Ootd

I haven't done an outfit of the day post in forever, mostly because I rarely feel cute these days.  My maternity wardrobe doesn't have many options and most of my pieces are either gray or black-- so boring. Yesterday I was browsing around Target. The Cartwheel app had a coupon for a maternity shirts and I was determined to find something cheap in a color.  I loved this periwinkle option and for about six dollars.  The pink skirt was another clearance rack purchase.  It is not maternity but it has an elastic waist.  Since it has been pushing 100 lately, it is a perfect choice to wear to school.

I know these pictures are at an awkward angle, but I had to resort to using my iphone's self timer app.  These were the furthest from accidental upskirt shots I could manage.  I had a spring in my step from actually feeling cute, so I figured I would document.  

In other news, The Mindy Project is back!  Comcast has a sneak peak of the season premiere and it is SO funny.  Probably my favorite show of the moment.

Happy Thursday!

101 in 1001

I finally remembered the other day that I can add another checkmark to my little list of goals.  You can click here to see how I am doing.

65.   Finish elementary ed certification  - DONE!

It has been a crazy road, but due to a kind hearted professor who wouldn't stop hounding me and a series of fortunate events I was able to finish this and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recognizes me as a certified elementary teacher.  (Previously, I was a highly qualified as an elementary teacher with only a special education certificate.)

Goals in progress
19.   Get an allowance/chore chart system together and actually stick with it for at least a year.

Ryan, Isaac and I finally came up with a system that seems to be working.  We implemented it a few weeks before school started which kept it from feeling overwhelming when we all got back into school mode.  Isaac likes having a chance to earn an allowance and I love that he is initiating helping out around here without me having to nag, negotiate, bribe, remind and beg.  He has also surprised me by saving his allowance up so far. I expected it to burn a hole in his pocket.  

How are you doing with your goals?

24 weeks

How far along: 24 weeks
 

How big is baby: Fruit and veggie scale says baby is about the size of an ear of corn. 

Weight gain: I was shocked at my doctor's appointment to learn I have only gained five pounds so far this pregnancy and four of them were within the past month.  I guess that is what finding all foods aversive will do to you.  I am supposed to be really careful with weight gain since I was a little, ahem, chubby to begin with, so the doctor is pleased with me.

 Sleeping: Hit or miss.  Still up all the time to pee.  Still drowning out Ryan's snoring with earbuds and a white noise app.  These school days have been taking their toll on me.  I may have spent the last hour of church this past week passed out in my car. Sorry I'm not sorry...

Food cravings: Still French Fries.  

Food aversions: Still anything Ryan makes in the deep fryer. The smell of the oil is just horrible to me.
 

Other symptoms: Still experiencing wild mood swings. Still have a super bionic nose. Some more ridiculous heartburn this week.  Like, salad has been giving me heartburn.  Also, terrible Charlie horse leg cramps in the middle of the night. It terrifies Ryan cause I wake up screaming and thrashing around with no forewarning. The doctor says there isn't much I can do for them sadly. "They will go away once I have the baby".  Great. Also a few Braxton Hicks contractions which are mostly just annoying.

Miss Anything? I'm good this week.  

Doctor’s appointment: I had an appointment that on Monday that was nothing special.  But also had the miserable glucola test.  (Which, as i had to explain to Ryan, is NOT the test the eye doctor gives you). The first swig of the dreaded juice I was like "okay, not so bad, I can do this" but by halfway through I was seriously gagging.  Then the doctor says that I am actually a few days too early to take it and that if there is any question about the results I will have to redo it.  I hope there is not because I honestly don't think I can do it again.

Wedding Rings: Still on! 
 

Clothes: My mom got me a cute maternity sweater dress that I think will be making many appearances in the next few months.  I wore it as a dress this week to church, but I can see myself wearing it with leggings as a slouchy sweater later on.

Movement: Lots and lots and lots!  I like it.  It's still in the "aww" fun and novel stage of kicking, not the wake you up in the middle of the night by internally jabbing your vagina stage.
 

Best moment of the week: Taking Ryan to one of my favorite eateries in Philly, El Rey.  He always wants to go to chain restaurants for dinner, so it has been fun introducing him to some of my favorite spots in the city that don't have waitresses wearing suspenders with pieces of flair.

 What I’m looking forward to: Good family time in the next few weeks.

What I did / Got for baby:  The front bedroom nursery is still half painted and the furniture from that room is still scattered all over the top floor of the house: so we haven't done much.  My mom has been sewing receiving blankets like her life depends on it though, my sister in law set over some cool little straps for snack cups and bottles, and I couldn't resist these shearling boots as my last purchase with my mall job discount.

Happy Monday everyone!

23 Weeks Pregnant

Sorry, I know this updates probably aren't of interest to anyone but me.  But I like to document my pregnancy, since it will most likely be my last....

How far along: 23 weeks.  This pregnancy is really flying by.  Everytime I get an update from my pregnancy app that I am another week along it catches me by surprise.

How big is baby: Fruit and veggie scale says "large mango".  I am definitely looking bigger these days.  I worked Friday and then went back in on Saturday wearing the outfit above and my manager said, "Yesterday you didn't really look pregnant, but today you do!"
 

Weight gain: Still doing okay I guess.  I rarely step on a scale outside the doctor's office.
 

Sleeping: Horrible.  Between the straight up exhaustion of being back to school and then Ryan's terrible snoring it has been a rough few nights around here.  I have been sleeping with earbuds in and a white noise app playing but it is still hard to get a good night's rest since I am up over and over to use the bathroom.

Food cravings: Buttered toast.  Lemonade.  All day, erry day. 

Food aversions: Fried chicken.  Which Ryan likes to make at home at least once a week.  Or really anything he makes in the deep fryer.  The smell permeates the whole kitchen. 

Other symptoms: The usuals (super bionic nose and crazy mood swings) but also some fun new TMI ones like veiny breasts and over the top constipation.  I think now that I am back to work I haven't been drinking enough water. I also am suddenly congested and runny nose which could be a back to school cold or could just be another fun pregnancy symptom.  It's kind of horrifying/fascinating how when you start to research how pregnancy really changes everything about your body. 

Miss Anything? Doing the dishes/opening the spice cabinet/going to a buffet without gagging on smells.

Doctor’s appointment: Tuesday is the big glucola one.  I hope I am doing okay with my sugars.

Wedding Rings: Still sliding off and on comfortably.

Clothes: I finally put in my notice at my mall job and so I did a big shopping trip to buy some maternity stuff before I lost my discount.  I am still on the lookout for some more work pants (khakis, cords or non-black trousers), and maybe a collared button down but I got a few more shirts, a good pair of jeans, another skirt and a dress.  I have been able to stretch my non-maternity summer capris and dresses, but I don't think I can make any of my old work pants work anymore once cooler weather rolls in for good.  I'm bored to death of all of my clothes, so it really is time to step my wardrobe game up. 

Movement: Lots! Especially at night. And finally when Ryan happens to be touching my stomach.  He has felt a few good kicks, which is fun.
 

Best moment of the week: We had a lovely Sunday.  Nothing particularly noteworthy but I did some baking, we did some cleaning, Ryan watched football, and my parents came over for dinner.  Nice day.   

What I’m looking forward to: Thanksgiving break...

What I did / Got for baby:   We finally did our registry.  It still needs a few tweaks (there are some double items on there and I still don't know what the heck to do about nursing supplies and equipment).  I am still of the opinion that I would rather get baby things second hand from consignment sales, hand me downs or yard sale sites.  You could honestly spend a small fortune on baby gear that is really only used for a short period of time which is not what we are trying to do.  And then there is the breastfeeding stuff.  So much equipment.  Should I rent or buy?  What if I buy all the stuff and then I can't do it?  Or what if I am okay at the beginning but then I can't make it work when I return to school?  What if we decide to rent and then I am a breastfeeding pro and wish I had bought my own stuff?  I started to sort of have a panic attack in the store and Ryan had to talk me down more than once.  I still have to figure out cloth diapers too.  Ryan and I would both like to use them at home (better for the environment and the wallet) even though we know when this baby goes to daycare it will need disposibles.  But they are a big investment upfront.

Anyways, things are good in the Stephenson-Horne house.  We are feeling very blessed.

First Day of School

Isaac has been asking for weeks when it will be time to go back to school.   He laid this outfit out several weeks in advance (purposely chosen to represent that he cared but not too much).  His schoolbag has been packed for at least 3 weeks with all of his new school supplies. Yesterday, he begged me to take him to the barber to freshen up his 'do which was an experience.  His dad handles the haircuts and the last time I took him for one he was an infant.

This morning as I was desperately hitting snooze, he came into my room fully dressed, book bag on and asked me to drive him over to school!

I think his day was a success.  To his great disappointment, his best friend Ethan is not in his class, but he likes several other kids that are.  He is excited that they are starting to do more flex grouping, which means he will get to spend time with some of other third grade teachers.  He is also already psyched up for the PSSA's (state tests which aren't even until spring).  I have talked a lot about opting him out of them but he came home begging me to allow him to take them.   I look at the pictures above and think about when he was a tiny kindergartner, and I really don't know where my baby has gone!  

My first day of school with kids was pretty good.  I am tired from being on my feet all day, but not as wiped out as I thought I would be.  

Pregnancy Update: 22 Weeks

How far along: 22 weeks.
 

How big is baby: The size of a spaghetti squash.
 

Weight gain: I know in this particular picture I look freakish huge, but I don't think I look that big every day.  I am still doing well with my weight gain.
 

Sleeping: Lately I have been sleeping well.  I hope it continues!
 

Food cravings: Still French Fries.  And sweets.
 

Food aversions: Everything.  I made enchiladas for dinner last night and couldn't bring myself to eat them.
 

Other symptoms: Super bionic nose is still in full effect.  We went to an all you can buffet today and the combination of smells was so overwhelming. Mood swings abound too.  One minute I am laughing the next I am bawling.  Also if I sit or stand for too long, my back is starting to sort of lock up.  

Miss Anything? Nothing comes to mind.
 

Doctor’s appointment: Not till next week.
 

 Wedding Rings: Still on!
 

 Clothes: Same old, same old.  Nothing new to report on.
 

 Movement: Lots! Especially at night.
 

 Best moment of the week: We had a lovely holiday today.  We slept in, went to a buffet, finally worked on the baby registry, and then started painting the baby's room.  Also we finally agreed on a name.  It will be announced later.  

 What I’m looking forward to: Finishing up that front bedroom.  My parents are bringing out the rocking chair and the crib next weekend.  We also want to repaint the little white dresser that will go in there.  It is a little bit old and worn.
 

What I did / Got for baby:   Lots and lots of clothes!  My mom had bought some clothes from a discount website, then we got some stuff at a yard sale over the weekend, and then I got a ton of stuff on super clearance from Target and Gap for next summer.  We also bought some pink paint and got a coat up on the wall of the front bedroom. 

 It will need another coat, but I feel good about what we accomplished today.  

Tomorrow is the first day of school with kids for me and Isaac's first day of third grade.  It is sad to say good-bye to summer so soon, but fall is always so fun.  

Afternoon of miracles!

So a few weeks ago I found out I was missing a Praxis exam. Yeah, I have taken so many, but apparently I wasn't done.  These are special standardized tests I took as part of my graduate work in my teaching program.  I only had a small window left to take it.  I checked and was able to sign up for a spot within the required window,.  Wahoo!

Today was the day.  I went to print my admission ticket and realized to my complete horror that I had signed up to take it in CENTER CITY PHILLY instead of the suburban testing center that I meant to.  (Pregnancy brain strikes again, seriously).  In panic mode I hopped in the car with little hope I would be able to make it in time.

Well, miracle of miracles, there was NO traffic going to the city at 4:30, which is basically unheard of.  I got to Center City in under an hour, which, it usually take at least an hour and fifteen minutes from where I live.  It was almost creepy how quickly traffic was moving and with no congestion.  That alone calls for a celebration!

I was a little dismayed when I realized the testing center was in Old City (about two blocks from the Liberty Bell) an area which is infamous for NO parking!  I didn't have enough money to pay to park in a garage which is what I usually do when I drive to Center City.  I drive a big bad mini-van and parallel parking that beast is no joke.  I circled the block once and then, cue the Hallejulah angel chorus, a huge van pulled out of a spot, right in front of the testing center!  I was able to pull right in with no trouble.  Another cause for celebration!!

Then the meter would not take my dollar bills!  I kept trying to put them in, but they wouldn't take them.  Finally I figured I was so lucky to even make it there and I would just deal with the parking ticket later.  I ran into the testing center and took my test.

And it was freakin' hard. There were lots of questions about art and phys ed, and I have no experience to draw on there at all. But, at the end, the computer gave me an unofficial score, and I passed!  Actually, not to toot my own horn, but after I e-mailed my advisor he let me know that this was an EXCEPTIONAL score.  So go me.  More celebration!

Then, when I came out my car windshield was TICKET FREE!  I was shocked!  I have gotten a ticket after parking like ten minutes illegally in the city, and it took me over an hour to take the test, so this was truly miraculous.

So, all in all, there was lots of cause for celebration this afternoon.

I am linking up with Lindsay for her monthly link-up.  Happy Tuesday!