Baby Update #2

(16 weeks pregnant)

I am beginning my 17th week and thought I should write another brief update (especially since Mandy is giving me a hard time --saying that I promised to blog about this pregnancy and I haven't been :)

Hmm... let's see. Not a whole lot to tell yet. I am into my 2nd trimester now and unfortunately, still feeling nauseous - mainly after dinner or big meals. I am constantly sucking on TicTacs or candy to get rid of this full, queasy, and sometimes gaggy feeling. I am also gaining weight faster this time.. (going straight to my hips--- getting a major muffin top :) On top of that, I still have a weird, itchy rash that flares up on my chest and have "not so pretty" brown patches on my face (chloasma-- the mask of pregnancy-- I think it is called)... To put it bluntly, I am NOT feeling that second trimester glow.

I still think that this pregnancy feels different than the first one-- so I am looking forward to seeing if I am carrying a little boy this time around. In fact, my 20 week ultrasound will be on Sept. 20th--- so don't forget to cast your vote on the right side of my blog before then. Jason is going to take off work so he can go with me -- and mostly we are just hoping that our little baby is healthy and growing with arms, legs, and major organs. How exciting!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes...

Oh my! A lot has happened in the last two weeks- Let me give you a quick update on a few things that have been going on around our household.



1. We found someone to rent our condo! Yipee--- after refinancing it (which took forever) and then trying to find renter's by ourselves -- we finally gave up and posted the property on Craig's List. Within two weeks we had a few people interested and Jason contacted them. But check this out-- the couple we ended up renting to in the end (who found us through Craig's List and had no idea who we were) turned out to live just a few blocks away and be one of my sister's best friends and her husband. Crazy, right? They decided they wanted to move in Oct. 1st.

(Our condo for the past 5 years. It has been good to us..but I won't miss those entryway stairs or association living -- Goodbye Windsor Ct!)

2. So... knowing that we would be homeless in about 5 weeks or moving all of our belongings into my parents basement... we decided we had better get serious about looking for a house. So last week we went out and saw nine homes in the South Elgin and St. Charles area. (Since we have been stalking the real estate websites for months it was pretty easy to narrow our search down. We knew what we were looking for-- 3 or 4 bedrooms.. a finished basement... St. Charles schools... not too far from our families.. move-in ready... and of course within our budget) Most of the homes we saw were nice... (except for one major stinker!) but... it was the fourth place we saw that actually made me eyes well up. Now I know that I am hormonal right now... but this house just seemed to have everything we needed and just felt right. Jason loved it too but he was still open to seeing what else was out there. Long story short ---we went back to see that house again a few days later and took our families with us for a second opinion. Everyone loved it and we put in an offer last Tues.  I won't bore you with the details but we ended up in a bidding war with a buyer who was offering cash (boooo!!) but we still ended up getting the place in the end. If all goes well --- we will close on Sept. 28th and officially be in our first new house! (Oh boy... better get packing)

(Our new home in just a few short weeks!)

3. In addition to all the home renting and buying drama, a few other things have been on our minds. My sisterr Mandy, had emergency gall bladder surgery a few weeks back and then soon after that she was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Her doctor felt a growth on her thyroid during a physical exam and was concerned. She immediately had to undergo ultrasounds and a nuclear scan and since then we have been waiting to hear back about her test results. Luckily, they ruled out cancer, but they will still have to determine what next steps she will need to take to get healthy again. In the meantime, the medicine she is on is slowly starting to regulate her heart and helping her feel more like herself. Of course, she just happened to be dealing with all of this at the exact same time that she left her job as a hair stylist in a salon in order to venture into business on her own. Talk about a lot on your plate!

(My beautiful sis...super mom and super stylist. Thankful she is on the road to feeling better!)

4. Of course there have been a few other things tossed in there as well. I started a new school year this past week and have been busy trying to get my classroom ready and prepare for my new students. Jason applied and was accepted into an online Master's program and was prepared to start this past week. However, in the end we decided to postpone that for another year due to the financial committment. The other afternoon our car decided to stop running...(but luckily that wasn' t too big of a problem and we were able to get it fixed-- gotta love the Toyota with 110,000 miles on it :) and of course I am still preggo-- and not always feeling the best... so maybe I am not always the easiest to be around :)

So as you can see.. there has been a lot going on these past two weeks, and we anticipate that September will be one of the busiest/craziest months for us yet with the packing and moving. But it's all good and exciting things-- so I'm not complaining. In fact, I am feeling very thankful and blessed. God has given us this great opportunity to have our own house, a new baby on the way, and a wonderful and supportive extended family to surround us. What more could we ask for?

Summer is winding down...

Sniff... sniff...
I have exactly one week until it is BACK TO SCHOOL again. This summer was the shortest one yet. Between curriculum writing and professional development classes.. it feels like I JUST said goodbye to last year's group of kids. Where did the summer go? I have already been back in my classroom working and preparing so I am starting to feel a little ready. There IS something fun about buying new school supplies, looking over my new class lists, and sitting down to talk about lesson ideas and plans for the upcoming year.

Only... I must admit that this will be my 10th year of teaching.. and I don't get as excited as I used to. Could I be burning out?! I think it is because my time at home in the summer with Isabel is really special. We are two besties hanging out -- swimming, playing, visiting with friends and family, just generally having a good time. And as soon as I get used to my new "stay at home mom" life- poof! It is time to readjust. Oh well. We had another good summer and I have a bunch more pics to share. So here are some below

The first week in August we took our annual family vacation to Indiana Beach. We stayed at a different cabin on the lake and it was really pretty and peaceful. I took a TON of pictures but I will only share a few faves here..

Good morning lake!

Off to the beach

Daddy! I want to ride MORE rides!

Ahhh... the "relaxation station". The only thing missing... a cold Corona ;)

Taken about 2 seconds before I broke Jason's fishing pole

The most beautiful, edible baby in the universe

Grandpa with his girls

Splashy

Sweet family

Great vacay-- thanks so much Mom and Dad

And here are some pics from a day trip we took to Santa's Village with friends. They reopened this favorite from my childhood. (And please don't forget that this was the site of my VERY first job at age 15) It is only a fraction of the size it once was-- and totally geared for little kids-- but we had lots of fun.

Speed racer

Isabel and Dylan

Isabel wanted to hold Dylan's hand and give him hugs and kisses all day (much to her dad's dismay)

Lunch time

Fun seeing Christine and Kristin one last time before we go back to work.

Finally, here are some pics I snapped at Lisa's daughter Aubrey's first birthday party. She had an outdoor luau-- complete with a big tent, pool, and toys for the kids-- only a hige thunderstorm blew in and kept us inside for most of the party. Luckily, we were able to sneak back outside for cake. Such a fun way to wrap up the summer.

Ready to party

Keeping dry

 Lovies for "Uncle" Katie :)

Birthday Girl!

Birthday family- so sweet

Katie and Dave

My man :)

Big frosting kisses!!

Soooo... I wanted to post one last time before things get too hectic. It has been a fun, relaxing summer. Now, let the year begin!