We Live in THIS World??

We took Addison and Ziggy to a new park with a dog run. Thought it would be fun for both. Ziggy enjoyed the dog run, but I think he was more excited about the people in the dog run than the dogs!

Addison playing in the water and Ziggy socializing with a labradoodle.


Addison needed a diaper change, so I took her to the women's restroom. It was not equipped with a changing table and I had to change her on this cart that was in there. I finish the diaper change and Addison goes to look under a stall and I tell her no. I look for the trash can to throw away the diaper. It's in the other corner, maybe eight steps away. Addison is on the other side of the restroom. There is a line of women (about five) waiting to use the restroom. After I throw away the diaper, I turn around and my child is nowhere to be seen. I say, "Addison," thinking maybe she went under a stall. In the next panic stricken moment, I say looking at all the people standing there, "Where is she?" They all just look at me. I bolt out the door and see my dear child running across the lawn and back to the dog run. I run after her and scoop her up. On the way back to the restroom, a lady makes a comment about her running out and how I only had my back turned for a second. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? This lady watched the whole thing and didn't say anything to me or try and stop my child? No one in that restroom line saw this and thought to say, "Hey your kid just left?" I was right there and people were all standing within feet of me. It was a small restroom and no one noticed? I doubt it. It is a SAD SAD world that we live in where people can see a child run from the watchful eye of their parent and not say ANYTHING! I'm most certainly not a neglectful parent and I literally just threw the diaper away. There's no way she could have opened that door by herself so someone just watched as a two year old leaves without an adult? The trashcan was RIGHT next to the door! That's maddening. I was totally baffled by the whole scenario.

I'm Scattered

OK, so I should be studying for my Micro test that is tomorrow, but I'm unfocused. I have regressed to 80's music. In addition to my recent George Michael obsession, I am adding Boy George and ABC. What's happening to me? I think I will do a weekly video. Here's the video this week (Look of Love by ABC):



My Psych professor finally graded my second homework. Since she decided my first homework was equivalent to "B" work, I upped the ante a bit. Her homework (busywork) consists of ten questions and for all you must define and give examples. But, usually each question will have multiple parts. I spent about five our six hours doing the first one and THOUGHT I was pretty thorough. I guess not, since I earned a B. My first homework consisted of 1,200 words. Well, since I could not afford a B on my second homework, I spent about 10 hours on it and wrote 2,800 words. Yes, that's easily a term paper, plus some. I got my grade back last night and what do you know, she gave me a 100. Good lord, her expectation for beginning Psych is a bit over the top. So, I need an 88 on the next test and 30/33 on the homework and I should have my A. YAY!

It occurred to me during my dinner tonight I have not run since mid-November. I miss running. I'm ready to get out there and log some miles. David started back to running this week. He went to log his mileage at the coolrunning website and our logs were gone. I have many miles on my log; I can't afford to lose it! Luckily, some computer savvy person posted how to retrieve it. Since 2001, I have logged 2,822 running miles, 2,997 biking miles, 70 swimming miles and some other workouts. That's cool. Luckily, the log was salvaged!

Onto some baby news! I SAW the babies kick today. They are getting stronger and movements are bigger. It's a real treat when they are both moving around! I can't believe I am almost 25 weeks. Third trimester, here I come!!!

I only have 11 more days of actual teaching in my teaching career. May 8th is the last day of teaching for me! WOW!!! The last day of work isn't until June 3rd though.

OK, must resume studying!! Only 4 more days of class!!

24 Weeks!

We've reached viability! YAY! But, the babies still have a lot of growing to do. Looking at my belly photos from today, it occurs to me I am going to be HUGE! I remember my sister being huge, but I think I will surpass her hugeness! 24 weeks now, easily looks like 34 weeks with Addison. I'm going to be a tank! People are starting to ask, "When is your baby due?" I wonder if they think I look like I could go at any day! LOL When I tell them it's twins, they comment that I look small. What? Just being nice, I imagine. I didn't gain any weight this week, in fact I lost two pounds. Not sure how that happened. Heartburn is still a daily occurance, but with Zantac twice daily, it is bearable. Three weeks until my next appointment. Baby B still does not have a name. Reid Gavin? We're really struggling.

Below Left: 24 weeks with Addison/ Right: 24 weeks with twins(talking/yawning?)

Old MacDonald's Farm

This afternoon we took Addison and the neighbor, Samantha, to Old MacDonald's Farm. They were able to ride the ponies, feed the animals, play in the sand and hay, and ride the train. A good time was had by all.

Here's Addison on her second horse ride and playing on the big sand pile.

Great fun! Feeding a goat and playing in the hay!

Here's Addison riding some makeshift tire horse, and Addison and Samantha feeding a very hungry, greedy sheep.

Cruel!

Last week as I am driving in my car to the college, I hear that GEORGE MICHAEL is coming in concert! GEORGE MICHAEL! Yes, that's right, I'm a fan! They say on the radio that he hasn't toured in North American in 17 years! It's a must go see concert. One slight problem...it's in mid-July. Potential delivery time. Just a slight problem in my opinion. I immediately call David. No answer. What? This is important. It takes several calls to get him to answer, but he answers and I excitedly tell him the news!!! His reply is no way. No way are we getting tickets because it's too close to when the babies are going to be born. SHATTERED! Are you kidding me? The wind is taken right out of my sails. I try to make a case saying that if I indeed did go into labor, there would be medical personnel on hand AND I would be closer to the hospital than had I been at home. He's not budging. Well, I say we could get the tix and if we couldn't go then we could just give them away. NOPE. Why must some people be REASONABLE? I do try to convince him over several days, but he just won't cave. I usually get my way, what's the problem? UGH!

The other night I am downstairs and suddenly I hear George Michael on the upstairs computer. David is downloading and listening to George Michael. What? Is this a cruel joke? I try again to get him to buy tickets since he is obviously listening to the music. No, no tickets. Sorry. Maybe next time. There won't be a next time, I'm sure. Thanks!

Today, I am scrapbooking and George Michael comes on AGAIN. I walk over to David and ask, "Since when do you listen to George Michael?" His reply, "Since he has been on Eli Stone." How cruel can he be? UGH! So, on behalf of all the George Michael fans out there (probably mostly closet fans) here is a video!

Letter in the Mail

It's official!!!! The school district has accepted my resignation. Did they have an option? LOL! As of April 8, the Board of Trustees has accepted my resignation and would like to thank me for my service to the students. 13 years of teaching behind me and I'm hanging up my dry eraser! Wow. It's been a good run, but I am looking forward to the next chapter in my life.

I have been blessed to work with a variety of students with disabilities. I have worked with kids aged five to 22. My first year teaching was with 15 7th grade students with mental disabilities, and my last year has been with 10 students with varying disabilities. I went to school to work with students with mental retardation (MR). In addition to teaching students with MR, I have taught students with learning disabilities, Fragile-X syndrome, Autism, emotional disorders, Schizophrenia, Asperger's Syndrome, ADHD, Down's Syndrome, speech impairments, auditory impairments, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, two students who have had hemispherectomies (half their brain removed to help stop seizures), and I am sure other disorders that I am forgetting about. Beyond the labels students with special needs are given, there is a very unique child. Each and every one has their own gift and lesson to teach. I have loved working will all of them and feel lucky to have been their teacher. Last year I ran into a former student of mine who was then a 12th grader. I had taught him in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade. He said I was one of his favorite teachers and he remembered that I made him work hard. It was nice to hear that. One of the things I think makes me a great teacher for these kids is that I make them do for themselves and treat them as I would treat any person, with or without a disability. They don't want sympathy and they will not get it from me! I can't say I will never teach again, but right now I feel a pull to something else.

As far as nursing school goes, it will be tough to get in. I hope to be one of the top applicants, but it still will be difficult to get in since the spots are so limited. I am applying to an online program through a local community college that starts this fall. They are only accepting 10 applicants. I am also applying for their night and weekend program with a January 09 start. They take 30 applicants with about 300 applicants applying. Admission is based on three criterion: GPA in English 1301, one Anatomy and Physiology class and basic Psychology. Pending an A in my psych class this semester, I will have a 4.0 for this section. The next one is based on 27 credits or the pre-reqs they would like you to have. I have all 27. I should be 2 for 2 so far. The last is the reading comprehension score on the HESI. The HESI is a pre-nursing entrance exam. I think I need a 92 on this part of the test to be a top contender for nursing school. I hope to take the HESI in the next two weeks. The application for the online program is due May 15. I won't be terribly upset if I don't get in this program because I think I would prefer the night and weekend program. Wish me luck!!

23 Weeks

First, let me start my post by getting my whining out of the way, and then I can move on to the good stuff. I have had heartburn for about 32 hours now. Well, I was sleeping during some of it, but I have been awake for at least 25 or so hours of it. I think I'm dying. I have taken Pepcid, Tums, Gaviscon and Zantac and nothing has helped. This can't possibly last much longer, can it? It doesn't matter what I eat or don't eat. It has no mercy. Yesterday when I said something, Addison said, "Heartburn?" Today I said I didn't feel well and she said, "Mommy needs medicine." Then she put her little lovey blanket on my belly in hopes to make things better. So sweet!

Moving on! Hopefully this heartburn will too!

Today was my fourth ultrasound. Everything looked great! Baby A is still breech and Baby B has turned breech. They could turn many more times between now and when they are born, so hopefully Baby A will at least find a comfy position that is head down! If Baby A is breech then it's an automatic c-section.

Here's their stats:

Baby A (Landry Elise...still pending on Elise)

Weight: 1.2 ounces (49th percentile)
Heart rate: 146 bpm




Baby B (Name pending at Landon Reid or Reid something)

Weight: 1.3 ounces (51st percentile)
Heart rate: 146 bpm



I measured at 28.5 weeks. Blood pressure was 120/80 and weight gain is about 30 pounds. My doctor was very pleased with everything he saw, so my next appointment will be in one month and next ultrasound will be in six weeks. From there he said I will come in every two or three weeks.

That's all for now, and I still have heartburn!!!! UGH!

Feeling Scholarly Today

Today I took my second Psychology test and I made a 91!!! I am sooo happy about that. On my first test I scored an 88.66. So with my test grades, I have an A average which is the whole point to taking this course. The homework assignments are another issue though. It takes me HOURS to complete them, and on my first one I made an 85. Hopefully with my next one, I can bring up this average. I would rather write a research paper, than contend with this homework. It's like busy work and it doesn't help me to learn the material any more than studying does. I can't stand it. In any case, I have signed up for Developmental Psych which will be a three week mini-mester course in May (just in case I get a B in my current psych class).

In Micro, I am hovering at a 90. It might be my first B since starting this journey last June, but it's Micro and I can live with that. I can't however live with a B in Psych.