Summer Through This Window

Well, it's the last week of school...

YAY!

So Far...

Monday, several students in my Journalism class threw me a surprise shower.

They made a creatively-iced cake shaped like a monkey wearing a diaper.
They made me sit in front of the class and open darling presents: blankets, outfits, lotions, cuddly toys, baby booties, and a paci thermometer.

Their excitement and curiosity about the baby have really made being pregnant at school more fun. I don't think a day has gone by when they haven't said, "Keep the baby safe!" or asked me how I'm feeling. Their cards were priceless--they took the time to write something heartfelt, which made the frustrating moments of teaching disappear.

The end of the school year feels the same as it ever did in high school or college...the hope of a sun-soaked summer, the eagerness to end this chapter, the freedom of being home and going barefoot. At the end of this week, I begin a leave of absence from school that will last until January--a full seven months off work! But, this fall will serve as Mommy training, so rumor has it I won't be bored.

Summer Plans:

There will be no jet-setting. I'm not even going to Louisiana. Still, I'm looking forward to this summer all the same, because it gives us the chance to prepare for Baby Story. Brandon has finally finished his stint at the Barter, and has moved into full-time home renovation. He's pretty amazing, having built a bathroom and closet in what will be our master bedroom. Once that room is finished, we can begin working on the nursery. And then the house will be ready with rooms we've been planning since we got married (almost 5 years ago!). The house has come such a long way that we may never sell it and just grow old here, even if we do spend a year or two here or there.

I've finally scheduled our childbirth classes for July. Gosh I hope I don't have the baby until after we have the class. At least next week, we're planning on meeting with the doula for labor training, and we'll go ahead and tour the hospital as well.

Angie and Aunt Jackie plan to visit the second week of June for our shower, and it will be great to see them. Mom can't come then, but will be able to take the time off when the little guy arrives.

The Wall of Pop is playing a few random summer gigs, but other than that, the summer promises to be happy and low-key.

I look forward to enjoying my buoyancy in the pool most sunny days.