29 weeks down....11 weeks to go!

Holy Moly, I can't believe Oliver will be here in 11 weeks!  There are many days James and I feel like it was just a month or two ago that we were surprising our families with news of their new titles!  I was at the doctor yesterday for my now bi-weekly check-ups.  (Dr. Brunner and I are going to be good friends by the time Oliver makes his grand entrance.)  I got to hear his amazing heart beat at 147 beats per minute!  I know I have said this before but it is one of the best sounds thus far!!!  Dr. Brunner also measures my belly at every appointment.  My belly should measure the same as the week we are in but this week we were a little big, measuring in at 31.  She said that it could mean that he had a growth spurt or it could mean he is bigger/older than we expect.  She also mentioned that because of my size he can measure a little bigger.  When I go back in two weeks we will remeasure and if he/me is measuring big we will get to do another sonogram.  Which I'm welcoming at this point!!  I just want to see that sweet face again!  She does not seem to think that is a problem that he is big at this point, so we will wait and see :)  Dr. Brunner even said, I would rather him be a little bigger than smaller because that means he's growing.

He is moving and kicking like crazy these days.  For many many weeks James and I could feel him move but any time someone else, family or friends, would touch my belly to feel his kicks he would immediately stop.  But I think he is starting to come out of his shell and letting more of his loved ones know he is here and can't wait to meet them.

Construction on his room continues!  Oliver and James worked on the lights and the other half of the bookshelves this past weekend.  James spent almost three hours in the attic preparing the junction boxes for the two new light fixtures! Moe and I helped when we could but mostly we supervised.  It's starting to come together really nicely!!  We have ordered his crib and dresser and it will arrive later in the month!  I can't wait!!
 

James and Oliver discussing the pendulum light this is over the reading bench

James happy to be out of the HOT attic and standing again

Oliver installing the junction box for the new reading light

Moe still scared of all the noise but slowing starting to supervise a little more

The finished product of lights!!! 

Many family and friends have asked for a picture of my ever growing belly, so after the shower this weekend I had James take a picture.  I'm still amazing at it/his size but am happy to report that my weight gain has not been as bad as I had anticipated.

Well until next time!  We wish you all our love!!!!

Construction Zone

Some might think it's nesting, other might think it's new home owners projects, but I feel like it's just our little construction zone!

In the April post, James mentioned we had been working on a concrete slap/basketball court eye sore that we wanted to replace with a garden and walking path from the gate to the back yard.  While it is still under construction, darn other obligations and my lack of stamina in helping, I was able to download some pictures of that mornings progress. We might have bit off more than we can chew for now but I guarantee a garden will be put in sometime soon.

 Dad taking his turn at the jack-hammer

 Next up James!

Last, Bob's turn, really they all kept taking turns as I think their arms would get tired and numb from the vibrations.

Here is the final product!

My parents have been down several times to gather the rock to help with the erosion in one of the ditches at the farm, but no one had any idea how much rock it would produce.  In all 4 corners there was at least a foot deep and round of solid concrete.  We still do not know what the purpose of that was for but I'm just glad that it is getting removed and I look forward to the garden that will be put in sooner rather than later :)

Also on the construction front James and his dad Oliver have been working on baby Oliver's room.  They have spent many hours creating plans, discussing strategies and now constructing built-in bookshelves and a bench/toy box for his room!  James and I spent last evening putting together one side of the shelves and Oliver and James will work on the other side this weekend.  I can't wait to see their vision come to life and be complete!  Here are a few pics from last night. Sorry Oliver, I keep forgetting to take pictures while you are here.  I will do that this weekend :)

James is putting in the first shelf after about an hour of getting the darn thing square.  Then the second to last shelf!  Almost there babe!

Now will it fit??  YES YES it does!!!

Obviously we need to get the other 2/3's assembled and installed then paint it but here is a little sneak-peek!  So excited!!!!

So construction will continue in the Bennett House but I'm happy to report that progress is being made on many fronts!  We will keep you posted on our home projects.

Summer, Summer, Summertime

Wowzers what a year!!  I'm more relieved than ever for summer to arrive this year!  To say the least, this last school year was one of the most challenging years I've had in my career.  There were many days where I had to make a concerted effort to laugh and not cry and find at least one good thing that came out of the day, sometimes that one things was arriving back home.  I have many thoughts, reasons and opinions as to why this year was so challenging but to respect student/family privacy I will not go into details but let's just say that I'm so glad to have this year behind me.  With that being said, I'm pleased that through the hard work of my students and myself (yes I will toot my own horn, I deserve it, let me tell you) EVERY SINGLE ONE of my students made personal progress and all but 2 passed district assessment on or above grade level!!!!  I said at the beginning of the year that it would be a miracle if we got pregnant this school year because of the challenges, frustrations and huge amount of stress!  So thank you LORD for this great miracle!!!

So as summer has arrived I'm excited for what it will bring! 

Mikhayla is going to joining us for several weeks in a row to attend art classes at the local community college (JCCC).  After our trip home for Easter, where Kayla had received art supplies from the Easter Bunny...er...mom and produced 4 detailed fantastic pictures while breakfast was cooking, James had the best idea!  On the way home, he says to me, "we have to find her some art classes for the summer".  I did some research and found 6 classes, CHEAP, and after consulting all parties we hammered out the details and got her enrolled!  We are so happy for her and so excited to have her stay with us for several days.   This also means I get to see my brother and Erika too!!!  In addition to the art classes we are going to try to hit up a local diary farm and see how our milk gets from the farm to the table and hit up a local blueberry patch to pick blueberries.  It is our hope to go to the new legoland and aquarium that just opened in Crown Center.  I'm sure LOTS of pool time will also be in order, and I think James has a few things up his sleeve too for the evenings.  SO FUN!

I'm also looking forward to several baby showers, the first being this weekend.  Our great friends wanted to honor Oliver. I'm so looking forward to some girl time, laughs, and loads of fun! While I'm a the shower, James will be hosting the husbands and sons then we will all join back at the Feldkamp's for a good 'ol BBQ!  Then our sisters and my cousins will be honoring Oliver in July with another shower!  To top it off my best friend Eva, who has finally made it back to KS, will be honoring his as well!  I call tell you now this little boy will be loved by so many fabulous people and I can't wait to share him with each and every one of you! I will blog about these as the arrive, so stay tuned...

Summer also means sleeping in and hanging out in my jammies until 3 or 4 then showering before James gets home, to make it look like I have done something with myself and my days while he is working :)  Who am I kidding?!? He knows my secrets, but plays along anyways.  This is one of my favorite parts of summer!

On to another favorite part of summer is allowing me to show my fabulous husband the appreciation he deserves for putting up with me and ALL that he does throughout the school year.  James is the best husband!!!  He has kept our house running this school year (see first paragraph) and for that I'm so grateful and thankful!  During the first trimester, he kicked it into high gear to keep our house above water while I was sinking in exhaustion.  Then just as we started to get back into the swing of a dual partnership household that we normally run, May happens.  All teachers know, when May happens, nothing else gets done.  There is a rush at the end of the school year that just consumes you and drains all energy.  It happens every year and every year I'm amazed that it happened and wonder why didn't I prepare for it?  The answer to it is simple, you can't prepare for it, it is what it is!  MAY! Every May I say, "I can't wait for summer so our house will be picked up and clean and more dinners at home". So now that it is summer, I'm delighted to announce that our house is picked up and company ready on most occasions (HINT HINT), and dinner at home is so much easier because I'm not exhausted from work.  Sorry, for the rambling but words can't describe how grateful I am to James for all his hard work here at home after working a long, stressful days at work!  Summer allows me, to pay it back!  Love you babe!!!!

LAST, summer allows me to play with Moe all day long!  During the school year when we are super busy on the weekends, we always feel guilty for putting Moe in his house.  Summer lets the guilt fly with the wind!  This dog is so pampered in the summer, he gets up with James in the morning, eats and does business, then comes back upstairs and sleeps with me in bed until we decide it's time to move to the couch.  Then after breakfast for myself, he helps with laundry, cleaning, mowing, and any other household chores we have that day.  Later we play outside in the yard.  Finally, afternoon naps in the chair or sometimes it's a nap with me :)  I just love that he doesn't have to spend the whole day in his house!

Well, summer fun has arrived in the Bennett House!  We hope to see all of you very soon!  Much love from us all!!!

PS: As rereading this blog before posting, I can't help but think toward next summer.  The excitement and changes that will accompany being able to be a stay at home (summer) MOMMY!!!!!