Bumpdate: 24 weeks

First, let's start with some non pregnancy related things.  I have finally figured out that 3rd grade is different than 4th grade.  The biggest difference?  The boys cannot keep their hands to themselves!!!!!! I know they are boys, but seriously, can't we walk down the hall once without someone stepping on the back of someone else's shoes or poking them.

The Broncos can't seem to pull it together the last few games.  I will not abandon my team, but it may be a very long season.  I think the real reason they are losing is because I don't have a Bronco shirt that fits my over my growing belly.  Feel free, fellow Denver fans to fix this problem! ;)

The Tuesday evening bible study that I lead started back up last Tuesday.  We are doing Beth Moore's James: Mercy Triumphs study.  So far it is awesome.  The most intimidating thing about it is that the study has 120+ women in it, and I am in charge.  Yikes!  God has been so great walking beside my in tackling this study.  He has blessed me with an awesome support system through our women's ministry and wonderful women to lead table groups.  I think God has some big plans in store for all of us and I know that He is already shaking up a few things in my life just in this first week.  I love the truth and depth to Beth Moore's studies.

I got an iphone 5.  Why you might ask, because my husband ordered it for me! Now he is jealous and wants one of his own.  He tried to take mine and leave me cell phoneless, but that didn't work out, so he now has to wait until October.

Now on to all things baby!  I know we want little Audrey to wait to make her arrival, but we have 3 of the essentials now.  Carseat, stroller, and pack and play (her nursery for now).  Our tiny house is slowly being taken over by baby stuff.  I can't imagine what it is going to be like after showers.  I better come up with an organization/storage system soon!

24 Weeks

How far along? 24 Weeks

Size of baby? Ear of Corn- she gained about 4 oz this last week--that would explain my need to eat more often!

Total weight gain? Holding steady at 12 pounds

Maternity Clothes? Maternity pants for sure,  some tops, but a lot of my "old" stretchy, loose dresses and tops. Occasionally I try to squeeze into some normal tops, but I am finding them too short and tight.

Sleep? Still can't complain, other than the massive leg cramp that happened (Luckily only once so far!)

Best moment of the week? Still loving feeling Audrey move more and more. Her movements are getting stronger!  Hearing her heartbeat at the Dr. on Wednesday.  She is holding strong at 150bpm and loves camping out on my lower right side.  Also, yesterday when Stinson began singing about Christmas coming and then about how Audrey will be here after Christmas all while unloading the dishwasher.

Miss anything? Bending over with ease. Shoes that fit without squeezing my feet.

Movement? Yes!  I think Stinson will be able to feel her this week.  I think he could have the other night, but he was sleeping, so he didn't want to move to see.

Cravings? Nothing major.  Last week I was dying for some chips and salsa, so of course I bought some!

Symptoms? Leg cramps- only once, heartburn has become a frequent visitor lately/

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? Thick band on, diamond off (it's too tight :(  )

Mood? Mostly normal, but cranky and grumpy watching the Broncos play the Texans yesterday.  Payton better pull it together or this pregnant lady might come unglued!

Looking forward to? Getting my new car next weekend!

New Car- but mine is blue, 99 Expedition Eddie Bauer Edition

Bumpdate: 20 Weeks

I decided to make an effort to blog more throughout my pregnancy, in hopes that I will keep up with it once Audrey arrives.  I would like to be better about documenting our lives here.  I am going to do the "typical" preggo update every few weeks.

How far along? 20 weeks 5 days

Size of baby? Banana (7 in, 11 oz)

Total weight gain? 8 pounds so far

Maternity Clothes? Maternity pants for sure, squeezing into old ones with the belly band has become super uncomfortable, some tops, but a lot of my "old" stretchy, loose dresses and tops.

Sleep? So far, still sleeping well.  Usually wake up once a night, but no complaints.

Best moment of the week? Last week when one of my students said, "Mrs. Dean, I can see your baby today!"

Miss anything? Being able to bend over to put shoes on comfortably.

Movement? A few times at night, but nothing consistent yet.  Darn placenta is providing her with some  extra cushion.

Cravings? Not really, I am currently in love with french toast.  It is my go to Saturday morning breakfast.

Symptoms? A little swelling at the end of the day, but nothing to complain about yet.  Tired, but I blame that more on my students than being pregnant.

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? Thick band on, diamond off (it's too tight :(  )

Mood? Normal, although I did have one crazy hormonal day earlier this week.  Stinson couldn't figure out what was wrong with me.

Looking forward to? Feeling Audrey move!  I am hoping that I can feel her all of the time really soon!

Here I am last Sunday at 19 weeks 7 days. My belly has definitely grown this week.

A little other life update for you, 3rd grade = awesome!  I love my class of kiddos. I lucked out and the class I have this year is super mature so I haven't had too hard of a time adjusting to their age, it also helps that they are a bright bunch!  It is really fun to learn a new grade level and I am really enjoying getting to know a new team of people.

Football season is finally here!  Stinson will be doing the radio for MidAmerica again this year.  The first game is today.  I am going to skip going due to the rain, but I'll tune in to hear his commentary.  I can't wait to watch Manning play for the Broncos and watch the Chiefs have another "stellar" year!

Little Audrey already has a closet full of adorable clothes.  I can't wait to put her in them.  I haven't looked at them in a while, so that is how I spent the first part of my morning.  I wonder what the dogs will think of her when she gets her.  I have a feeling Mia is going to have to adjust to not being held whenever she wants. I also can't wait for Audrey to meet her cousin Campbell.  I think they will be good friends and stir up trouble when they're together, but we'll have to wait and see.

Well, I think that is all for now!  I know it was random, but that is how my brain operates these days.

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL?!

Well, school has begun and so has football.  Needless to say life in this Dean household is whirlwind.  This has been my first football season experience the full extent of what it means to be a football widow.  I think for Stinson and I it is even worse because of our classes and other things that we are involved in.  Time together has to be intential and unfortunately most of the time we spend together is spent catching a few zzzz's. 

So far after a few kinks thrown into the starting line up a week before the first game, MNU is 3-0.  They are looking great and Stinson's running backs look awesome!  He is loving every moment of coaching.  His guys are lucky to have him as their coach.  MNU faces the #2 team in the coutnry next week, Lindenwood, at home.  It will be a great test of hwere they are at.  Here are me and some of MNU friends hanging out at the game.  Oh yeah, I dyed my hair brown, just in case you can't tell which one I am.

Janae and I

All of the Girls

Last weekend I spent my entire day watching football.  I went to all three boys games and had such a blast.  I just love these precious things.  They all played so well.  I got to have dinner/lunch with them on Sunday too.  I don't have the words to describe how much I love them!  Enjoy these pictures!  (This day was 100% football.  I went to 3 little league games and 1 MNU game, it was quite the day!)

Andy's Game Face

My Bud Andy and I

The Really Cool 7th Grader and I

Adorable Carson!



So with all of me "extra time" I have been leading my mother-in-laws bible study Live a Praying Life.  We are two weeks in, and already it has been amazing.  She really puts a whole new perspective on prayer.  One of my favorite things she written so far comes from the end of week one's study.  She is talking about finding a new purpose of prayer when she shares this verse and says, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." (Ezkiel 36:26-27) Before I desired such a thing, God had make it available.  He had already promised to reproduce His heart in me, shaping my desires to match His.  He promised to take my  self-centered heart and fasten it on Him.  And He who worked in my until I desired to reciece what he desired to give."

My heart fills with joy just typing those words.  It is so awesome to know that God has already arranged everything so that I can have this.  That He would take my heart of stone and soften it and fill it with Himself. I am already excited about the changes in my attitude towards prayer and the way I have been praying.  I will keep you updated on how things are going.

The dogs are doing great.  I am so glad that I have them to keep me company and to keep me enterained on all my nights home alone.  They are so much fun and Mia is so entertaining.  She loved to play and I could watch her bounce around for hours.  Jake is huge, but so cute!  He has the sweetest face that melts your heart and make you want to give him everythign he wants!  Maggie is doing good and is always waiting at the door to great you when you come home.  She love to have her belly rubbed first thing!  Here is how I found Maggie and Mia one morning.

 School is going awesome.  I love my class.  There are a few challenges, but in general, I think that they are my best class yet.  I know that I am better as a teacher this year and I am so excited to try a few things out this year that I started last year.  Friday and Saturday I was at workshop called Picture Perfect Science.   It was such a wonderful two days and I cannot wait to go back and beef up my science instruction.  It was exactly what I was looking for!

I think that is all for now.  If you live near by or need to come visit, I would love some company.  I have lots of alone time, so don't feel like you're imposing!

When Life Happens

Life always seems to throw a curve ball just when you think everything is going great.  Our curve ball this week was Stinson's car.  It started acting up and of course it will be a major repair.....  So instead of spending close to what his car is worth we are in the process of finding a new car.  You don't realize how dependent you are on the small things that make day to day life easier. 

Stinson not having a car right now is going to make life interesting because I need my car to get to school, and due to the fact that I work 40 minutes away from home it won't work for him to drop me off and have the car for the rest of the day.  We think we have found a good candidate for a replacement car, well really it is a truck.  I think Stinson is over-joyed at the thought of having a truck (which of course is very much a man's vehicle) and is brainstorming all of the ways that it will come in handy. 

In other news, this Friday was Special Friend's Day at school.  This is a day where grandparents, parents, and other relatives can come spend part of the day at school to get a glimpse of what a day is like for the students.  Of course this day is not remotely close to what an actual day is like.   Our job is to plan 3 hours that keeps the adults and children entertained, which is much more difficult than you would imagine.  The adults have a tendency to talk while you are talking or not follow directions very well.  I guess they have forgotten that you do not talk while the teacher is talking! :)   Overall it was a great day and I enjoyed meeting some of the people that are important to each of my students.

Stinson's life is still pretty crazy.  He is going all the time and just passes in and out of the house.  Yesterday the football team beat Benedictine to make the Pioneers 4-1.  Stinson looks like a natural in his "coaches uniform," and comes home completely happy each night.  I am finding ways to keep myself busy so I don't miss him too much!

This last week Jennifer (my mother-in-law) came for a quick visit.  It was so wonderful to have her here.  She was able to come in to talk to my class about being an author and writing.  The students enjoyed asking her questions as well as coming up with details of a story.  Stinson and I enjoyed spending time with her.  Each time I spend time with her I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful mother-in-law that I respect and admire and get along with wonderfully.  I have heard the mother-in-law horror stories and I am grateful to say that I do not have a single horror story to share.

Just an FYI that I am going to take Sara's blog every day in October, so hopefully you will be hearing more from me.  I can't promise that it will be too exciting, but I will try to make it interesting ( like all those blogs that have tons of followers).  Well it is time to dive into my bible study and enjoy a Sunday full of football and lesson plans!

A Few of My Favorite Things

I thought to keep things interesting I would make a list of my favorite things while updating you on what is going on in our lives lately. Hope you enjoy it!

1.) Teaching. Going back to school this week has been wonderful. So far, I absolutely adore my new class. They each have such sweet personalities and bring so much to our room. My boys are especially adorable and little. My favorite quote from this week was on the first day made by one of my boys. "Mrs. Dean, I think my desk is too big for me." This statement is true because when most of my boy put their arms up on their desks their arms are almost at their chin!



2.) Football. I am so happy that football is back and I love having close friends to keep an eye out for. Each week we check up on how Kyle is doing, and it is fun to see how well the NFL is going for him so far. One of my favorite things is watching football while I do my lesson plans for the week! MNU kicked off the weekend with their first scrimmage. So far, they are looking pretty good.

3.) Coffee. Especially a homemade vanilla latte with extra foam. I think the picture says enough.

4.) Adorable coffee mugs. Just ask Stinson, I have way too many and have to rotate through them!



5.) Baking. Here is just a few of the 50+ apple cookies I made last weekend. Yes, they tasted delicious!

6.) My husband and spoiling him on his birthday. I am so lucky to have a husband who loves me so much and encourages me all the time. Although I haven't seen much of him lately due to both of our crazy schedules, I love sharing all about my day and kiddos with him as well as hearing about what is going on in his world of football.

These are just a few of my favorite things.... there are so many more, but I think I've said enough.