Haha

Southweat Airlines is funny--they handed out plane plain crackers. LOVE the play on words!

Back to Work

My air conditioning/heater in my classroom was broken today. Sure, it isn't nearly as cold as Oklahoma, but it is freezing for Riverside. When I got to work, it was 47 degrees. When I walked into my classrom, I noticed that my room seems a bit colder than normal--it was 58 degrees inside!!

Even after it was supposely working, the warmest my classroom got was 64 degrees. BRRRR! Despite the freezing weather, the kids were amazing and actually several told me that they were glad to be back at school :)

Tomorrow, I'll be more prepared with more layers!

Week 22

I LOOK: fatter and depending on which clothing I wear, definitely pregnant. I purposely wore the most "pregnant" shirt I wore to the airport and had lots and lots of people asking me when I was due! Nails are still kicking butt.

Picture from 21w4d on Thanksgiving.

• Total Weight Gain: ?? I haven't weighed myself since two weeks ago and I'm not going to until I've balanced out some of the travel/Thanksgiving week. Maybe it will be a big shock two weeks from now...
• Maternity Clothes: 100% everything, although a lot of my shirts still fit, just are a bit too short to cover the panel on the pants.

I FEEL: Sore all over from traveling and sleeping on an air mattress for a week, but overall, pretty "normal." My heating pad has helped my lower back relax. The wonderful second trimester life is here and I'm loving it.

• Baby Movement: He moves all the time. I'm assuming that he is doing somersaults because within an hour time period I feel kicks at the top, bottom, and side of my belly. Dave was able to feel him last week and has since felt him several more times.

I CRAVE: nothing specifically; however, once I hear something someone else is having, I want that. In Oklahoma, that lead to eating a Sonic Burger, blizzard-type ice cream, and way too much Thanksgiving dessert.

I THINK: I've incredibly lucky to have had such a normal pregnancy with no issues. I feel blessed! Deciding the baby's name is the biggest "thinking" process that we've been doing over the past two weeks. Dave is really, really set on Luke--so we've been trying to come up with a B middle name that we like to go with it.

I HOPE: Christmas is here and I hope that my energy is high enough to get shopping done (first year it isn't done before Thanksgiving and it is causing a bit of stress), school finished, Christmas joy spread all around :) Selfishly, I'd like to look really pregnant by Christmas when we travel all over the place!

DOCs SAY: No doctor appointments for a few more weeks!

Oklahoma Trip in Review

We had a relaxing trip spending time with family. There were no big plans or events, just laid back fun together. On Tuesday, we spend the day with Pauline and Alicia in Joplin shopping and had dinner with the entire Brooks/Charles family in Miami, Oklahoma.

On Wednesday, we drove to Webb City and picked up the kids for a few hours of bowling. Couldn't beat the price at $0.25 a game!
On Wednesday night the storms rolled in--the temp dropped from 76 to 30 degrees, the tornado and thunder clouds took over the sky, and talk changed to "storming." Thursday for Thanksgiving it was FREEZING--I bundled up in all my layers (tank top, shirt, lightweight sweater, multi-layer sweatshirt with fleece, peacoat, scarf/beanie/gloves) and we drove from Miami to Webb City.

Julie did most of the cooking and Pauline added a few dishes.

Jesse (20 years old)

Keeri (15 years old)

Alicia and Ryne

Dave and I on our way home on Friday afternoon! This pregnant lady is ready for her own bed, but glad to spend time with family.

Flashback Friday

November 2009

Festival of the Lights at Mission Inn

Girls Night Out with Casey (Mercy), Robyn, Desiree, Jenni, and Rachel

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Today, and every day, I am thankful for my wonderful Savior, husband, family, and our wonderful life. Also, this year we get to thank God for the precious baby growing in my belly!

Tornado Warnings

Today is our third day in Oklahoma/Missouri. It has been a fun filled day of excitement. We slept in (thank you Lord!) and then drove to Webb City, MO.

We picked with the kids and went bowling. It was a steal at $5.00 a person cover and .25 per game. After playing a few games, we headed to Sonic for lunch and the mall for a few stops.

As we were checking out at Kohl's, Brady got a text from the fire department that there was a tornado watch issued and since then, we've had some "education" about Oklahoma weather. At church with Pauline and Ralph, we learned about the different types of clouds and which ones made thunder and lightening and which ones turned into tornados. Leaving church it was pouring buckets.For now, we sit in the warm house with the tv and radio on waiting to make sure we don't need to make it into the cellar.

Nathaniel Owen Webster

Nathaniel Owen Webster

Born today at 7:32 am.

7 pounds, 3 oz

19 3/4 inches long

Joining big brother Sammy

On a Jet Plane

As this posts, Dave and I will be on a jet plane on our way to visit Pauline, Julie and families. We have a short layover in Las Vegas (both of our first visits to the city) and will land in Tulsa around 6:30 pm.

Pauline/Ralph and Alicia/Tyler/Ryne at in Miami, Okalahoma (pronounced Miama) and we'll be staying at Pauline's house. Pauline was able to take the week off so we'll get some special sister (and sis-in-law) time.

Julie/Eddie and kids Jeremy, Jesse, Brady, Keeri, Brandon are in Webb City, Missouri which is right outside of Joplin. We'll be spending Thanksgiving at their house and probably most of Friday.

Friday evening we fly back home.

Don't worry, Aunt Melissa will be babysitting Reese, the bunnies, and the house while we're gone!

a bit early

My elf sized doggie helped me starting putting up Christmas decorations today. I know it is early, but I LOVE them and would leave them up all year long if I was allowed to.

Baby Milestone

Last night, Dave felt the baby kicking. He was patient enough to sit there with his hand on my tummy as we laid in bed and it finally paid off. At first, Baby was barely kicking (more pushing), but quickly it turned into full kicks that Dave couldn't miss. Very exciting.

We also continued the name debate--right now we're choosing between these two:

Andrew Blake

Andrew: strong, manly, and courageous

Blake: attractive and dark

Luke B____

Luke: bringer of light and truth

haven't agreed on a middle name yet, but it will start with a B

Bryant: strong, virtuous, honorable

Benjamin: son of my right hand

Any opinions?

Flashback Friday

October 2008

Superstition Desert

Des and I read Twilight almost the entire time inside the trailer :)

Wordless Wednesday

Kicking

Not that it looks like this, or anyone can feel it, but this is one active baby. Last week, he only kicked at night. The past four days, he's been kicking all day long--while walking around the classroom, while teaching, while sitting, all the time!

Training...

Today (actually right now) and tomorrow I'm sitting in a Read 180 training from 3-6:30 pm. I'd love to say that this is a good thing, but I've taught all day. I'm tired. I'm hungry. I'm really over thinking about school...
Normally these trainings would be held during the day, our sub would be called and paid $110 ($220 total) per day and I'd get a day to actually process the information without a shot brain, tired feet, and aching back.

HOWEVER, we're in a budget crisis... so instead I get paid $32.10 an hour to sit here and want to go home. (And no, we do not get paid our hourly rate for this, but instead the staff development rate). Overall, my time will cost $192.60. The district is saving $27.40.

That is unless a laid off elementary school teacher happens, by chance, to decide to sub one of our classes--then they'd get paid their daily rate...

What is Baby Pfeffer?

Is Baby Pfeffer a girl or a boy?

Will Baby wear a whole lot of pink with cutesy bows?

Or plaid shorts and sweater vests?Baby Pfeffer is clearly a BOY!!

Week 20

I LOOK: maybe pregnant? (you decide) I have some pretty kick butt fingernails--I've never had nails this long that weren't fake and I'm loving it! This has got to be one of the best physical parts of pregnancy so far. My hair is pretty awesome too (if I don't say so myself).

• Total Weight Gain: +8 (3 lbs from two weeks ago) OOPS--according to our ultrasound today, only 12 oz of that is baby and 2 lbs is probably placenta and fluid via BabyCenter.com. The baby is the size of the canalope I'm holding!
• Maternity Clothes: 100% pants, 20% shirts for the length

I FEEL: Great! Just as I was hoping, my energy level is back up. I've been able to stay up a bit later every night (more like 9 pm) and the morning isn't killing me. This may have more to do with time change and a pretty light work week, but I'll take it. Still having some issues with a stuffy/runny nose, but nothing major. Sleeping is getting more painful for my lower back, but thankfully the pain goes away after I'm up for an hour or so.

• Baby Movement: Can't miss the baby kicks now--once in a while the pressure on certain parts of my belly is pretty intense. Baby seems to be more active when I'm resting (in the evenings and watching TV) and sleeping when I'm talking (like all day...).

I CRAVE: last week, Dave walked into the house after work while I was eating a pickle spear, grahmn cracker, and frosting... but other than that one instance, I'm still think my cravings have been pretty mild. Wendy's hamburger kids meal has been a big one the last two weeks or so.

I THINK: I can't believe that I'm halfway done with this pregnancy! People looking at me like I'm crazy when I tell them I've 20 weeks are beginning to piss me off--so what if you can't tell, be nice and say congrats and then think whatever the heck you want... I also think that chewable vitamin are the best thing ever (not that the normal kind are hard to swallow, they just hurt my stomach and make me nauseous).

I HOPE: I hope Dave can feel the baby kick soon, that our trip to Oklahoma/Missouri for Thanksgiving goes smoothly as it relates to pregnancy (flight, rental car, sleeping, etc) and we have a good time visiting family.

DOCs SAY: It's a... healthy baby that weighs over 12 oz with all the normal parts and growth! Baby Pfeffer was also SUPER active during our ultrasound

Childhood Memories

On the way home from dinner with my WW buddies, I was listening to KSGN (by the way, I love this radio station) and the radio DJ asked the question, if you had to pick one childhood memory to relive, what would it be?

I started thinking... here are the ones that popped into my head immediately:

1. Family game night with my mom, dad, and sister--we played lots of cards and board games!
2. Christmas morning traditions of reading from Grandpa's Bible and opening presents for hours.
3. Camping all over California in a tent, teardrop trailer, and big trailer
4. Playing in the baptistry at church after collecting all the tiny communion cups to play with
5. Fishing with dad and following the fish hatchery truck to the dump lake and fishing there...
6. Reading constantly (to the point where I'd sneak it under the covers with a flashlight because I've been told to put it away several times already) in order to be "like dad."
7. Hours of craft projects with mom for presents and just fun.

All of these came to me in less than five minutes between Arlington/Riverside Ave and my house... what childhood memories come to you immediately?

Flashback Friday

May 2007

Aerial's Grotto--California Adventure

Pre-kiddos and Pre-Weight Watchers

MA Bedroom/Bath Update X

Some how I never managed to get a picture of the drywall going up, being taped, and sanded (maybe it was because it happened so fast because we paid a guy for the work)... but that happened... then Dave textured and we painted the room this light yellow. The pictures make it look darker than it is in "real" life. In the above picture, you can see the new window, the shower hardibacker and some of the yellow.After a few practice runs on the floor, Dave got the floor tiles arranged, cut, and cemented down (back in early October).Another trip to Ikea and an hour or so of assembly gave us our bathroom vanity cabinets. They are actually kitchen cabinets that will work perfectly for what we need. The two end cabinets will become the sink cabinets and the center is a bank of drawers. The part you done see is chilling in the red room--a 88" pantry cabinet will be on the far left side of this cabinet.

On Saturday, we started tiling the shower. It's not done yet, so here is your two tile sneak peak :)

Wordless Wednesday

Kids in a candy store

Belly

Really, really wanting to look pregnant... but instead I just look fat.

Some day, there will be no denying it, but for now, I just make sure to rub my belly and tell everyone that I'm pregnant. But seriously, I'm really tired of people looking at my like I'm crazy when they find out I'm almost half way done!19 weeks, 1 day
15 weeks

13 weeks (nothing there)

Celebrating Melissa

To celebrate Melissa's birthday we all drove out to Lakewood for church, then to Benihani's for dinner, and my parents house for dessert. Dave is adding one for the baby.

The show was pretty cute--the part of the act was new. The fried rice was in the middle and the chicken to add in make the I and U.

Melissa opening her presents.

Happy Birthday sis!

Happy Birthday Melissa

My little sister is 24 years old today!

A bit late, but Happy Birthday to ME

To celebrate my birthday back in October, my parents took me out to the dinner of my choice. I picked Ooka at the Plaza so that we could eat at the hibachi grill!

The food is SO GOOD--I wish I could eat it all the time!

My cute ice cream cup

The next day, Tawni, Rob, Sammy, Desiree, and Melissa joined Dave and I at John's Incrediable Pizza for unlimited pizza and a few video games. This is Des and Melissa playing the stressful bug flying at you game!

Our ice cream on the way out the door