Weekend Update

Between my role as a teacher, our family being involved in a local church, tons of wonderful friends in the area, and Corey having so many hobbies, our weekends are easily and quickly filled with plays, athletic events, play dates, bike races, church fun, or some new activity for Gwen. This weekend was no exception. Each year the Roosevelt synchronized swim team (the Sharks) put on a pageant. It's amazing to watch these high school girls perform, and what's more incredible is the variety of routines and that they're all created by the girls themselves. Some of my favorite students have been Sharks, so it's something I really love to attend. The first spring we dated, Corey and I took Gwen to watch them (she was two at the time) and she was enthralled. We didn't go last year, but decided we had to take her again (especially since she loves mermaids, swimming, and sparkles--she couldn't believe the girls could wear so many fun bathing suits and sparkles in their hair!) Needless to say, the Sharks never disappoint, and Gwen loved that they changed swim suits between routines. This year they even had elementary aged girls join them for one of their routines (painfully cute). Tonight as we took a bath, Gwen's legs were up as she danced in the water like the Sharks. A future synchronized swimmer is among us :) We got home a little late, put Gwen to bed, and we all slept in a little later than normal on Saturday, which proved to be just as eventful as Friday night! Here are a few images from the Sharks pageant.

Growing up, I remember how exciting it was to go visit my grandparents and to have them come visit me. Powdered donuts, Cleveland sports, the south, WWII stories and playing Old Maid until someone cried are only a few of the memories I associate with my grandparents. Unfortunately, both sets of my grandparents lived at least 12 hours away, so we only got to see them a few times a year. I'm so grateful that our parents live so close and are purposefully invested in Gwen's life (ours too)! When her grandparents come around, Corey and I are quickly reduced to chop liver. And we love it :) She is literally bouncing around the house like she's just overdosed on skittles and rainbows, talking a mile-a-minute as we wait for their arrival. "What do you think Grandma Sonya is going to wear? Will she have any presents? Is Grandpa Russ coming? Are Grandma Julia and Grandpa Pete going to stay the night? Are we going MUSHROOM HUNTING?! Remember when Grandma Joni painted my nails and Grandpa Dave played Barbies?" She gobbles up any time she gets with her grandparents.

On the left are my grandparents on Easter this year--my Grandpa's 93rd birthday! This weekend both my mom and Corey's mom and step-dad came to visit us. On Saturday morning, Grandma Sonya arrived so we could spend some time shopping and making some last minute preparations for her wedding in May. There was a little confusion (and a few sweet tears) when Gwen realized that Grandma Sonya and I were going shopping alone, but she was quickly cheered up when she realized that meant she got to spend the whole morning with Daddy! Corey took Gwen geo-caching around Saylorville Lake. They were gone several hours searching out "treasures" and hidden goodies in Des Moines. She had plenty to tell us when we met back at home later that afternoon. Grandma Sonya and I then took Gwen with us as we went to Hancock Fabrics to pick out some fabric for a few patterns my mom had been wanting to make. We found the cutest green and gray giraffe fabric that she's going to make into a blanket for the baby, a few other goodies for various sewing activities she's working on, and a fairy princess costume already made for the princess of this house! When we got home, Gwen played dress up and coloring with Grandma while Corey and I made dinner. We made gourmet Sloppy Joes, because I'm a culinary artist and NOTHING is too good for my mama ;) And because I hate to cook, and I like them, and I'm pregnant. After Gwen went to bed, Corey, my mom and I stayed up some time later chatting before we all eventually went to bed. The next morning, we ate a delicious egg-bake that Corey prepared the night before and played some more with Gwen before saying goodbye to Grandma Sonya. Something that's been so sweet and touching is how Gwen immediately accepted my mom and Russ as additional grandparents. Very early on she started referring to them as Grandma and Grandpa, and they have very joyfully filled the role! Here's a picture of Gwen and Grandma Sonya working on her letters, and another two images from Gwen and Corey's adventures in geo-caching.

A few hours later, Grandma Julia and Grandpa Pete arrived! Gwen was again bouncing around, but this time more like a hyena that had just inhaled several jumbo Pixie Sticks. She couldn't get enough hugs and kisses from Grandma and Grandpa when they finally got here! She was also a giggle-monster. I think she associates fun and glee with Grandma Julia and Grandpa Pete, because she has a goofy laugh and grin plastered on her face the whole time. We hung around the house a little longer, playing, catching up, and talking about upcoming plans. I showed Julia my ideas and plans for Gwen's big girl room and for the baby's room. She's so wonderful and agreed to make curtains for Gwen's room and an awesome diaper bag for me! We are so grateful for her generosity and talents. They make our house and bodies sure look good! Eventually, we headed out for a late lunch to Hu Hot. Have you heard Gwen's love of Hu Hot? I love it too, but seriously, this girl eats mussels, shrimp, veggies, rice, mushrooms, noodles, oranges... anything! She absolutely loves it, which pleases me because it's one of my favorite restaurants. She's also got to be going through a growth spurt, because she downed most of her plate (which was pretty full!). I shamefully put away two big bowls. I'm also going through a growth spurt, clearly. After lunch, Gwen showed Grandma and Grandpa her geo-catching skills before heading home. We spent several more fun hours playing, coloring and chatting with them before they headed home.

Gwen was so exhausted that night that she fell asleep on my lap at 6:30. She went to bed soon after that, but not before praying for all of her weekend visitors. We just love her sweet heart. On the right is an image of Gwen showing Grandma Julia and Grandpa Pete her geo-caching skills. That night (last night) was also the first night I felt the baby move! It was actually as Gwen was dozing on my lap--maybe they have a strong sibling connecting already, but I felt several strong kicks. It was really exciting, and as I'm typing this now, I'm feeling even more. At the last doctor's appointment I had, my doctor noted that they baby was moving an awful lot--looks like this baby will have Corey's energy! Speaking of appointments, we have our 20 week appointment a week from tomorrow, and we're thrilled to see more images of the baby. Gwen can't wait to see her brother or sister and wonders how big his/her bones will be :) Today out of the blue, she asked me, "So, will the baby come to the store with us?" I told her that he/she would, and she continued, "Well SOMETIMES maybe the baby can stay with Daddy and just us can go to the store." Hah, she's already concerned about losing big girl time. After assuring her we would definitely have our special big girl times and her special times with Daddy, she seemed very satisfied and asked if I wanted to see her maternity pants as she hiked them up to her chest. Not for another 20 years, kid! It's actually adorable. Here's a picture of the first time she said, "LOOK! I'm wearing ba-ternity pants!"

Our Family

I was on born in September. I hear that makes me a Virgo; I don't really know what that means. I'm 5'4, with hair that won't commit to being red or blonde, and chameleon eyes that are blue or dismal gray. I think they're gray. My name is Leigha, which translates into "weary." I'm anemic, so I think it fits :) I'm an enthusiastic reader and a high school English teacher, which often feels more like being a social worker, parent, counselor, and hostage negotiator on amphetamines. I love it, but I'm still trying to figure out if it's worth all the pain.

I've been told that I give really bad advice. People say it seems like I'm just trying to say what I think they want to hear. Usually, I am. I have this odd fascination with manners, worrying and vacuuming. I find few things more satisfying than the instant gratification of sucking up the dirt and grime that surrounds me and getting rid of it instantly. Plus, I like to hear the dirt click, click, click as it goes through the bristles. I like people watching, teaching (actually teaching, not "hostage-negotiator-teaching"), making my husband laugh, and how I feel at the end of a school year. Exhausted, relieved, satisfied. I'm a pusher and struggler, and in most situations (unless you want my advice), I say what I mean. I keep a close guard on my tongue because I know it has great power to destroy or build up. I'm trying to find enough closet space for all the hats I'm trying to fill. My husband, Corey, is the chattiest, goofiest, most forgiving man I know. He was born in June, which makes him a Cancer. I don't really know what that means either. He's 5'10 with an aggressive and slightly Amish beard that often makes people question his ethnicity. We call him Achmed at home. Corey works with maps and information systems, rides bikes and brews beers. He says things like, "fella" and, "twenty mile an hour" and, "volim te." He's the kind of guy that would stand up to the school-yard bully for you, even if he knew he'd be destroyed. He's Gwen's favorite playmate and the dad I always wanted for my children. Corey is a man of many words, incredible passion, and has a tendency to stay up too late. He sees the beauty behind cracks and wreckage, and has very few excuses.

Gwen is a 13-year-old trapped in a four-year-old's body. She has the sass of a diva, but the heart of a lion. She has her daddy's eyes and some strange obsession with a mole on my back that she calls my "pancake." -_- She loves hee haws (high heels), Scunday school (Sunday school), and saying 'cu mes (excuse me). Alright, she's outgrown all of those cute phrases, but Corey and I still use them. She's by my side from the moment she gets home to the moment she leaves, and if I'm eating it, she wants it. Speaking of eating, this girl loves spinach, quiche, pork chops, oranges, mussels and shrimp. She's her dad in the cutest package. She's extremely bright and excels in school and is quite the social butterfly. She loves: dress up, make-up, baby Natalie (her doll), coloring, sitting directly on top of me, her new baby brother or sister, and doing ANYTHING with daddy. She hates: bugs, pants under her dress (fair enough), socks, and injustice (well, we're working on that passion :D). She's incredibly sweet, loving, kind, and obedient. She loves consistency and knowing what to expect, but equally loves surprises and exceptions to the rule. She loves to read her devotional at night and praying before she sleeps. What an incredible joy it is to see her grow, mature, and care for others the older she gets.

And then there's a baby. The baby is about -21 weeks old. Not much to say on that front-- it's a boy, or a girl :) So far it's been a delightful pregnancy and I'm carrying somewhat small and low-- not sure what the old wives would have to say about that combination. We are totally thrilled to be expanding our family, and feel so grateful and blessed for all the excitement and support we've gotten from friends and family. This is my sad attempt at a family blog that I solemnly vow to TRY to update with our life happenings as they occur, but no promises! Coming up in our near future: our 20 week doctor appointment, the end of the school year, bike races for Corey, summer swimming and cheerleading, family vacations, switching bedrooms (for Gwen and baby), and a whole lot of pictures.