18 or 8?

An 18 year old boy in my 3rd block stood up today in the middle of a power point, took off his shirt, danced a bit, twirled his shirt in the air and then quietly sat back down and put his shirt on. Two things happened:

1. he simply smiled and said he never turns down a dare
2. I wasn't mad or shocked...that is the 2nd time a student has done that in my class.

I'm a little concerned about the second one.

My Brother Cracks Me Up!

My brother has a job in advertising/media design where he works crazy long hours sometimes and apparently has a bit of down time too. He creates hilarious profile pictures for Facebook and has become a photoshop jedi knight. Often they are of my daughters, but this is probably my favorite.

Seriously, Senior boys?

First day of school, this semester I'm teaching Honors English 11 and Composition and Literature of Sports; both upper level courses. I like my students so far and I have a lot of my old students. One "fantastic" student in particular, Cory, amuses me daily. Today he did not let me down.

I was finishing an apple after lunch and as Cory walked into the room I threw my apple core into the garbage. Cory ran across the room, screamed "No!...why would you throw that away!" He then pulled the core out, ate it all and then smiled with pride.

Apparently the weirdo loves to eat apple cores.

I'm not sure which disturbed me more:
1. He ate an apple core
2. He ate an apple core pulled from the garbage
3. He ate and apple cores pulled from the garbage after it had been eaten by me.
4. I laughed and I wasn't really shocked.

Banal was one of our vocab words this week...that got giggles every block too. God, I love high school!

Why Blog...

After posting my blog URL as my Facebook status my little brother politely replied with "tell you what. Ill read your blogs if I can send you zip locked bags of my farts in the mail and you open then up and inhale. Deal?". My brother is pretty funny and likes to mess with me, yet it sort of bothered me.

He's a turd.

So Simple, So Sweet

I wish I could still get this excited about things. Addison is watching the giraffe walk across the park at the zoo, simply walking. She equally enjoys the hippo when it poops. She mentions it often at home.

The sounds she makes and her giggle make it even better. These two little girls are what make me get out of bed in the morning, I'm pretty sure they are what make me feel like I'm taking crazy pills too:)

"The Road" Less Traveled

So, school starts in a few days and I have to hustle and catch up on my summer reading. I desperately need to re-read a few things for my honors kids summer reading. I am re-reading Cormac McCarthy's The Road...it definitely changes when you re-read it. I think I like it even more the 2nd time around. It's a great one and the film version looks pretty promising.

I also needed to skim through Jeanette Walls The Glass Castle...that turned into a full re-read too. It has to be one of my favorite books. I don't usually have enough time to read for school and pleasure and it is pretty nice when my reading load becomes a "kill two birds" situation.

Worlds Strongest Baby

My crafty brother snuck a few pictures of Baylor Jane in her diaper; with a little free time the funniest picture was created. Too cute.

My "Little" Girl?

Baylor Jane is 20 lbs and five months this week! I love fat babies and my two daughters did not let me down. She is so fun to cuddle and kiss and I just want to eat up her cheeks.

This is my favorite picture of the week (2nd baby and I still take them like crazy...I've heard you take less of the 2nd child than the first born, not buying it)

God I Love The Bear.

5 Random Things...

I'm a copycat for sure, but this just seemed too fun.

1. When I was nine my dad won a contest on the radio that allowed me to be a clown in the Ringling Brothers Circus at the Toledo Sports Arena. It was petrifying. I was a "Mexican Clown" in a horribly racist sombrero and maracas and we were supposed to run around shoot guns in the air. Horrible.

2. My husband and I watched 2 seasons of 24 in 2 days. It was over Christmas break and we kept trying to stop, but we were so hooked.

3. My junior year of college I went on a blind date with a guy from NYC who bragged that he once went on a date with Natalie Portman. He told me the details about his entire date, it had not gone as well as he had planned. He also happened to be easily 6 inches shorter than me. At the end of the date he tried to kiss me and insisted that he could be Tom Cruise and I would be his Nicole Kidman. Never the less, I did not answer his call for a second date.

4. I absolutely LOVE the grilled cheese sandwiches at Toledo Hospital. I ate at least one a day each time I had a baby. My husband had to go to the hospital with chest pains and while we waited hours for his test results I ran over to the cafeteria. (He was fine, I'm not a horrible wife) They are just so good.

5. I am beginning to like the Disney Channel more than any other channel. I find myself watching it when there are no children in sight. Its pathetic I know, but it grows on you. I never dreamed I would laugh at Hanna Montana...pathetic.

Finally Summer

I am loving the weather we've been having. I've been in the pool more in the last week than the entire summer, the girls are loving all of the walks we've been taking and I actually have color. I no longer have legs that look like uncooked chicken. Still pale, but at least I'm darker than my baby now.

On the craptastic side of things, with this hot weather comes our AC going out. I'm certainly not loving how hot our little house is and I think that may be why we are always outside. The worst part is that maternity leave has left us broke and nothing left in the budget to fix it, until September! Why would we need it then? I should put a change cup out in front of my house because the rest of the week is calling for the mid-90's. Pool side is calling!

"Robert"

Somehow Addison learned who Robert Pattinson is and every time she sees a picture of him she shouts with glee "Robert?!!". She then precedes to chant over and over again..."where's Bella?...Bella mama, Bella? Makes me giggle, annoys my husband.

I do find it odd that she refers to him as Robert not "Edward" but she calls Kristen Stewart "Bella". Hmmmm...

P.S. she just kissed the computer screen and said "I love Robert...he cute!"

Damn It...

Well, if my toddler is going to experiment with repeating mommy's swear words at least she is doing it correctly?

I had to hold back a giggle at the sound of my 21 month old mumbling "damn it" like a grouchy old man when she dropped her sippy cup last week. I read that I should ignore it and she won't keep using a swear word if I don't freak out about it, but the thing is she used it with a real function. She was so clear in her expression of a specific emotion, clearly that would have been my regular reaction too or else she wouldn't have learned it.

Today she shut her door on her foot and she shouted "damn it mommy...that hurt!"

I am more aware than ever how much of a little sponge she is and I am really going to have to work on what I say in front of her. I can expect to have lots of embarrassing moments in the future, I am sure of this.

Twenty One Months Later...

I am a little shocked that my last post was over 21 months ago and the topic was the gender of my first baby...its a girl by the way! Oh, and I had another girl along the way....two girls under two and I love it. That probably has a lot to do with taking so long to post.

I have a blog for my English students to keep up and I just figure it is time to start blogging again. I want to document as much of my girls childhood as I can, it is flying by way to fast for me to even breathe. Addison is quite a little lady and Baylor is growing at crazy speeds and is such a little charmer.

Heres to hoping it doesn't take me another 21 months for my next post.

So, What are You Having?

I have come to the conclusion that the best decision I have made with this pregnancy is not finding out the gender. I am so excited to meet this little person and I love the joy on peoples faces after they ask "so, what are you having?" They actually get excited and I usually get a "good for you" or "I couldn't do it, but what a great surprise".

I feel like a kid on Christams Eve.

Oh, and I have been showered with the cutest citrus colored outfits. Not knowing your babies gender is a sure fire way to get super cute chocolate brown and baby blue/lime green outfits.

I can't wait for my Christmas Day!!!!

Oooohh, the Count Down is On!

On Monday, my midwife estimated I will be giving birth sometime in the next week and a half. I am a little weirded out that it could be any day, but I am ready. Oh, and the other estimate is that our child is more than likely going to be an 8 lb minimum. Darn Ry and his giant baby genes!

Peter the Cat

My pup is weird. He thinks he is a cat, he climbs on tables and sleeps on the edge of chairs. These two pictures are the latest instalment in his feline identity crisis.

McLovin and Company

I just watched Superbad...I haven't laughed that hard in very long time. A rarity in comedic movies, the previews are the least funny part of the movie. I recommend this raunchy comedy to anyone that wants to laugh with out thinking to hard!

Gabrielle Reece: My Pregnant Idol

I have always been a fan of Gabrielle Reece. Since I was in junior high I have looked up to the "Amazon Women" that was beautiful and a killer athlete. Her entire career her height has made her strong...that has helped me become comfortable in my skin. I remember reading her book "Big Girl in the Middle" as soon as it came out and I owe her words for why I stand strait and comfortably have a husband that is shorter than me.

Now, I look up to her as a mother. Reece is 5 months pregnant with her second child and she looks great!

I came home from work today and my husband informed me that the shape of my pregnant body reminds him of Gabrielle...it must be the 6+ feet of torso that we have in common(I resemble a basketball under my shirt). He came across Reece on the Today show discussing her new prenancy fitness program and is working as a part-time correspondant. She has been sharing her fitness advice on how to stay fit each trimester.

As I count down my last eight weeks I am proud that I worked out the entire pregnancy and I can't wait to start running again (my goal is to run a 5k by March). It is quite a motivation to see strong and dominant women like Gabby Reece balancing family, career and keeping her body healthy. I feel like feeling good and staying athletic during pregnancy leads to a healthy mommy. I hope her DVD's come out by the time I have by next baby.

Halloween and Motherhood

I LOVE Halloween. It is and always has been my favorite holiday. I have always dressed up and I am bummed that I will be too pregnant to throw a party this year (read up on my cross dressing dog). Even if I go early, my baby will be no more than a week old on Halloween so my plans will not go into action until Halloween 08'. But I have them.

For next year I am already going to commit to this adorable costume. I am so ready to be the mom that shows up in full costume and walks the kids to each house. I will probably "pretend" that I am holding my bag for a smaller child...ahhh free candy.

Peter the Poodle has Found His Costume

I may get this costume for my dog. I am as big as a house and I love Halloween so I think someone has to represent this season. Would I be damaging my male dog if I force him to cross dress?