TV nerdery

I watch "Last Comic Standing" with the same fervor that most Americans watch "American Idol". Last time it was on (almost two years ago), I called and emailed and made sure that I voted for my favorite comedian (John Heffron). So I was VERY excited last night to watch the new season premier. For those of you that are also fans, I was happy to see some of the comics from last time back again (the old man and the guy from CA that flies to every audition),

Insurance hooray

I was worried that I'd have to pay for insurance all year long (at least for myself), but when I called today, they said that I could add all three of us next February. So, hooray that I don't have to pay for 6 months of unnecessary insurance.

Opinions, please

Do I really need a baby monitor? We don't live in a two-story house, and I don't exactly spend my free time puttering around in the garden or anything.

Cute little splurge

Isn't this the most adorable little bag/backpack? I love it. School gave me a $25 check at my shower, and this was $20; I figured I should spend the money on something cute that I normally wouldn't buy for myself. Whenever we decide on a name, they'll embroider it in a really cute font on the front/red part.

Good news

The base clinic called back and said that they have a refill clinic with quick appointment times, and asked if I could come in at 12:45. So of course I was there (but not seen until 1:30...random), and now I happily have my drugs. And a referral to a dermatologist for some growing moles and lovely blood vessels (probably due to pregnancy).

I just want some Claritin!

Being pregnant has sort of spoiled me in the doctor department. I mean, I have no trouble getting appointments for when I need them, I get called back when I leave messages, and overall it's been a breeze. But now I'm trying to get on base to see my regular doctor, because I'm down to one allergy pill and my refills are done. The usual process is to call at 7:30 (you can't call before, that's for active duty people) get through the phone tree, and hope against hope that they still have an appointment--they only schedule for that particular day. You'll recall that last Thursday I called at roughly 7:45-7:50 and they were out of appointments. And here I sit this morning, having hit "redial" for the last 15 minutes, and I can't even get to the phone tree--just busy signals. People must've done lots of stupid things over the long weekend.
Oooo...got to the phone tree...spent 11 minutes on hold, and......no appointments. Shocker.

Disappointing shopping trip

I hate fruitless shopping trips, especially when I'm excited about them. After having numerous people encourage my to buy a few bins at Target, I headed down there (it's a 20-30 min. drive). And I figured I'd stop by Joann fabrics to get some flannel for my sister's quilt. Yeah. So I'm pretty sure everything was on sale at Joann except flannel. And Target's sale was not a Memorial Day sale--apparently it ended on Saturday, or whenever their normal sales end. Poop.

Crawfish Boil 2006

Our church has an annual Crawfish Boil every May, and this was the first year that it was held at our church. We rented a HUGE tent, and had over 500 lbs. of crawfish, along with hamburgers & hot dogs.
There were three inflatables that involved water, this being the most popular.
There were three inflatables that did not involve water for the various age groups--Jon ran the joust, while I helped at one of the water inflatables.
It's an awesome evangelism tool, as most people welcome free food, free fun, and all of that good free stuff. There were snow cones, cotton candy, and even a fire truck that came and sprayed the kids. All in all, it was a great day, and Jon and I came away with only slight sunburns.

Memorial Day sales

It is very, VERY hard for me not to spend my Target gift cards at the sale this weekend. But since my shower is next week, I really should wait and see what people get me. It's just that my cute chalkboard boxes are on sale...

Our other baby

Testing out the bed...I think he likes it, because he had to have his blankie.
Just another size comparison picture--he's a BIG dog.

X-Men: The Last Stand

We give it two enthusiastic thumbs up, and be sure to stick around until the end of the credits.

32-week checkup

We had a pretty good checkup yesterday. I gained one pound, so that's good. He did some more blood work to check my sugars, and also a different test that allows him to see my sugars over the last three months (that way I couldn't cheat and just have a good diet the day of my appointment). I almost wonder why he didn't do that before, although certainly he'll be able to see a difference over the last three weeks. He better be able to see a difference. He said the baby is measuring right on schedule--if she was going to be a 9-pounder, she'd be measuring at 34 or 35 weeks--so I'm glad about that. Otherwise, everything was normal, back again in two weeks.

Oh--sorry for the headless pictures. I'll get Jon to take one this weekend that includes a head.

Latest freebie

The same teacher who gave me the crib and pack & play just dropped off yet another awesome piece of furniture. It's a transitional bed, for when she moves from crib to "big girl bed". Which makes bed #3 in the nursery for now--guest bed, crib, transitional bed. Oh, and Kronk thinks it looks perfect for him.

32 weeks

This is a belly self-portrait in the bathroom mirror, so it's a bit wobbly.
It is a pre-pregnancy tank top, which I'm wearing because I really miss my cute t-shirts and tank tops. My two new Old Navy tank tops should arrive tomorrow (so they won't be so high and nerdy in the front).

I love bed

I slept in until 7:45 this morning. That may not seem late to you, but after getting up at 5am all year, it was wonderful. The only bad thing is that I missed my tiny window to get a dr. appointment on base to get rid of this sinus infection and get a new Claritin prescription. Oh well, I can go tomorrow.

Spoiled

They spoil me at school. I think it helps to be on your principal's good side, and to be friends with the tech. teacher. A little background: when I took Intech last summer, I could choose either a computer or a projector. My principal is INSANE about wanting us to get computers, even though bringing the computer population in my classroom from 2 to 3 didn't seem very impressive to me. I really wanted a projector, so we compromised--she gave me a Web TV that was not being used, and I ordered the computer. Well, the Web TV pooped out sometime in September, and I've had to go back to overhead-land. Boring. About three weeks ago, the tech teacher convinced our principal to spend some money on a new projector for the school that could be checked out, etc, etc. She's very persuasive, and my principal agreed to the plan, so she gave me the old projector! Hooray. So now I have a projector for my classroom. The thing about the projectors is that you have to unplug your monitor and use the projector as a monitor if you have a desktop--they're designed to run from laptops. I didn't really care, seeing as I'd much rather have the projector. Well, yesterday the tech teacher gave me this laptop (and the SS teacher next to me, who also has a projector from Intech)! It's not new, but who cares!!! It's great, and will serve my purposes beautifully. Not to mention I can now take it to summer school and keep my grades on it, etc. So I think on my first day off, I will be playing with my new computer!

Is that your final answer?

I kind of got suckered into helping my principal with some interviews yesterday. At least that's how I feel--I must've been one of the first fools to say "yes". We conducting second interviews for the 7th grade English/Reading position, and the teachers on the panel were myself (6th grade), a 7th grade math teacher, and an 8th grade science teacher. Interesting choices--they must have been suckered in, also. I could kind of understand the 7th grade teacher, since this new teacher will be on the same hall, and I know I was filling the "same subject" requrement, but I'm still thrown by the science teacher.
Anyway, we interviewed four candidates, and it was very interesting. I've never been on the interviewer end of things. It kind of makes me wonder how I got my first job out of college--my answers must have been laughable. But newbies do have an unrivaled enthusiasm, and great ideas. Anyway, the competition was fierce, but we ranked them. Oh, and instead of being from 3:30-4:30 like my principal originally said, it lasted until 5:20, and I had to speed to Sylvan and then go directly to youth group. Not exactly how I'd planned my afternoon (our inservice day ended at 2:30), but oh well. On a side note, one of the applicants was a man, and I don't really care about all of the laws & things, we REALLY need some male teachers at our school (besides the coaches), and that gave him huge bonus points.

One (big) step closer to being "ready" (if there is such a thing)

Last night Jon and I went to the epidural class/prenatal tour. The hospital requires that we attend in order to receive an epidural--so I signed up in February. We watched a video showing the pros & cons, so I guess now I'm informed. They also kind of walked us through what happens when we come in, where we go, what their routines are, what to expect, etc. It was a tiny dose of reality, which was a tad scary, but very exciting, too.
There was "the" couple there, though. You know the ones, asking random questions, no grasp of reality (or listening skills for that matter). They were concerned that the hospital doesn't have a NICU--don't they pay attention? I mean, I knew that before I was even pregnant! When you choose your doctor, don't you look into the hospital a little bit? They didn't know that they needed to name a pediatrician, or at least didn't have one they wanted to go to. There were more concerns that they had on the tour (birth balls, low lights, soothing music), and it was all I could do not to refer them to either a birth center (seemed more up their alley by some of the questions they were asking) or to LSUS/one of the huge hospitals. Anyway, I'm glad I'm not her doctor or nurse.

School's out for summer!

Today is my last day of school! Yesterday was the last day for my delightful students, and today is our inservice day where we stuff envelopes with report cards and file copies in their cum folders. I celebrated yesterday with my traditional trip to McDonald's (started sometime in elementary school--McD's on the last day of school). Oddly enough, it doesn't seem like school's ready to be over...but I'll take it!

Oh, and summer school starts June 5.

Anyone want to smash my belly?

On Saturday I "volunteered" for a doula training workshop. I was connected through a friend of a friend, and they needed pregnant women in their third trimester to let doulas-in-training (birth assistants) practice finding the baby's position. I wasn't sure how thrilled I was about doing it (I said yes months ago), but it was actually neat, because I had no idea how the munchkin was situated. Once they figured it out, it was neat to say, "oh yeah, that's her bum, and it would make sense that what I feel here are kicks, and over here would be her hands." So I ended up enjoying it more than I thought I would.

Something only a nerd like me could get excited about

Our district reorganized our collateral reading lists last month. Basically, we have some classroom sets of novels that include the book on tape and some teaching materials. I generally read 3-4 novels a year with my classes. Well, when they reorganized/reassigned the books, it turned out that our library only had 3 sets that were designated 6th grade. And 7th grade had 15. To make matters worse, two of our sets are in DESPERATE need of replacement--they were paperbacks, and are starting to lose their covers/binding. The district offered to buy us a set of books...so we chose to replace one of the sets that the students absolutely love. Today I got the good news that our librarian chose to replace the two damaged sets because the district said they'd buy my top 3 choices of new books, in hardback, along with the teaching materials & tape/CD. I'm so excited! And again, a nerd.

Some gifts

I was proud of myself for putting the mobile together. And then I was told that I should've bought (registered for) a battery-operated one, specifically one with a remote. Who knew such things existed? I simply chose one with cute animals, one being a dog.
This is a diaper bag that our counselor had her sister make for me. It's so cute, and it even goes with the dog theme! It's a pretty simple bag, and won't be able to hold tons, but I like it.

Cutest invitations ever

I got the invitation to my shower in the mail, and it is SOOOO cute. I couldn't have done better if I'd chosen them myself!

Graduation

Hooray! Jon graduated from ALS last night. I am sooooo proud of him. And I survived my first real military function, which was interesting. He was the one "nominated" to invite the squadron commander, so we sat at a table with a lot of higher-ups (to me anyway). They were funny guys, though (I was the only girl).
Oh, and I guess that the person I recruited to take the picture was very passionate about the ceiling and wanted to include it rather than more of us...

I can do anything for 20 days, right?

I was officially given my summer school position today--hooray. The good news is, I'll be teaching ELA, which is what I taught last year, so I can use many of the same plans. Oh, and the other good news is the paycheck that is (sadly) more than my normal monthly check.

...or I'm giving birth to a rock

I've had my first few Braxton-Hicks contractions. No big deal, really--I wasn't sure what they were at first. I was like, "wow, why does my stomach feel like a rock?" or "why does it feel like someone just shoved a grapefruit into my stomach?" Apparently I will become much more familiar with these in a few short weeks. Luckily right now they're not painful, and I've only had one or two a day the past four days.

And no, mom, they didn't start after I'd read my babycenter email--they started before.

Probably NOT future Academy Award winners

Today and tomorrow my students are performing the plays that they've written. I can't help but be somewhat impressed. Granted, the first two plays that were presented were AWFUL (they were the groups that wasted the last week and a half), but overall, they did a pretty good job. Most of them weren't close to the 10-minute time that I asked for, but I was amazed by all of the props and costumes. I've taped all of them, and at some point I'll hopefully post a link. Some of them are pretty funny. This is the chance that some of my class clowns have been waiting for all year long.

A note about the lack of pictures on my blog recently--Jon has had to have the camera every day at work, and is then using the computer in the evenings to do homework, so I haven't had much access. That's why I'm still waiting on baby shower pics--my friend has to email them to me.

You....might...have mail

Our poor mailbox. Since the new neighbors moved in across the street, it's taken a real beating. First the dad didn't put his car in park (or didn't set the parking brake or something) and his truck rolled backward & hit the mailbox. It was pretty mangled, and while it still technically had a door, it didn't open and shut very well. Thankfully, they bought us a new one, and even installed it. Then last weekend his son hit it--I'm not sure exactly how. But our post (wood set in concrete) is leaning at about a 70-degree angle toward the street. So now they're getting us a new post. We told them that they could feel free to move it closer to the driveway if it would make it any easier; it's currently about 10 feet from the driveway. We'll see how it goes.

Writer's Cramp

The only downside to having a fantastic baby shower is possibly the thank you notes. My mother religiously trained me to write thank you notes, so after yesterday's shower at school, I got to work. I am quite proud to say that I have successfully written all 37 notes, and hopefully haven't forgotten anyone. Oh, and I really hope that no one compares cards, because there are really only maybe 5 creative ways to fill up a thank you card.

I should have pictures from the shower soon, and I'll post them asap!

Newsworthy?

The news ticker on the bottom of our screen during the morning news is pretty random here. For example, this morning this was the string of headlines (not verbatim): Two women killed by gators in Florida...A third teacher indicted in Waskom, TX sex scandal...Bush plans to put National Guard on border...Arkansas governor will not drop state gas tax...The West Wing ends it's seventh season with the resignation of ---, Survivor names its $1 million winner...

I'm sorry, but when did TV show plots--even reality ones--turn into news!?

Pre-Mother's Day

My parents gave me the best pre-Mother's Day present ever! It's a 3-month subscription to Netflix. Granted, I'm probably going to save it until after summer school is over (end of June), but I'm very excited. And this is not, as my brother claims, a ploy to exploit my belly and get people to buy me things on another holiday that I don't really deserve. I did not stand up to get my carnation this morning at church--because I figure this is the easiest part of motherhood. In fact, if I'm ever tempted (like when I can't sleep and my ribs hurt and my back is achy) to feel like I'm ready to be done with this whole pregnancy thing, I remind myself that that would mean I have a BABY, and those are 100 times more work than whatever I think I'm going through now.

Oh, and for the record, today while Jon was at his study group from 2-5, I mowed the lawn (front & back) and cleaned the house. I'm not being "spoiled" by MD yet!

Old Navy

I've entered Kronk in the Old Navy mascot competition. So if he makes the top 6 or whatever, you'll all have to vote for him. This is the "head shot" that I used.

Air Show

I may have seen all that I plan on seeing of the Barksdale Air Show this weekend. I went grocery shopping after school and drove past the flight line, glancing over every few seconds. Plus, everyone is testing/practicing their program today. I must say, the Raptor is AWESOME. The AF definitely deserves a high five, for it is a very cool plane. And I'm glad I can see it fly from my house.

God bless the makers of Splenda

And whoever orchestrated the deal between they and the lovely people at Edy's (Dreyer's). They have created a great sugar-free line of ice creams that are very low in carbs and actually taste like ice cream. The sugar-free Crunch bars & cookies...yeah, they're alright. But the ice cream is AMAZING.

My latest random thought

How on earth am I going to love this baby as much as Jon?

I know, I know, every mother is going to tell me that when I see her, it'll all change. But I feel like I love Jon an awful lot, and I'm not sure how this kicking stranger is going to measure up. She's just going to have to settle for second place, I guess.

If she can get past Kronk.

Pep Squad

Yep, it's something I never thought I'd do. But now I'm a co-sponsor for Pep Squad. Luckily all that it really means is that I go to half of the football and basketball games, which is actually less than I had to do as the sponsor of Blue Ribbons. Originally I was going to just drop Blue Ribbons and not do anything at all, but the I was feeling a bit guilty for not sponsoring anything. Then this opened up, and it seemed like a good idea. I get a free warmup set, half the time commitment, and I actually get paid to sponsor this club ($20/month). Plus I can just bring the munchkin to all of the games--it wouldn't have worked with Blue Ribbons since I would've been in the concession stand at basketball games.

30-week checkup

Had a great checkup today. I've actually lost 3 pounds, so now I'm at +14. Which is fine since I didn't really start out at my "ideal" weight--no need to gain the full 30. He showed me my lab results; I was outstanding on the fasting test, under by 5 after the first hour, over by 12 after the second hour, and well under after the third hour. I guess two abnormal results would make me a diet-controlled diabetic, and since that first one was so close, he said he couldn't just ignore it. Makese sense to me, and like I said, I'm getting used to it now. And it won't be the end of the world to have a little cake at my shower.
After my appointment I peeked into a birth room just to see where I'd be spending some time. They look a lot like the rooms at Good Sam, where I worked for three years. Also the nurses were really nice & helpful, which made me feel good. Somehow it's seeming like it won't be long now...

Teachers count down, too

Only 10 more days of school!!!

Latest dream

I dreamt last night that I had the baby today. Although they said I was 33 weeks, when I'm really only 30/31. And they sent me home right away, with a 5lb. 4oz. baby...boy. So I guess I'm not really having a girl :). And I was going all over doing things, and then remembered that I should be resting or something. I went to Camp Harlow and visited everyone. Then I remembered to call my principal & secretary and get subs. I also called to cancel my birth class & epidural class. Weird.

Why ya gotta kick me when I'm down?

So, right when I'm just about okay with this diet thing, I discover two sneaky little inch-long stretch marks on my belly. I suppose it's because I thought I was "safe" and past that stage. Also, my mom didn't get any, so technically I was supposed to be immune.

Shower #1

My school is throwing me a baby shower on Monday. I'm very excited.

I forgot to post this last week, but it's still hilarious...

(Last Wednesday, before the field trip. Brenda has been spreading rumors about Mrs. Ford and one of the PE teachers, Coach France)

Mrs. Ford: Brenda, I'm about to pull you off of this Medieval Times trip. Can you tell me why?
Brenda: Is it because I talk back in class?
Mrs. Ford: No.
Brenda: Is it because I cheated on that assignment?
Mrs. Ford: No.
Brenda: Is it because I keep crank-calling your cell phone?
Mrs. Ford (still managing to keep it together): No, keep trying (more like "keep confessing")
Brenda: I don't know...I do a lot of bad stuff.
Mrs. Ford: Like spreading rumors about me in Mrs. Steele's class?
Brenda: Oh yeah. Just because of that?

This is why I'm high school certified

At Sylvan I tutor all grades, in reading & math. The only area I don't tutor is beginning reading, which is fine with me. Yesterday I was tutoring this second grade boy who's in the program for enrichment. I got to a multiplication lesson (3rd grade math), and he told me that he didn't know any multiplication--I had to start from scratch. I don't know about you, but I don't remember learning multiplication--I remember flash cards, and memorizing my "times tables," but I'm not sure how I was taught to multiply. The lesson didn't give me much help, so I tried drawing pictures, and showing how you could break it up (9 x 8 = 9 x 4 + 9 x 4), and everything I could think of. He still didn't get it. So I gave him some flash cards for the remaining 5 minutes. I like upper grades.

*On a side note, he is a rather stubborn & whiny little nerd who wasn't being the most cooperative little student, and part of me thinks he wasn't very interested in learning (I can't do it...I don't get it...this is hard...I don't know how to multiply)

Sugar detox

So, I deciding (or maybe telling myself) that this whole diet thing isn't the end of the world. As far as meals are concerned, I am counting carbs, but I can still eat plenty. It's mainly the sugar & snacking that's hard. And really that was tough at our Bible study when they pulled out the dessert (brownies, ice cream, strawberries, chocolate sauce...). Oh, and for teacher appreciation week this week we get breakfast every day and lunch on three days, and it's hard to resist the doughnuts, cream cheese danishes, & desserts. But I was brave on Monday and had a whole wheat bagel & cream cheese. Let's hope it continues. Jon promises to bring me a huge blizzard after the baby is born. Oh, and I'm a bit concerned about my motivation: it is that I don't want to have a c-section because I have a 12-pound baby. But I don't want to have that immense disappointment that some women have if they do have a c-section. Hmmm...I'll have to work on my psychology a bit.

A different angle

Here's 30 weeks from a different angle--10 weeks to go!
*Please note that there is a shadow that's making my butt look huge--I did not really poop my pants.

Continuing education

I had a good talk with my friend the dietician the other night, and am much more educated on this whole diet/gestational diabetes thing (which I don't "officially" have). I felt better finding out that there wasn't anything I had done/didn't do--you know, it wasn't because I had been eating lots of sugar or anything. She said that for the vast majority of people it's genetic (which it's not for me), and then a small percent of people have had some disease or something that has affected their pancreas, and an even smaller percentage that just randomly has it (this would be me, I'm guessing). Oh, and this is of the non-overweight population. And talking with her I've discovered more & more what I can/can't eat, and how to eat it. So while sugar is still out, along with carb overload places like Olive Garden, I can still have two pieces of pizza for dinner. And Splenda is/will be my best friend.

To appease the masses

30 weeks--I feel like this picture makes me look bigger than I truly am, but we should all celebrate the fact that Jon & I saw each other long enough to take the picture (and actually considered it a priority).

Medieval Times

Yesterday was the annual 6th grade field trip to Medieval Times in Dallas. It's one of those things that the students LOVE, but that the teachers could do without. We met at school at 5:45am, boarded our charter busses, and we out of the school parking lot by 6. Sadly, this year our bus only had a VCR, so my 10ish DVDs went unwatched, and we had to resort to some pretty sketchy VHS tapes that I'd brought just in case. We arrived in Dallas around 9:30, and the kids spent way too much money in the gift shop for an hour and a half. Sidenote: Will I really give my kid $10 for a virgin margarita or wooden sword? Many kids spent $30ish or more... Anyway, the show was fine, the kids loved it. We hit some lovely traffic/construction on the way home which delayed us nearly an hour. So I pulled into my driveway at about 5:30. Sadly, my cute husband wasn't home yet--he makes it so hard to get sympathy!

Bye-bye, Starbucks...see you in 10 weeks

Yep. Picked up my 2000 calorie ADA diet yesterday. Technically I didn't fail the glucose test, but I was close. So I don't have to have the meeting with the dietician or do finger sticks or anything, but I have to be on the diet. And then at my 32-week appointment they'll do another blood test at my appointment (which will be roughly 2 hours after lunch) and see how I'm doing.
So, have I ever mentioned that I'm not a big fan of diets? I like candy, ice cream, coke, bacon, peanut butter, mochas, and carbohydrates. And I haven't put on more than the textbook amount of weight. Plus, I thought pregnancy was the perfect time to eat whatever I wanted. Guess not.

Awana night

I now know why we always had things like waffles, fish sticks, burritos, and mac & cheese (homemade--I didn't get the blue box until college) on Wednesday nights. They're quick, easy, and still taste good. Today I have to work at Sylvan from 4:30-6:30, and then go straight to youth group. Jon doesn't get home from work/ALS until around 6 or 7. So, we're in a dinner quandry. Usually we'd both just drive through some place, but we're trying to be smart and stick to our budget. And thus I have discovered the magic of mac & cheese. Or corndogs. Mac & cheese is great because it tastes delicious, whether reheated or cold. And cordogs are always outstanding. So my kids are probably going to grow up much the same way.

Would you like fries with that?

Well, I survived my 3-hour glucose test. I'm not sure if/when I'll hear the results. It may be that no news is good news. Then again, now that I'm on the two-week rotation, I have an appointment next Wednesday. It wasn't as bad as it could've been...I read, walked laps around the parking lot, drank lots of water. Oh, and I must mention that this drink is twice as sweet as the first one, so it kind of compares to drinking the concentrate of hawaiian punch--it feels like you need to add about a gallon of water. Anyway, three of the four sticks were good; the last one was the only one that really hurt. Then at 12:30 when I was released back into the wild, I made a beeline for the golden arches. Not sure that's on any doctor's approved list, but it was on mine, especially if I fail this test and will have to make some diet modifications soon.

I don't swim in your toilet, so please don't poop in my...flowers.

I need advice. Does anyone know how to keep the stupid, annoying, cat across the street from coming over and digging up my gerbera daisies just to poop in my flower pot. I thought of a bee bee gun (the same one I'd use to shoot the neighbor's barking dog), but I could get into trouble. Then I thought I'd tie Kronk up out front all night, but that's not really fair to him (he needs his pillow time). It's the one poor non-rose flower that's surviving out there, and I don't need a cat to kill it. It already killed the flower's sister last week.