This and that and 37 weeks!

Today I am 37 weeks-- I am term!! I cannot believe how quickly time is flying. A few updates from the 37 week appointment:

1. I am 1 cm. dilated. With Lily, I was uhm...no cm. dilated until I was in labor...so this is progress.

2. My BP is looking good.

3. Jack's heart rate is looking good.

4. My rib pain is being caused by Jack. Thanks little man.

5. I am obviously in for a few more weeks of pregnancy, which I am fine with.

In other news: Lily is hysterical. I will post some pictures tomorrow, but today she was a little ham. She loves her "loon" (read: balloon) that dada got her at the store; she now says PEASSSSSSSSS and tank you (what awesome manners!); she does the chicken dance; and she is generally happy and cute and wonderful.

Finally, a note not related to my kids...a few months ago some people posted the exhaustion of the American teacher on Facebook. It was going viral again tonight, and I re-read it. I was going to respond to it on FB, but then realized I hate super long Facebook posts, so I am writing my response here. I am working VERY hard to try and be positive this year. I do have one challenging class. They challenge me every single day; however, I always try to enter each class period with a positive attitude and the outlook that things might just be better today (and today, they were!)...anyway, here is my two cents:

I believe I posted this once earlier in the year, and I do agree, it is spot on (for many accounts). However, I also think teachers (and others) sometimes look directly at the negative, and forget what positive things are happening. For every challenging student I've had, I have had a wonderful one. For every parent who has told me how to do my job, I have one thanking me for coaching, or teaching, or knowing his or her kid. Yes, teachers have hard jobs, but then again, who doesn't have a hard job? My dad commuted over an hour to get to work (to a job, I will say, he loves) to support his family. My mom was a nurse, and should she have done something wrong, could have hurt a patient (talk about pressure...she was an awesome nurse though...so no worries!). Yes, I am exhausted. Yes, I wear many hats when I teach. And yes, sometimes I wish classrooms and teaching could be what they used to be (whatever that is...cause at this point I am sure teachers back then were saying the same things...). I also know though, that despite the red tape, the struggle, the challenge, that I am the one who makes my job what it is. I am the only one responsible for my happiness as a teacher...and everyday that I wake up for work I will find something to make that day a good one.Today's thing: my AP class. They rocked a two day discussion and taught me things about The Great Gatsby that I never considered. (This is so long, and is actually one of the posts I generally overlook, so if you read it...here is some cake and ice cream for your time.)

Dear Lily...

Dear Lily,

In the next 4 weeks (or so) your life will be changing a lot. You will become a big sister and the single life you are living will end. It might be hard at first, but it will get better. You will get to be a sister to little, teeny little brother. You will get to take pictures of him with your green camera; restrain yourself, fists shaking, when you want to touch him; and just generally get to love little Jack. Judging by the way your carry your dolls around, I think you will be an expert at taking care of a baby...even a real one.

You are such an amazing little girl. You are so smart! Everyday you say a new word, and say it was such enthusiasm. Today, you said party because you partied in your crib for most of the night (notice I say in your crib because despite waking up, you turned on your aquarium and just played by yourself-- such a big girl!). Tonight, we laid in bed and watched Sprout and you looked at me, with your big brown eyes and just smiled at me. It felt like, in that special little moment, that I have known your forever. That I have loved you forever. And, maybe I have loved you forever. I think you are the little girl I always dreamed of having. With your silly little giggles and smiles, your funny face that says "what are you talking about mama?", your "oh nos!" and your "Feddddddieeeee!" you are the baby I dreamed of. Even on your crankiest days, you find some way to make me laugh. You can be stubborn, but I think we all are in this house (even Feddy).

I won't lie-- I am nervous for the next few weeks. I am thrilled to meet your brother, but I also know it will mean some changes in our house. I am confident, though, that these are changes that will only be for the better. I can't wait to watch your with your brother. I can't wait to watch your teach him how to build blocks, and dance, and read books. I am so looking forward to my 12 weeks off with you and Jack. I think they are we are going to have an excellent time (filled with Wiggles...I am sure...).

I hope you realize just how much you are loved. You are so deeply, deeply loved by everyone around you. I love watching you grow and change and learn. You are beautiful baby girl...in every single way.

Love, Your Mama

19 Months Old!

At 19 Months Old Bean Loves...

1. ...shoes! She is such a little fashionista.

2. ...The Wiggles. However, mama and dada do not love them so much.

3. ...turning the light on in her kitchen and putting the hot mitt in the microwave.

4. ...eating Chick-Fil-A.

5. ...following bigger kids around stores, even if this means leaving mama and dada...

6. ...imitating whatever you are doing.

7. ...undressing her babies.

8. ...blowing her nose (no joke, she does this by herself and will request a tissue upon sneezing).

9. ...saying touchdown! while watching ball-ball (football). Loves her RAVENS!

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

Today, the Ravens will play the Patriots in the AFC Championship...hence the variations of purple!! GO RAVENS.

Lily on NYE. Also, wearing her purple for the RAVENS!

Odds and Ends

As of Wednesday, I will be 6 weeks away from my due date. This is crazy. At my last OB appointment (which was Thursday), everything looked and sounded good. I passed my 3 hour glucose test (yay!), the baby sounds great, my BP and weight are fine, and everything appears to be right on track. My OB did tell me to get my sub plans and a sub in line by early February. She said 2nd babies can, more frequently, arrive earlier than first babies, so I should be prepared to have a baby at any point in February. This, of course, means I will be late (ha).

Lily's big girl room is finished, and it looks great! I will post some pictures on here as soon as a I take a few. The predominate colors are yellow, purple, and gray. She has a big girl bed in the room, but she is still sleeping in the crib. We figure that Jack will be in a bassinet for the first few months of his live, so Lily can sleep in her crib until she is a bit older and ready for the big bed move.

Jack's room is...well...in some sort of "order". Order meaning...storage. We have what we need to decorate the room; however, 2 bouncy chairs, a pack n play, car seat, stroller, and other odds and ends are being stored in the room. I removed the trash from the room, organized the baby clothing, sorted and organized the cloth diapers, and found space for other baby necessities. Once we get the stroller out of the box and the car seat installed in the car, things will start getting better in the room. I have to say, I am super proud of my clothing and diaper organizing skills. There is a fairly sizeable closet in the nursery, so that definitely helps with storage. The cloth diapers were a bit tricky to figure out how to organize, but I got it all put away.

Speaking of cloth diapers, we have officially decided to use them. I have a mixture of prefolds and all in ones. Prefolds are the cloth diapers your mom may have used. They are just flat cloth diapers that need a diaper cover to make them waterproof. This is the bulk of my stash because they are the cheapest and easiest way to cloth diaper (I think). All of the prefolds are cotton, so washing is a breeze.

Prefold Diapers in various sizes

Diaper Cover

I also have a bunch of fitted diapers (prefolds that have been sewn to look like a diaper and easily fit on baby without having to use pins), that will be easier for night changes (or for daddy).

Fitted Diapers- Basically prefolds that have been sewn for quicker  changings. Cover needed.

All-in-ones are just that, diapers that are just like disposables, except you wash them.

All-in-one Diaper- the cover and lining are all sewn together, so it's like a disposable that goes in the wash.

I stuck to all natural materials (mostly cotton) because it is easiest to wash cotton (as it washes clean very easily). I have an assortment of brands to try, so we can see what works best for Jack. I even have one-size diapers (they are good from about 10lbs-35lbs) that I might try on Lily. After researching (more than I like to admit), I decided that clothing diapering isn't as daunting as I originally thought. My mom, our daycare provider, agreed to try with us (she already cloth diapered me and my brother, so this really isn't new to her), so that made the decision a little easier.

2012 Year in Review