It's not Goodbye, it's See You Later!

Since about the end of May, we knew that we would most likely be resigning from our jobs at our current district and making the move back home to Western Pennsylvania. We had already sold our house, so when my husband landed a teaching job at a school district not far from back home, we decided that we were going to take the leap and move back. Luckily, the hub was also offered a job as an assistant principal at a high school locally as well, and he's really looking forward to tackling that endeavor.

Things progressed fairly quickly through June. We told our immediate supervisor the second week of June that we would be leaving, but we had to wait until the final week of June to be released from our contracts by the school board. It was super stressful, emotionally overwhelming, and very unsatisfying to not be able to say a proper goodbye to all of our students and colleagues since it was already summer. Thankfully, all of our really great and close friends were able to come over the day before we left or meet us for dinner at a local restaurant the same evening.

I don't think I've really wrapped my mind around the fact that we're not going back in two weeks -- we're still in 4th of July vacation mode -- and I'm in a bit of denial about being unemployed. My job is who I am. I absolutely love being a mom, but the end of the day, those kids in my classroom are my kids too -- they make me proud, and I love interacting with them and seeing them grow almost as much as I enjoy watching my son grow. For the past eight years, I've been doing that from August to June. I'm not sure how I'm going to feel in the middle of August when everyone is into the back to school routine, and I'm not! Everyone keeps saying, "it's for the best!" and "you have a lot on your plate, especially come September and with grad school..." While part of me is in agreement, the other part of me really wants a new job and a new challenge! Maybe when baby boy #2 gets here I'll find myself equally overwhelmed and glad that I don't have the pressure of a new job, but for now, I'm furiously searching for any and every English teacher opening in the area! Wish me luck!

As far as the move, and my little adventurer's adjustment, he's doing much better than I am! My mom made him a PawPatrol room in my old bedroom, and he could not be happier. He gets to run around outside, play in the pool, ride 4-wheelers and tractors with Pappy, and torture three other dogs! He's such a little trooper.

Sometimes he asks about his "kids" in South Carolina and about his white house, and he breaks my heart into a billion tiny pieces, but then when we went to take him to look at a new school, he was so excited and said, "my new kids are waking up," and "I found my new school, Mommy" when we were walking out. He also has a wonderful friend in my girl friend's son Cooper, and I can't wait to see how much fun they have this summer/fall!

We are also continuing to plan his big three year old birthday. He keeps reminding me and everyone else that his birthday is coming up. I'm a bit fearful that we won't live up to the hype, and I'm also shocked at how much he's able to remember from last year's party! He knows where everything will be set up, where his cake will be stored, etc. It's a bit intimidating!

All-in-all, I think most of us are adjusting well. I think only time will tell before we are really "settled in" and ready to get into a routine, but it was definitely the right timing for our little family, and it's nice to be home.

Happy 4th of July!

Playing with chalk at Grandma's!

Morning snuggles with our bed hog!

Our JRT contemplating life! He has a love-hate relationship with my parent's house.

Baby #2 Update

Take 2 with my niece! <3

Take 1 with my Bug, but hubby cut off our chalkboard.

How far along: 31 Weeks, 3 days

Gender: Boy

Total weight gain/loss: RIDICULOUS -- same :-(

Maternity clothes: The only thing I can wear other than dresses.

Stretch marks: Nope, but I refuse to check because at this point it's beyond my control.

Belly button in or out: Fading quickly!

Wedding rings on or off: On

Sleep: Awful. I don't remember my sleep being like this with Lochlan. I'm restless EVERY SINGLE NIGHT from about 3-4/5 am. I toss and turn, and I'm certain that my husband is ready to divorce me.

Have you started to show yet: Uhhhh, yes!

Movement: I was just telling my mom the other day and this afternoon that this baby is different. Two weeks ago he was kicking a lot and now I'm mostly just feeling rolls and pushes. He's active for sure during certain times (evening time) and then really quite quiet. I'm not sure if this is because he's running out of room, the anterior placenta, or if he's just less active than Lochlan.

Best moment the past two weeks: The past two weeks have been pretty rough again (see above), but I'm starting to settle into the idea of being "home" and enjoying the time we get to spend with our families. Lochlan absolutely adores being at my parent's house and is so content with all of the things to do here.

Worst moment the past two weeks: Probably last Friday the 30th. I just don't like goodbyes.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Moody.

Food cravings:  None.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still heartburn central over here.

Miss anything: A beer. A good wheat beer.

Weekly Wisdom: Definitely not feeling a whole lot of wisdom.

Looking forward to: Feeling settled.