousins. We'll get some pics posted soon. They had a great time! I stayed home and worked diligently on my National Board entry (#3) which is completely drafted! I emailed it to my mentor and to Jenn so they can help me revise. One more to go!

March 5, 2008

Preggers :)

Have you heard the news? I'm pregnant! Baby #3 is due on September 26th (thank goodness it won't be another January baby!) . Little rough with back-to-school but I know it will all work out. Andy and I found out on Feb. 1st and decided to wait a while to tell others. Here's the scoop.
*Had an ultra sound in Feb. and everything looked good.
* Kept a LONG secret from all of my friends and family. It feels good to be able to talk about it!
* Been feeling so-so and was taking lots of naps.
* Only gotten sick 3-4 times!
* Went to the Dr. on Monday and listened to the heart beat! Amazing! I can't believe you can hear the heartbeat so early.
* I'm about 11 weeks pregnant.
I guess that's it for now. We haven't told the boys yet since it's still a ways off.

March 3, 2008

Why??

(Andy you may want to skip this one! A little hostility. I only say this because you didn't like the picture post.)
Written post panic attack after today's meeting.

Questions:

Why does the National Board process have to be so HUGE??
Why does it cause undue stress?
Why are some people ALREADY done with their portfolios??
Why has it caused me to have 2 panic attacks?

Answers:

1. So you can work your butt off, yet again, to prove that you are good at what you do. It's the teaching profession, people.
2. The people at National Board want to make the process so overwhelming and specific just so you can be stressed. "NO, you idiot, don't paper clip pages 1, 2 and 3 in order. Paper clip pages 3, 45, 32, 1 in order. Duh!"
3. Because they have been totally committed since last January to get done way ahead of time. Or because they don't have two small children, a husband, an intern, a student teacher, a team in training, an EDC student, a small group, any friends, or maybe, just maybe, no life.
4. Because I get easily overwhelmed. Because there seemed to be a lot of people at the meeting DONE with the portfolio. Because one of the men in charge said "Everyone is done videotaping by now, right?" UHH NOOOOOOOOOOOO.

DISCLAIMER: Yes, I know this was voluntary. I'll be glad in the end, when it is done and I can take a deep breath. The National Board people on the hotline are really nice and helpful. I have a great mentor and a wonderful NB certified team teacher helping me (Thanks, Jenn!). I'm the one who didn't start writing entries until October. I work better under some pressure. But not this much pressure. Everyone I have met seeking NB Certification is nice and they have a life. Last one: I have issues. Honestly. I was fine during the meeting. I walked out of there and my eyes filled up with tears. I tried to call Jenn, since she's been through this whole thing before. Then I ended up talking to my mom who answered the phone to me hyperventilating (practically). As soon as she answered I said "mom, it's me. I'm ok, I'm just really upset." So she talked to me and calmed me down so when I got home and walked into my house I was smiling and happy for my sweet boys. Thanks, mom!

March 2, 2008

He says the funniest things!

Wilson is cracking me up right now. He is going through two small desk drawers in the desk that is in his room. He just found this keychain and told me he thought it would be perfect with Jennifer's baby gift! I told him it says "Alyssa" on it so I didn't think it was a good idea. He then said, "well can I put it in your dressing room then?" :)

A couple days ago he asked me when we could go to another "fair craft".

He's heard me say shoo before. I guess outside in the summer time or something, like shoo fly. Anyway, he's never forgotten it so from time to time he'll say "shoot Lottie" or something when he really means shoo, Lottie. He cracks me up.

He's staying busy right now so he can be awake when Daddy gets home from work!

March 1, 2008

Maybe Spring IS around the corner!

It is such a beautiful day! The sun is shining and it isn't too cold! We took the boys to get a haircut today. Luke is napping and Wilson is watching Lightning McQueen. I'm about to work on my NB entry. I did get a 2nd entry completely revised and in the envelope ready to mail by Tuesday of this week. I've started my 3rd entry and am about 4 pages into it. I'm hoping to write 4 more this weekend. This entry is a bit harder for me than the other two.
My student teacher's solo week will finish on Monday (due to the snow day) so I have one more flexible day at school. I didn't get as much NB stuff done this week as I thought I could. There was a lot of other stuff to do. I'm mentoring several people this year and it just takes time. So I had quite a bit of catching up to do there. It all keeps me busy but is also helping me to earn some extra money for the family. We have a couple big projects we need to do on the house plus we need to replace our heating unit by next winter.
Come March 31st my grade level will have some celebrating to do because KTIP will be over for Gayla and Abby and I will have mailed in my NB portfolio. Last night I went out to dinner with several friends from school to celebrate Maria's birthday, yes, her b-day is on February 29th! We had a great time. I came home and got Andy and we joined the group for bowling after we got the boys tucked into bed. It worked out nicely! I actually beat Andy on our first game. But he won the other two!
Tonight Andy is teaching a seminar along with our Children's Pastor at church about Parenting for Faith. I've read his outline and it all looks great. I'm so proud of him. I don't think I'm going to go because I want to stay home and hang out with the boys since I was gone last night. Good luck, baby!
**Keep your fingers crossed for NO MORE SNOW DAYS!!!**