Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful ...

- for a little sunshine in the forecast. It seems like it's been nothing but rain and thunderstorms lately and I can't wait to hit up the pool!

- for the things I've checked off my to-do list. Somehow it keeps getting longer though. How does that work?

- for some girl time with Kristen tomorrow. I love wedding talk!

- for a fun husband. He's the fun bully of our relationship and I love it. He insists we do something enjoyable every day as I continue to give him to-do lists.

- for baby clothes. These little bitty outfits I'm pulling out of the dryer are so stinkin cute! And the socks. Don't get me started on the socks!

- that I'm losing track of days. It's such a blessing to not know what day of the week it is!

Weekend Wrap-Up

It was a super busy, super fun weekend just as expected!

Friday:
- Rob came up to my classroom and helped move everything out. I'm so thankful he could do so because there's no way I could've/should've done it myself! My car was jam-packed with all my teaching stuff. Seriously, door-to-door, floor-to-ceiling!
- We had an earlybird dinner at home then zipped off to the Royals game. Rob was suuuuper excited to see Mike Trout and we had the perfect view. It was great weather, buck night, and fireworks Friday! Does it get any better?!

Awesome seats practically in the fountains

I was half joking when I asked if he was going to come back with a funnel cake. Delish! 

Saturday:

- We got up, packed, and took off for Ankeny mid-morning. We said hello, moved all my teaching boxes to the basement, and then it was time to change for Melissa and Derek's wedding. 

- The wedding was absolutely beautiful! It was awesome to spend the evening catching up with college friends and enjoying the celebration. My crazy pregnant self even stayed out til after midnight! Summer Tam is so much more fun than School Tam. 

Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin

Love is in the air!

Sunday:

- Happy 35th anniversary Mom and Dad! (We celebrated Monday.)
- We headed up to Sheffield to visit the cemetery and Grandma and Grandpa. It was nice to spend some time with them!
- We had some tasty pizza at Leaning Tower then finished off the evening with a round of canasta. (Obviously Rob and I won and obviously I had to brag.)

Monday: 

- Pattersons and Vogels came over for food, fun, and festivities. Those are the best times, ya know?

- Vissers, Cliff and Connie, and Grandma even stopped by later on!

- Some of the boys went boating when the weather cleared up.

- Later on we organized the room full of baby stuff then Rob, Dad, and I made a Target run.
- 9:00 brought the much anticipated (by me) Royal baby TV special 20/20 Bringing Up Baby: Royal Edition

Tuesday: 

- We went to my Mom's chiropractor appointment with her so Rob could talk to Dr. Mike about his job offer. While we were there I ran into the other 3rd grade teacher from my elementary school, Mrs. Dickson. I can't believe she (somewhat) recognized me 16 years later! Sometimes Ankeny is more small town than I think.
- After the appointment, we popped into Mill Pond to visit with my Grandma. We ate some delicious chicken and noodles for lunch then headed home to KC.


It's crazy to think the next time we leave, it will be for good! I know I said this when we were in Glenwood last, but my brain keeps saying, "Next time we're here we'll have a baby!"

34 weeks

At 34 weeks ...

- baby is getting so big! 

- I had another migraine. Thankfully I felt it coming and was able to get home in time. I started seeing blind spots which probably isn't a symptom you should be experiencing behind the wheel. A two and a half hour nap was just what the doctor ordered!

- I've been having lots of Braxton Hicks contractions still. They're getting more intense and more frequent. 

- my latest OB appointment was easy peasy. This next stretch is the last two week gap between appointments. Ay yay yay!

- I've been a human furnace lately. Seriously. 

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful ...

- that I'm D.O.N.E. with school! Tomorrow we have a staff breakfast then a short program for retirees, etc.

Empty classroom

Empty classroom

- yet again for my sweet students. They were so kind to me on my last days with them. I received flowers, cards, and even a little outfit!

This is probably a confidentiality violation. Pretend like you can't see who it's from, k?

- that I have my own classroom next year! Steve was such a nice, easygoing guy but I'm too type-A for his organic-farming ways. 

Steve routinely left these little gems on his desk. Overnight. 

- for an awesome weekend ahead! It's going to be jam-packed as usual, but totally worth it.  

ADIO Chiropractic

ROB GOT A JOB OFFER!!!!!!!
ROB GOT A JOB OFFER!!!!!!!
ROB GOT A JOB OFFER!!!!!!!
ROB GOT A JOB OFFER!!!!!!!
ROB GOT A JOB OFFER!!!!!!!



Check it out: ADIO Chiropractic

33 Weeks

At 33 weeks ...

- Rob and I have both been having weird dreams. In Rob's it's the end of the world and we're "miserably unprepared". In mine we're also unprepared but more in the sense that we don't know how to care for him. In both of ours he's older and more developed than a newborn.

- we have our stroller! The only big items left are a monitor and a glider/rocker.

- I've noticed babe having the hiccups at least a couple times now. It's so cute but totally blows my mind! And it makes Rob nervous - who woulda guessed.

Weekend Wrap-Up

It was one wild weekend in Ankeny! Only one more to go before we move there ... with our BABY! Ahhh...

Here's what we enjoyed this weekend:

1. A nice dinner with my Mom and Dad Thursday night. Which means I didn't work Friday - yippee! It also means I spent quite a bit of time at school getting prepared for my absence. Totally worth it.

2. Rob met with a chiropractor in DSM Friday morning. Fingers crossed, everyone!

3. While he was there, I met with HR since I won't be able to attend the new teacher meetings in Ankeny this summer. I was totally overwhelmed with paperwork and information, but I'm so glad to get a jump start on all this.

4. From there, I drove straight to my Dad's office since he knows all about insurance, IPERS, taxes, etc. I also learned all about AMP - Ankeny Market Pavillion which my Dad is in charge of. It's a huge project and he's doing a great job! I can't wait to see it when it's finished. Bonus: I also ran into Matt Jens who popped in for a business lunch.

5. Cory moved out from UNI and got to spend the weekend with us! He got there Friday afternoon and he and Rob finished up his last final.

6. We signed a lease on an apartment! I'm SO happy this is done. Now we just have to move. Yuck. At least we've still been bringing home a car full of stuff each time we come back. Next trip home will be my classroom stuff!

7. Ok, after the apartment, Rob, Cory and I headed to the Vogel residence so I could get an in-person tutorial on how to use Mandy's pump she's so generously passing on to me. Rob and Cory had fun playing with Brooklyn outside and I learned a lot!

8. Friday night Mom and Laura were busy little bees getting things set up for the shower so the boys and I had grilled burgers at home. Then, Mom and I went through all the baby stuff upstairs where they're so kindly storing it.

Yes, we're only through Friday night, folks. I warned you that it was a fun-filled weekend!

9. Saturday morning family started rolling into town for the big party. Read all about my amazing baby shower here.

10. From the shower, I had lunch with the Simms then zipped off to Melissa's bachelorette party! It was so fun to hang out with the girls since we don't get to spend much time together now that we're all spread out. We met at the Marriott downtown then left for Summerset Winery in Indianola. While I wasn't able to partake in the wine tasting, I did enjoy some tasty cheese and crackers. :) After that we came back to the hotel for gifts, snacks, and the most adorable photo booth Kandi set up. I didn't stay for dinner or go out with them but it was such a fun afternoon/evening!

11. While I was out, the Simms family celebrated Mother's Day. It sounds like they had a really nice time and I'm sad I couldn't make it!

12. Saturday evening the Simms came over to hang at my parents' house for a bit. It makes me realize how blessed I am to have two amazing families who love and support us with all the hearts.

13. Whew, finally onto Sunday! In the morning, the Simms came over to hang out for a bit before heading home. The boys went mushroom hunting while I made Mary and JoAnn look at all my gifts from the day before and talk about what we still need to buy. I'm incredibly fortunate to not have much left!

14. After they took off, my family all met at Wig and Pen for a surprise birthday/Mother's Day celebration. In general, we plan too much, make too many lists, etc. but it totally pays off. We had the back room all to ourselves and preordered so everything was ready ASAP. It went as amazingly as it could with 9 adults and 5 (and a half) nuggets.

15. After lunch we zipped over to Grandma's to see a family heirloom Connie rescued. Then, Rob and I took off for KC after that whirlwind weekend. Somehow I still had enough energy to drag him to Target, but then I crashed! I was still exhausted today and I'm planning to head to bed right about now. Yes, it's 7:30. Don't judge.

:)

32 Weeks

At 32 weeks ...

- babe is over 4 lbs, depending on which statistic you trust. He's very near the length he'll be at birth but he just has to fill out a little more. It's hard to believe this monster inside me could/should still double in weight!

- I still feel great and I'm so thankful of that. I really appreciate my chiro appointments though because my lower back (SI to be technical) is the only issue I have.

- I've still been avoiding the name conversation. Honestly, it seems like we're going with the front runner but I'm just not ready to commit. There is a student with that name at my school so I looked up his schedule and called him in for a quick chat. (Yes, I'm creepy and awkward.) He was super cooperative and gave his name rave reviews!

- I'm exhausted. I definitely don't place all the blame on the fact that I'm well into my third trimester now. It has something to do with the weather, travel, parties, and general craziness that is my life right now. And I wouldn't have it any other way. :) I am looking forward to June where I'll have no choice but to relax but I would just bet that I keep myself busy every single day with all sorts of to-do lists.

- I can't eat as much at one sitting. I know it's healthier to eat small meals and have healthy snacks throughout the day but that's never been my style. Now I don't really have a choice!

- I'm still struggling with "pregnancy brain". The other day I said cartoonized and Rob looked at me like I was an idiot when he responded, "you mean animated?" Yep. Sure did.

- I've been having these silly laughing fits lately. You know how when you're tired sometimes you laugh so hard at anything and everything? (For some reason we called them the willies, which obviously only makes you laugh harder if you're already having them.) Anyway, it's sort of like that but this laugh-so-hard-you-cry spell hits me any time of day and it's always when I'm with Rob. For example, I about lost it a few weeks ago in the BK drive-through when a worker was in the window then a milisecond later he was outside delivering something to a car in front of us. It doesn't sound funny now (and Rob would agree) but I was seriously dying! It still makes me giggle thinking of that speedy devil. I literally just lol'ed - thank goodness nobody is around because I would hate to explain this situation ...

Ankeny shower

I'm so blessed. Honestly. It's unreal. I have the best family and friends who always go the extra mile to show their love and support.  It's days like these that remind me how generous and kind I need to be in return.

I love planning parties and showers for others and the girls (Mandy, Laura, Mom) wanted to return the favor but they really showed me up! Ha. The theme (I'm such a sucker for themed anything) was evident from the beginning and it was so personal.

I'll let the pictures do the talking ...

Invites by Missy Starr

The wonderful hostesses (+ Ma)

Some of the adorable decorations!

You can't see it, but the onesie hanging has a baseball butt and cleats!

Daddy-to-be popped in to help carry some things

Our little family

Fresh flowers AND a theme? Yes, please.

Deeeeee lish.

The crowd

Perfect shower games!

Good times were had by all...

But mostly by Kylee. She might have loved the party more than I did. She was a great helper!

Mamas

Cousins

The goods - consider me o.ver.whelmed. And thankful!

Remember how I said the decorations and treats were amazing? Yeah, these goody bags were parting gifts.

Thanks again to everyone for making this such a special day!

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful ...

- that we don't have Mediacom. They're the worst and I never intend to utilize their services.

- to be headed to Ankeny today. It's going to be a long weekend but it will be jam-packed with family, fun, and festivities! The three big events will be my shower, Melissa's bachelorette party, and Mother's Day.

- that my seniors are DONE. Don't get me wrong - I'm truly sad to see them leave but it's just time. I had each class give them a card and a little treat and they were so appreciative. Some even got a little sentimental!

- for the fun-filled week at school. Tuesday we had breakfast provided by StuCo, lunch grilled in the library courtyard by Dr. McLean the Hot Dog King, and a faculty meeting after school where we discussed end of the year procedures. Wednesday was a WL department meeting, the May social provided by Special Ed ("Ocho de Mayo" themed), and a free car wash at WaterWay for teacher appreciation month. Today we had our department's weekly "chill treats" at lunch which Janet provides.

Stupid

While looking at the list of gifts from the shower and this caught my eye. Striped or stupid ... ? Oh, Mom!

By the way, happy birthday to my mom - the most amazing woman I know!!!

Glenwood Shower

Yesterday I was lucky enough to have a baby shower in Glenwood. Mary's good friend Margo did the whole thing herself and it was fabulous! The decorations, food, friends, and gifts were more than I could've hoped for. I loved that everyone made an effort to include Rob (cute stories, pictures, etc.) and Mary since most baby showers are only about the mama. Hats off, Margo! 

I forgot my camera so it was Rob to the rescue!

The hostess with the mostest

Love the sports theme. Check out the pictures of little Rob!

Could you just?

Gifts, gifts, and more gifts!

Grandmas-to-be

Three (and a half) generations on both sides

Thanks again to everyone who made my shower so special! I had a great time and I can't wait to use all of my gifts with our little angel very soon.