Baby Shower

Last Friday night, my SIL threw me a baby shower. It was a small, family affair. I didn't get any pictures during the actual shower, so these are pics of what was left before I finish cleaning it all up. This includes only some of the stuff Maeby put together and the onesies and headband that were made at the shower. We have some pretty creative people in the family. I had to take a close-up of one of the cupcakes Maeby made - because they were so beautiful. BooBear was very curious about the pearls on the cupcakes, but once he tasted one and declared it "candy" he wanted to eat them all.



Speaking of candy, BooBear enjoyed Easter a lot more this year - with the dying of eggs, finding his basket (he found it right away!) and discovering what it was like to have candy that was his very own. Today, I put away the empty baskets, glad to have less candy in the house.

Last night, our friend KK visited on her way from Vegas to WA. She's my best friend's mom, and their house was my home away from home in high school. Later she and I became work colleagues, so we know each other pretty well. We had a good chat, talking much later into the evening than we intended. But it's always nice to get an update on how all of "my other family" is doing. (Btw, Nan, I love the red dress! Smashing!) One of the perks I like about our house is having a guest bed available. I know that eventually BooBear will move into that room, but for now it's nice to have a little extra space so that friends and family can visit.

Pics Finally!

I am finally downloading the card from the camera, so we will have space for new baby pics when the time comes. That's one item on my long to-do list I can cross off!

Why have just one chair when you can sit on two?




A lot of of the other photos were taken by BooBear, so they are a bit too random to share. But sometimes the photos are of random things BooBear has done that we come across, like this one:


Friday I had an ultrasound to check the baby's position. She's head down and everything looks good. The fluid level is borderline between high and normal because of the diabetes. The tech at the hospital didn't say much during the whole process, and the monitor didn't swivel, so I didn't actually get to "see" anything at all, not a single image, so that was disappointing. (Especially after waiting over an hour for our appointment. They told me to drink 32 oz of water an hour before the appointment, and then hold it so that I would have a full bladder for the test...and that hour turned into 2 hours.) I hope this isn't indicative of what my experience will be like at this hospital.

Bittersweet Last Day

For some of my classes, Friday was my last day. It didn't feel so final, since I am going back for 4 more half days. I still have my stuff in my classroom and my files, which I will have to collect later in the year. It was a day of surprises, some positive and some downright scary.

First of all, my students were waiting in the hall until just before the bell rang, even though they cheerfully waved to me when I arrived. Why weren't they coming in to the classroom? They all filed in together, each carrying a different dish. They were throwing me a baby shower. They had been planning it for a week and a half. Both of my practicum student teachers knew. Everyone knew except me and my brother. I guess they didn't trust him not to tell. They had been talking about food and passing notes, but I believed them when they said it was related to a friend's party they were going to during Spring Break. Some of them gave me presents for the baby - a few blankets, an outfit, baby socks, some binkies. They even gave a present to the student teacher who is also pregnant. Even one of my former students from when I first starting teaching, who has been volunteering this semester once a week to fulfill a service requirement for one of her college classes (she is a senior at UVU in international business, and is engaged to be married to a wonderful LDS guy in June), was in on it. She brought one part of a traditional El Salvadoran dish, and another student brought the other part of it, and she put it together. It was awesome! I was so touched. My practicum student teacher, who will also be my maternity leave substitute commented on how wonderful these kids really are. I have been blessed to teach ESL students - it's rewarding to work with students longer than just one semester or one year, and see them grow up.

Soon after the party was underway, I got a phone call from main office. My friend and colleague, and former ESL Aide, Mr. B collapsed 10 minutes after school began. Did I know of any medical conditions he had? Did I have a cell number for his housemate? I felt so helpless because I had no information I could give them. They took him to the hospital, which thankfully is only a block away from the school. Word initially was that the ER thought he had a sudden, intense case of flu. He had been throwing up as well as losing consciousness. ESL students all day were asking me if I knew what had happened to him, and I relayed that information and told them he should be back after Spring Break. With it being my last day, I had a lot of people I needed to talk to after school, and it was 4:30 before I picked up BooBear from my sister-in-laws' and he was cranky because it was well past his naptime, so I had to forego going to the hospital to check on Mr. B. I figured if it was the flu, they would keep him one night and send him home, so I didn't go Saturday either.

Then I got a call from the principal Saturday night to update me because he knew that Mr. B was a friend of mine. That's when I got the full story. Mr. B fell over, retching, and had to crawl down the hall to the next classroom to get help from another teacher, where he lost consciousness. NONE of his students went for help! Instead some students started looting his stuff in his desk. Our EMT teacher responded and took care of him until the ambulance arrived. He kept throwing up and his speech was slurred at the hospital. The hospital finally confirmed hours later that Mr. B had had a stroke. There was a blood clot in an artery in his neck. They put him on blood thinners and he is expected to recover.

So, a few things about this whole situation are weighing heavily on my mind: 1. I am a horrible friend for not going to see him. I picture in my head what it must have been like to have to make his way down the hall to another teacher because no one was helping him. If he had still been in ESL, we would have been there to help him. And I feel horrible and helpless that I did nothing to help him. 2. Mr. B. is a year younger than I am. My initial thought was he's too young to have a stroke! How can this happen? He looked so healthy! He's been under a lot of stress, what with trying to finish his last Math class for his Math endorsement and taking over 7 Math classes while sorting through the mess that was left behind by the former teacher. But a stroke? 3. They say he should recover. But with stroke, that can mean a spectrum of things. He is being considered for a full time position next year. Interviews were supposed to start soon. I had just received word that the district had decided to transfer an ESL teacher from another school to take over the ESL department, and I hadn't told Mr. B. yet that he was off the hook for that (and all the English endorsement classes they would make him take to qualify to teach it). Things were finally coming together for him. I was so happy for him. And I am scared about what this might mean for his career and his future.

So, my thoughts have been a little consumed these last few days. I have been cleaning, or "nesting," to keep my mind off of things.

Last Week

Some of my students are shocked when I remind them that this is my last full week. They are so preoccupied with Spring Break coming next week, they forget that I said I wouldn't be back after the break. True, I will be back in the morning the following week, but I won't be teaching my afternoon classes. There is still so much to get done this week.

IB predicted grades and Historical Investigation papers are due. I finished the first read and scoring today. Some of them are losing a lot of points due to technical mistakes - it makes me want to scream, "Follow the directions, people!" A lot of my students are engineer hopefuls, and some of them just don't seem to take their History IB requirements as seriously as they should. Two students don't seem to understand the point of citations. Maybe it will take a college professor flunking them for possible plagiarism due to a lack of referencing to get their attention, because their English teacher and I don't seem to be getting through.

The memory card on our camera is full, so I should be posting real pics soon. I really should clear them all off so the memory card and camera are ready for taking to the hospital when the time comes. I always think of Nan and her complaint at the lack of hospital pictures - I wouldn't want any of my children trying to convince their sister she was adopted because there are no pictures to prove otherwise. (ahem) Because that would be mean.

IB Student's Worst Journal Entry Ever

How you can tell that the student only read the first page of the chapter:

"Two major conflicts occurred during the Cold War; the Korean War and the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Korean War lasted three years, from 1950-1953, and was a conflict between Chinese, Korean, Soviet, and American forces. In late November Chinese forces attacked and overwhelmed the United Nations forces, this caused General MacArthur to drop five atomic bombs on the Chinese forces on the peninsula. This action killed 150,000 Chinese forces and caused two atomic bombs to be dropped on two UN controlled Korean ports, and later two bombs were dropped in Western Germany. The Soviets also issued a warning to the US that if it didn't halt its military action in Korea that it would face the consequences."

I read it in front of the class, without giving the student's identity. Then I asked them, "How many atomic bombs have been used in combat?" Amazingly, all the other students had the right answer. Yes, this was one of my IB students, trying to get away with BSing his way through an assignment. Hopefully, he was humbled by this experience. Now before you think I must be a horrible History teacher for this to even happen, the other students commented about how we had discussed this very part of the chapter in class, and where was this student during the discussion they wanted to know? The chapter in the reading book starts out with a one page hypothetical discussion of what might have happened if the US had decided to use atomic weapons in Korea. The rest of the chapter is about how the US developed a policy of using limited war instead to avoid starting WWIII and MAD (mutually assured destruction).

Want to Procrastinate With Me?

BooBear has completely taken over my home computer and desk/work space. I have had no WYWS trivia for a month because he moved my papers around insisting it was his computer and his chair, not mommy's. This is also the reason why I haven't posted pics of BooBear in a while. He won't let me near my computer to download the card from the camera. When I have to give up this laptop next month, I am going to miss it. It's nice having an alternative computer. I think it's time we set up a tv, so BooBear doesn't need my computer to watch videos.

Which reminds me, if you were me, and it was your birthday in less than two weeks, what would you rather have: finally getting a sewing machine, or a cell phone, or a laptop? See, I am leaning toward the sewing machine, but I think that is partly because we have lived in this house for a year now, and I really want to hang curtains up already. The pieces of sheet that the previous owners hung in the basement windows are still there, and they make me say yuck when I look at them. I want to take our old neutral colored curtains from the condo, trim them to size and put them in the basement windows instead. But, that requires a sewing machine to hem them. There are so many projects I would like to do and finish, but they require sewing. Like the loch ness monster jean quilt I started before BooBear was born. On the other hand, getting a cell phone might be good since I am joining in the stay at home mommy group, which I know will quickly become more of the "mommy on the go" group. A cell phone would help Werty and I coordinate, plus it would mean I was finally joining the 21st century (just ask my HS kids who can't survive without them) so that when the hostess at the restaurant says, give us your cell number and we'll call you when your table is ready, we don't have to pretend that we accidentally "left" our non-existent cell phone at home. Or, do I want a laptop to replace this one, which would allow me to listen to a DVD while I am cooking or cleaning the kitchen? I think I am leaning toward the sewing machine. At least we wouldn't have to sign a 2 year commitment to purchase it.

Well, today, I found the WYWS questions. Since Ddonn is due to have a baby on Thursday, I thought I had better post the rest of the questions today. Answering trivia questions is a good excuse to procrastinate...which is what I am doing right now. :P

1. What's the first thing you see when the movie starts?
2. Who has higher billing in the credits, Bullock or Pullman?
3. What professional sports arena do they show in the beginning credits montage?
4. What happened to Uncle Irwin at Lucy's parents' wedding?
5. What colors of flowers does Lucy get from Joe Jr.?
6. How many times does Midge mention how creamy the mashed potatoes are?
7. What is Lucy's employee badge number?
8. What did Joe Jr. BBQ in the stairwell?
9. Who does Joe Jr. want to give a bottle of booze to for Christmas?
10. Where does Lucy tell Jerry she would rather be found rather than at the hot dog stand?
11. What side of Peter's head is his wound from falling onto the tracks?
12. What is the name of the hospital where Peter is taken?
13. What school subject does Lucy profess to Mary that she is useless in?
14. Where did Saul go on his honeymoon?
15. What is Jerry's advice about how to deal with Jack and Peter at the New Year's Eve party?
16. What is the first question Jack asks after falling on the ice and splitting his pants?
17. What color is Lucy's scarf when Jack walks her home the first time?
18. What "classy" thing does Jack do on that walk home?
19. What is the number on Jack's truck?
20. Why does Elsie think Joe Kelly shouldn't be a lector?
21. Which account does Ox ask about because it takes a while for Jack to secure it?
22. What color is Jack's truck?
23. What newspaper does Ox and Midge read?
24. Where did Ashley go after breaking up with Peter?
25. What does Saul bet he got for Christmas?
26. What does Ox give his wife for her Christmas present?
27. What does Saul tell Lucy about Elsie's egg nog?
28. What two colors are Jack's reversible jacket?
29. What does Joe Jr. try on in Lucy's closet?
30. What color is it?
31. What kind of car does Peter drive?
32. When did Lucy first start "seeing" Peter?
33. What is Joe Jr.'s last name?
34. What is Peter's favorite of the Three Stooges?
35. What is Peter's favorite song?
36. What time is showing on the microwave when Lucy hits Peter with the kitchen door?
37. What is Lucy's apartment number?
38. What brand of cat food does Lucy feed Fluffy?
39. Who does Fluffy belong to?
40. How long ago did Saul's wife die?
41. Why did Lucy move to Chicago?
42. What is the name of Peter's colleague that Lucy meets at the elevator?
43. What is the name of the firm that Peter works for?
44. Why does Lucy think Peter wouldn't believe in love at first sight?
45. How is Peter when his family sees him a second time?
46. Where does Saul place his cigar?
47. What present does Lucy bring to give the Callahans for Christmas?
48. What sport was Peter playing when he had his "accident"?
49. What cost the Callahans $600 each?
50. What does Lucy tell the Callahans about how she met Peter?

Whew. I think that's a nice number to end on. Have fun figuring out the answers.

27 Days...

27 days left of teaching, and that's counting the days that I am planning on only being there for half days to observe a student teacher and do test prep for the IB class. If I haven't had the baby yet, I may go in to teach additional test prep the next week. We shall see. So that's 23 days of full time teaching left before my maternity leave. As soon as I get these extended essays off and in the mail (I get to tell one student tomorrow to go to the IB room instead of attending my class because his citations were so bad, IB will probably cite him for plagiarism and he will be disqualified for being eligible for the IB diploma), it's time for the IB History papers and term 3 grades (end of term is next week). But sometime VERY SOON I need to write out a schedule of topics for my long-term substitute to follow. Time is running short. When I start packing up my files, that's when it's really going to feel final.