14 weeks

13 weeks

Donors Are Amazing!

Yesterday I received notice that something amazing had happened. Well some background info first...

This past October, I went to a website called DonorsChoose.org. This is a website where teachers can go and create "projects." This basically consists of typing up a report on what I am wanting to implement in my classroom and picking out the materials to do so. I went on the website and saw a bazillion awesome projects that teachers have. There was so much! Intimidated by what felt like a long shot, I went ahead and created a project. I asked for over $300 worth of books on c.d.'s. There are 12 books, each with it's own c.d. These are books I am particularly excited about, as some of my students would like to read some of the books, but cannot because of their lower reading level. Anyway, donors from all over can go on and find projects that they want to donate to. They just find the project and give any amount of money they wish to it.

So, the best part...I got an email saying my project had been funded! I could not believe it! $300 worth of listening supplies are on their way, FREE to me. They are mine to keep! Is it not incredible?! The other thing that got me is that 3 or 4 of the donors were not even from the state! One was a big cellular company, others were individuals.

Not only is this exciting for me because I get new supplies, but more so that it shows people really do care. I think people want to help out financially-they just need to know that they are going to really be a part of something real and something that makes a difference. It's great for people to not be bashing education, but supporting it- and with more than just their words. And one of the best parts is there is a thank you package my students and I get to do that they'll send to the donors-I am looking forward to us personally getting to say thanks for what they've done.

This was so life-changing to me that I have told everyone. And I have started another project. This time I am asking for educational Literacy games. Oh yeah, there are a ton for math! But are there any fun games to help you practice multiple-meaning words? Oh yes, I found some-and hopefully that project will be funded soon!

12 and a Half Weeks

I am more upset with myself that I began taking belly pics in the middle of a week. What was I thinking?! Now I will feel compelled to even it out. My next post will be a 13 week post, even though it'll be like, 4 days from the previous one. But if I get my 13 week belly picture, I will feel evened out and the pictures can resume on a weekly scheduled basis.

But anyway...here is my 12 1/2 week belly. It is actually starting to stick out a little bit. I am officially in the "is she fat or pregnant?" stage. Always great to be in.

Cleaning

I got home yesterday from work and did something I have not done in quite some time-I got busy cleaning. Since becoming pregnant, all I can think about at the end of the day is finding something to eat and sitting down to rest for the remainder of the evening.

Not sure if the fatigue is starting to go away a bit or that the day was so gorgeous I felt inspired-either way, I came in yesterday and put some items away that were still in boxes from the house remodel. I even used some contact paper! If anyone has used this, they know of the frustration that comes with using sticky paper in small spaces. But it worked out great. I was thrilled! So I moved on to scrubbing counters and sweeping and mopping floors. The kitchen looks and smells great. Now if I can carry that momentum into today through the rest of the house...

Chaos

I guess I should have known, with my personality, that getting pregnant would send me into a tailspin. I feel like I am in a frenzy of worry and anxiety. Maybe it is just being fatigued, maybe it is just that I am neurotic, who knows.

I know that I have about 6 months to get things done, but somedays it doesn't feel like that. Getting a nursery set-up, painting rooms in the house I have been meaning to paint, clean, get rid of old stuff, childcare, money, etc. It just feels like it all needs to be done tomorrow. Now, I totally get that this is not rational-I have plenty of time. I get that. But I still feel so anxious about getting things done before the baby gets here.

What it probably is, honestly, is worry about what life will be like when the baby gets here. Will I ever get to sleep? Will it be a good baby or not? Will Adam and I be able to learn what to do? Will our house be a good one for a baby? Will we have money? And since I don't have any of the answers for any of those, trying to get my house painted somehow seems to make those things better-kind of like having control over the things I can have control over when everything else seems out of control.

I know the simple answer is just "Relax. Breathe" etc. But that seems much easier said than done.

First Doctor's Appointment

Monday the 8th was my first doctor's appointment. It was awesome! Obviously, it wasn't the most wonderful of experiences, as any woman knows, but once I got my ultrasound it made it all worth it!

As weird as it sounds, I did not expect it to look like a baby. But it was a perfect outline of a perfect little child! My mom went and she got to see it too. It was amazing for me to see, but the best part was Adam. He gasped and moved around to the other side of the table so he could see the picture better. It was most moving seeing him be so excited and amazed. He was in awe.

The doctor gave me a good report. The baby is healthy and on track. My due date is set for September 29. In about 8 weeks, I will get to find out what it is. Here is the picture! It's head is on the left, and that is an arm bud sticking up on the top.