40 weeks and an A+ Farewell

Today I worked my final day at school (until May).  40 weeks pregnant and I made it, Praise God and people who are so helpful!!!

Now the Time is Up.  I shouldn’t word it like that.   Time is here?  (does that sound better)

Carlee will be here tomorrow! 

Connor is very excited that he is going to be a big brother…so much that when I asked him this morning “are you excited about your sister coming?”  he said “I’m more excited about no homework tonight.”  When I picked him up today, I said “are you excited about tomorrow?”  His response, “I’m excited I get to wake up and play with my toys.”  (Not really the direction I was trying to take him, but he is probably very sick of hearing 'are you excited to be a big brother?'  Besides he will find out very soon….we are getting company and she ain’t leavin’.)

Today my class threw me a little baby shower.

Oh Boy were they excited!  They all made me cards with a pink cake and pink frosting and Mrs. E. made them a little basket to give me with baby items.  They all wished me a sweet good bye.

Surprise!

There was lots of discussion today, my input was not needed of course.  These are the quotes I wrote down from my K-2ers….

-Where do babies come from?

-From the stork, DUH.

-your not suppose to say DUH.

-Nuuhhh, uhhhh…they come from Heaven.

-They are going to cut that baby out of Mrs. S. with a knife.

-Are you going to die Mrs. S.??  I hope you don’t DIE!

-she isn't going to Die.

-Where is the baby now?

-IN her tummy, that is why she is fat.

-Yeah she is BIG, BIG, BIG.

-Mrs. S.’s feet are puffy, I’ll get a chair.

-I’ll get another chair.
-How is that baby coming out?

-at the hospital, DUH.

The kids all created a card that showed ‘Things the kids said they would miss about Mrs. S.’…

-“giving us stickers”

-“because we just will”

-“because she is the best”

-“her son Connor”

-“her baby”

-“helping us count money”

-“helping us learn”

-“J” (no comment)

-“doing math with her”

I love the picture that shows I AM THE ONE crying because everyone misses me.

At the back table with my maternity substitute:

Student:  “Are you going to be Mrs. S.?”

Mrs. M: “I guess so, when she has her baby.”

Student:  “Well, now you need to take your shoes and socks off because that is what she does.”

(busted)

Whoever said students with special needs aren’t both observant and astute have obviously never spent any amount of time with children.  

I would be lying if I didn’t say Mr. Anxiety began to visit me again…about two days ago and hasn’t left. 

feeling my head with the worst case scenarios and the what ifs…..

I've been asked how excited I am many times this week, and I am excited, but also a little..how do I word this... SCARED OUT OF MY MIND.  I AM about to have MAJOR surgery and a human life is being removed (WOWZA).

But I’m trying to boot Mr. Anxiety out of my head and not let it rob my joy, and it has been a wonderful pregnancy.

As my students would say, 'don't worry, more cake please, DUH!"

Sometimes the teacher is the best learner!

Sugar and Spice

Someone once told me that “A Son is a Son until he takes a Wife and a Daughter is a Daughter the rest of her Life! “ While I can tell you straight away, Connor will always be my little, precious, bouncing boy…I pray that there will be a time when he finds his own Blessed place, a true love, and an independent life.  While I hope the same for a daughter, I imagine a daughter reaches out to the other woman who understands her most.  A woman who understands life’s issues from a women’s perspective…dating, career, marriage, and glitter high heels!  These thoughts both scare and thrill me. One personal topic that is too difficult for even me to tackle on my blog is the turbulent relationship between my own mother and me.   I don’t have the experiences, and I have mourned the loss of them.  I struggle with insecurities all the time, and now I will have double the responsibility!  

This week I have been reminded of the words ‘God takes care of all things’ and that includes our insecurities.  Darren and I had purchased NOTHING besides the furniture.  Then we were given two beautiful and lovely showers…and Wahlah*…we now have an array of wonderful things that we desperately needed.  The message I learned once again (time and time again) is that God puts great people in your life, and there isn’t anything wrong with relying and accepting help.  Sometimes we just need to put those insecurities to rest and enjoy the Blessing that is family, friends, big brother, and a NEW BABY GIRL!

I just adored my baby showers, they were both so special to me.  My first one for Carlee was given by Sue and Jessica and included all my family and friends at my church.  Let’s face it…I have been living with 'Snaps and snails, and puppy-dogs tails' for 6 ½ years, sooo I really got into the 'sugar and spice and everything nice' (ignoring the fact here that I personally was born with 90% spice and 10% sugar).

sweet pea cake my step mom bought for us

table setting by Jessica

Party Favors



Sue got me this lamp, it is so feminine and pretty



people are here :)



Present Time!!



I love the "hairbow" hanging line 

so many people made the food so great

delicious

pink and green punch, matched the decor

clearly enjoying this part!

Big Brother is Ready

the children playing with Big Brother Toys

The second one for Carlee was given by the special area and exceptional needs team at my school.  Everyone was so giving and excited for me.  It was a really fun thing to do after a long day at work! (Well it was probably more fun for me).

this cake was sooo good, yummy.  Hope the doc doesn't give me a sugar test this week.

This was my favorite.  Each grade level was given ONE, PLAIN white onesie and had to decorate it.  Look what they did.  ADORABLE!

my favorite project- teachers are so darn creative

staff getting ready to SNACK

My TA (and adopted, young mother Ms. E.)

I love this part.



Look at all those gifts (and we all know teacher's are on a budget thanks to MORE BUDGET CUTS, but they still give and give).



I confess…I sneak into Carlee’s room and just run my hands all over the little pink bows, blankets, dresses, the little diapers, and onesies.  Little things are just so gosh darn SWEET.

 

 

 

Thanks to the kindness of those we love, it looks like Carlee is on her way to getting what she needs and a little bit, of what she wants!  I can’t wait to post pictures of Connor and Carlee’s new room, but I’m waiting for Carlee’s wooden letters to come in.  I will have to pick a day to take pictures BEFORE Carlee is born and a day when Connor is not home.  We know that a child’s room is complete when they are in it, but IT’S most CLEAN when they aren’t.