Freedom!

Yesterday gail and steve came to visit. Gail said TJ and i could have an outing and she and steve would watch Jaely. I, of course, was anxious for an outing. We wanted to go see Baby Mama, but the showing didn't work with our schedule of feedings, so we went to target, circuit city and Traverse Pie company. It was nice, but i must admit i wanted to call and check on jaely a ton. It was relaxing not to take the stroller in and out and not to worry if her binky would fall out of her mouth during the car ride. It was wonderful just to hang out with family. As soon as gail got to our house she scooped jaely right up. Jaelynne was extremely fussy during the night TJ had to fall asleep with her on his chest. She wanted nothing to do with laying down, especially in her crib. I think it was gas. Tomorrow grandpa jer comes.

Gail also made us an awesome pot roast and a delicious cake (Jaely turned a month old). I just ate the leftovers. Yum.

It is still so strange for it to be Sunday and for me not to be busy correcting papers. Rather i am busy taking care of jaely and doing our laundry. Next i can either take a shower or a nap before her next feeding. Hummmm decisions, decisions.

Greek Salad Anyone?

Yesterday my aunt, uncle, and brother stopped at Panera bread on their way to visit. I kindly requested soup and a greek salad. I love feta cheese. I poured my dressing on and was mixing it around when i spotted something that didn't look right. At closer inspection (moving aside a big hunk of lettuce) there was a dead, hairy, big moth laying on my lettuce. Panera has let me down. I spent last summer there writing my thesis, eating and drinking. TJ and i love that place. It has let me down. Nasty! My aunt decided not to eat her greek salad.

Visitors!

Yesterday, instead of going to my breastfeeding class, i hung out with friends. One friend just had a baby a week after Jaely was born and the other friend already has two kids. It was so nice to get out, sit outside in the beautiful weather and talk about babies, school, and life. Jaely was awake for most of the outing.

Today was wonderful. My aunt carol, uncle mike and my brother jered came over to visit me and jaely. . . I think primarily Jaely. She was fussier than normal, but i don't think they minded. It really makes me sad that family is not close by to see Jaely more, but i am so thankful people are making the effort to see her. My other brother and his wife are coming to stay in June. I am super excited.

On Saturday gail and steve are coming and then on monday my dad is coming. I love my family.

Right now Jaely is wearing an adorable dress. It is so cute. Of course, after family leaves, she becomes content and plays on her blanket. I wish they had gotten to see it. She is alert and not crying, but kicking, tooting, and looking everywhere.

Yikes!

Yesterday evening, while Jaely was sleeping, we met with two guys about the land behind our house that is for sale. I want that land so bad for a couple of reasons. I don't want anyone building back there, it seems like a good investment, and it would be nice to have two acres as opposed to one. However, they would not budge on their price last night. Or at least they didn't pick up on the fact that we want to negotiate when i said the price is too high. 28,900 is a ton of money. Of course, one guy figured out our monthly budget and he said we should easily be able to make payments of 137.00 a month. I said that we could, but it is the balloon payment at the end that we are worried about. Then i told him that i will not be working next year. He punched the numbers and said "yikes, that would be very tight. Maybe you should work." We knew that we would have to sacrifice some things for me to stay home with Jaely next year. It is just hard to pass up such a good opportunity. But if they won't come down at all on the price, we are going to have to pass it up. We don't want to stretch ourselves and cause extra stress.

Weird day

My day has consisted of sleeping and nursing. I am so sick. . . i never knew my body could produce so much mucus. My head feels all cloudy, my throat hurts, and my head is pounding. I really have slept most of the day, waking to feed Jaely, change her diaper, and put her back down. I haven't changed out of my pajamas in two days. Poor Jaely. I have had to stop mid feeding to blow my nose, and she really doesn't like me sneezing when she is latched on. Hopefully, tomorrow i will wake up and feel completely better. . . hopefully. Sorry for all the whining!

Food

It all started with dad and his shrimp casserole. Then. . .
Jered and his Thai curry chicken
Charity and Party chicken
Corrie and chicken pot pie
Sarah, nate, and corbin with pizza hut
Rob, Kim, Noah, and ryan with lee's chicken (i am eating leftovers as i type!)
Tonight. . . The Bailey's are providing dinner.

TJ and i cannot believe how much it helps to not have to worry about meals. . . and we both love leftovers, so lunches are basically taken care of too. Thanks everyone!

The cards are pouring in. The gifts are still coming. Visitors are sharing their love with Jaely as they hold and cuddle her. Life is good. We are blessed beyond belief.

Beautiful Day

I am currently typing on TJ's laptop. . .my mac went crazy when TJ was connecting our video camera up to it. My beloved mac. This morning, i took Jaely in her stroller outside and raked and weeded our side garden and our massive back garden. It felt so good to be outside, to get fresh air and to get something accomplished. She basically slept the entire time. I bundled her up and made sure she was out of direct sunlight. We had a great day together. TJ got the fallen tree almost all cleaned up. We are both sleep deprived. I probably should be sleeping right now, instead of blogging. I just put Jaelynne down in her swing. I held her for a long time while she slept, but decided i should probably do something with my time. . . other than stare at my beautiful daughter. Don't get me wrong, i did stare for a considerable amount of time. . . so long in fact that she has sleep marks on her cute little cheeks. I need to write more thank you notes. They are never ending because the love and thoughtfulness of our friends and family doesn't end. It is wonderful! TJ had to make a trip to meijers early this morning because we found out the hard way that huggies diapers are slightly larger than pampers diapers. The "slightly" matters a lot when you are only 6 pounds 14 ounces. Explosions of nastiness can occur. We will have to save the huggies for when she is a little bit bigger. You can tell my level of sleepiness by how often and quickly i change subjects. I also laugh at the dumbest things. . . laughs so hard i have tears streaming down my face. Life is crazy, but oh so good!

Normal

Life is starting to feel normal again. . . like we have always had jaelynne. We are still learning, but we are definitely settling in. We even went for a walk today and we are making sure that we don't become hermits by going to meijers and target and such. TJ is overwhelmed with going back to work, finishing the built-in, and preparing the yard for spring. The tree that fell on our cars has left behind a big stump and plenty of sticks. Gail suggested we invite every child we know and have a big stick gathering party. Sounds fun! Right now Jaely is in her swing. Friends are bringing over pizza and TJ is reading the paper. I am so thankful that last night Jaely nursed at 2 and 6, no 4. I got a little more sleep last night than the night before. And i got a nap in, too. It took me all morning to write a thank-you note to our builder. He sent the nicest cookies that came in an adorable "It's a Girl" tin that plays music when you open it up. They are the best cookies i think i have ever had. I need to remember the company when i went to send a little something to someone. Of course, we are wondering if he is just buttering us up before we meet about that land contract, but i think he is genuinely a nice guy. . . he did after all give us our first christmas in our new home ornament and passes to the home show every year. Anyway, it took awhile to write him a thank you note between nursing, sleeping, and taking care of some phone calls. Thankfully, i was able to get more thank you notes done in the afternoon. Well, i better go and try to get things accomplished. I can't post without pictures. . .

Me and Jaely

My poor cat

I know, two posts in one day. . . crazy

So, i got home today and was walking to the back of the house when i heard constant meowing. Ugly was on our bed sleeping, so i decided it must be the other cat. The meow seemed to be coming from the guest room. . . only behind closed doors. Just recently, i started closing the door because i washed the blanket and Ugly (aka drooly) likes to sleep on the blanket and drool. I wanted it fresh and clean for our baby guests. I opened the door and there was Abby, the cute and proper cat. I felt terrible. Guilt overcame me. She came right to me wanting pets. I thought for sure she would give me the cold shoulder, but she just wanted some loving. After some major pets, i inspected the room. Abby is so proper. She cannot stand a mess, and thankfully she didn't want to go where she would cause a mess. After much sniffing and looking, i congratulated her for her properness, in spite of the situation. About 10 minutes later she did make her way downstairs to use her bathroom. Poor cat. I can tell she did sleep on the blanket. . . not because of drool, but because of cat hair. And it WAS so clean.

I then sat and looked at my lunch box and school bag. Where will i put my beautiful vera school bag? Do i clean it out of all of the paper clips, markers, pens, sticky notes, etc, or do i just put it away for a year and some months? It was weird to leave today. My last days normally consist of crazy kids, cleaning up the room, packing things away, cleaning out lockers. Not just walking away after i locked the door. Strange.

Strange

It is so weird. I just packed my lunch for the last time. After years of packing a lunch day after day, today is the last day for a long time. I made sure it was a good one . . . mashed potatoes and yogurt and a banana. Yum. Last night i corrected papers for the last time for a long time. Things are definitely going to be different, but so good. I am so excited about this new journey. I wake up wondering if today will be the day that our life will change. I still have a feeling she will be late, but she has surprised us once before. When we found out we were pregnant with her, i was certain we weren't pregnant because i thought i got my period. Turned out to just be spotting and that was the beginning of her life. She gave us the best surprise ever. Maybe that is her plan again. Maybe she is just so comfy and snuggly that she is content to stay in there. Any way, we will meet her soon. After 9 months and years of waiting, what is another week, really?!

Well, i am on my way to work. No reason to get there super early. . . i am ready for a sub at any time. Our phones are charged. Gas is in both cars. The car seat is ready. My bags are in the car. We have our phone list. We are ready for you Gertie!!!

Sunny Days

I love the sunshine. I love how we don't have to turn one light on in our home when it is sunny. It just pours in. The cats find the sunniest spot and nap for awhile as each and every whisker and long hair is illuminated. Much better than yesterday's snow. Today, i am going to clean. . . again. And do laundry. I just don't want to sit around all day. TJ has grades due soon, so the built-in is put on hold. Since there is really no chance for the dresser being finished before Gertie and visitors come and check out her room, there isn't as much pressure. I keep telling myself that she has everything she needs, it is me that wants EVERYTHING ready. She doesn't need a window seat. I just want the storage and a place to put all the pillows i made. It makes no difference to her. A changing table would be nice, but almost any surface, including the floor will work.

We got an awesome gift in the mail. It is an exersaucer. Only we searched the box, and we have no idea who it came from. Anyone going to claim it, so they can get a proper thank you note and we can tell Gertie when she gets older who it is from?

Right now the cats are smooshed together in the brightest ray of sunshine pouring through our front door. They look so content.

What to do, what to do?

Keven Wright, the guy that built our house called us today to let us know that the subdivision that was being built behind us isn't working out. In fact, he was telling us that we could buy the land directly behind us. He found this out through the developer (which he has purchased some land from) and wanted the people that bought his homes to know that this was an option for them. Right now for 0$ down we could get a 5 year balloon at 3.5% at about $135.00 a month. The land is going for about $28,000. In a week, the land will be advertised to the rest of the public and the interest rate will be at %7.5 through a bank. Anyone could buy it and build whatever kind of house they would like. The property already has a gas line and a paved road access. If we bought it, that would mean we would add about an acre onto our current acre and guarantee that no one would build behind us. He also said that the referral rate for his two houses that are for sale in the sub have doubled. . . now they are $1000.00 a piece. Anyone looking for a house!?? Homeowners of a house he built in the sub were so excited. They bought both lots on either side of them. Instead of having neighbors, they got much more land.

We have some questions and a lot to think about. Obviously this is huge, since we are cutting our income in half. . . hmmmmm.

She's Back. . .

I just drove my car home from the shop. After paying three car payments on it, driving without heated seats, knowing TJ is driving the scary truck, and missing my ipod plug in, i am so so so glad to drive it home today.

Life has been crazy busy since i last wrote. I have been working 12 hour days, coming home and trying to get ready for Gertie. In fact, life since last friday as been nonstop (except for my two totally relaxing baths that i took).
We went out of town for a my last shower last weekend. It was absolutely fabulous to see my cousins, aunts and uncle.


Then, instead of staying at gail's and getting up real early on Sunday to finish up getting things we needed for Gertie in Grand Rapids, TJ surprised me with a one night stay at the

Marriot on the river in G.R. That way we could sleep in. But, the best part was that it had a huge tub (big enough for a pregnant big girl). I took a bath at night and a bath in the morning before we left. He also got a king sized bed with extra pillows, so i could prop myself up. He liked the big screen TV. It was a wonderful end to a great weekend. Then after sleeping in and taking a bath, we headed to Babies R Us to get the remaining things that we needed. We have to go back and get the glider that we bought because it wouldn't fit in the intrigue. . . we needed the vue, of course.

The rest of the week was full of report cards, parent teacher conferences, meetings, planning and correcting papers. I lived at school this week. It was actually pretty disgusting. . . but only six more days of being there.

Tomorrow, i plan on cleaning. I hope i have the energy. We do want to go pick up the glider. . . that might suck all the energy out of me though. I am tired.

I just got home. . .

For a friday, getting home at 7 is super late for me, especially when i didn't do my normal sleep an hour later on Fridays until 6:15. Instead, i woke up at my normal monday thru thursday time of 5:15. I just have so much to do. Report cards are due monday and parent teacher conferences are tuesday. Plus, because i was getting ready for all that, i am not really planned for next week. Before i could work on report cards i had to grade two big projects. Yikes! I am tired. We are going out of town this weekend for my last shower. I was planning on doing laundry tonight so i wouldn't have to when we got back sunday afternoon, but i just don't think i have it in me. I am looking forward to the shower tomorrow and seeing family that i haven't seen in ages. Of course, my mom will be greatly missed and thought of often. . . The shower for a friend that i went to yesterday was a painful reminder of what my mom would have been like. Her mom was so excited and sat next to her while she opened presents. It was neat to see.

The girl that is due four days after me was told by her doctor to stop working. The girl that is due 6 days after me is dilated to a 1. Ang, who is due 10 days after me, was having some pretty painful contractions the other night. These are reminders that we are indeed close!

I am absolutely exhausted. . .

but i had to put her things on her shelves. I am sure i will move things around a hundred times, but for tonight, it is good. I feel a little more peaceful now that i got some of the bins of stuff emptied and put away. I know the post from a week ago on baby Ellis blog looked done, but they were missing a piece and not secured to the wall. We went to a birthday party at Chuck E Cheese's tonight. When we got back, tj headed to the garage and i headed to the nursery. This weekend is full. We have our birthing class from 9-4 tomorrow and then sunday 1-4. That doesn't leave a whole lot of time for the built-in, laundry, cleaning, or school work.

Baby on the Brain

School work just seems so pointless. TJ and i both have baby on the brain big time, which is fun, but it can also interfere with your sleep. I NEVER have had a problem sleeping before. . . TJ is a different story. So, when i was awake last night from 2-4, i didn't really know what to do with myself. Now it seems i would not have a problem sleeping to take a nap, but i am not letting myself. I need a good night's sleep.

Instead of doing more school work, I started to put the swing together that Gertie got at the shower today. It is adorable. I cannot wait to see her in it. The shower was so nice. It was refreshing to hang out with those friends again. I missed them, so it was good to catch up and chat and of course eat yummy food. Besides the swing, we got adorable classic pooh outfits, board books, a summer time outfit, a cute rabbit, a Dedicated to God Precious Moments, boob cream, and a soft sweatshirt. It is amazing to us how such a little person can have so much stuff. Our guest room is almost filled with things, but the car seat and extra base won't stay in there. The pack and play is in there too, along with our diaper champ and high chair.

Well, i have papers that must be corrected for tomorrow, so i guess i better go.

Attack of Pasta Roni

Mmmm. . . pasta roni, the San Fransisco treat. TJ is on his way home, so i decided to make myself the gourmet dinner of pasta roni,-angel hair with herbs to be exact. I was eager to see how my students did on their multiplication and division assessment, so i was correcting those and entering the grades in my gradebook (i know, on a Friday. . . i am crazy). When my pasta was done, i brought over a bowl and placed it on my gradebook, taking bites as i worked. I had a mouthful, chewed, just getting ready to swallow, when i had a sudden, forceful, unavoidable urge to cough. I spewed all the chewed up pasta and spit onto my gradebook and projected it on the table and in my box of markers, pens, and paper clips. GROSS. Because it was so liquidy, my grades written in marker instantly began to bleed through to other pages and smear. YUCK! I am thankful for two things. . . 1: i did not cough out my food on my electronic, web based gradebook on my mac and 2: that tj and i both have cell phones so i could call him with my story. I knew he would appreciate it. Life is funny. Today was sunny. Alanis Morissette's Simple Together is blaring on my ipod. 16 students out of 23 students got an "A" or a "B" on the assessment. My one boy that got a 1/10 on the assessment is getting tested for special ed, thank goodness. Today is Friday. Sunday there is a shower for baby ellis. TJ is coming home. Life is good.

Attempting to Wind Down

Last night, i got very little sleep. Once i got to sleep i was fine, but it was getting their that took so long. Tonight, i fear will be a repeat of last night. Maybe it is because TJ is out of town. It could be because Gertie's arrival is upon us soon. Whatever it is i need sleep.

Today, i felt more pregnant than ever. Just typing that brings a smile to my face. I feel like my strut has turned into a waddle, and my leg muscles have each turned into a ball shaped mass. Is it wrong to smile at stretch marks? I love my belly. It is really starting to lead the way through the hallways and part the sea of students. Thank goodness my belly button has not betrayed me. Maybe it never will! Her body parts are really protruding now. . . it makes me giggle. I am reminded that i really have no torso. . . i go from hips to ribs. I actually could feel my hips hit my rib cage before i was pregnant. Poor Gerite. . . not a lot of floating room for her. Whenever i picture her in me, i picture her clothed. I need to write that in her baby book. I just realized that that is pretty bizarre.

The end of the trimester is coming up, which means assessments, report cards, and conferences. Conferences are March 11. I hope i am not too miserable by then. I am glad this was a very short week. I don't know if i could have made a five day one.

Well, i should go to the couch and try another attempt at winding down because this is not helping.

An Extension of Mid-winter Break!

Today, both TJ and i are home because of another snow day. We got a ton of snow. . . i will try to post a picture later of our back deck, but it doesn't always show it properly. We are still under a lake effect warning until later this afternoon. i am still trying to get over my cold/cough. Another day off will help greatly. I think i am going to work on my sub letter for my leave, continue to clean from this weekend (i couldn't really cross it off my list because i didn't finish), and relax. I cannot believe that i have had a snow day a week for the last five or six weeks. With all of our snow days and our six days of pool school, i am really behind with the curriculum. Oh well. Tomorrow, after my doctor's appointment, TJ is going to Traverse City for a couple of days. He is driving the S10. . .i am not happy about it. Well, i guess it is time to start my day. :)