Pregnancy (2nd) 1st trimester

Early days of my 2nd pregnancy (2012-2013).

• May 12:  I took a pregnancy test and discovered that I am about 2-3 weeks pregnant
• May 17:  Called to make my first appointment (June 11) to see the doc and have an ultra sound.
• May 20:  I have 8.5 days left of school and the nausiousness is starting to come in.
• June 11:  Ezra and Dustin went to the doctor's visit, both got to see the heartbeat.  Ezra thought seeing the heartbeat was so cool, however if you ask him if mommy's having a baby he has no idea.  It really doesn't click with a 2 year old that his mommy's having a baby.
• June 24:  Left for our trip to Florida knowing full well that once again I would not be able to partake in eating any seafood (where it's best to get).  Bummer yet again!  Maybe someday I'll make it to Florida or down south and not be pregnant, so I can eat some tasty lobster, shrimp, and scallops.
• July 1:  Definitely feeling the pregnancy brain set in.  I have memory loss constantly.  And we have to search for a new childcare provider as our present one can not take the new Baby Boring.
• July 9:  Baby Boring's heart rate is 158 beats per minute.
• August 6:   Baby Boring is doing good and so is mommy.  Only about 16 weeks, but feeling a lot better and less gaggy at night.  My appetite is back up again and I'm eating a ton.
• August 15:   Ezra is on his 3rd day of potty training and I'm gearing up to head back to school.  Lots of work to get done, good thing I'm in my second trimester otherwise I would be exhausted doing all this right now.

Recipes made from Pinterest

     Ezra helped me make Puppy Chow/Muddy Buddies today and enjoyed eating too!
  I've been making a lot of things from my Pinterest pins (now that I have time to make them).  And my big helper, Ezra, has been extra helpful in making and especially eating what I make! 

Buttermilk-Blueberry Breakfast cake

Candy bar ice cream cake  scroll to bottom for recipe

Fresh Veggie Pizza (lunch today)



Valentines Day

The presents I gave on Valentines day.

Valentines for my students:

I "Chews"

Alexis (name on checking gum)

as my Valentine!

Basket full of dates for a year! Gave Dustin 12+ dates this year, one for each month.

Pre-paid or mostly paid dates.

Recent obsession

My recent obsession is Pinterest.
I have found many good recipes and great projects to do for my family. One of them being Dustin, my husband's, Valentine present. I'm excited to give it to him in a week. I've been waiting to give it to him since the beginning of January and have counted down the days. I will post pictures when I am able to share it with him first before the rest of world sees it too!
Speaking of which, anyone reading this should know there is 6 days and 1.75 hours 'til Valentine's day! Did you get your sweetheart anything special this year?

NY Resolutions update

Update on my New Years Resolutions

1. Commit to spending more time reading the Bible & praying (5-10 minutes would
   be better than what I do now, which is 0)--> doing good most days, but could be better
   
2. Lose 25 pounds & encourage my husband to lose with me--> lost 3.8 pounds so far
   
3. Exercise regularly (4 days is the goal)--> I walk laps at recess when we go outdoors
   
4. Make healthy eating choices--> this is a whole house decision & we are doing great
   
5. Be planned 2 days in advance for school--> currently I'm meeting this goal
   
6. Spend more quality time with Ezra--> Ezra's sitting in my lap as type this

2012 Resolutions

Here are my 2012 Resolutions:

1. Commit to spending more time reading the Bible & praying (5-10 minutes would be better than what I do now, which is 0)
2. Lose 25 pounds & encourage my husband to lose with me
3. Exercise regularly (4 days is the goal)
4. Make healthy eating choices
5. Be planned 2 days in advance for school
   
6. Spend more quality time with Ezra

True Confessions

So I have a few things I will admit that I do as a Boring Mom.

1. Sometimes I go to the bathroom just to escape.
2. I actually enjoy drinking beverages that were once cold/hot like flat pop, warm water, and luke warm/cold hot chocolate or chai tea.
3. I enjoy staying in my bathrobe as long as possible.
4. I don't make fancy meals (who has the time, other than my husband).
5. As an adult and mom, it's so hard to decide what I want for my birthday and Christmas because I would rather have things we need for our house or for our son.
6. I am a Survivor fan and my son likes to watch it with me.
7. I have been buying new baby stuff for the second baby we will have someday. Mainly stuff that is much better quality, that if we would have done the research prior to Ezra, we would have registered for in the first place.

Summer

My son and I enjoyed summer. It was great being able to hang outside with him and watch develop from not liking water to now he dumps it on himself. All of the developmental changes that happened this summer were amazing. His temper tantrums lessened because we are ignoring the tantrums. He is also developing a strong personality of wanting his way. My son is so totally human and able to be shaped.
I have loved being home with him over the summer and watching him develop and change!

Boring

It's the second week of summer and I feel so bummed. I thought summer was supposed to be fun. I've enjoyed my time with my son at home together, but wish I had the motivation to go for a bike ride and enjoy the weather. Unfortunately this last week there's been a risk for rain everyday, so I don't want to chance it with my son. I love being home with Ezra and have no desire for it to end.
I cleaned the house yesterday, which to my surprise is extremely challenging with a walking 15 month old around the house.
On a more positive note, I found out last week that I will be teaching 5th grade next year. Which makes me excited for something new, but very nervous. Especially since I haven't been in a teaching elementary position in six years. I know I will get the hang of it, but I want to be perfect and prepared. Which I can't quite seem to do right now, as the building I will be teaching in is being painted this summer. Which means I can't get the curriculum and find out what I need to be teaching.
Oh the places I will go! I was given this book after student teaching by the 2nd grade class I taught in. And I have been so many places since receiving this book. I haven't left the town I presently live in nor left the school I got my first job at.
Just a boring mother signing off now.

Supermom on Spring break

I have been trying a few methods this week with Ezra. He had his one year appointment last Monday which means before his next appointment, we need to accomplish several things: 1) no bottles, 2) drinks whole milk, no more formula, 3) falls asleep on his own, 4) using a spoon to feed self.
I've been trying out a mix of the cry it out method with Ezra and a method that puts me a little more at ease by sitting towards the door in his room and making "shhhh" sounds. Just to let him know that I am still there for him, but that he needs to fall asleep on his own. Today was the first day we were able to try it with naps and tonight will be night 3 of bedtime. I can honestly say that he cries a little less every time, but it is hard to listen to him cry. After reading a book to guide you through child rearing, I realized that we should have started this with him when he was 4-6 months. But I figure it's never too late, until he's five and still sleeps in a crib. (Just kidding!) I don't think it will be good for him if that were the case.
Now my mom does not agree with this idea of him falling asleep on his own which she rocked myself and two siblings to sleep until we were two. But I hope she will respect our wishes and not divert back to old patterns.
He's also not getting daytime bottles, but one bottle in the evening. And he's almost completely on whole milk. I want to be able to show that I can train him to do the things that a full time mommy would be able to do, but I can not (at the present time) be home with him full time. I also do not want to expect my childcare lady to do this for me. Just add to these routines, I have established for him.
Supermom on spring break will continue after a few more days of crying and sleeping on his own.

Job Title Please

Sometimes I feel like I should get a job where I hook people I know that would work well together either due to job, family, life situations. I have so many resources and want to help people out with these issues if I can't. Can someone tell me the title of this job, so I can become it?

Seeking & Not finding

As I write this post that is a long time worth coming, I'm thinking of everything I need to get done this weekend and no later. My professional portfolio is due Tuesday and I thought I was done, but have now found out I did not reflect very well, so I will start all over again and the 2 hours I already spent go down the drain. Because of all the work stress I feel that I am not pleasant with anyone. Spring break and this evaluation process ending can't come soon enough!
Oh did I mention I had an ear infection, went to the doctor got medicine and my ear is not better but I have to wait 'til tomorrow to go pay another co-pay at the docs office to get treated again. I also can't hear very well anymore and things are quite fuzzy in my ear.
Ezra has grown a ton and is now 11.5 months old, picks up his own food to eat, and has 4 teeth. Wow, how quickly he has grown!
Boy would I love to be able to stay home with Ezra full time and not deal with all the politics of the work environment. So tired of the crap I deal with daily and all the demands being placed upon my shoulders. I don't know if I can handle anymore.
I'm tired and want the year to be over and the interview process to be done and I can have a new job and be a refreshed person for next school year.
Did I mention I would like to be a stay-at-home mom?

Time Flies

As time passes by day-by-day, my little boy gets bigger and bigger. Ezra, now almost 23 pounds, is 9 months old and is growing so fast. It seems just yesterday that we were in the hospital delivering him. The truth is, is that time flies when you are having fun. Though I will admit, I'm not having the most fun at work away from my baby, but fun when I am with him. Oh how I long to stay home with my son, but I must realize that is not an option at the present time. Someday I hope to be a stay-at-home mom, but for now I will cherish all the wonderful and not so wonderful moments with my son and husband. I love them both tremendously for supporting me during this difficult time being a working mom and teacher.

Relationships

My grandma died a week ago and she lived to be 91. As I have reflected this week on some of the things that happened, I am again reminded that relationships with Jesus and other people will always outweigh other junk. I LOVE my family and enjoy spending time with them even if they drive me a little crazy sometimes. I'm very excited to say that my relationship with God is way more important than all other relationships, but I know I'd rather have these than other worldly things.
Thank you Jesus for dying for me, so that I can continue to live for you daily!

Races

As it turns out to enter a race can be very expensive especially if your husband decides to join you. We opted not to do the 5K today and will be doing our first 5K next Sunday. I'm pretty excited about it and I know that I won't be able to run all of it. Too bad! :( I was really hoping to, but my almost 30 year old knees can't do it right now. Maybe next year I'll run it!
School has started and I have many great students this year. I think it will be a fun year of me developing professionally with using differentiation. And I will be going with five other teachers from my building to Maryland for a conference on differentiation in November. Very excited about that trip and I've never been to Maryland!
I made Ezra pureed sweet potatoes, carrots, zucchini, and peas yesterday. And plan to make him apples, pears, and butternut squash today. Ezra tried pureed zucchini last night and loved it! He was leaning in towards the spoon to eat some more. I think we have a vegetable lover on our hands! It was fun making it and so easy!

Oh how things change

I am back at school and boy is it going to be a busy year. I will try not to blog too much about school, but I do miss being home with Ezra all day and relaxing. When I first had Ezra and was home with him the first few days I wanted to be at school because it was easier than guessing what my son needed daily. Now however I would rather be at home with Ezra all day than at school because being home with Ezra is easier. Oh how things have changed in my life since Ezra came along. I long to be with him, but am still enjoying teaching!

Training Begins

I am planning to run a 5K on October 3 and October 10. Two different races and I figured out this morning that I have 8 weeks and 3 days to be ready for the first 5K. My training must begin today although I thought yesterday when I ran a block and a half pushing Ezra's jogging stroller that it was very hard. It however was also humid outside. So many factors to get into shape, but NOW is the time to start. My husband may or may not join me for this 5K, but I plan to do it with him beside me or with him along the sidelines. Either way Ezra definitely needs healthy parents.

Today is the day to start training for my 5K!

Chef Dustin

I have my own personal chef; his name is Dustin. Dustin is my husband and he is a great cook! When we first got married I did a lot of the cooking, where as now I believe Dustin (except during summer) does the majority of the cooking especially on weekends. We are both gifted in the kitchen, but have very different styles. I am the Chef of Comfort Food and he is the Chef of Elegant Food.

Both of us did not know how great of a cook he was until we got married and he started to dabble in the kitchen. Before we were married Dustin lived with his brother and did not cook much because cooking for one is no fun! Now that we have been married for a little over four years, he cooks frequently for me and many of our friends. In fact we have at least one friend and one family member that are self-conscious about cooking for us. I don't really understand why this is, but I guess I don't have to understand everything.

I love it when my husband cooks and love to eat the wonderful things he prepares. Yesterday, July 4th, Dustin prepared hummus, falafel, and cucumber sauce. Dustin does an amazing job of preparing wonderful food with fresh ingredients and prefers to use fresh versus dried or frozen. Anything that he puts in his mind to cook he masters! We would love to have you over for dinner sometime, so I can show off how great of a cook Dustin (his phenomenal cooking abilities can only be witnessed first hand).

We joke sometimes about opening a restaurant where I will cook comfort food including dessert and he will cook elegant food including dessert. But we don't want crazy restaurant hours, so we would only be open Monday-Friday during lunch. Would we make it in the restaurant business, making some profit, probably not. But we both enjoy cooking and this is just one of the things that Chef Dustin and I enjoy together. Someday we will teach Ezra and any other children we have to cook and they will have well diverse cooking abilities.

What's in a Name?

The other day my son, Ezra, was looking around and to get his attention I said his name aloud. He responded by looking at me in which I have been waiting for this moment for months now. Waiting to know when he would know his name. And I can finally say that he knows his name and responds most of the time when you say it. I have been wondering since he was born if he acts like a boy named Ezra (whatever that means) or if he will just grow into his name.

Ezra means in Hebrew, aid. And his middle name James means supplanter in which that means to take the place of. So all in all my son's name means to aid and take the place of boring. Wow, did we come up with a very interesting name for him. Hopefully he won't be a boring kid even though it's in his name. We'll see as he grows into his name and we begin to see the personality of our child and find out what handedness he is.

It's been very exciting these last few weeks watching him change as he develops many more skills. I'm enjoying boring motherhood and watching the many changes my son goes through. But I know I will miss him when I return to teach in the fall.

Good night for now!

Enough Arms or Time

Oh how I wish there were more hours in the day or even just minutes. There are so many things I need to get done either in or outside the house. I did accomplish something today: I learned how to install a new toilet seat. And also learned that yesterday when I took off the toilet seat I made it way to complicated to take off.

I love my son, but he prevents from getting so much done around the house. He will cry if he doesn't get to nap in my arms, but I hate it when he cries. So I give in to what he wants, mommy!

So much needed items that need to get done around the house:

1. take the growing trees out of the gutters
2. put a nice fence and division between the garden and the yard, so the rabbits don't get killed by me going crazy from them eating my vegetation
3. buy more bricks for around the strawberries & blackberries
   
4. clip the dead branches in the tree
5. file my 2 years of school papers
6. vacuum the entire house
7. clean & sanitize the kitchen counters
8. clean & sanitize the bathrooms

My question of the day is: how do moms keep the house clean, their kids happy (napping in their own beds), and their husbands happy too?

I need more energy or more arms. Not sure which?