blagghhhuugghh

That's my sound for how I'm feeling right now. Just plain crappy!

I caught the cough that Jack has had for weeks now- it's really fun having a chest cold when you're 9 months pregnant, let me just tell you!

Hardly any sleep because of the coughing plus the wonderful feeling of an almost full term baby trying to escape from you stomach any way she can.

How's that for positive???!!!!

I was supposed to have my 36 week appointment yesterday, but when I got there my midwife had just left to deliver a baby. The nerve! So we're going tomorrow. I'll update for sure.

The baby's bag is packed for the hospital- my bag is halfway packed- and Brandon hasn't even started. The last few things on our baby to do list are:
*install car seat bases
*buy BPA free baby bottles
*put the swing together again

Jack has been having more "2 year old moments"- he'll go from sweet little angel to devil child in the blink of an eye! Thank god we love him so much! He seems to really get that baby sister is on the way- we'll see about that!

Finley is still the wonder dog of all wonder dogs. Jack's new favorite trick is "hiding" a few treats for Finley and then saying "ok!" when he can go get them. Too bad Jack's idea of hiding them is putting them all on the coffee table! We'll have to work on challenging that dog a little bit more.

Here are the pics I've been promising for weeks:

Fantastic blankets my mom ordered for the baby

Baby Girl's closetThese pictures used to be in our dining room!


Laura and Ivy

Practicing!
A smile for Tricia
Big fat belly!
cozy
Jack has been talking about sharing his obeeoh with baby sister for weeks- he got a chance to practice by sharing it with Ivy! She had her own deedee though.

35 Weeks

We had another appointment yesterday. All is going perfectly. My blood pressure is excellent, the baby's head is still down, and I've only gained 20 pounds! Wahoo!

We go back in a week. She'll do an exam to see if anything is going on yet- I can't believe we are SO close to the end!!

After the appointment Brandon high tailed it up to the attic to get the carseat, bathtub, and the other baby equipment that we'll need. I think he's realizing how close it is too!

I have many, many pictures to post- all of baby girls clothes, her room, my expanding stomach, pics of my buddy Laura, her baby Ivy, and my buddy Tricia... I'll get on that soon!

Tonight we tour the birth center!

"Happa Day Mama Day!"

It was a perfect "Mama Day."

Pancakes, presents, lounging on the couch, and a clean house-

way to go Daddy-O!

"She'll Never Have to Go Naked"

**We've spent the weekend getting Baby Girl's clothes, room, and accessories ready. What a job! After FOUR huge loads of laundry- it's almost all put away. Thanks to lots of great people- this girl has got a major wardrobe. My mom was right, she'll never have to go naked!

I'll post some pictures of her bed and her closet- it's all coming together!!

34 weeks already! Can you even believe it?????!!!!!!

No Kidding.

33 week appointment. Her head is "really down." No freaking kidding. It hurts to walk. Ligaments are being stretched in every direction and I'm nearing the this-is-no-longer-amusing stage.

Bring on the baby girl!

I go back in 2 weeks and from then on IT'S EVERY WEEK!!! Yikes!!!!

Brandon has his last business trip until July next week. Wahoo!

30, Another Baby Shower, Riding Bikes

We've been busy this week.... more details when I get a chance!

Ok, I sort of have a chance now.....

Well, I turned 30 yesterday. I guess I feel older because I'm so FREAKING TIRED! Jack has not been sleeping well- up too late and awake way too early. We'll be working on trying to fix that this weekend. I got flowers at school from Jack and my parents- what a great surprise! They were beautiful tulips- my favorite! For some reason now that I'm 30 I feel like a real adult. Sort of!

I had my 2nd baby shower on Wednesday. The staff at school wanted to throw one for me cause they love baby stuff and food! I got some more great gifts, plus a gift certificate to babies r us. Maybe we'll get a cool double stroller???!! Baby girl's closet is filling up fast! I need to buy those size dividers so I can get all the clothes organized. And maybe we should think about getting her room totally finished. She still has no bedding and we haven't washed or organized any baby stuff yet....

We got our bikes out the other day since it was so nice and warm. It's sort of hard to pedal with a belly in the way! I made it around the neighborhood and then got too tired. We'll go on a few more short rides before the baby arrives I'm sure. Jack just loves wearing his helmet and taking a few toys along for the ride!

I'll post some new pictures this weekend. I'm getting bigger and more uncomfortable every day. I keep having bad ligament pain on the lower right side that makes walking pretty freaking painful at the end of the day. Plus this kid has gotten much stronger in her kicks and stretches and it's starting to hurt! I'm pretty sure her head is still down- lots of pressure down there if you know what I mean!! :)

Baby Shower

Because this is my second baby, I wasn't expecting any baby showers at all. Afterall, we pretty much have everything we need- besides the clothes. Imagine my surprise when my room mom told me that she and a mom from the other 2nd grade class were planning a baby shower for me at school! Even though I told them it really wasn't necessary- they convinced me that they REALLY wanted to do this- so off they went with the planning.

They held the shower in my classroom on Friday. They had the whole room decorated with pink streamers and It's a Girl! signs. There was a whole table full of goodies to eat- and OH MY GOD THE PRESENTS! They totally went overboard. I got so many wonderful gifts! Tons of books, clothes, and even a kid sized arm chair from Pottery Barn Kids! The best part though was how excited the students were. They all ooohed and aaahed over the cute clothes, helped me unwrap the gifts, and couldn't wait to tell me why they had selected the book or gift that they bought. A few of the kids even brought presents for Jack so he wouldn't feel left out when I brought the presents home!

The generosity of the parents and the students just blew me away. I am so grateful.

Appointment

Everything went well at our appointment this afternoon. The midwife thinks the baby has flipped and is now head down- that's what I predicted since she now feels just like Jack did- a baby butt on the upper left!

We're headed back in another 2 weeks.

The end is getting closer! I wonder what she'll look like. Jack is predicting black hair and blue eyes.

Almost 31 Weeks

How Sweet It Is...

to be up WAY past your bedtime for a VERY GOOD REASON!!!

Now if only I was still in school at KU- no classes tomorrow! That would be so much fun!!!

Rock Chalk Jayhawks!!!!

Alumni

It's been a good year for my Jayhawks! First a win at the Orange Bowl and now a chance to win the NCAA championship!

We'll be doing the "Rock Chalk Jayhawk KU" chant with Jack first thing in the morning- he'll be so excited!!!

Happy Birthday Daddy-O!

Happy 32nd birthday to the best Daddy-O there ever was!

We love you!

Still Sick

We're still sick around here... Jack was ok on Wednesday, but I ended up staying home for myself. I caught whatever it is that he has. Since he was ok he went to school and I stayed in bed all day. Today he had the worst diarrhea I have ever seen in my life- so Brandon stayed home with him while I went back to school. His stomach is still upset tonight, so I'm back on Jack duty tomorrow.

On a lighter note, Moe Moe and Bampa (Brandon's parents) have officially moved into their new condo about 20 minutes away! We went over there tonight to supervise the movers and pretty much just get in everybody's way! We're very glad they are much closer- and can't wait so see the place with all the boxes unpacked!

122

A perfectly normal blood sugar reading!!!

Wahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy April!

I had my 29 week appointment yesterday. I managed to drink the dreaded glucose drink. It's still nasty! I should find out today how I did... keep your fingers crossed for me!

I'm measuring at 32 weeks (maybe that's why I feel so huge all of a sudden!) and at this point she's in a breech position- but there's still plenty of time to turn her little butt around!

Her hearbeat was nice and strong, we'll head back in 2 weeks.

Jack has a stomach bug of some sort. He threw up on Sunday night and then a little bit again this morning. He has no energy and just wants to cuddle, read books, and watch 101 Dalmations. Since he was scheduled to go to school tomorrow, it looks like I might get the day off to stay home with him! Sounds good to me!!!!

Road Trip 2008

Here are the pictures from our trip to Ruston, Louisiana. All together we stopped at 11 college campuses. It's an obsession my husband and my dad share. MUST GET COLLEGE T-SHIRTS FROM EVERY COLLEGE IN THE COUNTRY!!!

Family squinting in the sun- Memphis

Jack and O-bee-o
Consulting the map

Memphis

National Civil Rights Museum. The hotel balcony where Dr. Martin Luther King, JR. was assasinated. It was a VERY impressive museum.
Doing some hill work during a gas and snacks break. Gotta stretch those legs after being in the car for so long!
Back yard where the wedding took place- notice the blooming Dogwoods!

Stephanie and her dad

My cousin, Ammen, and Stephanie
The house where the wedding was- the bride grew up here
"The Couple" My Aunt Barbara started this tradition when Brandon and I got married. Whenever one of us cousins gets married, she embroiders our names on the couple. It'll be busy this season- 3 weddings!

Warm and sunny family picture

Jack LOVED the ice in the beer tub!

No, he's not in a time out. Just mad cause he has a dopey haircut.

Jack and Daddy

We stayed at Hampton Inn's wherever we went. Jack was so used to hotel life that he automatically knew where to get his cereal in the mornings!

Jackson State University

Eating some Chick-fil-A at Mississippi State

The only item he wanted to buy- from Ole Miss

Taking a break in the bookstore at Ole Miss

A little dancing on campus!

Here's baby sister's room. We still don't have any bedding or stuff to put on the walls...

I go back to school on Monday. It feels like I've been gone forever! Jack went back to school today- he was hysterical when I dropped him off. It's hard to be with your Mama 24/7 for a week and then be shipped off to school again. I went into school myself this morning to get some stuff done. I love working in my room when the school is silent! When I picked Jack up at 4 he was happily eating his snack at the table with his buddies. He ended up having a great day. Just like I told him he would!

We had all of our mail from the past week dropped off today- and there was a big package from our buddies Jackson and Charlie! What a fantastic surprise! The best part was when I put the batteries into the remote control tractor they sent for Jack. The kid actually jumped up and down screaming and laughing when he saw how I could make the tractor move with the remote!! It was so fun to watch him be that excited over a new discovery. Thanks buddies! We miss you tons and can't wait to see you this summer!!! :)

One more thing- I actually used my gift certificate to the spa that Brandon got for me 2 Christmases ago. I went in for the "Maternity Retreat"- A full body polish (salt scrub), 50 minute massage, and pedicure. HEAVENLY! I really hope I get to go back for another massage before the baby arrives! I haven't felt that good in months!!

Wisconsin Sucks

We're back! It was a fantastic road trip- many details and pictures to follow.

How cruel it was to treat ourselves to full out SPRING in Louisiana and then come back to snow and cold around here.

When are we moving south?

Daddy-O to the rescue

Brandon rearranged the furniture in baby girl's room so now it looks much better! As I sat in the blue chair (which ended up fitting!) I had my first "HOLY CRAP WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A BABY!!!" moment.

She's SO going to be here before we know it! And just for the record little baby- YOU BETTER BE A GIRL!!!! We are NEVER painting that room again! It was a pain in the butt!

I'll put pictures of the somewhat completed room up tomorrow.

Pictures!

Here are the pictures...

Real Men Vacuum
New polo shirt for Jack!

Look at that dirty face!


Plotting against Mama?

27 Weeks

Baby Girl's wardrobe is growing!

It's a bluish/purple

The blue chair just isn't fitting as nicely as I would have hoped

Dr. Appt

We had our monthly doctors appointment today. Everything is going well. My blood pressure was up a little bit- but still considered normal. Just another excuse to sit around and relax I guess! The baby's heartbeat sounded great and we have our tour of the birth center scheduled for the middle of April.

My next appointment is in 2 weeks!! Can you even believe I'm already at the point where I have to go in every 2 weeks???? I really can't believe it! I go back on the 31st and during that visit I have to do the dreaded glucose test. Last time I failed and had to endure the 3 hour test. Let's hope I pass this one with flying colors!

Jack and I went on a little shopping spree today. He needed new jeans (3T!) and a polo shirt for the wedding. We also stopped by Motherhood Maternity so I could get some new stuff. I got a new pair of jeans, a skirt, several shirts, and a dress that I'm going to return. No sense in wearing something that only succeeds in making you look even BIGGER!!!

I'll post pictures later tonight- I finally remembered to charge the battery to my camera!

2 Glorious Weeks

My spring break is finally here! I have 2 whole weeks off of school. Plenty of time to rest, relax, and drive all the way to Louisiana!

My cousin is getting married next weekend, so we're driving down along with my parents for the big day. I can't wait to see everybody and I sure hope it's WARM!!!

Report cards were due a week ago- so that is always a stressful time. Making sure you say just the right thing in the comments, give the kids just the right grade that's appropriate for them and what they can do...always a hard time for teachers. Once that was over we moved right into conferences. Another stressful time. Trying to get everything together to show the parents, thinking about what you want to say- and more importantly- how to say it! How do I tell a parent that their child isn't quite as brilliant as they had led me to believe at the beginning of the year? How to tell them that he's actually just a really bright kid who is still challenged by things like subtracting with regrouping? Yet another reason being a teacher is one tough job! Even though, all of my conferences went well- the parents are happy with how things are going in 2nd grade. It's so nice to hear how the kids love coming to school and are so happy in my class. Love that!

I have big plans for the last quarter of school in terms of getting these kids ready for 3rd grade. We'll really be working on spelling those high frequency everyday words correctly in their writing, mastering those addition and subtraction facts, improving even more on their reading comprehension, and about 50 more things I want to accomplish! I can't believe the year is winding down so quickly. As I was looking at the calendar, the last day of school for the kids is June 4th but we have to be there through the 9th for meetings, getting things organized for the summer, etc. Since baby girl is due on June 13th... I better have everything ready by May 31st just in case!!! I really don't want to be scrambling at the end to get things wrapped up- or even have to come back later to finish things.

Jack still went to school today- no mommy guilt here! I deserve a day to myself to get the house cleaned, take a nap, take the dog for a long walk, and just take a mental break. I'll pick him up a little early so we can get his hair cut though. We've been taking him to a place that specializes in kid haircuts- but it's crazy expensive and the last haircut he had wasn't that great. This time I'm just going to try Supercuts or something. We'll see how that goes!

I'll have Brandon take a picture of the baby bump tonight- I'm suddenly huge! Even the teachers at school were like- "you've really popped out!" And there are still 13 weeks to go. Hmmmm....

She's really kicking and moving a ton- even Jack has felt her kick now. He loves to come over and bring baby sister his oh-bee-oh (that's what he calls yellow blankie and my mom- since she's the one who made yellow blankie) and his pacifier.

About that pacifier... anybody want to take care of him for a week so we can be out of town when the pacifier is taken away???!!!! I had thought we'd take it away at 2, but he still really actually uses it at bedtime. Maybe when he's closer to 3?

Monkey Hear, Monkey Say?

"Oh My God!"
"Oh Shit!"

-Jack, age 2

Watch what you say! He's ALWAYS listening.

Lesson learned.

Taking a brain break

I'm taking a break from working on report cards to tell you about my new plan for getting Jack to stay in his flipping room and go to bed!

First of all, he loves the big boy bed. Really, truly, absolutely loves it. And for the most part, I love it that he can get up when he needs something in the middle of the night and come find me. Even though I need a ton of extra sleep these days, it's still kind of nice to wake up to "Where deedee go, Mommy?" in the middle of the night instead of waking up to crying. How wonderful that he calmly comes in to get me to help him find his pacifier when he loses it about twice a week.

Ever since he got the big boy bed, our routine is that we'll read books, then tuck him in and lay down with him for a few minutes. Brandon tends to instantly fall asleep himself when he does this, but I always stay awake and try to leave while Jack is still awake so he doesn't depend on us to help him fall asleep. Over the past few nights though, as soon as I walk out of the room, I hear little footsteps and the creak of a door opening. As soon as he sees me headed his way (to calmly and silently put him back into bed, just like the book suggests) he slams the door and runs full speed back to bead laughing hysterically all the way. Um, isn't he supposed to be crying when I come to put him back in bed? Why is it suddenly a game?

So tonight I shut the door behind me completely (so the latch clicks. Not locked, just closed). Since he can't open the door when it's closed like that I waited to see what would happen. There was about 5 minutes of doorknob jiggling from his side of the room. Then a few books came sliding out from underneath the door. And then silence. I have no idea if he's asleep- it's awfully quiet in there though- and if he's in bed or perhaps on the floor?

I'll give it 10 more minutes and then go in to check.

Back to report cards.

**Sound asleep. In his bed. Good boy!**

ps. Only 100 days left! I remember when it was WAY over 200!!! Wahoo!!!!

A New Cousin!

We have a new baby cousin to celebrate! My cousin Liz had a baby boy last week! We can't wait to meet Elijah at the wedding in June!!!!