I Have a Chandelier in my Room!

It's not even summer yet, and I already feel overwhelmed (in a great way) with all of our plans. I'm also overwhelmed with this big ol' belly getting in the way! Today I mistakenly wrote on my stomach three different times, and while in the computer lab I accidentally rested it on a girl's shoulder while helping edit her paper. Embarrassing. If this belly doubles in size (which it might since I'm only 6 months), I'm going to have to wear bright orange to warn people of my impending girth! Here I am-->

Recently, Corey and I spent one of our last free weekends of the spring/summer painting our spare bedroom into a BIG GIRL room for Gwen. We asked her if she'd like to keep her current room, or switch and get new paint/re-decorate, and without hesitation she decided she needed a BIG girl room. She chose pink and aqua marine for her walls, and one weekend when she was gone, we painted the spare room, added a glitter overlay (from Walmart's Disney paint collection--it was wonderful!) to the pink wall, and assembled and hung a chandelier. The chandelier was Corey's idea, and I'm so glad we went with it because it literally makes the room and it is all Gwen wants to talk about. I also created a little "reading nook" next to her bookshelf since she loves to read. It took me forever to decide how I wanted to do it. I wanted it to be comfortable, but without a lot of pattern (since her bedspread is pretty busy). I went between a bean bag chair, kid-sized papasan chair, and a ton of huge pillows, and nothing quite worked. Finally, I got the idea to use a dog bed for the bottom since it's so soft, and found a perfect plain gray one. I then found some pretty gray, slightly patterned pillows to go with it. It turned out so nicely, but I felt kind of sheepish that I used a dog bed. Corey and I both thought it didn't really matter because she wouldn't even know it was a dog bed (it doesn't look like it). The FIRST thing she said when she went in the room was, "I HAVE A DOG BED!" with great delight. Haha, fail! But she loves it, so that worked out well. Here's a picture of the reading nook (in the left corner), her bookshelves, and Gwen's "maternity pants." By the way, it's a new dog bed--not used!

On Wednesday of last week I moved Gwen's dress-up closet that Corey made and assembled her new bookshelves in her room. My back was killing me after that, so I had to wait until Corey could help to do anything else. Yesterday he took apart her bed and moved it into the new room, and last night was her first night sleeping in it. This morning she told me that she tried so hard not to stare at her chandelier at bed time, but couldn't help it. It was so cute. I told her she was welcome to stare at it, because it was all hers! She is such a great sleeper, and crashed really hard last night. We're hoping to get her pictures on the wall and do some final touches tonight and tomorrow, so I'll post another entry with some before and after pictures so you get the full picture. Let's rewind a little bit to Friday. This weekend my mom and Russ got married. It was such a fun occasion and great to celebrate with them. We love both of them incredibly, and got to see a lot of family. Corey and my brother played golf all day on Friday, while Gwen and I hung out with my mom, sister-in-law Angie, and nephews Titan, Jett, and Colt. Since my mom and Russ live right on the golf course, we got to see the boys go by a few times and even got to root for them on the hole behind my mom's house. Here are Corey and Gwen getting their golf on :)

Colt even had to get in on the golf action (in his PJ's!)

The kids had a great time playing in Grandma's back yard and racing bikes around the fire-pit. Even cranky Jett Thomas cracked a smile! They had fun hanging with one another, and especially with Grandma Sonya.

We ended that first night with a bonfire before the big day! My Aunt and Uncle from Ohio made the trip down, so seeing them was especially exciting. Gwen immediately decided my Aunt Marcia was her new best friend. At the wedding, they played chalk and bubbles, and Gwen is thrilled that the zebra painting my aunt did for me will now be in her big girl room. She's an incredible artist and is currently working on a piece for the baby's room! Here is a picture of my brother, mom and Aunt Marcia.

And here are just a few more (I didn't have time to take too many, but I'm sure more photos will surface as time goes on).

We made it home around 8:00 and put the kids to bed while we spent a little more time chatting. I'm pretty sure I was the first of the adults to head to bed, and I'm glad because Gwen and I were both up at 6:00 AM! We hung out a little bit more that morning, and got back to Des Moines around 12:30. Corey and Gwen went downtown to check out the bicycle art show we missed, and they got ice cream, played at a park, and spotted a chandelier the gazed at for a while :)

We had a lot of fun celebrating my mom and Russ, and feel so fortunate to have such a great family support system. Next weekend we are headed to Prairie Du Chien to go camping with Corey's Mom and step-dad. We went last year, too, and it was so beautiful that we had to invite ourselves to go again! :) Corey's excited to ride his bike, Gwen can't wait to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa, and I'm excited to do whatever everyone else wants to do!

It seems like there is so much to update each week, and I hardly know where to start. I begin writing in my head, but by the time I sit down to put the endless narrative in writing, I've lost it all. It always seems to happen that way for me. Here goes anyway: Last week, I picked Gwen up early from school and we met Corey at the doctor's office. Apparently Gwen had been telling her teacher all day about seeing pictures of the baby, so all her friends wanted to ask me about it when I got there. One of her friends, my favorite one, asked me where the baby was. I told her it was still in my belly, and she said she couldn't see it (as she squinted at my belly). Then she started asking me if I wanted a boy or a girl, and asked when we'd find out. She's like a miniature adult; I feel like soon she's going to ask me to go get coffee sometime. As I was leaving she said, "Well good luck at your 'pointment! I hope you have a girl!" This is the same little girl who told me last spring that she liked my face, especially all the polka dots on it. She's the cutest. It's adorable and scary how these little toddlers are mini-people and imitate adult conversations and behaviors. It makes me painfully aware of my behavior and words! For example, several months ago while visiting Grandma and Grandpa, something happened and Gwen laughed and said, "Awww, Suckas!!!" Oops. I then explained how it wasn't kind of us to call people suckers, even if they were ;) Just kidding. I told her her that people are suckers, but we don't always have to point it out. Again, parent of the year here. I told her that it wasn't right for me to say that, and she shouldn't say it either; it might hurt someone's feelings. Leave it to the little ones to display your flaws for the in-laws. Thankfully, they were gracious :) Anyway, we had our 20 week ultrasound and got to see and hear the baby. We didn't get a lot of exciting pictures, but Gwen loved it and saw the baby "wave" to her :) The baby then threw up the peace sign, so I'm afraid that my students are already rubbing off on this child. They do say babies can hear in the womb, you know. This baby is going to know a lot more slang than is necessary by the time he/she is born. Speaking of slang, a common phrase used among my students now is "on fleek." For example, "Dang, girl... your eyebrows is on fleek!" Translation: "Wow, friend. Your eyebrows really look sculpted and spectacular and perfect." Anyway, please pray this child doesn't come out of the womb calling me "Shan" or "Big Dog" or "Girl." I fear it's inevitable. Because of my uterus shape (it's bicornuate, or heart-shaped), and because of the position the baby was in, there are a few measurements of the baby the ultrasound tech was unable get, so we'll have another one at our 24 week appointment at the end of May. Here's a really thrilling image of what my uterus looks like (because I know you're THAT interested):

One thing we were able to see was the heart as it was beating, and the four chambers of the heart. It was incredible to see how intricate the heart was at such a early point in pregnancy. That was probably my favorite part. Gwen's favorite part was seeing the fingers. I asked her what she thought the baby looked like, and she said a boy; I'm pretty sure it's a monkey. A student recently asked me what I'm looking forward to most about the baby, and I told her it was finally knowing if it's a boy or a girl, and what it looks like. Sometimes I feel like I can't take not knowing, but so many of the best things in my life have been unexpected or unknown (my job, Corey and Gwen, being pregnant, etc!). The sweetest things in all my life have had some element of mystery and waiting to them, so I know I'll be happy I waited it out. I met with my doctor for an appointment afterwards. Imagine Jane Lynch with brown hair, and that's her. She cracks me up, but is a wonderful doctor (and far more appropriate than Jane Lynch generally is). She told me that the baby was measuring slightly big, and after commenting about how my maternity pants were "WAY UP THERE" (rude), she measured my stomach and said I am slightly smaller than I should be. At this point, she said it was nothing to worry about, but said we'd watch it. She then explained the Glucose test I'd have at my next appointment, but said since I was "so cute" I wouldn't need to worry about it. Hopefully cuteness wards of diabetes. Just kidding :) It wasn't really a necessary comment, but with all the body changes I've been experiencing, it was much appreciated in the moment! We then talked some about weight gain and nutrition. Essentially she said, "If you don't want to gain too much weight, lay off the carbs." Oh. Are Sour Straws a carb? *Insert sheepish grin* This past Friday, Corey, Gwen and I packed up the car and Corey's bike to visit his dad and step-mom in Belle Plaine. We got there around Gwen's bed-time, but she spent a little bit of time snuggling with Grandma and reading "I'm a Big Sister!" before she went to bed. The next morning, Gwen and I were up at 6:00. During the week, I generally wake Gwen up around 6-6:10 to get her ready for school before I have to leave around 6:30, but on the weekends, I ALWAYS wake up about 10 minutes before she does. It is the strangest thing--it could be 7:30, 7:00, or 6:00, but I'm usually lying in bed for a solid 10 minutes before she comes in to wake me up. Weird. We woke up early, got ready for the day, and hung out with Grandma and Grandpa while Corey went for a quick bike ride in Cedar Rapids. Joni, Gwen and I went garage sale hunting in the morning as we looked for a dresser to change into a baby-changing table. We didn't find one, but we did find some cute clothes for Gwen (thanks Grandma!) several prom dresses Gwen really wanted (we didn't get those), and I got a stool for my classroom. I was pumped. It sounds dumb to be so excited over a stool, but I've wanted one for years, but didn't want to spend money on it. I got this one for $5. Because of the large number of students I have and their incredible ability to avoid work and do everything except the one thing I ask them to do, I never sit at school. The only times I sit are when I'm eating lunch, or during my plan. As I get bigger, I know I'm going to need to sit occasionally, but I hate sitting in a chair because then I can't see what's going on over their big ol' heads (cue double entendre!). Problem solved for $5. We headed home and ate some lunch,and put Gwen down for a nap. While she was napping, Corey's brother (Travis) and sister-in-law (Julie) came. They recently had the cutest little baby girl, Kenna, and everyone wanted a piece of her! When Gwen woke up, she was excited to see them, but seemed pretty disinterested in Kenna. We were all relatively surprised, but later when she got a chance to hold her, she did NOT want to let her go. It was the sweetest thing I've seen Gwen do, and she's a sweetheart as it is! She was lightly touching her head and nuzzling her face, and Kenna let her. She looked concerned a few times like, "Who is this little person holding me?" but she never cried or fussed. We are all enthralled with her.

It was so fun for me to watch Corey with her; he's such a natural. I ran downstairs and came back up and Corey was making her dance on his lap (while he was all alone). It was adorable. There is just something about men and babies. I feel pretty lucky when I think about the kind of man he is :) Kudos to his parents for what they did to make such a sweet guy! We had a great evening, a great meal, and spent time chatting, laughing, and passing baby Kenna. After Gwen went to bed, the rest of us sat around the bonfire and made s'mores. I had to be cut off. The next morning was spent coloring, kicking a soccer ball, resting, admiring Kenna some more, and eating several breakfasts. That afternoon, Corey had a mountain bike race, so Julie, Joni, Travis and I left the two little girls with Grandpa Dave and went to Williamsburg Outlet Mall.

Corey did so well during his race--I was sad we didn't get to see it (it was raining all morning and was in the middle of a forest-y area). He was racing with his fat bike (when most had their mountain bikes) and even raced a category higher than he usually did. Plus, he finished in the middle of the pack! It was a very successful day for all of us. I hadn't laughed like I did when shopping in a long time. It's been a blast getting to know Travis and Julie, and I'm so looking forward to our kids growing up together. Gwen talks all the time about Aunt Julie and Uncle Travis, and counts down the days until we see them. Our shopping trip was full of great deals. I even found a swim suit, which had seemed impossible until that day. Phew, so thankful to get that out of the way. We made it home, spent some time in the sun, and headed home. We got back around 8:00 last night still smelling of bon-fire, spring, and gas station Nachos (ok, that last one was just me). We put Gwen to bed and started an endless pile of laundry. It was hard to wake up this morning, but with the knowledge that it will soon be summer came a little motivation. The weeks seem to fly by, and so does the school year! I can't believe school will be out in four weeks! My students have so much work to do on this multi-genre research paper, and I've got so much to do over the summer for school. I'll be attending an AP training for a week for my AP Language and Composition course next year; I have a Standards Referenced Grading training for a few days, and if I get some additional positions if applied for, I might have more training days. Plus, I have to get together with my long-term sub and fellow co-workers as I prepare for maternity leave in the fall. Oh, not to mention spending summer days with my favorite side-kick swimming, reading, practicing kindergarten skills, and dressing up! Starting May 16th, we have every single weekend booked (with family, trips, bike races, trainings, etc) until the first weekend of August. Phew. I hope we can do it all.

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.