Monday, June 30, 2008

17 Week Belly Shots



Ok - well, since everyone has been bugging me to put up some belly shots - I had tim take a few. I have to admit, I love seeing everyone else's belly shots - but it was so hard to get a good shot that didn't make me look HUGE - ha!

Anyways, here they are :o)




Friday, June 27, 2008

Kids Say the Darndest Things!

In summer camp, my kids have been saying the most hilarious things about my pregnancy. I just had to post some of those comments.

1. One of my first graders rubbed my belly and said, "Nice baby Mrs. Baylor!"

2. One of my 3rd graders asked me for one of my goldfish crackers and I told them "no honey, I don't have enough for everyone"  and another boy watching (5th grader) said, "You know, you just really shouldn't ask for a pregnant woman's food - it's not smart!" he went on to say - " and you definitely shouldn't get a pregnant woman angry!"  I was just dying laughing!

3. One of my girls going into 6th grade said, " Mrs. Baylor, every time I see you - you are eating something" (I usually spread my meals out throughout the day- yogurt, cheese, an apple, etc..) I responded, "The baby needs food to grow." She said, " I never seen a baby who needs that much food!  That baby gonna be BIG!"  sighh.... one of those times, you just can't take kids seriously.

I hope you enjoyed :o)
I am sure there will be more to come!



Saturday, June 14, 2008

A Hilarious letter about pregnancy

I stole this off of my friend's blog because I thought all of all of you ladies would enjoy this one!
 You'll have to tell me if you found this to be true while you were pregnant :o)

  Dear Non-Pregnant Person,

I hope you find these guidelines helpful in your interactions with pregnant women as failing to follow them may result in serious physical harm. If you are thinking, surely she doesn't mean me- then you should probably read this twice.

1) The appropriate response to a couple telling you they are having a baby is "Congratulations!" with enthusiasm. Any other response makes you an idiot!!! 

2) Through the wonders of science, we now know that babies are made ONLY by the mother and father- not grandparents. Unless the baby is in your uterus or you are the man that helped put it there, you may not ever use the phrase "my baby". 

3) On the same note, unless you made the baby as defined in 2, the pregnancy, birth and raising of the child are not about you. You do not have input. No one wants to hear your opinion unless they ask for it.

4) The body of a pregnant women should be treated the same as any other body. You would not randomly touch someone's stomach if they were not pregnant, nor would you inquire into the condition of their uterus, cervix or how they plan to use their breasts. Pregnancy does not remove all traces of privacy from a woman.

5) Likewise, no women wants to hear comments on her weight- ever. A pregnant woman does not find it flattering that you think she is about is pop, must be having twins, looks swollen or has gained weight in her face. Telling her she looks too small only makes her worry that she is somehow starving her baby. Making such comments invite her to critique your physical appearance and you may not act offended. The only acceptable comment on appearance is "You look fabulous!".

6) By the time we are 20-30 years old, most of us have picked up on the fact that the summer is hot. We are hot every summer when we are not pregnant. We don't need you to point out that we will be miserably hot before the baby comes. 

7) There is a reason that tickets to Labor & Delivery are not yet sold on Ticketmaster. Childbirth is actually not a public event. It may sound crazy, but some women really do not relish the idea of their mother, MIL or a host of other family members seeing their bare butt and genitals. Also, some people simply feel like the birth of their child is a private and emotional moment to be shared only by the parents. 

8) Like everything else is life, unless you receive an invitation, you are NOT invited. This includes doctor appointments, ultrasounds, labor, delivery, the hospital and the parents home. You do not decide if you will be there for the birth or if you will move in with the new parents to "help out". If your assistance is desired, rest assured that you will be asked for it.

9) If you are asked to help after the birth, this means you should clean up the house, help with cooking meals, and generally stay out of the way. Holding the baby more than the parents, interfering with breastfeeding and sleeping schedules and making a woman who is still leaking fluid from multiple locations lift a finger in housework is not helping.

10) The only people entitled to time with the baby are the parents. Whether they choose to have you at the hospital for the birth or ask for you to wait three weeks to visit, appreciate that you are are being given the privilege of seeing their child. Complaining or showing disappointment only encourages the parents to include you less.


Friday, June 13, 2008

Bring on the Second Trimester!

Well, I am officially 14 weeks today and I am feeling GREAT!  The sickness has ended and I am not so tired.  I am getting more excited by the day!  I can feel my belly stretching and getting a little harder,but it's not that cute belly yet - so no pictures yet!  I'm at that weird stage of not fitting into things and well, just feeling FAT!  I haven't really gained weight yet, so I am glad about that. I know there will be plenty of time for that at the end - so I'll wait until then.
Peanut (as we affectionately call it for now) - is about the size of a lemon this week. Here below is what it looks like already. I am just amazed by God's design and how intricate and well-developed this little one is already! God is so good! We will find out the sex of the baby at the end of July - so we will keep you posted :o)

fetaldev14.jpg

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

A Good Experience at the DMV???


www.dmv.org.jpg

Oh you heard me correctly. I actually had a positive experience at the Chicago Department of Motor Vehicles.  I was floored! I have to admit, after Virginia I was used to going in - waiting 2+ hours, only to get to the front of the line for them to tell you that you have the wrong identification with you.  

Today I actually went into the DMV and got out in UNDER 20 minutes!  WOW! I complimented every worker I saw on my way out. I was so impressed!


Friday, June 06, 2008

My first year in Urban Ministry Completed!


Well, today was our last day of inservice at Holy Family Lutheran School.  I have to admit -It was a pretty hard school year for me and I am so thankful to the Lord that I was able to make it!

Here are a few pictures of my kids towards the end of the year.

These first three are of the kids making necklaces for their moms for mother's day.



These next ones are of my kids and their science fair projects.





Crazily enough - I signed my contract for next year. They asked me to come back and teach 4th grade.  Which means that I will have the same kids - I had to really think hard about it because they are quite the handful. But my principal thought I did a good job with them and wanted me to stick with them for one more year.  

My due date is December 9th, so my last day of teaching (theoretically) will be December 5th and I will return March 16th to finish out the year.  This way, I can keep my insurance throughout the pregnancy. Please pray with Tim and I that we will find someone we can trust from church or Trinity that could watch the little one for those last 10 weeks that I finish up the school year (as Tim will most likely be working full time by then and finishing up his MDiv).
Thanks so much!

I am working at summer camp this year for the school. I will be working for 7 weeks 8am-4pm Monday - Friday. We are thankful for the Lord's provision over the summer months :o)

Happy Summer everyone!