Sunday, August 30, 2009

New Pics


Here are her 11 week and 12 week pictures. We just started using the Bumbo chair. She's still a little small in it, but it works!!




What a Week!

It's going to be quite a year! I have 38 kiddos right now at school--18 in the morning, 20 in the afternoon. My morning group is my above grade group, so I teach 5th grade material to them. Unfortunately, it looks like they're not truly above grade kids. They don't know their multiplication facts, which is something they should have learned in 2nd-3rd grade! I think I cand handle that though...My afternoon class is VERY low!!! Most of the kids are very sweet, but truly have no clue when it comes to math! Then, to top it all off, I have three boys in that class who are quite the handful. One is very loving one minute, then the next minute, he's covering his ears screaming "Stop talking to me, I'm not listening to you!!". The next boy just isn't on his medication. When I've talked to the principal about him, she says that in the past, he's hurt people when he's not on his meds. He's choked a boy in the past.
I guess I'll get on my soapbox for a minute....If you child is ADD, ADHD, or has some other medical condition, PUT THEM (AND KEEP THEM) ON MEDICATION. Don't take them off for the summer, don't only give them medication when you want to, don't only give them medicine when they are with you.....Give them medicine!! I know some parents don't want to "drug" their children, which I also understand. However, if it helps their behavior, helps their learning, and keeps them from creating havoc, DO IT!
Anyways, this child has continuously talked over me, he keeps moving his desk away from his partner's desk, he complains that he's going to throw up, just so that he can get out of class, he throws his paper and pencils on the floor...just to name a few. Then, I have a third boy who is very smart, but probably bipolar. He can be wonderful one minute, then a total jerk the next. He was retained in 2nd grade and feels that he doesn't belong in 4th grade, he should be in 5th. So, he doesn't feel that he needs to do any work. He'll just sit there, be the class clown, and not get any work done......GOSH! It's going to be a crazy one! On Friday, I totally yelled at the class, telling them that they were not going to run my classroom. Then, I called a parent, which totally scared a lot of them. Hopefully, things will be a little different this week!!
Luckily, I can decompress on my way to go pick up Addison. Seeing her smiling face, really helps me to relax!!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Working Mommy

My first week back to work really wasn't too bad. In my previous blog, I was worried about missing lots of Addison's "firsts"...I guess I was just having a very emotional day that day or something. I am totally fine now. Addison is doing great at Margaret's house. I think she likes being around all of the kiddos. Margaret always compliments us on what a good baby she is. (We're super lucky!)
Anyways, my first week at work was filled with tons of boxes....literally! My school was totally gutted, leaving only the outside walls. Now, we actually have classrooms! For those of you who are like "What??? She's a teacher without a classroom??" Well, not exactly. Our school used to be "open concept", meaning we didn't have any walls. Now, I have a classroom that I can close a door to and everything! I really like it, but really didn't enjoy opening all of about 70 boxes, trying to figure out where to put everything! Overall, the week was good. On Thursday, we had "Meet the Teacher Night". That made Thursday drag on! I seem to like my students so far, but really missed getting to pick Addie up from Margaret's and spending the evening with her. But, everything else went well.
Tomorrow is my first day with the new fourth graders. I'm hoping it's going to be the start of a great year. Let's hope so anyway! I'll keep everyone updated on my sanity later! :)

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

My last few days...


As my summer is coming to a close, I'm beginning to realize how hard it's going to be for me to go back to work. I have a beautiful little girl now. This is the first school year that I'll start as a mommy. There are many things that I look forward to--telling my students and coworkers all about her, showing them pictures, picking her up from her babysitter's, etc. There are also things that I am starting to dwell on...things that a stay-at-home-mommy may take for granted. There are things that I may miss....her first time to crawl, her first words, her first steps...Hopefully I'll be there for all of these things, but I have come to realize that I may not be there for all of this. Gosh, I used to think I could not be a stay-at-home mom. Now, I think I could eat my words!! Addison has developed such a personality and has brought me such joy. I know now that I'll be leaving work a lot earlier than I used to, using more of my work time wisely, and hurrying home to pick up my little girl. I never dreamed I could love and care for someone this much. God has truly blessed me and Paul. We now can't imagine our lives without her! Everyone, wish me luck, as my first day of work is Friday. I know it will get easier. Just these last few days seem to be flying by! Wow! I hope each summer won't be this hard! This time next year, Addison will be walking, doing some talking, and I'm sure will be a handful. I can't wait! :)

What'd you say dad?




Addison was intently listening to Paul talk to me the other day. Here are a few pictures of her listening!! (She's held her head up like this since the first day she was born!)

An Update on the Salsgivers

What's been going on with the Salsgivers??? I haven't blogged in a while, so I figured I'd fill you guys in!
Let's see..July 23rd was my birthday. We didn't do much. We just went to PF Chang's for dinner to celebrate. It was ooo good! I'd been craving it for awhile! Lettuce Wraps and Mongolian Beef...yummy!
The following week, on Friday the 31st, was our 5th wedding anniversary. Addie had her first sleepover at Aunt Kristen and Uncle Sean's on Friday night. Paul and I went to the Movie Tavern and saw "The Ugly Truth". It was a very funny,but vulgar, movie. We really enjoyed our evening. The next day, we drove to Galveston. We drove around for awhile, viewing some of the damage from Hurricane Ike. We even stopped at Paul's grandparents' old bay house...it looked pretty bad. Then, we parked by the toll bridge at San Luis Pass and spent about an hour at the beach. It was really nice to be in the sun and relax with my hubby! Afterwards, we ate at Fisherman's Wharf. Paul didn't want to sit outside, but we sat upstairs and had a great view! We really enjoyed our time alone! Afterwards, we picked up Addie and visited with Aunt Kristen and Uncle Sean for awhile.
The next day, I wasn't feeling very good, but couldn't pinpoint what the problem was. I was sleeping alot and just felt yucky. My back started to really hurt too. Paul had me take a muscle relaxer and take a bath. Welll, after falling asleep in the bathtub a couple of times, I got out and crawled in bed. After about an hour of sleeping, I told Paul to take me to the ER. For those of you who know me, I try to have a pretty high pain tolerance. So, I was in serious pain, in order for me to tell him to take me.
Mom picked up Addie from the waiting room of the ER...I wanted to get her away from all of the germs and nastiness as soon as possible. Paul and I were called back and my pain got really intense. I even threw up from the pain! After a pelvic exam, a vaginal and pelvic ultrasound, and a CT scan, they determined I had a kidney stone! I couldn't believe it!! WHAT ELSE?!?!?! Luckily, they were able to give me some drugs through an IV that helped to ease my pain. They sent me home with Flomax, which is a drug for old men who have trouble going to the restroom!! I've been taking that, along with some pain meds. I thought I passed it, but I've been still having some pains in my back. I go to the urologist tomorrow to see what's going on.
Other than that, things have been pretty calm around here. I start school on Friday, so I'm trying to enjoy my last few days of my summer. Where has my summer gone?!?!?!?

9 weeks old









This is Mommy's last Friday of the summer...work starts for her next Friday. Addison is nine weeks old! My dad (Gramps) and Teresa (Gran), Aunt Kristen and Uncle Sean came over to have hotdogs and play Wii this evening.

Addie's First Pair of High Heels
















Cousin Janet Anderson came to visit Addison and brought her a gift, her first pair of high heels! They are so funny!! They are called Heelarious. She also brought her an adorable ladybug to hang on her wall. The next day, Aunt Sharon and Uncle Ron came to visit. They also really enjoyed the heels. They brought Addie a piggie bank. They also surprised us with the wagon that Kristen and I used to ride in at Gran and Gramps' house. What a surprise! We're thrilled to have it!

8 weeks old







Here are Addie's 8 week old pictures. She's getting so big! This was July 31st, also Mommy and Daddy's 5th wedding anniversary!