7 Months Down, 2 to Go

This meme seems to capture much of my recent pregnancy experience. It is particularly accurate in the depiction of just how swallowed up in blankets this cat is; likewise am I completely surrounded and propped up by pillows each night.

Although the paperwork is not yet complete, my unemployment status will soon be official! I will no longer be subbing from here on out. I had toyed with the idea of continuing to work through February, however a few things happened this week to persuade me to quit after January as originally planned. First off, I am just coming to the point of needing a bathroom break between every class period. This complicates things as a sub, since I'm really not supposed to leave the assigned classroom when students are there. And I can only waddle so fast, haha; the struggle is real. Also, I had to cancel a job I had previously accepted this past Friday because I woke up with such a terrible sore throat that I could barely speak. Catching colds is a natural side effect of working in schools, and I have decided that I just don't want to  risk it anymore. Please don't be alarmed: I'm nearly over the cold now and the baby is doing great.

Before getting sick last week, I was working as a 9th grade science teacher's sub. When the students are older, I sometimes write on the board "Yes, I'm pregnant :)" under my name. I've done this a few times now, and it seemed to help students move on to their work more quickly as well as alleviate that stress that comes from not knowing like I mentioned in the last post. But, man, haha, you just never know how people will react! The first student that walked in that morning was a boy who looked completely horrified. He sat down, read the board, looked at me, looked back at the board, and just got the strangest look on his face. It was like some mixture of pure terror, disgust, and embarrassment. So I asked, " Good morning, is everything ok?" He responds " Why....(shakes his head, with eyes wide) ...why would you write that on the board?" By this time more and more students were filing in, and several had gasped variations of  "oh how fun, she's totally pregnant! I knew it!" after reading the board. At a loss for what was bothering him, I indicated the others and said "I wrote it so that other students wouldn't feel embarrassed asking me about it. Many often do." At this strange point, we were both saved by the bell. Class started, and I began taking roll and explaining the assignment. A few students asked whether I was having a boy or girl, and then enthusiastically suggested the name Roger. The boy continued to look quite disturbed until he turned and talked to his friend in the next seat.

It's not really a funny story, just a strange one that makes me laugh and shrug my shoulders. It didn't really seem appropriate to press him into explaining himself, so I just let the matter drop. In later classes that day I had more typical responses; one girl asked how far along I was. I told her 7 months and she pumps her fist in the air, "Oh, I nailed that! I knew that's how far you were, didn't I just say she was 7 months, {insert friend's name here}?! Her friend nodded and rolled her eyes in agreement. Another student asked the same thing, but when I told her, she gasped and looked totally shocked, "Nu-uh. There's no way you are that far along! Are you serious? I thought you were going to say like 5 months or something!"  I guess all three experiences just reaffirm the importance of distancing yourself a little from others' reactions. I don't mean you ignore them, just that.... as Austen wrote,

“For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?”

Anywho, this past week was also my baby shower. A few dear friends from the ward here planned and hosted it. It was such a great night! We all ate dinner together, and then while the cake was served I opened gifts. It was really overwhelming, just how many could come and how generous everyone was. We are certainly blessed to be surrounded by wonderful people here in Oklahoma. The best part was showing off the skills of the grandmothers! Both my mom and mother-in-law sent some homemade gifts for the baby, and all conversation paused with "ooohs and aaaahhhs" for a moment when I pulled out the blankets and burp cloths they had made. :) 

Adorable fox cake!

Meanwhile, Ryan is making progress establishing his training schedule. We had some cold snaps and he's really loved his new winter running gear, especially with all this Oklahoma wind. But then this weekend was 70 degrees and sunny, so you just never know weather-wise. All our love, from the OK Binghams