We made it...

Through the first week of school, that is! My little ones are doing pretty well. I have some very young ones, so that is a challenge at times, but overall they are a really good group. They will be even better once we get fully into the routine. I am quite tired when I get home in the afternoons though! The little guys can wear you out! Dustin is a huge help and does a lot to help out with dinner and other house "stuff" even when he gets home late from practice himself.
He is also enjoying himself this year. He is working at the middle school for a bell first thing in the morning with the 7th graders. The high schoolers are also doing well. Marching band is tiring, but good. The first game was this past Friday night and they performed very well. They don't have the whole show on the field yet, but it will be ready soon.

33 Weeks

Hard to believe that we're at the end of 33 weeks already! Today we went out to a garden and took a little walk.
The week went pretty well considering it was the first week of school with kids. I am quite tired though and my feet are a little swollen, so I am sitting with my feet up at the moment!
Rachel is still sitting right side up, which is getting me a little frustrated. I go to the doctor on Tuesday afternoon, so we'll see what she says. I'll keep you updated!
Another slightly frustrating thing now is that my shirts are getting smaller and smaller- ok, so it's me getting bigger and bigger- and it's harder to find shirts that are appropriate to wear to work. Luckily my AC is fixed in my classroom and it's supposed to be cooler this week so I will be able to pull out some of my more "fall-ish" clothes.

32 Weeks!

I never really realize how big I'm getting until I see these pictures! Of course it's becoming more of a reality when I try to pass people and hit them with my belly... oops! Luckily it's usually just with Dustin or some people at work when I try to pass them in the office or copy room.

Speaking of which, this week was teacher "work" week. I did get a lot of work done, but most of my week was spent in meetings. I know they're necessary, I just usually spend most of that time thinking of my room that still needs to be put together, files that have to be gone through...

I was pretty tired each day when I got home. Dustin is a huge blessing, one day I was so tired and he asked if I was hungry yet (usually that means that he is and we start dinner) I told him not quite yet then I put my feet up. Next thing I knew, I was woken up by the dog throwing toys at me and dinner was on the table! He had grilled the steak, made the veggies and rolls! (I think I got a keeper!)

Rachel is still quite comfortable with her head nestled in my ribs. I try giving her pep talks (she kicks Dustin in the face when he tries), playing music (that just puts her to sleep), sitting nearly upside-down (also tends to make her stop moving and makes all the blood rush to my head), and she just seems to like where she is. We still have a few weeks before the doctor intervenes, so hopefully she'll listen to mommy and daddy and flip on her own.

31 Weeks

Did it again... missed a week! The last 2 weeks we have been in all sorts of different places and not really at the same time. I was in Chesapeake for a while, the day I was back in Roanoke, Dustin left for band camp at Sweet Briar College. We were home for 1 day together to do laundry, then it was on the road again to South Carolina for the long weekend. We didn't fit in week 30- oops.

So here's 31. Wow, she's getting out there! I've been feeling really good. Rachel's still moving quite a bit, but when I try to get her to flip, she stops! I go back to the doctor tomorrow so we'll see if she has any other ideas to get her to turn on her own.

Milestone

So today was the first day back at school for teachers. I'm not real sure where the summer went! This has been the milestone that I have been waiting for my entire pregnancy. Everything for Rachel's room needed to be pretty much done since I know I'm not going to want to do too much when I get home from school. (And thanks to all the wonderful showers- we are almost there!) My thought process has been to get through last school year, then do all I can through the summer. Once school starts, just get through the first 6 weeks then I have 6 weeks "off."
Now school is starting and I'm a little anxious! Wow... it's really almost time! I'm excited of course for Rachel to be here, but oh my- this little life is going to depend on me. I've caught myself in her room just staring. Not at anything in particular, not thinking about anything in particular, just getting lost. I'm a little overwhelmed at times!

South Carolina Shower

Dustin and I headed down to South Carolina on Thursday to spend a long weekend with his parents. Mema Puckett threw a baby shower for us. It was wonderful and such a blessing! I am excited that we received Rachel's bedding set, some home-made receiving blankets, diapers as well as a lot of other necessities!

The yummy cake that Mom McCollum made... little booties on every square!

I love the diaper cake and finger foods!

Mema made this quilt for Rachel... "Now I lay me down to sleep" is cross-stitched on one side.

All of the amazing gifts!

Baby Shower

Having a little trouble loading pictures today... not sure what the problem is, but this will work for now!

This past week while Dustin was at band camp, I went over to Chesapeake to visit. Mom and Dad's Sunday school class threw us a baby shower on Thursday night. They are such a blessing! A lot of the ladies "went in together" and purchased some of the bigger items that we were still needing. Nana and Grandpa DeLaughter were visiting so Nana was able to go to the shower. Unfortunately I don't have many pictures on my camera, but hopefully I'll be able to get some soon.

From McCollum Family

Love the swing/bouncy seat!

From McCollum Family

The high chair leans back so we can have Rachel in it as an infant.

From McCollum Family

The cake was wonderful!

From McCollum Family

Thanks for the diapers and changing pad Nana and Grandpa. (That was an item that really helps the nursery seem ready!)

29 Weeks

Sorry this got up so late! (The picture was taken last Sunday) I have had a busy week visiting Chesapeake while Dustin has been busy with the beginning of band camp. Where did the summer go?

I have been feeling pretty good. I had a doctor's appointment on Monday and Rachel's heartbeat is still really good and she seems to be right on track with her growth. I am still having pain in my rib area on the right side so the doctor felt around and Rachel's head is right about there. She should be flipping around now. If she does not flip by week 34, then the doctor will try and move her around. If that does not work, then she already brought up scheduling C-section. We would really rather not go that route, so please pray that Rachel decides to flip on her own!