A little after mid-week.

This week is a little loopy, so my confessions this week are "a-little-after-midweek-confessions."

Let me preface this confession. About 2 weeks ago, I gave some AP kids a 0/50 on a class work assignment because they were not working during class. They were having extra conversations, not focusing on the task at hand, etc...Well, I have had 3 students complain, one go to the assistant principal, and one parent email me regarding this zero. Now, if the zero was totally not justified, I would get it...BUT two of the students admitted they were not on task (they wanted "extra work" to make up for the grade...). The other student got shot down by the assistant principal after she spoke with me about the grade. The parent seemed ok once I explained the situation in about 6 emails back and forth. I don't entirely know if there is a confession under here, other than I am so tired of students not taking responsibility for themselves and their work. I never would have questioned a grade unless I knew it was incorrect (and that means the teacher wrote something different in the gradebook than what was on my paper). This whole situation really fired me up...no I am not punishing your child, no I didn't do this to teach them a lesson...yes I did it because you child wasn't doing the assigned work! UGH.

By the end of being the senior class advisor there were very few seniors who I really liked...

I love graduations. They are always so nice. The kids always rise to the occasion and do a really beautiful job. This year, a record number of kids cried...which made me a little teary. I said goodbye to one of my favorite volleyball players (and students, really), which was a little sad for me. I just wish some parents and families would realize that screaming, bringing noise makers, and generally looking silly is not completely acceptable for a graduation.

I think know my daughter is perfect.

I think that's all for now. Most confessions are related to school. The year is quickly drawing to an end and I am feeling the crunch to get things done, graded, cleaned, organized...and all of that has me a bit frenzied. I am so looking forward to June 9th when the summer is officially here. We have a busy June (a party every weekend!), but I am looking forward to getting a little more sleep and spending time with my Bean!


Three Day Weekend...

What a productive weekend! We got Lily's one year pictures taken with Eileen. Go here and check out her blog, or go here and check out her website! Eileen is awesome. She did Lily's one month pictures and her baptism pictures. We look forward to working with her in the future. Lily was not having the whole sitting in the grass thing, but she did a good job otherwise. We even did a cake smash, which was more of a cake take-little-bites. What a lady.

We also got the house clean! Woo! I just need to work on the upstairs, but everything else is clean. We ordered our carpet for the basement and picked up the stain for the banister. Progress. Love it.

Slowly, things are coming together for Lily's party. I am ordering a few more things today, but favors are ready to go, and I am going to work on the balloon wreath later today (thanks, Pinterest!). I love weekends that allow me to actually get things accomplished. The weekends from this point on are going to be nuts, so this weekend was necessary.

In other news, I have cut down to one pump/day. I am to the point where Lily is eating enough real food to not need breast milk as much. We are even starting to phase in whole milk. I can't believe my little baby is going to be one is less than a month. It is simply amazing. I am loving her little personality. She is so funny, and curious, and smart. She even has a little temper on her, and is fiercely independent. She wants to do everything herself. I think she is probably very much the way I was when I was her age.

Here are a few picture updates:

Walking her doll in the walker/stroller

A girl and her dog (watching daddy mow)

"i must confess..."

"...that my loneliness is killing me nowwwww...don't you know I still believe..." ok, so that's not my confession, it's Britney Spears' confession. I almost didn't post today. I am TIRED. These senior activities are a lot of work! Luckily, it's basically smooth sailing from here on out. Picnic was a success, awards assembly is tomorrow, and graduation is on Tuesday. Then prep for finals, finals, and finally (insert drum roll here) SUMMER. Long awaited, beautiful summer.

Anywho, the following are my confessions. Again, when my brain is running on half its normal power, the confessions tend to be a bit...weak...pathetic...sad.

I want a minivan. There, I said it. If you has asked me about a minivan 10 years ago, I would have said hell to the no. Five years ago, I probably would have said, eh, I might need a bigger SUV. Two years ago, well, it could be practical (but, I am not practical). But now, now that I realize how much ONE child requires, I realize a minivan looks pretty good. Much bigger, easier to moves kids in and out of, and really, probably going to be the best option for our growing family (don't get any ideas guys, we aren't expecting another bean yet).

Sometimes, I really, really don't like the kids I teach. I never hate them. Hate is a very strong word and emotion. But there are days when getting myself motivated to teach is equivalent to pushing a 9849023849324893489032 pound boulder up a never-ending hill. Right now, is one of those times (for reasons I am not going to even discuss here).

And that's it...for now.

Lily went to bed super early (like 6:15). She had a little fever today, just around 100, so I don't know what's up. Gave her Advil and she seems fine...happy, chatty, hungry. Everything a baby should be. So I will keep an eye on her. Right now, though, she is snoozing. Hopefully a little sleep will help!

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Walking here we come!

So Lily isn't walking on her own yet, but she is definitely getting closer! Check her out as she walks with her toy. It's one of her new favorite things!

11 Months Old!

At 11 months old Bean loves...

...crawling, and climbing, and cruising.

...blueberries!

...playing with computers.

...swinging on the swing.

...sock monkey, her first lovey toy!

...trying to "kiss" Fred.

...being outside.

...pancakes and French toast.

...running her tongue over her teeth!

...and, of course, mama and dada!

I Survived Prom

Good news! I survived senior prom. It was my first night away from Lily, she slept at grandma and grandpa's house, and I am happy to report that she did an excellent job (even mommy did an excellent job...I definitely missed Bean, but I was very busy with prom and then very tired when I got home).

Prom was great! The kids loved it. The food was awesome. The ice cream bar was definitely a huge bonus. The dresses were, mostly, classy. There were a few that were just stunning. There were three that left very little to the imagination (unfortunately). After prom was also, and I say this a little begrudgingly, a pretty good time. Tom bowled with Glenn and Anthony. I walked around and talked with a few parents who I know fairly well. I also spent some time chatting with the admin.

I am certainly glad prom is over. Today is a HUGE relief. I even got to sleep in until 9:00, which is rather late around here. Anyway, this is about how much of a post I can muster today. I just wanted everyone to know that I survived prom 2012 and lived to tell the tale.

Midweek Confessions

Well, it's Wednesday. Time to confess. I don't know that I have particularly good confessions this week. My brain is fried, so thinking to write this is even hard.
Because this week is causing a lot of stress (and cursing...just ask my friend/c-worker Mary...she thinks it's funny) I am going to list some of the good things that happened today. Good things about today:

• Sarah is back! I am glad to have my desk neighbor back!
• We were able to pay the Tremont off for prom...and it wasn't as much money as we anticipated. And they threw in an ice cream bar! And we can pay off the DJ. Thank goodness!
• Lily. She is always a good thing. She started walking behind her push toy, which is HILARIOUS. I wanted to take a picture, but I needed to make sure she wasn't going to fall directly onto the toy.

Ok time for some confessions:

• I could eat all the time. No joke. When I was pregnant I wanted to eat. Breastfeeding...yep...want to eat all the time. The likelihood of my wanting to eat all of the time after I am through with pumping is fairly high. Speaking of food...where are those chips?
• I love coffee. It's unhealthy. I tried to give it up once for Lent. Two days in my department chair made me go get coffee. She said God would forgive. I think that's true. It is probably better to be nicer to people than to be a crazy b*tch when I don't have a cup in the morning.
• I think dieting is silly. Eat a balanced diet. Exercise. Chase after a 1 year old.
• I think money is silly. I know, I know. You need it to make the world go 'round...but it's paper. And people kill each other over it. Over paper.

So my confessions this week are a little silly. Like I said, I am sure I have some deep, dark confessions to unload, but right now, my brain is focused on too many other things (*cough* prom *cough*).

So, what are your confessions??

Mama! Shhhh...the weather is on! I must watch!

A Tuesday.

It's Tuesday. I am having one of those weeks where you just hope to make it to Friday. Prom ticket sales were crazy today (which is a very, very good thing), so I was bombarded with kids and questions. Prom is Saturday, so I am really looking forward to Sunday. I am sure it will be great, and everyone will have a nice time, I am just ready for the senior madness to end.

I don't have much to say today. There are so many things in my head ALL RELATED TO SCHOOL. Ugh! Hand out summer reading, finals essays, prom, get papers graded, AP exam, prom, failures list, obligation reminders, prom! There isn't much space left for other things. This is the time of year when I could use a secretary to do all of my administrative work. I could also use a maid to clean my house! There is a light at the end of the tunnel, though. Right now, it's about the size of a pinhole, but it's there. It is called June 8. 17 days to go!

(And, of course, my beautiful Lily is doing well. The two teeth that she is working on are slow coming, but she doesn't seem to mind!)

Strange World

You were born into a strange world.
Like a candle, you were meant to share the fire.
I don't know where we come from, and I don't know where we go.
But my arms were made to hold you, so I will never let you go.
Cause you were born to change this life.
You were born to chase the light.
You were born...

Love your mother, yeah she's s good one.
She'll build you armor; keep you warm as a hen.
The stars may fall and the rains may pour,
But I will love you evermore.
You were born to make this right.
You were born to chase the light.
You were born...

Oh my precious, oh my love, when they come to take me,
I will hold you from above.
I don't know why we're here, and I don't know how,
But I'm here with you now, I am here with you now.
Cause you were born to change this life.
Cause you were born to make this right.
Cause you were born to chase the light.

-Cloud Cult

My 1st Mother's Day

I don't know if there are words to articulate how amazing being a mother is. You don't really know, or understand, unless you are a mom. The moment your baby is placed in your arms, the moment your life totally changes. A shift happens, and all that is important in the world is just right there in a squirming, crying little person. Nothing put my life in focus more than having my daughter.

Every single day, I am in awe of her. I am amazed at how quickly she went from a tiny, helpless newborn, to a toddler who can crawl, feed herself, and babble endlessly. Everything is funny to her. Tickles, funny. Chase, funny. The dog, funny. I love being able to live each day through her eyes. From a new taste (pizza, ok...cheese/spinach ravioli, not ok)...to new sounds (rawr!, pfffffttttttt)...to new experiences (the swing!), each day brings something new.

This week, Time Magazine asked "Are you mom enough?" Well, to all the moms out there, you are mom enough. Whether you choose disposable diapers or cloth, breast milk or formula, strollers or slings, every moment that you love your child, you are mom enough.

Because being a mom isn't about the latest fad, or trend; being a mom is about loving your child. It's about wearing your heart outside your body every single day. It's about not apologizing for making decisions that you believe are best for your child (and you). Being a mom is the hardest, most incredible job you will ever have. So soak up each little moment. Listen to yourself. Give your love. That's it.

So, on my very first Mother's Day, I would like to thank this little girl for making me a mom. I love you Lily. Every single day. I hope that I can be as wonderful a mom to you, as my mom is to me.

Lily, three days old

Lily, six months old

Lily, ten months old

Pete Zee

When my cousin Campbell was little, maybe 2 years old, she called pizza pete-zee. At dinner one night, she saw the pizza boxes and enthusiastically exclaimed, "PETE ZEE! PETE ZEE!" It was hilarious. I told her she called pizza "pete-zee" when she was little, and she simply replied, "no Emily, I would never do that!" This brings me to tonight...

My little bean tried pizza for the very first time! Tom and I had a homemade buffalo chicken pizza in an attempt to use some of the leftover buffalo chicken from earlier in the week. Wheat crust, ranch dressing, buffalo chicken, mozzarella cheese, and cheddar cheese. We wanted to add red onion, but the onions at the store looked nasty. Very nasty. Anyway, we decided it is high time for Lily to try her own pizza, so I made her a mini pizza. Light on the sauce and some mozzarella cheese. She didn't even make a face when she ate it! I think she preferred the blueberries, but she did eat a few bites of of the pizza (which I count as a success!). Here are a few pictures of the momentous event:

Our pizza and Lily's pizza.

Hmmm...what is this??

I think I like this?

Socks. Mmmmm.

Susie Homemaker, I am not.

Let's just get that out there.

I like to think I run a fairly efficient household. It's moderately clean, I can cook well enough, and when I am in the mood I can make magic with a hot glue gun.

I am definitely not Susie Homemaker though.

While I like to cook, I don't do it every night. My house can be a whirlwind of papers, mail, toys, and various other baby things. Laundry sits in piles. Take out menus are on the fridge...this gets me to my next point for this post...this week I made dinner 4 nights in a row. You heard correctly, folks. Now, I don't want everyone thinking we eat out all the time, we definitely don't do that. We do like to mooch visit my parents and eat with them maybe once or twice a week. This week, however, I tried new recipes and really cooked (didn't just pop things in the microwave!). Dinner this week...

Monday- chicken and mozzarella ravioli
Tuesday- Turkey burgers
Wednesday- Crock pot buffalo chicken
Thursday- Crock pot ribs (these are great please go here and try them yourself!)

Tomorrow, I kick of my first Mother's Day weekend with a mommy club dinner at The Melting Pot. I.am.so.excited! I can't wait. Fondue and lovely friends. It should be a great time!

No other real news. School is just crazy. Prom =  stress. My schedule is all over the place (don't even get me started). I barely have 2 minutes without a senior asking me the same question they asked two days ago. Or a parent calling to ask something that was already addressed. Or...or...or

You get the idea.

Two pieces of reading for you today...go here and read my friend Angela's new blog! Welcome to the blogging world mama! Or go here and read about the crazy new Time magazine cover. I am sure I will have something to say about it later.

A parting picture...

Socks. They're what's for dinner.

Midweek Confessions

So my friend Sarah stole this, so I am stealing it cause I think it is just that good. Before I start spilling my beans, a few little updates about life. First a few Lily updates. After months, and months, and months of waiting we finally have a tooth popping through! I think there are actually two teeth being cut, but I can definitely see the one. I am very excited.

School has been crazy. Prom is making me crazy. It's all very stressful. I will be happy when prom is over. I know the kids will have a really good time, so in the end all of this stress will be worth it. I keep reminding myself that this night will be, for some of my kids, one of the most special evenings of their lives. It will be beautiful, it really will. I just can't wait until May 20th (at about 1pm), when it's all behind me.

And now for a few midweek confessions...
I totally side-eye people who proclaim themselves to be "crunchy" moms. I think it's ridiculous. Let's review: buying the most expensive, all organic food, telling everyone that breastfeeding is the only way to feed your baby, and cloth diapering (and saying how much money it saves while constantly purchasing more $20 cloth diapers), all while driving a big old SUV, living in an energy sucking home, and prancing around in designer clothes. I am sorry, doesn't "crunchy" imply that you are living a green life? I think it's great to be crunchy if really are...and you aren't totally holier-than-thou about it. 

I love my dog like he's a person. If you know me, you know that really isn't a confession, but the following is...about two days after we came home from the hospital with Lily I opened the door to the bathroom and saw Fred sitting in the hallway. He was following me around everywhere, so there he was waiting for me. He looked at me with his big, soulful, saucer eyes, and I just lost it. I was sobbing and hugging Fred. I felt like I was neglecting him. Yep, all new mommy emotional crazy, crying over my dog.

I love chocolate ice cream. There, I said it.


Check it out the original midweek confessions!

Swing, swing!

Lily got a new swing set today! And by new, I mean new to us. The set was owned by the Plovans, our very dear friends, who generously gave it to us. We have a huge backyard, with nothing in it, so this gives us something to do in the afternoons (beside trying to crawl up the upstairs repeatedly). We didn't get to play too much on it yet, but we did put Lily in the baby swing, so she could test it out. She LOVED it!

In other news, we tried a recipe that I found on Pinterest. It is a Bob Evans recipe, and it was really yummy. Super easy to make-- sausage, crescent rolls, eggs and milk, and cheese-- and quick too (start to finish about 30 minutes). We even planned out a week of meals (what happened to the real Emily and Tom??). We will be having turkey burgers, steak, buffalo chicken, ribs, and spaghetti this week. I am excited to try the ribs, they are crock pot ribs, so they should be easy enough. Here's hoping to a smooth work week. Friday is the 3rd meeting of the mommy club, and we are going to The Melting Pot...that alone will get me through the week!!

Overandoverandover

Lily is asleep. Fred is asleep. Tom is coming home from baseball. I feel like I should be asleep. This has been the busiest week...EVER. Ok...maybe not ever. Let's review: prom is coming up. In two weeks. Crap. So, tickets went on sale this week, we had the class meeting, interims were due, and I had about 65,000 other things to do. Luckily, I have this face:

To come come to. This whole month is going to be insanely busy. After prom, I have every senior event, which culminates with graduation. I cannot wait...CANNOT WAIT...until graduation. I am probably going to need everyone to say a little prayer that I make it that far. Between fretting over class finances, trying to make sure everything is ready to go, and fielding the same question overandoverandover from students, I may go insane.

Things I am looking forward to this May: my first Mother's Day!, The Melting Pot mommy club dinner, my class graduating, and the coming of June! June...the month of Lily's first birthday. Ekk!

Alright, I am off to work on Lily's invitations. I should be grading. But not now. Not tonight. Tonight is for Lily's invitations and my sanity.