Question of the Day...

This was the question that I got from a student early this morning:

"Mrs. Wray, what KIND of baby are you having?"

I must have stared at her for a good 10 seconds before repeating her question...

"What KIND of BABY am I having???"

When she rephrased, she just wanted to know if I was having a boy or girl, but let me tell you - if I have to worry about what 'kind' of baby I'm having ON TOP of whether its a boy or a girl, I'm not sure I'm fully prepared!

Too funny...

Happy Day!

"T-Minus 6 Wake-Ups!"

I'm beginning to think that Aunt Meggie is more excited about our "Womb With a View" trip than I am!
I remember what it was like to find out that Joshua was on his way, learning that he was a boy, and patiently awaiting his arrival! He has brought more joy to my life than I ever could have imagined! He truly is the love of my life - and I can't wait for Meg to feel the same way about this new baby!

T-Minus 6 wake-ups until we get to make our way to Lemoyne!
I almost can't believe that we will soon know if we're having a boy or girl! I have to admit that I'm a little nervous about seeing what this baby actually looks like! With the 3D/4D scans, there is no mistaking the features of a real baby - and we might even be able to leave there saying "Wow, he/she really looks like his/her Daddy!" I would truly love nothing more...

Life has been crazy lately for us -
Our weekend was full of lots to do, as it was Zig's weekend to work, and I filled my time with a 6 hour dance marathon with my Builders Club kids and spending Sunday in Milton with 'my favorite man!' I started my week with sore feet and very little sleep, but what a great weekend it was!

As the nursery still awaits a crib and bedding set (that we will hopefully pick up this weekend while we're near Babies R Us!!!) Zig and I are continuing to work around the house while the weather gets warmer!
He bugs me every day to let him buy a tractor - especially now since we are having our grass treated with fertilizer. We really do have a big yard, and it takes forever for Zig to mow, but we just can't afford a tractor - sorry Babe!
We have new flowers to plant - as my Hosta's start to show from the ground! Spring is officially here...and I love it!

My school year is coming to an end, rather quickly! And although you won't hear me complaining, its a reminder that I have A LOT to do to prepare for a substitute for part of the year next year. I have portfolios to put together to secure my tenure and move to an Instructional II (permanent) Certification, I have paper work and official documents to compile in order to be given time off to have the baby, blah, blah, blah...

So -
The critter is kicking me as we speak - I think it's saying "Mom! It's after 3:30, let's go HOME!"
No problemo! I'm outta here!

I'll update at the end of the week about whether we've joined Team BLUE or Team PINK!
Will it be Brooke or Zachary??? Hmmm...
Shall we place any wagers?

Have a great week everyone!

Future Kick-Boxer!

Happy Monday!
What a beautiful weekend - in so many ways!

Friday, Zig and I didn't get much time together, as I had to rush home from school, eat quickly on my own, then rush back to school to chaperone the 70's Dance from 6:00-8:00! By the time I got home, we were so exhausted that we had an early night in bed!

Saturday, we awoke to beautiful sunshine and warm breezes in Burnham! The day was forecasted to be a great one, but I didn't realize just how good the sunshine would feel! We took our time getting ready in the morning, then went out for a nice lunch together.
Since we had lots of time in the afternoon, we decided to go to Belltown to visit with Zig's Dad and Grandparents.
Zig worries - all the time - about his Dad who is suffering from Pancreatic Cancer. He was diagnosed shortly after our wedding in January 2007, and has been pretty sick ever since. He has good days - but even more bad days...and sometimes Zig feels so helpless.
When we got there on Saturday, he was laying in a porch chair out in the sun! "Vitamin C!," he said! I guess the sunshine and warm weather was good for everyone this weekend!

We headed home, made a nice supper together, and relaxed for the rest of the evening. It would have been a perfect night for our first 'patio party' in Burnham, but everyone seemed to have other things to do...

At this stage in my pregnancy, as my belly gets bigger by the day and I continue to feel twinges of growth of this baby, I have been patiently waiting to feel the first kicks and punches from our little critter!
Saturday evening, I was laying very still on the couch, actually thinking about wanting to feel the baby kick, when I felt it...
Three small 'flicks' from inside of my belly, low down underneath my belly button! I wasn't sure if I had felt it or not, but I told Zig and just layed still to see if it would happen again!
All night Saturday, into the morning on Sunday, and anytime I was laying still enough to feel it Sunday afternoon - this baby kept kicking away!

The kicks aren't anything I can feel when I'm up and moving around. They are very faint... The feeling is unlike anything anyone told me to expect! It's definitely not the butterflies, or the popcorn, or the gas... It literally felt like someone was moving around inside of me, and kicking me every time it moved!

Last night, the baby was kicking away soon after Zig and I had eaten! Although I wasn't sure whether the kicks would be significant enough for him to feel from outside of my belly or not, I asked him to come sit with me on the couch with his hand on my stomach. With one really big kick, Zig thought he might have felt something! He wasn't sure because he said it only felt like a heartbeat or a pulse... Since that's kind of what it feels like from inside - I think he felt it too! He just looked at me with wide-open eyes... This baby already loves his Daddy!

It's crazy that waiting to feel these little movements are the last thing I'm thinking about when I'm falling asleep, and the first thing that crosses my mind when I'm waking up! I wondered if I would be able to feel anything during the school day today, and I was!
My 5th period class - which is the class that seems to be most excited about the pregnancy AND the class that is studying the "Baby Chapter" with me in Health class - was reviewing the content from our first two lessons in this chapter when I stopped in my tracks after having felt the biggest kick yet! I was mid sentence - and stopped talking when I yelled - the kick had really caught me off guard! My kids just giggled...

All afternoon this baby was swimming around! These feelings are the most amazing thing I've ever felt in my life! Obviously, it's the first time I've known this feeling and it is such a beautiful thing to know that I am the only one who can feel it! The bond that I feel with this kid is already indescribable!

In other news - NO NEWS really is GOOD NEWS! We heard NOTHING from Dr. Grill's office about our Quad Screen test that they ran last week! They told us that if anything abnormal showed up in the blood work (like Downs, etc...) we would be notified by Friday! Friday came and went - and so did today with no word from the doctor! Thank the Lord...

In less than two weeks, we will know whether this little critter is a boy or a girl! I can't wait!
And 3 weeks from today, we'll be visiting Dr. Grill again! Time really is flying by! It'll be September before we know it!
Until then...I'm enjoying every single second!

SURPRISE!

My sixth graders were at it again!

The same group of kids that I blogged about not long ago - after having them be the first class to know about the baby - threw me a surprise BABY SHOWER this afternoon! Can you believe that??

I had just returned from the restroom after my lunch period, and was waiting for them to get to my room to start 4th period, when I heard Vicki Shepherd screaming my name in the hallway! "Libby, Libby, HURRY!!!" It sounded like something was really wrong - so I hurried (as fast I could) down the hall where one of my kids from 4th period was laying on the ground holding his knee! He was almost in tears saying that he couldn't move! He had fallen and hurt himself! Vicki worriedly asked him if he could walk to get to the nurse, and when he said "no," she asked me to look in Mr. Himes' room for help!
Now - I KNOW that Mr. Himes has lunch duty and wasn't in his room - but in the terror of thinking that something was really wrong with this little guy, I peeked into the classroom for help!
When I opened the door, I saw my 4th period kids, all standing in a big huddle, ALL WEARING EITHER PINK OR BLUE TSHIRTS, and yelling "SURPRISE!!!!"

My mouth dropped to the floor - they got me! I truly had no idea that they had done this!
As I looked around the room, it kept getting better and better!
They had made 3 different kinds of cake, all decorated with baby messages for me and the critter...
They had bought ALL caffeine free soda so that I could drink some with them...
And the room - it was dripping with blue and pink decorations from ceiling to floor! They had balloons, 'Baby Shower' banners, streamers, and even favors placed perfectly on each desk!

I couldn't get over how much work and planning these kids put into this party! I am still amazed!
The kids were snapping pictures and promised me that they would print out pictures for me and my memory book! They are just so thoughtful!

They thought of everything - they even had games to play! We played "Pin the Rattle on the Baby," "Who Knows the Most about Mrs. Wray?," and we also started a baby poll for them to make guesses about whether the baby would be a boy or girl, when it would be born, and how big it will be!
Two of the kids even made me "technological gifts!" One of my gentleman made me a slide-show video set to music! It was full of images that they had drawn, pictures of me, and messages from each of them! The other dude made me an actual video game where you have to guide a baby carriage through an obstacle course to reach the 'golden rattle!'

This was quite the event!
Mrs. Short, Mrs. Shepherd (who helped behind the scenes), Mr. Himes, and even Mr. Boyer stopped by for a snack and congrats for me! So nice of them... Mrs. Short even joined in on the games!

By the time the end of the period came around - the kids were all sick to their stomachs from laughing so hard and eating so much sweet food! They helped me get the room cleaned up before heading off to their next period class, but not without big hugs and HUGE thanks from me!
My fifth period kids got to join in on the party by helping me hang the decorations that were in Mr. Himes' room in my room! So now I have a constant reminder of this afternoon's festivities! I love it...

A day like today just reminds me how thankful I am to have my job, my 'kiddies,' my friends, and my life!
These will never truly know how much today means to me...I don't know what it will take to make sure they understand my true thanks, but I have a feeling that they would tell me how much they deserve some 'free time' or a 'movie day!'

I know there is more that I should write, but I'm so overwhelmed with excitement that I'm sure I've forgotten something...
I'll post pictures if my kids get them to me...

BIG SMILE for me the rest of the day!
Baby Wray is even loved by sixth graders - what a lucky kid!!

Womb With A View...The More, the Merrier!

The most exciting news of this entire pregnancy (besides actually finding out that we were expecting) came on Tuesday when I scheduled our ultrasound with Womb With A View to find out the sex of this baby! We had wanted to wait to schedule our appointment until after we got a good report from Dr. Grill at our appointment on Monday...and when we heard all great news, calling to schedule an appointment was the next thing on my "to do" list!

On Sunday, May 4, at 3:30pm, this baby will hopefully SHOW US IT'S STUFF and reveal it's gender! We couldn't be more excited - even Zig is getting pumped about knowing whether to expect a baby girl or a baby boy! But we aren't the ONLY ones who are excited...

My first email was sent to Aunt Meggie - who was thrilled at the chance to be able to come along to the ultrasound! The coolest part of Womb With A View is that you can bring your entire family to share in the time with you! The woman on the phone said "The more, the merrier!" Up to 8 adults can attend and sit in the over-sized room and view the 3D ultrasound right along with the parents! How cool is that?? I can't imagine Meg NOT being there! She is already planning the first shopping trip to go crazy with either pink or blue outfits!

After getting Meg's excited response, I was on the phone with my Mother, making sure she would write down the date in her trusty monthly calendar. When I asked her if she would come along, she was concerned that maybe this is something that Zig and I should do together - without an audience! I told her that we would be calling them as soon as we found out anyway, so why not come along and see the grand baby with her own two eyes! After a little convincing, she agreed that she would LOVE to be part of the day and we have already started making plans for our trip to Lemoyne!

I didn't even need to ask Grammy Kathy if she wanted to come along - I knew what her answer would be! The ultrasound facility is very close to where she lives, so I knew she would be IN for sure - no doubt about it!

So as it looks right now, Mommy and Daddy, plus Nana, Grammy Kathy, and Aunt Meggie will get their first peek at Baby Wray very soon! YAY! I couldn't be more excited to have our family come along with us on this incredibly special day - and even more importantly, we'll finally know if this little peanut is a boy or a girl!

My gut has been telling me that we're having a girl - which is the polar opposite from what I felt at the beginning of the pregnancy! I don't know if it's "mother's intuition" or just a feeling - but I've felt sure for a few weeks now that this baby is a girl! Although Zig and I secretly wanted to have a boy first - in order to protect it's baby sister in the future - we will be absolutely ecstatic just know what we're having!

I can't wait for the little things...
Like the look on Zig's face when he learns what the baby is!
Like the reactions from the Grandmothers and the Aunt...WOW, they'll be excited!
Like buying my very first outfit in either pink or blue!
Like being able to call my belly by name...

Grammy Kathy called last night to talk baby names! We have thrown a few names around, but have almost definitely come to a decision on names...
If this baby is a girl, her name will be Brooke. We are working on a middle name - Mackenzie, or some combination to honor my Gram, whose name was Mary.
Brooke Mackenzie Wray, Brooke Mary Wray, Brooke Mary Elizabeth Wray, Brooke Mary Mackenzie Wray...

If this baby is a boy, Zig picked the name Zachary, which has always been one of my favorite names. For his middle name, we will probably use something from Zig or his Dad.
Zachary Lee Wray, Zachary Justin Wray...

I guess we'll know for sure very soon and we'll be able to make a final decision about the name as soon as this baby makes it's first huge revelation on May 4th! I'm so excited!

We are so happy, so thankful, and so truly blessed already!

Today's Doctor's Appointment!

Hi All!

As life slowly makes its way back into 'normalcy,' my life has been CRAZY with lots of stuff to keep me busy!

It was hard to go back to work last week after being with family for a few days and trying to get myself together after losing Gram, so when Friday rolled around, I was SPENT!

Wednesday was spent just trying to make up for the time I had missed on Monday and Tuesday...
Thursday, my mind was still spinning from Wednesday... It felt like I'd never get back to being myself.

By this afternoon, I was ready for some good news and a great start to the week...
We had another appointment this afternoon with Dr. Grill!

I am so happy and feel so blessed to have gotten another good report on this little critter! Everything seems to be fine...and I can't explain how much of a relief it is every time they give us good news.

My weight - I've gained my first 1/2 pound! Fabulous...
Blood pressure - still normal and very healthy!
Baby's Heartbeat (my personal favorite) - 150!
Hearing the heartbeat is what I LIVE FOR from appointment to appointment!

I love the look on Zig's face when he hears it and I love the smile on the nurse's face when she watches my reaction! It's simply amazing!

Zig and I informed Dr. Grill of our plans to have the 3D ultrasound done - and he loved the idea! He even wanted us to bring him information from Womb with a View because he has lots of patients who ask him about where to go for that kind of service! He's absolutely fine with - and after hearing the heartbeat today, I'll be on the horn with this place scheduling our first visit very soon!

We ended the appointment by discussing the quad screen test that I was heading down the blood lab to have completed. This is the test that can give a false positive and lots of fear for parents - and unfortunately, Meg and Jason went through this while they were pregnant with Joshua. Thank the Lord that he is as healthy as he is, and they are living proof that a positive doesn't always mean problems.

They told us that "no news is good news," and that if we don't hear anything by Friday, to assume that everything is fine...
Everybody - please say a prayer for us to get through the week with no scary test results to worry about! I'll be updating you all as soon as we are in the clear - fingers are crossed!

Is it really possible to love a little person so much? One that I've never even met??

For this amazing little peanut that we are so patiently waiting for - Grammy Kathy, Zig and I have already started looking for the perfect crib! We made a trip to Target in Carlise yesterday during a visit for Sea Food Night at Kathy and John's! Even though we struck out at Target, we looked at some cribs online and decided that we need to plan a trip to Babies R Us to see some great cribs in person! So - although we have lots of time, we are going to schedule a trip as soon as possible!

Before the unexpected events of last weekend, Zig and I had started working on some family finances - we were looking for a way to cut some serious costs before this baby comes! Knowing that we have a pretty hefty mortgage payment, and two hefty car payments, something HAD to give! After a long conversation filled with advice from my parents, we decided to look into trading my Jeep for something affordable and more gas friendly!

For those that know me, you know how IN LOVE I am with my 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee! This vehicle is my DREAM car, and I bought it specifically with the purpose of having a great car to keep my babies safe! But as our lives begin to change from a young couple who enjoys the simple pleasures of having nice things to show for our hard work - to young parents who want to be able to provide everything this world can offer to our child - we have realized that cars, clothes, and other materialistic items are no longer necessary.

Being great family friends with a car salesman can really come in handy when you're in a pinch! As much as I love my Jeep, I called Tim at Frey's and told him what we were trying to do. As soon as I heard him say, "No problem, I know exactly what you're trying to do...let me see what I can do for you..." I knew we were in good hands. With all of the madness with Gram passing, it was over a week until I could return Tim's phone calls and really be in the right mind frame to talk about new cars.

So, Thursday after school, I finally got a chance to call Tim and see what he had come up with. He informed me that he had found me a brand new Jeep that will save me lots of cash in payment value and in gas dollars! SCORE! He wanted me to come in and see what he had found.

After making sure Zig was OK with it, I headed into Frey's to see the new Jeep.

To be honest, I wasn't sold at first with the new car. It's a 2008 Jeep Patriot. This model of Jeep is basically like a shorter version of the Jeep Commanders (which I love!). It's really not much smaller than my Jeep and it seemed to have just as much room inside as mine.

I don't do anything without Zig being involved, so I brought home some figures to run over with him. Zig was biting at first either, but we decided to take it for a test drive, show my parents, and let my Dad (our ultimate guide in big decisions) give us his opinion - and take it from there.

Friday, as soon as Zig got home from work, we went to Frey's and took the Patriot for it's first spin! It only had 6 miles on it when we got in! There is nothing quite like a brand new car! We drove it to my parents house, had supper with them and my Pap, talked it over with my parents, then drove it back to Frey's. By the time we got back to the car dealership, we had basically decided to go for it!

Zig liked the Patriot much more than he thought he would. He was worried that it was small like the Jeep Compass - which isn't enough of an SUV for us. As we rode in it and got to explore what all it could do, we realized that my Jeep has more than I could ever use and that it is more than we need to be paying for right now.

So, as bummed as I might have been at first about having to get rid of my Jeep, I love this baby more than anything else in the world, and I would sacrifice anything to give it a better life. If that means saving a chunk of money from now on, sign me up!

The paperwork is being finished as we speak, and I'll be driving a brand new car tomorrow afternoon!

Lots of excitement happening in our world...but...
I'm missing Joshua like crazy!! Knowing that he was missing me for days after left each other just broke my heart! LOVE LOVE LOVE my favorite man!

And on that note - I'll leave you with a few pictures...

The latest (and VERY LARGE) belly pictures taken at 17 weeks 1 day... It seems as though I've gained more than 1/2 pound - but with all of the puking that has occured, I think it makes sense that I had some to lose before gaining anything new...
And the last picture of the Jeep in the driveway... I hope it forgives me for leaving it tomorrow...tear...

Remembering the Good Times...

So many things have happened over the last week that it almost seems strange to be typing on the same blog site!

I ended my last post with such excitement about my supper plans with Leah and my weekend trip to stay with my FAVORITE MAN, Joshua...
My evening with Leah was wonderful! We had such great conversation about our babies on the way and just how much everything has changed for us. I don't think there was one silent second in the whole evening - it was nearly two hours until we got up from the table where we ate! It is so great to see our lives on such a parallel path... We grew up together on Edgewood Place, we lost contact through most of our middle and high school years, we chose the same career path that has given us the opportunity to become friends all over again, and now - we will have children less than 2 months apart. They will grow old knowing of the friendship that their Mommies have...and I'm so thankful for that!

I hurried out of school on Friday afternoon because I couldn't wait to get to Joshua! With my car packed for a weekend of fun in Milton, I arrived to a smiling little boy who was very excited to show me his new toys and his newest favorite Mickey Mouse video to watch! We played and played all evening - right up to tub time! We splish-splashed and made quite a mess in his Mommy's bathroom (which is exactly what Aunt's are for!) - followed by dinosaur pajamas, bedtime stories, milk, bink, and Bear. We put some more miles on his rocking chair until he finally fell fast asleep in my arms... I love him more than words could ever express!
Meg and Jason got back late Friday evening and we stayed up a few hours more just talking and getting caught up! I love spending time with them...

Saturday morning, we all woke up early, got Joshua his breakfast, and just before Meg and Jason headed back out for their adventures of the day, Nana (my Mom) arrived to visit with Hurricane Joshua for the day. Not long after my Mom arrived, we got a call from my Dad that my Grandmother had passed away.
After a long battle with Dementia, my Grandma Mary finally went home to Heaven.
Most of my family would agree that we lost Gram a long time ago to this disease...everything started to change when her memory left her. From the first Thanksgiving that she couldn't remember where anything was in her own kitchen, to the day that she couldn't remember my face - we sat with her through the best and worst of times. We knew her fight would end, but losing wasn't any easier.
My family from Massachusetts was able to be home for the services, and I was very thankful for some visiting time with them. I hate that we only see them when things are bad... I had a really hard time saying goodbye to them. I almost feel closer to them now - after going through something like this that we all share - it has definitely made us all a little tighter than we were before. I love them all...

Needless to say, it's been a rough few days. Meg and Jason were able to be home until this morning, so I got LOTS of time with Joshua and some very much needed 'sister time.'

My husband was absolutely amazing through this whole ordeal. From cracking a joke to change my tears to a smile at just the right time, to just being there to hold me when I needed to cry. I love him more now than I ever knew I could...

Now that everyone is back home, my Pap will need me more than ever. I am so thankful that my Mom is retired this year - she was able to spend so much more time with my Gram in her last year and has been the primary source of support for my Pap. He is a rock! I've never known someone so strong in all of my life. I hope my children will be able to know and love him the way that I do.

Going through this experience was probably the most difficult of my life -
Megan and I were so lucky to have traveled this far through life with all 4 grandparents still living.
I will continue to remember all of my favorite things about Grandma Mary - Zig and I are even considering using her name, or parts of her name, in the name of our child, especially if we have a baby girl.

Gram,
If we could chat, just one more time...
I know you would recognize my face.
You would tease me about the holes in my jeans or the flip flops on my feet while the weather is still cold.
You would scold me for the tears that I've shed.
And me...I would remind you -
That my favorite name you called me was Tilly.
That I loved all of the time we shared while I was in Nursery School and 1/2 day Kindergarten.
That you were the best cook in the entire world - and that I'm ready to jot down all of my favorite recipes!
That most of my childhood memories include you.
That it was ME who dialed 911 while I was 'napping' in your bedroom.
That I always loved the smell of your house.
That I'll never forgot how every spot of your house was always clean.
That I loved my Punky Brewster plate set that always made the Scrambled Eggs taste even better!
That I'm more like you than I ever knew...
And that I wish my children could have known you.
I know you'll always be with me...until we're together in Heaven.
~Tilly

I am different now - after losing someone so important to me. But I hope to always remember the good times, and not just the end of Gram's life. My family is the foundation of my being. I would be nothing without them.

If I can show this baby growing inside of me the same love that I have been shown my entire life, Gram would be proud...

Making room for Baby Wray!

My apologies (again...) that it has been so long since I've last posted anything new! It just seems silly to me to only post to say - "Hi!... Still puking... Getting fat... Can't wait to see the doctor!... Cya!"

So over the last few weeks Zig and I have been continuing to prepare mentally, physically, and around the house - all for Baby Wray! After 3 coats of white paint on our hideous blue walls, we finally were beginning to say 'goodbye' to the "blue room" that would become the baby's nursery - YAY! Zig worked for many evenings to get this tiny room painted - and I love him for that - even though he complained...a lot!

Just yesterday, we had new carpet installed into the nursery that will be more than perfect for our little critter! I left school during my plan/lunch period to go home and see what it looked like - and I couldn't have been happier!
Zig and I spent quite a bit of time standing in the room last night, just looking at the room, and imagining what it is going to be like to bring a baby home to it. Wow... I still can't believe this is all really happening! We have so much to be thankful for!

Now that this beautiful room is started, Grammy Kathy and I are going to get to work on picking out the crib! Nana and I will be searching for the perfect rocker that will withstand thousands of miles over the next year or so! It seems that all that is left for this room is a little spot of either pink or blue!

We see Dr. Grill on the 14th of this month. At that visit, I am going to speak with him about the 3D/4D ultrasound that we're planning. We don't need his approval, but I do want him to check the baby's heartbeat again - so that I know everything is still OK. Then, we'll schedule our appointment with Womb With a View for sometime in May! I can't wait to know if this baby is a boy or a girl!

On another note...
Lots of exciting things are happening over the next few days that I'm really looking forward to!
Leah (and maybe Michelle) and I are meeting for an early supper tomorrow after school! While the husbands are away, very busy with work, she and I will get some great 'Mommy Talk' time in, that would usually drive the men crazy! Can't wait to get caught up with them!

And...
Friday afternoon I'm leaving for Milton to see MY FAVORITE MAN! Meg and Jason have a crazy Key Club weekend that is going to keep them tied up for Friday, Saturday and Sunday! So - Aunt Ub to the rescue! I can't wait to spend such a huge amount of time with him! He is such good practice for having kids...and he certainly keeps me on my toes!

16 weeks this Friday - you'd think the puking would be over with by now!
I'm waiting patiently to feel the first kicks...and the way my belly is growing, it shouldn't be long!

Happy Hump Day!