It's Summer Time

37 weeks pregnant and finished with the school year - I am so relieved! Today I didn't hear one person ask to touch my belly (or belly button because #protrudingbellybutton and middle schoolers are the worst) or ask me if I'm feeling okay, or if I was stressed, or if the baby was moving, on and on and on. It's just been me, myself, and I. Oh, and baby Eleanor. I'll babysit her here and there as the summer goes on and today was her first day with me. I've managed to get the house completely clean and have finally painted the built-in bookshelf in our room. The weather is fabulous - sunshine all week!

For the last week of school I had my kids do a research project on careers in science - how much school it takes, how much money you make, etc. It kept them somewhat engaged for the last week - a miracle considering all the other teachers were showing various movies and apparently I was "the only teacher making us do work!" as the kids would say. Oh well kids - I'm a teacher, not a babysitter! 

Friday the kids only came for two hours. It was cold and windy, but we managed to have fun in the courtyard with different activities and a DJ from a local radio station. I had kids help me get the room all ready for summer, so all I had to do was turn in my keys and I walked away singing Hallelujah! This meme my friend posted on facebook completely sums up that day:

I was one of the first teachers to leave and I didn't feel an ounce of regret or remorse. Peace out Cascade MS - from the lockdowns, all the fights, the shattered glass, the graffiti, and various other forms of crazy...it's been real.

 That one time these crazy boys stole my phone and took a selfie... 

First day of school to last day of school. That girl on the left had no idea how crazy the next nine months would be, or how much she could learn to love the sweet girl with me on the right. At the beginning of the year, I prayed she would get expelled because I knew I would not survive the school year with her. But around November things started to change and I'd say we've both had a significant impact on each other's lives. This is what teaching is all about for me, and it made the rest of Cascade's crazy worth it.

 One of my T.A.s and I: I don't know how to make a silly face

...or look as cool as her ;)

I was in charge of giant Jenga - these two boys played the most epic match of the day, complete with the best whip nae nae I've ever seen.

I met Justin in Tacoma that afternoon and we did our Costco shopping. That night we celebrated with burgers, shakes, fries and mini golf.

Saturday a few of the Roses went to the Sounders game in Seattle. It was so hot in the bleachers - I doused myself in water to try to keep cool, and at half-time resorted to a $5.25 cup of ice to use to stuff down my shirt to keep away the heat stroke. It worked like magic. We didn't stay the whole game so we could stop in Kent on the way home for BBQ Pete's - it was soooo good.

 We took the train on the way up

Thank goodness for this hat! Operation preventing wrinkles

Here are some pictures from the baby shower Laura threw me in the beginning of the month:

Judy made this baby blanket - so cute!

Final Countdown

It's the final countdown! For school and this pregnancy... I have one more week of school and less than a month to go for this baby.

 34 weeks

36 weeks

Not any huge changes from the last nursery pictures, except that before this picture the floor was covered with baby shower gift. Now all those storage bins are organized and full of baby boy clothes, we now have a few books for the newly painted bookshelf, and the dresser is packed with wipes, diapers, and 0-3 month clothes, swaddles, and bibs.

I've felt in the last week especially some major growth for baby. I've been able to put on shoes just fine, but this week? Bending over is a huge chore. He's always been really low, but as he continues to grow I feel him more and more up high. Good thing I'm all torso! So far I've been able to avoid heartburn and swollen ankles. Praises! I've had a rough two weeks of teaching. Two weeks ago I blacked out during 6th period from the heat/stress (I emailed all the parents after that pleading for their help to get their children under control ... otherwise they were gonna put me in early labor I swear). I took two sick days that week and a sick day this week. Now I just have to survive five days.

When you are the favorite, kids buy you strawberry lemonade just because #awwheckyeah

In the last few weeks I've had some baby showers. Laura my sister in-law put together one for my work friends and family. Heather my friend put together one for all my Mormon friends. And at work after school my teacher friends did a joint baby shower for me and a Papa-to-be whose wife is due the same time as me. People have been SO generous and we feel ready to welcome this baby into the world.

We went camping Friday/Saturday to Ocean Shores. Justin and I planned the trip and invited everyone. To our surprise, everyone agreed to come! We made dutch oven potatoes for everyone Friday night and ate the leftovers for breakfast with bacon and bacon grease-fried eggs. Yumm. How fitting to cook Dad's food during Father's Day weekend. During our stay we visited the beach, played card games, and enjoyed the fire and conversation. Justin and I bought an eight-man tent on sale for the event .,.. because we'll fill it with kids one day, right?

ohhhh baby!!

We brought Jackson and Justin put together this leash contraption between two trees so he could walk around and be with us rather than in his kennel the whole time. He did great and loved the ocean!

Smiling mid-yawn...thanks to the birds, whining puppy, and toddlers waking us all up at 5:00. Thank goodness for a warm fire!

Last weekend the Mariners had "Mormon Night" so we went with our friends the Fillmores. Heather had two free tickets and was giving them away, so we took advantage. We had fun taking the light-rail up to Seattle from Tukwila. We are eating up our time together before this baby flips our world upside-down. In a good way, right? ;) I am excited to be a mama soon!