Extry, Extry, Read all about it!

Well, the day may have finally come. I was 37 weeks this past Thursday, July 7th. During my visit with the OBGYN the day before, we decided that with a belly measuring 44 cm (Holy Moly!), it might be best to go ahead and induce a bit early. With a due date of July 28th, July17th sounds very early, but Foster appears to be really big! (Thank you Russell family!)

Monday I will have what I hope to be my final ultrasound just to be sure of his size, and if everything goes as planned, I will be induced next weekend! Can you believe it?

I am excited, anxious, nervous, but also prepared (or as prepared as anyone can be to pass something the size of a watermelon through a hole the size of a bottle cap!) But hey, it is the miracle of life, and I am so ready to embrace it.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our family through this pregnancy...the fun is about to begin.

I will update again when I know more. Until then cross your fingers for me that everything goes as smoothly as it can!

Will Work for Treats!!!

I must be the luckiest girl in the world to have so many people so willing to help me without a second thought. Of course, it is a little strange for me to accept any help- as you know I am the most independent, do-it-yourself female on the planet. Asking for help is almost impossible, and accepting help is even harder! You could compare it to asking for a root canal or accepting a good kick from a horse. All are painful and hard to recover from!

However, I must say that when you are 9 months pregnant with two dogs and a house to keep up, your perspective on help does tend to change a bit. Recently I was lucky enough to have my inlaws, sister, and parents down for several days, doing just that!

We did have our fair share of beach time and frequented may of the local restaurants (since I hate to cook, I single handedly keep the local eateries in business), but much time was spent doing all those little things that with a belly this big I can no longer comfortably do! I appreciate all the help that I have been given, especially knowing that so much precious vacation/relaxation time was spent working for me!

Our newest addition to the family, Welli, our one-year-old Briard decided he would give a helping hand to my dad, while he was working in the house. He was his little helper for the day, learning the trade, investigating the problems, and then fixing them with a little slobber and a whole lot of love. Thanks Welli- I know Dad sure did appreciate your help!
So, I guess not only dogs work for treats, humans do too! And it was such a treat for me having so much company these last two weeks!

I am so done!!!

Okay, so all I have to say is that all these happy pregnant women are liars! Being fat, swollen, sore, and slow is not exactly my idea of absolute joy. I understand that carrying life's greatest miracle is an amazing experience, but come on ladies...let's be real- it is hard work! I am so ready to have Foster and get back to myself.

Honestly though, I cannot wait to see him. 3 1/2 weeks to go! Come on out Foster...anytime- Mom is waiting!

Foster Visits Daddy's Homeland

A few weeks ago Foster and I took our last trip as a fused unit. At 34 weeks I bit the bullet and boarded a flight to North Carolina to visit my in-laws. The Russells, Nooes, and friends decided to throw me one more baby shower and boy did they ever! Elizabeth Dozier hosted the event in her beautiful home, aided by my sister-in-law, Charity, Daniel's cousins, Lori and Christy, their mother, Marsha, and Daniel's Aunt Amy. The spread was fabulous with blue crab dip, chicken salad croissants, petit cupcakes, and punch just to name a few of the delectables.

It was so wonderful to see such a fantastic turn out. I truly felt incredibly loved with so many family members and friends wishing me well. It was a full house to be sure! It is a lucky mom-to-be who receives 10 packs of wipes, 7 boxes of diapers, needed safety and medical items, sweet stuffed toys, and clothes, clothes, clothes!!! Not to mention the loud, obnoxious toys that I will be sure to take to Nana and Papa's to remain! A gift I needed as much as a dairy cow needs a pair of strong hands, was my breast pump. Thank you to everyone for your generosity, kindness, and support as we prepare to bring our little man into the world!

It was also a treat to get to see my friend, Amy, who traveled a few hours to spend the day with me. Her son, Brian is absolutely precious and I look forward to 8 months from now when our little Foster is at that same fun age!

The next time I make my way up north I will be plus one and I can't wait!

And then there were 2 and 1/2!

2 weeks ago, Daniel was the best sport! With the help of a dear neighbor from St. Mary's, the owner of Studio S, we took Maternity photos together. The setting under a pier in Fernandina Beach was absolutely perfect. It was relaxed, simple, and serene. Perhaps the last moment of serenity in our lives.

Thank you to our fabulous photographers Susanna and Lauren Hand. The pictures are exactly what we didn't even know we wanted! Just be prepared to see a lot of belly!

"This is the End..."

Using The Doors' famously coined phrase...the last day of school has finally arrived. Honestly, I thought this day would be sadder than it is. This has probably been the last day I will ever teach in a public institution.

As many of you already know, Daniel and I decided a long time ago that we would make do on one salary for as long as we needed to allow for a "stay at home" parent. Lucky for me...since the Navy owns him...I am the chosen one. Although we will be regulars at the Good Will and Discount Bread store, we will make do.

And actually, I am only sad to leave my job as a teacher, teaching students (what I signed up for). I am not sad to leave any of the crap that comes along with it. For the last 8 years, I believe I have been less appreciated by students, parents, administrators, and general public than I can stand. And it seems to have gotten progressively worse with each new year, requirement, and standard. I have finally reached the breaking point (you know what that is- when your paycheck is far less than your worth) and it could not have come at a better time.

And although I will not be getting paid for teaching, we all know I will be teaching our little man...the most important job in the world!

This year has been a taxing one. This year more than any other, I have worked harder and longer to receive less praise and appreciation than ever before. Thank you Callahan! On the up side, I have enjoyed many of my colleagues and made some really wonderful friends! You know who you are- and no matter how you are made to feel- you really are fantastic teachers!

I want to leave this year with some simple but wise words for all teachers out there. Most of us are amazing at our jobs! No matter what they say to you or what the public reports about you- it is not your fault if a student fails. At some point this country is going to have to realize that removing all responsibility from the student and parent and placing it all on the teacher is only enabling our future leaders. Hand-outs do not encourage success or instill self-sufficiency or pride. I am reminded of a quote: "If you give a man some food, he will eat for a day. If you teach a man to hunt, he will eat for a lifetime." It seems that many of our students have eaten curriculum each day of their publicly educated lives, only to graduate without the skills to hunt for it themselves! But enough about that- jumping off the soapbox...
I just had to say my peace-

Anyway, here goes...a life without a paid job. I am unsure of what the future holds for me, but perhaps I'll write a book, or open a boutique, or start my own line of ...something. Whatever I choose to do- I know I will be respected and appreciated more than I ever have been before. And R-E-S-P-E-C-T means the world to me!

For now...farewell, adieu, parting is such sweet sorrow...or is it?

Our "Fly Boy"

Hey all,
I wanted t post the best address for Daniel, in case you want to send him anything. When I get the list of approved items, I will post that for you too. As of right now, stick to letters only. Thank you for all your continued support!

Daniel Russell
VP-10
PSC 903 BOX 17
FPO AE 09859