I'm back.

My last post was in December.  Yes. It actually says 2013.

 

Ready or not...I'm back. I've missed you. Really, I have.

 

December seems like many years ago and yesterday all at the same time.  When I last blogged, I was very pregnant and very unaware of what was about to happen to our little family. 

 

 

Clueless.

 

 To make a very long story (somewhat) short...I took a step back from blogging because I could.  I couldn't stop teaching my precious first graders. I couldn't completely neglect my home and husband.  I couldn't stop preparing for my baby girl aaannnnddd I couldn't stay awake past 8 pm, so something had to give. ;)  I reluctantly chose my blog and TPT business to go on the back burner. 

 

We got some troubling news about my pregnancy in December and the remaining months of my pregnancy were exciting, but always accompanied by an annoying whisper of worry and fear. We truly didn't know what to expect. I had to start seeing different kinds of doctors several times a week and doctor's appointments became very much like a part time job....ya know...except for the getting paid part.  I cried a lot and prayed even more.  I thanked God every day for the ROCK that is my husband and for family, friends, and strangers who prayed for my little girl.

 

I left school on a Friday in March thinking that I was going to a regular doctor's appointment and wound up in the hospital. I didn't get to say goodbye to my school babies and it broke my heart! I had to BEG the doctor to let me go home just for one little minute before I checked in to the hospital. I mean, I had to pick out my pajamas (goodness knows what my husband would have picked out) and shave my legs (priorities!). 

 

 I wasn't due until the end of April so the doc assured me it would just be for a night to monitor some things and then I'd be on my merry way home to finish my sub plans and decorate my baby girl's nursery and do the 12 loads of laundry on my bedroom floor.

 

Well, that night in the hospital turned into a very long week of scary news and emotional roller coasters.  Every day started with a "you might have to have an emergency C-section today."  Umm...what?

 

And did you know that when you are on standby for an emergency C-section they don't let you eat?

Mmm Hmm. I can't talk about it...post traumatic hunger disorder.

 

After almost a week, my spunky girl decided she couldn't wait a second longer to make her debut and we welcomed sweet Zoey Rae 6 weeks before her due date.  (Patience is still not her strong suit. ;))

 

She was tiny (3 pounds 15 ounces) and perfect.

 

 

She was in the NICU for the longest 17 days of my life and then...

 

 

she was home.

 

And ever since, our home and our lives have been filled with more smiles, love, diapers, laundry, the color PINK, and pure joy than I could have ever imagined. 

 

 

She is almost 5 months old and she is still a teeny tiny thing but she is as strong and determined as she can be.

  We adore her.

  I went back to work for 2 weeks to finish out the school year.  It was tough.  I start back to school for a brand new school year next week.  It's going to be even tougher.  I am gearing up....mind, body, and soul!

 

I just wanted to say hi and get this first post out of the way.  I'll be back to all things first grade very, very soon!

 

Happy teaching to you!