HELLO!!!

I'm alive!! haha. I have been absolutely horrible with blogging. I know we are all busy but I swear this year is one of my busiest!!

Typical day since starting back:
Wake up 5 am
At mass by 7:15
School starts 7:45
Teach till 3
Middle School or Faculty Meetings till 5 (at the latest) Monday thru Wednesday
Get home...try and walk for at least 30 min.
Help hubby cook dinner
In bed by 7:30 b.c so pooped!

How do people work and take care of their children too???? Last year I had a planning period from 9:30-11:00 and then 12:00-12:30... it was glorious! I got so much done and then some. I never had to grade at home b.c I got all my work done at work! This year I am teaching 8th grade religion in addition to 7th Religion and History and 8th History. And I teach two of each of classes b.c there are two classes per grade. So this year I have only one break and it is from 8:45-9:30 and it is so rushed. I feel I have no time!! I'm swamped!!

This whole pregnancy thing is WONDERFUL and I wouldn't trade it for the world but after work, I am done for the day. My feet are swollen, back aches, and I have no energey! ha. But I'm happy...no worries! I am just not productive whatsoever. I am honestly in bed by 7:30...at the latest! haha. Thank God my husband understands that I am swamped during the day. He has been so great.

So enough about that. I miss all of you! I am friends with alot of you on FB so I am up to date on alot of your lives b.c of FB on my phone. What would we do without technology! ha. No but seriously, I miss having down time to just blog away. Not that I have much to say, but I miss just having the time.

Pregnancy is going swell. I am happy as a bee! Today we go for an ultrasound and appointment...love seeing that baby:) 11 more weeks to go. Holy smokes! Going by fast.

Today I had some extra time b.c I am leaving work early for dr appts so I haddddd to take a minute to write on the blog so you knew I was alive:)

Hugs and Love. I pray for my bloggers in daily mass....especially you my prayer partner. Amid all the business, I have not forgotton to pray!!

Prayers for 2 bloggers/Starting back

I must say first that my heart is aching this morning as I read through blogs and noticed that there are two bloggers out there that have suddenly lost their husbands. This just saddens me so much. Although I don't know them or their blogs, my heart just aches. Sew mentioned one girl and then another girl commenting on Sew's post mentioned another. Life is so fragile. Please pray for these precious women and their families during this time of suffering.

I am finally being lazy. After these past two weeks of jumping back into school, I am finally making myself lay down and be still. Going from summer break to work is hard enough but when you are preggers and used to taking naps daily and then you are thrown in full speed ahead, it's kinda tough! So today I am doing one thing and that is going to mass. Then I plan on coming right back to this same spot and laying on the couch ALL DAY!

School so far has been great. I have a great set of kids this year. I'm amazed at how interested these 7th and 8th graders are about baby who. They are all about some questions. haha. I have a little corner of my board reserved for baby. I have a picture up there, it's measurements and the vegetable size of the week:) The kids are excited to find out what type of veggie it's grown into on Mondays. haha.

This year I don't have as much free time as I did last year. I'm teaching 7th & 8th grade religion and history. Last year I just taught history and one class religion. So I only have one break throughout the whole day and it is first thing in the morning...not a good time for a plan period. They best would be in the middle of the day but hey, you can't always have the best schedule. So you can see why I am exhausted by 3.

DH has been great with my exhaustedness! haha. He definitely sees it and wants to help out whenever he can. It's been nice b.c we are both in the kitchen at night and it makes the cooking go along a lot faster. Shoot, when I'm in the kitchen, it takes forever. And after being on your feet all day, the last thing you want to do is be on your feet in the kitchen. I told dh I need a directors chair for prep and cook time! hahaha. But seriously, all I want to do is lay in a hot bath at the end of the day. But I can't b.c I like my baths hot and I've read and been told that is not healthy for pregger people. Oh well, it's all worth it!


Advice: PPVI knocked my progesterone from 2 ml to 1 ml b.c my levels were looking good. Well my D.A. forgot to refill my progesterone so I didn't have enough. I only took 3/4ths of shot instead of 1. Then I fedexed more and am not going to be irresponsible ever again. So, I'm anxious for Monday to come so I can give my baby more. The one reason I am worrying is b.c of a pain that I am having that I have never had before. Now, I know about that ligament pain issue so it could be that but I'm not sure. All day Friday and Sat I have had this sharp, knife pain on my right of the belly (on my side almost). I mean the kind of pain that makes you take deep breaths, bend over pain. It's been consistent in that it continues to happen but not consistent as in every 2 min. I (think I) know that it's not contractions b.c I feel no tightening or cramps. Just a stab of pain. So I called nurse finally last night when DH about lost it. He was getting mad at me for not doing something about it. She didn't seem worried. Told me to take tylenol and lay down. So that is my plan for today. To rest. Hoping it doesn't start back up tomorrow. If it does, I'm calling dr. Any of you experience this consistently??? Advice would calm me:)

Blogger meet up/ cloth diaper?/prayers

It was SOOOO fun!!!! I drove over to P'cola (Pensacola) recently to meet these fine ladies: Lauren (Magnify the Lord with Me), Kaitlin (More Like Mary More Like Me), and Karen (Pray-Hope-Trust) . Y'all, they are so cute, so fun, so full of life and knowledge and most of all, they have absolutely adorable children:) I got to snuggle with all three babies and just loved it!!! I have been wanting a blogger meet-up down south and it finally was accomplished! We really spent all our time talking away and me, learning from all their mom ideas/tricks. They definitely persuaded me to be a cloth diaper momma. I'm super excited about that. What is happening with me....haha....doula, now cloth diapers!!! I'm totally surprising myself and LOVING it!  

On to the cloth diaper topic, I learned a lot from these ladies but am curious to see what else you others are using. I'm thinking of sticking to the Bum Genius brand but am totally open to your thoughts. If any of you have any of your posts on this topic, send me the link in the comment section so I can read please:) Thanks! Oh and what to wash them with????

I've been thinking a lot lately about infertility. That pain is so very close to my heart and will never be forgotten. I just wanted to let those of you who are struggling know that you are always in my prayers. Just a little support reminder:)

Something I never thought I'd do and Blogger meet up!!

Hey friends:) Well I haven't posted much lately b.c I haven't had much to say that would entertain you in the least bit....I have been lazy lazy lazy and I didn't want to bore you with nothing posts! ha. I have been reading up on y'all though and praying specifically for some of your requests. Summer so far has been so nice. I seriously have been sleeping in, watching Today show, getting exercise here and there, getting to some daily masses with momma, reading, and visiting with family and friends. Baby who is doing fabulous and we are really enjoying nesting this summer.


So since I joined the blogger world about a year ago, I have been exposed to more than I could have imagined....in a good way. One of those things is the idea of natural labor and using a doula. I don't know if I would have thought about this whole doula thing if it weren't for the exposure. I'm definitely appreciative!

I did some research for a doula along the gulf coast and was successful. I contacted her and we met for coffee and I immediately felt comfortable. I knew my decision right away. I honestly didn't even think twice about it after meeting her. So here we are, signed up for an upcoming appointment:) DH has been very supportive. He of course is very nervous about the idea of me trying ( I say trying b.c you never know) to have a natural labor. But I know that once he meets her, he will immediately feel comfortable with the decision of getting this doula. And what we get from her....She comes to our home for 6 or 7 in-home classes to prepare us for birth, she is on call weeks before and weeks after birth, she is available 24/7 and will be there to help us do most laboring at home before hospital (hopefully), and she will remain after birth to help with breastfeeding, etc.

I'm just so relieved to have met her and be comfortable about this whole idea. My worries are normal, I know. Of course I worry about whether or not I will be able to do labor without epidural, I worry about the chance of maybe having to be induced or have a C-section, etc. My ideal situation would be to be able to go into labor at home smoothly and go to hospital and have baby naturally. I'm just going to remind myself over and over that it is in God's hands not mine. As soon as I start to control things, life gets a little crazy.

On another note, I'm so excited for this week. I get to meet three bloggers:):):) I'm headed to Pensacola on Tuesday to have a slumber party with Lauren (Magnify the Lord with Me), Kaitlin (More Like Mary More Like Me), and Karen (Pray-Hope-Trust) . I've been wanting a meet up for a while so I am thrilled!! I'm sure you will hear about it from us after. 

As for baby who, hear he/she is:) My little tike:) DH likes to think that the little thing in the bottom right hand corner is a penis....although it's not:) I don't think! haha

Hey Hey Hey!

Ahhh, I'm so horrible, I know! I haven't been on here in over 3 weeks. Crazy! School finished up, thank the Lord! and then I had a week of professional development meetings that followed. Then dh and I packed up and went to the bay for a little R&R and there we have no internet service. I've been pretty lazy these past two weeks and it has been wonderful:):) Now I'm back in town with a stupid sinus infection or cold. Blah!

Have I mentioned I miss y'all!!! Random: Did or do any of you play music for your baby in the womb???? My sister was all about headphones and classical music. What is your take????

Novena girls: I am in the process of saying St. Gerard Novena's for Julie, Rita's Roses, Patiently Waiting, His Perfect Timing and Christy. They all signed up for the Novena prayer list and I just wanted to let you ladies know that I have not forgotten and you are ON MY HEARTS!!! Along with you other sweet friends too:):)

Anyway, life on the homefront is great. DH and I are loving life and each other, obviously:) I am 14 1/2 weeks and happy as can be:) Our 12 week appt went fabulous:):):) I praise you Lord:):) Many of my food aversions have gone away pretty much...except grilled or baked chicken and broccoli....puke!!! I'm not nauseous anymore either:) Oh and have I mentioned I have gained 7 lbs! haha. What! I must admit, it is very hard to accept the fact that you are gaining weight and not turn into a freek. I know I know I am supposed to and I am SOOO happy to have the reason too but it is sill a little mind game that I have to remind myself not to play. No worries, I have never not eaten...I eat all the freeking time. It gets tiring but I swear I can't help it. It's not cravings...it's an all of a sudden starving pain and I have to eat or it doesn't go away. They have gotten better and less often but still occur.

The hospital here where I go to my dr provides free gym membership for pregnant women who are delivering at that hospital:) GREAT! Love it! So I have joined and plan on becoming a little swimmer:) They have huge lap pool and no children are aloud:) Meaning no swimming classes, etc. to get in the way. All I have to do is by me some goggles and I am good to go! Now of course, I will be using a kicking board b.c my booty can't swim one lap without pure exhaustion!

I have picked out all the nursery stuff...a little early I know, but I want to get the nursery done before I start back with school in August. I'm taking on an extra load this next semester so I know I am going to be crazy busy and won't want to have the stress of all that on me. But it's been fun picking out and playing around:)

Here is where I got my idea for my color scheme. I wanted neutral b.c we aren't finding out the sex and also b.c I thought neutral would be easy to throw colors in with...plus, I love these colors together and have always wanted these for some reason. Now of course it's not going to look exactly like this but it's a start. I will post pics as I go.

I got 3 of these for the nursery wall. It was my splurge prize for me:) I have eyed these for the past year and have loved them. I don't like the color so I am going to paint them with some sort of antique brush in mind but they are def going to be lighter color.

I ordered this crib from overstock with free shipping. They also have it at Walmart for about $20 cheaper but that doesn't include shipping...but you might be able to ship to a store near you. I plan on spray painting the wheels white b.c I think the gold is blah. Don't like it! 

Anywho, enough about me. I'm off to read about you. HUGS and glad to be back in touch!!!

MIA 2...Not for long!! Oh and a Novena for you!

I can't believe my life has become this busy. Whoa to the May school life of a 8th grade teacher!!! ONE MORE WEEK AND THEN FREEDOM!!!!! This week has been good but full. I of course have had something every night and am about to collapse. Tonight we have NOTHING!!! I am going home, going for a walk, taking a nap, eating cereal or chicken n stars for dinner (what's new) and crashing!

Random: I totally smell like Chinese food and it makes me want to puke. I teach World History. My fun twist to my class is that if the class makes a B average on the chapter tests (I have a wide range of learners), then we will have a themed lunch. Well, they did this for the recent Ancient China and Ancient Japan tests and sooooo today we had our Chinese/Japanese lunch. Each kid brought in $5 and I ordered what they wanted. It was split pretty evenly....half wanted Chinese and the other half wanted Sushi. So I ordered it, my sweet momma went and picked it up, and we just wrapped up our lunch. They LOVED it!! What a great incentive for them:)

This weekend I am dog sitting a little Maltese puppy named Raindrop! haha. A family here at my school has asked me to dogsit...their kindergartner named the dog...how cute is that. I am thrilled about dog sitting b.c I dream of having a little dog! My dh hates small dogs and claims we are fine with our dog in our lives...our lab, Tide. Which is true...I love Tide, but there is nothing like a little hand held puppy. One day I will get a small dog...maybe when my kids go off to college and I cry, the dh will feel bad and get me one. ha!

I am 11 wks tomorrow! Big deal:):) I'm super stoked! On Wed we have our 12 wk checkup (two days early b.c dr is out of town next friday). I absolutely cannot wait to see how much my little gummybear has grown. Next Wed happens to be the feast day of Our Infant of Prague....a special one to my family. My mom has been so fond of the Infant for years. I went to Prague over Christmas when I lived in Italy and was able to visit the church of the Infant and see the real one....BEAUTIFUL! I find it quite Godly that my dates throughout this pregnancy are falling on special days that relate to my personal life. We found out we were pregnant on St. Gerard's bday, this appt is on the Infant's feast day, our due date is on or near the feast of Our Lady of Guadeloupe....all of this confirms the Lord's wonderful plan and hand in this.

I am continuing daily mass and praying for my sweet blogger girls...esp those suffering with IF. I think of you daily. One of my students gave me a novena packet for St. Gerard. I am going to do a novena for you!!! My plan is to do one for each of you starting this summer. Doesn't that sound like a good idea. If you want, please comment and request and I will write you name down and begin a list. This makes my heart happy to do this for y'all.

I must admit I am slacking on the reading of blogs b.c I have had zero plan periods these past few weeks. Every spare moment has been taken. THIS IS MY FIRST ONE IN FOREVER!!!! And i reserved time to catch up with you!!

Hugs, love and blessings.

MIA

I know! I have totally been MIA (missing in action...for you slow people! haha). Being an 8th grade teacher, May is the busiest month of the year. I swear, I don't have one free moment. AND when I do have have a free minute, I have a major lack of energy and I am taking a nap! haha.

Is it pathetic that I feel as if I am missing out on the blogs! hahha. I miss reading up on you ladies. I feel as if I am missing out on things....and I know I am. When I do have free minutes, I try to check blogs but then I don't get enough checked and then I get behind again. AGH!

Even though I am behind, you are not far from my thoughts. I prayed for all of you yesterday on Mother's Day...especially those who are struggling with infertility. You are so close to my heart. I pray for you daily at mass but yesterday I said some extra special prayers. I hope you are feeling them:)

Life is going pretty well. Still having major food aversions and some nauseousness. I swear, I still cannot eat meat or veggies...just typing those words make me want to puke! ha. I'm going later this week to get an ultrasound. I don't have to but they told me if I wanted to I could do one when I wanted...I decided I didn't want to wait till 12 wks to see my little gummybear...so I am going this week which is around 10 wks.

I have to go again. Class in 5. It's exam preparation time! agh! Hugs to all of you.