Let the Countdown Begin!

Oh my. I am about a month away from my due date. It's been a bit hectic around our house trying to get everything off of "the checklist". I am up late and up early...I did the same thing with when I was pregnant with Teague. It drives Ryan crazy, but I can't stand not having things done WAY ahead of time and this to me does NOT feel like WAY ahead of time, it feels like my greatest pet peeve...PROCRASTINATION. I would rather not refer to it as procrastination, but rather my inability to get things done between working and taking care of Teague. So most checklist items occur after bedtime and last until at least midnight. Oye. So thus far we have made and froze 15 meals (I mean I have - and I still welcome the drop in friend with food, don't be fooled!), disassembled the crib (didn't fit through Teague's door into the next room over), reassembled in the baby's room, repainted the dresser, made basket liners, made a baby blanket and tonight a little free hand painting in the baby's room. WOO HOO, not much left on the list!

So you may have picked up on the fact that there is no crib in Monkey's room anymore. Such a big boy! We actually had bought another crib because I didn't really want to put him in a regular bed yet (didn't want him getting up and out of bed whenever he wanted). Well I had to move the spare bedroom bed somewhere, so into his room it went. He thought it was so great he wanted to sleep in it. So we tried it on a "trial" basis. I can't believe how well it went! We told him he can't get out of bed unless mommy or daddy come and get him and he just lays there and talks in the morning/after nap and then sits up when we come into the room! Ahhh, such a good boy! It hasn't affected his length of sleep (my other concern), so I can't complain. The transition went well. I just can't believe he is sleeping in a big boy bed, doing so well potty training, etc. Why is it that I feel bad that my "baby" is not a "baby" anymore???!!!

I finished up my college bound career camp last week but have been working alot at my crisis hospital job. I am taking over for the program director for 2 weeks this month while he goes to Italy with his wife. I am really looking forward to that and also loving this job as it may offer me some additional options in the future. I guess it's always good to keep options open, right? So while I enjoy my new position, I am having a bit of a hard time giving up my last few weeks of summer for work as well.

I am coming to the realization that I will likely have to return to work for a couple of weeks before baby arrives. I guess that's good because I want her to bake as long as possible and I mind as well get paid for workshop week instead of taking sick time.....but still, how do you get motivated for another school year when you know you won't be there for more than a week or two and not return until the next September?! The beginning, middle and end of the school year is the most stressful times in my job, so the thought of stepping into that is a bit daunting for me and I can't help but wish someone else was doing it, but I am sure once I am there I will feel like I never left (like every other year)! And I have to admit that I am not looking forward to the comments of "how huge" I am since a majority of these people have not seen me since May when I was barely showing. I still can't get over that ANYONE would tell a pregnant lady that they are HUGE - especially other women who have had babies?! However, those people who are sweet enough to say things like "No way you have only a month left? You're so small..." or "you just look like you swallowed a basketball, it's all in your belly" - keep those comments comin'!!! =)

Here are a few pics from the last couple of weeks and a video at the bottom of my groovin', jammin' son...

Looking at the frogs Papa caught...so fascinated by them!

What the boys do best at Nana and Papa's....sleep!

Look at these two cute cousins hanging out with their coffee mugs full of juice and watching Barney! So adorable.... (Chase is perfect in Teague's eyes!)

Teague chill-axin' at Nana and Papa's in his swimming trunks, reading a book!