HALLOWEEN 2010

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SNOW

The weathermen said it was coming and it did. I guessing we have 6 or seven inches of snow with a 1/2 of ice underneath it all. So we have been home since Thursday night. Even Ron has been at home with us. Which has been a wonderful treat. I catching up on some rest the Physical therapist prescribed and we are working through the last couple of nesting(necessary) projects. Lets be realistic with a c-section to recover from and a new baby I won't be touching closets and cabinets for a while!
The baby is kicking as I am typing. I think he is going to be strong!!! He currently thinks I'm a punching bag. I am currently 34 1/2 weeks. Which means my c-section in about 4 1/2 weeks. And yes I am counting. Mollie finally got to feel hime move which was really special. Her eyes just lit up as she realized what I had been trying to show her. She is going to be an amazing big sister and is already so helpful. I worry about the transition our family will make. Ron and I have talked a lot about it and we have talked to Mollie about some of the changes she might not think of. It will just take time. She does have a brand new pink room with a big girl bed that she is loving! We wanted her to have something new too.
I guess I'm back to resting and nesting!

6 Weeks to go!!!

Just in case you haven't heard Ron and I are expecting and soon!!! My c-section is in 6 weeks. My date is set for Thursday, March 4th at 1:00. Mollie is so excited she can hardly contain herself when you ask her. Ron and I are pretty excited too. We never really expected this gift would come along! Of course Ron is on cloud nine that he getting a son. Henry Reed Hardin--one name from each side of our families.
Now if you are wondering if we are ready???? Let's just say we are getting there. The nursery is coming along. We didn't repaint it because I have always loved that room so, we pulled out Winnie the Pooh and we are putting in biplanes. It is going to be really cute. And with some help from Meme and her wonderful sewing skills we will get it finished.
As for me, I'm not long-waisted and I'm quickly running out of room for this little man! I am ready to see him in person! We have seen some really good pictures of him with all of the ultrasounds which included 3D/4D. He is going to look like his Daddy! I couldn't have asked for more.
It's late and I am still working so bed is where I'm headed next. I will try to better with my posts!!!!

Am I still here?

The answer is YES!!! I haven't been a good blogger. And I am blogging now because there is an ice storm coming and we got to come home early!!! I'm hoping we get to stay home tomorrow with power!!!!
I have plenty to keep me busy. Not only am I behind on blogging, but my scrapbooking habit is suffering greatly. My goal is to clean out, rearrange the hall closet and my scrapbooking stuff! And then dig in for something creative!
Mollie is thriving in first grade and her sense of humor is in full force. Ron asked her a couple of weeks ago if she would jump off a bridge if her friends did? Mollie's response "How high?" We're going to have to work on that one!
Stay warm:)

First Grade

As you know I have been in kindergarten for a long time. This is starting my 9th year teaching kindergarten, but today I moved past it for the first time. Mollie went to first grade this morning. I find it hard to believe that she could be this old. She had a good day. Thankfully she transitions well, our biggest problem is everyone is exhausted and cranky! So off to an early bedtime for all!

Empty Nest

Well I do have an empty nest if only for a few days. Mollie has gone to stay at Meme and Pop's in Pine Bluff and go to vacation bible school. She is having a ball and has already had a major mildstone while there. Pop pulled her first tooth this morning. She was so excited!!! She also has been earning money at there house and she does see dollar signs!
She has gone to visit many times, but I normally have an agenda for myself. For example when I was in grad school she went so I could study and take finals, when I've been out of town or for inservice days at school. I have a to do list for myself, but the world won't end if it doesn't get done. So today I went swimming with a friend and saw a chick flick--Sex in the City. It was a great laugh and something that my fellow mom's and I never do. Not sure what tomorrow holds, but I go back to work Monday. So I see finishing some cleaning out, scrapbooking, and making myself go put my classroom together. Oh and Ron and I are going to try and see Batman. We shall see what tomorrow holds!

Ron's Surgery

Ron's surgery went well and it is thankfully behind us! Ron seems to be feeling much better. He went back to work this week and has played golf twice. I think the golf is good for him. Hitting that little ball has got to relieve some tension from the last couple of weeks!
He handled the surgery really well, but I think it was harder than he thought it would be. He was much calmer than I was as the patient or the caregiver, but that is no surprise to anyone including me! I would have gladly taken some the nerve medicine for the procedure that he TURNED DOWN! Yes, he is a little crazy for doing that and I don't think he would turn it down if given the choice again. I have a theory that if they offer that type of medication without the patient asking for it then there is a reason and you should take it. Ron only said after "You didn't tell me that I should take it." My response because I wasn't allowed in the room when it was offered was "I didn't know I had to tell you to take what was offered!!!"
They had installed the latest version of the gamma knife machine since I had surgery in February and this made a big difference for Ron. First the machine is bigger and he's a big guy, second the planning is faster and third the procedure is faster.
So many people have asked what exactly is gamma knife, so I will try to explain. Gamma knife does not actual cut you. It is a type of radiation and the surgery part is the end of a long day full of procedures. It starts with a simple IV, some lab work, monitors, and medical history. All of this sounds familiar to anyone who has ever walked through an emergency room door. After that I was asked to leave the room, but since I have already done this I can still describe what was being done. Oh yeah, I wish I didn't have personal experience with this part because this is the worst! They give you numbing shots where they will attach they halo (this is where Ron turned down the meds that were offered!) The halo is then attached with screws to the skull in 2 places on your forehead and 2 places on the back of your head. From there you are taken for an MRI and CT. I thought this was the worst part of the day and Ron agreed with me. They add another piece to the halo and then lock all of that into the table on the MRI and CT machines. The MRI is the worst!!! After they take you back down to wait while the doctors use that information to plan your surgery. I waited somewhere between 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Ron's was about 45 minutes. He surgery was simpler, but the equipment faster. His surgery took 29 minutes. He was out of surgery, halo free, and drinking juice by 10:45. We were back at the hotel by 12. It was 1:30 or 2 before I was back at the hotel after my surgery. It was such a relief to be back at the hotel and know that is was behind us and now we could move on.
I saw both of the doctors about myself while we were there. My visit went well and the tumors seem to be dying from the inside out as they should. There were not complications presenting themselves on my scans. That was a relief!
So there, it's done and we are moving on! I go back to work in 2 weeks and I'm just not ready. Ron has one more week of medicine and then we will both go back for check ups in late December. In the meantime soccer practice starts Tuesday!