Happy Halloween!

'Tis the time of year when children dress in costumes and go door-to-door, seeking candy from their neighbors.  Pumpkins are carved into jack-o-lanterns.  Adults sometimes enjoy a fun costume party.  And Betsey watches a scary movie.

I am not normally a big fan of the horror movie.  Why, you ask?  Because I am a big baby, that's why.  My mind cannot stop thinking about the horror and replaying it again and again, leading to a minimum of one sleepless night.  But around Halloween each year, I decide to get into the spirit and watch a scary movie with J.  He actually likes them (if they're good), though he is rarely actually afraid.

Last night, we were both afraid.  Even J claims he had just watched the scariest movie he'd ever seen.

Yes, the quote atop this movie poster is indeed correct.  Paranormal Activity is most definitely one of the scariest movies of all time.  And those guaranteed nightmares?  Yep, I had 'em.

After watching, J and I went to bed.  My brother was here with us...he chose to stay up to watch another movie before bed- definitely a comedy.  I chose to turn the tv on in our bedroom and watch a few old episodes of "Sex and the City"- with the lights still on, of course- until I felt mentally prepared to attempt sleep.

After two episodes, I decided we could turn the lights off, and that I would try to drift off while watching the third episode.

J fell right asleep.  Apparently the whole "demon watching you while you sleep" aspect of the movie hadn't gotten to him like it had gotten to me.  I did finally fall asleep- for about 40 minutes.  This is when I awoke from my first nightmare.  I stayed awake for awhile, trying to think of puppies frolicking in flowery meadows and other such pleasantries, then finally fell back asleep.  Only to awake about an hour later, after my second nightmare.

And so the cycle continued until about 2:30, by which time I was in a complete state of terror.  At this point, I really had to use the bathroom.  Truthfully, I had had to go since about midnight (curse you, pregnant bladder), but was too scared to get out of bed...even though I had left the light on in the bathroom.  Then it dawned on me that J usually wakes up when I get out of bed in the middle of the night.  I wanted him to be awake so badly!  So I started the arduous process of rolling myself out of bed.

Jackpot!  J woke up and asked how I was sleeping.  I told him that I really wasn't, due to all of the horror in the nightmares that wouldn't leave me.  I made him stay awake at least until I returned from the bathroom safely.  Then I realized that even with him awake and holding my hand, I wouldn't be able to fall asleep without taking more drastic measures.

So with J's permission, the tv came back on.  And I turned on "The Little Mermaid."  Because I am a firm believer that nothing bad can happen while "The Little Mermaid" is on.  Right?

Ariel got me from 2:30-4:00.  When that movie ended, I knew that dark and quiet still wasn't an option.  So I turned on "Lady and the Tramp."  (I didn't want to wake J up again flipping through our endless movie database, so I just stuck with the L section and found the first non-threatening-in-any-way movie I saw.)  About halfway through that, I finally gave into the sleep.  And no more nightmares.

Ah, morning light.  How I love you today.

SO- to make a short story long, "Paranormal Activity" is the scariest movie ever. Period.  "Paranormal Activity 2" may give it a run for its money, but I promise you that I will never find out firsthand.  And PLEASE, someone remind me next Halloween that I DO NOT need to watch a scary movie to "get into the spirit."

Pumpkin carving is most likely a much safer bet.

Happy Halloween!

Inappropriate Things Kids Say, Vol. 2

The book my first graders are reading this week is called "Shapes Everywhere."  I'm sure you can guess that it's about finding shapes all around us.

This started a lively discussion amongst my students today.  As they looked around the classroom, they pointed out various shapes that they could see.  They pointed to their chairs, the ceiling panels, the windows, and the table we were sitting at.

Little boy A then stated that everything is a shape!  Except not our bodies.

Note to self: when you hear the word 'bodies,' just stop the conversation there.  Do not pass go, do not collect $200.  Just move on.  Nothing good can come of continuing this conversation.

I unfortunately made this note to myself a little too late.

I responded to little boy A, telling him that we can indeed find shapes on our bodies.

"Oh, yeah!" A exclaims.  "You have like round thingies," he says, as he makes a circular motion with his hands in front of his chest.

Little girl B chimes in at this point: "Yeah!  Round boobies!"

Oy.

Some Thoughts on Respect

I know it is rare that I post on something serious, but I feel like this is important enough to put out there in as many ways as possible.

I am feeling a little disheartened by the lack of respect that I see in the world lately.

For example, in my work.  Remember when we were children?  Would we have dared to talk back to a teacher at school?  Or openly defy our parents?  Kids today are not the same.  They are more brazen, and less concerned with consequences.  Also more confident that their parents will bail them out of whatever situation they may find themselves in, and less fearful that their parents will be angry with the choices they've made.  It's often not enough for children anymore to know that they may disappoint their parents- which for J and me, was far worse than a spanking or being grounded.

When I first moved south, I was shocked and dismayed that people were referring to me as "ma'am."  I felt that this should be reserved for little old ladies, and I was clearly a youngin'.  But I quickly learned to love this sign of respect.  I prefer for my students to address me this way, and I have incorporated "sir' and "ma'am" into my own vocabulary.

But aside from America's youth, who we may cut some slack because of their age (or perhaps bad parenting), I have found myself utterly disappointed with some of America's adults.

Specifically, members of the news media.

I cannot tell you how many times recently I have heard our President referred to as "Mr. Obama."

I PROMISE you, I absolutely do not care what your politics are.  This has nothing to do with Republicans vs. Democrats.

This has to do with RESPECT.

Whether or not you think our President is doing a good job, whether or not you voted for him, whether or not you hope to see him win another term or become a one-term wonder, I do not care.  The fact of the matter is that he is your President, the leader of your country, your Commander-in-Chief.

The fact of the matter is, he has been elected to run our nation.  That should certainly earn him enough respect to be properly referred to as either "Mr. President" or at the very least, "President Obama."

Nothing else is acceptable.  Period.

For shame, news media.  Your job is to present the news, not to present your judgment.  And frankly, your lack of respect merely makes you look ignorant in the eyes of many.

Thoughts on respect?

From the Peanut Gallery- Week 22: The Spaghetti Squash

This looks pretty big, no?

I know it's late, but hey- it's still Monday!


Q: How are the pregnancy emotions?
A: On high alert these days!  I've been uber-sensitive this week.  Let's see, I've cried at a Disney World commercial (and then again when I tried to tell J about said commercial), I cried when I couldn't find boots that would zip over my skinny jeans, I even cried when J suggested that Guns 'N Roses were a band on equal footing with Aerosmith.  Yeah, ridiculous.  And I just can't help it.

I also started to panic over all that needs to be done before baby's arrival.  Before you tell me, yes, I realize that I still have four months until D-Day.  But the pregnancy emotions apparently make me even more irrational than I am on a regular basis.  I just can't wrap my head around the fact that we have yet to purchase a single relevant baby item.  And that I will only receive four more paychecks before he's here.  And that there's just SO MUCH to be done!

I thought that the nesting instinct wasn't supposed to kick in until the third trimester, but it's here...in full force.  In the past week, I've cleaned mini-blinds (and I mean cleaned- as in each and every slat with the Magic Eraser), shampooed carpet, wiped down doors, walls, and baseboards, cleaned out and organized my closet, and mopped my hardwoods- twice.  I'm dying to start setting up the nursery- but I feel like my house should be at a state of perfection before I do that.

My poor, poor husband.  What a wonderful man to put up with my pregnancy craziness. 


Q: Are you experiencing any cravings yet?
A: Yep.  Not one thing over and over again- although, I do seem to have more of a sweet tooth than I usually do- but more like the urge for something specific hits me, and I simply must have it.  J got sent on his first random evening grocery store run.  I needed some Soft Batch chocolate chip cookies.  Stat.  And they were delicious.

Today, I just wanted some Fruity Pebbles for lunch.  Other than sweets, cereal has been my other major craving.  I decided to run myself to the store on the way home from work.  Well lemme tell ya- there should be some sort of law against hungry pregnant women entering the grocery store.  Or they should at least post a warning label somewhere or something.  I got my Fruity Pebbles...along with a bunch of other random stuff.  Oops.


Q: Are you having any aches and pains?
A: The back, oh, the back.  It's not feeling too great.  Standing for long periods of time- ouch.  All of this crazy housework I've been doing- ouch.  But the heating pad has become a good friend of mine, and I usually feel better after a good night's sleep (which I am occasionally able to get- I sometimes have a hard time staying off of my tummy, as that is my preferred sleeping position...however, I'm sure you can tell by this week's picture that this is no longer even remotely comfortable).

I'm also feeling all pully stretchy in the abdominal area.  Apparently the shifting (not added!) weight to my belly is just straining my ligaments in a major way.  Not surprising, I guess, seeing as how those ligaments are suddenly holding a baby!

Sitting down has never felt better than it does these days. 

Q: And the movement?
A: Wonderful.  I'm getting beat up from the inside.  And I'm still lovin' it!  He's an active little guy!   I can also now sometimes tell where he's laying.  When I feel my tummy, I can feel a certain hardness, and I know that baby is right there under the surface.  Then he'll move, and things will feel a little softer.  It's weird, but kinda cool.

AND, I've figured out how to let J in on all of this movement.  I thought that while it was sweet how he'd gently place his hand on my tummy, it clearly wasn't getting him anywhere.  So I realized we needed to invade little man's space a little bit.  So when J placed his hand on my belly, I pushed it down a little harder.  A little closer to the action, if you will!  Well, this pissed little man off good.  He kicked that hand several times, trying to get it to back off, I imagine!  BUT, mission accomplished!  THOSE kicks J felt!  

Mean mommy?  Maybe.  Happy daddy?  Definitely.


Q: What's happening with the peanut this week?
A: He's developing tooth buds, so that when he's an adorable little first grader, he can wish for his two front teeth for Christmas.  I just LOVE that toothless grin that kids get when their two front baby teeth have fallen out and been collected by the tooth fairy.

He's also moved up in size- he should now officially weigh an entire pound!!

And now for the pictures!

Extreme belly close-up!

Also just wanted a chance to show off my nails...can you believe how long they are??  Thanks, pregnancy!

Inappropriate Things Kids Say

I'll just call this Volume 1, as this stuff is a recurring theme in my life.  We'll call this a new blog feature!

Student A, after trying to decipher a word in her book, looking at a picture similar to this:

 "Is he playing the retard?"  Apparently, she thought this child was playing a guitar.  And apparently, she believes that the words 'retard' (said with the inflection of Alan as he describes Rainman in "The Hangover") and 'guitar' are one and the same.

Later in the day...as I walk down the hall with my multicultural group of students: Student B walks next to me, and the other two students in the group are walking behind us.  Student B calls out "Look!  Two whites (as he points to us) and two blacks (as he points to the other children)!"  I guess I should be thankful he didn't yell something even less politically correct.  Like 'coloreds'.

Pregnancy Pointers

Some good rules to keep in mind during pregnancy.

 What, no mechanical bull?  Just forget the shower altogether, then.  I no longer want one.

 Can anyone picture J wearing my old maternity pants?  hee hee...

 What I wouldn't give for a beer.  Beer, my good friend, I miss you.

 Aside from the hair, can you imagine a pregnant woman with 'ROID RAGE?  Scary stuff.

I especially like this break dancing picture.  I totally want to try and bust a move like this preggo. 

How has it taken me so long?

To catch on to Etsy?

If you haven't visited this crafty site, you really should check it out.  I've heard lots about it, and my ginger friend Amanda is a frequent shopper there.  But until I recently, I hadn't given it the time of day.

Well, friends...I was wrong.  I've been missing out on all kinds of crafty goodness.

Check out these nursery finds:

Nautical banner from TaffieWishes' shop

Wall art from KZukowski's shop

Name blocks from auntjjsattic's shop- and no, we are not naming the baby William, so don't get excited.

And look at these fantastic choices in baby fashion!

"Cool Baby" from Stitch3D's shop

"Sporty Baby" from klzart's shop

"Funny Baby" from BullyDesignCo's shop

Really, I think I just might be in trouble with this new knowledge of Etsy.  I mean, who wouldn't want all this great stuff?  And it's handmade, not mass produced!  How wonderful is that?

Seriously, I'm in trouble.  But I just might have the cutest baby in the cutest nursery on the block.

From the Peanut Gallery- Week 21: The Carrot

Yes, baby is as long as a carrot this week.  He's a'growin'!

Tardy again- my apologies.  I had one of those killer pregnancy-hormone-induced headaches yesterday (and into today) that just wouldn't quit!  These are MUCH harder to deal with when you're not allowed to take anything to alleviate the pain!  Oh, yeah, except for Tylenol.  Well this is what I have to say about that: Tylenol-Schmylenol.  Not really a big help.

But oh, well!  On with the update!

Only there's not a whole lot to update this week!  AND I have failed to provide you with an updated belly pic (being that I was laid out all day, and most definitely not looking up to par for picture taking!).

But here are the quick stats, for posterity's sake:

• Baby- still kicking.  A LOT.
• J- still not really feeling him too much.  Frustration is mounting.
• Belly- still growing.
• Weight gain- Negative 5-6 pounds (still fluctuating).
• Waddling- I fear it's starting, but only if I'm really tired.  I try to walk 2 miles on the days I don't have yoga.  By about mile 1 1/2, the waddling creeps in.  I'm trying really hard to resist.
• Back pain- yep, I've gots it.  We even switched out my fluffy pillow-top mattress for one that's a little firmer.  Sad day for my psyche.  Happy day for my back.
• Pregnancy "glow"- thankfully, my skin has cleared up since the first trimester, during which my face looked strikingly similar to a pepperoni pizza.  But that "glow"?  I think it's sweat.  The mid 80's can move on outta here any day.  It's OCTOBER.
• Baby name- no progress to report.

I think that about covers it!  I promise to be back on my A game with a better update next week!  Hugs to all!

We're Going to the FAIR!

Yes, I know there is very little for a pregnant lady to do there.  I can't ride any of the rides, and there is a more than decent chance that the smells of the animals will make me want to hurl.

But what CAN I do?  EAT.  And I'm pretty excited about it.

For those readers who are not local, the State Fair is a BIG deal here in North Carolina.  In fact, when I started teaching in this great state, the powers that be in the school district always scheduled a teacher work day on the opening day of the fair, since so many kids would miss school that day to attend the festivities. 

There is no longer a teacher work day (silly laws), but lots of kids will be at the fair, nonetheless.  I tell my students that it's okay for them to miss my class to attend the fair, as long as they bring me back a caramel apple with no nuts.  (It works, too.  I got 4 or 5 last year.)  But this year, I'll be getting my own appley treat!

Shockingly, although this is the 8th fair to come around since my big move south, it will be my first time attending!

On the agenda:

• Funnel cake
• Corn on the cob
• Cotton candy
• French fries
• Deep fried something-or-other
• Funnel cake (I know this one is already on the list, but I feel that it bears repeating.)
• And of course, a caramel apple

I think I will skip the burger sandwiched between two Krispy Kreme doughnuts, even though I heard this concoction is magically delicious.

Big concerts this year, too!  Remember Danny Gokey from American Idol?  He'll be there!!  (Note the sarcasm here...even though I did love me some Danny while he was a contestant on AI.)

SO, basically, eating and people watching at the fair is my big upcoming excitement.  And I'm sure that the people watching will be fantastic.  People come down out of the hills for this major annual event...I live in the south, remember?

Ooh, and J says there are pig races!  Racing pigs!!

And before your lectures, I fully expect to be swollen and full of regret on Monday.  But what other time in life is it okay for someone to go to the fair and indulge this way?

Hey, I'm eating for two.

Parenting Words of Wisdom

"A parent is only as good as their dumbest kid.  If one wins a Nobel Prize but the other gets robbed by a hooker, you failed."

-Sh*t My Dad Says

Please enlighten me.

As we were driving home from Maryland this past weekend, I noticed a few "special" cars.

The first caught my eye due to its personalized license plate.  The plate read CIVIC.  I then looked at the car, which was indeed a Honda Civic.  With one of those stupid extra-loud mufflers.  And a HUGE spoiler.  Now you might think that the rest of the car was fancified.  But alas, no.  I counted five different colors on the car, and not due to a custom paint job.  More like parts and pieces had been replaced over the years with junkyard remnants.  Oh, yeah, and one of the five colors was straight rust.

This is not the actual car I saw, as I could not get my phone out fast enough, but you get the idea.  Not a hot car.

So this had me wondering...is the intent of this license plate to brag about owning a Civic?  Because, it's a Civic.  Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE a Civic.  I drove one for almost ten years, and it served me well.  And it is currently still serving my little sister well.  But is it something I want to brag about to all my friends?  Not so much.  Especially when this particular Civic was in R.O.U.G.H shape.

Maybe he thought that by dressing it up with a ginormous spoiler and an obnoxious fancy muffler he was enhancing its awesomeness?  Turns out, I was unimpressed.  Actually, I laughed at him and his sad little car.

Later on down the road, I saw another gem.  It had, in huge, fancy, street-racer style font, a decal reading "XS POWER" plastered across a tinted rear windshield.  J noticed this one first, and commented on how that car is not only powerful, but it possesses XS power.  Wow.  Impressive, no?  That is, until you realize that this car cannot possibly possess XS power, as it is a Hyundai.  Extra powerful Hyundai?  No such thing.  

Why do some insist on extolling the amazing virtues of their POS vehicles?  Anyone care to let me in on the secret?  Because I just don't get it.

Ah, well.  If nothing else, these cars were good for a couple of laughs.

From the Peanut Gallery- Week 20: The Banana

Baby is as long as a banana- 10 inches!  (I tried really hard to come up with a good 10-inch "That's what she said!" joke here, but I failed.  Blame it on the pregnancy brain.)

Folks, we've reached a milestone this week.  Yes, we've reached the HALFWAY point!  I am halfway to the day when I get to meet my beautiful little man.  Huzzah!

Q: How have you been feeling?
A: Pretty great.  Physically, I'm still in that second trimester happy place.  I am starting to deal with some soreness in my lower back, and am starting to feel some awkwardness of movement with my changing body, but I suppose those things just come with the territory (and really aren't that bad- yet)!  Emotionally, I am feeling more and more attached to and in love with baby with each little (or sometimes BIG) kick, and more and more ready to meet him.

Q: Can J feel the baby's movements on a regular basis now?
A: Unfortunately, no.  He's gotten lucky two or three times, but I guess the peanut still isn't quite big enough for all of his kicks to be felt from the outside yet.  It also doesn't help that he seems to stop moving every time J puts his hand on my belly.  Jerk.  J says he already loves his mommy more than his daddy.  (Doesn't that just break your heart??)

Q: Have you started to get any of that dreaded pregnancy-related swelling?
A: Luckily, NO.  My wedding rings still fit beautifully, and I even attended a wedding this weekend in my big girl shoes (and even danced a little!) without my feet ballooning.  I'm feeling pretty lucky.  However, I am waiting in fear for this to pop up anytime now, and am constantly checking to make sure I can still remove my rings if need be.  I have nightmares about having to have them cut off!  Plus, I will experience real sadness if the day comes that I can no longer wear them, and want to be prepared with a larger cheapie backup if required.  (I love my rings, yes, and want to be able to wear them as a symbol of my love for my husband and his love for me...but also, I really don't want to go through any of this pregnancy with people wondering if my little one is a bastard.)

Q: Now that you're really showing, how is the weight gain going?
A: It's not, really.  At my lowest, I was -8 lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight.  As of this morning, I will call it -6 (I have a pound that is still fluctuating, coming some days and going others).  I am F.I.N.E. with this.  I know that the baby-sometimes lovingly referred to as the parasite- is taking all that he needs from my body.  Babies have the amazing ability to do that!  And, I fully expect the weight to catch up with me at some point in the next 20 weeks.  Truth be told, I'm pretty excited to have this "buffer," if you will, and hopeful that this start means that I will not have a 50-lb weight gain.

Q: How has your growing belly impacted your wardrobe?
A: I am completely out of my old clothing and fully into the maternity section now.  My WONDERFUL mama took me shopping this weekend to help me round out my new wardrobe.  The two pair of jeans and 5 t-shirts just weren't cutting it for the everyday anymore!  I was feeling a little sloppy at work, and really wanted a little bit more choice when I entered the closet each morning.  I believe I am now fully stocked, and am having even more fun showing off the bump in my new duds.  PLUS, now I can concentrate my monthly baby budget on buying for the wee one, instead of buying clothes for myself.  (Yes, you all read that correctly.  I am most certainly turning into a mama when I want to spend my money on something other than new clothes for myself!)

Q: What have you bought for the baby so far?
A: Today I passed on my order for his nursery bedding.  (BIG shout out to my girl Heather and her mom for helping us place our PBKids order!)  I CAN'T WAIT to start working on his room.  I have LOTS of ideas, and grandma is excited to come help me paint in a couple of months!  I'll keep you all updated with pics as we make progress.  But for now, enjoy a sneak peak at his precious nautical nursery items!

 Q: What's new with the peanut this week?
A: Grossness, really.  He's started swallowing a lot more (yep, his own urine), and so his insides are working on producing meconium.  Meconium is otherwise known as the horror that is found in baby's first diaper.  Can't wait for that magic to happen!   

And finally, here's the Week 20 Belly Shot! 

In my new duds- thanks, Mom!

Kids Say the Darndest Things

There are a lot of advantages to teaching in the setting that I teach in.  Small groups.  4-6 kids at a time means a lot of individualized attention can be given, and a lot of learning can take place.

However, with only 4-6 kids at a time, it's a little easier to get off track.  We're just a little family, and it's easy to chat with your family, right?  (Okay, well, it's easy for some families to chat.)

Today, we got a little off track, and things quickly went south.

What exactly does one say to a 6 year old when they ask how babies are born?

Well, I took the easy way out, and told them that I'll go to the hospital and the doctors will help me get the baby out.  This usually works with the little ones.  Their curiosities are satisfied.  Moving on.

WELL, not with this group.  This is what I get for teaching kids to think deeper, ask questions, and always look for more details.

"HOW do the doctors get the baby out?"  Before I even had a chance to think of a good answer for that one, the other kids started chiming in.

"The doctor cuts the mommy open and takes the baby out!" A says.
"The babies are bloody when they come out," M says.
And...my personal favorite..."NO, guys, that mommy pushes the baby out her bottom!" says B.  As she uses her hand to gesture/mime/demonstrate a baby coming out of her butt.

Then, five pairs of eyes look to me for confirmation.

I responded as thoughtfully and honestly as I knew how.

"SO, who can tell me what sound 'ch' makes?"

Moving on.

Beauty is Pain

I know, I know...here I go again with the shoes.  What can I say?  I'm a fan.

These may be my favorite pair of shoes.  My tall brown boots.

You can see by the scuffs and scrapes- you know, the "distressed" look- that they are well-loved.  I bought them from JCrew right out of college, and I've had them- and worn them- all these years.

But I don't think anyone can truly understand my love for these boots unless they understand the trials and tribulations associated with them.

First of all, I spent an exorbitant amount of money on them, and most likely had to pay them off over several months.  I had a small moment of mourning today when I realized that it will be MANY years before my husband will allow me to spend hundreds of dollars on one pair of boots again.  (Plus, with the whole reproducing thing, those hundreds of dollars will probably have to go to the kids.)

However, I can rationalize this amount of money by dividing the dollars spent by the number of days these boots have been in use.  Really, I've only paid about 10 cents a day over the lifetime of the boots.  And if you want to be really technical and only count the seasons that the boots are in use (since they are obviously not spring/summer footwear), 20 cents a day.  Not too shabby.

But I'm getting a little off track here- you get it, the boots were expensive.  So I'm committed to the boots because I spent a lot of money on them.  And I LOVE THEM.

How committed you might be asking yourself?  How much do I really love the boots?

Well, you know how you have that pair of jeans that you have to lay down flat on your back to zip?  These boots are those jeans for me.  The boots may have gotten a little tight in the calves after all these years.

Picture this- I have a special piece of twine- my brown boot zippin' twine-that I keep on my dresser.  I must thread said twine through the zipper on the boots, and pull HARD on said twine in order to get the zipper up.  No, friends, holding onto the zipper itself does not give me enough leverage to stuff my calves into my favorite boots.  The special twine is NECESSARY.

And now I will go through the rest of the day with the circulation in my left leg seriously compromised.  (For some reason, the right boot is more comfortable.)

Yes, friends, I LOVE THESE BOOTS.

That's all.

From the Peanut Gallery- Week 19: The Heirloom Tomato

Not to be confused with a Beefsteak, Roma, or Cherry tomato.  No, no...this week, baby is the size of an Heirloom tomato.  Just to be clear.

Sorry for my tardiness this week!  No good excuse- just didn't get to it yesterday!

Q: How are things with baby movement?
A: In a word?  Ah-mazing.  I can feel little man each and every day, several times a day.  He seems to be most active in the mornings, and also when I settle into bed in the evenings (of course- training me to not go to sleep when I feel ready to...getting me ready for the not too distant day when he's the boss of sleep!).  Every once in a while I'll get a kick that's SO hard that it literally takes my breath away momentarily.  It's a feeling that I just can't describe, although, at the same time, it's just what I imagined it would be.  I'm continuously getting "bumped" from the inside.  And I love it.

Q: Can J feel him yet?
A: J has felt him a couple of times, although it seems that anytime someone puts a hand over my belly, his movements immediately cease.  J is so cute when he tries, though.  He closes his eyes, and concentrates on what his hand is feeling.  It's as if he's willing the baby to move.  So far, he can barely feel the strongest of kicks and biggest of movements.  We're looking forward to this becoming easier for him in the next few weeks!

Q: How did everything look at this week's ultrasound?
A: Perfection.  Baby is growing right on schedule, and all of his parts and pieces are present and accounted for.  He's currently weighing in at 10 ounces.  Again, it was nothing short of magical to see my little guy on the screen, curled up peacefully at times, and doing a little bit of moving around at others.  Seeing his tiny heart beating away at its rapid pace (147 beats per minute, in case you were curious).  It still seems bizarre to me at times that I have a person growing inside of me.  An itty-bitty person.  But seeing him on the screen makes it so real.

Q: What's happening with baby this week?
A: Sensory development is the name of the game this week.  His brain is working hard to develop areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch.  I guess this means I should start watching my language, since research suggests that baby can hear me now!  Actually, I'm pretty excited that he can hear me.  That just means that the sound of my voice will be familiar and comforting to him when he gets here.  And truth be told, I've been anxious to start reading to him.  Corny?  Maybe.  But hey, I'm a reading teacher.  Reading to kids is what I do!

In other news this week- the hair on his head is beginning to sprout- or not.  Depends on whose hair genes he got!  If he got mine, well, the hair on his head will probably start to sprout sometime around his third birthday.  If he got his daddy's?  Well, then get the shaver ready at birth, because he'll be born with a mullet and a 5 o'clock shadow.

Q: So where are all the pictures you promised us?
A: Well let's get to it, then, shall we?

Sleeping on his side, with his hand at his face.

Profile shot.

Self-explanatory, and my favorite picture!

And here is a (completely unflattering iPhone) picture showing what my 19 week belly looks like...I gotta say, it's weird having another part of my body stick out further than my boobs.

The Name Game

What's in a name?

A lot of stress, that's what.

Naming a person is really hard.  It's not like naming your dog...this little person will have to grow up around other kids, who can be mean.  He'll have to grow into an adult, and introduce himself by the name we choose for him.  He'll have to live with this name, FOR LIFE.

No pressure, right?

Therefore, we've come to a decision.

No, not on a name.  But on how we will be proceeding with this whole baby name craze.

It turns out I am too hormonal to discuss potential baby names with anyone.  There have been several instances where I burst into either tears or fits of rage at a comment that someone made (with good intentions) about a name we may be thinking about.

There have also been times when we thought we were zeroing in on a name, only to have our opinions swayed by comments from others.  We're already having SERIOUS trouble agreeing on a name (as we have serious trouble agreeing on ANYTHING...you know, opposites attract?), so this just makes it harder!

SO, just be confident knowing this: the baby WILL have a name when he is born.  (I'm pretty sure they won't let us take him home from the hospital without one.)  J and I will LOVE it.  You may or may not.  And we'll be okay with that.

But don't keep your fingers crossed for any hints until then!

We love you, dear friends and family, and we know you'll love our nameless little man, no matter what we choose to name him.