what i wore & what we did

classy selfies in my classroom.

I went shopping yet again for more work clothes this pregnancy.  My destination this time around:  Kohl's.  Now, there are people who love Kohl's and there are people that hate Kohl's.  I happen to be a hater.  I can't pinpoint the exact reason - maybe it's how unorganized all their ugly clothes are?  Maybe it's the $5 stuffed animals or books up front that I can't seem to say no to?  Maybe it's the fact that their return counter is all the way in the back?  Or maybe it's their overly animated cashiers that tell you how much you saved and circle it in red pen?  All of it sends me over the edge.

Anyways, we don't have many options for maternity in our small town, so Kohl's it was.  The only plus of going that way is that I can grab a taco supreme from Taco Hell on the way out of that stupid busy plaza.  However, I actually had some luck - I love this geometric wrap dress.  It was sooo comfy.

On the school side of things, we've been scientifically getting down over here.

 

Searching for minerals in beach sand - use magnets and you can find the mineral magnetite!

 

The 7th graders made "Layers of the Atmosphere" board games and played them.

And in Biology we made chromatograms, separating pigments of plants.

 

 

Quotes of the week are both courtesy of our awesome new Filipino student.  He has a very thick accent, so make sure you envision them that way.

 

As we're walking to the library last week, there was a man that was having a lot of trouble starting his truck. 

 

"Wow, I think his truck has run out of energy." 

 

 

Then, as we were discussing something we'd like to buy and setting goals on how we can earn the money, he says:

 

"I wish every person on the planet would give me a dollar.  Except for the homeless people."  

pumpkin picking 2013

After a dreary, rainy morning the sun came out just in time for us to head out to the pumpkin patch this afternoon!  It works to your advantage when your husband has his own - no fees, no corny tour guide, and no kettle corn to tempt the pregnant visitors.   

 

Patrick had a hard time walking through all the vines.  His little dance moves were cracking me up.

Seriously, he is a twin of his father.

We got to take the Gator out to the field.  We don't mess around - we like a lot of pumpkins surrounding our house.

Wuuuzup buddy?

Jeff showed us the pond where they party hardied back in his high school days.  Things are a little different now, huh?  A baby instead of a Busch.

We came back to the farm and made faces at the nasty cows unloaded all 15 of of our pumpkins into the car.  Patrick got to stay and help Daddy and Mommy got to go home and decorate it up.

Who's that creepy lady in the reflection?  And don't judge my urns - I am fully aware I was too lazy to actually pot my mums.

 

But hey, the day was perfection.  Patrick was obviously on cloud nine, but little do my guys know that I was too.  They make my heart swell!  I even got some video that I'm planning on making a mini movie out of so stay tuned.

 

And now to make the day even more perfect, Jeffrey & I are outty.  September date night! 

34 weeks

• This week I had my prenatal appointment with Dr. Visci, who made it clear that my weight gain is right on track (25 lbs.) and that I only gained a pound in between appointments.  Good doctor.  ::pets head:: 

• The baby is head down and lying on a slant, which is why his little bum is always busting out of my right side.  I actually started feeling much more precise movements lately - it almost feels like small hands and feet scraping across my belly.

• Babycenter says he's the size of a cantaloupe.  The fruit comparisons just don't do it for me.  I mean, is that supposed to help me visualize?

• I'm definitely feeling the discomfort more often while I'm working these days.  Sitting in certain positions is making me dizzy and weak, therefore I'm constantly moving all day long.  That can be difficult when I need to sit still in order to get 50 tests graded.  Or when I'm at church with my students and I have to get up for a drink every six minutes.

• Maternity clothes have me on wit's end.  What is it about that?  When I was 12 weeks pregnant I would've given anything to have the belly to fill those clothes, and now that I have it, I don't feel like spending the money on them.  I keep thinking well it's only six more weeks.  I do love my black dress from Motherhood.  It was a little pricey but a good investment...I'm thinking of wearing it to an upcoming wedding since it's completely comfortable and table-dance-able.  Kidding.  Aaaaand these two h&m dresses just might be my next must-haves. 

• Now that the weather has cooled down to absolute perfection (68° and partly sunny), I feel like I can make it through these last weeks.  The only new complaint I have is that the muscles around my pelvis are sore at the end of each day.  I really need to start doing my kegel exercises - I think it would help.  So would a $75.00 prenatal massage and a two hour pedi.

• After I wash my face and get into my pajamas in the evenings, I've been lathering my bump in Mama Bee belly butter.  I've read that only genetics will determine whether or not you get stretch marks but I'm not taking the chance.  I didn't get them last time around and my intention is the same this time.  Anyways, this belly butter is super - it has a mild smell and just plain reminds me of babies.  Totally recommend.

• And to end on a positive note, food has been my best friend.  Everything tastes divine, and my new fave snacks?  At school, these dark chocolate dusted almonds.  At home?  Caramel apple swirl bread.  Both make me drool.

 

it's still summer, no really

If I have to hear one more radio personality say Well, since it's officially fall... 

It's not fall!  Hello!  The autumnal equinox isn't until September 22nd, so we can all just chill the heck out.  Why do we insist on rushing the seasons in?  I mean, I'll admit I have orange mums out front and a scarecrow gawking at our passersby, but I'm not going around saying Oh fall, I'm so glad you're here!  Even Jeff's already talking about when he'll start growing his beard - October 1st he says.

Whatever, since it's still summer I thought I'd share the delicious, light and healthy meal I made last night before heading out to book club.  My house reeked of garlic for 24 hours (and yours will too) but it's worth it.  First you'll need to head over to your local farmer's market and snatch up some veggies.  There's still plenty!

 

what you'll need:

 

1.5 lbs of linguine

1/2 cup EVOO

6-8 cloves of garlic, minced

2 zucchini, halved and chopped

2 small bell peppers cut into strips (I had one yellow and one red)

1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

a large handful of fresh basil

sea salt

pecorino romano cheese

 

 

instructions:

 

Get your pasta water boiling and cook according to box directions.  While it's going, heat your oil to medium.  Add the garlic and sautee for a few minutes.  Add the zucchini and peppers and sautee on medium-low for about ten minutes.  Add the cherry tomatoes the last few minutes.  Add your sea salt - be pretty liberal.  Remove from heat and toss in torn basil.  Combine with the pasta and add the cheese on top.  Enjoy the last few weeks of those summer veggies!

 

 

(I found that having fresh basil and parsley in pots this summer was an awesomely cheap investment - I actually used both of the plants quite a bit, and they're still going strong!)