A New Year!

So many people said that I would not make it to the new year still pregnant.  Part of me hoped that was true: tax deduction, I was already off of work, Christmas time feels like nesting time when the world slows down.  It's like January 1st is the "play" button after two weeks of slow motion and pause.  But I'm still pregnant, and am now exactly 1 week from my due date, although I could go till the 16th ...

It's kind of a weird place to be: totally ready to go to the hospital any day, but not sitting around waiting and driving myself crazy.  I've intentionally left things to be done around the house, and made plans with friends.  I actually don't have a sub for this wednesday and thursday.  I mean I have people that are on call to go in if I can't, but right now I'm planning to be there.

I'm also nervous about being away from teaching.  I love my job.  I'm also a bit of a control freak when it comes to my classes, and releasing that control seems so very unnatural & scary.  And to add to it, one of my maternity subs feel through, so now my boss and I are scrambling to find someone to replace her.

I know my life will be totally different once this boy is in the world, but I can't help but think that I'm going to want to get back to teaching as soon as my body feels strong enough.  I mean it's not like a normal job that going back is all or nothing.  It's not like I work 40 hours a week.  I can take back half of my Monday night (2 hours) and my Wednesday night (3 hours), and then the next week add back Thursday and the rest of Monday.  And then it's going to be Spring Break, and I can take back a day of massaging.  I just can't imagine not wanting to get back and working with the girls to get recital dances started, and refining them for ballet testing.  But this is pregnant me talking, not mommy me.

People like to ask, "do you know how much your life is going to change once you have this baby?"  I've consistently replied, "no."  I mean, I kind of have and idea: an idea at least to the degree of change, not necessarily the "How."  I don't know, maybe I'm totally clueless.  I guess we'll see.

Well before life feels like it's changed from "play" to "fast forward" I'll recap our Christmas time!

Christmas:

We went to Christmas Eve service with both families in Kingwood.

We stayed the night at Hub's parent's house, ate a bunch of their families traditional foods, but also a lot of yummy wheat-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian foods, watched Meet Me in St. Louis, and played a new game called "Things."

Christmas morning we opened presents, ate breakfast, and then the rest of the family was off to the airport, while we headed to my parent's house.

At my parent's we opened presents and then cleaned up for all the company coming over: G&G, and my sister's in-laws.  We cooked, played cards, and games, and Hubs and I decided to stay the night.

Sit & Spin!

Dancer dog was exhausted, and still wondering where Shakespeare was!

Mom in the kitchen.

Christmas is also my mom's birthday.  This is our traditional picture!

The morning of the 26th was super chill, and we enjoyed watching Kylie play with her "Beemer tricycle."

Every year I think, "it's over?"  Christmas and big events are funny like that.  All in all it was a fun and relaxed holiday with family.  I hope you are all having a blessed beginning to your 2012.  We are looking forward to some amazing changes! :)