Louisville Nature Center and Accomplishments

The Louisville Nature Center, located next to the Louisville Zoo, was one of Snugglebug's last field trips of Kindergarten.  It's normally completely free, but I believe we were charged for some of the activities and gas for the bus.  Here is Snugglebug as I caught her grumping at the boy next to her, "YOU BROKE it!"  I was actually pleased that she was standing up for herself...

...And then she saw I was watching and put on her angel face.

The kids went around stamping animal prints to pieces of paper while examining fake and taxidermy animals. 

After lunch at the park...I couldn't get her down from the tree.

 

 

So I've been feeling quite inadequate lately after hearing about all the wonderful jobs/publishing opportunities others I went to grad school with are experiencing.  I often wonder, "Shouldn't I be making more time for this?  Why can't I find a job I'm happy with using my writing/editing skills?" 

And then I remember I have a job more important than anyone else.  I'm rearing two wonderful girls, with a baby on the way.  I'm providing the stability, the building blocks, of what their futures will become.  I'm instilling what's important in life, and what they can maybe go without.  I was most struck the other night when the girls were saying their prayers.  Snugglebug prayed that we would go to the fair soon.  After saying Amen, Lovely informed her that we don't NEED the fair--we can live without it.  

I read on a blog the other day that a certain mother only had nine summers left with her kids.  I have no idea how many summers/falls/winters/springs I have left with my kids, but I want to treasure them all.  Sure, I've felt overwhelmed and often depressed when the bills come due and I see no way of paying them with no end in sight.  I've wondered if I should break down and look harder for other work I can do.  But I don't want to miss out.  I don't want to miss the hugs and kisses I get when I pick my girls up from school.  I don't want to miss hearing them play in their room, discussing losing bunny powers from the Squishy Bunny Head, all because I'm either at work or too tired from work to hear.  Our house is tiny, bursting at the seams, and we need another vehicle for S to take the girls places once I have the baby, but all will be provided for.  And that's how I know my accomplishments aren't really inadequate--they're just dependent on God and what He provides for our needs.  

Chugging Along

I chugged along today, very slowly.  I didn't feel too well, so as S told me, just do one little thing at a time.  I finally finished washing the bassinet covering; it's yellowed a little bit in some places, but it's still adorable.  Then, I figured out how to put at least the top portion of the bassinet together--I seem to have lost the bottom portion!  So, as of now, it's a Moses basket. 

I've crossed off the major baby items I need, except for a car seat.  I think I've done well since it'll be 6.5 yrs since I've had a baby, but I figured I wouldn't get another shower, so I better take care of everything during yard sale/spring cleaning season! 

Lovely had her tonsils out last Thurs., and she is finally doing better, it seems.  She had to get sick to her stomach first this morning, but after that, she was talking more than I had heard her all week.  I think I recovered faster than she has, even though my surgery was as an adult.  Not sure why! 

I've been itching to go on a vacation, but since I know how many bills we have to pay, it's not going to happen, unfortunately.  It looks as if it will be at least 1.5 years between vacations since the girls' fall break falls right before my due date--a little late to go anywhere. 

I know this is so exciting to read, and I know the lack of pics makes it all the more, but it seems difficult just to get my thoughts in order these days.  I'm hoping typing some of them out will help me clear my head!  I am excited to finally receive the maternity clothes I ordered--turns out JC Penney and Sears no longer carry maternity clothes on this side of the river!  So, I ordered a top, a nightgown (both from Motherhood), and two jean skirts (from Style J).  Since that cost a fortune, I better not need any more clothes until after the baby is born!

Is It Time for School Yet?

My girls are out of school.  Can I send them back now?  I don't know if it's their closeness in age, but they sure know how to bicker!  I've told them several times now that they are not allowed to play with anyone else until they learn to play with each other.  So far, it hasn't worked too well.  

Yesterday felt like an extremely long day because I had no energy.  I cleaned up around my closet and a little in it, pitching everything I hadn't used/worn in the last few years.  It feels so good to see my floor again! 

We finally got our dog spayed on Tuesday, but it required driving in a torrential downpour (3 inches in an hour causes a whole lot of flooding).  Then, we had to get up early the next morning to pick her up.  She has to remain indoors for 7-10 days, and she is behaving sooo much better than she did a few months ago when she lived indoors.  My allergies were acting up terribly for having her indoors, and I don't really want her indoors a lot once we have a newborn, but she is acting sooo much better.  I haven't had to yell at her for jumping on anyone, and last night she was "herding" the girls around--very cute! 

Pregnancy update:  I lost another two pounds, which I can't figure out.  I'm not eating that great because I finally feel like eating--so I eat what sounds good.  I couldn't have pizza or garlic with my first two pregnancies, but this kids seems to like that kind of stuff.  No, I don't overeat it, but it's nice to be able to eat a little! 

I'm thinking of beginning a hat for one of my friend's babies, and then making one of my own.  I think I'll do the monkey hat again, with some alterations.  I didn't like how it just tied with yarn, so I'm going to crochet two flaps and add Velcro so no tying will be necessary.  I do have some clothes I have to mend, so perhaps I'll begin that today.  I also need to work on rearranging the office again and writing.  Now, to dig up the energy!

A Flutterin' Goin' On

According to the doc, I'll be 15 wks Friday.  According to me--it'll get here when it gets here.  However, I began feeling fluttering/little bubbles (not the gas kind!) tonight, which is kind of exciting!

Today was the awards ceremony at my daughters' school.  Lovely got seven awards, along with a medal she will receive soon for the all A honor roll.  Go Lovely!  However, she was still recommended for the two-week summer school session for those with lower standardized test grades and teacher recommendation.  Honestly, I have no idea what she scored because her school never gives you that info--something that gets really annoying.  Also, she reads wonderfully (it is for reading) at home--so much better than previously.  However, she acts shy at school and doesn't want to answer anything, so I just don't see her having a problem.  She cried when I told her about the letter, so S and I decided not to send her--we'll work with her at home, one-on-one.  I had already planned on doing this, but I'll be a little more dedicated now.

Snugglebug recieved three awards, which she complained about, but I told her Lovely only got one last year in K, so be happy.  And she was.

What have you been awarded lately?  Or what should you be awarded for?

A New Week, A Dirty Wall

Monday already.  It's the last week of the girls' school, and a busy one at that!  Lovely has "Muffins with Dad" tomorrow for an early Father's Day treat.  I laughed (as anyone who knows S would) when I found out it begins at 8:35 a.m.!  Two field trips for Snugglebug, which I'm going on--one to the Louisville Nature Center and one to Henry's Ark.  I sub the other two day's for Lovely's class, which includes an awards ceremony for the school and early dismissal the other day.  Woo!  I'm already tuckered out! 

Speaking of tuckered out, I am finally getting my energy back.  Hallelujah!  And, I'm not nearly as bleck feeling as previously.  I've had several good days, actually.  In fact, I don't ever remember feeling this good during pregnancy with the girls!  So, other than getting up every 1-2 hours each night for the bathroom, I'm doing well! 

I'm in the process of cleaning the office (once again--it is my greatest nemesis).  I bought a crib & dresser/changing table Friday, both of which are piled up in my living room.  I'd like to get at least the dresser in the office and out of the way.  However, I discovered lots of little doodles on the wall, courtesy of my darlings.  Magic Eraser, I'm coming for you. 

I'd like to get a lot of projects finished this summer and maybe make a few gifts and a few things for the baby.  I never sewed for one of my own babies, so this will be new!  I'll probably take up the crocheting needles again as well, so I'll likely be glued to YouTube to refresh my stitches. 

I still have to plan my classes for the fall, but I haven't even received my teaching contract yet.  I'd really like to get the syllabi and class assignments out of the way, though.  I'd also like to take up writing again.  I hate to admit it, but I still haven't submitted my culminating project from grad school to any journals yet.  Fear of rejections rekindles itself.  It's difficult because although I was always told how wonderfully I write by my instructors and my CP advisor, I never get called back for any editing jobs and the two times I've submitted for publication = rejection.  I know there are a lot of wonderful writers out there, so I always feel lost in the crowd.  However, persistence is a requirement of the writing field, and so I must muster some dedication, drive, and thick skin. 

I Don't Know About This...

As I lay in bed lastnight, I thoughtfully spoke the words, "You know, I've never liked being pregnant."  Who's with me?  Not that I would want to be not pregnant; I'm just the type who would like to, as I told my husband, lay an egg and sit on it for nine months instead of experiencing all of the nausea and uncomfortableness of pregnancy.  Again, I am thankful for what I am and what I have, but the egg thing has a nice ring to it.  In response, S said, "What do you mean I can't take it with me everywhere?"  So, I concluded that someone would have to come up with an egg-carrying contraption if this was the given method of procreation.  Surely, someone would create a real "fanny pack" for nesting, right?

Ok, perhaps I'm just being ridiculous right now.  I subbed kindergarten today, and I will tomorrow as well, and let's just say the children are a bit of a handful at the end of the year.  Quite a bit.  Also, I feel more "bleck" at night now.  Yes, "morning sickness" morphs throughout my pregnancy and so instead of feeling ill in the afternoons, it has now turned to evening/nights.  Perhaps it will eventually morph out?  I still feel ready to cry in despair when asked, "So, what are you hungry for?"  Truthfully, I'm not hungry for anything.  There are foods that I can stomach, and there are foods that I can't look at.  That's it.  And as much as I love the taste of Sunkist in all it's high fructose corn syrup glory, it makes me sick.  Go figure. 

So getting back to the phrase "I don't know about this," I was thinking of the little ole predictor that most girls I know have tried at one time or another--holding a ring on a necklace over your wrist to see how many children you'll have/what sex/age of mother at birth.  What?  You mean you haven't done such foolishness?  I used to amuse myself with it all the time.  In fact, it still shows girl, girl, boy, girl.  If I'm really at the "boy" stage, I told S that I really don't know about that last girl.  Now, this is all in fun and may or may not hold water (or break it!  haha...couldn't resist the pun).  I just pray my symptoms improve and this baby is healthy and strong.  T-5wks until the u/s. 

I've just discovered another pregnancy symptom:  rambling.  If you'll excuse me now...

2011 Top Baby Names

Not that I'm too influenced by pop culture or what is considered a "popular" name (Lovely's name was picked out long before it became popularized by TV shows), but I found my reaction to the top 10 2011 baby names, found here, interesting.  While I like/love/admire for someone else almost all the girl names, I don't care for most of the boy names.  Hmmm....

For boys:

• Jacob (I've known too many bad apples since I teach all grades)
• Mason (I always associate this with Masons, which leads me to "National Treasure."  While I enjoyed the movie, I don't want to think of Nicholas Cage when I look at my child--weird, I know.)
• William (OK, but only if you call him Will)
• Jayden (What?  I thought this was a girl's name...Guess I was wrong...)
• Noah (Cute, but white beards and balding heads are what comes to mind.)
• Michael (Again, too many bad apples.  Not always, but you know the saying about one bad apple...)
• Ethan (I'm OK with this one.  I used to...ummm...dislike it, but it's grown on me.  And I've known several good apples.)
• Alexander (My nephew's name, but I've always liked it.)
• Aiden (Ehhhh.  Just ehhhh.  Not bad, not good.)
• Daniel (Ehhhhhh.  More ehhhhhh.)

For girls:

• Sophia (Like)
• Isabella (Love--but too popular now)
• Emma (Love)
• Olivia (OK)
• Ava (Only for a movie star)
• Emily (Like)
• Abigail (Love)
• Madison (Ok)
• Mia (Ehhhhh)
• Chloe (Cute)

And now you can see why I haven't even considered names yet.  4.5 wks till the ultrasound, which means 4.5 more wks of burying my head in the sand!