Testing

I have an appointment coming up this Thursday. At the last one, my doctor told me that we would be discussing genetic testing at this one in case I wanted to go ahead and get some thoughts or questions together. I haven't thought about it much, until today.

Chris had done a little research online, just to see a little about it. I hadn't. I asked some good friends at school if they did it, just to get ideas and feedback. Their responses? Definitely gave me something to think about, a perspective which I had not considered at all so far.

Why would I do it? What would be the benefit to doing it? To find out if there is something wrong with my child? A lot of the time, these tests give a false positive. Some of the time, they do not detect anything that is there. There is a possibility of miscarriage from the testing. All for what? For worry? Not here. Not me. Not anymore.

It will not change the fact that I love my child already, that this child will be one of the most loved and cared for children in the world. Whether there is something there or not, that will not change the fact that my child will come welcomed into this world with open arms. I cannot and will not let the single chance of life's possibilities ruin this God-given experience for me. I take it all, the good, the bad, and the ugly (hopefully, mine will not be either of the last two!)

I have 27 weeks left to prepare myself for this gift. I have a lifetime to enjoy it.

So unless there is anyone with a perspective I have yet to consider, I head toward another appointment with another questionless agenda. I might need to come up with something better than the purpose of maternity underwear and whether or not I really need to wear it. Yes, I really did ask this one last time!

What About Chris?

I can't help but to think of the movie "What About Bob?" during all of this. People are always asking how I am doing, how I am feeling, how things are progressing and stuff like that. They ask me, they ask Chris. They congratulate us both. I started thinking the other day... I wonder if anyone ever thinks "What About Chris?"

For those of you that know him, you know that he's not the most outgoing person, unless you are talking about sports. He loves to play them, but is more "behind the scenes." AKA, he's probably not the one out on the field making a big fuss or anything. Same thing at church. Gets the job done, but you won't see or hear much from him. I love him to death for his mild manner- completely the opposite of mine!

He says it hasn't really hit him yet. I think that once I start showing, when we find out the gender, and when he can actually feel it moving around, reality will set in. But to be honest, I can tell already that he's starting to think in that direction.

As we were about to go to bed, he told me that around this time, the baby should be forming taste buds and can determine whether or not it likes something I've eaten. I think my jaw dropped as I just stared at him, wondering where he got this from. My book. He had read ahead and found it out. He tends to surprise me, either by letting me know something he's learned, or asking questions about what's going on.

Chris hates doing dishes. But he has stepped up in so many ways to help me out. I haven't been very sick, but there's been days where I need to nap or really can't be in the kitchen. He's rubbed my feet (yes, without complaining!), gotten me things the one time I got sick, and just showed a general concern for me and how I'm feeling on a day-to-day basis. This coming from the one who cannot stand blood, puke, or anything out of the ordinary where he will have to fend for himself for a few days!

I've also begun to realize that he actually does know that little people do exist in the world around him. Little things in Atlanta last weekend let me know that he is starting to watch what is going on, moreso than before. He dragged a high chair over to the table where we were all about to sit so the two-year old in it wouldn't be left alone as his parents were moving their stuff over. He let a one-year old just stand at his feet, looking up at him and smiling for his attention. This made him laugh. He took the hand of a three-year old as we were walking down the street so she wouldn't be left unattended. Little things like that. It's not like he was not aware before... it's just that I think he's starting to take it all in finally.

So yes... he might not show it, he might not say it... but he's excited. And I cannot wait to see him in action himself. He's going to be an awesome Dad!

The End!

Not Much Here

So, it's been just a little while so I figured I needed to write. Not clean the house like I need to, lay out like I want to, sleep like I have to, or catch up on my journal like I wish to. There's always something going on, I'm just not motivated to do it. So I'm just sitting here.

I'm almost 10 weeks along. Things have fairly well so far. I tell folks I can't complain. Not like that would really help anything though! I get worn out by the end of the day, and eat ALL THE TIME! Leslie can vouch for that one. It's not like I'm starving, or having cravings, or even food aversions yet. It's just that as long as food is going in, I'm feeling great. I wish I would have taken a picture of the goody basket I took with me to Lads to Leaders this past weekend. Or my purse at any given moment. Oh well. The only down side to this? I've BLOWN our food budget. I'll just have to cut back elsewhere later on.

I was talking to a nurse on the phone today. My insurance does this awesome thing I just found out about- a Baby Yourself Prenatal Wellness Program. I can call them anytime, they'll call me to check on me, and they'll send me all kinds of goodies. One thing she said? They're sending me a 32 oz jug. Why? Because I need to drink at least 64 oz of water a day. That's all. REALLY? That's 8 cups! 4 water bottles! I might just need to start wearing diapers, because I'll never stop having to go.

I haven't told my students yet. I really don't know how. That, and I'm not showing. Second grade- they think pregnant means big belly and waddling around. I have a few that are very bright and watch EVERYTHING that goes on, listen to me when I'm talking and are all-in-all, just alert. They might have picked up on it from folks saying things and making comments. None of them have asked me yet or said anything. So, as long as they're not asking questions and I'm not showing, I might still hold off.

That's about it. Like I said not much here. I think I'm going to take a nap now!

Guess What ?!?

We're having a baby!!!!

There are so many things to say and thoughts going through our heads right now! Most importantly, we have been so blessed. It is exciting knowing what is going on right now and what we will be expecting in the near future.

We just spent our spring break traveling to both our parents' houses and telling all of our friends. After waiting for 3 weeks knowing, it was wonderful to be able to tell the first person!

I am now a little over 7 weeks along. We got to see the doctor and meet "little one" on March 11. To Chris' relief, there is only one there. We heard the heartbeat and even saw it beating when she zoomed in very closely. How exciting to know that something so small has a beating heart already.

I am due November 4. Just late enough that I can take from then until the start of the new year off from work! The start of the year might be tough, especially with the heat in the beginning, but by the time I'm really big, it will be cooling down! Chris is excited because Alabama is playing Tennessee away the weekend before and has an off week the weekend after. Leave it to him!

There is so much more to say and tell, but I'll save some for later. I'll leave you with these pictures from the morning we found out- please excuse the bed head and greasy faces- we were too excited to clean up first!

We're going to be parents!!!

It's a Wonder...

... that my students have learned anything at all this year!

This has been one of the most hectic, chaotic and crazy years I have had since I began teaching. I have been to more workshops and meetings than ever throughout the school days. We have had two weather days already this year. I have had the flu once and for the second time, as we speak, strep. Not to mention all of the days off with Chris' surgery and appointments. I do not think I have had a full 5 day week since we came back after Christmas.

I think if I combined the previous years' days off, this year has doubled those. I HATE being out. I HATE having subs. Normally it was because I did not trust anyone else with my students. Now it is because it is harder to plan for and recover after having a sub. I HATE having to readjust and replan. But that comes with the territory, I guess.

I am blessed to have such a terrific and bright group. A little talkative, yes, but very smart and understanding. If we have to up and change, they stick right with me. We are "flexible". Insert bending index finger here. So like I previously said, it's a wonder they've learned anything this year at all.

Hopefully these last few months can slow down and prove productive for us all. Here's to wishful thinking!

Rose Thorns

Bret Michael says that every rose has its thorns... I never thought too much about it until the last few days.

My wonderful husband decided that for Valentine's, he was going to get me a massage for taking care of him and his bum knee lately. I'm not complaining. I love a good massage and it had been awhile since one.

It was set for 2:00 on Saturday at the Renaissance Spa downtown (I highly recommend!). At 1:10, I go to my car and realize that the battery is dead. I could just take the other car, but it's with Chris. At work. I frantically call and he speeds home. Cautiously as to not get a ticket. I drive him back to work and head downtown. I make it there just in the nick of time.

I enter the parking garage and see that I have $3 cash. If I stay longer than 2 hours, I don't have enough money. But, kind, nice attendant informs me that they do take a card. Great.

This spa is one of the nicest ones I have seen. Seeing that I love a good massage, I have had several in my lifetime. I was relaxed, enjoying the atmosphere, and truly enjoyed my massage. It was one of the best ever.

Until Sunday morning.

I am sitting in church and see that I have itchy red dots all over my arms. Not totally unbearable, but not pleasant either. After getting home, I discover they are on my legs as well. When I woke up from my nap, they had grown in size and number.

By the time I went to bed, I had taken as cold a shower as possible and prepped for a long night. Going to school this morning proved a little challenging, since I couldn't figure out which long sleeve shirt would cover it but not be too hot. And my poor kids froze. Luckily, I made it through the day.

A quick visit to the doctor determines that I have probably reacted to whatever they used during the massage. A few days of exfoliating and some cream and I should be good. Too bad they look hideous in the meantime!

So, sad to say, this might have bumped my massage experience down a notch or too. Still up there, but I don't know if it can contend for the best now.

I'll just have to check and see what they used, so I can keep it from happening again. All in all, this rose might have had its thorn, but was definitely worth every minute of it!

Sidenote: The attendants were not there when I left, so I did not have to pay anything at all!

Life in the Fast Lane

As I typed the title, the theme song ran through my head. No, this is not another episode of Cops ( I think that's it, but a very sleepy Chris cannot verify it for me at this time). This is my life and everything in it. Though I don't have pictures to accompany it, I'll try my best to paint the picture in your minds...

We'll start with the New Year. The month of January was crazy at school, getting back into the swing of things. Thrown into the mix of the new year was out first weather day the Friday we came back. Three day week there. The next week, we had a leak at school and they had to dig through the middle of the main hallway. Another day out. Chris had surgery that week as well (more to come in a second). Three day week number two. The next week was MLK day, so a four day week there. Had a followup appointment later on. Another 4 day week. I have just now finished my first 5 day week since being back. Except for the writing workshop I had to attend for 1/2 a day. Counts, right? We'll just say that I am EXTREMELY blessed to have a group of students that can roll right along with me!

Chris' surgery. I do not think that either one of us was completely prepared for or aware of what this would require of us. He had a lateral release on his right knee that had dislocated last fall and would not stay in place. Little did I realize that I would become primary care giver for these next weeks. After two nights, I decided I never wanted to have kids. This was after getting up every 2 hours or so to give medicines or to help him back in bed. Three nights and I was done! Things have improved so much over these last three weeks, though. Rehab is going well. He is able to do more each time he goes. We are no longer using crutches at all! He still needs help with a few things only because he can't reach, but has come so far. We're staying positive as we count down the weeks. He still cannot drive for at least another three weeks. This is one area that we were concerned about, but are SO thankful for some great friends who have stepped up and helped us out more than we could ever imagine or think to repay. David takes him to and from work each day and Paige and the boys take him to rehab three days a week after they get out of school. I couldn't do this without them! Thank you so much for everyone's prayers!

So, seeing that I am a teacher, home health nurse, maid and chauffeur, my life has not yet stopped! This is the first time I have had a chance to update, so is definitely a good sign that I have a little free time. But now, it's time to ice a knee and get ready for bed.

Until I get the energy, strength and time to update, my life will continue to be in this fast lane!