Long week--short weekend

I am sooo tired! The school week seemed to drag by as we graded the MAP study guide and prepared for testing next week (T/W/Th). This week will be crazy busy and my schedule will be all messed up. The concrete floors are really getting to me. Luckily, my principal hired a sub to wander around my room during testing, just so I could keep my feet propped up. How nice is that? Tobin was kind enough to go to the store and buy a plastic tub so I didn't have to prop up on the kitchen counter again for my Epsom salt foot bath! haha My ankles thank him and so do I!!

We made up our first snow day yesterday. The school day started at the normal time, but the students were released at 12:45 or so. The secretaries said that we had 70% attendance, but it sure seemed like there were tons missing. I had anywhere from 9-15 missing from each class. I went ahead and reviewed for the state tests, like it was any other day, but will have to do the same lesson plan all over again for the others. The students seemed to think it should be some kind of "play day" since it was a Saturday. If we (8th gr. science) weren't going 1st on state tests, I would have done something fun. Instead, I was the hardcore teacher and they played games in other classes, from what I hear.

So, I haven't been to the gym much, but I have watched my diet more closely. This is what Tobin and I cut up for snacks this week. I have found that I am getting more and more tired though. I have had way more energy during most of the second trimester, but that seems to be waning. I came home from school yesterday, after a quick lunch with two teacher friends, and took a 3 hour nap!!! That was a good thing because we had to be back @ the high school for a senior class fundraiser by 7 pm. It was called Trivia Night and Tobin and I were on a team with 8 others, mostly middle school teachers and their spouses. There were 10 sets of 10 questions and each group answered as many as they could. The emcee added up the points and they kept a running total. It was a fun activity, but most of all it was a donation to Project Graduation for the senior class. We got home about 9:45 pm. I was exhausted! We still made it to church today and then a little shopping @ the mall, after lunch at Ruby Tuesday! However, it is back to work tomorrow!! My calendar is never this busy!!

Well, the belly is definitely growing! I have been feeling him kick A LOT lately and sometimes it is fairly hard! Tobin can clearly see it. We both think it's soooo cool to see, especially right after dinner and right before bedtime, but it also makes us just want him here.

He is about 14 inches long and almost 2 lbs. I can't imagine how he has any space in there, yet he still has 3.5 months to grow!

Update on the insurance situation: I spoke with my nurse and she said that my doctor has delivered up to 3 weeks early, in this very situation, several times, just to help people out. Many people find they have to switch around July 1st evidentally. As long as our baby is looking ready, he could set a delivery time during the last week on June. I will already be out of school for the summer and I'm sure I will be ready to see our son! I haven't spoken to him directly, but will at my next appt. on April 8th. I want to thank everyone that offered suggestions about what I should do concerning a possible switch to a new provider. I also have 3 great options for a pediatrician with St. John's now as well. Of course, the goal for me is to stay with my current doctor/network with the same level of coverage, but not necessarily the same company.

Survey from my mom~

1. Do you like blue cheese? I actually dip my Buffalo grilled chicken in it, but when my sister calls it mold, it grosses me out.
2. Favorite Food? Mexican, used to be a burrito-enchilada style (Mexican Villa), but they've gone downhill. Also, any style of potatoes.
3. Do you own a gun? Yes! I bought one and went to target practice after my house was broken into 4 years ago.
4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? cranberry to limeade
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Only if my own blood is involved
6. What do you think of hot dogs? I think that they are greasy and hate to think of their contents; however, if it is the beef kind with melty cheese coming out of it, I can deal.
7. Favorite Christmas song? probably Silent Night
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning...water or pineapple/banana/orange jc.
9. Can you do pushups? who knows, I'd rather not find out
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? wedding ring and earrings
11. Favorite hobby? scrapbooking when I make the time
12. Do you have A.D.D.? i can read or scrapbook for hours on end, so probably not.
13. What is one trait that you hate about yourself? impatient and judgemental sometimes
14. Middle name? Anne
15. Name 3 thoughts at this moment. It is 5:17 and I hope Tobin gets up from his nap soon to fix dinner :), it sure is difficult to type around this belly and this cat in my lap, I wish we didn't have to go to school tomorrow.
16. NAME 3 DRINKS YOU DRINK REGULAR? Water, Memory Lane milk, and various fruit juices or tomato jc
17. CURRENT WORRY RIGHT NOW? delivering Tanner
18. CURRENT HATE RIGHT NOW? that's pretty strong.....ummm.....the price of gas?? (sounds good, Mel)
19. Favorite place to be? being silly goofy with Tobin anywhere
20. How did you bring in the New Year? sleeping
21. Like to go? generally, but extreme spontaneity makes me nervous that I have forgotten something.
22. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No, they're too cold and slippery
23. Can you whistle? not very loudly
24. Favorite color? black or red
25. WOULD YOU BE A PIRATE? what!? of course not
26. WHAT SONGS DO YOU SING IN THE SHOWER? sometimes. goofy, made up songs just to make Tobin laugh
27. Favorite Russian Chauffeur's name? ridiculous question...Oleg Fedchuk? (former student's name)
28. Favorite boy's name? Koen, Griffin and Tanner, haha ( I agree Mom and Mel!)
29. What's in your pocket right now? no pockets on these lounge pants
30. Last thing that made you laugh? Tobin, trying to swing his leg over the baby gate, and slipping on my newly mopped wood floors and trying to salvage the contents of his beer. I found him on his back, moaning. I know I shouldn't laugh at stuff like that, but I always have. Nervous laughter, I guess.
31. Best bed sheets as a child? geez... must not have been that memorable - no idea
32. Worst injury you've ever had?? that's a tough one.... two that stand out are a bike wreck (age 9) that I had on my dad's street, where I chipped my tooth and tore my "Santa Rides a Harley" favorite shirt....and (age 7) when I broke my leg while getting a spanking.
33. Do you love where you live? house-wise...uh, not especially...need more room
34. How many TVs do you have in your house? 3, counting the garage TV that is for hunting videos (Tobin's cave)
35. Who is your loudest friend? volume-wise? Hollie.....lol, but it's usually funny
36. How many pets do you have? 2 dog, 2 cats
37. Does someone have a crush on you? n/a
38. What is your favorite book? Currently, Pregnancy-Week by Week. Normally, anything Janet Evanovich or James Patterson
39. What is your favorite candy? love white chocolate, sour candies, and toffee
40. Favorite Sports Team? KC Chiefs, although I really don't know the game of football all that well
41. What were you doing 12 AM last night? deciding if I could sleep a little bit longer or I should just get up and go to the bathroom for the second time since 9:30 pm when I went to bed.
42. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? I better get up and pee!

Health Insurance STRESS!

Maybe it's hormones, but I am TOTALLY stressed out! I hope I don't sound like a spoiled baby to anyone that doesn't even have health insurance because I know that I am bleassed to have insurance at all. Although, it is not like it fell into my lap. I did work hard in college in order to get a degree and good job that offered health insurance. However, I went by to see the school accountant today and confirm a few things about Tanner's delivery costs and coverage. Here is the first minor stresser~ See, Tobin has even better insurance, or cheaper, so we will be putting Tanner on Tobin's insurance. The problem with that is that I am on a Cox plan and Tanner will need a St. John's pediatrician. I know NOTHING about that network, nor whom to choose for his doctor. Any suggestions from anyone associated with the St. John's network??????

But, here's the REAL SHOCKER! I just found out that all of the high monthly insurance premiums that I have been paying since July '07 may be all for nothing! The school at which I teach is most probably switching companies, or paying a much HIGHER premium to stay with the same company! We should know by the end of the school year exactly what is changing, insurance company-wise, and how that affects our current claims and situations. The date that this should all take place......JULY 1st....the date of my delivery....JULY 10th!!!!!!!!!! So, if I deliver on time, who knows how much this baby will cost! I chose my current plan, and best one available, last summer, in the hopes of getting pregnant. I am normally not sick, so that worked well for me since I have an appt. per month now. I have paid through the nose each paycheck, above and beyond what school board pays, but it has paid off since I will only pay $15 out of pocket to have this baby TOTAL! OR SO I THOUGHT!!!!!!!!!!! That is all about to change! That is now ONLY true if I have the baby prior to July 1st!!! So..........do I tell my doctor that I would like to have the baby on June 30th or before, if that fits into his schedule and the baby is ready to come out??????????? I can't imagine THAT going over too well! I'm sure it will all work out and as long as he's covered, all is well in the long run, BUT our health care in this country really stinks and it is really annoying to have the rug pulled out from under you when you have planned, AND PAID, for a certain type of coverage! AARRrrrrgghhhhh....If you have any words of advice or feel the need to put me in my place, please do. Anything that will lower my blood pressure would be good.

Yay for us!

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This year our anniversary falls on Easter!! 2 years for us! YAY!

We are very lucky to have found each other! We are just as happy today as when we first started dating and continue to talk to each other and laugh everyday. That's important.

I have to go back to work tomorrow, so no scrapbooking today. I have to get grades ready and fill out the answer key to our MAP Study Guide. Here are the pages for the weekend:

This one was from the Scrapbook Generation class this past Saturday. I changed the colors so it would be more baby boy colors, but the layout is an Allison Davis design. I can't wait to put Tobin and Tanner pictures on this page!


The above design is a Debbie Sanders (SG owner) design from a few years ago. I can fit several pictures on there, so I thought I would add the printer paper so you could see where I will put pictures this coming summer. The page on the left is one I finished in 2005 and the one on the right is for this summer. THis layout doesn't take much paper and you get to place a ton of pictures on it!I saw this design on the retreat link for Scrapbook Generation. I traced a chipboard flower and used papers that I had here at the house and didn't have to buy a thing! It's not quite as cool as the one on the website, but it will do!

This last layout is yet another scraplift from online. I honestly cannot remember what site I was on or who designed the sketch idea. I know they only used one picture and the title was in a different spot. I changed a few things about the business on the lower right and added a swirl to the top left so there would be three items to draw your attention to the pics that will be on the blue cards. I was also able to use some of the leftover paper from Saturday morning's class at SG. I still have enough of that paper left to squeeze out one more layout!

Hunter @ the Farm

Brenda, Hunter, and I visited the Rutledge-Wilson Farm when it was nice on Thursday. The story is that the family, or families, died and left the property to the Park Board. It was a pretty fancy place. Everything was brand new looking, other than some old farm implements. I was a little surprised when I peered into the old homestead though. I expected to see some cool antiques! It appeared like they have transformed the main floor to animal stalls as there was straw all over the floor!

207 acres of farmland and 20 of that is preserved prairie. It will be neat to visit there and see the wildflowers next month.

Hunter enjoyed his time there. He made friends with a little black kitten. He seemed afraid of holding it or picking it up, but continually asked me to put it in his lap. It kept rubbing up against him and he thought that was funny! There was a school class there the day we were there. I guess they entertain kids on field trips. It is a great family-oriented place!

More layouts...

I am winding down on the madness of kicking out pages galore. Not that I am out of ideas, but rather running out of motivation. That sounds bad...I guess I am just tired.

I am going out to dinner with a friend tonight! That should be fun, but I am still tired. lol

I went to the Rutledge-Wilson Farm today with my mother-in-law and Tobin's nephew. We had a good time looking at the farm animals, tractors, and the property. The play equipment won't be open until next week. I think Hunter enjoyed the little black kitten that ran after us more than the farm animals. I will post some pics of the farm later.

A few more...

Now that it is done, I wish I had switched the phrases on the page to the left. Then the APPLE PIE would be in order. Dang it. At least this page will fit 6 horizontal 4x6 pictures on it.

The blue/yellow page on the right was a quickie. Tobin is always asking if "our boy" has been active today. I guess I'll do some actual handwriting on the tag. I always like seeing the handwriting of my relatives that are now gone.

This page is one for my scrapbook club at school. I figured they could use it for a baby page, friend page, or a relative. I stitched the first paisley to show them that they could stitch if they wanted or just use a marker. Who knows if I'll ever go back and finish stitching! I actually made this one about 3 weeks ago.

I really like the colors of this page! I love the metallic paint on the chipboard letters. Such a pretty purple color. The layout idea came from a completely digital page that Rita Shimniok did in the recent Memory Makers magazine. I still plan to place 6 circle pics or 3x3s on the striped area.


Babs update: She wouldn't pee for the vet, so no urinalysis. They checked her out and said she actually looked OK externally. We are to stop her Prednisone for two days and see if the incontinence gets better. If not, we'll have to take her back to the vet.

Finally!

Well, I have been under some self-inflicted pressure to get Tanner's scrapbook going. I bought the album about two weeks ago and planned to get a page done per week. Little did I realize that I would do nothing until Spring Break. My original idea was to have pages ready-to-go for each month. I decided that was too limiting and I can always add what month it was later. I worked my way through a magazine and did all the pages I liked in that particular mag. So, a couple of these are scraplift versions. The yellow flower is a more boring version of Vanessa Menguita's page in Memory Makers this month. They are just quick and simple pages to add pics to at any time. I actually worked all day yesterday and almost finished 10 layouts!!!!!!!!!!!! No kidding! I had to make a trip to the middle school today and get some supplies from my stash at school. That will allow me to put final touches on the other layouts. Most just needed glue dots and minor details. Some still need stitching, so I will do that during American Idol tonight. I had to take the pics in the bed of Tobin's truck due to how windy it is here!

Tobin is taking our German Shepherd to the vet. Her medicine for flea allergies makes her dehydrated. She drinks a buttload of water and becomes incontinent. This has happened SINCE Tobin cleaned our carpets. Not good. I feel sorry for her. She'll pee while lying down. They will check for a bladder infection by urinalysis. If that isn't the problem, then she'll be medicated for the rest of her life for incontinence. Poor girl.

To buy or not to buy?

I think I would like to buy this vinyl word art online. Tobin and I have prayed, separately and together, many times for God to develop our little baby to be healthy. Of course, it is His Will and we will love what we get, but we pray nonetheless! So, I found this scripture and it seems perfect! It would be about 18 inches wide and almost 2 feet tall. It works like a rub-on. I saved the image from the internet and made the background yellow and the text chocolate brown to get a better idea of what it would look like. The yellow is too strong and the font is not exact, but it is close! Anyway, the price is $30 with shipping and handling. What do you guys think????? Too expensive? I need opinions! It would go straight across from the door as you walk into the room, just to the right of his crib. I can't decide if that is a good price or not. Tobin acted like it was high, but I can't let that stop me, right? lol

The beginnings of a nursery~

We have progressed from Tobin painting and using the Rug Doctor on the carpets, to hanging curtains and getting the room organized. My theme is jungle babies-safari. All of the sage greens and light yellows do not match, but I think they are in the same color family. I have been told that I am color-blind, so please, please tell me if something doesn't look quite right. My main goal was to solicit opinions on the curtains, but they seem to look different in every shot due to the light coming in the windows and my camera settings, I presume. I haven't ironed them in case they don't match well enough. With my next paycheck, I plan to get white roller shades for behind the valences and a rub-on phrase for the wall. The shades can be somewhat room-darkening during naps, but not so much that he thinks it has to be pitch black in order to sleep.

On the bed, you can see the crib bumper (which will NOT go in the crib), the dust ruffle, and the crib sheet. On the wall, you can see the comforter, which will remain a wall hanging until he is old enough to know how to use a comforter. On the floor, there is three white wicker baskets that will house the diapers, cremes, powders, toys......they each have a sage green gingham liner. We will be getting the crib tonight, but I am not sure when Tobin will have time to reassemble it. It will be on the south wall, which is to the right of the bed.

Tobin and I have a king-sized bed in the master, so are still deciding whether we should have the bassinet in the master bedroom with us, where there really isn't much room for it, or if we should just sleep on the queen-sized bed in the nursery and forego the whole bassinet idea altogether. The queen bed became a part of the nursery for two reasons: for me to nurse during the night and to double as a changing table. Plus, we have no where else to put it! So, now, we have come to the realization that it can be the bed we actually sleep in at night and the baby can be in his own crib. Of course, this would only be temporary, like maybe a month?


One last note: My sweet husband not only did the grocery shopping yesterday, but cooked dinner, and then went to Walgreen's last night and bought me some Epsom salts. So, this grainy-looking shot is of me sitting on the kitchen counter enjoying a foot bath! haha Fatty Boombalattie! I think it did help the swelling in my ankles. I'm not sure why he chose to set me up in there and not the bathroom, but I didn't complain. I just tried to relax, enjoy, and not fall off the counter!

Another pregnancy symptom...

This seems to fit me more so in the middle of the night, but also during school hours. I can go for about 2 classes before racing to the bathroom. I have to get up at least 4x during the night. I'm sure this will all get worse. On another note, what is now becoming evident is that my ankles are GONE. This started yesterday. My feet aren't puffy and my shoes fit fine, but my ankles are completely missing. I'm trying to keep my legs propped up.

For friends and family that don't know yet, my school has decided to make up 3 of the snow days on Saturdays. The first one is March 29th and two in April. We only go from 8-12:30 and it counts as a full day. Our last day of school is now May 29th.
Also, next week is Spring Break, but it sounds like it may be rainy. I guess that gives me reason to go to the gym, but it will have to be early before my ankles start puffing out.

Dr. appt. update

SCOLDED! I am 3 lbs over and have gained 7 lbs. in 5 weeks. My doctor mentioned it more as a way to tell me to "nip it in the bud" and cease any bad habits I am forming now because the majority of my weight gain is yet to come! He was telling me this not necessarily because it is unhealthy, but more so because I would be depressed with the amount of weight I would gain if this continues. I also need to increase my exercise, which has been next to nothing, and get more supportive shoes. My feet throb in the night and it literally wakes me up. It truly feels like I have stomped nonstop on concrete for hours. So, I got insoles for my tennis shoes and may have to thwart fashion somewhat for the sake of my feet.

Other than that, my belly measurements and his heartbeat were great! One funny thing...while we were sitting in the waiting room, for the first time, the baby kicked hard enough for Tobin to see it several times. We both sat there and stared at my belly for awhile. My next appt. is in one month and that will include my Glucola test, or gestational diabetes test. In other words, a blood test...God help me not faint! One month from that will be our 2nd ultrasound and then it is every two weeks from there until June. Then, we will have an appt. every week until delivery! WOW!

NESTING UPDATE: The house is getting back to order. Tobin has painted the walls and cleaned the carpets. Nothing on the walls yet and no rocking chair. My scrapbook stuff is all in the same room, but not organized yet. He spent the afternoon putting furniture in it's new locations. At least my feet are not cold and wet anymore when I walk around the house. Wet carpets were a real pain! The pets sure didn't care for it either! haha

Too much going on!

Hello! Just a quick update as to where I've been. I am currently sitting in the floor with my keyboard in my lap. It kills my back. NOT comfy! The computer and litter box are the only things in this room. We have completely moved all pieces of furniture and wall hangings out of the spare rooms. Tobin has been painting the nursery accent wall and touch ups on the other walls. I have painted the windows.
We also have a doctor appointment tomorrow. I just know he is going to say that I am out of control on my weight. I am almost at 20 over my normal and I am not quite at 6 mo. NO GOOD. Not sure what to do about it since I don't feel like I eat all the time or eat horribly. I have tried to walk a one-mile path around our neighborhood and I get tired and my feet kill me. This isn't a good sign for someone who used to run and bike that same trail a lot. UGH!

School is getting really crazy now as we try to prepare for the MAP test having missed around 10 days. The kids are slammed with an insane amount of work, probably from many teachers other than just myself. Science goes first with MAP testing in April, so they may have to actually work over their spring break next week depending on how much they get done this week. It's no fun for any of us, teachers included. Too much stress on everyone!

Have a great week!

A real SNOW day!

Well, a true snow day for us! 8 inches or so. What is this... #10? But, the others have been more ice than snow. I sure don't want to be there in June, and I am sick of the bad weather, but there is no denying that little feeling you get when you see your school scroll across the TV and you know you have a day off!
The roads are covered which makes it difficult to see the lines and the curbs!

Is this thing the COOLEST, or what? I love that it has a 30 min.

timer and that the vibrating seat comes off the swing and can sit in the floor! It also has a headrest, activity bar, flip tray, 5-point harness, volume control, 5 nature sounds, 10 songs, 6 speeds, multiple textures, 2 toys......I just love it!

I guess there will be no scrapbooking for me today. I did a couple pages over the weekend though. I need to be professionally productive and rewrite my curriculum. YUCK!

Science Club Activity

On Saturday, a former favorite 7th grade student, and current UMR senior, set up a science lab for my current 8th graders. He brought a superconductor and liquid nitrogen for their entertainment. They did all sorts of neat activities like freezing a banana in the liquid nitrogen, and then used the banana to hammer a nail and dipping a carnation into the liquid and smashing it to a million pieces! When he poured the nitrogen over their hand, they had to make sure they kept their hand flat, so the chemical didn't stay in contact with their skin too long. It beaded up into little balls and ran across their skin and then raced across the floor as if it didn't experience any friction.
The edible portion of the lab was the big finale. The students were directed how to freeze marshmallows in the liquid nitrogen and and eat them. They were crunchy and you had to keep moving them around in your mouth. The best part was making homemade ice cream with the liquid nitrogen. My camera died, so I don't have any pics of that, but it looked like a witch's brew the entire time they stirred it.It took a fraction of the time to make it, but it was the richest batch of homemade ice cream I have ever had! He even brought chocolate syrup and sprinkles for the kids! I think the lab was a huge hit and they enjoyed every minute of it!

It is possible that I have entered the "nesting" phase, but I don't know when that is supposed to happen. It is all of a sudden very important to me to clean everything! And by everything, I mean edges of the carpet where it meets the wall, the insides of fans, dust that gets in the floor registers, ceiling fan blades, behind the computer....very odd for me, I must say.

Tobin plans to start cleaning carpets with the Rug Doctor and painting walls this week. At least, that is the plan right now. My job has been to put away clothes that no longer fit and make more room in the closets. I really need to combine two more closets, so that there is a baby closet in the nursery. It does appear that I have more clothes that don't fit than ones that do.

Yesterday morning, Tobin and I attended the The Baby Affair. One can tour the Special Delivery suites, browse through more than 70 educational and specialty booths, check out seminars on everything from exercise and breastfeeding to Fatherhood Basic Training, and even see a Maternity Fashion Show! We went to a seminar on home safety and Fatherhood. We learned a little, but the Stages of Labor video had the most impact on me, well, both of us. That was more info than either of us was ready for. It grossed Tobin out completely and had me scared to death and I'm not kidding. These women were screaming and moaning and crying and carrying on something fierce!!! I am a rare case in that I have taught reproduction and childbirth for 13 years, so most of the Baby Affair was not that informative. I took my mailing labels and registered for giveaways at 30+ tables. That saved me time filling out the info. Tobin filled out one registration and he was the only one that won anything! He won a $50 Visa gift card. Go figure. I did come home with a pile of pamphlets, flyers, coupons, freebies...all sorts of stuff to go through.