Glow

Suddenly my coworkers are full of compliments.  Now this is either one of those sympathy-induced "Lord it must suck to be pregnant in the summertime" guilty thought castaways, or perhaps my new preggo wardrobe is actually favoring me... I'd like to think it is the latter. 

Somehow my best look is with this big bump in front of me that causes my slight waddle and relative shrinking height appearance.  They've really improved the maternity wear they're selling.  I buy off-season and wait to wear, so it's been somewhat economical. 

Of course, I'm excited and more than ready to meet my son, so maybe they're reacting to my "aura." Who knows?  It's fun to receive the unsolicited comments and I am really feeling quite supported in this pregnancy.  It's six months today, and I'm more than ready to see my little man.

Is that What I Look Like?

I got my prom photos in the mail today and was somewhat disappointed in the results.  Dress is cute.  Hair and make up good.  Side profile photo with full baby bump protruding?  Not so great.  It didn't seem like it was a line up photo when I was posing, but that's sure what the woman delivered.  YUCK.  Guess I'll throw one in the baby book and throw the rest away... thank goodness it was a freebie.

Memorial Day Pool Time

Oma (mom) spent the day with us on Memorial Day and we decided it would be fun to try out the pool at the community center. Much to our delight, the pool has a spa tub and the swim space only goes to 5 feet - a big plus for non-swimmers like myself. I tried out my new preggo suit and it fit with excellent results. Chi also really enjoyed herself, as she was busy making new friends, playing with the water noodles, and sitting in the warm spa. With her float suit, she's incredibly confident and I don't have to be right next to her to ensure her safety.

Clowning Around

LauraChioma expects to have an adventure every weekend... but of course finances and creativity thwart even the best of opportunities...


Last Sunday the Circus came to town, so we decided to risk the PETA protesters and brave the tiny Cole Brother's Circus tents to watch the show. It was an expensive endeavor between tickets, popcorn, a camel ride and a snow cone. Laura's favorite part was taking the picture with a clown whose voice resembled one-too-many puffs on a helium tank.

The rest of the circus she sat patiently through, but the reactions were less of amazement than of "Okay mom, this is not the diversion I had in mind." So much for an adventure.


This Saturday, we ventured off to Alexandria and briefly visited the waterfront. It was a great opportunity to get a few photos taken, though the sun was casting quite harsh shadows in our direction... then someone had to go to the bathroom and our time at the park ended with a mad dash up the street to the car.

countdown ...

It's that time of year... when teachers' excitement and anticipation outweighs the students'.  Summer break is coming in a mere 13 school days and though I have a heap load of grading to do, it's already decided who is passing for the year and who is not.  It's mathematical, and one 40% quarter cannot change the results of the other 160% of earned grades for the year.  I warned them many times and now I just print the page of woe out and hand it to the students as though the steady "F' on each report card and interim was not enough.  As usual, my grade book is ethical.  I don't give away grades and I don't push up struggling students who just didn't make the effort to achieve.  It's not fair to the student, it's not fair to those who achieved.

Halfway to homecoming: 22 weeks

Big sister Laura is eagerly anticipating the arrival of her little brother. Today was marked by a shopping trip to Babies 'R' Us, where we zapped away at items for our registry. Laura was very helpful as she identified and insisted I zap specific "must haves" for her baby. She also picked out a camouflage sleeper for little Marq and insisted we purchase a special caterpillar toy for him. We bought those things today because she wouldn't leave the store without them.

Laura told the baby registry attendant that I am having a baby because I ate too much... it's kind of comical, as this little one's announcements came 15 days into my trial run with NutriSystem (and 10 pound weight loss).

Prom Chaperon

I volunteered as a prom chaperon thinking it might be fun... but I forgot how hard it is to find an outfit to formal events. It is especially difficult when you're over 10 years older than the prom attendees and don't want to appear to be trying to rekindle your youth.

A trip to David's Bridal was frustratingly comical, as I spent a good hour pulling seemingly loose fitting gowns from the shelves. I then went to the dressing room with my finds hoping to squeeze into one successfully... Laura says the baby is too big, because I hardly got the dresses on and was certainly not able to close them! The suggestion from the sales associate? Try an empire waisted gown. No luck. She then pointed out a very pretty gown on a pregnant mannequin and said "This is the kind of dress you need." I guess she didn't pay attention to the fact that the prom was only days away and at 4'10" on a good day, no off the rack long gown is going to work for me. At this stage in my pregnancy, anything that will heighten the likelihood of me tripping - beyond the typical and oh-so-present clumsiness of my condition - is not a wanted addition to my life.

So I did an internet search for formal wear for expectant moms. And wouldn't you know it, Motherhood Maternity had a brand new short dress in black silk and cream flower appliqué that looked stunning on the model. Add to it that the dress was half the price of the cheapest gown I saw at David's, and I was sold. I rushed the shipping and added a snazzy dress suit jacket in black and a clearance shirt in vibrant red to make the added expense worth it.

Enter prom night.

I was late getting home from MomNDad's because I was stuffing my face on a fabulous steak Mom cooked, so I gave myself less than an hour to dress and beautify. I'd probably have gotten myself together if it weren't for the dress. After about 20 minutes of desperate attempts to close a very awkwardly placed underarm zipper, I called Mom for a rescue. Laura was dragged from the park they'd just arrived at so that Mom could help me dress. Laying down and "sucking in" my immovable, protruding stomach seemed to do the trick. Amazing how awkward this body of mine has become these days...

I had to take the traditional "off to prom" photo despite going it solo this time and being three degrees beyond prom. Mom humored me and took several photos. So what if it was my third prom to date?

Here's the result once I squeezed into my dress...

Much to my delight, a colleague informed me that the staff at prom is given complimentary formal prom pictures, so that was my FIRST stop upon entering the building. A free pregnancy photo done professionally? You just can't beat that!

[Now of course we know that I'll be taking more photos in July of my third trimester girth, but this was a great document of my basket baller.]

It was fun being at prom again. The kids looked amazing. With two dance floors, there was no shortage of space for showing off the video moves. The music was great for dancing with the up beat rap and R&B choices. Few slow dances were played except "Make Love In the Club," which wasn't exactly the best choice for the clientèle. I found myself bouncing and snapping to the songs and moving my feet to the line dances from my wall hugging position. I might have actually joined in if I weren't trying to hold up the appearances of being the "keeper of decency." Then 10 o'clock came and went and I realized it was past my bed time. By 10:30 I couldn't hang, so I jetted to the parking lot to begin my drive home.

So Appreciated

Mother's Day is one of those holidays that I've never really liked.  I mean, I love giving my Mom her props for the daily sacrifices and sentiments of love she bestows on us...

But in my own history as a mom, I've not gotten the same.  I mean the husband/father/baby daddy is the one spreading the appreciation until the kiddies can, and in my case that has just not come to fruition.  Perhaps it's the distance.  Chi's Dad is in California and though he did send me that ultra cool Olympus purse camera one year, the rest have paled in comparison.  Really though, is he obligated to appreciate me functioning as mom and dad on a 365 day a year basis?

This year, however, has been different.  Chi woke up right as I was laying back down from my 5-6am romp with the micro k-9s.  My eyes were closing, so she patted me ever so gentle on the shoulder and waited for me to look at her.  And there were those two beautiful almond eyes looking wide open into mine as she smiled and said "Happy Mudder's Day!"  Then she inquired as to the location of her backpack and jetted out of the room to find her gift.  She picked out the sweetest smelling candle in a crystal burner because it smelled nice and mommy likes candles.  Now... I was a little unclear as to how she got this gift, as I didn't fund her school's "gift shop" purchases for this particular holiday.  Turns out Chi cried when she realized she had no money for a gift and one of the "shop" attendants let her pick something anyway.  How's that for special?

We got up pretty early on this overcast day and I was grateful the rain had finally stopped for a bit.  Megan arranged for a Spirit of Washington cruise with her father and grandmother, and Dad and Tav split the cost of our tickets.  It was a great opportunity for Chi to wear her princess gown - a pretty taffeta and velvet dress.  She also asked for make up, which I helped her apply.  Did I mention that my little girl is beautiful? 

The cruise was actually quite nice and the rain stayed away long enough for us to return to dock.  Our boarding photo was decent, and so Dad splurged and got us a copy of it.  The live singing/dancing entertainment was a bit cheesy, but during the open dance floor period, I did get to teach Chi the Electric Slide, I danced to "The Butt", and she demonstrated her shockingly accurate understanding of the "ChaCha Slide".  Amazingly my heals didn't kill my preggo fat feet and I had quite the flash of energy.

Ike called to wish me a Happy Mother's Day and promised to send his daughter some recent pictures.  It was a bit odd to talk to him after so many months, but we're amicable enough.

And the little man in the tummy has been announcing himself all day with kicks and punches and spins.  It's like he's saying "Hey mom, I'm here" all day long.

And though it has been raining since we left the cruise around 1pm, my spirits aren't as saddened as the skies are.  It was a good day.  I feel loved.  I feel validated.  I'm a mommy, and I love it.

Faster than we thought

Marq joined me at the last OBGYN appointment and sat in his little seat watching as the nurse found the heartbeat. It's slowing down, but still at over 146 beats per minute. Marq called him a little beat box. As expected we get to have one last sonogram through insurance, and it falls right after Marq's 30th birthday. It would've been on his birthday, but the times interefered too much with my job. It's the first he's been able to attend, and he's excited about seeing his son for the first time.

Dr. H insists that the due date is September 7, even though every sonogram to date says we're just at 21 weeks not at 22+. We're looking at scheduling our delivery earlier than his due date and so... August here he comes. I'm a bit freaked out about that, but Marq seems to think it'll be just fine.

In fact, Marq seems to be well into the preparation stages of fatherhood. I think I am stunted. Yes, I'm excited, but sometimes that shifts into fear. I don't know what I'm scared of... just am. This second baby is exactly what I've dreamed of and wanted for quite some time. True, my timing is completely crazy - - but I think God set this in motion. Marq will make a great Dad and he's doing everything he can to make sure financials are set and he's present for the job of raising this little boy. Honestly, I'm blessed that I've known the man since we were teenagers and that we talk so effortlessly about everything.

Little man is going to take Marques as his first name, but I'm setting the middle name to something uniquely his. Nope, not a junior, but still a namesake and still very much Marq's first son.

LauraChioma is obviously excited. She outvoted me on the name issue by deciding Marq was a good name and she'd like to call him that. She told her hairdresser all about what is required of a big sister and she's ready to take on the responsibility. I told her she has to change all the diapers, but she didn't buy it. In fact, the hairdresser said Laura is pretty set in how a family works: Mom takes care of the baby's needs, siblings help out and play with him, Dad comes home from work and says "How are you honey?" Funny that she got this picture perfect idea into her head since our last 5 years have not looked at all like she invisions.

I have one of those fancy 3D sonograms scheduled for June and I found a fabulous maternity photographer I'd like to have shoot my photos... yes, we're financially able to do all that this time around.

So much for starting the school year. Instead, I'll be home for the first day of school with a newborn baby... and I'll miss the first 9 weeks of our work year. I should be happy about the extended vacation, but it's gonna be hard to set a tone for a class I've never seen.

Tooth Fairy

Laura says the tooth fairy came to visit her last night.  She says God gave her a magic spell to keep her sleep while the fairy worked.  However, she had a dream about what the fairy looked like.  She has blue wings and a green shirt.  She is really white, all tooth fairies are.  She has a magic wand that helps her get the tooth out of the pillow and helps them "poof" to you.  Apparently the fairy opens your mouth to inspect where the tooth came from while she's there, the spell keeps you asleep while she works.  The magic wands can act like a flashlight, too.  She got $1.51 from her, or "four monies" as Laura says, which means she really liked the tooth and treasure chest it was in.

Party Time

Chi and I just spent two hours with our Honduran neighbors at a party for their three-year-old.  Chi has dubbed the little girl her "best friend" and thought this party would be all about the two of them.  Of course, this was a family affair and though they slowly trickled in from about 3 p.m. on, the birthday girl could not be kept by Chi's attention.  Instead, Chi tried desperately to entertain herself digging for bugs (an oh so gross new hobby) and running around in the muddy backyard.

By 5:30 I only wanted to escape and the thought of taking the dogs out to relieve themselves sounded like a pleasant alternative to suffering through this Spanish speaking fiesta.  Granted the little girl's parents and uncles (our neighbors on Bethel) speak English and tried to make us feel welcome, but I was so uncomfortable as the only dark skinned face in the crowd.  It didn't help that the Caucasian relatives on the maternal side - specifically the grandmother - kept making comments about "Spanish time" and moving along with the festivities.

The Home Stretch

Literally, the home stretch in this pregnancy has begun.  My son is growing by leaps and bounds.  Daily my stomach hurts from his growth spurts and clothes are starting to look a bit odd... It's more  than obvious I'm preggo, but people are now classifying the shape of my figure with other large objects.  (Yes, I was called a basketball).  So... doctor's appointment is next week and hopefully one last b&w sonogram will be scheduled.  I splurged and booked an appointment for the 3D/4D picture in late June.  That'll be exciting!  In the meantime, I'm still working on keeping my name choice: Reign Adonai; Marques wants a junior but his name means warlike.