Monthly Archives: January 2012

Jan22

A Special Announcement, Part 2

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A Special Announcement, Part 2

Friday, I told my students about my “big” news. I’ve struggled with whether to tell them or wait until it was so pathetically obvious that it just wouldn’t need to be said (except to a couple of seventh graders… some just don’t notice/think things through!). In the end, I felt I should tell them sooner than later, so I thought it would be fun to include it as a “bonus” question to their quiz. It looked something like this:

“This summer, an exciting thing your teacher will be doing is…
A) going to Disneyworld
B) going on an European vacation
C) having a baby
D) moving into a new house”

Before I showed the students the question at the end of their quiz, I had them swear that they couldn’t reveal it to the other classes until the end of the day (yeah, right. It was worth a try, though). I have rarely seen my students so excited to answer a question. After we finished grading the normal quiz questions, they were begging for the answer to the bonus question. Let’s just say I had to apologize to the teacher next door at the end of the day because of the exuberant noises emitting from my classroom when I revealed the answer was “C”.

Most of my students were very sweet. I did get lots of quick hugs from excited students, and lots of special requests and suggestions for baby names (which, surprisingly, were very similar to the names of the students suggesting them). There were a few favorite comments though:

Student 1: Can you name the baby [his name]?
Me: No.
Student 1: Then can I name the baby?
Me: No.
Student 1: Well, can I at least be the baby’s godfather?!
Me: No, but thanks for asking!

Another highlight situation:

As I reveal the bonus question to the class, the student stares intently at me for several seconds, then declares, quite sincerely,”Well, it’s not C!” A couple other students ask him why he says that, to which he responds, “Well, look at her!”
I am sure several of you could appreciate why somebody who is starting to show being pregnant and is uncomfortable with it would find that comment both sweet and amusing.

Overall, I was happily surprised by the overwhelmingly positive response and comments I received from my students, especially because it’s been such a difficult year and harder for me to bond with them. What a wonderful way to go into my weekend!

Jan16

Lazy Weekend Recap

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Lazy Weekend Recap

This weekend has been a four day weekend for me. Technically, it should’ve been only a 3 day weekend, but I missed work Friday due to a migraine that had just been getting worse and worse over the week. (One of those unexpected side effects of being pregnant- most migraine and pain medications are off limits. And sometimes, Tylenol just doesn’t cut it).

Despite the discomfort, this weekend has allowed me time to reflect how lucky I am. A couple of things that specifically come to mind:

1. I have an amazing, thoughtful, sweet husband who goes out of his way to make my life easier.

2. I have a wonderful home, and even though it’s not perfectly what I want it to be (who’s home ever is?), is more than I thought I would have at this time and place in my life.

3. I have two adorable dogs to cuddle with when I am feeling yucky/sleepy/frustrated/needing snuggles.

4. I have good friends and family members to spend time with and who truly care about me.

Case in point:

Exhibit A: Friday evening, I was feeling a little bit better (after sleeping most of the day), so Jared offered to take us out so I didn’t have to make dinner. We went to one of the better Mexican restaurants around here. It was packed and noisy, which started to make the headache come back, and I couldn’t eat too much. It was the third time we had tried eating there since we found out about Baby Boothe, and each time I come home on the verge of puking, so we decided we will try visiting there again in about 7 months or so. Jared felt bad, but I thought it was so sweet that he was just trying to make life easier for me.

Exhibit B: Saturday we did some errands. Jared even suggested we could go to Kohl’s and search for some clothes that will fit me a little better. (For somebody who has struggled with how I look and weigh for most of my life, it’s been a little challenging to accept the changes that are occurring around my midsection, even if they are for a good cause!) He even cheerfully bought me some of the clothes I tried on.

(Side note: I will say that so far, my favorite place with the best prices for maternity clothes has been Burlington Coat Factory. Found these great looking black pants with a comfy elastic waistband for $10! Score!)

Exhibit C: We had some friends come over Saturday night. I was getting the house cleaned up and Jared was upset that I wasn’t sitting and cuddling with the dogs. But I know how proud of our home he is, and to make sure it looks nice, it takes teamwork. And we had a great time when our friends came over. Even if we stayed up a little later than we previously wanted…After all,  I have a feeling that once Baby Boothe comes, time for friends will be a little more limited.

Exhibit D: All the extra things around the house Jared sneaks in. Like trying to help me with dinner last night, and cleaning up the entire kitchen. Or getting up with the dogs in the morning because Stevie doesn’t know how to sleep in. (After all, THE FOOD WON’T WAIT FOR HIM PAST 7:15! If we try to push it, he lovingly will jump on our heads and lick us until once of us gives in and feeds him. And with his dog breath, you might as well just not let it get to that point…)

I know that there’s more that I am forgetting with my sleepy brain, but at least there’s the general idea. So much to be grateful for in my life. Sometimes things like work overwhelm me, and I just need times like now to recenter and realize that the main things in my life that define me are not my career at school. It’s the things here at home that are the most important and meaningful to me.

So here’s to the best decision I’ve ever made in my life: choosing this great guy as my husband. 🙂

Jan11

A Special Announcement

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A Special Announcement

In my last post, I have dropped some hints that there were going to be big changes happening in 2012 for me. I guess now would be a good time to reveal one of the biggest changes that will be happening for me about now. So world, let me show you something I’ve been hard at work on:

Yup. You’ve got it. World, meet Baby Boothe. I am sure this is only the first of many occasions of Baby Boothe Exploitation for your viewing pleasure.

Didn’t I promise you some big surprises of 2012??? AND THIS IS ONLY ONE! 🙂 (Probably the biggest, but come on, it’s a good one!)

(Side note: By the way, if you don’t think this is “hard at work,” then you’ve never been pregnant. It’s totally been kicking my sorry trash. Teaching a bunch of middle schoolers is less exhausting than being pregnant, so you can imagine the combination of both has been a blast. Oh, and speaking of my middle schoolers, they don’t know yet, so if you know them DON’T TELL THEM YET! I am gonna do it soon. Promise. Awkward aside is now done.)

All right. Let’s get some of the FAQs out of the way before we progress further with this topic.

How old is Baby Boothe?

Baby Boothe has entered into the fourth month of existence. We are safely into the second trimester (yay!) and so far, everything appears fine.

Are you happy about this?

Jared and I are both ecstatic about this and have wanted it for a while, but things were complicated with some of my other health issues. Knowing this should help us avoid the question “Was this planned?” Which I have been asked. A few times.

Is Baby Boothe a boy or a girl?

We don’t know. We probably won’t know until late February. And we are absolutely finding out, because my anxiety doesn’t need any big surprises when I am too excited planning for Baby Boothe’s arrival.

Do you want a boy or a girl?

Yes.

When does Baby Boothe make his/her grand appearance?

Expected arrival date is July 6. I’m seriously hoping Baby Boothe isn’t on some sort of “Mormon Standard Time” system which could prevent him/her from arriving on time, as I don’t think this summer will be much fun if last summer was any indication.

Are you showing yet?

Yes, I am, and no, you may not see yet.