I survived!

I survived this crazy stressful week. As I stated in my last post, it was American Education Week. Usually, on our particular grade visitation day, there are 15 or so extra people in my classroom. It is stressful to be "watched" by so many however, the kids love to have thier parents, etc. come in. Sadly, I had a total of 5 that whole day! Four of them were only there maybe 1/2 hour. It is truly a sign of the times. Parents have to work. People are too scared to take off for fear of layoffs. The kids didn't seem bothered by it all.
I got to trek down to J's room too. I stayed for about an hour. I was so amazed! This room, full of 4 and 5 year olds ran like clockwork! His teacher is excellent and has the kids in a great routine! He did such a nice job and was so happy I was there. He was of course, very concerned. He kept asking where my students were, and who was watching them. I assured him that another teacher was with them and that all was ok! Sweet boy!
Yesterday was my observation. Those of you who are teachers know the stress of having your administration watching you teach, critiquing your lesson! Everything went well. The relief of having that over with is so wonderful!
Last night we trekked through the cold and snow showers, back to school for Family Movie Night. The school sponsored the movie "Kung Fu Panda". We had fun! We took camp chairs (If I sat on the floor, I'd never get up) and they sold popcorn and other goodies. The gym was filled with people on blankets enjoying a movie with their family. It was really nice and J had a ball!
On the home front, the baby room is almost done. Paul spent this week painting and such. My m-in-law helped yesterday too (THANK YOU) and it is ready for the border. I had no idea how fun it would be to have a pink room in the house! Of course, the house is wreck right now and I am anxious to organize and put things away. I just need to chill out and be patient! I will post a picture after it is done.
My wonderful cousin Kristin sent a box of girl clothes yesterday. There were some adorable outfits and best of all, little girl onesies! I have mostly yellow, green and blue onesies from J and so I was excited to have some girl ones for baby girl! Thanks Kristin!

What a week!

The past week was pretty hectic with meetings, conferences (J's, not my class) doc appointments and school events. This week is proving to be the same. I have my first semester observation on Friday which I am preparing for and it is American Education Week. For those unaware, basically, parents and family can come into our rooms any time to watch their child. You know as well as I do that they are examining the teachers. Our visitation day is Wednesday, but parents can come any time. I am going to J's room Wed. afternoon for an hour which will prove interesting. I am wondering if he will act up if I am there. I will feel so much better on Friday at 3:30.

Paul got about 1/2 of little girl's room painted. I will post pictures when it is done. It looks so darn cute, 1/2 pink and 1/2 white. Love it! I have washed umpteen outfits (thanks to my generous friends! who had wonderful hand-me-downs) and the dresser is packed. I packed the diaper bag with her bring-home outfit. Did I tell you about my diaper bag? My wonderful mother in law bought me the Vera Bradley diaper bag I was craving.

Isn't it so pretty? I am not a big spender on items like purses but I have several Very Bradley bags that I have asked for for b-day's and Christmases. I love them for their cuteness and the fact they are washable. Since I refused a shower (I don't agree with showers for second babies unless there has been a big time gap) she lovingly got me the bag. I love it! Thanks Ms. Jeanie!

Anyhow, nothing too exciting is going on- I am looking forward to this week going quickly

A Little Edgy

OK- You know when you are at the end of your pregnancy when you are really edgy! Yesterday was not a pretty day for me. I was really grumpy- fatigue set in, I am not sleeping, J is up at 5 AM, work is so frickin' stressful..... You moms know how it is! I hated being around myself yesterday and my poor son had to deal with grumpy mom all day. He was such a sport. I would have Loved if he would have let me nap for a little bit but every time I would close my eyes, he "needed" me. I woke up this morning with a feeling of dread- (can you tell my job is particularly stressful right now?) and so I went to Dunkin' Donuts and got a cup of FULLY CAFFEINATED coffee to help me survive this day. I only drank about 1/2 of it- should have had it all. I didn't work. By this afternoon, I was still feeling uptight. Went to a meeting after work and left feeling worse than I did when I arrived. (Have I mentioned the stress my job is causing me???)
After talking to many moms who have had and survived the arrival of #2, I know I am not alone in my feelings. I am so entirely nervous about this baby- from delivery to beyond. I know women do it every day, but I have NEVER had two kids before so I am just a ball of nerves!
So anyone who reads my blog (all 3 of you he-he) please say a prayer for me to chill out and calm down. IF not, I am going to be nuts by December! I know that I will eventually be able to handle it all but I am certainly full of anxiety! Anyhow, thanks ahead of time for your prayers . I need them!

Heavy Heart

I have a heavy heart today. My dear neighbor Peggy lost her battle with cancer today after a long, two- year battle. She was the toughest softie I've ever met. She and her husband are police officers. She had a mouth on her (:P) and never hid how she felt about things but when it came to her ways with us, she had a heart of gold. Never a Christmas or birthday went by when she didn't send gifts for J. She always made time to talk to him while he played outside. Her own grand kids live a few states away so I guess J filled a little void she felt. From the first day we moved in 8 years ago, she was a wonderful neighbor. I am so sad that I will never see her again on Earth.
Cancer just sucks. I know so many people who fight the fight and win, but so many lose- It is so frightening. Peg was such a tough cookie- I thought she would be able to win this fight. Even though you don't know her, please pray for her husband, son and daughter and her grand kids. I know they are feeling such a loss. I know I am. The police department has lost one if its best and I have lost a wonderful neighbor and friend.

Extra Bulls

Kids are so funny. Case in point-
I was sitting on the bed folding clothes this weekend. J comes running in and said to close my eyes. So I close my eyes and he takes something off of my night table and puts in in a drawer. When I opened my eyes, he screamed, "Extra Bulls!!!!" Paul and I had no idea what the heck he was talking about but he did it again and again, hiding things and screaming, "Extra Bulls!!!" So I asked him what he was referring to by "extra bulls" and he said, that he was referring to the day when you play tricks on your mom and dad. Then it hit me-----He thought it was April Fools! Hysterical!

A New Friend!

I became a blog follower a year or so again, when my cousin Kristin kept a blog to update everyone on Tova's adoption. Being the nosey person I am, I always looked at her friend's blogs. You know, if you didn't want someone to read your blog, then you shouldn't publish it right? Well, I became an avid reader of Judy's blog and in commenting back and forth, we came to realize that her parents live close to me. In fact, she grew up in my area. So we decided to meet this weekend and today I drove up to meet her. Paul thought I was crazy, meeting someone who I knew nothing about but in fact, I knew more than he thought since I read her blog. Nothing ventured,nothing gained, right? What a great visit! Her son and J played the whole time, so nicely might I add. Judy and I got to chat about things we don't blog about and it was just so nice! I love meeting new people! So a once blogger friend has become a "real life" friend.

Here is Judy and I. Her parents yard was so pretty-all of the fall colors! Beautiful!

Here are J and Christian, eating cookies and examining the chocolate chips with the magnifying glass. J and Christian climbed up into the tree house- so cool! Here is J peeking out the window.
The boys rode bikes, played hide-n-seek and ran around in the yard. J really had a ball with his new friend. I got to meet precious McKenna too but she soon fell asleep! She is so cute-
Judy- It was super fun to meet you and the kids today! Thanks again for inviting us up. Your folks were super nice too! Thank them again for me!Hopefully, we can do it again sometime!

Haapy Halloween

J had an exciting Halloween Day! It started off with a party and parade at school. Here he is with his teacher and friends. I didn't get to see him march as I was with my class but Paul got to see him. He loved it! BTW- He was the cowboy. I know it is a Woody costume from Toy Story but since he won't watch the movie and we needed a cowboy costume, this is what he wore. My friend actually had her daughter in this costume last year so we bought a hat and TA-DA! a cowboy costume for J! We added a lasso and such later on.

When we arrived home from school, we carved our pumpkins. J wanted nothing to do with touching the slimy goo inside the pumpkin so he just watched.

Here is J pretending to get ready to hit me with his lasso- what a wicked cowboy! Then he and daddy took off to do a little bit of trick-or-treating before heading over to the church across the street where they had a moon bounce, pony rides and a hay ride.

This picture has nothing to do with Halloween but yesterday, J got his soccer trophy. He was so excited. I am glad soccer is over. For one, he was such a non-team player and it was frustrating watching him play. Second, it is getting too cold to sit out there. I ma proud of the improvements he made this year. He did a good job learning the skills and by the last few games, he hardly pouted at all when he didn't get the ball. He even scored a goal yesterday in his last game! Basketball starts in a few weeks. I know, I know- I am a glutton for punishment.