That's my thought for the day/week! I shared that with my students on Tuesday and after they chuckled about it, one smart cookie in the back raised his hand and said, "So, the due date you gave us for that essay that was due today was overrated, too?!" He's one who has a keen mind. I smiled and said, "That is ONLY regarding pregnancy!!" Bummer for him that his essay was turned in a day later (and subsequently marked down). :)
Went to the Dr. on Tuesday afternoon. His words: "There's nothing happening." "But Dr., this is my 4th child!" He smiled pleasantly and responded, "Babies come when they want to come . . . "
Robyn asked me this morning, "Mom, when IS our baby coming??!!" She is the most verbally excited about our new baby's arrival, and her excitement makes me smile. Nathan is hoping he/she holds off until March, so we have two children's birthdays in February and two in March. (How did THAT happen?!) I still say Leap Day is a cool day to have a baby . . .
I AM GRATEFUL to be feeling well this week. As long as I feel baby continuing to move, my mind and heart are re-asssured. Dr. doesn't want me going over more than six days, so the plan is to be induced (with epidural, let me assure you - never had one before, but see no reason to endure extreme pain with #4!) on Monday morning, if I don't go into labor before then. I am pleased that Dr. Karnes is on call Friday through Monday, so he will deliver our baby. He's a neat Christian man and I love how he prays with the mother/parents at the first OB appointment and after delivery.
I'm also glad I've continued to teach this week - gives me something productive to do and keep my mind off of the Big Question: "When is this baby coming?" (Though my students look surprised each day to see me.) I made cupcakes for my English classes and we'll have a little celebration tomorrow (I'll emphasize we're celebrating the upcoming birth, NOT that Mrs. Vanderwest is "outta here!!" :) They're great students and I will miss them. It's been fun to have high schoolers "walk through" this journey with me. I hope and pray they have realized/been impacted that being married to a solid, loving person, and then having children together is the BEST route to take! I also hope it's impacted them that a pregnancy = a child, not a mass of tissue/matter. Lastly, I hope they have seen the joy through me of how special and precious children are - and THEY are.
SO, that's the news from Lake Wobegon. Happy Trails to You, until we meet again!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Let's Have a Contest!
OK, blog readers - a contest for you. I've had a contest at school with each of my three classes, where they guess the gender, birthdate, height, and length of our baby. After he/she is born, I'll stop by and introduce the baby and award a prize to the winner in each class. SO, let's do the same here.
In the comment section, make your guess! Include just gender and birthdate - oh, and your name, too. I will send a prize to the closest guesser . . . perhaps of the chocolate variety. Although if Sara Fisher wins, I think I could rummage around in the cupboard and find some coffee to send her way. By the way, official due date is February 26, and remember it's a leap year, so there's 29 days in February (one of my students guessed 2-31-08 - Hmmm.)
My maternity leave sub "shadowed" me yesterday and I am pleased to leave my students in good hands with her. I have been concerned and praying about that for a while - I have wonderful students and want them with a competent person. Our day went well and I have confidence in her. Thank you, God, for answered prayer! I plan to teach through Friday, February 29, unless baby or much discomfort comes first. She is "on hold" - will be there when I need her from this point on. Lynn is a mom with three school-age children who would like to re-enter the teaching field. I think some of my male high school students were hoping for a cute, young, female teacher, because the only thing they wanted to know was "How old is she?" When I told them she was older than me and married with three children, they seemed rather disappointed. :)
Let the guessing begin!
In the comment section, make your guess! Include just gender and birthdate - oh, and your name, too. I will send a prize to the closest guesser . . . perhaps of the chocolate variety. Although if Sara Fisher wins, I think I could rummage around in the cupboard and find some coffee to send her way. By the way, official due date is February 26, and remember it's a leap year, so there's 29 days in February (one of my students guessed 2-31-08 - Hmmm.)
My maternity leave sub "shadowed" me yesterday and I am pleased to leave my students in good hands with her. I have been concerned and praying about that for a while - I have wonderful students and want them with a competent person. Our day went well and I have confidence in her. Thank you, God, for answered prayer! I plan to teach through Friday, February 29, unless baby or much discomfort comes first. She is "on hold" - will be there when I need her from this point on. Lynn is a mom with three school-age children who would like to re-enter the teaching field. I think some of my male high school students were hoping for a cute, young, female teacher, because the only thing they wanted to know was "How old is she?" When I told them she was older than me and married with three children, they seemed rather disappointed. :)
Let the guessing begin!
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Happenings!
To be concise (not normally a strength of mine...no comments needed):
Last 2 weeks = 2 birthdays, 2 parties, 2 more snow days, 2 Doctor's appointments, 2 fish purchased, 4 dental appointments, 24 Valentine's signed, 1 1st grade Valentine's Party, 1 batch of cookies, 1 trip to Urgent Care, 9 stitches, 0 trips ever wanted to take again to Urgent Care, 1 crib set up, 1 bassinet cleaned and readied, 1 changing table received, 2 newborn outfits purchased, 1 Valentine's date, etc., etc....just the normal, ya know?!
To be less-than-concise (my normal way of communicating):
*Robyn is 5! Had a fun party for her with 4 other families and their children. She loved it all - the thought of it, the preparations, the party itself, the presents, the afterglow. And wouldn't you know - the strawberry cake with pink frosting she insisted we have and labored over together - when it came time for cake she wanted "only vanilla ice cream, please." Never ate ONE bite of her cake that day or the next! Silly girl. :) She is a sweetheart. She chose the families to come and enjoyed new Polly Pockets, CDs, and Littlest Pet Shop items.
*Seth is 3! We had the whole Richards' crew and Grandma and Grandpa Vanderwest over last Saturday for a combined party for Seth and Robyn. Seth wanted "rainbow cake" (i.e. Funfetti) and he's all about parties! It was fun to celebrate with family. I particularly enjoyed hosting 20+ people in our new home with little stress/concern about where to seat people, how the house would hold everyone, etc. We love our new home literally every day.
*Purchased an aquarium for Seth. Thought we'd take him to pick out a fish on his birthday.
*BUT, he ended up picking out two fish the day before his birthday as a reward for suffering through the Urgent Care center. I was finishing playing the piano in the first service on Sunday morning, and while Pastor Josh was praying, Ken walked up to me and bent down. I thought, "How sweet! He wants to say good morning and give me a kiss, since we don't see each other on Sunday mornings." Nice thought, but not accurate . . . instead, he whispered, "Seth slipped in his class and his teacher thinks he may need stitches." OH. So, I soothed our whimpering boy and below his chin there was quite a split, and off to Urgent Care we went. The roads were bad, and it was bitterly cold, so I thought, "There certainly can't be that many people out in this weather-I'm sure it won't be too busy." Second time wrong that morning...the parking lot was filled and I had to create my own spot. Well, the majority of the time was quite pleasant and Seth was chipper while we waited and once the ordeal was over. Chipper is not the word that would describe the actual process of getting stitches...I'm not sure I can think of a word to encapsulate the amount of screaming, thrashing, and sadness he experienced. Let's just say, when I was holding him afterwards I thought, "He doesn't have freckles...why are there red freckles/blotches all over his face?" I believe the answer is he broke blood vessels or something else that caused them. A day later, they went away. Well, after that ordeal, what could one do but get some lunch at Arby's, including splitting a shake together, and stop at the Pet Store for an early birthday present (the fish)? Stitches are now out and really didn't bother him much. He wanted the bandaid off right away and I gently explained that removing the bandaid/picking at his "owie" would make us have to go back and "lay on the table where the doctor worked on your owie." His very serious response? "Mommy, I NO TOUCH my owie." Good idea. I guarantee Ken would have been given that responsibility. Our sweet sitter Kristy cut the stitches out for me on Friday and all looks well.
*On a happier note, Nathan carefully signed all his Valentine's and attached a Hershey's Kiss to each one. His party included Valentine musical chairs, ice cream sundaes, and reading Valentine's from classmates. First graders are cute and it's sweet how both genders are friends. I always admire how calm and loving his teacher, Mrs. Vanderlaan, is.
*Robyn also signed Princess Valentine's for her friends and family members. She thought it would be nice to use the extra Hershey's kisses in cookies, and I agreed! (let's just say this pregnancy has given me cravings for sweets from beginning to end!)
*All rooms were unpacked but the Baby's Room, and early this week I told Ken I was experiencing minor stress - we have to get organized!!! So, at 9:30 that night, my dear husband worked to clean and get the crib all together. He is so supportive with pregnancy discomfort and my obsessive-compulsive tendencies! Since then I cleaned the bassinet, Amy brought a changing table over, and a few more hours in there and the room will be ready. All looked good at my appointments and I was told, "If your water breaks, go in."
*We enjoyed being "the two of us" again on a Valentine's date on Friday night. A tasty meal and then errands (including purchasing a boy and girl newborn sleeper, one of which to be returned), topped off with ColdStone Creamery...mmmm....it's a good thing there's not one of those in KC or Sparta! Thanks Fishers for watching the gang...we had Katelyn and Emma over tonight so Fishers could enjoy being a couple.
Did I mention I'm not concise by nature? Hope this wasn't too long. We'll be in touch.
Last 2 weeks = 2 birthdays, 2 parties, 2 more snow days, 2 Doctor's appointments, 2 fish purchased, 4 dental appointments, 24 Valentine's signed, 1 1st grade Valentine's Party, 1 batch of cookies, 1 trip to Urgent Care, 9 stitches, 0 trips ever wanted to take again to Urgent Care, 1 crib set up, 1 bassinet cleaned and readied, 1 changing table received, 2 newborn outfits purchased, 1 Valentine's date, etc., etc....just the normal, ya know?!
To be less-than-concise (my normal way of communicating):
*Robyn is 5! Had a fun party for her with 4 other families and their children. She loved it all - the thought of it, the preparations, the party itself, the presents, the afterglow. And wouldn't you know - the strawberry cake with pink frosting she insisted we have and labored over together - when it came time for cake she wanted "only vanilla ice cream, please." Never ate ONE bite of her cake that day or the next! Silly girl. :) She is a sweetheart. She chose the families to come and enjoyed new Polly Pockets, CDs, and Littlest Pet Shop items.
*Seth is 3! We had the whole Richards' crew and Grandma and Grandpa Vanderwest over last Saturday for a combined party for Seth and Robyn. Seth wanted "rainbow cake" (i.e. Funfetti) and he's all about parties! It was fun to celebrate with family. I particularly enjoyed hosting 20+ people in our new home with little stress/concern about where to seat people, how the house would hold everyone, etc. We love our new home literally every day.
*Purchased an aquarium for Seth. Thought we'd take him to pick out a fish on his birthday.
*BUT, he ended up picking out two fish the day before his birthday as a reward for suffering through the Urgent Care center. I was finishing playing the piano in the first service on Sunday morning, and while Pastor Josh was praying, Ken walked up to me and bent down. I thought, "How sweet! He wants to say good morning and give me a kiss, since we don't see each other on Sunday mornings." Nice thought, but not accurate . . . instead, he whispered, "Seth slipped in his class and his teacher thinks he may need stitches." OH. So, I soothed our whimpering boy and below his chin there was quite a split, and off to Urgent Care we went. The roads were bad, and it was bitterly cold, so I thought, "There certainly can't be that many people out in this weather-I'm sure it won't be too busy." Second time wrong that morning...the parking lot was filled and I had to create my own spot. Well, the majority of the time was quite pleasant and Seth was chipper while we waited and once the ordeal was over. Chipper is not the word that would describe the actual process of getting stitches...I'm not sure I can think of a word to encapsulate the amount of screaming, thrashing, and sadness he experienced. Let's just say, when I was holding him afterwards I thought, "He doesn't have freckles...why are there red freckles/blotches all over his face?" I believe the answer is he broke blood vessels or something else that caused them. A day later, they went away. Well, after that ordeal, what could one do but get some lunch at Arby's, including splitting a shake together, and stop at the Pet Store for an early birthday present (the fish)? Stitches are now out and really didn't bother him much. He wanted the bandaid off right away and I gently explained that removing the bandaid/picking at his "owie" would make us have to go back and "lay on the table where the doctor worked on your owie." His very serious response? "Mommy, I NO TOUCH my owie." Good idea. I guarantee Ken would have been given that responsibility. Our sweet sitter Kristy cut the stitches out for me on Friday and all looks well.
*On a happier note, Nathan carefully signed all his Valentine's and attached a Hershey's Kiss to each one. His party included Valentine musical chairs, ice cream sundaes, and reading Valentine's from classmates. First graders are cute and it's sweet how both genders are friends. I always admire how calm and loving his teacher, Mrs. Vanderlaan, is.
*Robyn also signed Princess Valentine's for her friends and family members. She thought it would be nice to use the extra Hershey's kisses in cookies, and I agreed! (let's just say this pregnancy has given me cravings for sweets from beginning to end!)
*All rooms were unpacked but the Baby's Room, and early this week I told Ken I was experiencing minor stress - we have to get organized!!! So, at 9:30 that night, my dear husband worked to clean and get the crib all together. He is so supportive with pregnancy discomfort and my obsessive-compulsive tendencies! Since then I cleaned the bassinet, Amy brought a changing table over, and a few more hours in there and the room will be ready. All looked good at my appointments and I was told, "If your water breaks, go in."
*We enjoyed being "the two of us" again on a Valentine's date on Friday night. A tasty meal and then errands (including purchasing a boy and girl newborn sleeper, one of which to be returned), topped off with ColdStone Creamery...mmmm....it's a good thing there's not one of those in KC or Sparta! Thanks Fishers for watching the gang...we had Katelyn and Emma over tonight so Fishers could enjoy being a couple.
Did I mention I'm not concise by nature? Hope this wasn't too long. We'll be in touch.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Third Time's the Charm?
Never in my 12 years of teaching have I had three snow days in one week! Wow! I have a feeling our superintendent rather reluctantly cancelled today - the call didn't come until 6:30 (normally comes around 5). And for me, these snow days couldn't have come at a better time . . . time to get our boxes unpacked and enjoy hanging out with the kids. Today is a day to:
- make a strawberry birthday cake with Robyn!!! She is VERY excited about her 5th birthday this coming Sunday! We're having a party with some of our special friends (the whole families, not just other 3-6 year olds) on Saturday night, complete with Strawberry Shortcake napkins and tablecloth. She picked out the people, the gourmet menu (hot dogs), the games, etc. She is our all-things-pink and purple girl! I told someone recently that if we never have another girl, I am so glad our girl is a GIRLY girl who loves GIRLY things. :)
- attempt to beat Nathan at Uno. That was his choice to do with Mom today.
- let Seth beat me in Don't Break the Ice a few times.
- rejoice that my back feels much better after being adjusted yesterday by my doctor. I am grateful my OB-GYN is a D.O., so he can do manipulations. Every week now I have a pinched nerve in my lower back and it feels MUCH better after he works on it.
- also rejoice that my blood pressure was great yesterday at my appointment! It was actually the lowest it's been in weeks . . . and that was after the big move and all! Perhaps I can attribute that to being in our larger home and having the packing job behind me?
- mop my (much larger) kitchen/dining room floor - oh yeah, and work on those other ever-present chores.
- watch Ratatouille tonight with our crew. The Weeks' recommended (and have) this family flick and the kids are eager to see it! They asked me at 7:30 AM if it was time for the movie.
One of our favorite morning songs to sing: "This is the day, this is the day, that the Lord has made . . . we will REJOICE and be glad in it!" We hope you recognize the love of the Lord today in your life - in big and small things.
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