Still here...

...bigger than ever!

Seriously though...this weekend Thad painted two of the baby's room walls beige. I cleaned out my bathroom closest, packed most of my maternity away (it doesn't fit), set aside some new pjs I bought for my hospital stay, was up for 3.5 hours last night with braxton hicks contractions, went to church, managed a nap a day, quality time with the kids, bought Halloween costumes for everyone, clipped the kids' nails and toes, bought some groceries, and tried to relax.

We still have no idea what to name him/her. We don't agree on any names at this point so we don't discuss it. You would think nine months is enough time to come to a consensus!

Tomorrow is Homecoming Coronation which I am in charge of. Twenty four hours from now, a weight will be lifted off of me (figuratively of course) to go ahead and have this baby without worrying who is going to deal with the mess of Homecoming week. The parade is taken care of, most of my sub plans are ready, and I think I only have two days of teaching this week.

I promise to keep you all posted. Thank you for all your support. To quote my children's favorite movie, "We're all in this together!"

PS: If you haven't done so, go to AJ's blog and see pictures of her darling little Laila. It's those photos where we have to sit back and enjoy the miracle of life.

Not Yet

My doctor told me today that he just doesn't feel comfortable inducing me tomorrow.  There are no changes from last week (didn't you hear that too AJ?) and at this point he said it would lead to a long day of labor and an increased risk of a c-section.  I don't want to do something that isn't in the best interest of the baby or my body.  

He rescheduled me for next Wednesday.  I just really want him there for the delivery. Obviously if it happens naturally and he isn't there, I will survive.  He did say that for all we know, I will go into labor naturally tomorrow. These babies have a mind of their own!

There are so many things that I need to do still:  count Homecoming final ballots, get ready for coronation next Monday, make sure the programs are made, my long term sub, and yes, things that pertain to my own family!

On a lighter note...

After my rant last night, I just had to put this on my blogsite. It happened during my first class today when I was teaching.  We were discussing the Progressive Era and election reform. I was telling them about recall elections. This is what went down:

"So if people are really unhappy with their elected official, they can have a special erection to try and...did I just say erection?"

A student: "That's okay, it's like a science teacher saying orgasm instead of organism."

You can't make this stuff up!

I have to vent

I have to vent tonight. Maybe AJ's post set me off, being overtired, spending the last 3.5 hours counting Homecoming ballots, or just the emails that I have been getting lately.

I am so sick and tired of being sent political emails. For some reason, they are always one-sided, but never the side I associate with. Oh who cares I will just say it: I vote Democrat. There, it's out. Most teachers do, so that shouldn't be a real surprise.

Here is the thing: I don't have a problem with people who vote differently than me. In fact, I welcome it. I am a social studies teacher. Voting at all is important to me. It's the people who send out things that bash the other side, make one side out to be criminals, cheaters, inexperienced, or whatever. Both sides are a little whacked if you ask me. ANY extreme in politics is out of my comfort zone.

Tonight, however, I got an email that I found to be so offensive. Let's just say that if you know the British term for cigarette, you might understand it. The jist of it was: "Welcome to _________, where you can marry a _______, but can't smoke one."
Are you seriously sending this to me???? Sadly, the person who sent it also sends me lots and lots of politically biased emails. I always hit delete and never respond. This time all I wrote was, "That is horrible." It's family, but not on my side if you know what I mean, so I didn't feel right flipping out.

People have a right to an opinion in America. You can be pro or anti anything. I draw the line when individuals try to convert me to one side or disregard how offensive I or others might find it. Joke or not, I took it to be very NOT funny.

Okay, I am about done ranting. It's time for bed. Another time I will discuss my issue with people who talk about how religious they are but judge & hate more than anyone.

The latest

I just returned from my doctor's appointment.  Not a dang this has changed...well except that I might be thinned out a bit more.  I am going in again next Wednesday. If I am 'ready' he will induce me on Thursday.  If my body isn't ready, he will cancel the induction.  Knowing me, Thad asked if I hounded the doctor. I really didn't! He offered.

Part of me wants to hold out for natural labor. I haven't experience that before...well going naturally that is.  But, I have Group B Strep, so it's nice knowing I would get a full two rounds of antibiotics prior to delivery. That means baby would not likely get meningitis or anything.  I am also terrified of going through what AJ went through: a very fast, very painful labor. 

Believe me, I will be thrilled to go into labor naturally prior to next week. The likelihood that it will happen, however, is slim. 

A glimmer of hope

I went to the doctor today.  Last week when I had gone in, my doctor wasn't going to check me, but I made him. Absolutely nothing was going on, so I was too disappointed to write anything. This week I saw the NP, and she said I am dilated to a one and about 50% effaced. Okay it's not much, but it's better than nothing.   She said something about my outer cervix could be stretched to a two, but it closes the further in she checks--huh?

This final stretch is so difficult. I am very crabby, tired, sleep deprived, and feeling funky pressure in my pelvis. I am swelling like crazy, and continuing to gain weight. I am afraid that my greatest weight gain will take place with this pregnancy. 

The end is near, and in reality, I can't believe that soon we will have another little baby in our lives.

First day

We survived the first day of school. I slept horribly last night, Olivia woke up screaming at 11:30, Kate started yelling at her, and then Ryan came in. At 6:30 when my alarm went off, Ryan hopped up and got the rest of the house up. I had three excited children so that is a bonus. As I was bringing Olivia to Jo's, Ryan noticed the bus hadn't arrived. They decided they were fine riding, so I let them go. I felt a little guilty not bringing them to school myself. It's always been a tradition that I experienced as a child. Thad has always done it for the kids. Ryan swore he would watch out for Kate. Apparently they were separated getting into school, but Kate told me she said Mr. Kopperud the principal, walked up to him, and asked if he could help her find her classroom. GO KATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That in and of itself made me so proud of her!

As for the actual first day for the kids:
Olivia did cry at preschool I guess, but hey, she is a Stafford child so that is to be expected.
Kate told me in her dreamy voice, "First grade was just great!" She has already been singing the song she learned in music.
Ryan said he had a good first day too. My boy doesn't get into it much.
My day was fine. I was told a million time by former students how huge I am (no crap), asked if I know the sex (said no about 100 times), and also was hounded about names (no clue yet either). Needless to say, the questions get annoying.

After school, I zipped to pick up the kids and get Kate to gymnastics. On our way I found out that Ryan football at 6pm. No one had bothered to tell me so I was instantly irritated. Instead of sitting and watching Kate, I dragged the two kids to McDonalds so we could all eat, picked up Kate, ran home to get Ryan's football stuff, dropped him off at practice, got Kate McDonalds, and returned home. I am ready for bed AND for Thad to get home...but that won't be until Friday.
Tomorrow I have my first of the weekly check ups. I will post an update if I get "checked."