Baby's 2nd Shower!

During the second to last week of school my colleagues threw a surprise shower for me and another colleague who is pregnant just 5 days ahead of me. It was a lot of fun being pregnant with someone at work. We often had things to talk about and enjoyed swapping stories.

I just got these pictures sent to me, so thought I'd post a few. We were blessed with some great items both on and off our registry. One of my favorites was a gift certificate to Barnes N' Nobles from the kindergarten team. I love working with teachers who know just how much other teachers appreciate such a gift! :) Between my mother and I, and the local library, I don't think Shmu will be deprived of books!

Just like in the first shower, getting gifts for my baby is just a whole new and exciting experience. I can't count the number of baby showers I've attended and I've cared very much for the babies being born, but this is just completely different and a bit surreal. Each new item we get only increases our excitement and the reality of it all! :)

Shmu's first doctor's appointment!

Ru and I got to take a trip to the pediatrics department today!! We were looking forward to it, but it wasn't a huge deal to me until I saw the sign that read, "Pediatrics" and then I was hit with the wonder of it all! We're having a baby, folks!! :) We have a little "pediatric" inside! 

Another new experience for me was feeling ultra protective of who this doctor would be. (If we didn't feel comfortable with this one, we could always opt to see another pediatrician.) It's funny because I'm a Kaiser baby and have been raised my whole life with Kaiser. I've never once thought about who my doctor was (I've seen a different one almost every visit of my life) or cared if I liked him or her. Why? Because I never saw him/her again! Today, however, was a different story. Mother instinct kicked in big time and I was surprised how much this visit meant to me. This doctor had better be good and if not, we were going to keep looking until we found one more than acceptable enough for our precious baby.  Ha! I was beginning to wonder if I'd think any doctor was good enough to be treating our child. 

Good news is, we LOVED her! She was just perfect and I'd feel comfortable calling her any time and for any reason. She'll be Shmu's doctor for as long as she works there and as long as Shmu is a child, so I'm glad the baby will get consistency with his/her doctor. After she answered all our questions and left, Ru and I just smiled at each other. We both knew how much we liked her just by the looks on our faces. You know its right when dad and mom both have zero doubts! Yeah, that was easy! Thanks God! Speaking of dad and mom, Rudy noticed she talked about what the "parents" decide, or how the "parents" feel about something or other. He was blown away by that word, now associated with us. It is so awesome and yet such a responsibility. Wow! That's us... parents!!! We can't wait! 

Yesterday was hard.

Last days are supposed to be fun. This one wasn't quite as fun as I remember them being.  It was a good day with the kids. We had a lot of fun and they always LOVE when Rudy comes! Actually saying good-bye to them was another story. I spent a full hour hugging and taking pictures with students and their parents and former students as well. It was really nice to have visitors from last year and to feel appreciated. Parents were still just as shocked that this was really happening, that I was losing my job. After all the good-byes, Ru, my mom and I went to lunch and got some yummy frozen yogurt. Later in the day we got back to work, packing up the last of my things and going through all the final check out procedures. There were a lot of loose ends to tie up and it was no surprise that after a week of hard, 12 hour workdays and little sleep at night, I was exhausted and getting pretty sick! I held it together pretty well until I locked and closed my classroom door. That room had been where I spent my own 5th grade year and it held a ton of great memories from the past two years. I left knowing that there is going to be a whole new chapter for us, but totally oblivious as to what that will look like yet. 

After the long drive home, we finished piling all the boxes (from a total of 4 truck loads) into our tiny, one-car garage. After that, we opened presents from students with a little more enthusiasm and were pleasantly surprised and appreciative of their generosity. Shmu got many things, including a good amount of onsies and pj's for 0-3 months! Yeah, for clothes to wear! We also got many gift cards that we will definitely need and use! Date nights here we come! 

We've been amazed by this year's students and their gifts. I'm thinking all the efforts I've made to establish good relationships with my students' parents and keep in constant communication (phone calls, weekly progress reports, monthly newsletters, notes home) have really paid off. Many said they felt we were family to them and that made me happy to hear. I mention all this because were were so blessed by not only their gifts, but by their appreciation and love. Several parents said their families were going to be anxiously waiting for Shmu's arrival and want to see him/her asap. There was talk of reunions and babysitting, etc. Too bad, the school and neighborhood are a little far away for babysitting! :) 

Today is recovery day and from the looks of it, I'm going to need the weekend. I've got a terrible head cold, cough and head ache and have zero energy for anything. Fun way to spend my first day of vacation! :) I think Shmu could sense how stressful things were this past week and enjoyed having mom rest most of the morning. During the week, I was rocking the baby to sleep most of the day with all the moving I was doing. Now, laying down, Shmu has taken up his/her regular play routine. I feel a strange sense of comfort from the constant movements though, like I'm not alone. Thanks, Shmu.

30 weeks!

Shmu's getting quite big now, weighing 3 pounds and measuring 17 inches. I'll post a picture from our 2nd baby shower as soon as I get the pictures. I'm definitely feeling it and wondering just how big I'll be by the time I deliver. I think I'll be more than ready when the time comes! 

It's hard to believe we have only 10 weeks left before we meet our little one. On the other hand, mom is more and more ready to have her own body back to herself! :) This visitor I have inside me is making his/her presence quite well known with movements, kicks and jabs. Also, starting with the beginning of my 3rd trimester, I have been feeling yucky most mornings and evenings. I've only had to run to the kitchen sink once, and usually if I make a bee line for the kitchen and put something in my mouth right when I get up, I can curb the worst of it. It's definitely different and not as bad as in the beginning 4 months of my pregnancy, but it's still discouraging. I want to be able to enjoy every moment of this because soon I will be saying, "When I was pregnant ..." or telling Shmu, "When you were in my tummy, you ..." 

The excitement is definitely catching both of us. We were just at a 1st birthday party for a little boy who was the first of all our friends' children to be born. Since then, 8 of our friends have delivered babies and 4 more are expecting. We had to chuckle at the sea of strollers and diaper bags that were parked along side us. What a different world we are entering! It's nice to know we've got a lot of friends who are also entering that world with us and it was so fun to be able to hold all the new babies and play with them. Shmu got a party favor that said, "Baby Martin" and it made us smile to think of Shmu soon joining his/her friends. We're so thankful for this group of friends we love and would trust with our child. God is really good to us and His timing was perfect! 

If you think of it, please pray for us this week, as it will be my last week teaching for quite a while and we will be packing up the room and moving out on Thursday, the last day of school. I'm so glad Ru will be able to join me and help me pack and load. I will take comfort in driving home with my family (Ru, Shmu and me) and relaxing from a long, stressful year in school. However, it will be hard both physically and emotionally. As I close my door, new feelings of stress and anxiety will no doubt enter as we try not to worry about our income next year. Pray that we'd feel a calm about this new transition and that God would open some doors soon. Thanks! :) 

Happy Memorial Day!

And happy 29 weeks to our baby! Each new week is such a milestone for Shmu's health and we've been so grateful, especially when we passed the viability week (24 weeks). Since entering the 3rd trimester, I've been flooded with literature and information on premature and preterm labor and we continue to be thankful for each passing week of health. So, yeah for 29 weeks free of complications! That doesn't seem to be normal for this Martin family, and we're a little surprised and VERY grateful! 

A little update on the kid: Shmu's weighing about 2.75 lbs and is about 16.75 inches long. Wow, you've grown little one!! As proof, check out our new food item, a squash...

The web says that baby's energy is surging due to the formation of white fat deposits underneath the baby's skin. The skin shouldn't be as wrinkled now! Also, this new layer of fat means stronger kicks and jabs! Well noted already! The baby is also settling into very distinct sleep and wake cycles. (It's been fun to tell Rudy when Shmu wakes up each day and night!) Also, the 5 senses are fully functional and baby is now sensitive to light, sounds, foods I eat, etc. One super cute thing Rudy and I really enjoy is finding where Shmu is at the moment (very easy to do) and pressing our hands or fingers on it. Within seconds, Shmu will jab at us as if to tell us either, "I'm here mom and dad!" or "Get off me!" Either way, it's been one of Rudy's favorite things to get to feel Shmu respond to him. 

Today, we're working on a number of projects that have to do with getting ready for Shmu. Coming up in early June, we have some friends who are going to be borrowing our piano and we'll start moving furniture then. This will be quite the process as we're needing to have a lot of garage space for boxes and boxes from my classroom at the same time we have strollers, bassinets, car seats, etc. inhabiting our garage with some of it waiting to be placed in the house. Who knows how its all going to fit, but our first load from the classroom will come tomorrow, on Memorial Day. The rest, will be brought home within the next two weeks. So, lots of sorting and prioritizing on multiple ends. Glad that's one of my favorite things to do! Also, glad we already organized the garage and inside our house for the gagillionth time during spring break! :)  Still... I can always find something to get rid of! Ooh, I'm starting to get excited! Hold me back, we've still got to go to church before all this and Monday is a whole day away! 

Decisions, decisions...

Two posts in one day... what's going on here?! Just wanted to update on our doula situation. We've had both our interviews and although there were many good things about both, there were also various things that make me hesitant to agree to using their services. The first offered a zero cost birth and the second, a free/low cost birth according to whatever we'd decide. When all is said and done though, I have to feel comfortable and confident with whomever I choose to participate with us in this intimate experience. Sadly, I don't think it's going to work out for us to use either. I've been pretty bummed it didn't work out (especially for the price) but at the same time, I've got to follow my gut.

I'm still feeling confident about doing hypnobirthing or hypnobabies with Rudy but I just really wanted some extra support. As I was interviewing these doulas, I kept thinking about a good friend of mine and what a perfect fit she would be for us. She's calm, reassuring, supportive and knows the lingo from experience. She's done hypnobirthing herself two times and loves the birthing process. Turns out, she's totally willing to come! So at this point, Rudy and I are going to educate ourselves as much as possible and see if there are any more doula interviews to be had. If not, I'm looking forward to having my friend, whom I love and feel comfortable with, be there with us. Thank you, friend!! :)

Shmu makes me laugh!

Beginning with 28 weeks (Happy 28 weeks, Shmu!!), I'm supposed to record daily kick counts. The kick count card states I'm supposed to count 10 kicks or movements and then record how long it took. The times start at 10 minutes, then 20, 30, and go all the way up to two hours. I started this morning, while still trying to sleep, mind you (a very active time for this one) and got to the allotted amount of kicks in under 5 minutes!! I stopped counting with 25 movements in under 10 minutes and recorded Shmu's moves by making a new column in the chart. When I told Rudy that his child couldn't even be placed on the chart, he high fived me! Shmu, I think daddy's proud of you! I'm just cracking up because I knew it at 18 weeks... this kid is going to have quite the personality! I love it, though. Those are the kids in the classroom you remember most. I just hope Shmu will be able to sit long enough to want to listen to me read books and snuggle mommy a bit.

Happy Mother's Day!!

We have to dedicate a post to our amazing mothers! Both Rudy and I have a whole new appreciation for what our mothers went through to have us, and I know that appreciation will only grow as we enter each new phase of parenthood. In this phase we are in, we are in awe of the profound love we feel for a being that is still a mystery to us. Feeling this intense love for our child and knowing that this love will only grow, make Rudy and I so much more aware of the sacrifices our mothers have made in putting our needs first before their own, guiding and shaping us into the people we are, and ultimately letting us go. I marvel at their ability to make such a great investment in us, our whole lives, and then to one day release us into adulthood without hovering. They've given us a huge gift with that last one, that not many mothers do very well. I'm glad I don't have to think about that for many years. Still, I can't imagine the day I will have to let this child go and I'm more and more appreciative of just how well our mothers have done that for us. Not an easy thing, for sure.  

If Rudy were here, he'd say as he always does, that his mom is his hero. She is that and more. Her character, strength, perseverance, faith in God and service to Him through loving others continue to inspire Rudy and make him so proud of his mom. He speaks so highly of her creativity and resourcefulness as well as her determination and ability to overcome any obstacle with a positive outlook. She's a cheerleader for her kids and is always encouraging them (and me) in all that we do. 

When I think about my mom, I can't even begin to describe all of the many ways and times on a daily basis where she would gently teach me pieces of truth, snippets of wisdom and guide me in doing what was right. Not only was she a true teacher to us kids (taking advantage of every educational moment we encountered!) but she consistently modeled the very behavior she praised. I'd have to say that much of who I am today is because of my mom. Her gentle ways of speaking wisdom in my life still speak to me on a daily basis. I can hear her voice, remember her words, and I am forever grateful for all I have learned and continue to learn from her. I hear my mom in myself as I teach, and I definitely hear her voice as I think of raising little Shmu.  

Rudy and I are so blessed to have such solid women of faith, strength, and character as our role models. Shmu is so blessed to have such wonderful Grandmas!! We love you both so much and appreciate who you are and all you've done and continue to do for us! 

We love you!!!

Happy Momma's Day! :)

7th month/3rd trimester and good news!!

According to our daily pregnancy journal, we began our 7th (lunar) month earlier this week and therefore, our 3rd trimester. It notes that I should expect to have my sleep interrupted by the baby's movement... and boy let me tell you we've got that one covered. As of a week ago, Shmu started waking me up about every hour or so to kick and squirm or roll around a bit. I watch the clock for about 15 minutes as I hold my belly (the kicks hurt!) and eventually fall back asleep. That is, until the next playtime. Someone mentioned that this is a good way to get used to interrupted sleep! I think it's a little early for that, don't you? :) 

First bit of good news is that I passed my glucose tolerance test, which means I don't have gestational diabetes! :) Secondly, I have a doula!!! I am really excited about finding this awesome opportunity for no cost! I have a friend who is a doula and she posted on the doula organization's board that I was wanting a doula but would like to request one that is working on gaining enough "births" or hours to obtain certification. Not more than a day later, I got a call from a woman who directed me to her website (blessedbabydoula.com) and offered her services to us! She sounds great, is a mother of two, lives in the area and is knowledgeable about or has experienced everything I am interested in. She's even a teacher, herself! :) I am so thankful to have her! I've been reading three different books on various forms of natural childbirth and have been slightly overwhelmed by the amount of information out there as well as daily preparation. It will be so nice to have someone who will bring all that knowledge with her to assist and coach me. This doesn't mean I won't finish reading, go to classes or be well versed in these things myself. It does mean, that when the time comes, I won't have to bear the sole responsibility of remembering it all! :) I can't wait to have her over and discuss our birth plan in more detail! Yeah for little blessings that mean so much! :)

** Just had to add that I've gotten another call from another doula. Looks like even though I am very taken with the first - I'll be conducting interviews soon! :) Who would have thought?

Baby's 1st Shower!!

On Friday, May 1st, my students and their parents hosted a "surprise" baby shower for Shmu and me! Funny thing is, 35 students (10-11 year olds) were all able to keep the secret for over a month! It was some of their parents who actually spilled the beans! Surprise or not, it was amazing!! The multipurpose room was packed! Parents had set up tables and chairs and a buffet line of great, homemade food. There were some games for the kids and parents to play throughout the afternoon and party favors for all the students. 

Right after school, I was brought up to the MPR and when I walked in, everyone shouted "Surprise!" After eating, the kids all gathered around me, sitting on the floor, and watched as I opened each present. They were such a fun audience as they would "Oooh and Aww" at everything I pulled out! Baby things are just so cute! For the sake of my students' privacy, there aren't many pictures I can share publicly, but here are a few so you can get an idea. 

 My mommy!

Such generous gifts and gift cards! 

Shmu's cake!

Our crib comforter! I love it! :)

A tiny newborn diaper! It just can't get more adorable!!

I was amazed at all the love and generosity shown to me. It was very special to feel so loved and appreciated. This group of kids and I have a special bond as I was sick for 4 months during the year. They shared the ups and downs with me each day and were so patient and kind through it all. Every week, students ask what fruit the baby is and they want to know how much Shmu weighs as well as how long it is. They are really cute about it. We've been learning the customary and metric units of measurement, so I've conveniently incorporated Shmu into our math lessons. :) 

So, considering how involved my students are with this pregnancy (they may be just as excited as we are), it was so special to have a shower with my students! When I got home, Rudy helped me bring the presents in and couldn't believe how generous the families were. Here is a picture of it all unwrapped, thank-you notes done!

We are so thankful for all the little things as well as some big items like our toddler stroller, swing, 

diaper champ, fold away bath tub, and my diaper bag!