Back to work

Yep, I am officially back at work. This week was a teacher week because the kids don't start until Monday. The week consisted of putting up bulletin boards, putting away all the books and other teacher stuff I have (since I moved classrooms this year), going through print shop orders, moving desks, checking if computers work, going over first day plans with my student teacher (who I think will be great), making schedules, putting text books out, getting names on desks, organizing materials, ordering more materials (since we are adding a 3rd classroom), meetings, meetings, and more meetings. It was a full week, and boy am I tired. I have been lounging around the house all summer and getting back into being on my feet all day (especially at 8 months pregnant) has been exhausting - but good too. The kids start on Monday, and I think we are ready. I am looking forward to being a classroom teacher from being a specialist last year. The doctor has given me 3 weeks to work, and then will see how I am doing with my preterm labor and all. If I keep where I am, he will let me keep working, but if he notices any changes in my cervix then it might be back to bedrest or maybe half days or something. I called my sub just to touch base, and let her know that even though my due date is October 10th, that we may be needing her sooner than that. I am a little nervous about having to be out of work too early. When I went out early with William, I was put on medical leave, and then once he was born I was put on FMLA leave. This time, however, I don't think that would be the case. I have a feeling they would start me on FMLA right away. I only get 12 weeks of FMLA leave, so if I am out 6 weeks before the baby is born then I only get 6 weeks after the baby is born. I don't think I would be ready by then. Of course, some companies only give 6 weeks of leave, so I am lucky that I get 12 weeks, but I really want to have all 12 after the baby is born. So, hopefully, the doctor will at least let me work half days or something. As for my pregnancy, everything is going fine. I am feeling very full of baby. He is very high up and loves to kick the ribs. I am feeling his hiccups - which is really neat but kinda annoying too. It feels kinda like a little twitch. At one of my meetings, I kinda jumped with a really strong kick and the teacher next to me said, "Holy cow!! I saw that!! Your whole belly moved!!" Yep, he is a strong kicker. I am so excited to meet him. I am getting more nervous about the whole labor/delivery coming up. You think that since I did it once already and kinda know what to expect, that I wouldn't be as nervous. But, that is not the case. Oh well, as long as the baby gets here nice and healthy, that is all that matters!



Things around our house have been good. Nothing too exciting lately. William has had some issues getting back into daycare this week, but by the 3rd day he was doing better and not crying and clinging to me when I left for work. I am hoping next week will continue to be ok.



Here is a 32 week belly picture...

Feeling better!

I have some good news to share! We are getting our mold problem taken care of tomorrow! I ended up calling a mold professional just to see how bad the problem was and to get a quote on the clean up. The good news was that the mold guy said that it wasn't too bad and that the clean-up wasn't too expensive either! Yea!! Benjamin did have to empty out the rooms effected (which he is doing as I type) and they will be here at 9:30am tomorrow to get cleaning! I am so relieved. As for other happenings in the family, nothing much to report. William is doing great. His favorite words are "why" and "do it myself". He is getting very good at putting on his own socks and shoes (even though some times the shoes end up on the wrong foot). He is getting so grown up that sometimes I just can't believe it. Benjamin is going good too. He is taking good care of William and me. As for me, just enjoying my last week off. I go back to work next week. Thank goodness for the help of family because everyone is going to move me into my new classroom on Friday. Thanks guys for the help! I will be at the same school; just moving classrooms. Some great news to share is my cousin gave birth to her new daughter yesterday! Congrats Julia! Alivia is such a cutie! It makes me really excited to meet my little guy. I'm feeling ok (same complaints as my previous post) but I think once I get back to school, I'll have something else to focus my attention. I have a dr's appointment on the 17th, and I think I then start going to appointments every 2 weeks! The end is in sight, and I am a tad but nervous.

I'm so upset!!

Oh man, I am so sad! We found more mold in our house! THIS SUCKS!!!! When we first moved in, we had the air ducts cleaned, and they found mold! That pissed me off because I thought the home inspector should have found it in the air ducts - you know what I mean! So anyway, we got that treated and thought we were done. Well, then we put a dog door in and found mold under our paneling. Great! Benjamin tore out the drywall, replaced it, and cloroxed the wall. We thought we were in the clear - again. Now, today Benjamin was in the basement trying to get a home office set up since his job site is moving that every employee MUST work from home one day a week, and guess what he found! MORE MOLD!!! I am sooooo ready to rid my hands of this damn house! We haven't even lived here a year. If we were to sell, we would lose soooo much money. We just got a second mortgage to help pay for my maternity leave, so we have 0 equity. Of course, we got the 2nd before we know about all this mold! Plus, I DO NOT want to have a house on the market with a newborn and a 2 year old. (Not to mention the housing market right now) Life will be hard enough without adding trying to keep a house clean enough for showings! We have no money to hire a professional to take care of the mold (and who knows how much it would cost anyway!) because we are saving every penny for my maternity leave. It is going to be all up to Benjamin to fix because I am no help being 8 months pregnant! I don't want my family to get sick because we have a house full of mold! I don't want to bring my newborn home to mold!! And who knows where else it is hiding!!! I just want to cry with frustration.

Ugh! Feeling like I am done with being pregnant!!

First, I'd like to start with a disclaimer, that I am grumpy and hormonal, and I am like this everyday now. So, first and foremost, I am sorry for being such a whiny baby...

I am SOOOO done with being pregnant! I don't know how I am going to make it another 10 weeks. I didn't get to feeling this yucky until I was like 37-38 weeks with William. I have terrible heartburn! I mean, I wake up with it in the morning. Water gives it to me! All I have been eating is tums and Zantac! My back is hurting like crazy, and no matter where or how I sit, I am uncomfortable. I can't bend over. It is hard for me to change William's diaper because sitting on the floor and bending around is getting so hard. I can't get up or sit down without making some sort of noise. I am HOT all the time. Those who say it is hard being pregnant during the summer are SOOOO right. I am tired all the time, and can't sleep worth a crap. My hips hurt, and my face is broken out! Waaaaaaaa! I go back to work in 3 weeks, so maybe once I get back at work and not home all day, I will get my mind off how I am feeling on get distracted from it. But for now, I am ready for October 10th!!!

P.S.
Here is a picture of me at 27 weeks.



Here is a picture of me at 20 weeks so you can compare.
Can you see how much I've grown?

A day at the Children's Museum

A sad day...

Kisses and hugs to my unborn baby I lost to my miscarriage in December. Yesterday was your due date, and I would have had you in my arms. Thank you for the time you were with me. I love you and miss you!
~Mommy

Yes, I'm slacking on my posting

I admit that I should be posting more. So, let's see if I can get you caught up. Two weeks ago I started having a reaction to the Procardia that the dr gave me to stop my preterm labor. I got a nasty rash on my hands, arms, chest, and kinda all over. I stopped taking the Procardia and started taking Benadryl. I was nervous to stop the Procardia, but so far no contractions, so that is great! Of course, this reaction happened 2 days before Mom and Dad's 40th Anniversary party. Of course!! (By the way, the party went really well, and it was nice to see all our friends and family. Thanks for everyone that helped me out!!) Anyway, the reaction started to go away, and it completely gone now. I had a doctor's appointment last week as a check up, and the good news is that I haven't had any change. So, that along with the good cervix measurement a couple weeks ago, the doctor was feeling pretty good about things. He even lifted some restrictions, but I am still supposed to take it easy. The longer I take it easy during the summer, the more I should be able to work once school starts in August. I'm glad that I even get to work a little! So, things are going well. The baby is moving a lot and likes to kick me about 9pm and 3am if I have to get up to use the bathroom. William is his cute little self. We have noticed that he is talking a lot more the past couple weeks. He still has some things we can't understand, but he is really developing those communication skills. Benjamin is doing well too. He put in a dog door, but unfortunately we found mold under the paneling in the family room!! Ugh! So, his little project had turn into a total home improvement project. I am lucky I am married to a very handy man! So, as you can see, we are doing pretty well here. I hope everyone had a great 4th of July. We did - even though it rained. Here are a few pics from Mom and Dad's 40th....