Graduation 2010

I have been to graduation ever year even when it was not required.   Graduation is my favorite ceremony of the year.  This is not because it signifies the end of the year and beginning of the summer vacation, or even because there are a few students that we are finally rid of (haha), but because it shows that the student's hard work pays off.  I primarily teach freshmen, and as freshmen many students are focused on school work, or even about graduating - it is a very long four years for many of them.  But seeing how the students change and mature over those four years is very rewarding and reaffirms the reason I teach. 

This year's graduating class was the second group of students that I taught.  The highlights for me for the ceremony:

• The counselor having to run under a closing garage-type door during the ceremony to keep open the path for The seniors to enter the stage
• The shoes
• The first year I sat among the students
• Jared, Morgan, Daniel, Danny, Katie, Cameron, Curtis, Travis, Shannon, Michelle, Haylee, Serafin, Jordan, Amanda, Taylon, Kevin, Miguel, Tyler, Danny, Brent, Jeremy and Zac
• The sermons, I mean speeches
• Being able to pick out Joe singing from the crowd - as usual
• Sneaking into the "after-party"
• The first year someone kept a stole that I will most likey not be paid for
• The first year of the ugly stoles
• BEING INSIDE!!! :)
• Standing on the couch with Chonte' to pass out diplomas

I hope all the seniors enjoyed their graduation, and I am looking forward to next year.

Heading back to work

After approximately three month out of the classroom I am heading back to work on Friday!  I have never really had a summer break, because I have always worked during the summers, so this was my summer break.  About half of it was spent in the hospital, but still it is a long time to be away.  I am such a control freak I am worried about what I will find when I go back ... but it has been nice to be able to take this time with the new little man in my life.  I am not cut out to be a stay at home mom, but wouldn't have traded this time for anything.

I am looking forward to next year.  It looks like we will have lots of changes in our department, and I am attempting to impliment lots of changes for both my classes, and I may be looking at taking on a new class for the upcoming year.

so much for plans

It has been a long time since I posted.  So much has happened.  Well, I posted on Sat 2-20 that I wouldn't make it much longer, and Wednesday 2-24 I wound up in the hospital because of preeclampsia.  I was on bed rest in the hospital until he was born 3-2-10.  He was 7 weeks early weighed 3 lbs 7.7 oz and 16 3/4 inches long.   We could only hold him for an hour every 3 hours.  My family carted me to and from the hospital while I couldn't drive.  Then I had my gallbladder taken out on a Wednesday, saw him at 6am that morning and didn't see him for 2 days after.  He was in the hospital for 4 weeks.

At his two week visit on 5-3 he weighed 8 lbs 13 oz and was 20 inches long.  He is doing well, and I have had almost a full 3 months off from school, I head back Friday.  I am looking forward to going back to work, but know that I will miss him lots.  But I will only have 5 school days without him.  Then he will go with me to my week of meetings and then he will go to swim lessons with us.

8 weeks to go

8 weeks to go and I am not sure I will make it that long. In fact the AP kids have started a pool making predictions of how much longer I will be at school. Most are only giving me 3-5 weeks, one is giving me all 8 ... I think they underestimate my stubborn-ness.

Mom bought me a belly band which helps to hold my stomach up and helps with some of the pressure on my back. I carry a heating pad with me where ever I go. I am trying to swim everyday to keep my moving, help with the swelling ankles and to give me a little time to relax. I am also having to take tylenol to help with the back pain. I teach from sitting behind my desk for the first time. I only get up at school to pee between each period.

I am having issues finding a comfortable position to sleep in. And I can usually sleep about 3-4 hours at a time now which is an improvement over the past several weeks.

I am drinking lots of water and loving the activity that is still pretty constant in my belly. In fact he is kicking away right now. I am enjoying not having anything to do this weekend or next, because the week after will be busy. Robert's parent will be in for a shower that weekend, then I will have a shower at school, NHS induction, fundraiser coming in and pasta lunch to coordinate. Then spring break - where I plan to do absolutely NOTHING!

I am having more cravings. I want a BLT, a gyro, and good tacos, and strawberries (preferably dipped in chocolate). and maybe another dip cone. and a fresh fruit strawberry popsicle. and hot chocolate. I think I need to think about something else...

more and more movement

We have been sitting and watching my belly contort lately. It is so strange, and so wonderful. I have the gestational diabetes test this week - not looking forward to that appointment.

I did almost cry this week when I saw the size of my ankles on Tuesday night ... thankfully I have been able to stay off my feet and it has not been as bad.

We also had our first baby shower this week. The teachers at the school Robert has beeen subbing at threw us a baby shower, and it was a bit overwhelming. They were very sweet, and we did not expect such generosity.

Ninja Practice

On Christmas Eve morning Robert got to feel the baby kick. At first he thought it was me laughing, but I assured him I was not laughing, and he kept feeling him move -- the baby was very active that morning. From the time I woke up for about 2 hours, it was like ninja pactice was happening in my tummy.

Xander got his first Christmas presents. We had already gotten a cute picture frame and an outfit & CD from co-workers. His grandparent Jacobs got him books, and his grandparent Serios got him diapers, a toy, some onesies, and swaddling blankets. We also got a new ornament (Finding Nemo) because we are painting the nursery over the Christmas Break. Robert also got him an Arkansas Razorback Mobile and another Arkansas Razorback toy.

Robert primed the room this morning and Scotty helped a little with the top of the walls. And it is now snowing like crazy outside. It is driving me crazy that I can't be in there painting. If I were to paint I would be paying for it big time. I was so sore after taping off the room, and I am not sure how much I would be able to paint anyway. Robert and Chonte will paint the sky tomorrow. The water will probably have to wait until Thursday. And Friday, New Year's Day, we will be painting in all the little ocean critters. I hope to have as much help as possible on that day!!

I got maternity shirts for Christmas from Mom, and a maternity swim suit that I just got today. The maternity suit makes me look VERY pregnant, and I still have a long way to go, but there is still room in the suit for my belly to keep expanding.

I hope all of you have a great holiday!

baby update

We have a big baby boy! A little ninja in there that won't be still! He is already 13 oz, and in the 75% in size. Xander Pike ... lots of people have been telling us how interesting it is ....