9 Weeks 6 Days - The First Day of School

Today was the first day of school. As it has been for the past four years, I again have two schools. This marks my fifth year of teaching and I add my 7th school in these five years. I am returning to my main school, Bryant, which is a public Montessori school. This is my third year there and I am very excited to be back. I've never been at one school for this long. It's nice to feel like I finally have a home. The kids are wonderful, the staff is very close-knit and we work as a great team. Last year, we applied for a grant through the Gates foundation (as in Bill and Melinda of Microsoft for those of you who are not in the area) and received it. All $955,502.00 of it! This has allowed us to add sixth grade this year, and over the next two years we will expand through 8th grade. The kids we have back as sisth graders this year are great.

My other school, Manitou Park, is a wonderful change from last year. My second school last year was a very high stress situation. Since I knew that I would either be returning to school pregnant or become pregnant early in the school year, I played the health card and requested a change. It was granted. Anyway, as today was the first day of school, we weren't having specialists at Manitou so I asked if I might be allowed to go over to Bryant just at the start of the day to help get the kids organized into their lines and into their classes. The principal gave me his blessing, telling me to do what I needed to do there and then come on back. This is going to be a wonderful year. All of the staff at Manitou has made me feel welcome and a part of the team, even though I'll only be there the last two days of the week. I haven't really had that for at least two years. The other music teacher at Manitou and I have known eachother since our subbing days and we get along great. Tomorrow should be my first day with kids. I'm excited and ready for them! I get Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd graders at Manitou. My favorite ages! :-)

Look for a picture tomorrow. Belly shot #1. Tomorrow is a special day for us. I'll share more later.

I am due 7 calendar months from today. I'm still tired, though less and less, I think. I'm not sure if I'm truely less tired or I'm too busy to feel it. I'm still not experiencing any morning sickness, though Jeff and I are both fighting colds right now and I have spent most of the time since I got home in bed trying to get rid of a headache. I've taken some Sudafed, which has helped a little. I may take Tylenol before I go to bed for good. Thank goodness there are medicines that are safe to take during pregnancy. I'm not sure how much fun it would be if I couldn't take some of the more common things when needed. I would do it if I had to, though. Don't want to hurt my little one!