35 Weeks 4 Days

35 Weeks/ School Update

Wow, I can’t believe I am 35 weeks pregnant! (I will post new belly pictures soon.) Only five weeks to go (although I have a hunch we are looking at closer to three than five). It is SO exciting to think about meeting our sweet Jackson in such a short time. I find myself daydreaming about holding him for the first time all the time…I can’t wait! We have an ultrasound scheduled for September 1st to check his size to see if we will need to discuss induction or c-section. I can’t wait to see him again and find out how big he is! I am confident that we will be discussing induction and although, as I have previously shared, we have concerns about this I have been encouraged by many to listen to my doctor who has our best interests in mind. I will post an update after our appointment.
School is going really well, thank you for all of your prayers. God is SO good! I have a really sweet class and have an aide in my room full time which allows me to go to the bathroom when I need to (which is about every 27 minutes these days) and gives me the peace of mind that if something happens (like my water breaking) I will have another adult in the room. I am becoming increasingly uncomfortable and most days making it through the school day is a feat that I am very proud of. At the end of the day I can barely muster up the energy to grab my purse, waddle at turtle speed to my car, drive home and make it to the couch without falling asleep before I get there. (I only thought I was exhausted in my first trimester!) Even with the Braxton Hicks contractions (yes, they’ve begun…I had ten last night…ouch!), heartburn, hip pain, leg cramps, back pain, and let’s not forget feeling like what can best be described as “a barn with legs” I love being pregnant and know I will miss feeling Jackson kick and hiccup.
Please continue to keep me and Jackson in your prayers because we are concerned about the H1N1 virus (swine flu) and there have already been two unconfirmed cases at my school. They aren’t confirmed because most doctors don’t take the time to test for it if you have the symptoms and just treat it instead. Apparently the virus is especially dangerous to pregnant women and my doctor has said that if we have an outbreak at my school I will have to go out on maternity leave early. I really hope to work as long as I can and pray to stay well!

32 weeks

My 27th birthday. (The "2" candle fell off the cake right as we took the picture...just to clarify...I am not seven.) Look at the beautiful cake Daniel ordered me! I had a great birthday and am so thankful to have such wonderful family and friends.
My obsession...coke icees. There is a picture just like this of my mom when she was pregnant with me, so I am sure Jackson will love coke icees too. :)

32 weeks pregnant...8 weeks to go...

I cannot believe that I am 32 weeks pregnant! It is so exciting to think that Jackson will be here in eight weeks (or less)! For the record: I do realize that "or more" is an option, but for my own sanity and comfort I choose to ignore that possibility.

I go back to school this Wednesday and students return on Monday, August 10th. Please pray for me and my students on the first day of school. My prayer is that God brings me the students that need me and that I am able to impact their lives in a positive way. Our system's current financial situation will present many challenges this year including reduced funding and increased class size. Although my pregnancy has been wonderful, as I near the home stretch I am becoming increasingly uncomfortable with aches, pains and heartburn. I pray that I am able to work until Jackson arrives (or until Friday, September 26th which will be my last day before I begin my maternity leave...which ever comes first). The beginning of the school year is always very busy, very exciting and VERY exhausting and I've never done it while eight months pregnant with as many as thirty first graders.

Sweet Jesus,

Thank you for allowing me to do a job that I love. Fill me with love, patience, and kindness as I begin this new school year. Give me energy and a positive attitude that will be contagious to my students. I know that there will me children in my class who come from very difficult situations, I pray that when they enter my classroom each day they know that they are safe and that they are loved. Help me to see these children through your eyes and not be overwhelmed by the numbers or work load...remind me of what's important. Be with me and fill me with your spirit, I will praise you for it. I am overwhelmed by your love and mercy.