Catching Up...

Well, it has been a busy, busy week. A tiring week. A crazy week. It was a first week. I feel like I have some catching up to do. I will include subtitles in this post because I have so many things to update...let's start with school...

School
School has been insanely busy. My friend Angela posted on Facebook that if you hear an exploding noise it's probably our department, and I think that's true. Trying to fall back into a schedule, not only with school day, but also with the baby, is hard. I have been running around collecting papers, planning lessons, copying papers, attending meetings, and trying to stay awake. My classes seem to be good, so far. They aren't huge-- 13, 16, 23, 25, and 25 (these are approximate numbers)-- so I really can't complain. By the end of the day I am exhausted mind and body. I forgot how physically demanding the school day is...it is truly a workout. I am glad (I think) to be back. I love seeing my friends everyday. I am becoming a bit more energized about the school year. The opening this year was a little hard due to some unforeseen problems, but things are slowly smoothing back out.

In addition to the school opening, there was a shooting at Perry Hall High School. PHHS is in Baltimore County and the news was absolutely numbing. I have a lot to say about this, but I am saving it for a time when I have more energy. I have to say, though, that from the looks of things, everything was handled well. My heart goes out to the whole PHHS community; I hope they can heal and move on with some normalcy.

Lily Bean
Lily is as fantastic as ever. She is talking more these days. Still not a ton of words coming, but she has now added "milk", "ball", and "up" to her vocabulary. She is always so happy. She makes any bad at work, so much better. I wish she would sleep a bit later in the mornings, but it is nice to be able to play a little before I leave. She is loving her time with Kenzi, her BFF. My mom said she gets so excited when Kenz gets up from her nap. She points to her room and smiles her cheesy grin. I am glad she is enjoying time with a friend!

Poppy
Poppy is growing and growing! I am 15 weeks as of yesterday. My next appointment is September 6, and then September 26 we find out if Poppy is a boy or girl! My morning sickness has mostly gone away, but I still have this weird throwing up thing when I first wake up (I did the same with Lily). I definitely have a belly, which is probably about as big as I was at 20 weeks with Lil. It's amazing how your body changes so quickly the second time around! I am starting to feel the baby more and more, which I love. He or she made some big moves yesterday, which was amazing. I cannot wait for a real kick (I know they will be here soon!). I am not really craving anything specific, but I have definitely wanted comfort food lately (ok, really I want cheddar cheese broccoli and rice...). I can't believe I am already into the second trimester...this pregnancy is flying by!

I think those are all of my updates. We are hanging in there as we get used to the work routine. As always, life is good. Just ask these girls...

Angela and I needed a break, so we put the girls in the toybox...

It's the most...

...wonderful nerve-wracking, insomnia-inducing time of the year! Yes, folks, it's the night before back to school. I am actually prepared (I think) this year. Not that I am an unprepared person. I am usually very prepared and organized. This last week just threw us a hell of a curve ball, so things felt a bit surreal around the good old school building. I have my class lists and checked them twice. I have my bags mostly packed. My lessons are ready. My room is ready. I am sure I forgot something. I know once I get back into the swing of things, I will fall into a busy, chaotic, yet comfortable routine. I am sure this year will really be ok, just like every year before it. But those first day jitters always come back.

In other news, Lily is doing very well with her grandma daycare. She and Kenzi seem to be getting on quite well, especially in the beat-Fred-up department. The poor dog is going through the ringer with these two girls! My poor Bean did get a bad insect bite on the bottom of her foot (yes, the bottom), which made it all red. She doesn't seem to notice or care. She just keeps on walking and playing and laughing. I would be trying to rip my foot off.

Little poppy (baby number 2) is also doing well. I will be 15 weeks this week-- time is flying! I go back to the doctor on September 6 for my 16 weeks appointment. Then, on September 26 we get to find out if poppy is a boy or a girl! I am SO excited! I cannot wait to know if Lily will have a little brother or sister. I am happy with either. A girls means we get to re-use clothes and a little sister for Lily. A boy means, well, a boy! As long as we have a healthy baby, I will be a happy momma!

14 Months Old!

At 14 months old Bean loves...

1. ...her dog Fred. She pulls his tail, tells him "no! no! no!", and twists his ears. True love.

2. ...chicken nuggets! Favorite food.

3. ...my dad's iPad. Seriously laughs and giggles and grins when we turn it on.

4. ...walking around stores without holding hands.

5. ...splashing in the tub and pouring water on herself.

6. ...cell phones. Fake ones, real ones...loves them both.

7. ...climbing on the futon.

8. ...her pacifiers. Maybe a little too much. I think she is using them to teeth.

9. ...dancing, dancing, dancing!

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

End of summer...

Well, summer is slowly drawing to an end. How sad. I had such a fun summer playing, laughing, and learning with my little Lily Bean. I will really miss playing all the time! I am looking forward to school in some ways. I am looking forward to seeing my friends and talking (and laughing!) with them. I am so lucky to work with people who I really respect and love. I am also so lucky that Lily gets to spend her days with grandma (and I am sure pop will make an appearance sometimes!). Lily loves her grandparents so much, so she will have a ball playing with grandma. Lily also gets to spend time with her friend Kenzi. I am glad she gets some time around a baby "younger" (they are only 4.5 months apart) than her. I am sure they will have fun playing together and getting into trouble together!

Here a few pictures of Lily playing on lazy summer days...

Rough.

So since I hit the 6 week mark in my pregnancy, I have been sick. Not a constant all day thing, just a morning thing. I throw up every.single.morning. I do not enjoy. I don't think I have had breakfast stay in my body for any amount of time for the past 6 weeks. However, this hasn't stopped me from gaining a pound during my first trimester.

Cravings? Yes, please. Coke. It is the only thing that settles my stomach and helps my headaches. Also, I want burgers and fries like no ones business. Healthy, I know. Maybe this baby is a boy. With Lily, I had very few symptoms and a fairly easy pregnancy. This baby is having way too much fun messing with me!

Despite feeling like ick, I am looking forward to the following exciting things:

1. Our gender ultrasound. I am hoping to schedule it for September 26. We have off school that day, so it would be easiest. I will be 19 weeks and CANNOT WAIT to find out if this little baby is a boy or a girl.

2. The fall. I love the fall. Love cooler weather, sweaters, comfort foods, football, changing leaves...love it all. Cannot wait.

3. Seeing my friends everyday at work. Maybe not seeing the kids, but definitely seeing my friends.

4. Starting to feel baby kicks. I think I have felt some flutters, which isn't entirely impossible given that this is my second. Last time, I felt the first kick at 18 weeks the day of the ultrasound. Lily kicked me while I was teaching Shakespeare. Can't wait for that first little punch when the baby says, "hi mom!".

5. Wearing amazing, comfortable maternity clothes. I love pants with elastic waists!

A BIG Confession

I am pregnant! Yep, Tom and I are expecting our next little Baby B sometime at the end of February. We are both very excited to be welcoming a little brother or sister for Lily. We told our parents, siblings, and grandparents early, but wanted to wait and tell everyone else until after our 12 week appointment. We heard the beautiful little heartbeat yesterday, so we are over the moon excited for the newest addition to the family!

This first trimester has been a bit...trying. With Lily, I didn't feel much morning sickness. I was exhausted, which wasn't surprising (especially given my schedule-- teaching and coaching while working through my first trimester was rough!). This time, Baby B is kicking my butt! I have been tired, and have had morning sickness since my 6th week (to the day). I have thrown up almost every morning, which is a thrill. I have been nauseous on and off, usually in the morning. It has been rough, but it's definitely worth it. I am looking forward to my second trimester and all of the better things that come with pregnancy.

As this is my second baby, I definitely feel some of the aches and pains a bit earlier. I also feel like I am growing out of my pants a bit faster. Luckily, I have a fairly good stock pile of maternity clothes, so whenever the day comes for me to make the switch, I am ready.

Anyway, that is my big confession! Can't wait to meet our newest family member in February!

Home Again!

Whew! We are back in 21228! I am so happy to be home after a long 9 hour drive. We had a wonderful vacation, though. It was great to be back at the beach and to introduce Lily to the ocean for the very first time.

Lily did the best job ever during both car rides and for the whole vacation. She ate enough chicken nuggets to last a lifetime, but that's ok, it was vacation. She was a little shy around the pool at first, but by the end of the week she was a pro! She was swimming, splashing, and walking through the mist machine in the kid pool. She loved it! The ocean was another story. She didn't really like the sand, didn't really want to walk in the waves, but did like splashing in her baby pool on the beach.

Since I am just got in and am still tired, I am ending this here with a few pictures. I will update more later!