Santa

Today was my first official day of break which worked out perfectly since Jesse had the day off.  The three of us slept until 9 a.m.  (Yes, you read correctly!)  We had a relaxed morning before heading off to the mega mall for pictures with Santa.  Apparently the Bass Pro Shop gives out free 4 x 6 photos with Santa AND you can take pictures with your own camera, too.  After waiting in line for about 20 minutes, the photographer asked us if our baby was going to cry.  I confidently replied "no".  Of course, Jackson was his usual happy self.

Before leaving the mall we headed to Starbucks to take advantage of a gift card I received from a coworker.  Nothing beats leisurely afternoons drinking free peppermint hot cocoa and vanilla bean creme.

Our next stop was Target to purchase a Christmas gift for Jackson.  Using a gift card from another coworker, we purchased a Vetch Catch Me Kitty for him.  We are keeping Christmas gifts extremely minimal this year since Jackson:

1. won't remember anything

2. already has everything he needs/wants

3. will receive plenty of toys from other family members

4. can't even open gifts

5. has parents on a budget

After an afternoon nap, snack, and playtime at home, we were off to church for our live nativity play.  Jesse and I once again played the role of Joseph and Mary.  There was brief discussion of Jackson being baby Jesus, but it was easier to use the baby doll.  This was a good thing since Jackson was crying and yelling "Ma Ma Ma Ma" by the end of the play.  Once I found him he had tears streaming down his cheeks.  I think the church people were alarmed because they never see Jackson upset, but Jesse and I are well aware of how cranky he can get when he's sleepy. 

The play was very simple and went smoothly, despite the rain forcing us to perform indoors.  (I forgot my camera so there are no pictures.)  We briefly enjoyed fellowship while munching on cookies and sipping hot cider before taking Jackson home for bed..

Bye Bye Bouncy Seat

Jackson has used the bouncy seat daily since he came home from the hospital. 

I used to bounce him to sleep for long naps.  The first toy he grabbed was the dangling turtle.  Jackson has served as Jesse's sous-chef in the kitchen for many months while in his bouncy seat. 

Unfortunately, Jackson's curiosity and strength now causes a safety hazard in his beloved seat.

We must retire the bouncy seat to the attic (along with the swing) until another child can use it. 

Goodbye, bouncy seat.  We will think of you fondly!

Things I Took For Granted Before Motherhood

• Spending time with my husband 
• I naively assumed Jesse and I would both be teachers forever and always have the same schedule.  There was a time where I longed for time away and evenings alone.  Now here we are working completely opposite schedules in order to avoid daycare and all I want is to eat dinner together every night. 
• Spontaneously getting my eyebrows waxed or haircut
• These are the only two things that I have yet to do with Jackson.  I used to drive by on a whim to get my hair cut or eyebrows waxed, though these have to be planned now.
• My sex drive
• Has anyone seen it?  I need to create a "Wanted" ad or check the Lost & Found.
• Getting to church on time
• Jackson's morning nap falls at the same time as getting ready for church.  We can never seem to make it before 11.  Every Sunday it's something different--an explosive diaper resulting in an impromptu bath, waiting for late nursery workers, cleaning spit up off of my blouse, etc.
• Watching movies
• A few summers ago Jesse and I went to the dollar theater every week.  We haven't gone to a movie theater since I was pregnant.  I don't even like to watch movies from Netflix because I can't stand pausing movies and I'm too tired by the time Jackson goes to bed. 
• Uninterrupted phone calls
• There are certain people I don't like talking to on the phone because I get distracted enough as it is.  I was offered $250 to complete a 90 minute phone survey but chose not to because I didn't know how that could be possible.
• Quick errands
• It was never a big deal to run by the grocery store to pick up something I forgot, though now it's something I avoid as much as possible.  Though I would never, ever leave a sleeping baby Jack in the car, it is so tempting. 
• Using public restrooms
• There have been multiple occasions where I couldn't use the restroom when we were out because I didn't know what to do with Jackson.  I can't exactly leave him outside the portajohn or bring an entire buggy into a bathroom stall.
• Exercising
• I assumed I would be one of those cute moms on the greenway with their child in a jogging stroller.  Clearly that has yet to happen.  I do miss running and I am wasting my gym membership, but I don't want to compromise my limited time with Jackson.

All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth

If that is the case, Jackson will get everything he wants!



Updates and Other Ramblings

Here are the various events from the past week that I have neglected to mention in previous blogs:

--Most of our downstairs flooded after the pipe connecting the kitchen sink to the groundwater broke on Friday evening.  We had to turn our water off overnight until a plumber could come the next morning.  Jesse had to make a late night run to buy a gallon of water so Jackson could still eat.  All is well, $300 later.

--Now that Jackson is eating more solids, his "spit up" is colorful vomit.  I never minded so much when it was regurgitated breastmilk, but now it totally grosses me out! 

--It's really hard for me not to judge other people's birth plans.  One of my coworkers gave birth to her son today.  Our staff received several text message updates, which caused many women to share their birth experiences.  I have no issues with people choosing to get an epidural or other pain medications.  However, one of my coworkers said she was on Facebook her entire labor and described it as "boring" and "uneventful".  I had to walk away without making any comments. 

--Jackson still isn't crawling, but he can get wherever he wants by lifting his entire upper body and pivoting around.

McAdenville, Choir, and Playdate

Jackson and I enjoyed a busy weekend full of Christmas traditions and fun play.  On Saturday evening we met up with my some of my former youth group members at McAdenville.  We always meet at the Burger King across the street and walk.  We were supposed to meet around 5:30 but they got stuck in traffic and didn't arrive until 7:30!  It is next to impossible to entertain an 8 month old for two hours in a car/parking lot.  By the time they got there, Jackson was cranky and exhausted.  He was initially bright eyed taking in the various sights and sounds, but he quickly fell asleep.

My favorite spot looking out at the lake

All bundled up

Jackson and I made it home at the same time as Jesse just after 9:30.  The three of us don't get to spend as much time together as we'd so I especially like for us to share in the bedtime routine (even if it's two hours later).

I had signed up to make cupcakes for our church's Christmas Program.  One of my co-workers brought adorable strawberry santa hat cupcakes to our staff holdiay party last week, which I planned to copy.  I whipped up some red velvet cupcakes and decorated them first thing on Sunday morning. 

Jesse, Jackson, and I enjoyed our weekly pancake breakfast.  Jackson loves pancakes as much as we do.  Now that he has six teeth, he can really bite down and chew!



The choir did a great job praising God by singing the Christmas cantata this morning.  I forgot how much I enjoy singing in the choir.  Wednesday nights still don't work, but I hope I can particpate in Saturday practices for Easter. 

I rushed home from church just in time to get lunch ready for our playdate.  Several of my former coworkers and I were all pregnant together last year.  We've been trying to get together for a few weeks now but have had crazy schedules.  I made chicken salad (with grapes and pecans, of course) and pasta salad.  I also bought pimento cheese and croissants.  It was so nice to relax with other moms and love on adorable babies.  I really enjoyed hosting rather than going to someone else's house.  It was also a good excuse to clean our house.

The best part of the day was being able to be lazy after Jackson went to bed without having to worry about lesson plans or what all I have to do tomorrow.  I am so ready for two weeks without students!

A Crazy Week at the Ville

It was one ridiculously long school week!  I knew the kids would be crazy since it was the last week before break.  The special assemblies and excitement of Christmas was more than enough to throw off our routine.  Sure enough, my homeroom was so hyper on Monday that I changed their seats from group formation to rows on Tuesday. 

Wednesday night was the holiday program, Elfis Comes to Town.  The kids dressed as reindeer and elves and sang blues and rock-n-roll songs.  We don't have a lot of parental involvement, but what parent doesn't want to see their child dressed up and singing?  It was a packed house!

Some of my refugee students

Part of the audience

Thursday was another long day for many reasons.  Our principal scheduled a completely impromptu encore presentation of the holiday program.  She made an announcement at 8:30 a.m. for students to make their way towards the gym.  All the teachers on my hallway poked their head out the door trying to figure out what the hell was going on.  So, the 500+ staff and students crowded into the gym for another presentation.  This is just another example of poor communication at school.

That same afternoon I discovered someone stole 16 candy bars from behind my desk, along with some lead pencils and smaller pieces of candy.  (I had purchased these items to make treat bags for my students.)  After demanding my students to write anything they knew on notebook paper, a suspect was identified.  My teammates and I interrogated the child and she stared us in the eye and denied everything.  We eventually got the principal and behavior specialist involved.  We made her empty out her bookbag, pockets, and shoes.  This was what was found: 

Of course there were more items stolen but she had already eaten and given away several items.  The child happens to be Muslim and all the females in her family wear the traditional hijab.  Her parents came to the school to have a conference regarding the matter.  Her mother made it frighteningly clear that the next time the child was caught stealing they would take her to the mosque and have her hand cut off.  She kept saying, "You bring shame to our family.  You know what our religion teaches us.  I don't care if I am in America now.  I don't care if I go to jail.  I will follow our law."  Even though this child has a history of stealing, the principal and I agreed we would not involve her parents again!

I tried to keep things as low key and predictable as possible on Friday.  I did allow my students to bring in food while we watched Happy Feet at the end of the day.  They already knew I wasn't bringing in anything because I was so angry over the stealing incident.  They brought the following:

Notice the Latino and Asian foods

My happy little class enjoyed their snacks during the movie!



Friday was also pajama day.  The fourth grade teacher across from the hall and I were two of the five teachers (out of 100 staff members) who dressed up.  I would never pass up an excuse to wear pajamas!  I included this picture because I love this teacher and am relieved that she is across the hall.  She taught at my previous school with me last year.  We received the same bonus to work at our current school and daily regret the 3 year commitment we've made.

Now the only thing that stands in my way of Christmas Break is two workdays.  Bring it on!