It's been awhile...

Let's see...
I have a new ultrasound 3D picture to post. My friend runs a machine at a different doctor's office and told me I could come in anytime. Cool! So I went in again last week and got this one and then she will do the 3D on week 29. She said that's the best time for pictures... Everything is going well though. I've got me a little belly (not sure how I feel about taking pictures of that and posting them) and need to get some new clothes.
Other than that, Brian and I had a fun time up at 5th Grade camp (Clear Creek) with my students. We were snowed in, but only for a few hours. It was way fun - a great way to go out.
AND I got hired for a new job next year. Sad to think about not teaching, but I think this job will allow me to be a better mom. Only 4 days a week at the district coaching brand new 5th and 6th grade teachers. Positives: no grading, planning, worrying, cleaning a messy classroom, etc. This job will allow me to come and go and be done and not worry about anything. Less expected. I guess that's my new motto. :) Makes me sound lazy, huh?

Lent

Tis the season.

"Lent is a season of soul-searching and repentance. It is a season for reflection and taking stock. Lent originated in the very earliest days of the Church as a preparatory time for Easter, when the faithful rededicated themselves and when converts were instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism. By observing the forty days of Lent, the individual Christian imitates Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days."

Although I typically choose to fast one Sunday a month, I have decided to participate in Lent this year. I think I can do that - my sister did it once and nobody told me otherwise. The thing that I am "lenting" is...CHOCOLATE. Call me crazy...It's a lofty goal, but so far I've successfully completed Day 1. (Did I mention that I ate a bag of M&Ms and a Healthy Choice fudge bar just hours before the start?) Only 39 more to go. I think my body will thank me, especially in my enlarging state. Chocolate is not really what I need right now. So far, I've recruited two other people. Both die-hard Coke drinkers.

And a question for true "lenters." In my research I saw that Sundays are not included in Lent. Is this true?

So, friends, I'm inviting you. What could you sacrifice for 40 days to improve your life just a little? Forty days can't be that long, can it? We'd have each other...there is safety in numbers. And heck, maybe we'd learn a thing or two!

It's a Boy!

Yep, it's true. All of you friends who have been checking regularly...here is what you've been waiting for. Brian and I went to the ultrasound on Friday and spent 40 minutes in the room with the doc. Everything looked great. He showed us every part - head to toe - and we felt much more calm after our semi-anxious state before the appointment. The office recently got a 3-D machine, so here are pictures of his face and feet with that machine. Just yesterday I felt him kick. I think I'd felt it a few times before, but couldn't tell if I was imagining it or not. He was quite active yesterday and Brian and I were both happy to feel that. Of all of the things I've experienced, a kid kicking inside of you is just crazy - but totally remarkable. Now I can start getting things ready for the little guy.

True Colors??

Just took a test - you should try it! Here are my results:

Natalie, your true color is Green!
You're green, the color of growth and vigor. Good-hearted and giving, you have a knack for finding and bringing out the best in people. Green is the most down-to-earth color in the spectrum — reliable and trustworthy. People know they can count on you to be around in times of need, since your concern for people is genuine and sincere. You take pride in being a good friend. For you, success is measured in terms of personal achievement and growth, not by status or position. Rare as emeralds, greens are wonderful, natural people. It truly is your color!

So, I AM a good person!!??!! Nothing like a little validation! :)

Take this test: http://web.tickle.com

Guesses

Nineteen weeks today! We are so excited to find out what we are having. I haven't felt the need to buy anything yet - I am a planner, not a guesser. So I feel like once we know then I can start getting stuff ready. I am planning on refinishing our crib this weekend. Should be joyous.
I've had two dreams about what kind of baby we're having. Do you think those are true? Or have I told myself it's a xxxxx so many times that it just enters my mind when I sleep? Are you feeling anything one way or the other???

:)

Christmas Stuff

We stayed in Utah for Christmas this year. Not that I don't love going to see my family in Arizona, but it was SO nice to be able to be at our own house and get things done around there. We don't have much to report - we didn't do much, really. But, I did manage to:
**Put together a elliptical machine. It took me about four hours, I only needed help from Brian a few times (mostly to hold heavy stuff), and only cried once. Pretty good!
**Clean every closet in the house.
**Clear out our guest bedroom to make room for a baby crib and what not
**Go exercising most days
**Sleep in every day

It was most relaxing. Here are a few pictures of these things, as well as our dog hiding under the Christmas tree when he wasn't getting enough attention. He didn't know what to do when we put him back in the pen yesterday. Spoiled!

Pregnant News

Well, thanks for being happy everyone. We, obviously, are super excited. We just never knew how things would turn out with Brian taking all sorts of chemo for three years. But, as it turns out, everything is fine and worked out well.

Details:
Due: I am due June 12. One week after I get out of teaching school. May could be ugly, but at least I won't have to write sub plans.
Sickness: It's probably unfair to some of you, but I haven't been sick at all. I guess Brian was sick enough for the both of us?? I'm also pretty pathetic when I'm sick. I don't like to see me like that often.
Highlights: We've seen the baby once and heard the heartbeat two weeks ago. That was pretty cool. It still is a little strange to hear that sound out of MY stomach.
Emotionally: A wreck. I never knew I was capable of acting the way I do sometimes. I'm just glad Brian still talks to me. :)

Number of stupid pregnant comments I have heard: 2, so far. People, let's get this straight. It is NEVER okay to tell someone TO THEIR FACE that when they saw you last they thought you were filling out. Okay, you can think it, but that's just not right to say out loud. Ever. What in normal human behavior ever made people think that this was socially acceptable?

Anyway, we're all smiley and just keep hoping that the baby is healthy. A healthy whatever-it-is is our vote.