More Good News!

Most of you may know that things with my job have been up in the air. Our district is opening a new school but dropped the SAGE program which allowed me to be hired. It requires that grades K-3 must have lower numbers of students. So, from the beginning of all this craziness, I opted to leave it up to fate and God as to where I would end up. I chose not to apply to the new school, even though that would guarantee which grade level I would teach. But I have strong feelings about my school and my principal and didn't want to leave that behind. After all the teachers were decided for the new school, our k-1 team of still needed to reduce by 1 teacher and our school needed to reduce by a total of 3. There has been no information offered about how that decision would be made. Today at 8:00, we finally got those answers. The district has been committed to the least amount of change necessary. They looked at which grade levels needed to reduce and chose the least senior person. My concern was that all 3 reductions would be the 3 least senior people, which I believe would have been me. But it turned out great for, despite losing one of my colleagues, who took the news very hard. It also meant someone in the 4-5 wing would lose a person who has been at the building a lot longer than me, which also seems unfair. But I think in this whole process, either way it was done, someone was going to have to be hurt and moved. Thankfully, it was not me! So, I may be packing my stuff and moving to a new classroom (a bigger classroom) down the hallway while I'm 8 1/2 months pregnant, but it's better than the alternative. I am reminded that my life and what happens is not of my doing, and I am thankful for the way it has turned out!

It's Positive!

My sweet little Bennett is going to be a big brother! Ryan and I found out at the end of January, but we're just starting to share the news. We had our first doctor's appointment on Tuesday and heard the heartbeat for the first time--that's always exciting! So, we figured it was time to start telling everyone. To be honest, I haven't been ready to talk about it with anyone as this pregnancy was quite a shock and surprise! It took me a long time to even come to terms with how our lives are about to change. This time was so different than with Bennett. He was a two year process with fertility and lots of disappointment--this was the complete opposite--considering we weren't even trying! Just to tell you how shocking this was--our plan was to have them about 3 years apart--they'll be about 20 1/2 months, instead! The more I talk to others who have had children close together, the more reassured I am that things will be fine, and I may actually prefer it, so I'm starting to get used to the idea. I think the hardest part about all of this has been that people were finding out before we were ready to share and asking questions we weren't ready to answer. We were still trying to process while others were trying to celebrate with us. And it was a little disappointing that we weren't able to share our news in the manner we wanted at the time we wanted. In the beginning, I wasn't ready for the reactions I was sure I was going to get--which was the dropped jaw "holy cow!" one that I had used for others when I heard they were having another child so soon after the first. But, to be honest, I haven't gotten one of those. Instead, we have recieved nothing but love and support from the people who care about us most. And the reassurances they offer that things will be fine have helped me feel more at ease. And what has been getting me through is the fact that God never gives you more than you can handle, so although the first few monts (6 I'm told) will be very chaotic and stressful, we'll find a way to make it through to better times ahead. So for those who don't know, our official due date is October 1st and I have a strong feeling that it is a girl this time around. When I was asked what I was hoping for, I thought the quick answer would be "girl." But I am seeing the benefits of having another boy--we'll be more than prepared! Since they will be sharing a room for a while, having two of the same sex would be a little more convenient. There is something to be said about a woman wanting to have a girl, though, and ssshhh! Don't tell Ryan that I already bought a girl outfit :-) Keep checking for all the updates about the pregnancy and my thoughts about my changing family!

Shiner #2

This afternoon, Bennett got into a squabble with the high chair and the high chair won. His eyelid is purple and a little swollen, but he was a good sport! I'm sure it's the second of many to come :-)

Silly Sunday

Dippin' Fun!

Bennett has begun dipping his food in yogurt, applesauce, soup, and whatever else he can find! Can you guess what he dropped in his apple cinnamon applesauce. I would object if he chose not to eat it, but he puts it all in his mouth and chews, so who am I to say no?

Cheerios, Anyone?

Apparently, I wasn't watching my son as closely as I should have this morning because before I knew it, we went from simply playing in the cupboard to dumping half the bag of Cheerios on the floor. At first, I watched in horror as Bennett started picking them up off the floor by the handfuls and shoving them in his mouth--but, then I realized, it was much easier than pulling out the broom. Besides, Ryan just mopped the floor on Tuesday--it's still clean, right?

P.S. And when I finally decided to pull out the broom and dump the rest away, Bennett most certainly did not try and pick them out of the garbage. I had to draw the line there!

EEEEE!!

Fun At The Park

Yesterday, while out on a walk, we made an unexpected stop at the park--with no camera, of course! So, I made sure I was prepared for our stop today. It was 58 degrees and sunny, so it felt like summer around here! We were greeted by our back-door neighbors with their little girl and new baby. Brinlee and Bennett had fun together on the swings.

Next, we crawled around on some of the equipment.

Bennett made it into this tube but because it was slippery, he wasn't quite sure what to do next.

Before heading home, we had to take several trips down the slide. Bennett seemed to have a good time and we all enjoyed being out in the sunshine and fresh air!

Big Helper

Not only does Bennett like crawling on the dishwasher, he has become very fond of helping us take dishes (clean and dirty) out of it. Most of the time, he takes the utensils out and finds something to bang them on, but at least he's making the effort!

Basketball Nut

In the last few weeks, anytime Bennett notices basketball on T.V., he goes crazy!! He points at the screen and screams, "baaaaaa!" And it doesn't happen every time we change the channel--just when basketball comes on!

MORE Anti-biotics, Please!

So, on my day home, Bennett and I ran to the clinic to find out what's been causing his unflattering behvior. Not only is he getting his molars, we found out that his ear infection that we just finished treating on Sunday has not gone away!!! Ugghh!!! And no, it's not just one ear--it's both. They were still very red today. So, we made yet another trip to Target to get MORE anti-biotics. The pharmacist tells me this is a pretty heavy-duty one--I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it works better than the last one!

A Day At Home With Mom

The last few days have been anything but joyful in our house. Bennett has been a total BEAR!!! Constant screaming, crying, and whining have been filling our days and nights. This morning, I went in to get Bennett up for the day to find a very unpleasant aroma and big mess! I think I used half a box of wipes on him, so he was in the bathtub by 6:00 a.m. -- and of course it was the day that daddy needed to be out of the house early! With the continual screams, I felt I couldn't send him to daycare today and needed to take him to the clinic. So, Bennett and I lounged around this morning--me with earplugs :-) We had pancakes for breakfast, he took a much needed nap, and we headed off to the clinic. After that, we had to get his prescription filled, do a little shopping, and stopped by Culver's for some lunch.

The house is now quiet once again as Bennett is taking another nap. I am enjoying the day away from school and hanging out with my little boy. He seems to be in better spirits, as well.