#4

Yup. By now I'm sure you've seen our announcement... 

we're excited to announce Baby #4 is due in May 2015!  

After a rough few weeks (being overwhelmed with my new job coupled with absolute first-trimester exhaustion), I am thrilled to finally be able to share our secret and enter the "feeling-so-much-better-and-able-to-start-wearing-maternity-pants-because-its-no-longer-a-secret" second trimester. YAY! (this also kind of my excuse for not blogging since... August???) 

Because I'm 36, I'm categorized as "advanced maternal age" with this pregnancy. Other than sitting down with a genetic counselor to be told my chance of having a baby with a genetic disorder has increased (gasp!) POINT ZERO FOUR OF A PERCENT since my last pregnancy three years ago, there is the added bonus of increased fetal monitoring- which simply means I get more ultrasounds and we get to see our baby more often! So far, so good. Baby is measuring well... my lab work was all normal... so far, so good. 

Now, bear with me for a mini-rant. 

I have ALWAYS wanted a large family. Dan was more of a 2.5 kids kind of a guy. Marriage is about compromise. We also had to figure in obvious "real life" factors, like money, space, and our age. With that said, we came to the decision that we were going to try for another baby. 

Another baby. 

NOT a boy. A baby. 

We did this knowing that the chances of having a fourth little girl are pretty great. And you know what? We're totally OK with that. I KNEW the moment we announced this pregnancy, we'd be bombarded with comments like "Trying for that boy?" and "Maybe you'll get your boy this time!" And, well... I had to push my hormones aside and realize that all those comments are coming from a good place... from well-meaning, happy-for-us friends. Sigh..... 

Would Dan and I be completely over the moon thrilled to have a little boy in our house? 

Ab-so-freakin-lutely.

Will Dan and I be completely over the moon thrilled to bring home ANOTHER little pink bundle from the hospital? 

Ab-so-freakin-lutely. 

To say that we did this as one last attempt for a boy... well, it kinda takes away from the awesomeness that is our little girls, no? 

What kind of message is that sending to my girls? "I think you're great, but we really wanted a boy, so we kept trying... and trying...." Um, nope. 

What I HOPE it's saying to our little girls is, "Mom and dad thought you were so incredible that we wanted to have that experience again... and again...and again." 

Back to Work...

So.... I'm going back to work. Not that I didn't "work" this past year. But now I'm gonna get PAID! :)

In all seriousness, however, this past year being a "stay at home" mommy was...well, an experience. I loved it some days. I didn't love it some days. There was a definite transition time last fall (that included a doctor visit and borderline high blood pressure... when I was NOT working, huh?) I think a lot of my anxiety stemmed from the guilt I had for not loving being home... ALL. THE. TIME. (I blogged about it a bit last year here)  I know so, so many of my mommy friends who would love to have the opportunity to stay home, and here I was, NOT necessarily thinking it was all that. The grass is always greener, I guess... but, on the flip side, I was so, so blessed to have the year to do a lot of things I always wanted to do, but couldn't because I was working. I volunteered in Lucy's classroom each week and was able to be the "room parent" for her 4K class. I was able to teach a 1st grade Faith Formation class at our church. I got to help with Lucy's Good Shepherd group. I got to take Hattie to storytime at the library, meet Lucy's bus each day after school, and nap my girls AT HOME every afternoon and have dinner on the table every (well, almost) evening. 

So... as we were gearing up for school this year, I was halfway looking for a part-time position in our school district. I knew I didn't want full-time, and I still had my subbing to fill in if all else failed. Plus, with both the bigger girls in school full days this fall, I was kind of excited to have a little more freedom in my day. But... I really, reallly missed teaching. So... Monday evening I was looking through local job postings for our district. There was a part-time 4K job in the same building as Maggie and Lucy (NOT the same school. however. Their charter school shares a building with another elementary school) The hours were perfect. The location was amazing. And... all the pieces just seemed to fit... so I applied on Tuesday. Fast forward to Thursday morning. I recieved a call from the school, asking if I would come interview. I double-checked with the secretary that it was, in fact, a morning 4K position, and she confirmed. I scrambled to find a sitter (thank God for great friends!) and headed off to interview. 

Let me preface the next part by saying, I felt like I wasn't going to interview well. The first (and only) interview I've ever had for a teaching position (besides subbing) was a phone interview... which I did in my pajamas... from my dorm room. So, I was a little nervous. Plus, I haven't actually had a "classroom" position in three years (I did intervention work the last two years I worked), so I was feeling a little rusty on top of it all... Oh, and I've never taught 4K, either. So..... deep breath. It went fantastic! The principal was great and in our conversation, she had worked many years ago with the principal that had hired me out of college. We had some great conversation, lots of laughs, and overall, it was fairly laid back and she made me feel really comfortable. At the end, she said, "Well, let me tell you a little bit about the position... " and proceeded to rattle off about the number of students, the classroom... and the fact that it was an AFTERNOON position. She must have sensed something, because she said, "You want a morning position, don't you?" and I mentioned that when I called, I was told it WAS a morning position. She sighed and explained because of some of the students enrolled, they had to change it to an afternoon class... which had happened in the hour before I interviewed. Ugh. Ugh. Ugh. For reasons too numerous to list here, an afternoon position was just not feasible for our family. Again, the principal was amazing. She was just as frustrated as I was, I think. As I apologized, and got up to leave, she said, "You interviewed really, really well. I would hate for such a strong candidate to go to waste. Do you mind if I call and share your name with the department head? I know she was interviewing today for some other positions." I said sure... but in my heart was so disappointed that my "dream position" had fallen through. 

I got in my car and drove home (about a 2 minute drive, tops) By the time I kicked my shoes off, my phone was ringing. The head of the Early Childhood department was calling me and wanted to know if I was interested in meeting with her. So, off I went... to interview #2 in an hour's time. Same questions, different interview team. 

The next morning I was getting coffee in the McDonald's drive-through when my cell phone rang. It was the head of the Early Childhood department, and this is how she started the conversation, "Sarah, I'd like to talk to you about your interview yesterday." Um... OK? 

Without going into all the crazy details, I guess she was really impressed with my confidence and experience (not too shabby for someone who doesn't interiew well, huh?) Because of all that, she felt confident she could place me in one of her more "problematic" settings. Heck, I'm always up for a challenge! She rattled off three different settings, listing pros and cons of each one, and asked which one seemed most appealing. I made my selection, and she said "Good. That's the placement I would have chosen if I hadn't gotten in touch with you today." So...I think I made the right choice. I start on Tuesday, and (THANK GOD) don't have students starting until Monday, 9/8. I have a few days to get my head on straight, get a classroom in order, and figure out daycare for Hattie. One of the perks of this position is that it is housed in a daycare center, not a school, which could work out perfectly for Hattie. My parents have offered to watch her this week until I get a "feel" for the center and make some decisions. 

So... I'm excited, scared, nervous, thrilled, exhausted, and anxious. BUT- I think it will be worth it. Besides just the monetary benefit, I think Hattie is at a great age to benefit socially from being with some other children her age. I feel like I am still keeping one foot in the door of my profession and entering into the district I ultimately want to retire from. And, I will still be home each afternoon to nap my kid, make our dinner, and pick my big girls up from school. What's not to love? 

Don't Drink the Paint!

Oh what a night!

Last night I threw myself a birthday party. Why? Well.... why not? 

My friend, Laura, has a business where she teaches a painting class at a bar. Paint and cocktails. Really, what's not to love? I have wanted to take a class with her for over a year, but life got in the way... and, well... I just haven't. With the big 3-6 right around the corner, I thought it was a perfect time to put out an all-call to my friends and family and have them join me for a night of painting, drinks, and laughs. And what a great night it turned out to be! I was surrounded by so many incredible women- from so many different pockets of my life: past co-workers, relatives, old high school friends, church friends, neighbors.... Lots of laughs, smiles, and creativity! In the end, everyone walked away with an amazing piece of artwork.

 (Please check out some more of Laura's incredible business here:
www.dontdrinkthepaint.com or here on Facebook) 

Here's some fun pictures from last night!

Check out the AMAZING finished products!

 Here's a close-up of mine. I'm a *little* proud of it!

 While I was busy painting, Laura had everyone paint a little something on a canvas for me as a surprise. I think it might be one of my favorite birthday gifts ever!

In leiu of any birthday gifts, I asked my guests to bring school supplies for a local charity. Check out how amazing my friends are! SOOOOOOO excited to drop these off next week!

Just Because I Can....

...I want to tell you the things you will find in my own personal hell: 

* Cashiers who give the dollars back and THEN the change... so that it rolls all over the damn place. I was a cashier for many years, and I DISTINCTLY remember the opposite being part of my training. Oh, and to all you haters that are going to ask "Who actually pays with cash anymore?" Well, I do...because I'm a stay-at-home mom and that's how I budget. So there. 

Ahhhh! Stop the madness!

* These damn footie socks. I think they are ugly, and I actually think they are designed NOT to be seen. If you have an adorable pair of shoes like this, why taint them with the ugly, peeking toe "liners?" Really- either go barefoot or wear real socks. 

Honestly. Who thinks this looks OK? 

* People who say "seen" when they should not. Example: "Sarah, I seen your girls at the park." No, actually you SAW them at the park, but whatever. 

Amen.

*  Whatever that God-awful funk is that permeates the air near the Woodman's deli. I never buy lunchmeat there. I want NOTHING that comes from a place that smells like that, and talking to the dude at the meat counter would mean I'd have to stop holding my breath. 

Yup. This is the face I make as I rush from the produce to the dairy section.

*Just about any show from the Disney Channel... except "Good Luck Charlie." For some reason, I find those darn Duncans heartwarming (and I secretly want to live in their awesome house!) 

Heeelllllooooo! A chalkboard fridge? LOVE!

*Centipedes. They will be there, because they are the devil's minions, I know it. 

Truth be told, I had a minor panic attack googling centipede pictures. Holy shit, these things are disgusting.

Five is Fun!

This past week, Lucy (finally!) went for her five year well-visit. 

She did outstanding, and charmed our fantastic pediatrician with stories of "cowt-wheels" and getting ready for "kin-duh-gawten." 

Hattie, on the other hand, well... she was a treat. At one point, after the doctor teased her about something silly, she threw herself on the floor, on her belly, and put her fingers in her ears. It was lovely. As I tried desperately to get her up and save some face, he calmly said, "We refer to these as 'birth control' babies. Every family has one."  Oh. My. 

So... back to Lucy. Five has been awesome so far. I love, love, love this age (says the past kindergarten teacher) Overnight, she has seemed to have grown into this "kid" and left all hints of toddlerhood in the dust. She is taking gymnastics this summer, and it is definitely the highlight of her week. She flits and flips and jumps and tumbles all over the house, and has taught herself to cartwheel. She is quite the artist, and is bound and determined to learn how to read. She desperately wants to grow her hair out, but has no patience for me to comb it, so I think we'll keep it short for now (wink, wink) She loves "My Little Pony" (yuck) and wants to learn to ride a 2 wheeler this summer. She still doesn't say her "R's" well and her favorite food is salad. I wouldn't be surprised if she becomes a vegetarian once she figures out that's an option.... She gave up naps the day she turned 5 and hasn't looked back since. She is SO excited to start kindergarten at "Maggie's school" this fall.

Stats wise, she's a long and lean little monkey. In my mind, she's this teeny bundle of muscles and energy, where I always remember Maggie has a taller, thinner, lankier kid...stat-wise, however, that's not quite the case!

Lucy
Height: 43.5" (65%)
Weight: 40# (47%) 

Maggie

Height: 44.25"   (81%)

Weight: 44 #    (75%)

Buenas Noches

This is how we find the little girls sleeping. Every. Single. Night. 

Lucy- sprawled out like a rockstar on her belly, on top of the covers, underpants showing for the world to see

Hattie- stuffed animals kicked to the floor (the same ones she insists on getting tucked in with), usually "upside down" in bed and also on top of the covers

Play hard. Sleep hard. I guess it's better they're falling asleep like rockstars now.... 

then finding them like this when they're in college. 

The Park

After dinner tonight, Dan took the big girls to a program at the public library, while Hattie and I stayed home to clean up the kitchen and hang out. We headed outside to water the flowers and ended up taking a walk to the park. The park is only about 2 blocks away, but the walk there (and the walk back) took almost 20 minutes each way. For once, we had nowhere else to be. No one else to "keep up" with. Nobody but me and my baby girl.... and boy, two year olds notice EVERYTHING. Every robin tweet ("Mommy, what's dat? A buh-dee?") Every dandelion ("Look at dat, mommy! A fwower!) Every ant ("Mommy- look at dat 'pider! It's cwawing all ober!") 

I realized tonight how much I miss in the hustle and bustle of life. I am always "hurrying" my kids along to do the next thing or go to the next place. It took this simple walk to remember that sometimes the "getting there" is half the fun. Little ones have no concept of "hurry up" other than what we tell them to do. It was so awesome and refreshing to just kind of hang back and watch her explore on her own. 

 I didn't bring my camera. For a moment I wish I would have, but then I realized I would have been more concerned with taking pictures than enjoying the moment. For such a gorgeous night, we were the only people at the park. It was perfect. 

Relay For Life

Maggie's Track and Field day was yesterday. This year her school had a "Relay Field Day," which combined the yearly field day with the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life fundraiser. In the week's leading up to field day, they learned about cancer prevention and what the Relay signifies, etc. The students were also encouraged to raise funds for the ACS... which Maggie was so excited about! Unfortunately, even at seven years old, Maggie knows of far too many people in her life that have been affected by cancer, and she felt strongly about wanting to help in her own way. While setting up for our annual rummage sale a few weekends ago, Maggie asked if she could save the money from her water/popsicle stand to give to the Relay... and she made almost $50!! 

And, in true Relay for Life fashion, the first lap was a Survivor Lap, where cancer survivors are invited to walk in celebration. Maggie invited her papa and her great-Aunt Kathy to walk. She decorated a luminaria bag in honor of both of them. 

I'm so incredibly proud of my girl... and super impressed with the way her school brought the Relay to level that was relatable even to first graders...teaching about cancer awareness and community involvement at the same time. Oh, and my kid? She raised almost $1000 for the American Cancer Society. She rocks. 

 Maggie, Aunt Kath, and Papa after the Survivor Lap

This girl loves her papa....

Lilacs

Back in the spring of 2006, one of my first graders brought me a vase of cut lilacs one day. I wrote a thank you note to her family, explaining how happy they made me as they reminded me of my gramma because they are usually at full bloom right around her birthday at the end of May. That same family showed up on the last day of school that year with a gorgeous lilac bush for our yard. Fast forward 8 years, and that same bush (has survived a transplant to our current house!) blooms full with the most gorgeous lilacs each spring. 

This year my gramma would have celebrated her 90th birthday... so Hattie and I cut some lilacs in her honor. 

FIVE!

Last Wednesday, we celebrated Miss Lucy's 5th birthday! Seems like just yesterday I was waddling OUT of the hospital, unable to deliver because baby had "flipped" and was no longer head down when I went in for an induction on June 1, 2009. Two days later, after an uncomfortable evening of an active, full-term baby somersaulting around in my belly, I returned to the hospital. Shortly after midnight (12:09 to be exact!) and minutes after the nurse who checked me said it would be "several more hours" until I delivered, Lucy Elizabeth arrived! She's been keeping us on our toes ever since!

Ready for school...as a 5 year old!

Wednesday was a school day and Lucy chose to bring chocolate donuts in for her classmates. 

After school, her great Uncle Dan picked her up for an "ice cream" date. They headed to Andrea's, where they got to sit at the counter and eat hot fudge sundaes... it was QUITE the experience! Later that evening, we had dinner (tortellini and salad- Lucy's choice!) and enjoyed cake while opening presents. Lucy was quite indecisive this year as to what kind of cake she wanted, so I took it upon myself to try something different and came up with this tie-dye cake. It was so much fun! 

 She was soooo proud of this cake!

Even the INSIDE was tie-dye! 

Along with birthday money, lots of new summer clothes, a Frozen beach towel and Barbies galore, Lucy also got gymnastics classes for the summer.... She is THRILLED and can't wait to start! She is quite the gymnast and has taught herself how to cartwheel. I can tell you firsthand that she's been somersaulting since before she was born!