When plans can't translate to reality

I've been making some stinkin' awesome teaching plans lately.  Seriously, they're really good. They will increase engagement, learning, and fun.

Unfortunately, after lunch I just feel so tired...and the plans happen but they aren't as amazing as they would usually be because my energy is lower and I can't manage to muster enough of it to excite my little third graders to the level that is needed for my plans.

At least they'll be getting a fantastic long-term sub with energy when this baby comes in the next couple of months.  Then they can remember what it is like to have a teacher with energy to go along with the fun plans.

And when I come back after my six weeks, maybe I'll have some energy again...but probably not. Sorry kiddos, I'm doing my best! (But there's really only so much I can do when there's another human inside of me taking all of my energy.)

Registered! (and our diapering plan)

Holy cow! Only 15 weeks till the due date! That's basically a semester, folks.  I guess it's time to let people know what we would like for our new baby, in case anyone wants to buy anything.  We're registered with Babies R Us and Amazon.

You can search using either my name or Cody's

You can search using either my name or Cody's

Also, we couldn't register with gDiapers but this is our plan for diapering:

From birth weight till about 13 pounds we're planning on using disposable diapers.  We both have used and feel comfortable with disposable diapers so why not make having a new baby a little easier by not trying out cloth diapers from the beginning?  Let's just get through sleep deprivation first.

Then around 13-15 pounds, we would really like to try out cloth diapers.  One of my friends used gDiapers and I really like them.  We would get the disposable inserts because we don't have the laundry facilities now to get an all-in-one diaper (like Bumgenius). So in essence, these cloth diapers will be pretty similar to the disposable, only we would just be paying for inserts once we've bought the pants (plus, the inserts can be flushed or thrown away).

This is the bundle that we would like to use for when he is 13-28 pounds.  We've even put in the two colors that we would like for the diapers (blue and yellow).  We know it's a hefty amount just for diapers, and if no one wants to do this then you could purchase a gift certificate for us and we could pay for the difference.

Then once he has grown out of the medium sized gDiapers (at 28 pounds), we'll decide: go back to disposable, or try out the Bumgenius all-in-ones (because we're hoping to be moving to a place where we can have our own washer and dryer at that point...we'll see if that's really going to be a reality).  So that's our diapering plan.

Baby items we already own

As Cody and I went about beginning to register for baby items last weekend, we took stock of what we already had.  First off, we received these two items for free from a wonderful woman in our ward (church) and neighborhood.  They are in great condition!
 

Don't remember what these things are called, but we have one!

A really nice regular stroller

Also, I've been crocheting the past two years and made two blankets for our new little guy.  The first blanket is the first item I ever crocheted, so don't judge it too harshly.  The second smaller blanket I just crocheted this summer when I was avoiding homework.

First crocheted blanket, about 2 1/2 feet by 2 1/2 feet...I think. I haven't actually measured it.

Infant blanket made in June for when our baby is really small

These sheets Cody and I paid for using a gift card we received to Pottery Barn from my aunt when we got married.  For the last three years we would pull it out and ask ourselves, "What are we going to use this for?" because we wanted to get something good.  Well, now we have.  These are the first of four sheets. The other two were on back-order and will arrive in the next few weeks.

Colorful animals, dark blue, light green chevron, and circley things with random animals in circular shapes

Finally, these last few items were ordered by myself back in January when I was trying to buoy my spirits that a successful pregnancy would be possible.  The items themselves were free with coupons, we just had to pay for shipping.  Not quite sure how I feel about the sling (I think I need to practice putting it on because I totally didn't get it right the first time!), but we'll see as time goes on.

Nursing pillow (or for sleeping on planes...)

Sling to hold a baby...we'll see how that really works out.

Nursing cover--both Cody and I like the pattern which will be great since both of us get to use it...not.

Carseat cover--dark blue chevron with a really soft velvety fabric on the inside.

It's going to be...

This past Wednesday I had a math training after school. At the end, the teachers threw a paper at me indicating if they thought the gender would be male or female. They were right!

Funny comment from a kid

Yesterday instead of regular church meetings, we had a broadcast regional conference.  Cody and I arrived about 15 minutes early and clips of the Tabernacle Choir singing were being shown with a countdown timer in the lower right corner. The minutes went down and I was getting ready for Conference to start.  However, apparently, not everyone was getting ready for it to start.  When the timer reached 00:00 and the screen went black as it prepared to cut to the live feed stream, a little girl--maybe 3-4 years old--sitting behind us asked her mom, "Is it over now?"

Nope.  You've only got two more hours to go.  Sorry.

(It was a really good conference for the adults.  I felt sorry for all the little kids who were ready to go to nursery and Primary after an hour though...I guess I felt sorry for their parents, too, since they had to try to keep them quiet and occupied for another hour on hard chairs.)

Rainy weather makes me unmotivated

I just want to sit in my pajamas, watch Lost, eat my Mac n cheese, drink hot chocolate, and do nothing. Instead, I need to do some homework for my grad classes and my math class for school, maybe plan...if I get around to it..., and get the agenda ready for a meeting tomorrow.

In other news, I've been missing Cody a lot lately when he's been on his trips. At least I'll get to talk to him soon. Also, in two weeks I go for my ultrasound to find out the gender. I'm guessing it'll either be a girl or a boy. Good thing that neither Cody nor I care what we'll be getting, just as long as it and I are still healthy.

Second year in 3rd grade

Here I go....about to start my second year in third grade!  It's amazing the difference between fifth and third grade. However, just like I felt a lot more confident about my ability to teach and pace fifth grade my second year teaching fifth grade, I feel the same way about third grade this year.  I'm really excited to try out some new things, begin my rules and management plan right from the beginning of the year, and get to know my students and help them facilitate their learning.

Here are some pictures of my empty classroom. It won't stay empty for long since school starts tomorrow!

Back counter

Classroom library and outside door

Carpet area and word wall

Part of the carpet area and library

Computer area and word work materials

Whiteboard and display shelves

View from the front corner by the computers, look at the back of the room

View from the front, look at the back of the room

View from the door, look at the front of the room

View from the door, look at the back of the room