Six Years

Today we celebrate six happy years of marriage...time flies when you're having fun! I still can't believe I found such an amazing man. I really couldn't be any happier. I can't wait for the next six years!

Almost Ready

Less than five weeks to go! Last week I had an appointment and then I went to Idaho afterwards. I did not realize driving so far by myself would be so difficult at this stage! Thankfully Peggy let me stay the night after my appointment so I could split the trip into two days. This little baby just loves to play in my ribs and sitting in the driving position was almost unbearable! Now that I am home, I am going to go get a pre-natal massage tomorrow. I am so excited. Two of the moms of my kids from last year got me a gift certificate and I have been waiting to use it until I felt like I really needed it...yeah, I think I need it now!

Anyway, I had a good time in Idaho. I got to hang out with my mom and sister, grandparents, cousins, and all their cute little kiddos. My cousin Michelle made these little name plates for her girls and I thought they were so cute. So while I was there she was sweet enough to help me make some for our nursery. They look cuter in person. Now the only thing I have left to do in the nursery is to put the bedding on and get a shelf to hang over the dresser. It's nice to feel like there is an end...although I am a little, okay a lot, nervous for what is to come!

Am I a Human Target?

I know this isn't the best belly shot, but we were in a hurry and couldn't get a great side shot. Either way, you get the picture. I swear just from two days ago I am about 3 times bigger too...yay.

Anywho, back to the topic at hand. This morning I got up bright and early, as usual, to go walking. As I am lost in my thoughts, I feel something smack straight into my neck. It hit with quite a bit of force and for just a second, I wondered if I had been shot...I know, I'm dramatic. I feel my neck, but don't really feel anything. Then I look around wondering what just hit me. I look at the ground and see a shocked BIRD. That's right. Some kamikazi bird flew directly into me. WHAT THE? I'm always on the look out for things like, oh I don't know--dogs, skunks, mountain lions, but BIRDS? Seriously? I don't know if my large belly threw off its sense of direction or what, but I thought it was really strange. Maybe it was just looking for its mother. Who knows, but I just hope I don't get a bruise or something because that is not the best place for a bruise.

In other news, we are down to 6 weeks and counting! I feel a little more miserable each day. I had hoped just the last three weeks would be bad, but it's already starting. We started our child birth classes yesterday and I am pleased to announce that Jeff did not pass out. I, on the other hand, felt so nauseous I had to excuse myself halfway through. The room was really warm and lately I have been throwing up or had the urge to throw up nearly all day. It's like the morning sickness is back. Hip, hip hooray!

Fourth of July was really fun this year. Jeff's sisters were both visiting Utah so we scheduled an appointment that weekend. We went to the This is the Place monument and there were all sorts of fun things to do...like this watermelon eating contest. There was also a rodeo where the kids got to ride sheep, well, they got to fall off sheep. They all had battle wounds to prove how brave they were! They also had a family shower for me, and that, of course, was a blast. Our little one is pretty spoiled! We also had a family party and fireworks so we were definitely not bored! It was a fun weekend and great way to keep my mind of feeling uncomfortable!

Belly Blues

I can't believe I am posting again already...go me. But anyway, I have been catching the scrapbook up and looking through photos. As I look at pictures from last summer and years before, I think to myself, "wow, I can't believe I thought I was so fat." Now that my belly is doubling in size everyday before my eyes, I find myself laughing at some things, and crying at others. For example:

--I now bump into things on a regular basis.
--I have a really hard time cleaning the tub and bending over in general.
--I don't sleep much mostly because I have to pee and my legs are constantly cramping up.
--I spill on my belly.
--When I look down, I see nothing but my belly.

I know these things are pretty normal for pregnant women, but what happened today took the cake. I have now become a human windshield. I went walking as usual and there is this place by the river where there is always a swarm of these little gnat-like bugs. I got past them and about 5 minutes glanced at my protruding belly (it is hard to miss). It was then that I noticed about 30 dead gnats STUCK TO MY BELLY! I quickly brushed them off. At first I was very embarrassed wondering how many people I had passed since the bugs and then I almost started to cry, but I ended up laughing because I never, ever thought I would be a human windshield!

Thoughts

I haven't been blogging much lately, mostly due to lack of internet service at home, but also because I haven't had too much to blog about. I finally decided to sit down and try to update.

*Only 8 weeks left until we meet our little one.
It seems like forever and really fast all at the same time. I have
a lot left to do before she gets here...

*Lacking motivation. I have been lacking motivation for most things.
I blame it mostly on the heat, but I also think it has to do
with getting little sleep. I know that is just going to be worse
in 8 weeks!

*This summer definitely feels different than previous summers.
This is the first time I haven't been thinking and planning
for a new school year. Usually at this time I start getting
antsy to get in my room and start prepping.

*I should be getting the nursery together, but I haven't
really had the energy or motivation. I think it is
mostly due to lack of ideas. I really don't
know how to decorate so I am stalling. Maybe when
I have the bedding up I will be more inspired!

*I feel financially overwhelmed. I think a lot of it has to
do with knowing I won't be getting a paycheck
next year on top of a baby--holy expenses! We are
so incredibly grateful to all of our friends and family
who have helped us with so much of what we need. Now we have
a lot of the pricey items left to buy...strollers, playpen,
car seat, diaper bag, rocking chair,
video camera, etc.
The worst part is the doctor bills have already started coming...yippee.
Sure wish we could have taken advantage of having Educator's Mutual!

*We have already started the long, exhausting job of getting
wood for winter. We decided we better do it early.
Thankfully, we should be close to done. Poor Jeff
has really had to do all of the really hard stuff because I can't. Between
that, yard work, scouts, and work in general, he is exhausted.

*I am getting plenty of tips on being a mom, staying home,
what a newborn is like, how little sleep I will have,
etc. etc. etc! It's funny how everyone wants you
to know how hard it is going to be. Do I really seem like the type that lives
in fairytale land? I mean, I know
there will be some surprises, but I have
never had rose colored glasses on. I appreciate the
people who say things like, "your
life will be totally different, but better in so many
ways." Much less depressing.

*I am getting very nervous about the actual birth.
I am kind of a wuss about things like this.
Child birth classes start in a few weeks and I just
hope Jeff and I aren't both passed out in the back. I keep
telling myself that millions of people have gone through this, so
surely I can too. Again, this is a topic
everyone has a story about and likes to give advice.
I really don't like hearing horror stories about what
happened at this hospital or that, or what this nurse or
that doctor did, etc. I would really
rather not have more to worry about--I can do plenty
of worrying all by myself!

*Jeff is doing great. He still loves his job
and the people he works with. I'm so happy he found such a
great place to be. His co-workers made him a surprise
diaper cake last week. It was so cute and thoughtful.
Jeff was a little embarrassed carrying it around, but
at least he didn't have to ride the bus that day.
Hilarious.

*Every time we come to UT we want
to get together with friends, but the trips are always short
and jam packed with errands to run.
Since my doctor appointments are starting to become more
frequent , I look forward to getting together with many of you soon!
We miss you and love you all!

Rough Day

Today is the last day of school, and like every year, it is bittersweet. Today, it feels a little more bitter since it is my last day of school for I am not sure how long. It has been such a great year. It feels so strange and so incredibly sad to say goodbye to my career. As I look back on the last seven years, I can't help but feel unbelieveably grateful. I have worked at two incredible schools, with two incredible principals, colleagues that have become my best friends, and I have always had the best students and parents to work with. I have the best of memories and have made such great friends with so many people. I am excited to stay home with our little girl and be a mom, but I didn't anticipate just how hard it would be say goodbye to this part of my life. I feel like I am losing part of who I am and I can't believe I won't have a set of keys letting me into a school and a classroom. There are so many things I am going to miss:

*Summers of getting organized and ready for a new batch of kiddos--I love the anticipation
*Seeing the back to school sales and getting an excited/nervous pit in my stomach
*The night before school starts nightmares...well, maybe I won't miss those so much, or maybe I'll still get them
*The first month of school. I love training a new group and getting to know the kids!
*Planning and teaching the curriculum. I will especially miss watching the kids learn and get excited about what we are learning.
*The connection you make with students
*Halloween in an elementary school! Crazy day, but I LOVE it!
*Hearing "Mrs. Hunziker" or my favorite, "Hunziker", a hundred times a day from every kid in town
*Feeling part of a team
*Laughing with and playing jokes on colleagues
*Lunch in the faculty room
*The feeling of having grades done and turned in
*Parent/Teacher conferences...I really do like meeting and celebrating with the parents. Plus, I have to say, I really have worked with such positive parents and always enjoy visiting.
*When the long nights of parent/teacher conferences are over--they do tend to be exhausting!
*Looking forward to the breaks--Thanksgiving, Christmas, Summer
*Tracking student growth
*Holidays and theme days
*The always overflowing lost and found
*The funny things the kids say when you least expect
*The way the kids make you feel
*Read aloud...I love watching the expressions and excitement when we read a really good book
*Seeing the coats and backpacks hanging on the coathooks

and so much more...

Jeff has been so sweet and supportive this week, which has really helped out. I know when this little baby comes I will be so happy I stayed home and I know it will be hard, (harder than working) but worth it. This summer I think I am just going to have to focus on getting ready for the baby to keep my mind off of school. So weird...not only will I not be bringing home a paycheck, but I will no longer be known as a teacher.

The Belly

Okay, so I know a lot of you have actually seen the belly in person, but for those of you that have not yet had the opportunity...here it is...and it just keeps getting bigger and bigger! The kids are often caught staring at my belly and they rub it and talk to her on a regular basis. It's pretty cute. They always tell me how smart our little Heidi is going to be since she is already learning her multiplication facts. Jeff now reads to her every night too, so I'm sure she will be a genious. Just kidding.

The countdown is definitely on now--three more months from today! Whoo hoo! The crib is set up and now I need to start figuring out how to decorate. I am excited that Jonna is going to make her amazing baby bedding. Can't wait to see our little girl and start getting some of this weight off! I'm terrified of seeing just how much bigger I am going to get--ugh--definitely a downside to pregancy, but I'm sure it will be worth it in the end!