School

Never before in the nine years I've been teaching, have I felt more like "just" the music teacher than I do this year. I could be invisible and no one would know the difference. So long, of course, as the classroom teachers get their prep. To the adults in this building I feel that is my sole purpose. To provide them with a break. To the students, I know that I do matter. I will never be as cool as the gym teacher, but I will always be cooler than math. And of course, that is why you become a teacher; for the students. But wouldn't it be nice to be recognized and appreciated by your peers?

I wish I loved my job more, I really do. But its never because of the students.

Finale

Friday was quite possibly my last concert at this school. It went well except that the cd skipped on the last song, which was of course the one they worked the hardest on. I guess that's what I get for not being a better piano player. Very few people actually said "Good job", but I was happy with it and they really did sing well. I was proud of them.

Question: If someone makes you a diaper cake, are you suppose to unroll the diapers and actually use them? Or are those just decorative diapers not meant for baby wearing?

Goodbye Summer...

Why I miss summer vacation (already) by Stacey

1. Air conditioning. ~ Holy crap its hot.

2. Not having to rush. ~ I hate rushing. Rushing to get dressed. Rushing to eat breakfast. Rushing to get to school. Rushing around school. Rushing to eat lunch. Rushing to get home.

3. Waking up when ever I want. ~ I don't even sleep that late. Maybe 8am at the latest. But there's just something about knowing you can get up whenever you want.

4. Those doopey dogs. ~ Once the baby gets here they'll be the Three Stooges. I just know it.

5. Not being at school.

Monday

This past Monday, the 23rd of August, everything changed.

On Monday, the 23rd of August, our Bean went from being a Bean to being an Oh my gosh there's actually a BABY in there.

Not only did the Bean go from being a Bean to being an actual BABY, it became a BOY baby.

In that instant of the ultrasound, a moment that literally took five seconds, where the tech rolled over our baby's bum and legs and we saw his little boy parts, everything changed.

It then wasn't "it's legs" it was HIS legs. HIS foot, HIS hand, HIS head, HIS heartbeat.

We went to Babies R Us that night and looked at blue outfits and blue bedding and everything else that might have been blue or green or had cars or monsters or baseballs on it. And for the first time in 18 weeks I could picture an actual baby in that blue outfit because my baby is a boy. And I could see a baby laying in the that crib with the blue and green turtle bedding because my baby is a boy. My baby has an identity. My baby is a boy.

A baby boy.

And today as I sat in 7 consecutive hours of teacher workshop, our little baby boy kicked and punched me with all the might his 8 ounces could muster.

And with all the dread I have about going back to work on Monday, those little kicks from that little baby boy made me the happiest girl ever.

What a crazy weekend!!

Friday night we left for Atlanta where my oldest cousin was getting married. We got there just in time for the rehearsal dinner (actually we were an hour late, but we got there in time for the dinner and the speeches). After working the entire day, flying to Atlanta, dinner, long speeches, blah, blah, blah.. I was exhausted!

Saturday, thankfully, we were able to sleep in. And it was one of those hotel rooms that when we pull the curtains across it is pitch black in the room forever. Awesomeness. We met up with Gordo's friend who now lives in Atlanta. He gave us a tour and took us out for lunch. We probably hadn't seen him in close to a year, so it was nice to catch up. We then went to the Georgia Aquarium.

I love aquariums. LOVE. If you are someone who loves aquariums, love marine wildlife, you need to go to Atlanta and check out this place. It was the coolest. The tanks are huge. So clean. So many animals that I have never seen before in person. Not one, but three whale sharks. The only manta ray in captivity. Amazing. I've never seen anything like it.

Saturday night was the wedding, which was... long. A lot of down time in between things. But everyone had a great time. I'm not a dancer, so people always ask me if I'm having fun, and I am. You don't have to dance to have fun. But the more you ask me, the less fun I'm going to have. So there.

Sunday brunch and good-byes, and the mad rush back to the airport to get back to Connecticut. Well, White Plains airport and then an hour drive to get home. *Sigh* I'm tired just remembering it all.

Yesterday was the last day of school. It didn't even feel like the last day of school. I'm thrilled, don't get me wrong, but there was no excitement, no lead up, no climax. It just kind of ended.

Last night was the end of year party. A really nice party, but made for such a long day. Especially when it followed an already long weekend. Everyone had to take down and box up everything in their classrooms because they are going to "clean every room top to bottom". Now if they actually clean every room with a fine tipped comb, that's awesome and I can't wait to see it. However, I know that place well enough that I'm not holding my breath. I haven't taught in my room in two months, so things have piled up. And as I pulled things down and boxed things up, bare walls exposed and sad looking, I really saw that room for what it is. DISGUSTING. Its almost 24 hours later, and I still can't breathe. It was really pretty gross. So I do hope they clean. I hope I get a new room too. But I won't hold my breath. Of course if I have to go back in that room, I might have to hold my breath.

This morning I slept til 10:30. Is that bad?