Happy New Year!

Week 4 to Week 30

Just a little fun! As many of my family and friends will be staying up to watch the ball drop and ring in the New Year....let the year of 2014 bring everyone peace, love and joy!

 

Week 29!

Belly Watch!

As I am posting this blog entry, I am actually beginning week 30! Wow...time is flying by! I can definitely tell this belly is growing, because my urge to use the restroom is increasing like crazy (which is a little scary when I have to head back to school soon--if you are not sure what this means ask a teacher, we have a very set schedule of when we can use the bathroom and train our bodies to go during prep and lunch---there will not be any controlling this any longer though!) I have also been having a little more difficulty sleeping at night. The multiple bathroom trips are not to worry about, it is the back pain or the hip pain that is waking me up and keeping me up. Hmmm, is it too early to say I will be ready to be able to sleep on my stomach once again! 10 more weeks (or less if Baby Clark decides to come early--but if it was my plan she would stay in until after March 14th!)

A celebration!

Today is a special day in the Clark household. It was two years today Mark received the greatest gift of all -- a second chance at life! Our dear friend Tori made an amazing sacrifice that changed our lives completely, more than anyone could possibly dream. Not only did it give Mark another chance at life, it also gave us the opportunity to bring a beautiful little girl into this world!

I will be forever grateful of all the wonderful people in my life who were able to make this journey a success for our family, whether you were a nurse or doctor or the support system in our lives! We would not be so fortunate and blessed if it was not for all of you!

And so it begins....(I think)

Well, I think I have officially felt my very first Braxton Hick contractions last night. It only lasted for about a minute, but was strong enough to wake me from my sleep! I say I "think" only because I only assume this is what I felt. Of course, leave it to me to go Google this and self analyze myself this morning. Google! This can definitely be your best friend or your worst enemy! (For those of you who have Google'd anything medical related will understand this--it can either make your mind at ease or make you over examine every small symptom)

I had to laugh yesterday, Mark and I were up at normal time. by 9:30 we were making our usual Sunday grocery store trip. Oh how that will be so different with a little one around! Well, as we were walking in the tortilla aisle, I had the sudden urge to take a nap! I made it back home and proceeded to take a 2 hour nap. This urge to nap might be because I feel like I am constantly getting up at night to either go to the restroom or turn from one side to the other. I am pretty sure the delivery of Baby Clark will probably not change this sleep pattern for a while either, so this might be great practice.

On other exciting news....we have our crib! (Thanks to my Mom!)

 

 

The crib was kid tested and kid approved. My next door neighbor, Gunner, who is a spunky but amazing little 2 year old climbed right in and jumped in the bed to make sure it was safe and sound! Mark and I also managed to recruit Sam our next door neighbor to help put this crib together. I am so happy for that, as putting together any type of furniture is sure to bring on a lover's spat between Mark and I without a doubt. Crisis averted.

Last Friday, I had a doctor's appointment. It was this appointment I had to drink the nasty glucose drink prior to coming in and then had to have my blood drawn. (please cross your fingers I don't receive a phone call today and have to do the 3 hour test) The glucose drink lived up to its reputation---absolutely disgusting! No news is good news, so hopefully today I will not receive a phone call. I have also officially graduated from 4 weeks between doctor appointments and will now be seeing the doctor every 2 weeks!

To leave on a happy note, I (and Mark) am getting more and more excited to have our bundle of joy be joining us in just a few months. Baby Clark has become stronger and stronger with her kicks and with everyone I feel I have this growing bond and love like no other for her!

Mark and I will be spending Christmas with our family on Hidalgo. We will be making cheesy potatoes, prime rib, and some other tasty treats.

Merry Christmas to all who read this! Hope everyone travels safely and has many days filled with love and joy with family and friends!

Week 28

So I managed to get ready this morning a little bit quicker this morning so thought I would update the belly picture! The end of this week I am lucky enough to head to the doctor again and will be taking the lovely little juice bottle to test my glucose on Friday morning. I anticipate it to go well, but hopefully it truly does so I do not have to endure the longer, more dreaded test! 

And that my friends and family is what 28 weeks looks like. Seems like no big deal, but then you look at how much time I have left...only 12 more weeks and it makes me feel so many crazy emotions! Mostly super excited to finally be able to hold Baby Clark (and announce her name to EVERYONE!) It also makes me think....what if it is less than 12 weeks....a friend down here delivered her bundle of joy at week 37! Yikes...what am I doing on the computer...I should be packing that hospital bag! :)

Week 27

Well, it is that time again where it is the end of the quarter and I am super busy with end of the year/quarter/Holiday season activities! Baby Clark has been active and busy this week. Mark has also been able to enjoy your kicks and punches as well!

Latest pregnancy symptom: Heartburn...or like I tell my students Esophagus Burn has made its appearance this week. It has eased up a bit later on this week, but so far nothing that a Tums cannot handle!

Week 27 Belly

Best Students in the World!

My students are the best! I was surprised by one of my students this past week at school. I was running late from our Thursday meetings at school, and I was greeted by my first hour students as well as a few other students. (Secretly, I was thinking another teacher was gone and we would be splitting students in classes) Well, upon my arrival the student said he had a surprise for me. So I proceeded to go into my room and was greeted with a large wrapped package in the front of my room and "Surprise" written on my board. This lovely young boy had brought me a Pack and Play! I was so surprised and blessed to have such a great student who thought of me!

The students I have this year are amazing (every year they are amazing actually), but they always such caring young adolescents who are always telling me stop picking up things off the floor...or just being awesome in their own ways. The other day in one of my classes, one of my students was commenting on this dress I was wearing. He said "looks like something Kim Kardashian would wear"...which lead the conversation to Baby North. I laughed so hard when a student of mine, mentioned that it would be as if Alicia Keys named her baby Car. (Car Keys)....He was pretty clever...and we might have laughed in class for a few minutes before we could move on!

Never a dull moment teaching 8th grade students!

Week 26 Baby!

This dress is the most comfortable thing to wear! Just saying!