All's Fine

I love the doctor who does the ultrasounds at my clinic.  She is wonderful.

Well, Brian weighs in at 4 lbs. and 3 oz. and is in the 44th percentile -- basically, my fetus is exactly where he needs to be.  His environment is safe; the amniotic fluid is at a healthy 14 oz and the placenta hasn't matured (which happens sometimes, it prevents the fetus from getting all the nutrients it needs).  

Dr. Anne also said that smaller women, like me, tend to carry the baby towards the back and that me measuring small doesn't mean too much.  She also said some women never measure anywhere near the 40 cm doctors expect to see as you near your due date.

Whew.  I feel so relieved to know that Brian is getting what he needs.  The due date has moved up one day, to May 14th, which is my grandma's birthday.  It would be really awesome if he could be born on that day.

Okay, I'm rambling.  

Alex and I did get to see some 3D scans of Brian's little face.  He's got little chubby cheeks, but was effectively hiding most of his face behind his hands.  We also resisted asking about the sex again.  We saw some... stuff, but I wouldn't say I'm qualified to actually say what any of it was.

Alright, I guess I better get around to start researching for my 10-12 page paper for my MAT program... that I've been procrastinating for quite some time...  even though I'd rather do so many other things...

As Promised

For those of you who live far away (Mindy) this is what I look like -- at least this was me a week ago on a walk with Stella.  Doesn't she look so happy?  

Now, I'm sure you want more of a "detailed" photo... but just think of how long it took me to post this one.

Other than walking the dog I've started being a student again, one who is unwilling to start writing the papers I'm supposed to be writing.  That's right, I'd rather be watching petty TV than researching inequity in schools.  Blah.

We also made a trip to Ikea (weird how a four letter word has three syllables) for baby stuff.  Alex spent the weekend putting furniture together.  His parents were worried that it would be horrid for him, but they don't realize that he LOVES building and putting things together.  Yes, it takes hours, and he loves it.  All that remains to be built is the crib.  Here is what we have so far:

The bee has wheels and can be ridden on.  Yes, it is meant for three year olds, but Alex and I couldn't leave the store without it.  So, now we have some baby furniture, a bee, and a giant dragon kite for Brian's room.  We are so prepared.

29 Today

Happy birthday to me!  I get to spend my day at a teacher's job fair and finishing writing up my lesson plans for the unit I taught at my junior high!  Oh, and that should be followed up with shrimp scampi and cake.  

It's all about the cake.

It's nice not having to worry about teaching right now, but I must say that my brain -- which was fully occupied with teaching before -- has once again become soft.  It allows me to reflect on the easier and nicer things in life, such as movies.  For the first time since... December(?) Alex and I went and saw a movie, The Watchmen.  I didn't have very high expectations of it, but I really enjoyed it.  A bit of a warning though, the blue guy is naked through a good deal of the movie.  It bothered Alex, but I barely noticed it.  I guess I figure a penis is a penis, naked and bright blue or not.

This week has started off on a bit of a poopy note.  I went for my prenatal visit yesterday and my doctor (who, you should know, I think is awesome) told me I'm not measuring "big enough" and I haven't been gaining "enough weight."  I am 31 weeks pregnant and should be measuring around 31 centimeters from pubis to fundus (the top of the uterus), but I'm only measuring 28 centimeters.  I started my pregnancy at 110 lbs and am currently 128 lbs -- which is the same as it was four weeks ago.  So, she wants me to go in for an ultrasound to make sure Brian (the fetus) is growing the way he's supposed to.

Is it strange that I kind of hate going in for ultrasounds?  They have this negative connotation for me (I had four at the very beginning of this pregnancy, and one very bad one last year).  

However, Brian's heartbeat is strong and he moves around like a freakish squid.  Seriously.  Oh, and he's had hiccups all morning, that's been a joy.

As far as pictures of the belly goes -- you see, I look "cute" (read dressed) for about ten minutes after getting home, and then my cute clothes come off to be replaced with comfortable clothes that don't restrict my movements (waddly though they may be).  So, I have good intentions, I just haven't stayed "dressed" long enough to do it.  Soon, though, soon.

One. More. Day.

Today is my last day of Junior High. I have spent ten weeks waking up at 5:30 AM and teaching/managing/wrangling 14-15 year-old ninth graders.

I feel a combination of relieved and anxious? Weird, isn't it. I get a few days off and then I have to start really applying for jobs in an economy that sounds like a drowning victim. Joy.

I think I might try to make it out of the house and see a movie this weekend, I think ending student teaching should free up enough brain space to make that fun.

Oh, and I'm turning 29 next week. I can't wait for the cake.

Insert Evil Laugh Here...

I'm done! I'm done! I'm done!

Not that the last six weeks haven't been an enriching experience. I mean, standing in somebody else's classroom, teaching their students, trying to continue teaching the lessons they would prefer me to do -- all of those things helped make this a memorable and valuable experience. I do have to say that the fact my mentor is NOT looking forward to having her classes back does make me smile. She observed one of the easier classes earlier this week and then jumped all over me for my lack of control over them.

(In the students defense, they're not usually that bad, but I am far more lenient on them then I am other class periods because the class doesn't have nearly as many students as other periods... whatever.)

I wanted to tell her that the way she controls her classes -- through condescending comments and somewhat manipulative language -- makes a lot of her students hate her. The A students love her, and she loves them, but she can be mean to those that don't fit into her definition of what is "the right kind of student."

I don't know what's wrong with me, but I love the weird kids who may or may not be failing. I was a weird kid, so I guess there's some sort of camaraderie there.

Sorry, I don't mean to vent. I'm just so excited to put an end to this strange charade they call student teaching. Now I get to start on looking for a job and interviewing with school districts.

I don't want to. I'm tired and I want to spend a full week watching old episodes of Angel. I love you Joss Whedon.

Hopefully, getting all of my brain power back will help me focus more on the fetus (Brian) that has made me large and wobbly. I'm running out of clothes to wear to school, and I'm looking forward to not having to worry about what bra I wear. I think I may just start leaving those evil things at home... if my boobs can handle the freedom.

I measured my belly around its largest part last night -- 37 inches. Yup. I'm hungry all of the time, I eat all of the time, and I think most of it is going to Brian, who should be about 3 pounds now.

Okay, I'm done. Go back to your daily routine. I have to write a resume now... that's two days late...

The light...

Four more days of teaching! Two more weeks at my Jr. High! I can see the light at the end of the freaking tunnel!

Okay, that's enough with the exclamation points... I sort of hate those things.

I haven't updated in a while, mainly because I've got pregnant brain AND I'm student teaching -- which doesn't make for a good mix. Brian is fine, he's just kicking away and keeping me up at night. The cats still like to sleep on him. Although, I think Opal gets confused and upset when she tries to lie on my belly and he kicks her. It's like she can't imagine why anyone would want to hurt her so.

My husband is awesome and finally finished our basement. What was covered in 60's orange carpet and unfinished walls has turned into one of the most comfortable area's in the house. It got new commercial nylon carpet (come on, with three animals and a baby, we had to go with the hardy stuff), and Alex finished mudding/sanding/building the walls. And then it all got painted -- well, except for our awesome wood paneling. I know that confuses some, but it has a nice warm glow and it really has grown on us over the last four years. So it stays.

I spent my weekend sending more old crap to the D.I. That makes two trips in the last three weeks. Two trips where the CRV was stuffed full of old stuff that hopefully somebody else wants. I find it very creepy to go through old things and realize that all the reasons for keeping it are stupid, and that I really just have to let it go. I had four pairs of my dad's Levi's I didn't want to let go of -- I never wore them, I just wanted to keep them. I finally had to tell myself that he would be so PLEASED to know I got rid of them, he really doesn't like it when I wear his old pants... not like they'd fit now anyway.

Okay, I will try to post a picture of my roundness soon. I keep meaning to, but once again, I will blame student teaching and my pregnant brain.

TWO WEEKS!