What A Year It's Been

First off...Happy New Year to all my family and friends.  What an exciting year it has been.

I came across this on a new favorite website at www.pinterest.com.  The website is a time sucker, but nonetheless an absolutely fun place to get ideas for the classroom, to decorating, to gardening, to fashion, to favorite recipes...it's all there.  Here's the idea I thought was great and I think I am going to use this in my classroom.  Like most things that I do with my students, I generally do the same project to get an idea for what my expectations would be for their age level and to have an example for them.  Plus, it gives them a little bit more of an inside as to what their teacher is really like.  Here it is...(You can also go to the website in the bottom right hand corner of the picture to actually print this out.)

So what a year it's been for me...

A Little About Me

Name:  Robin

Age: 33 (almost 34, yikes)

Favorite Color: Red

Favorite Food:  Mexican or Thai

Favorite Activity:  Knitting, running, being with friends, watching movies

Favorite Book: I really don't have one...

...I like the author Roald Dahl and

I recently enjoyed the book Bossy Pants by Tina Fey.

Highlights From 2011

Greatest Lesson Learned: God never fails and it's all on His timing.

Hardest Thing of the Year: Trusting in God.

Favorite Memory: Seeing our baby's heartbeat.

What I Loved Most About 2011: Realizing just how blessed we are to be loved by so many people.  

Blessed almost seems like a cliche word to use...

...its downright unbelievable how loved and fortunate we are.

Looking Forward to 2012

Want to Learn: I want to learn how not to get caught up in the little things

that don't matter in the big picture of life.

I also want to learn how to sew...

...something I've mentioned the past couple of years...

...maybe this is the year.

Want to Get Better At: I want to get better at being devoted to my husband, 

and I want to lessen my "piles" around the house, in the classroom, etc.

Biggest Goal: To be a relaxed new mommy...

...and learn as I go...

...and learn from mistakes.

Eeeek!  I can't wait to do this with my kiddos.  They are going to love this!  

Happy New Year everyone.

Lots of love,

Robin 

Miracle

Yesterday in church, someone who I truly value the words they share, came up to me and shared that this Christmas for Chad and I will be something extra special.  Extra special because of God's love.  Extra special because of the miracle of having a baby on the way.  He also shared that he knew that God would not let us down and that one day we would become parents.  He just knew.  This man has a Godly heart and I truly appreciate the prayers, words of wisdom and loving, gentle soul that he has shared with Chad and I.  

Yes, this Christmas is going to be extra special because we have a baby on the way.  God's miracle of creation.  We are so blessed.  

Merry Christmas. 

These Are A Few of My Not-So-Favorite Things...

For the most part I have absolutely enjoyed every minute of being pregnant.  I think this is true partly because it has taken a lot of work to get to where we are and I really have enjoyed being pregnant.  Even through the morning sickness, which there are days still, I just smile because its just another sign that all is right in Herm's world.

However, there has been a few small things that I haven't enjoyed as much...

• I miss my clothes or at least a variety of things to wear.  Sounds materialistic, I know.
• I miss eating seafood.  I know I could eat it, but the thought of even being near the smell of it stirs up nausea.
• I miss deli sandwiches.  The one thing my doctor---whom, I love--said I should avoid...everything else she said to take in moderation.
• I miss sleeping on my stomach.
• I miss winter beer...although I've stolen a couple sips here and there, its just not the same.
• I wish my winter coat fit; however, I do like that Herm sticks out to stay "hello" to the world.
• I really don't enjoy the bloody noses, or all the extra snot and phlegm--every morning.
• Although funny, I wish when I sneezed I didn't pee my pants just a little...every time. Which I understand this doesn't go away.  Ever.
• I could do without the leg cramping and I'm sure Chad could do without the bloody screaming in the middle of the night when the cramp takes over my entire lower body...or at least that's what it feels like.
• Heartburn?  I think that is just beginning.
• I don't think I would mind the constant urge to have to pee, but as a teacher this is challenging.

I'm not complaining.  Really.  These are just a few things that have changed in my life in the past 7-10 days of the pregnancy.  

Oh. And the hairy belly?  I actually don't mind it.  I'm kind of fascinated it by it.  I also don't mind Herm's new burrowing action.  Or at least that is what it feels like...as if he is trying to escape.

Pregnancy is such an odd, mysterious, fascinating and miraculous occurrence.  

Frequent Stop-ins

I'd really like to think that I blog more frequently than I do, but the reality of it is...I don't.  I enjoy blogging because it is a great outlet for my emotions and thoughts.  I don't even care if anyone is reading my blog...I just enjoy "journaling"...if you will.  I would like to be more than just a frequent stop-in to my blog, but for now my blog will have to get the attention that it gets.

When I found out I was pregnant (again) I decided to start a separate blog for the baby (http://weebabymoon.blogspot.com/) and I'm glad I did.  It's been a great way for me to connect to the baby because in the beginning I was afraid to get too attached for fear of losing him.  I thought I would share a few things that I have enjoyed about being pregnant...

• hearing the baby's heartbeat
• happily sharing great news with people that love us (the love is overwhelming, by the way)
• feeling the healthiest I have felt in a long time
• my hair is thick...really thick...thicker than usual
• not feeling guilty about eating a fudgesicle oh so frequently (or maybe two in one sitting)
• honestly...enjoying regular bowel movements 
• sharing the excitement with my kids at school...it's so fun to see how excited they get
• talking to Gia (niece) about the baby and seeing that look of excitement-amazement-wonderment in her eyes
• knowing that God is taking care of me and the baby (this has been challenging, but I know He is there)
• nightly talks with Chad about how we are going to parent...and the many things we laugh about because we have absolutely no clue 
• eating homemade bean burritos for breakfast (almost every day)
• napping...and not feeling guilty about it
• slowing my life down...and enjoying every minute of it
• feeling the baby move...I can't explain the miracle-feeling of this...I don't want to take this for granted
• again...the heartbeat...that precious, little sound of life

These are only a few that come to mind right away.  I'm sure there are more.

I need to be better about blogging...Here's a picture of me at 24 weeks.  I may or may not have popped a button on my jacket.  Oops.