Wednesday, February 27, 2008

semi-update

(I am the worst blog updater ever, and for that I apologize! Also, we can't get our camera to import pics at this time, so a picless blog will have to do until we can get it working...)

We had an ultrasound today and they estimated the baby's weight to be 6 pounds 12 ounces. I am trying my best not to dwell on whether or not that is "big" for an almost 37 week baby (as I take deep breaths and cling to the fact that the word "estimate" is involved). This was only our second ultrasound, so it was good to see her again! She had the cutest chubby cheeks, and her nose and lips looked just like Kevan's. We saw her yawn, could see her little stomach go up and down with practice breaths, and she was drinking some "fluid." Yum. Speaking of, apparently I have excess fluid. The doctor said it wasn't a problem. After seeing her full cheeks and hearing about her weight (estimated weight), Kev and I joked that maybe baby girl needs to go easy on the fluid! Of course...

...after our appointment, we promptly headed to Krispy Kreme's. Don't judge. 

Well, maybe I will update again soon, with some great pics, of the following:
Kev's band's latest gig
36 week belly pic
Paul and Lori came to visit!
baby shower, 4th grade style
and, who knows, maybe, most hopefully...

A BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT! :)



Wednesday, February 13, 2008

snow day, baby/belly update, mama, shower, crib...

I write this from our new, comfy glider, watching the Today show on TV and the beautiful snow fall outside our windows. It is not only beautiful because it has painted our yard a lovely white, but also because it cancelled school today. Yessssss. Someday, I will learn to update more often so my posts aren't so long. Until then...
I am now about 8 months pregnant. I am beginning to feel about 8 months pregnant, but, really, cannot complain much. I love being pregnant, but am very, very ready to meet and hold this baby girl! Here is what babycenter.com says about babies at 34 weeks:
"Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies."
32 weeks
um, wow. 34 weeks. seriously serious?
My mom came to visit us this past weekend. It was SO good to have her here! We did a lot of shopping and running around, and she even got to come to school with me for a day and a half. I am sure that is exactly what a 4th grade teacher wanted to do on her vacation...come to 4th grade. My kids loved her, and several people at school asked if she was my sister. One of the main reasons she came was to go with me to my school shower. (Kev's parents came over for the shower, too!) The shower was great and we are so thankful for all the gifts we received! It meant so much to me that my mom made a special trip to Nashville for us and the shower. Next time I see her, I will most likely be introducing her to her 3rd granddaughter! Mama, I miss you already!
the baby's sweet grandmothers
this is one of my greatest nashville friends, Jen (above), and one of baby girl's future greatest nashville friends, Jen's baby girl, Cali (below)
kev...gazing into our future...
yes, please!
daddy kev did a great job putting the crib together!
what i've finished so far...

Friday, February 8, 2008

some catching up...chi-town

A few weekends ago, Kevan and I were able to go to Chicago for the weekend...our last little trip before the baby comes. We were there from Saturday morning until Monday evening and it was too much fun. It was absolutely wonderful to be with Kevan and be worry-free for a few days. Although temperatures were around 4 degrees with a wind chill of -20 all weekend, we endured the cold and had an amazing time. We even got to see our friends Chelsea and Heath who just happened to have the same idea we did to go to Chicago for the weekend. And now, the pics. (Blogger was taking too long uploading my photos, so I made a slideshow.) Yay for Chicago!

Saturday, February 2, 2008

thanks, fabulous k!

Look! I won a drawing over on Fabulous K's blog, and Kelly generously and oh, so creatively made me a new header for my blog. I love it! You should definitely go check her out. She is great at what she does and loves to occasionally give free blog makeovers...what a gal. Thanks again, Kelly!

Friday, February 1, 2008

to teach or not to teach

Okay, Internet, it is time for a venting via the blog.
If you know me at all, you know that I've struggled with my decision to become a teacher since, well, the decision was made my sophomore year at ACU. Growing up, I went through career choices as quickly as I did fashion trends (6th grade - No Fear shirts and umbros, 7th grade - sunflower vests and Dexters, 8th grade - knee highs and Mary Janes...Lindsay, can I hear an amen?). I have considered being a news anchor (what?!), an interior designer, an author, a car dealer (this idea I actually stuck with all throughout high school...obviously, like any normal teenager, I had a skewed view of myself). The list could go on and on.

But my mom would tell you that no matter what idea I had at the moment about what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would always readily admit that I would NEVER be a teacher. So how is it that I find myself in this place? Was it the easiest route, the only thing that seemed to fit, the means to an end of being a stay-at-home wife and mom? Sure, I love kids, and I LOVE summer--sounds good to me, sign me up.

So, here I am, in my third year of teaching still doubting that decision I tearfully made one day in my dad's office to change my major (for the 3rd time) to Education. I want to love teaching, I really do. I know and see so many who are meant for this and are fantastic at answering their "calling" to teach. I have loved my students (maybe "only liked" a few) :), and I can see the good in what I do and have done in my time in the classroom. But, I feel as though I am trying to force something that maybe shouldn't be. I also don't want to be a failure or disappointment to anyone. Maybe five years of feeling a "no" is simply that--a "no."

And I think I finally know why I feel this way.

This week I attended a bible study at our church. The study was on the Parable of the Talents, from Matthew 25. I am sure you are familiar... a master gives each of his servants a certain amount of talents, or money. Two of the servants double the amount they were given and the master tells them that they did a job well done. The other buries his and saves it, but is told he is lazy. (There is even some gnashing of teeth, which always makes for a great story.) God gives us all various "talents", abilities, resources, etc. to USE. We are not to bury them for safe keeping or hide them away until next year or even ignore their existence altogether, which is, I'm afraid, what I have been doing a little of lately, maybe even for a long time.

BUT, in less than 2 months, an amazing thing is going to happen that will allow me to step back, take a break from teaching and focus on one important ability that I know the Lord planned just for me. I will get to put all of my love and attention into one very sweet and special little baby girl who belongs to Kevan and me (!), and not have to spread myself thin among 54 children who belong to others. I hope to discover and uncover some of my God-given abilties and resources as I learn how to be her mother and a better wife for Kevan. And, who knows, once I get that figured out, I may just be able to reveal and actually put to good use some of my creative abilities for the benefit of my little family. Of course, I will always do what is needed of me to contribute to the care of our family--having money is, afterall, a good thing. But, I am determined to find my place.

This classroom, just recently emptied of 26 ten-year-olds all of whom were way too ready for the weekend, just isn't it. And that is okay.

"If you have a talent, use it in every which way possible. Don't hoard it. Don't dole it out like a miser. Spend it lavishly like a millionaire intent on going broke." ~Brendan Francis