$25,000

One day down...too many more to count, to go.

I had a pretty good day that ended with a horrible headache at 4:30... it's still lingering.

I had 136 sixth graders grace my classroom. Let me just say that the first class of the day was big... gigantic, even. 32 desks + 31 chairs +34 kids = some peoples gotta sit on the floor. Oh well.

This is my 10th year of "experience." I've never before had a kid like ... um, I'll call him A. A is autistic. The really, really, noise-cancelling-headphone-wearing autistic kind. I don't know how to act or react to him. My co-teacher was out today, cooling fires (read: first day of school and a student who belongs in a behavior unit decided to run away... from school). So, here I am trying to figure out what to do with A. He says things like, "A has a rumbling in his tumbling." or, "A is never getting to go home." Then, "You've just won twenty-five THOUSAND dollars!" This is followed by his rendition of canned laughter, plus the circular "Round-of-applause." All this is going on, and I don't know if I should tell him to stop, or ignore the behavior. I was so mumfumbled that I have no idea what I said to the other 20 kids in the class. I lost what I needed to do, or had already done, and was left with 20 minutes or so to just look at the kids and say, "I am sorry. I know I've forgotten something, but I just can't remember what that might be."

To say I experienced frustration is a bit of an understatement. I felt like a first year teacher, all over again. So, I guess I am asking for a bit of prayer. I want to treat this child with the respect he deserves while adding value to his life. Plus, I don't want to abandon the other students that are expecting great things out of this "experienced" teacher. I desire success for them, too. Hmmmmm... more experiences from the game-show student will follow... I'm sure of it.

By the way... I REALLY did have a good day. I was just lost for an hour.

Just basically a gripe-fest

School starts on Monday. Yuck. Yuck. Double YUCK.

Leaving my three and a half year-old is one thing, but my almost 3 month old...

I'm having a much harder time leaving Owen than I did Caleb. It's the same lady/friend... but Caleb was 6 months old; Owen, as I said, just not quite 3 months. I feel like I am abandoning him, and like I will miss EVERYTHING.

Plus, I don't feel "into" it this year... yet. I pray that "IT" comes to me, soon. I don't think that it helped much that I could NOT get to work in my room until pretty much TODAY. Yes, today... mark it: Saturday. I was there at 8:50, both boys in tow. Stayed until 5:15-ish. Dad picked up Caleb at 1; Brant picked up Owen at 4. But, now my room is ready, cute, and colorful. I was dumping a box (that just had to be organized) all over my desk, when the principal called over the intercom saying that it was time to leave. So I had to leave the mess, unorganized, all over my desk. I may go back tomorrow to fix that mess... I don't think I want that hanging over my head, first thing on Monday morning.

So, why did I wait until Saturday to do my room? you may ask. Well... it's this crazy thing called being a teacher technologist. Everyone expects you to fix their technology, train them on technology, set up new technology, show them how to use new technology or the NEW copiers (which I have NOT been trained on... I just push buttons until I figure it out), and do it all RIGHT NOW. Between that and my social self, I could not get to my room until late yesterday afternoon... then I had to stop at 2:45 to get my hair done. It's cute, by the way. I'll try to take a picture tomorrow and post it.

Anywho. I must go feed and snuggle with my little man... and sing a song to Caleb, who is STILL awake, playing with his "guys."

**** edited to say that Caleb playing with his "guys" is not a nasty thing, as I just re-read it to read. It's his action figures. He just calls them all his guys. oops. ****

G'night... and sorry about the complain-fest.

Sweet and Not-So-Sweet

A sweet moment I want to remember from this morning is nursing Owen while laying in bed on my side. He looks directly at me and gives me a tiny half-smile while "going to town" as he's prone to do. He eats like a champ gives small sounds of pleasure that tell me, "this is good, Momma. Thank you!" I love to nurse him in this position.

And not-so-sweet is directly AFTER nursing him. I am still in my night-nursing bra (think: the most comfortable sports bra with nursing slits, ever! No sarcasm needed...it's truly comfy.). I turn Owen over, onto my chest to burp him. He smiles (I think at his Daddy, who is getting ready for work), and then.... UUUUUUUUUURP! He, Owen - not Daddy, lets out a gigantic burp, quickly followed by what I think is at least half of what he consumed. It runs down my night bra, across my chest, down the cleavage, and begins pooling in the pit below my neck before I can move to grab ANYTHING to clean up the mess. NICE. Um, shower, anyone?

At least I wasn't fully dressed for school... this time. :)

As promised

I guess this is better late than never. Here is Owen's two month picture.

Our adventure in the park yesterday was a wet one. See?

And here is one of Owen in the cute outfit that my BF's mom got him. She said she thought of him when she saw this onezie after she heard about his "sprinkler system" being in full function at the hospital nursery.

And some from today. I don't know if you can see it in the mirror, but Caleb got Owen to laughing so hard. It was awesome! My boys are such beautiful gifts! Enjoy!

Awesome

In my blog reading this morning, I came across this. It was exactly what I needed this morning. Enjoy.

Park Playdate

Today, Saturday the 16th.
10:30 am.
Unidad Park
It's beautiful this morning with a chance of rain this afternoon...maybe we'll see you there.

..................

Edited... Um, we got to the park for our quick, impromptu play time... only to make one lap around the sidewalk, followed by torrential downpour. So, alas... my last minute thing turned out to be a total (wait for it)... wash.

Thanks, anywho.

Caught Him!

So... I was in the computer room, checking blogs. Owen was passed out in my arms. I finish catching up...trying desperately to think of something blog-worthy, to no avail. I decided to go check on Caleb. It was far too quiet in our house. I rounded the corner, camera in hand... (okay, so it was a re-staging, but, the humor is still there in the redo) ... and caught this.

When asked, Caleb said he was pumping. Duh!

Maybe I shouldn't be so open, with my big baby?! Oh well...could use this as blackmail later. The future girlfriends will Love it.

My eyes

The computer is making my eyes want to fall out. And my shoulders want to knot all up. I worked on the school's website for MANY hours

Small blog change

Grrrr. Can you feel the frustration in that one grrrr?

I am back to school already and having blog issues. My cute little background doesn't show up at school. So with the white background and white font, I couldn't read anyone comments. Nor, could I log in to fix the issue at school. In addition, I couldn't see any of your cute pictures. So, I had to wait until I got home last night. Then, when we got home, I had to wait until this morning because our Internet was being stupid. As in, NOT WORKING. So, I was at a loss, yesterday.

All is better now. I've changed my hidden and BORING background to black so I can read at school (as long as the site is not blocked), and now I MUST get ready for school.

Brant has work at 7 this morning, and that means I must take both boys on the 30 minute round trip throughout SA to day care...and I like to be at school by 7:30 so I can work without the temptation to talk to others. (If you know me, you know I "get around" and thus don't get my work done in my room. Read: room not organized or put together since going on maternity leave and janitor packed up said room for me and all is a giant mess.)

Anywho, I MUST go...NOW. No more adding to this post. Seriously. Okay. bye.

Too late

The time difference between China and us is too much. I WANT to watch the finals in things like gymnastics. But, alas, I am so tired that I fall asleep before I can watch anything note-worthy. I did get to see Phelps get his record breaking 10th gold.

Anyone else feel my pain?!

Instead of going back to bed

This is what I did... I made coffee. A tiny but, oh-so-delightful indulgence. I drank an entire cup. By that I mean that I had a half cup of coffee and half cup of vanilla-caramel creamer. YUM.

Then, I worked on my layout. Do you like it?

Today was ... okay. We had meetings all day. It was weird being there without seeing Jenny's face. AND, without seeing Bill's face. (There are other faces I could have done without... won't go into that, though.)

I bee-lined it to pick up Owen, the moment we were released to go home for the day. It was good... but I'm thankful to be holding my little baby, once again.

45 minutes

In 45 minutes my alarm will go off.

In 45 minutes I will have to get out of bed.

In 45 minutes my summer will officially be over.

In three hours and 45 minutes school starts with staff development.

So, why am I up at 4:45...and on the computer? Owen fell asleep at 10. The last time he ate was around 7:30. At 4:20 I WOKE him up to eat. He ate for five minutes and fell back asleep. I HAD to pump. (Read: ROCKS IN THE BOOBS) So, here we are. 8 ounces of relief later.

I'm restless, a bit nervous, and not looking forward to actually starting today, the end of this summer, this semester, or this school year. But, I will put on my happy hat and head out with a positive attitude. Anything less would be unacceptable and also... SO not me.

So now the dilemma is this: Do I go back to bed for the hardest 30 or so minutes of sleep? OR, do I stay up and start my day. You know, making a complete breakfast and doing dishes and laundry that didn't get done last night while we were watching the Olympics. Hmmmm.... what would you do?

I vote... sleep. Or at least attempt to do so. That other stuff will still be there when I wake up. Besides...Brant is off today. He can help out.

Where have all the bloggers gone?!

I know most of us are crazy busy this time of year. Isn't it interesting that NONE of us has really blogged in a while?!

So, here is a little conversation with Caleb to keep you entertained.

Caleb: Momma, I am taller than Gibson.

Me: Are you sure? Isn't he older than you?

Caleb: No. He is ... (thinking pause) ... two ... (pause while tapping on his chin in a thoughtful manner) ... hundred.

Me: (*snicker*) ... um ... isn't that a little bit older than you?

Caleb: (thinking thoughtfully) ... yah. But he's fifty-eleven inches tall. And I'm taller.

Me: WOW! That is sure tall!

Quick notes

My SIL is gone. If you want to know how that went...I'll have to tell you in person. It's too maddening to share here. :) Prepare for gripes... lots of gripes.

I'm at an inservice today and have some time to share information. I'm being naughty and NOT paying attention.

School starts on Tuesday for NINE inservice days. BLECH! I don't wanna play.

So THIBBIT! (think raspberry).

2 months stats

Owen is 11 pounds, 4 ounces, and 22.5 inches long.

That's the 50th percentile for both. THIS is good.

He got three shots and some drops. It wasn't TOO terrifying for mommy or Owen... but not fun, nonetheless.

I have a cute picture... but need to still upload it for you. He's adorable. I can't believe I have to leave him at daycare on Monday, already. He's still a tiny baby to me.

Full house

I have not dropped off the face of the earth.

I have a houseful of guests...using the computer room as sleeping quarters. They will all be gone on Thursday...so, I'll have time to put into words several blogs running through my head.

I am checking your blogs ... but I only get the computer for 3-5 minutes a day. So... talk to you Thursday. Ta-Ta.

What is this?

What is this strange sound?

This wet stuff falling down from heaven?

Could it be?

Yes!

It's a summer thunderstorm on the first day of August.

Thank you, Jesus for such a blessing.

H. O. T.

Seriously. Sweat dripping, EVERY item of clothing on my body is drenched, through and through. Thank goodness I'm not pregnant. (Tee-hee, seph).

Hope you have fun and make tons of mulah. and enjoy the way-too-hot-for-human-kind weather. Thanks for letting me hang out.