School’s Out for Summer! (And for the next year!) 25-26 weeks

It’s officially summer and I’m officially a SAHM. Wow. I never thought I’d say that!

One of the first things Chris said to me when I told him we were pregnant: “You are SO not working!” LOL. I initially wanted to just take 12 weeks maternity leave, which would put me back in school right after Winter Break. But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense to just take a year off. I’m due October 4th, which means I’ll probably deliver at the end of September. The first few weeks of school are so important- that’s when the rules and expectations and routines are developed…but more importantly, it’s the time I get to bond with my babies! I know that at the end of this pregnancy I’m going to be so huge and exhausted…all of the energy and enthusiasm that goes into the first few weeks of school…I’m just not going to have it. And that’s not fair to my kiddos.

So I’m taking a leave of absence for one year. It guarantees me a teaching job in the county for 2014-15, but not necessarily at the same school. However, after a few heart-to-heart chats with my principal (who is SO supportive and wonderful!), I know there is always a place for me at Gatorland :)

The hardest part of my decision was what to do about Audrey. This year she was in the am preschool class. Next year she would have been in the pm class. She was so welcomed and loved at school (and yes, got a ton of special treatment, lol)- the thought of her NOT being there next year was pretty heartbreaking. She’s made wonderful friends and just loved everything about school. I even considered keeping her there, but I just know that making the 45 minute drive 4x a week with a newborn and toddler would be pushing it. If it were for a full day, it would be different…but for 3 hours? Not so much.

I looked at a ton of preschools, private and public from here to Fredericksburg. I feel like she needs preschool for the social aspect- she needs to be out and making friends (she’s SUCH a social butterfly!!) All the academic stuff I’m not so worried about. I can do things with her at home (although I know I wouldn’t be as consistent OR as innovative as a preschool teacher!) I just feel like I’m keeping her from having valuable social experiences. However, she feels much differently, lol. She LOVES the idea of staying home with me, Abby, and the baby. A few of the schools we looked at were all day, every day. I just know I’d miss her too much! Why am I staying at home just to ship her off to preschool all day? It’s her last year of NOT having to be in school 5 days a week. So, she will stay at home next year. If she’s bored then we’ll revisit the situation mid-year. I did promise her (and the folks at school!) that we’d be back to visit often- Spirit Nights, Fall Festival, etc. I am so confident that she’ll be a Kindergator before we know it!

The end of the year was crazy and hectic and sad. My end of year eval was great, I got all report cards, forms, and records done. Scott helped me load all of my boxes and bins and he brought them all the way here AND lugged everything down to the basement. I was so thankful for his help. I ended up with a sinus and ear infection, probably due to all the dust I was exposed to over the past week! I felt like it was just non-stop for days and days. Now I can finally rest a bit and get to work on this house!

So far I've gotten a lot done in my first week of vaca. I love the nesting phase! It's been so great staying at home and getting things done at my own pace and spending so much time with the girls.


25 weeks


26 weeks (and into the double digits!)

I’m 26 weeks (98 days to go!) My dr says I’m starting to measure big. I weigh 149 and my wedding band is already too tight. I'm up to 26 units of insulin at night and 22 in the am. I'm curious what they'll say at my growth scan in a couple of weeks. I need to start being more careful about eating and I DEFINITELY need to start exercising (I really have no excuses now that I'm home all day!)

So, life is pretty great right now- I'm enjoying the easiness of it all while I can!

Last Week of School & Final Dance Class

What an incredible year she had! It was amazing for me as well- I had the best class, I LOVED being back in 2nd grade, and getting to bring Audrey with me to school was such a blessing!



On Wednesday I got coverage for my class and I spent the whole morning in Audrey's class! We had snack, circle time, craft/activity stations, outside playtime, then lunch.



Thursday was her very last day of school:


She checked this mailbox every day! Once a few teachers found out, they started leaving surprises in there for her. She wrote several thank you notes and drew pictures for the "mailman." :)


To celebrate her last morning with my class, I brought donuts and juice for breakfast. We took a class picture with her. She will always remember those sweet kiddos!


I gift wrapped her entire lunch. She thought it was hilarious....new tradition!

We're off for the 2013-14 school year :( But when we get back, Miss Audrey Cate will be a Kindergator!!

Our last dance class before recital was also that week:


She pretends to be asleep. HA!

It's a BOY!

My sister is having a boy! The reveal party was last night and it was the coolest way to find out!



They found out a couple of weeks go (the ultrasound tech wrote it in a card) and they kept it a secret. His name is Jameson Phoenix. I *adore* and *love* his name! I am so excited to have a boy baby in the family...first grandson :) Almost makes me want to find out if he'll have a boy cousin or girl cousin, lol.

Congrats to my sister and BIL...let the shopping for blue begin!

20-21 weeks and Abigail's 2nd Birthday Party

Halfway!!!!!! Yikes.

I just cannot believe it. We found out in February that we were pregnant. Where did March and April go?! How are there only 16 days left of school?!

There's so much to do- the nursery is not even close to being a nursery. We are researching minivans (really), and I still don't know where I want Audrey to go to school next year (if at all.) I need every bit of this summer to knock out my to-do list!

I got to see BB on Tuesday. I went for my fetal echo and took Audrey with me. She was a hit. The sonographer just loved her. We weren't even supposed to look at the baby, just the heart. But at the very end she said she just couldn't help it. We got some amazing pics!


Chris and my dad both said the baby looks like Audrey :) I'm getting the girl clothes out and washed!

The doctor saw a very tiny leakage in one of the valves- she said it was absolutely NOT a concern. She explained that with their machines being as good as they are, it's very easy to see the smallest things. She did recommend that the baby have an echo when he/she is born. Otherwise, she is not at all worried. We get to see BB again at my growth scan in July!

Abby's party was great! We had just a handful of people, which was nice because I got to spend more time relaxing and socializing. The colors were pink and orange. I nearly killed myself between Friday night and Saturday getting everything done, but it was all worth it. I was so sore after the party! Sunday was an amazing day of rest :)

Audrey had recital pictures on Saturday. She's the sweetest little ballerina, I swear! Her recital is next month and I cannot wait to see how she does. I love watching her class practice- they are beyond adorable!


We finally have roses!

I'm looking forward to the holiday weekend. We're so close to the end of the school year and the next 4 weeks are going to fly by!

19 weeks & Mother's Day

Look at that baby! I'm in love already! And I think he/she is SOOOOO cute!

I had my growth scan last Friday afternoon. I weighed in at 135 and BP was great. The ultrasound tech (who I've had previously) was AMAZING. So sweet and talkative. She spent a long time getting all the correct measurements. When she switched to 3D, it almost took my breath away! First, I was not expecting it. Second....seeing, I mean really seeing your baby's face for the first time like that is incredible! The tech tech referred to "baby" the whole time, so no slips :)

Baby weighs 10 ounces (perfect!) and has all parts. The doctor said my numbers look great, even with a few high ones every now and then (girl has to splurge every now and then!) My placenta wasn't very visible on the u/s, so they did do a transvaginal and they fully expect it to "migrate" as I progress. I go back on Tuesday for a fetal echo, then another growth ultrasound in July. This pregnancy is going by way too fast! I hope the Summer drags. My new EDD is just one day later- Oct 3rd. But I'm still very certain this will be a September baby!

The baby moves a lot now. I love laying still in the morning and feeling him/her move. He/she always comes awake when I read aloud to my kids. It's the coolest feeling!

On Sunday morning Audrey gave me my Mother's Day card. When the Starbucks gift card fell out, she said, "Are you going to get coffee mocha?" LOL- I take her to Starbucks waaaay too much apparently :) I told her, "I love being your mom!" She said, "I love being your children." :)



We went to lunch with Nana and my brothers and sister. Then we went to Grandma's for a cookout. Audrey loved seeing everyone, especially playing with her friends and cousins!



I got to spend time in Audrey's classroom on Monday. She served me muffins and lemonade. Then we read books together. I had to guess which Mommy drawing was hers (I picked hers out easily!) At circle time we danced, sang, and read a story. Then she made me a beautiful necklace (that I wore all day and will keep forever!) and a flower. I loved every minute of our special morning!

It's no secret that I love being a mom. Everyday I thank my lucky stars to be blessed with 2 amazing children. My heart is full!