24 week appointment

I had my 24 week Doctor's appointment today. All in all, it went well.

Using the "tape measure" I'm still measuring "right" for 24 weeks. So I had a talk with the Doctor about the size of this baby! :) I explained that my sister had two 10 lb. 7 oz. boys (on her due date) and that David weighed 9 lbs. 9 oz. and I was also over 9 lbs. I politely explained we've NEVER had a baby under 8 lbs...ANY WHERE in the family! He was none to thrilled with that news! 

So, we have a plan now. The Doctor explained to me that when you have a BIG baby you run the risk of the baby getting "stuck" on the way out. He explained the possible permanent physical implications of trying to give birth "naturally." Basically, we discussed that if the baby is huge...ie over 10 lbs, a C-Section will be necessary. Technology is lacking (at best) when it comes to determining the size of a baby in utero. However, we have to deal with what we've got and "lacking" is all we have.

Soooo...he explained to me that he would like to do a sonogram 4 weeks before my due date. (My sister has decided she want's it to be a week and 1/2 later than that, so that's what I'll go with because I trust her experience more than anyone else! She's my "boss" here!) If the sonogram leads us to believe that our little boy is headed toward 10 lbs, then the Doctor wants to go ahead and induce me then. He said "Yes, we do cause stress and increase the chance of a C-Section with an induction...however, if we leave the baby in there and let him grow to 10 lbs, then we have a 100% guarantee of a C-section." So...we're looking at the lesser of 2 evils when we're talking induction here. I really HATE the idea of having to have a C-Section, but I have always known that is a risk I naturally run just because our babies are SO huge!

I think that's about it...oh, and I talked with him about he Braxton-Hicks contractions I've been having (daily...yesterday I was up to 3 an hour) and he did do an exam and said everything is still as it should be at this time. He said the contractions are nothing to worry about as long as they are not increasing in frequency/intensity. They are certainly not painful at this point...just disconcerting. However, since the Doctor said there isn't anything to worry about...I won't worry! :)

That's all for my little update! Thanks for reading! Have a lovely day!

Oh...and don't forget to put your 2 cents in on our baby game! We've really enjoyed looking at all your predictions! 

Something new...

I added something new to the page for a little bit of fun. 

If you look to the right, you can click on the "ExpectNet Baby Game" Banner. You can enter in your guess about Camden's weight, length, and birth date. 

We'll find out who wins after he arrives :)

Bedding

For those of you who haven't seen the bedding we picked out for Camden, here's a picture...

It's the "Spa collection" by Glenna Jean. 

Baby Book

I wanted to share Camden's baby book with you all! :) It is SO cute. These cell phone pictures don't really do it justice, but it's just so darn convenient. 

Here's the cover of his book, it's a really nice color green...again, can't really tell from the pictures.

I really love scrapbooking, but it can be SUCH a daunting task at times! Especially when you are trying to keep track of an entire lifetime! I remember when my mom decided to make me a scrapbook for my High School graduation and I was amazed by all the work that went into that book. I still cherish it! I wanted to make sure Camden had something like that book also. The book Nannie and Grandaddy got for us is really really neat. It's set up to help you out with what to put on each page. So, you get to personalize it, but the book makes sure you don't leave out anything important! :)

Here are some examples of the book. This is the "Coming Home" page with space for all the information about baby coming home and pictures of the special day as well. 

This is the "Travel" page and it has room for Car Trips, Plane Trips, First Trip to the Beach, and First Sleepover...

This page shows and example of how the book is made for birth-high school graduation. These are two of "Birthday" Pages. 

This page keeps track of how things change throughout childhood. 

Thank you SOOOOOO much to Nannie and Grandaddy (and Ashley for her research) for such a wonderful gift!

These books can be found at www.myperfectmemories.com

and another...

I promise, last "work post" for a while! :) I'm going to write one over the weekend that has NOTHING to do with work (I hope!).

I just wanted to let you know I was able to go and visit some successful ASD classrooms yesterday to observe the teaching method they are using. It was VERY educational! I'm so excited to get started! I did find out what I'll be using the shoe boxes for. Basically, the students do numerous activities throughout the day that involve "manipulatives" the shoe boxes are a very easy way to keep everything sorted so it's easier for the kids to do their work. I will also be collecting ANY divided trays (such as silverware holders) so if you have those laying around, or see them at yard sales, :) think of me :).

Not much to say, just wanted to give a little update, it seems like it has been a while.
Thanks for reading.

baby shower...

Last week the "ladies" came down to Orlando for their annual Florida trip. They were kind enough to have a "little" baby shower for me while they were here! The shower was MUCH more than I had expected and I so enjoyed getting to see and spend some time with everyone! They showered me with wonderful gifts for little Camden!

Thank you so much to EVERYONE who took part in the shower (even if you weren't able to be here for it)! David and I really do appreciate your thoughtfulness and your generosity! It was a wonderful time! Here are some pictures...

The yummy food!!!

My Sister and I

My sister, myself, and my Mom

Again, with Missy Joyce (my "2nd mom")

All the ladies sitting...watching...

Me looking at all the WONDERFUL gifts

YAY!

I have a substitute for my maternity leave! I'm very excited. Teresia (who was the substitute in my current classroom before I took over) is going to sub for me next year! I'm so very excited to have her. She will do an awesome job and I just feel so much better knowing that is one less thing up in the air! :)

I know...I know...

Yes, I do realize this blog is not titled "Allison's Work Blog!" Therefore, you might be wondering why it seems all I ever write about is...you guessed it...my job! :) Well, it just seems to be all that's going on right now. Especially during the week when all I'm really doing is eating, sleeping, working, and cleaning. (probably in that order too...eek) However, I do have some encouraging news...at least for myself :)

As I have stated previously, I'm VERY nervous about next year because I'm getting an all new class...I know NOTHING about them...and I'm going to be on maternity leave when school starts! I'm hoping and praying this baby comes a week early or a week late because I'm due back at work the same day Camden is due to enter the world! 

Because of my nerves, I'm working to be as proactive as possible! I have gotten in touch with some people who have helped me out a lot with the students I have now. I was referred to the department head of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). She has been SUPER helpful so far! She was really glad I went ahead and sought her out. She is going to be taking me around with her to look at some successful ASD units to get some ideas and inspiration. She is also going to come and look at my future classroom to help me set it up to help my kids work to their fullest potential. :) I'm pretty excited about all the help!

One thing she did tell me was to start collecting SHOE BOXES. She said I would need to use them in the classroom. I'm not sure what for just yet, but I'm sure I'll find out. :) So, that's where you come in :). If you have any extra shoe boxes laying around, save them for me if you would...Please! I don't expect anyone to go out collecting them, but if you guys buy some shoes here and there, it would really help if you'd save me the boxes. Thank you so much! (since all I ever wear is flip flops, my shoes don't come in boxes.)

On another topic completely, One of my Beloved Guinea Pigs (you can click on that to read a funny story about my guinea pigs...you should read it if you haven't before)went home with one of my students today :) and I have a home for another one...leaving me with one to get rid of. Hopefully she'll go to a good home sooner rather than later...I'm SO ready to get rid of them all. :)

rain rain go away!

It has been SUCH a rainy day here today! I complained while in Tennessee that it rained AND it was cold the whole time I was there. 

Little did I know I would "bring the rain back with me." It seriously started raining right around noon today and it has not even begun to let up (it's 7 pm now.) This may not seem like a big deal in some parts of the US, but here in Orlando, it's really not common. Ugh...and I don't deal well with it. 

David and I did have the unexpected pleasure of having "brunch" with Sharon and Bill (His mom and step-dad) today. They were scheduled to have been in London, on their Honeymoon about the time we were eating, but their flight out of Orlando was canceled yesterday due to a mechanical problem on the plane they were scheduled to take from Atlanta to London. The problem was noticed early enough that their first flight was canceled due to the impending problems in Atlanta. As far as we know they were able to leave Orlando today as scheduled. We hope they have a wonderful time in Europe!!!

I start back to work tomorrow (spring break has NOT been long enough). I'm already starting to feel overwhelmed because of all the changes that a quickly approaching. I'm suddenly aware I have to move out of my classroom. This means finally sorting through and ridding myself of all the "junk" the previous teacher left me with. I have often made the joke that after "twenty-something" years of teaching, she must have gone ahead and dumped out her purse as she left. I know she went on to an office job so she had no need for her classroom supplies, but there are so many things in my classroom that are just down right wasteful and I simply have a hard time throwing them away! On top of cleaning out and moving, I've got to figure out how I'm going to teach these new kids I'm getting next year! Since I still have no idea of their ability/functioning levels, I'm a little nervous about what I'm going to do! Of course, along with all that fun stuff, I've got all my "end of the year" data and reports to get done as well as transition meetings for all my kids (7) going on to middle school. Yay! fun! I do love my job! I guess I'd have to at this point :)

That's all for now! Thanks for reading!

-Allison

Week-end wrap up...

Just thought I'd give a brief little update about our week.

This past week was my spring break from school. I took a lovely little trip to Tennessee to visit with family! I flew up on Tuesday and came back home Friday morning. I got to spend some quality time with both sets of my grandparents. Mom and Dad were out of town for the second half of my trip. Congrats Dad on your turkey! (He was turkey hunting in Tuscaloosa, AL.) I got to spend a good amount of time with Mamaw and Papa in Crossville and also had some great visits with my great-aunts and uncles! It was wonderful to spend some time with you guys! 

Camden is starting to get REALLY active! He's moving so much everyday. I love just sitting with my hands on my belly feeling all his action. :) I find I usually fall asleep at night with my hands on him, just waiting for his next move. It's so neat feeling him, each and every time! 

David was not able to go to Tennessee with me. He really missed being able to go, but has had to take SO much time off work lately, he just had to stay home. :(

I'm glad to be home and getting settled back in. Of course, it feels like I haven't had a long enough break from work...but that's just the way it goes! I get way more breaks than most people.

We've had terrible weather this afternoon and evening. So far we've had 2 or 3 severe thunderstorms pass over our house and they are calling for it to continue all night. :) Always entertaining for me :)

We set out to mow and clean up the yard today, but after a series of unfortunate events, we'll get that taken care of tomorrow. (The mower wouldn't start, then the "starter cord" broke, we had it replaced, the back hatch on my truck "malfunctioned" and we couldn't get the mower out, we got it out, closed up the truck, and the rain began to pour!) Yay, good times!

So, I didn't really have all that much to say, but in the interest of TRYING to keep this blog updated frequently, I thought I'd write while I had the time!

Thanks, as always, for reading!