39 Weeks

Yukari and Jen visited a couple of weeks ago and successfully pushed WB in the baby's jogging stroller. I had been doing it for a few days, but he would always jump out. This time, he laid down. It was really nice for them to come visit, especially since I'm not feeling especially mobile these days. We did go on a two mile stroll yesterday, but we are trying to help the baby move down, which I think helped a lot. I am worried that I have not done enough to prepare for the birth. I have a lot of physical pain experience and tolerance and coping techniques to draw from. Besides the dozens of books we have read and classes we have taken, the thing that is probably the most helpful was a woman from our childbirth class who had around the same due date as us, but had her baby early. We ran into her at the cafeteria in the hospital and she really made me feel good about doing it naturally, and that everything we learned will make sense in the moment. Every night I freak out if I can't feel the baby moving, but I realize that there is less room down there and more of him. Last night I was freaking out and Husband started talking to the baby. He started moving a lot and was probably thinking, "You people! Always waking me up!" Sleeping has gotten pretty difficult. Maybe this is to prepare me for waking up every hour. I've been feeling pretty anxious about meeting the baby. I just want to figure things out already, and see what he looks like and feel like I'm falling in love again. I can't wait. Luckily, I was able to finally sign my contract for next year. I am glad that my principal advocated so much for me to stay, knowing full well that I would be on maternity leave at the beginning of the year. I am sad not to be there at the beginning of the year, especially for my ELD students who will be in a combined level class, but I just need to do a good job preparing for the sub, whoever that may be. I hope I can find a Spanish speaking sub.

Right now I am annoyed at this Governator commercial that has menacing music in the background while he scolds us for expecting him to balance the budget. I am not feeling that, especially when the news just reported the billions of dollars that will be cut from education at all levels in the next few years. Where is the education reform plan that goes along with all these budget cuts? I'm so grateful to have my job in this economy, but my principal also warned me that next year, "it could get ugly."