Summer, End of Year, Caroline latest

I made it. I made it to summer. I was worried that I would end up lasting to the end of the year. I've had friends placed on bedrest or delivering early and thankfully, I just made it to summer. I even left days on the table. I just wanted to be there at the end of the year when their scores came in (they came in the last day of school...I had to hand them out as they were walking out the door since we had been at the park all day...,I really wanted to be able to go over the scores with them). We worked so hard together and I wanted to be the one to share their results with them and I at least got to tell them that they passed. I wanted to go on their last day of school with them. Me. No one else. Speaking of scores...they were great! I'm so proud of them. I'm so grateful to God that they came back that good. I didn't want to let them down or frankly, be that pregnant one who did the children a disservice and just left the kids hanging. There were days that I taught from my chair just trying not to get sick in front of my class.

Yesterday, I packed all but a few boxes up in my classroom and Micah came and hauled it downstairs. Two short years ago I became an elementary teacher. Day one of teaching a child threw up. Shortly thereafter, I had another wet her pants. Then, another pooped their pants. I thought what have I got myself into. I thought that a lot. A lot. I never have worked so hard in all my life. My class as with all the classes at my school were very heterogeneous. Children came in at all different levels, different socioeconomic statuses, special education, bilingual education, foster homes, gift and talented and a partridge in a pear tree. We are not departmentalized so we taught all subjects. Three TAKS tests. Just being absent was a feat! But, I was sad yesterday. I even ugly cried. I really don't have a happy medium cry. It's all or nothing. I really learned so much about life the last two years ago. I grew up in a bubble. Not really on purpose, it's just my reality. The kiddos taught me to be more grateful and compassionate. They come in with so much and for some of them school was their refuge.

Micah and I trekked back to the hospital for our sonogram to check on Caroline's growth and to see what kind of labor I would be having. My last doctor's appointment has me weighing in at about 20 pounds from my original weight and my tummy measuring right on schedule. Caroline is weighing in at 4 pounds and 13 ounces. She is currently in the 23rd percentile regarding size and is on track to weigh 6 pounds. These are only estimates based on bone measurements, but it at least gives us a guide. As for the kind of labor I will have, it's still up in the air until the doctor reads the results next week. We had a hard time seeing her. She hides during the sonograms. Her feet were up by her head. How does she do that? I have been having Braxton Hicks and even had one during the ultrasound. We had to stop for a moment until my stomach unhardened.

Much love,

Fourth Anniversary

On May 27, 2006 I married the most handsome, witty, caring, loving, smartest, loyal, Texas Tech obsessed, sports-lovin', red meat eatin' All-American boy I could find. Today is my anniversary, and my hubby is out mowing the lawn after our little celebration of our day as we've had lots of moisture and a for sale sign on the front lawn. So, this year the gift calendar is a little odd. The fourth year you are supposed to give flowers or fruit on the traditional calendar. On the modern calendar the fourth year is appliances. Flowers, for Micah? No. Fruit, for Micah? No. Appliances? What, like a mixer? I bought him a grill last year. Now, knowing Micah who ALWAYS gives the best gifts and writes the most eloquent cards that make me laugh and cry at the same time I did, in fact, get him a gift. Nothing that measure up to the slide show he made for me complete with timing to music (I tried to upload it...so sweet, so, very, very sweet). I got him "morts." That stands for mesh shorts. It's the first thing he puts on when he gets home. We race to see who can put on their cozy clothes the fastest and meet in the living room when we come home. We love our "cozies." No, this gift had nothing to do with flowers, fruit, or appliances, but he's outside mowing in them as we speak and they are red. And, he loves red. We both brought home dinner for each other trying to be sweet. So, now we have dinner for several nights and that's always nice. And, with my slideshow and Micah with his "morts" life is good after four years married. Like his text said earlier in the day, only 71 more years to go and I'm excited to spend it with him.

Much love,

Showered with Love

Saturday we were immensely blessed by friends and family at a shower thrown by friends in Plainview at the home of the Holloways. The table was decorated in a garden, vintage quilt theme with pink and green tied throughout.


These were my sweet hostesses that went above and beyond. From left to right: Kim Phillips, Courtney Williams, me, Carrie Huber, and Mindy Holloway


The grandmothers and aunts aren't the least bit excited!


Presents galore!


Opening gifts



We will be playing dress up!


We unloaded the gifts temporarily in our blue room with the golf bags and poker table. Dodger took his job snooping and guarding gifts very seriously. He was growling and wouldn't move...and we laughed. Micah put him in the car seat and was carrying him around. Next, he will be testing out the crib.


Much love,

My Enemy

This is a Mud Swallow, also known as Barn Swallow, aka my nemesis. They terrify me. I have knocked down nest after nest April through September last year. I have already put out their hopes of a new home on my porch with the water hose once or twice so far this season. Today I tried to go out and knock down a very large, fortified nest and I was so petrified of them, I ran back into the house. They swoop and loom and love my porch...even more this year for some reason. Don't they know my house is on the market and looming isn't exactly good relations with prospective buyers? I promptly called Micah and informed him that it was his turn to eradicate our porch of the nest. While he literally had to bust it up with the rake and water hose, I tapped on the glass to keep the birds from dive bombing his head while Dodger did his part at barking ferociously. Team Malouf wins again!

In other news, school is winding down and I'm feeling very overwhelmed. LOTS to get done! Tomorrow is Dads and Donuts. Besides the last day of school park day, it is our last big event that the teachers put on of this year. Whew, thank goodness!

Birthing classes are going well. Last night we had a tour of the hospital, where to go, what to do. Last night's topics touched on assisted birthing. Forceps equal GIANT salad tongs. I'll pass, thanks. And, I had to see another birthing video and an animated cesarean video. Ouch. And, double ouch.

Much love,

Highland Elementary Diaper Shower

My coworkers at Highland threw me a diaper shower on Monday after school. Paige, my third grade coworker, is having a little boy and is due three weeks before me and so we had a double diaper shower. For everything pink, there was something blue! I am feeling good on diapers and wipes now!

As you can see, it was a free jeans day on Monday. I was not about to not wear my fabulously comfortable maternity jeans!


They had us play candy bar in the diaper game. I was not any good!


Outfitting the wee ones!


My fourth grade team got me all hooked up to bathe Caroline!


Much love,

Mother's Day 2010

Happy Mother's Day 2010! This is my first Mother's Day that I get to celebrate. I know, I know Caroline is still baking in my tummy, but others are celebrating me so I'm going along with it!

First, our camera broke right around the time I found out I was pregnant. Micah sent it off to be repaired and it's still "under repair." Well, tired of waiting and eight months pregnant...I wanted a camera so Micah went and picked one up this week. I wasted no time taking a few photos!

A question I've been asked a lot is, "How's the nursery coming?" "Ummmmm, not really done," is usually my answer. We have our bedding and bed picked out but with our move and house on the market here's the plan.

We are thinking we will set up the crib in the seating area of our bedroom.


Here's Caroline's sweet bedding.


Then, Saturday night after we had come home from the Leftwich's cookout, Micah had this for me. The small package of flowers was from Caroline and Dodger. I suppose Dodger knows how to purchase flowers...maybe he bartered wet kisses for my flowers?


And, these cards. These sweet, sweet cards. Did you notice that my daughter came out of utero to sign my card. Talented and smart, I tell you. And, Dodger, too.


Then, we went to church. I knew that I would feel emotional. I usually do in church, but when the children began coming forward and handing their moms flowers in the congregation accompanied with the hugs and kisses. I lost it. Couldn't stop. "For this child we prayed." We so wanted Caroline. So wanted her. And, now, I'm 32 weeks pregnant sitting in a Mother's Day service. Then, our sweet pastor, Dr. Hart brought me a flower. Oh, how precious and a memory I will treasure.

Off to Lubbock to meet Micah's family for lunch at the Overton Hotel. What a neat experience! There was quite the buffet. I filled my plate with all sorts of goodies. Mitch and Sherry gave Caroline an adorable pink and green tiny smocked floral print dress. Oh, I can't wait to put her in it!


After coming home, I threw on my cozy t-shirt and pj pants and crawled into bed to snuggle with Dodger. He's been in Midland while our house has been showing, but I couldn't stand it any longer. He's come home for some sweet lovin'. We missed him! I'm glad to have my four-legged,furry little boy back!


Much love,

Waddle Waddle

Waddle, waddle. That's my walking pattern at the end of the day. Tired, slow, and waddling down my school halls. Three more weeks left of school. Wow...this year has really flown by! Today we wrapped up our Mother's Day Tea. We had all sorts of sweet treats, a slideshow, and the sweetest books they made for their moms...I can't wait to start accruing goodies such as hand prints, I love you, Mommy notes, portraits drawn by them, and sweet poems. Now, we will be fieldtriping and wrapping up this year with ceremonies. Another looker at our home this week. We also started childbirth classes this week. We are with three other couples. Quite informative, but during the breathing/relaxing part we were told to imagine being on a beach. Good with that. Then, place imagine your toes in the sand. Check. Then, imagine bronzed bodies. Ummmm, have you seen my body? I turn a shade of purple when I'm cold. I began to giggle. It didn't help Micah, too, was giggling. Mind you, we were on a mat, on hospital pillows, on the floor. Not relaxing.

Much love,

Veil of Fog

I don't know. A common response from me lately. I should respond with, "God knows. I'll follow." I feel foggy. I can't make decisions. I can barely think. Really. I was looking at childbirth classes and baby basic classes and I had to close the document because there was too many choices. I need to focus. I usually pride myself on being on top of everything. I feel like I'm sinking. I need someone to throw me a line or just put my on auto pilot and do my thinking for me. I have got to put Caroline on a waiting list for daycare in case I go back to work. I couldn't call on Friday because I don't even know what to say. Literally, that's how bizarre my mind feels. I feel like the only thing I can do is concentrate on keeping Caroline in my tummy, eating, and going to work (and May is one busy month!). And, clumsiness. It's weird. I've never been graceful, but I literally tripped over a chair during the TAKS test while trying to actively monitor. So now I have got to get on with decisions like planning on whether I will work, where will I work, planning on where Caroline will sleep, planning on her care next year, planning on baby classes, and finalizing school activity plans. On top of everything, I really miss Dodger. He been well taken care of by Micah's parents so our home could be shown with ease, but our home isn't the same without him. He brings life and fun to our home. He's cuddly, snugly, entertaining, and now we need to get him home. Isn't there a study that dogs reduce stress?

Much love,

A Diversion--Baby Shopping

I'm blogging about baby shopping as a diversion to my racing thoughts about my kiddos taking their big reading and math TAKS tests the next couple of days. We could really use your prayers on Tuesday for math and Wednesday for reading. We have worked hard...the kids, me, support staff. Now, it just needs to all come together! I'm really tired. Micah helped me start getting our flower bed ready yesterday (man, it was much easier years before...those core muscles are vital!). I came in from outside one tired girl, and then woke up at 3 in the morning with Braxton Hicks. Man, those can be painful!

On Saturday, Micah and I went to register at Target. I let him have the gun. At one point, he asked, "Does everything have to be pink?" I do like other colors in the spectrum. I just really like pink. I also registered at Pottery Barn Baby...I could one of everything in there! So now, I'm set. I've been asked over and over if I've registered so now I can say, "Yes!"

Here are some other fun baby websites I've been drooling over for all those that love looking at baby websites!

Church/Festive attire
http://www.strasburgchildren.com/shop/infants.asp

All sorts of fun stuff here!
http://www.annabean.com/

Possible diaper bag I'm looking at...nice and neutral for mommy and daddy.
http://www.monogramshophouston.com/store/viewItem.asp?idproduct=133&cat=8056#

Much love,

The Produce Aisle

Caroline at 29 weeks is now the size of a squash...or so says one of the weekly emails I receive letting me know what should be happening and to expect. As for me, I am working with two cantaloupes and a watermelon. I won't elaborate any further as you might have already figured that one out.

Rain, rain finally went away. Sunshine was finally BACK today! Thank goodness! I had a pretty rotten day on Friday at school. I was glad to have a really full weekend. It started by attending MOPS or Mothers of Preschools. They let me attend. I call myself a Pre-Mop and soak in all the advice and good laughs. Most are my friends and around my age. We had a guest speaker about gardening. I could have sat for hours listening to her speak. I could have asked a million questions. I LOVED it! After that, I earned bonus wife points by attending the Tech Spring Game. Normally, I would have been quite excited to attend. However, it was pretty chilly. By mid-April, I'm over being cold. OVER IT! Stick a fork in me, I'm done! Then, heartburn stuck after I had a delicious hamburger. Followed by projectile vomit. Now, if that doesn't take your mind off of TAKS stress, I don't know what will. Man, this new heartburn business is the "pits." Whew! I seriously wondered if I was going into labor. I started having Braxton Hicks last week pretty mild. But when you couple gas and heartburn with it, I seriously wondered if we needed to turn around and make a pit stop at UMC. Several hours later and many bathroom visits later, all was well. I even woke up at the crack of dawn ready for church. After church we had lunch with friends and then Karli came over with Reagan for an afternoon visit. After some cleaning and a surprise snow cone from Kim, I'm now in bed typing away almost ready for bedtime!

And, a prayer request. I just ask that you you would pray for peace for my job and students during the TAKS season, peace for our home sale, peace in my sleep, and in general peace. I have been generally feeling overwhelmed. I go along life fine for about a week, but about once a week, fear comes all over me. Fear of the unknown. I could make excuses about wanting to nest and plan, but I know God is working for the good. So, I ask for the prayer of peace.

Much love,

Seven Months

I have reached the third trimester! Yippee!!! Caroline has been moving A LOT in my tummy. I relish it. I am now at the point where I try to wear a dress everyday...so much more comfortable and nonbinding! And, the great thing is that so many of them are not maternity just with an empire waist which will be great as I take baby weight off after Miss Caroline makes her arrival. Speaking of which, my sister, Karli called earlier in the week to let me know she's made it back to her size four clothes after having a baby last June. I'm sitting looking at those sizes in brightly colored shorts and skirts in the drawers thinking, "I wonder if that will ever fit again." She's lost her baby weight twice. Really, I'm not too stressed about it. It's just something I see often as I open my drawers and closet and try to figure out what to wear. Until then, keep growing Miss Caroline!


If I had any pride left, I just lost another morsel of it today. I was wearing a little dress, and I went to pick up Micah's dry cleaning after work. I'm walking out of the cleaners on the main street in town, and a gust of wind came along and blew up my dress. My whole tail end was exposed to the store. Luckily, I had his clothes covering my front. Spring in West Texas.

Micah has to have a professional photo made for the new gig this week. I asked him what kind of smile he thought he was going to give. He was being serious when he gave this smile that he doesn't normally do. I just laughed and said, "Really?" So now, it's become quite the joke around the house. Did you ever see the Friends episode where Chandler kept ruining the pictures because of his smile? It's like that. He's purposefully making these ridiculous smiles around the house. I tried to get him to let me take pictures to show y'all how funny he's being. The best way I can describe it--a mischievous rat looking for cheese. He refused. I suppose his pride is still in tact. And, he's smile will be beautiful tomorrow. I love the laughing until you have to wipe tears from your eyes.

Reproduction in the neighborhood. We have rabbits all around. They have had a fruitful year. I like them...really cute! Now, as for the cat that was in heat and woke me up a couple of nights ago...go away. Super creepy. I don't like your kind. Go away. Not much longer before the frogs begin to make their appearance.

Much love,

Week 27 Updates

I went in for a sonogram yesterday. Love hearing her sweet heartbeat. Good and strong at 155 beats a minute. She was even moving a bit during the sonogram. Her arms and hands were up by her face. After I asked, "Is she still a girl?" And saw clear confirmation that she was a little girl I went and ordered a pretty girly crib.

Sleeping is becoming challenging. I have been having weird, vivid dreams lately. Last night, I dreamed that a bird with a giant, wide beak was poking out the eyes of Sissy Bouche, our family Boston Terrier. Dodger was outside, too, but had yet to have his eyes gouged out. I woke up totally freaked out and had trouble going back to sleep. I also have had a couple of dreams about just being an incredibly frazzled, incompetent parent. Scary. I am about to push Micah out of bed with all the pillows surrounding and supporting me from rolling here and there. I'm not quite as snuggly anymore with all of the extra propping here and there. My center of gravity is also changed. Getting up out of bed is more like a rolling over and out. Sitting straight up from a lying position is hard. I didn't know how much we use our core muscles.

Then, last night another home showing. I think that was the 8th or 9th.

Much love,

The Trees are in Bloom

I love this warming trend. Trees are in bloom. Ahhhh! So great. Maybe the last of the snow and ice is over.

I'm not really in a bloggy kind of mood so I think I'll just list.

a. Today at work someone left fun Parenting magazines in my mailbox. How thoughtful. I got home and the corner was dogeared for an article titled "Mama Sutra." Maybe they read it? Maybe they think I need a little somethin', somethin'. It made me smile. And, don't you love thoughtful people?

b. Going for a sonogram tomorrow. I love, love, love the sonograms. I love seeing her. I can't wait to see how much she's grown in the last seven weeks.

c. Caroline has been kicking and squirming around quite a bit in my tummy. What a fabulous feeling. I don't even mind it in the middle of the night. In fact, I lie awake to keep feeling her move.

d. Speaking of her kicking, the first time I saw her moving through my clothes was during Easter service. Really. I kept thinking about new life and how Jesus gave us life everlasting. Then, tears. I had previously been crying at the top of the service after I opened the program and Micah's parents had a special Easter lily for "the promise of Caroline Grace." Precious.

e. Speaking of tears, I cried at the Roloff's Big World graduation ceremony last night. Really? I cry, a lot. I try to contain it to my home.

f. I also go potty...frequently. So glad that I'm only across the hall from the faculty bathroom.

g. Three weeks from TAKS.

h. Dodger has gone to Midland for a vacation with Mitch and Sherry. I miss his evening cuddles, but I know it makes showing the house much easier so I don't have to run home and fetch him. It really is a huge help and one less thing to have to think about.

i. Wasn't Easter beautiful? We spent it in Midland. Great company and food, but a brief visit.

Much love,

A Wild Week

Wow! It's been one of those weeks, where I look back and think...man, whew, glad God gave me grace to make it through. Five weeks until the math and reading TAKS, and we've got a lot of work to do to get all of our minds at ease. That means only nine or ten more weeks until summer! Wednesday night I left with my three other fourth grade team members to Austin for a Verbalizing and Visualizing reading conference on Thursday and Friday. We had flight delays on every single flight we had to board due to crazy wind and rain. The conference was chalk full of information, but man, our heads were spinning at the end of the days. Unfortunately, we had some terrible shopping experiences. We cleaned up in Houston this summer so we were pretty disappointed in our findings. I suppose since I'll be hitting my third trimester in a couple of weeks, that's my last plane trip for awhile. On Friday, I had trouble getting on my wedding ring and my feet were swelling. Saturday I basically lounged around and slept all day out of sheet exhaustion. Sunday I woke up and began rapid fire cleaning for an open house we had today. Apparently, we had a great turnout. While the open house was going on, we went to Amarillo and got Dodger from my parents. It's so wonderful to hear the pitter-patter of his feet around the house makes it feel like home again! So now Micah is having dinner with an old friend and I'm resting up for a week that includes rapid fire teaching, a glucose tolerance test, and another house showing.

Much love,

These are My Confessions

Ready, deep breath in, deep breathe out. In, out, in, out. Here is a list of things going on in my head.

1. After six viewings of our house in the last 10 days, can someone please make an offer on our house? It's clean. I promise, you won't find anything nicer in this price range. I've already stalked houses for you. I looked at a LOT of green shag carpet and sparkle popcorn ceiling homes when we are looking for homes here. This house has neither.
2. I resigned from my job. My job is listed on the Plainview ISD job board. I'm not bilingual. They just need someone who is. That officially means no more reoccurring paychecks after August.
3. Speaking of jobs, I want to work at my old school, but someone is going to have to die or retire. No word yet, if either has happened. I kid on the first suggestion. Really, I'm not that twisted.
4. I miss Dodger Malouf. Dodger is taking a "vacation" with my parents in Amarillo. He wasn't too friendly with the realtor. Hence, a vacation.
5. Six and a half months pregnant and I'm still fitting in my matte jersey dresses. I'm on a mission for more Diane von Furstenburg looking dresses without the label nor the price tag. Stretch is a beautiful thing.
6. I'm so grateful that Micah has his dream job at this early in his career.
7. God has a plan.
8. My timing is not perfect. His is.
9. I'm really typing this to keep reminding myself.
10. So, here's what I would like. I'd like for my house to sell. I'd like to find a house before Caroline arrives. I'd like to work at my old school. I'd like to find a church we love as much as we do ours currently. I'd like to find some matte jersey wrap dresses that do not have the word maternity on the back of them so I feel okay about myself after July.

Much love,

Spring Break 2010

What a great break I've had! I feel like I've accomplished some things on my "to do" list which makes me feel like a winner. The break started off with weekend rest. My body really needs it after five full days of teaching the youth of America. Micah's mom, Sherry and his sister, Ashlee, invited me to join them on their shopping excursion in Dallas from Monday through Wednesday. I decidedly abandoned the sleet and landed in a greener land. OH, the biggest news is that we found Caroline's bedding. I really didn't plan on finding the bedding, but when we walked into this adorable store this quilt spoke to me. It said, "I'm cute, different, and SCREAM buy me!" So, I did. Then, off to Pottery Barn Baby where Sherry and Ashlee went wild quickly matching up bumper, skirt, wall decor, and sheets as a gift. I literally cried. I'm so excited to put Caroline in her bed. The bedding made it just a tad more real. Besides shopping, I ate like a pig and thus haven't stepped on the scale since and visited extended family. I also got a glimpse of spring as I saw green grass, tulips, and trees in bloom. It's around the corner, it's around the corner...

Off to Lubbock, where a birthday boy, Micah, awaited us after work to celebrate with food. Ate more (but, can I just say how excited I am to be incorporating salsa and chips back into my life!). Oh, and then we drove around with the Home Brigade (Sherry and Ashlee) and scoped out neighborhoods for us to live in Lubbock.

We have had our home up on the market for about a week and half and so far we had six separate appointments set up to come a look at our house. I think we are quite neat and tidy people, but really I've never vacuumed and wiped down counter tops so much in all of my life. In my spare time, I've cleaned out several closets and drawers. Pretty cathartic.

Oh, and I've been socially quite active. I'm loving this sixth month business. I feel REMARKABLY better.

Much love,

The Last 24 Weeks in Pictures

The night we found out I was pregnant we had been to our Wednesday night couples Bible study. I dragged myself off the couch absolutely exhausted (I actually remember writing on the blog how I felt like sleep wouldn't even help how tired I felt). I didn’t know why I was so tired. That week was also Red Ribbon week at school and that day happened to be pajama day at school besides that fact that I also was in my evaluation week window that particular week. Besides feeling like I was dragging my behind, I also wore my loungewear/pajamas to our Bible study. Micah literally looked at me and said, “You are wearing that?” I could’ve cared less. We went to the Bible study and my prayer request was that I just felt drained in all areas of my life. Really, I think I just was super hormonal and didn’t know it. We went home and knowing I was only a day late I took a pregnancy test. I didn’t really have my hopes up or “just know that I was” that month…I really just took it because I had one left over. In fact, Micah walked in while I was tinkling on the stick. His response was concerned since I always got my hopes up and each time they had been negative accompanied a feeling of defeat and disappointment. I waited the three minutes the box instructed to do so and after three minutes there were two lines—pregnant. We couldn’t believe it. In fact, Micah decided we immediately needed more tests. Off to Wal-Mart, where he went in and bought two more tests. Back home for two more tests. Two more positive results for us. I had this image in my head of how I would tell him we were pregnant, but when it was least expected…it happened. And, we sat and found out together.

The first five months I did a whole lot of this on weekends and after work. I was a hermit.


Micah has always drawn me the most precious pictures. Here's the latest.


People always ask how is Dodger taking the news. Dodger is well known and of course, very important. Really he has been great. He loves children and we are excited for him to have someone else to chase him around and throw his toys. However, the week before we found out we were pregnant, we went to see my sister, nieces and parents and Reece had her dolls out playing with them. We found this picture of Dodger "playing" with her dolls and we got a kick out of it. Yes, he's grabbing her by the neck.


Here's Caroline at 20 weeks.


22 weeks pregnant


24 weeks pregnant


Much love,