Grow Baby Grow!

So, once again I find myself apologizing for the lack of updates. Although I think I am just setting realistic expectations upon baby's actual arrival! We are still busy as ever, but extremely happy to see the light at the end of the tunnel as another school year draws to a close. Chris was reappointed for next year and even managed to "recruit" new students to fill the vacancies left by their departing 5th graders. He was extremely relieved last week to announce that his LAST IEP of the year was finally finished!!! So now he is on to the next adventure. He was informed earlier this spring that he will have to pack up his entire room because they are re-doing the AC unit in his building. Fun, fun...at least he only has 2 years of things to pack up and not 20+ years like my mom, who will be moving schools yet again this summer!

I have been swamped with end of the year things at Everhart. Two weeks ago, we survived the final chorus concert and the event of the year....Everhart PROM! Last week included the final awards assembly and graduation. Needless to say, I have been begging for a 3 day weekend for about two weeks now. I am feeling fortunate that we are almost finished at this point because I am not sure how much longer I could keep up this pace. Next week is Fun Day and early releases for students, so I am thinking that, at the most, I only have 4 music therapy sessions left for the year, if every class arrives as scheduled. I am teaching summer school this year, although I am not entirely sure which room I will be in. We also haven't quite nailed down how my maternity leave will be covered next year, but at this point, it is looking like I will be full time at Everhart this fall, with Brenda covering all of the district-wide sessions and traveling from school to school. Assuming Baby Reece decides to arrive on-time, the plan is that I will be gone for the 2nd nine weeks and come back to work in January.

We are finalizing plans for day care, for at least 2nd semester next year. We have been so fortunate to have two different individuals agree to take care of our bundle of joy. Both live near Hartsfield and come with EXCELLENT recommendations from Hartsfield teachers and parents alike. We are so excited at the prospect of having our baby in a small home care setting rather than a group day care. I know that day will come, and I firmly believe in the importance of early development of social interaction skills, but love the idea that my child will be receiving individual attention during at least the first year of his/her life!

Otherwise, things seem to be going well. I have broken down and purchased several new, bigger pieces of clothing for my wardrobe. Although I have not moved into maternity wear quite yet, I know that day is coming soon. My morning (all day) sickness seems to have subsided for the time being, which is quite the relief for someone who would rather do anything in the world other than throw up! I am still tired, but I think that has more to do with the schedule this time of year and the 95+ degree heat that we have been blessed with the past few weeks. Go figure that the year I am pregnant, we have entirely skipped spring and moved straight into the dog days of summer. I am not looking forward to July and August at this point! We have been to doctor one more time since the post with the heartbeat and we got to hear that magic sound again. We tried to tape it, but were so busy talking and asking questions that we kind of lost the important "soundtrack". We have our ultrasound Friday and are very excited for what we are sure will be a fabulous end of the school year present to us! Until then...enjoy the new pics (and Dad, I so apologize if you are offended by my belly shots!) =)




Baby Reece's First Prom




















15 Weeks




16 Weeks




17 Weeks




18 Weeks--What happened between 17 and 18? Hence the title of the this post! =)