Library Books... (not a pregnancy related post!)

Today, one of my students brought up a book from our library that he had checked out. The following is our conversation.

S: Mrs. Ward, I think there is a picture in this book that is inappropriate for school.
Me: Well, let me have a look. Which picture?
S: This picture, right here. See how it has a poster? I don't think the girl on that poster is dressed appropriately.
Book: A picture of Times Square in New York. On one of the ads is what looks like a Rockette in a furry two piece bikini, definitely not appropriate for a second grade book, but only about 1 cent. tall. This kid had to be lookin'.
Me: Yes, I can see what you're talking about, but I don't think this picture is what you think it is. She's going to be in a show. This is her costume.
S: Oh. Okay. But don't you think it's inappropriate for a bird book?

Me: Turn the book over. The title of the book....Great American Birds.

Apparently, birds live in the Northeast, and the best way to describe New York is with a picture of a half dressed woman in Times Square :)

29.5 weeks

It's an interesting thing, growing a human. It is so gradual it's hard to feel like there are any changes at all and at the same time things change over night and it's undeniable that something new is a-brewin'! It seemed over night that I went from looking *perhaps* a little pregnant to having complete strangers congratulate us as we are out around town. When did the switch occur? At what point are people so confident that I'm brewin' a human that they feel they can, without hesitation, congratulate us and ask us questions? Seriously, it was over night. And it's all around us! Last Friday, at a basketball game we were congratulated by a fan that sits behind press row. People at Target stop and smile a knowing smile. The comments at work have switched from "Are you SURE you're pregnant?" to "Wow! She's growing like a weed! There's no hiding it now!"... and so on and so forth. It's actually quite amazing.

Looking over pictures from last June, when we started taking pictures of the growing belly, I remember being so impressed with my little baby bump, and now, that bump is a distant memory! Gone are the days where the bump was only visible to Scotty and I. Gone are the days where I could wear my regular pants with just the top button undone. Gone are the days where my regular shirts still reached my waste, just with a little tightness in the middle. Gone are the days where I could roll over in bed without a massive all out plan of attack. Gone are the days where putting on socks didn't make me lose my breath. Gone are the days where I only had to go to the bathroom when I woke up, after school, and when I went to bed.

This afternoon, at a women's basketball game, I could sit on press row, and visually see my little girl rolling around in my belly. Anyone sitting right beside me could have seen the bumps and wiggles the little girl was doing. It's truly amazing. As excited as I will be to have this little girl in my arms and in my life forever, there is something amazing about having this time alone with her. Only I can tell when she's awake or asleep. I have to let other people know when she's moving around. She and I dance in the car on the way to work, and she and I enjoy the nighttime snack right before bed that make her dance as I'm drifting off to sleep.

I can see why people get addicted to pregnancy. It's amazing, and awkward, and terrifying, and interesting, and lovely all at the same time. With 11 weeks to go, I'm sure things will only continue to become more interesting...AND uncomfortable at the same time :)

My husband is sleep deprived but we have a painted baby room!

I think the title of this entry says it all. Who else, but the Ward-Wards decide to paint their baby's nursery on the busiest week of the fall so far! Scott stayed up WAY too late to get the room painted, but painted it is! As I sit typing this entry I can look down our hallway and see the yellows and pinks that will welcome our little girl in February. It's unbelievable!

Here is the "Before" picture. The first step was to tape the walls of course! I was able to help with this part. You can see my contribution to the baby room along all of the baseboards (the only part I could tape sitting down...)

Lowes was more than happy to provide us with all of the necessary supplies. And Tober was more than willing to investigate these supplies consistently. He was a BIG fan of the blue tape...

Here is the happy dad painting away!

Not only did Scott GET to paint some yellow walls he also got to paint some pale pink!

Wait for it....the FINISHED PRODUCT!

The yellow is paler than it appears in pictures, but I haven't figured out the setting on our camera. Where there is a beige stripe will be a white wooden chair rail, but you get the idea.

And the green wall is now a lovely shade of pink. I can tell our little girl loves it already, and Scott did such a BEAUTIFUL job. It's really starting to come together!