Hi! My name is Kristin, and...

can you tell I started working full time? I've been totally MIA from friends and family through almost every type of conversation portal, especially here! So sorry :) Let's catch up!

We haven't been to the doctor since the last picture I posted, but we do go this Friday. We'll be having our 20 week anatomy check to make sure all her parts are there and growing like they should. Then we won't see her again for a while- till she's almost ready to come out! Kinda makes me sad. It's SO much fun to watch her move around during an ultrasound- it makes it all so real. We may have to break down and pay for a 4D ultrasound in a few weeks :) No name for her yet, though I think we're making progress. Maybe too much- I have a sheet of notebook paper covered with names. We'll start narrowing it down- plenty of time, right? ;)

On to the firstborn! Carter just finished his second full week of 1st grade. He LOVES his teacher, and the whole 1st grade experience in general. Makes it so much easier to drop your kid off at school each day when they love where they're going, right? I couldn't be happier. We convinced Carter to get, not a hairtcut but, a "trim" before school started. We let him go without one all summer because he really wanted to and, well, it was summer- who cares? But he got very attached to his shaggy mop. It's been two weeks and the mop is back. We may have to go a little shorter next time :) Here is Carter on his first day of school with his hair "trim."



I had my first official day of school, too! I had been working the couple weeks prior to school preparing for the big day- classroom, supplies, curriculum, etc. But nothing could have prepared me for parent-teacher night. Ugh. I was sweating, stuttering, had cotton mouth, thought I was going to pass out, and forgot half of what I intended to say. Terrible. But I don't think anyone noticed because they all still sent their kids to school to be with me, the babbling idiot, on the first day. Now that I've had two weeks with the kiddos, it's becoming easier. The first day was WILD. It took a couple days to get to know my kids' different personalities, how they learn best, what I need to do to get them to pay (and stay paying) attention. Teaching is a juggling act for sure- maybe more so than parenting, but only because you have more kids to juggle. Needless to say, at the end of the day, I am exhausted. Here are some pictures I took of my classroom on Meet the Teacher night, before the kids came in and tore up the room :)



My job at the college is in full swing, too. I am required to do a bit of running around- taking documents over to another building, getting professors books from the book room, and the very occasional (haha) run to the on-campus Luby's- BUT, for the most part I have projects that I work on at my desk. I love projects. They give me such a great feeling of self-satisfaction in the end. I put hours into something, have my boss write all over it what she wants me to add/change, then I edit it and proudly carry her the finished product. Mmm, I just got chills! Haha, kidding, but I do enjoy my job very much. Despite the long hours, no days off, losing almost all of my little social life, and never wanting to do a thing by the time I finally get home... which brings me to my next topic...

My husband. One day last week I got off work in time to pick up Carter from school, then I had a couple errands to run before going home. I told Sean what I was doing and that I'd see him when I got home, but he kept calling me for nonsense things while I was trying to get these things done. I was starting to get really frustrated the last time he called while I was checking out at the store- I told him "If you stop calling me and let me pay I could get home faster!" Home was my next destination. That was all he needed to know. My sweet husband was at the house trying to perfectly time a grand feast of a dinner. Chicken, sides, rolls, and drinks were all set on the table when I walked in the door. The house smelled marvelous, I was starving, and dinner was wonderful. And yes, I apologized for my slight attitude :)
Sean has actually been doing quite a bit of cooking since the sight/smell/thought of raw meat makes me ill. I'd say he's getting good at it, but he's actually been good at it- he just didn't do it often. I told him I'd stay pregnant forever if I didn't have to cook again. He said ok ;) On top of cooking on his days off, Sean's been keeping the house tidy. We've had several showings since putting our house on the market two weeks ago- a couple people have even come back for a second showing, so we'll see how it goes! We've seen a lot of houses that would give us more room for baby- and just more room overall- we're excited to go start looking. Sean started school this past week- one of those crazy high-level math courses. He tries to explain a problem to me and I try to explain that he's speaking a foreign language and I've been lost since the beginning. English is my thing- let's diagram a sentence!

Hope everyone's well! I'll try to find time Friday night to post updated pictures of little Miss baby Stevenson. Who knows, maybe we'll have a name by then! Eh, probably not.

Dear pizza and chocolate,

Our love affair must come to an end. Yes, it's true- we did have a great run. But things just aren't the way they used to be. The burning you've been causing in my chest here lately just isn't worth it. You get the satisfaction of adding calories and fat to my diet with your hot, steamy cheese and your rich, creamy cocoa, and, while I do still enjoy your aroma and flavor, I always end up at the medicine cabinet searching desperately for anything to make the pain go away. This isn't healthy. I need to think about me right now. I really am sorry, and I hope you understand. If you can find it in your heart to forgive me, I'll call you after February 1.

Kristin

I find great joy

in listening to my son's conversations with his friends. Today, it went like this:

Carter: "Ok, so fall like this (falls dramatically on the ground) and be like 'Oh, I'm hit! I'm hit!' and then I'll come and I'll be like 'Oh my gosh, you got shot!' and I'll try to help you up and get you to safety but I won't be able to so I'll call for help like 'Mayday, mayday (sp?).' Ok?"

Friend: "Ok."

Friend then falls on the ground: "UGH! I'm hit! I'm hit!"

Carter runs up: "Oh my gosh, you got shot!"

Carter pretend-struggles to help friend up: "Mayday, mayday, I can't get him up! Man down!"

Just like he said, it was. Carter planned out this whole dialogue and his friend just went with it. I was laughing quietly on the other side of the wall. What if the friend said "No, I don't want to say that" or, "No, you be the one to get shot!"?? I was kind of wishing Carter gave his friend a little choice in this dramatic play, but if the friend is cool with it all, then great. I do love to see Carter be such a creative little being, and a leader, too. I pray he grows both of these qualities and uses them to be a bold, inspiring witness for Christ.


Since I'm on Carter and I feel like I haven't bragged on him in a while, a good story seems appropriate. Earlier this week I was in my bathroom getting dressed and Carter was in there for a moment doing something. I grabbed my toothbrush and paste and was preparing to brush my teeth, when Carter asked me a question. "Mommy, are you tired of cleaning your bathroom sink?" I had just done some deep-cleaning of the house the day prior so I assumed he was reflecting on my hard work. I responded, "Well, it's not exactly fun, but it's just something you have to do. Yah, I guess I'd rather not have to do it as much." Immediately he responded with "Then you should get the Touch and Brush! It uses all of your toothpaste and gives you just the right amount, every time!" When I realized what was happening I almost choked on my toothpaste. He was repeating an infomercial, word for word. Classic Carter- see/hear/read something once and it's memorized, ready for recitation. I love that kid :)

Here's me and baby girl Stevenson at 16 weeks (today). I actually got dressed today for church and my sweet little neice's christening afterwards.

The score is evened!

I have a GIRL on my team! Someone to run with me as we escape the terrible sounds and smells of the boys! Someone to sit and watch me do my hair and put on makeup, like Carter watches Sean shave, mow the lawn, read- and pretty much everything else.

Look :)

Her sweet baby profile. I can't believe her legs are already curled up... is it crowded? Am I really that pregnant?She gave us a little wave right in the middle of the ultrasound. Talk about shedding some tears- it made me bawl! It's like she has a little personality, or she knew we were all staring at her... Gosh, I love her so much already :)
The little princess had no problem showing us her, uhem, "parts." Immodest thing; she definitely gets that from her daddy. ;)

So there you have it! We're now in the process of choosing a name. (Yes, Dad, we will have something for you to tell your friends. Just don't get too antsy- this may take a while! haha, love you!) We didn't realize it until now, but we both find boy names so much easier to like. Haha, that doesn't sound right. I have about three boy names that I would name my son in an instant, as does Sean. But girl names are harder. I've thought I had "the name" for years, but now that the time has come- I'm not so sure about it anymore! Can't sound too baby-ish because they won't be a baby girl forever, can't be too exotic or they'll mistaken for a... uhm, dancer? Is it a name they can grow into (and it's hard to picture your infant who hasn't even arrived yet as an adult with this possible name you've come up with!)? These name books you can get that are supposed to help you with suggestions just give me a headache. My attention is always brought to the craziest names, like Zelda, that I'm probably passing right over anything I would actually consider. I told Sean that if we just ask every person we know for some suggestions, that maybe ONE name out of all of those would just jump out at us! We'll see.

I haven't had a week this busy in a long time. Summer was spent being pretty lazy, or atleast doing everything at my own pace, but those days are OVER! And I'm not going to lie- I kinda like it :) I'm a freak in that sense. Like my mom, who I always claimed had some sort of disease that wouldn't let her STOP for just a minute to sit down, I like to be busy. I'm dead tired at the end of the day, but I love the feeling of what all I've accomplished. Last week I decorated my classroom, but I'm still waiting on little things like, oh, the furnniture. Haha, seriously- but the walls are done, and that's the hard part! This week I started teacher in-service. These are some long days, especially to the girl who likes to move. I've spent the majority of the past week sitting in a chair listening to policies and procedures. It's made me realize I need maternity pants. I can't pull this off anymore. haha..

On Monday I had the opportunity to interview with the Head Chair of Math and Education for a college in our area. She needed an administrative assistant to help her with class scheduling, textbook decisions, among some other things. Well, the interview went well, and she likes me enough to work with my schedule. Since I'm teaching Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday afternoons, she allowed my schedule with her to be Tuesdays, Thurdays, and Friday mornings as needed. I will be crazy busy now with two jobs, but it's great. My ultimate goal is to be a college professor in Early Education, and this is the perfect foot in the door opportunity that I would be a fool to pass up.

It's amazing how God opens (and shuts) doors in order to give you just what you need. The events in my life just over this summer have been incredible proof of that. The trusting can be hard sometimes (especially for a control freak like me), but man it's so good when you do. I stand in awe every day!

hot wheels :)

The first time Sean took Carter out to teach him how to ride a bike like a real man (that is, without training wheels), it didn't go too well. Carter was only half-trying and didn't make much progress. He just wasn't ready. Well it's been a few months now and Sean decided to take Carter out again for a second attempt. I didn't follow them outside immediately- I thought if it was anything like last time I'd just be sitting there watching Carter topple over constantly. But, to my surprise, after 3 minutes of being outside Carter ran in screaming at the top of his lungs "Mommy, come quick! You have to watch me ride my bike!" So I did :)

Yay for Carter and the beginning of some wild biking adventures!

I did my first weird pregnancy thing a couple nights ago. I woke up at 3am and HAD to have cereal. So I dined in the kitchen alone by under-cabinet lighting. Bonding time with baby :) We find out the sex on Tuesday. Everyone has this "feeling" that we'll be having a girl. I have no feeling either way, and I honestly don't care. I know God knows what's best for our family, and that's what He'll give us!

Twinkies in the closet

We just got back from a week in Corpus Christi visiting family. I have two aunts there- one has three children, the other four. Both have children with the energy of a dozen children all wrapped up into one precious little body. Our time there earned them a new respect in my eyes, and made me realize this child in my belly may be our last (haha). I love Carter to death, but sometimes, just sometimes, I need to break away. Just for a moment. Well this evening our church had a fun night planned for kids and Carter was super excited to go. And I was super excited to take him! I wrote a HUGE grocery list- like I am stocking our house for full meals for two weeks straight. And I was excited about doing that. Usually I keep shopping trips fairly short, and make sure to pack a good book, drink, and snack for Carter. Come on, a 6 year old's patience for grocery shopping can only last so long. But tonight I was going to be alone and I could take however long I wanted. I got to church (just 5 minutes early), and as I'm signing Carter in I see another mommy friend next to me. I asked her, "So what are your big plans tonight?" Her eyes lit up with excitement as she said, "Oh, my husband and I are going to dinner! What are you doing?" I answered with equal excitement, "I'm going grocery shopping!" I was that excited. I walked Carter to the appropriate building and gave him a gentle nudge to go ahead and walk in. He didn't move forward. In fact, he didn't move at all. He was clinging to my leg. My heart started to beat a little faster as I saw visions of me at the grocery store, but I wasn't alone. I was panicking. "Carter, what are you doing? This is it- come on, let's go see what all they've got in here for you!" Lazer lights, glow sticks, face painting, and games- none of it mattered. He didn't see anyone he knew and he was not comfortable with me leaving. He wanted me to stay, then he wanted me to leave, then he wanted us both to leave. Now, my patience level is real thin these days, so I had to make something clear. "I am not playing a game with you right now Carter. You either stay and have fun, or you're going to the grocery store with me. No back and forth- be decisive." (My intention was to scare him into staying- he strongly dislikes the grocery shopping. But... my plan failed.) Carter responded, "Fine, then I'm going with you." As we began to walk back towards the car, however, he changed his mind again and said he wanted to stay. If I demand that he not be indecisive, then I can't very well change what I said either. Dangit. So we walked out of church, both sad (him shedding actual tears), and loaded up to go to the store. I wasn't planning on Carter being with me (as in I had no games/book/etc), so we had to make-do at the store. He went through everything in my purse, ate my gum, drank my drink and cried about he really wished he was at church. Now what point was I really trying to make with all this "be decisive" business?
After a very long grocery 'adventure' I came home, unloaded everything, and made Carter some dinner (since he wasn't eating the pizza I had already paid for at 'fun night'). I headed to the bathroom thinking I could be alone just for a moment, but I was caught before I could even shut the door. "Mommy, could I have some chocolate milk with my dinner?" Seriously, can I pee alone?? Suddenly, I remembered something my mom had said to me a long time ago. When you have kids, there will be days you eat Twinkies in the closet. I finally get it.
Now I need to put a lock on my closet door.

Future karate master...

We had an ultrasound done on Tuesday. It was crazy to see how much this baby has changed in 4 weeks. Last time we saw him/her, we saw a "yolk sack" with an unrecognizable "blob" attached that was our baby (refer to ultrasound picture in previous post). NOW, however, there is a real BABY- all appendages and major parts are there, they're just miniature and will spend the next several months growing and fine-tuning. Wow.

The line going across the top of the baby in the video is the umbilical cord. But you can definitely tell the rest of the parts, especially when the baby starts moving. We have a little ninja in there! Sean said something along the lines of 'No wonder you're sick- I couldn't imagine something kicking and punching inside of my stomach!' But, obviously, I don't feel any of this movement yet.