He's the love of my life, this kid. Caden is so much fun to play with and always has a smile.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Sunday, June 5, 2011
The Countdown....
Today is the day that marks my arrival into the 34th week. I'm 34 weeks and 1 day. The funny thing is, it's unbelievably unnerving and unreal to me at this point. I have this belly in front of me that isnt as giant as I imagined, and yet not so small. There is movement in my belly that makes me laugh sometimes because I can't tell if my child is telling me "Hey, Mom, get your arm off me I don't like it." or if he's pushing on my because he's saying, "Hey... I think I love you already." or if he's just plain wiggling and doesn't know I'm here at all.
He doesn't move for my husband. Period. He's all mine for now, which I think bothers my sweet husband. (Who, by the way, is over the moon excited about this bundle to get here.)
And I feel like I am totally unprepared. I have no idea what the heck I'm going to be doing. Nice eh? Lord have mercy... I have so much to do. Clean the room, clean and fold his clothes, make the crib/dresser, make the bed. Pack the bag for the hospital. Make sure the animals are taken care of. Get bras. The list goes on and on. And unfortunately (and yet fortunately) I am out of school so I can do it all.
The countdown begins...
He doesn't move for my husband. Period. He's all mine for now, which I think bothers my sweet husband. (Who, by the way, is over the moon excited about this bundle to get here.)
And I feel like I am totally unprepared. I have no idea what the heck I'm going to be doing. Nice eh? Lord have mercy... I have so much to do. Clean the room, clean and fold his clothes, make the crib/dresser, make the bed. Pack the bag for the hospital. Make sure the animals are taken care of. Get bras. The list goes on and on. And unfortunately (and yet fortunately) I am out of school so I can do it all.
The countdown begins...
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Things are going to change
I drove to Dallas this weekend to see my friend Leisa get married. After being her friend for about 23 years I finally witnessed what we talked about as young girls. I was so happy for her. And then I realized something as I peered down at my swollen feet... things are about to change. The days of going to bed when I wanted, going where I wanted, heck even taking a shower when I wanted is about to expire. I'll be working on someone else's timeline. I'm a little nervous and hope I'm all I hope I can be. :-)
Saturday, March 5, 2011
And the Mother/Son thing begins...
I have three brothers and a sister. I know what the "mother/son" thing is. I can't really describe it as a mother, but I can describe it as a daughter.
Its the "thing" where the mother genuinely can't help being closer to the son. It's not the mother's fault, it just is what it is. It's a bond similar to the "father/daughter" thing. No one mentions it. They say, "oh, she's a daddy's girl" or "he's a mamma's boy". Funny...it starts before birth.
As a daughter I used to watch how my brother could carelessly jaunt outside on Saturday mornings without a chore on his list. I would clean his room. I watched as I asked for things and was told no, only to have (years later) to witness the same conversation go down with my brother and the wish be gratified. For a long time, I was infuriated. How could this be?! I was FIRST! I was the BEST! I got good grades, was the first to go to college...blahblahblah.
But I was a girl. I'm a daddy's girl, it's a fact. My mother and I have a great relationship, but nothing compared to the relationship she has with my brother (and my stepmother to my other two brothers). And so I always held to my guns. "I will NOT have a mamma's boy." "I will NOT treat my son with preferential treatment."
Yeah... go ahead and insert foot. I was told "officially" on Tuesday that I will have a son. Caden Riley will arrive this summer and I'm on top of the moon. A boy! MY BOY! My husband is so ecstatic about the idea of buying BOY TOYS and playing. I'm excited because I get to do boy stuff too! And when my husband mentioned that our son wouldn't act a certain way or he'd get a whooping... I instantly felt like knocking my husband straight out of the car and into the road.
Yikes. It's begun. But don't worry. I agree with my husband. I want the kind of boy that makes other people stop me in the street and say, "wow... what great manners." Yep.. I want a good boy, and I'm bound and determined to make one happen. I just think I might have to bite my tongue a bit with my husband and let him be a daddy. Funny... I always imagined having kids... the road to getting there is so much cooler than I imagined. The view from the top of the moon is amazing.
Its the "thing" where the mother genuinely can't help being closer to the son. It's not the mother's fault, it just is what it is. It's a bond similar to the "father/daughter" thing. No one mentions it. They say, "oh, she's a daddy's girl" or "he's a mamma's boy". Funny...it starts before birth.
As a daughter I used to watch how my brother could carelessly jaunt outside on Saturday mornings without a chore on his list. I would clean his room. I watched as I asked for things and was told no, only to have (years later) to witness the same conversation go down with my brother and the wish be gratified. For a long time, I was infuriated. How could this be?! I was FIRST! I was the BEST! I got good grades, was the first to go to college...blahblahblah.
But I was a girl. I'm a daddy's girl, it's a fact. My mother and I have a great relationship, but nothing compared to the relationship she has with my brother (and my stepmother to my other two brothers). And so I always held to my guns. "I will NOT have a mamma's boy." "I will NOT treat my son with preferential treatment."
Yeah... go ahead and insert foot. I was told "officially" on Tuesday that I will have a son. Caden Riley will arrive this summer and I'm on top of the moon. A boy! MY BOY! My husband is so ecstatic about the idea of buying BOY TOYS and playing. I'm excited because I get to do boy stuff too! And when my husband mentioned that our son wouldn't act a certain way or he'd get a whooping... I instantly felt like knocking my husband straight out of the car and into the road.
Yikes. It's begun. But don't worry. I agree with my husband. I want the kind of boy that makes other people stop me in the street and say, "wow... what great manners." Yep.. I want a good boy, and I'm bound and determined to make one happen. I just think I might have to bite my tongue a bit with my husband and let him be a daddy. Funny... I always imagined having kids... the road to getting there is so much cooler than I imagined. The view from the top of the moon is amazing.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Baby Gender Test?
There is an over the counter gender test available. I was hoping at my doctor's appt on the 1st that I would have an ultrasound, but I didn't. I have to wait until March 1st to see my little bug. And really... that seems like forever! I haven't seen my little baby in a while! (I can't stand it! I cannot be satisfied with that hearttone thingamajig! I want to see the baby!!!) Well... Shel and I bought the test. The over the counter one. Heck, it's got a 50% accuracy rating, right? Ha! Several people I know took the test so we jumped in too.
I woke up Thursday morning at 3am, after having the second of two dreams that I was having a boy. I've had zero dreams of this baby so that got me moving. I took the test.
It's supposed to take ten minutes to "develop" the color related to the gender. Girl has an orange tone and boys are a greenish brown. The color was developing before I sat the cup down on the cabinet. Brown it is! I've not heard of anyone that this test didn't work on, so I am feeling pretty confident that I am having a boy.
Wow... snails, bugs, dirt and worms here I come. I'm going to be a mommy to a boy. I'll get "confirmation" of "equipment" on the first, but I think it's right. Wow... a boy.
Caden Riley McClendon.
I hope you're ready for this, because I certainly can't wait for your arrival. We've got alot of mudpies to make and worms to dig!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
New News
It's been a while since I posted, and a lot has changed in my life. It's funny, the last post was October 4th. Wow.
I'm pregnant now. 15 weeks today. And it's an unbelievable thing I can't quite wrap my head around. For years I've thought about what it would be like to be pregnant and I can't really explain it now that I am. I knew quickly. Within a week of conception I knew it, but I had no ground to stand on with proof. 12 days pregnant I passed 7 pregnancy tests. I couldn't believe it. No morning sickness, just exhaustion beyond anything else I'd known. A serious aversion to uncooked meat of any kind. Evening stomach aches. That's it.
And here I am. Second Trimester. I can hear the heartbeat, see "it's" face, and occasionally feel something that feels like a bubble in my tummy. I feel massively protective of my surroundings suddenly. I want nothing more than to be surrounded by happy feelings and blessings. I want angry thoughts and feelings in myself and others to go far, far away.
I want God to look down and say, "This is the going to be awesome." I know that this is the best thing I will do in my life and I want to do it right.
I'm pregnant now. 15 weeks today. And it's an unbelievable thing I can't quite wrap my head around. For years I've thought about what it would be like to be pregnant and I can't really explain it now that I am. I knew quickly. Within a week of conception I knew it, but I had no ground to stand on with proof. 12 days pregnant I passed 7 pregnancy tests. I couldn't believe it. No morning sickness, just exhaustion beyond anything else I'd known. A serious aversion to uncooked meat of any kind. Evening stomach aches. That's it.
And here I am. Second Trimester. I can hear the heartbeat, see "it's" face, and occasionally feel something that feels like a bubble in my tummy. I feel massively protective of my surroundings suddenly. I want nothing more than to be surrounded by happy feelings and blessings. I want angry thoughts and feelings in myself and others to go far, far away.
I want God to look down and say, "This is the going to be awesome." I know that this is the best thing I will do in my life and I want to do it right.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Whirlwind
Wow... the beginning of the year seems like a whirlwind. I have one of the coolest classes of my career. They are spunky, sweet and loads of fun. The worst thing I can think to say is that they TALK NONSTOP. (But hey.. so does their teacher, so what!) I've got such a variety..it's like hitting up the best of the best in Whole Foods. I've got a delightful Vietnamese student who constantly compliments me. I've got an Iranian kid who, at first, was extremely skittish (and I wondered if we were going to bond at all.) I've got a Bosnian student who has the COOLEST accent ever and gets my sarcasm completely. (Despite the language issue!) I have an Indian, a Venezuelan, some Mexican (American) students, etc. They are so diverse and have so much to share, I love it.
I'm also the team leader this year (again) and it's crazy. My team is mostly newer teachers and there are a lot of questions, but I love it. I love being someone who they can go to for help (even if I get nothing done in the process).
How in the world can people go to jobs where they are loaded down by paperwork, fussy clients and little/no breaks? Well, I do it daily. And I must say, it is sooooo worth it. Having those little boogers write on their behavior charts (before I get to it to sign) and put notes like "I love my silly teacher" and "Have a great night"... who couldn't ask for better? Certainly not me.
I'm also the team leader this year (again) and it's crazy. My team is mostly newer teachers and there are a lot of questions, but I love it. I love being someone who they can go to for help (even if I get nothing done in the process).
How in the world can people go to jobs where they are loaded down by paperwork, fussy clients and little/no breaks? Well, I do it daily. And I must say, it is sooooo worth it. Having those little boogers write on their behavior charts (before I get to it to sign) and put notes like "I love my silly teacher" and "Have a great night"... who couldn't ask for better? Certainly not me.