My Word

Back at the beginning of the year, when everyone was making resolutions, I read this post from Clover Lane, one of the blogs I love to read. She was copying someone else's idea of making a new year's resolution out of one word. I loved the idea. So I thought and thought of what my word would be. And this is what I came up with:
I printed the word out, stuck it in a dollar store frame, and now it sits on my nightstand to remind me each day.

There are 2 ways I'm trying to incorporate this word into my life:
1st, I want to simplify things in my jumbled-up mind. I constantly have to-do lists running through my mind. Seriously-- all day long. And, often, this stresses me out. I'm very detail-oriented (in other words, I freak out when something isn't perfect). As a result, I spend a lot of my time and energy on things that really aren't that important-- like staying hours after school to create cute little signs for a lesson I'm going to teach the next day. Was it on my to-do list? Yes. Was it important enough for me to spend all that time and energy? No. Is it the end of the world if I don't do it? Previously, I would have said yes. Crazy, huh? So to simplify the lists running through my mind, I am trying to decide which things are the most important and not "sweat the small stuff."

2nd, I want to embrace the 'simple pleasures' in life (hence, the new name of our blog!). I'm sorry to say that I wasn't a very cheerful or positive pregnant girl. I feel like I spent most of the last year uncomfortable and complaining. I stopped noticing all the good things around me like I used to. At the bottom of the stairwell to our condo, there used to be a beautiful rose bush. Every time it was in bloom and I was walking past, I would think the phrase, "stop and smell the roses." So I would . . . even when I was running late for work! And each time I breathed in the perfume, I would walk away thinking how pleasant this world is. Last summer, the grounds crew tore the rose bush out. I don't know why. But with or without a rose bush, I want to have that feeling again every single day. I want to notice the simple things around me that make me love my life! And so, for this year, I will be blogging about those things that make me happy. Enjoy!

Introducing . . .

Our new favorite person in the entire world!
He's here! He arrived last Wednesday, January 20th. I was scheduled to be induced that day (which is also my due date). And it was a good thing because I started having contractions that morning before we went to the hospital (they hurt like crazy!). We got to the hospital by 7:00 am. Once there, they got me all set up and informed me that my doctor had requested an ultrasound to check on the baby's size before we started anything. The ultrasound tech then came in and did her thing. She estimated from her measurements that the baby would be 9 lbs; but she said she could be off by a pound in either direction. Our doctor met with us and went through our options. She recommended a c-section and we decided to go with that route. Unfortunately, that was a very busy day for deliveries and they couldn't squeeze the c-section in until later in the afternoon. So we spent the long day watching movies and waiting. At least that's how Brian and our mothers spent the day-- I spent it drugged and sleeping!Finally, our time came and Porter Cash Nye was delivered at 4:23 pm. He weighed 9 lb 8 oz and was 22 inches long! The nurses said we won for delivering the biggest baby at the hospital that day! We spent 3 days at the hospital recovering and getting used to life as a new little family. Now we are home, still recovering and still adjusting to our new life. We love him SO much! Brian and I will just stare at him and smile because we can't get over how happy we are to have him here!

Big Baby

That's what the doctor called this boy inside of me. BIG. Since the day my husband told me he was around 10 1/2 lbs when he was born and broke his mother's tailbone, I've been praying that our sweet little babies will take after their 7 lb 11 oz mommy. Sadly, it's not to be so. The doctor guessed yesterday that he's over 8 lbs already. She then informed me that if he can't get out of me easily, they'll move straight to a c-section. What?! That wasn't part of my plan!! I guess I'll just have to make sure he sticks to my plans and follows the rules once he's out-- maybe he'll take after his mommy in that way! ;-)

Forgery

The other day, one of my little girls (we'll call her Suzy) was jealous that another 1st grader got to stay in to read during recess. I explained that the student got to stay in because I had gotten a note from her mom. The next morning, Suzy handed me a sheet of red construction paper. Here is what it said:

"can suzy stay in from shana (her mom- though that's not quite how her mom's name is really spelled) Love Mrs. Nye"

It was written in made-up cursive and decorated with 4 hearts and 3 stars. Hmmm . . . all I have to say is that's one creative mother! =)

Negative Nancy

I'm embarrassed to admit that my pregnancy can mostly be summed up as 9-month long bad mood. Case in point: I tried to take pictures each month so I could see the progression. Now, as I look back on those pictures, I had a scowl on my face in almost every single one! Isn't that terrible?! BUT as my pregnancy is getting close to the end . . . I'm determined to enjoy this time in my life and find the positives. Hence, this post! Here are some of the things I "love" about pregnancy:

#1- Expectant mother parking at our local grocery store. I can't even tell you how much I'll miss that parking spot!

#2- Everyday when I drop my 1st graders off in the lunchroom, one of my cute little boys says, "I'll miss you. I hope your baby has a good lunch."

#3- Cashiers, bank tellers, and perfect strangers who give me a huge, knowing smile and ask me when my baby's due. They give advice, tell me their pregnancy story, or just ask me questions. I know some people get annoyed by this, but I think it's sweet how caring an absolute stranger can be.

#4- Baby clothes. Seriously, there is nothing cuter than a teeny, tiny pair of jeans or set of pajamas.

#5- Being excused for every stupid, ditsy (sp?) thing I might do. Every time I make a fool of myself, I hear someone say, "It's okay . . . you're pregnant!" Soon I'll have to go back to being ditsy and people thinking I'm just an airhead!

#6- My sweet husband. Of course, he's always sweet- but since I've been pregnant, he's done more laundry, dishes, and household chores than ever. And I'm never allowed to carry groceries from the car to the condo when he's there-- unless it's a bag of marshmallows or something ridiculous like that. =)

#7- And finally, I'm trying to be grateful for all the other things people tell me I should be appreciating right now-- like getting more than 5 hours of sleep in a night; feeling the baby move; being able to travel light (no carseats, diaper bags, etc).

I'm a week away from my due date and we're dying to have the baby here. But hopefully I can appreciate these last few days enough to make for the past 9 months of moodiness!

Me, trying to look happier at 9 months =)

Baby's Name

We've chosen a name! Actually, we chose it months and months ago . . . but I'm sure you've noticed I haven't been the most devout blogger. =)

~ PORTER ~

The middle name is mostly decided; but we're still talking about a few other options, so I'll let you all know that one later.

Only 17 more days! And we can't wait for him to come! We've got the carseat in the car, the hospital bag is packed, the nursery is completely furnished, and now we're just waiting . . . waiting . . . waiting. Luckily, Brian and I both start school/work again this week and we'll be busy enough that the waiting won't be so unbearable.

I'm Turning into Santa!

I have the cutest little girl in my class. She's like a mini adult trapped in a 1st grader's body because she always has the funniest, wittiest things to say. The only problem is that she talks nonstop and often gets into trouble for it. Today was one of those days.

With my new pregnancy brain, I've found I don't remember things very well. So when I talk to a kid at school about their behavior, I usually have to make a note for myself. Today I kept this list in my pocket. But I had so many well-behaved kids today too that I told them I was also going to write down kids' names on a "good side" who would get an extra sticker on their chart at the end of the day.

My little girl came in to see me at recess to talk about her behavior (at my request- since I had the note to remind me!). We chatted and came up with a consequence- she would write the rule that she had broken. But as I was turning to get back to work, this is what I heard . . .

"You know what's kind of funny Mrs. Nye? You have a good and bad list. AND your tummy sort of looks like Santa Claus' belly."

That made me laugh so hard! But the funny thing is-- that's not the first time I've been compared to Santa this holiday! According to my little brother and sister, my pregnant belly shakes when I laugh "like a bowl full of jelly" as well.

This Weekend

**plus exclusive, never-before-seen photos of super-sized, prego Dana.

Spent Friday night at Macaroni Grill catching up with good friends- some I haven't seen for years & years.

Spent Saturday watching this beautiful girl get married! She and I grew up together. It was such a beautiful wedding!Unfortunately, I only really got one photo of her before my camera battery died-- and her hubby's eyes happened to be closed. =(

My favorite part of the weekend was watching Brian play with my friend Juliann's baby all day long at the wedding & reception. He's going to be such a good dad!

Pet Peeve

My husband likes to come home at night, sit on the couch, and remove his shoes & socks there in the living room. Pretty normal. What's not normal is that he shoves his dirty socks under the coffee table!

I decided a week ago that I was tired of getting on my hands & knees to retrieve his dirty socks . . . so I decided to wait. I lasted a week. But when we were having company over yesterday, I refused to let them see the dirty socks. So I got down on my hands & knees once again. And this is what I found:
Seriously?! Who goes through that many socks in a week?! Apparently my hubby does! I'm thinking I'll pass laundry duty over to him for awhile!

And while I'm posting . . . look at this cute dinosaur one of my students' moms gave me today. She MADE IT for our little baby boy! I am so impressed!

Yesterday

Woke up at 2am-- threw up twice. Paced the house, drinking 7up & eating saltines to calm my tummy down.

Fell asleep on the couch. Woke up late with a pounding stress headache.

Sobbed in the shower because I was so overwhelmed with everything that I needed to get done that day.

Got to school-- still planning the day when the bell rang. As a result, nothing ran very smoothly at all.

School's out- tried to write sub plans in 1 hour. Didn't make it-- I took 1 1/2 hours- and the plans weren't very good.

Cried as I drove to my Reading class (I was 1/2 hour late).

Fought back tears as I tried to focus on class & not think about the hours of unfinished homework due in my ESL class the next day.

After Reading Endorsement class, ran to primary presidency meeting (I'm the new 2nd counselor!).

Got home . . . and suddenly everything was better: Our baby bedding had arrived in the mail! Brian had all the boxes set up with a loaf of pumpkin bread (one of my favorite treats). I smiled for the first time that day as we set up the bedding in our crib, admired it for about 2 minutes, ate a slice of pumpkin bread . . . then sat down to work on our homework before going to bed.
I'm doing much better today. =)