Baby Bump-28 Weeks

In thinking about what the lil' buddy will look like, we've
been predicting that he will have JLO's family cheeks and my "button/pig nose." We're pretty confident that today's ultra sound confirmed it. We have the most adorable face picture of our son that shows these distinctive features. Grandma Deb came with today to meet the lil' buddy and he put on a good show. He was kicking, punching, moving his mouth, and hiccuping. All looks well as the placenta has moved and he is head down. We're officially in the third trimester and can't wait to meet our little guy at the end of the year.

Restaurant Outing: CraVe

I've actually been going out to eat a lot this month. Between a couple of dinner clubs (The Red Stagg Club is so yummy!) and celebrations I was worried JLO and I wouldn't be able to fit in our monthly "new restaurant" night. But alas, after working for 12 days straight (and about to start another string of 12 days), we got out of the house for dinner at CraVe at the MOA. We could've gone to the one at West End, significantly closer, but we had a hankering to play in the Apple Store and I desperately thought I could find something cute to wear now with my birthday gift card from Express (I was wrong).

So as we walked out empty handed (which was so hard to do after playing with the iPod touch and iPad), we agreed that we enjoyed our dinner at CraVe. JLO started with a sushi tuna roll while I had some yummy Tomato Pesto Soup. For entrees, JLO had a steak while I had chicken. The ironic thing is that chicken has been sounding and tasting pretty repulsive to me while being pregnant, but it was the whipped mash potatoes (a huge craving of mine lately) and tomato/basil salad that sold the dish. Most of the chicken is in the fridge for JLO to eat today. We agreed we'd go back and was saddened that we forgot to snap a photo.

What We've Been Up to Lately...

Today I had to do two things I hope I never have to do again: I bought ugly shoes. From Walmart. But alas, they are comfortable, and cheap, and the best solution when you've been teaching for seven (going on 12) days straight.

JLO put together lil' buddy's crib and changing table. 'Lil buddy and I supervised.

Lil' buddy has been sleeping and kicking on a regular schedule. He must really enjoy class discussions as he is constantly moving around while students are talking. He's also responding to music and people's voices directed at my tummy. Like recently when his cousin asked him, "are you going to pay well when I babysit? " His response? A nice kick to her hand. She took that as a yes!

And lastly, we've all been watching the Packers win!

Students' Reactions to lil' Buddy

I've had numerous inquiries as to how my students are reacting to the news (and sight) of me being pregnant. When I left for summer vacation, I wasn't showing and I had only told a few of my co-workers. Now that we're back at school I've heard or experienced the following from former and new students:

-Numerous suggestions for names (of course, all of their own).
-A couple offers for babysitting, "once it comes out."
-Only one student has touched my belly.
-A couple of really odd glances towards my belly and even some pointing (as if I didn't know what was going on!).
-One student asked, "Who is your baby's daddy?" (when I responded with Husband Joe, the student said, "who's that?". I said, "auh, my husband.")
-A couple of, "what happened to you?" (auh, pretty sure you know what happened to me--do I really need to explain?)
-Many, many students were really upset by the fact that I didn't tell them I was pregnant last year. One student even said, "we would've been nicer to you if we would've known."
-One student shared with me his experience of becoming a father (twice) and informed me how much labor is going to hurt.
-A couple of comments like "oh, so that's why you had to eat that crazy gluten-free diet" (auh, no that's called Celiac and I'm still eating that crazy diet).
-A few kids have sworn and then apologized for "swearing in front of your baby".
-A couple of comments like, "I thought you weren't going to have kids!"

Overall, the students have been really respectful and excited about lil' buddy being with us at school everyday. At least they were nice to me for this first week. We'll see how long that lasts!

The First Day of School

Today marked my 25th First Day of School. It was year one for the 'lil buddy. As I introduced myself to my classes today, I informed my students that I had a 'lil buddy with me and that while I was teaching them this year, they would be teaching him. I explained how he can hear everything and I would really like a baby that isn't speaking profanity right out of the womb--so careful about language around the baby. Some laughed. Others offered up their names as suggestions. Yet most just stared at me like the crazy teacher I am. But I'm okay with that :)

A Wonderful Wedding Weekend

JLO, 'lil buddy and I spent the weekend Up North for two of our favorite friends' wedding. We had the honor and pleasure of being a part of their big day and couldn't have enjoyed ourselves more. The location was beautiful (Grandview Lodge), the weather was enjoyable (for the most part), and the activities were well planned out and fun (you should see my newly found golf skills!). But what really made this weekend so special were all the people there. Most of us went to college together. Those that didn't, have fit in to our Mafia Group (as JLO likes to call it) just perfectly. It's no secret that we know how to have a good time. So while not drinking was difficult, and not dancing even more difficult than not drinking, I know that I appreciated the opportunity to sit back and watch all the love and friendship in that room.

At one point, I was struck by all the affection that already exists for our 'lil buddy. They are just as excited as we are to welcome a new member to our group and can't wait to teach him a few things (as scary as that might be!). It was, again, just one more reminder to how very lucky we are to have such great friends. Thank you and congrats to the Johnsons for a wonderful wedding weekend.