Installing the Carseat

Sprinkle!

Thank you!

Today our family threw a sprinkle for us! We received such wonderful, thoughtful, generous gifts! We are so lucky to have such a great family. It's amazing how much and love and support we have from such important people. Derek is very lucky to have you all, and so are we! Thank you!

Cause for Concern?

A few weeks ago I blogged about how I was getting Braxton-Hicks contractions. Last night I was getting contractions, except this time there was discomfort involved and they came more regularly then a Braxton-Hicks contraction.

In my heart I knew I was ok, but my mind was telling me that the right thing to do would be to call my doctor. I had a scheduled appointment at 9 this morning, so I decided to just wait it out and go to my scheduled appointment.

When I spoke to my doctor he told me that a contraction is a contraction, it doesn't matter. If they come more than five times in an hour I should drink a lot of water and put my feet up. If they persist into the next hour I should call him and then he would meet me in the hospital to monitor the contractions.

As I sat there talking to him I got a contraction. I made him feel my stomach and he said, "yep, that's a contraction."

My doctor explained to me that having a baby at 33 weeks, 5 days is not something I would want to do. There could be issues involved with feeding, regulating body temperature. At 35 weeks it would be a different story.

I left the office praying to God this little guy stays inside until October 3rd. When I got home I drank and drank and drank more and more water!

Felt fine ever since!

My doctor does want to see me again on Tuesday to check up on me! I love how he is very thorough and doesn't take anything lightly! He's great!

Setting Up

It Fit

This morning we were getting ready to go to Pottery Barn Kids for story time. I was trying to find something to wear. I wanted something comfy since we would be there for a whole 20 minutes, then it was home for some tan time. I looked in my closet and there was this cute green t-shirt that I had bought months ago. I have been bypassing it because I did not think it would fit anymore.

I decided to take it off the hanger and try it out. To my surprise, it fit!! I was excited because it really is a cute shirt!

After some tan time, Joe took out a lot of the essentials Derek will need right when he gets home; car seat, car seat bases, swing, etc. I took video, I will post it when everything is in its place!

Disability, Paperwork, Phone Calls, Etc....

Today was one of those, get back to reality days. I had a list of phone calls I had to make, so as soon as I could, I was on the phone.

The first phone call was to Prudential Disability Insurance Company. I bought into the private disability insurance that is offered to teachers through the NJEA. I had to file my claim. Very easy.

Then it was onto calling the Board of Education office to settle up sick days and maternity leave start date. We are now offered a state disability insurance. This is something that just went into effect in July so I had a few questions regarding the process of getting that together. My questions could not be answered, the woman in charge is on vacation. When I received my mail today there was a packet pertaining all the info and paperwork I need. Great, check that off the list.

Next call was made to my school. My schedule has been changed, not for the better, and I feel they are holding it against me that I am going on maternity leave, and someone wanted to step into my classroom and it was allowed. Won't get into that. Makes my blood pressure rise and that is not good for me right now. Just put it this way, I am not happy, at all!

One of the final calls today was to the baby furniture store. I wanted to call and check the status of all the furniture. The crib is in, the 6 drawer dresser will be in in a few days, but the changing combo table will not be in until September 25th. At least I will have the dresser to put his clothes in.

Productive day I would say!

Moving Right Along

Today Joe painted Derek's room. I was on a little rampage with the whole nesting thing today. But at the same time I found myself laying on the couch a lot.

I began to put my hospital bag together. Taking an inventory of what I have and what I need. I need pajamas for the hospital. Being that I know what to expect and how I will feel after a c-section, I know that what I have will not be comfortable enough for after surgery. I put some toiletries together as well.

I want to get as much done as I can, so the final weeks will be spent lounging around. Wait a minute...I am in the final weeks! ;0)

Ocean City 2009

Today we returned from a wonderful vacation in Ocean City Maryland. Here are a few clips of how we spent our week. We had a great time, and I want to thank my sister Patty, brother-in-law Steve and niece Taryn for making our vacation even better. They are amazing people and they are so good to JoJo. The three of them really helped me out in my 8 month pregnant state! We are very lucky to have them in our lives!

Lots more pictures will follow in tomorrow's blog!

Still Learning

At 31 you would figure I would have done a lot of things in my life. Basic childhood things would have been accomplished by now. Well, this week I checked off one of the few things left from childhood I never did...fly a kite.

I know, crazy, right? Well on the beach there I was flying my son's kite that he received for his birthday from Aunt Patty and Uncle Steve.

I guess at 31 I still have lots more to do, more firsts to accomplish.

Next one, mom of two!

Outlet Shopping Spree

Today was spent outlet shopping. A solid full day of stores after stores. It was wonderful.

Countless items were purchased for Derek. Really, we bought a lot. We bought him his going home outfit. I bought newborn size, I hope he fits it. I was trying to base my size purchases on what JoJo wore at a few weeks old. I remember packing him a newborn outfit for going home and a 0-3 outfit and the 0-3 was big on him, and he was 8 lbs. 3oz. So I went with a newborn size outfit. Very comfy, but cute. I plan to have his hospital pictures taken in the same outfit.

Little sweaters, jeans, polos, button downs, and cute little logo outfits with matching pants were the highlight of this shopping trip.

Just another thing to make me so excited to have him!

Lunch Date

The baby that floats around my baby countdown to the right has been getting bigger, if you haven't noticed. He is touching all the sides of his "bubble." Pretty cool how it shows the actual size of the baby now.

Today I sat down to eat lunch. I wanted to sit in the comfy chair and watch TV when I was eating. The only problem was that I had no where to put my plate. I looked around to see where I could put my plate. I looked and looked. Then it came to me.

I slid down in the seat and rested my plate on my stomach. Derek felt the pressure and began to try and kick it off. I couldn't have asked for a nicer lunch date, well of course JoJo would have completed the date, but it was his nap time!

Summer Sun

Today was a nice day spent on the beach. Still, the heat is not bothering me. Thank God. Derek was very quiet on the beach. Maybe the heat put him to sleep. He's making up for it now!

Dinner tonight was wonderful. I ate ice cream first, then dinner. I know, you are all probably thinking, it's not Thursday, why ice cram tonight? I treated myself! Why not!

In Position

Yesterday I had my two week check up with my doctor. All is well. We heard the heartbeat, nice and strong. The doctor then measured my stomach. I had asked him if I am measuring 32 weeks. His response "no, bigger." I let it go from there. I didn't ask any more questions! He followed up with saying that "this a big kid."

I had asked him a question about the whooping cough vaccine. The CDC is recommending that all women after giving birth should receive the vaccination. I asked my doctor what he suggests. He said that they have to offer it, but a patient does not have to accept. I was not offered this with my first child, so I wanted to learn more about it. I have decided against it.

Before I left, I wanted to know where Derek is positioned. The doctor laid me back down and started feeling the top of my stomach. Derek is head down and his back is on the left side of my belly, and his legs are on the right side. I was curious to know, even though it doesn't matter, since he is going to be a c-section. It's just nice to know that he is doing what he is supposed to be doing!

Big Belly

Daddy's hand on Derek!

Silly JoJo

I figured my voice was heard enough over the air today, so I interviewed Big Brother JoJo. He was extremely silly during his interview, he's a bit of a show off for the camera. :0)

No Sweat

I was warned by many people that I would have a very hard time during the summer. I was told that being pregnant in the heat is not fun, at all. I have to say, I have not felt that way. Take today for instance, the hottest day of the summer, I was on the pool deck by 11:30 and I called it quits around 4.

Ok, now, if I didn't have the pool, I would have never lasted. I did something today that I normally never do, I went under water. I have this fear that my hair will turn green if I go under so I never do. Yes, it was that hot where I felt the need to do it!

Vacation is coming near, so I hope that my resilience to the heat continues.

I Don't Get It

Today we just relaxed. A nice lazy day.

I found myself watching TLC, no shock, I love that channel. There is a show on TLC called I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant. I watch that show often and every time I think, how can you not know.

I'm not doubting these women, but I know how active my children are when they are inside of me, there is no denying a human being is in there.

The other amazement is that they don't gain weight......I just don't get it!

College Connections

I had such a nice day seeing my friends from college. Today was Brennan's first birthday party, my friend Kathy's son. I got to spend time with Melanie and her two kids Kelsey, almost 3, and Aiden, 1 in a few weeks. Such a nice day.

Each time we get together we pick up right where we left off. We have seen each other through many special events in each of our lives and it is nice to do so!

Today we watched our kids interact with each other and of course we talked about Derek's arrival.

A far stretch from the crazy Thursday nights we used to spend at Tradewinds, but I know I can speak for them when I say, we much rather be at kiddie birthday parties then partying the night away!

Wiped Out

Today, for the first time in this pregnancy, I am exhausted. I have run all over Monmouth County with my 2 year old all summer, but for some reason today, did me in.

I went up to my school to set some things up for the upcoming school year. JoJo amused the ladies in the main office. All they could say was, "wow, he is non-stop." They marveled over the size of me!

Then off to the summer program for the special ed kids in the district. Joe teaches there over the summer and they had a picnic. It was so nice to see a lot of people that I work with during the school year. Everyone was complimentary of how I look, that was so nice to hear.

Nap time was spent in the car seat as we went from one place to the other. At 3:30 we were at The Sprayground for a playdate. At that point, I was pooped, so Joe came with me, he ran after JoJo and I hung out with the girls. For some reason, their children stay in one spot, and mine is all over!

Not done yet...shopping at Children's Place, then a quick dinner stop at a local pizza place in Holmdel where we sat outside to wrap up the beautiful day!

Now I sit here on the computer hoping this blog makes some what of sense, and I look forward to bed.

Wouldn't have the spent the day any other way! That's the beauty of having children, you just go and go and go! Now it's time to spend time with Derek!

Feeling of Fear

Last night I was laying in bed and I was over come with a feeling of fear and sadness. The fear was brought on because I felt like my pregnancy is going way too fast. I love being pregnant, and thankfully my little boy has been very good to me! Obviously the sadness was brought on by the fear.

I am savoring the remaining days. A major comfort in the situation is, God willing, this will not be my last pregnancy. With that thought in mind I rolled over, well at least tried to, and went to sleep!

Ovulation Advice

A very good friend of mine is trying to get pregnant. She just started trying and she is not sure of when she ovulates. She came to me for some advice. I passed on whatever info I was given, either by friends, family members and my fertility doctor.

I started her with the basics, use an ovulation kit. It's a good way to see when your body ovulates. I told her when she gets a positive, to call me for future instruction! I am going to leave that part out because I want to keep it clean. :0)

I spoke with her today and she is doing what she was told, she is using the kit. She is anticipating the positive sign! It brought me back to the many months that I used the kit. I was beginning to give up hope, until my fertility doctor convinced me that they actually do work.

So, to you my friend, keep doing your thing....you will get a positive and I hope your positive leads to another positive on another test!!!! Just stay positive! Got it?!?!

Something That Was Shared With Me

I received these "commandments" a few years ago and I always held on to them. I'm not here to preach parenting info, please don't take it that way, I just thought they were interesting and I thought I would share them. I use them for myself, well I try to at least! I find I use the strategies in my classroom as well. Enjoy!

- Be consistent.
- Actions have consequences.
- Say what you mean and mean it.
- Parents work together as a team.
- Don't make promises you can't keep.
- Listen to your children.
- Establish a routine.
- Respect is a two-way street.
- Positive reinforcement works much better than negative reinforcement.
- Manners are universal.
- Define your role as parents.

I needed to brush up on these, things are going to be different with two! I'm not denying that! Looking forward to the whirl wind!

2 Months From Today

I started my day off at The Atlantic Club. As I was walking on the treadmill, I glanced down at my watch, it was 9:10. The only thought that could go through my mind was that in exactly two months from today I will have met my son by now.

My other thought was that in exactly two months from now I will be in no condition to be on a treadmill!

I spent the afternoon with my wonderful doctor for a routine check up. My Mom came with me to hear Derek's heartbeat. She is the producer of the above video. Everything is great! Back to the doctor every two weeks now!

Stretching Out

Today I am having one of those stretching feeling days. 30 weeks pregnant, so yes, Derek is putting on weight, which means he needs some more room. A bit uncomfortable for me, but well worth it!

It was a nice rainy day spent at home doing a whole lot of nothing. I actually did something today, something I rarely do, maybe the second time in my pregnancy...yep, I napped! It was wonderful! I have to start fitting those in more often!

Count Your Blessings

Tonight we went to the Blue Claws game. Great game for kids! Joe was excited to see Darryl Strawberry, I was happy to see it was Autism Awareness night.

Autism has a very special place in my heart. I have taught many, many autistic children. They amaze me. I just love them. As much as I teach them, they teach me more.

Tonight a group of autistic children took the field and threw out pitches to home plate. The site of that just made me so happy. I was really impressed that they could handle the noise and the excitement that went along with being in a crowded stadium.

I was more choked up for the fact that having a healthy child is one of the greatest gifts God could give parents.

I pray every night for that!!