We're Cool Like That!

Yesterday was a big day for Mill Valley!  We were selected as KCTV5's "Cool School" of the week!  What's that mean?  Well, for starters KCTV5 was at Mill Valley for live broadcasts from 5am to 8am!  Which means....we had to be at school at 4:45am!  Which means...I had to get up at 3:30am!  I'm not sure I've EVER set my alarm for that early--not even when our plane left at 6am for our honeymoon!  I was so freaked out about sleeping through my alarm that I woke up periodically all night long.  After waking up at 3:15, I decided another 15 minutes wasn't worth it, so I got up!  Luckily, the local coffee shop opened extra early for us (thank you Country Club Cafe...you're not as good as Starbucks, but I appreciate your efforts).

The morning was a blast!  Not only did the students show up in full force at such an early time, but they exhibited such great school spirit and pride.  Everyone (including teachers) who showed up early received a free t-shirt and got a free pancake breakfast from Chris Cake's.  (Who doesn't love free stuff?)  Student Council planned such a fun morning, full of Minute-to-Win-It-like games and contests.  I competed versus some students (and tied for the win) in trying to shoot a pyramid of cups over with a nerf dart gun. :)  The teachers tried to pull off a dance flash mob to "Jump on It", but the kids took it upon themselves to come to the gym floor and dance with us, so it didn't work as planned.  The news lady interviewed multiple extracurricular activities from our school, each which represented the Jags in such a positive way. 



It truly was a morning I won't forget for awhile.  Probably one of my best experiences since starting with the district five years ago.  Go Jags!


Here are some photos I snapped with my cell phone.

Math co-worker Kristen

KCTV5 news lady

Yes we are!

I found this game comical

Erica and I with JJ the mascot

Dance party
Be sure to check out the video clips on KCTV5's website.


The Results Show: October 27, 2011

Thursday, October 27...a life-changing day.  Here's why...

Look close, really close!!
Yep, there's a baby (rather a blastocyst according to thebump.com) growing inside me!  I'm going to be a mom!  Whoa--we're going to be PARENTS!

AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I took a test yesterday morning, but only saw one line, so I thew it away!  For some reason, I decided to check it again after my shower.  Sure enough, there was a REALLY faint second line!!  I immediately started shaking due to the amount of shock!  I had just taken a test 3 days earlier (I'm impatient) and it was negative.  I'd given it about a 10% chance.  Low and behold, there WAS a second line on that stick yesterday morning!  I called the hubs (he had JUST left for work about 5 minutes prior!) and he was ecstatic!  (I know, I should have done something more special, but I couldn't wait!)

The rest of the morning/school day was a blur.  I could not focus on anything, but my life-changing news!  I even attempted making coffee without the water!  That's how frazzeled I was!  (Don't worry, I double checked and 1 cup of coffee/day is a-okay!)  And I could not stop looking at the picture of my test and that wonderful second little line.

After school, I stopped by CVS and purchased another test...the digital kind.  There's no guessing with a digital test.  It either reads PREGNANT OR NOT PREGNANT.  Waiting those 3 minutes while the hourglass was flashing was torture!  But a second opinion is always nice.  And the second opinion confirmed our happy news!


I can't even begin to tell you how excited we are!  And happy.  And anxious.  And nervous...specifically for the labor part.  Yikes.  But mostly just super excited! 

I can't wait to begin telling people!  This is definitely the biggest secret of my life!!!  And I'm not the best secret keeper!  (I.e. last year, Craig and I exchanged Christmas gifts 2 weeks early because we couldn't wait any longer!)  Of course, I'm already plotting how to surprise our families in a clever way!  Stay tuned...

I'm praying to God that everything goes well and that I will have a smooth, stress-free, easy pregnancy.  Of course, I'm expecting the worst, but also remaining very hopeful!  I'm also praying for a very healthy baby boy or girl.

It'll still be awhile before my first doctor visit.  When I was there for my annual appointment a few weeks ago, she suggested we wait until week 8 or 9.  I was 4 weeks yesterday, which means Baby Sides (whoa, weird!) will be here towards the beginning of July.  Thebump.com suggests a July 3 to 5 due date

I've been anxiously awaiting this period of my life.  I'm going to try and blog regularly about my experience and weekly updates.  I'm sure some day it will mean a lot to look back on it all!
Here's my first weekly update:
Image from thebump.com

Image from thebump.com

How Far Along: 4 weeks
Size of Baby: A poppyseed

What's Happening:
The baby's neural tube, the building block of his spine, brain and backbone, is already formed!

How I'm Feeling:
So far, so good!  I feel nothing different--no nausea, no exhaustion, no symptoms whatsoever!  I'm nervous about "morning sickness" in my near future.  I have a feeling my kids will start to suspect something if I have to run to the bathroom often! 

Best Moment This Week:
Clearly, seeing the positive result! :)  Here is a pic we took the night of finding out!





Chiefs vs. Vikings

Now for this weekend!  We headed to Arrowhead for a perfect day of tailgating, friends, food, and football!  I say a perfect day, but in all honesty, it was a little warm for October.  When we bought the tickets in early summer, I was just hoping it'd be warm enough to enjoy the day....little did I know I'd come home sweaty and sunburnt!  I guess a little color is nice again...

What started as a mini tailgate with just a few of us turned into a pretty big deal!  I think we had about 15 tailgaters, plus some of the randoms in the parking space next to us who joined in on all the fun.  Three of Craig's friends even came from Wichita.  We cooked up some omelets, bacon, and sausage and had plenty of other tailgate snacks!  Everyone was quite impressed with the bag omelets!  Yum yum.

I was excited for the Vikings.  Not because I'm a fan of the team, but because one of my favorite Hawkeye players of all time plays for them - Chad Greenway!  (See pics below)  Yay for the former hawkeyes!  

My cookies - footballs, jerseys, and Christmas trees Arrowheads





Early morning - Brian needed a nap.  Complete with the grill cover blanket.

Maddox's first Chiefs game

He's too cute not to take photos of!

Craig and Jay

Me and the hubs





The boys






There he is - #52.

My camera has some pretty great zoom!

T.Swift & Pumpkin Decorating

I'm a week behind here.  I honestly don't have a good excuse, other than laziness!  But better late than never!  Last weekend was the fabulous Taylor Swift concert at Arrowhead!  If you remember, the concert was announced way back in February!  I talked a few friends into going, and though, none were big fans like me, I was happy we got tickets!  We were among about 45,000 screaming teenage girls and their moms.  I did not care though!  I love Taylor Swift and am not ashamed to admit it!  We took some snacks and "tailgated" pre-concert.  We figured other people would have the same idea, but I guess when you're ten years old, that's not exactly how you think.  The concert was great!  She sang for over 2 hours and it was very entertaining.  And the best part?  No run-ins with students!

Bad angle, let's try this again

Much better - Allison, Kristen, Katie, and Rebecca

Myself and Allison


The group...we love us some boots!  (Poor Rebecca didn't get the memo)


Look at all those peeps


Yes, we were about as high as you could go!

On Sunday, I got together with some friends and painted pumpkins!  Much easier than carving and they will last longer!  Thanks for Alissa for organizing and buying the supplies!  It was a fun afternoon with the girls!

Wine while you decorate?  Yes, please!







Love the polkadots!

The big reveal

Such focus

Cuteness!

The pumpkin photo opp