11 years ago...

So as I was writing the date on my board in my classroom yesterday, I realized that 3/11 was very special. Yes, there is a band called 311, but I am talking about something else. I immediately text Matt to see if he remembered, and of course he did. March 11, 2000 was our first date...11 years ago!

It is so hard to believe where we are now. I know that neither one of us saw that first date leading us to our lives now, but we are so blessed to have each other and our precious boy, and very soon another one! I have never made a big deal about any days/dates in our lives (neither Matt or myself are ones for big recognition and such), but I find it truly special to see where we have come in 11 years! Matt has made me a better person, and I like to think I have done the same for him! ;) I am so glad we went to Steak n Shake and to see Mission to Mars on that Saturday evening 11 years ago; without that date, prom a few weeks later, and so much more, we would not be where we are today! And now to think where the next 11 years will take us!

We are about 2 1/2 weeks from my expected due date, so we are busy trying to enjoy the time left, relaxing, and also preparing for the big change! I am excited and anxious, and I sooooo cannot not wait to see what God has in store for our family.

Now off to enjoy this Saturday....agenda: get Ethan's haircut, wash baby clothes, play outside, who knows what else....

Where has this pregnancy gone???

I am nearly 35 weeks pregnant and now going to the doctor each week! I can hardly believe it! I knew this pregnancy would go by much faster than my first, but WOW! I don't think I have really been able to enjoy being pregnant with the busy life I live of being a working mom with a toddler. I remember all the little and exciting things that happen when being pregnant (the first kick and the oh-so-cute hiccups!), but I seem to remember the feeling of exhaustion so much stronger!

Of course, there are still things that I want to get done before the baby comes, but in reality, there is only so much that you really need for the baby at home, and we have all that. At school, I am so not ready! I really need to prioritize my time there and get some stuff in order for when I am out for the rest of the year. I like things done a certain way, so I am not gonna lie...the thought of someone taking over my classroom kinda freaks me out! With that said, I need to do a lot of organizing and planning to make me feel more calm and at ease about it all. With Ethan, I did not miss any school; he was a summer baby. I don't like to think about when I might start having the hard and heavy labor contractions that will eventually lead me to the hospital. I really do not want to be at school when that happens. Some of my dearest friends are there, so I know they will take care of me, but it's not the same as being with Matt. It will be weird being at school one day and not the next.

I absolutely cannot wait to be at home for 4-5 months straight with my precious family. I will have nothing to worry about besides feeding the boys and changing diapers. These will be the days that I will remember forever. I will miss my friends at work, and some of the students, but I am ready for no schedule besides a baby schedule!

Just this week, I have started having cramps and my back will ache at random times. I can definitely tell that baby is getting bigger and that I am getting closer! I cannot wait to meet out new lil one, but I also get sad that it will no longer only be Ethan! But then the more I think about it, Ethan will be so cute with his baby brother and there will surely never be a dull moment around our house!

We may be having another boy, but this sure has turned into a different pregnancy!

I had a perfect pregnancy and for the most part, a perfect labor and delivery story with Ethan. My pregnancy with boy #2 has been just as smooth and easy. With either pregnancy, I never had any sort of morning sickness and nothing negative in any way. I almost felt bad when people would ask how I was feeling because it was always wonderful. Well, that has changed just a bit over the past few weeks, and it is only getting worse. Random things that have been occurring that I never had with Ethan:
*dizzy/faint spells--these seem to happen in the morning or when I change positions. Standing for a long period of time such as during the worship at church is quite a struggle. At school, I find myself sitting more and more on my stool when I am talking with the students; I used to walk around and stand.
*seeing stars--reaching down to get something. It's like I hit my hand really hard.
*veins standing out, some even raised. These better go away!
*little to no sleep at night. I am getting up to pee more and more, and then I have trouble relaxing again.
*extreme emotions--I get upset about anything and everything. My eyes will tear up about anything that upsets me, and I feel as if I cannot control it.
*any amount of constant movement such as walking gives me cramps in my abdomen and I have trouble breathing

Needless to say, all of these things are normal for being pregnant, but I do not like them! These are not the sort of things that are fun while being pregnant! I take it easy as much as I can, but there is so much to do at every moment! I cannot wait for our new little man to be here and to make us even more complete!