Happy Halloween!

Overwhelmed

Overwhelmed. That is how I've been feeling for the last few weeks.

I am overwhelmed at school. I feel like I am flying by the seat of my pants ALL THE TIME. I cannot get my room organized (which I still blame on the chaos that was starting at a different school while our classrooms were being remodeled and moving back to our school while I was on partial bed rest). My centers have not been working lately. My students are being lazy--I know that's a harsh term for kindergartners, but it's true. They are not getting their work done. I am overwhelmed that report cards are coming up and I only have 4 students assessed. FOUR! I am overwhelmed by all the things I am not used to in my new district and new school.

I am overwhelmed with my house right now. The garage is full of junk (how did we accumulate that much?) that stresses me out just looking at it. I try not to look. I am overwhelmed by how fast Elinor can totally mess up the living room. I am embarrassed to open the windows because I don't want anyone seeing the mess. I know, pathetic. I am overwhelmed with the amount of dirty dishes in the sink right now and have no motivation to do them.

I am overwhelmed with the fact that I have started throwing up everyday again. Ug. It was a good 3 or 4 week run! But hey, I've only had 1 migraine in the last month. Wahoo!

I am overwhelmed that in about 100 days I will have 2 children under the age of 17 months. Not sure how that's going to work. I am also stressed out that this boy will be dressed in pink!

I am overwhelmed by the very nice post Anne wrote about moi. Read about it here. (Next week you can bid on some of my bows to benefit Stephanie and Christian Nielson on Anne's blog). Thanks, Anne! It made my day!

I am overwhelmed that I am hosting my first Thanksgiving in 4 weeks from today. Excited, but overwhelmed.

I am overwhelmed that tomorrow is Halloween and I still don't know what I'm going to be. Dorothy? Sorry, my pregnant belly doesn't fit into that costume right now. Witch? No luck--did you know that there are virtually no witch hats left in Utah? Sarah Palin's daughter? Ha! I don't want to be too scandalous. Brad and I did have fun thinking of all the funny things I could be--a pregnant cheerleader, Jamie Lynn Spears, Sarah Palin's daughter, etc. I do teach kindergarten, though, and thought the parents would not appreciate it. Anyone know where I can buy a maternity costume? Didn't think so.

I am overwhelmed that my maternity clothes are already not covering my big belly. Seriously. I still have a little more than 3 months to go. Like the wonderful Dr. Dewey reminded me, "You're obviously going to be big." What am I supposed to do? If I get the shirts any bigger, they will literally fall off up top and probably still not cover the belly. Ah well. A lot of pulling the shirt, I guess.

I am overwhelmed by the fact that Elinor just screamed for an hour (I would love to take a nap but not Elinor--at least not today).

I am overwhelmed that we have to have our apartment totally cleaned by tomorrow. Moving is not fun!

Brad and I desperately need a night out. We've only had 1 night out alone together since Elinor was born. Once. We so definitely need it, especially after this month of craziness.

As I was driving home today, I saw a bumper sticker that said, "Life is good." Normally I hate bumper stickers, but I had to smile at this one. Because no matter how overwhelmed I am feeling, life is good. I have the cutest little girl (although very feisty) and a little bundle of joy on the way that already has quite the personality. (Seriously, if I lay in a way he doesn't like, he'll kick me like crazy until I move--and hard!) And I am happy!

Neti Pot Video

My brother Brett is on his mission in the Czech Republic. In many of his emails he pleads for a neti pot. I've never heard of it so I looked it up and look what I found.

Woes of a Tired Momma

Between this:

and this:

I haven't had a good night's sleep for over two months. I take that back--I had one good night's sleep on September 25th. Other than that, no good. I would even settle for a decent night's sleep.

Elinor has been up for a couple hours almost every night the last week. Maybe teething? If not, we have NO CLUE what is up. It. Is. Awful. And poor Brad is up with her most of the time. Thanks Love!

This little fella is already huge. I still have four months to go. FOUR MONTHS!! My maternity clothes are already having a hard time stretching over my belly.

I think tonight I will try to sleep on the couch. I think the extra support will be helpful. Here's hoping for some rest!

Why a Pregnant Lady Should Never go to the Grocery Store Hungry

There were other things, but this is a good mix of what I got.

Mmm...

My sister-in-law Tor came down to hang out today. We watched Pride and Prejudice and made caramel apples. They turned out pretty cute (and very tasty!).


To make the swirls, we melted some white chocolate chips. We then put the chocolate in a baggie and cut a small hole in the corner, swirled it on, and voila! The first one turned out pretty junky, but our taste buds appreciated it!
Sorry for posting this picture, Tor, but I thought it was funny!

I'm thinking there might be a couple lucky visiting teachees out there!

Help Wanted!

We need some boy name ideas! We lean toward traditional names (hence Elinor) but are open to any suggestions!

Shark Reef

While we were in Vegas, we went to the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay. We have wanted to go for a few years, but it is pretty pricey. This time we decided to bite the bullet and just go. We are glad we did! Here are some pictures.

Daddy and Elinor. Not quite sure what face she is making, but it is still cute.


Elinor really liked to look at the fish. The tanks were floor to ceiling in a few places so she could go right up to the glass. A lot of the fish would come right up to her.


My best friend Andrea came with us. Here we are petting a sting ray. They are very strange feeling. We also petted the monster one.

I thought the komodo dragon was really cool, although I wouldn't want to come into contact with one without a think piece of glass between us!

Baby Clothes!

Now our new baby doesn't have to only wear pink! (That doesn't mean we won't recycle some of Elinor's outfits, we just won't have to do it as often!)

Grandma and Grandpa Rowberry got these super cute outfits for Pat.

I LOVE the socks!
These onsies are from Aunt Tor and Uncle Drew. These are exactly the type of thing that I would buy myself!

Thanks guys! We (and the future Mr. Rowberry) really appreciate it!

And the verdict...

A BOY!!!

Happy Birthday Elinor!

I can't believe Elinor is one! Today! I love this little girl and all the joy she has brought into our lives!

Check out pictures of her birthday party in Henderson here.