Foster Family

9

2011-04-26T18:24:00.000-07:00

Oh my, how time passes so quickly.

My little baby boy is nearly 9 months old! In 3 short months we will be celebrating his first birthday.

Is it too soon to start planning?

100...

2010-11-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

One hundred days ago.....

100 Things Brody:

1. Brody was born on July 30, 2010
2. Brody was 9 lbs 20 3/4 inches long at birth
3. Brody was born via emergency c-section and was PERFECT
4. Brody emerged at 8:32 pm with the help of Dr. Fern
5. Brody left the hospital weighing 8 lbs
6. Brody has beautiful blue eyes
7. Brody snores
8. Brody's full name is Alec Brody Patrick Foster
9. Brody is named after his daddy: Alec "Chris"
10. Brody is also named after his Great Uncle Pat (Patrick)
11. Brody has reflux
12. Brody is a wonderful sleeper
13. Brody smiles with his entire body
14. Brody loves to snuggle
15. Brody went to a wedding on his one week birthday
16. Brody went to another wedding when he was two weeks old
17. Brody loves baths
18. Brody loves to sleep on his mommy's chest... all snuggled up!
19. Brody went to a Cougar football game on September 11, 2010
20. Brody went to his first Spokane Chiefs game on October 2, 2010
21. Brody has two birthmarks on his head
22. Brody loves to lay on his back to play
23. Brody is awesome
24. Brody wears size 1 diapers
25. Brody rolled over for the first time on September 23rd
26. Brody loves to rock with mommy
27. Brody doesn't really take naps
28. Brody falls asleep every time he goes to the mall
29. Brody has spoiled his mommy and daddy
30. Brody is getting chubby thighs
31. Brody has five letters in it
32. Brody looks great in blue
33. and brown
34. and green
35. and red
36. and orange
37. Brody is advanced developmentally
38. Brody gives me goose bumps
39. Brody is a dream come true
40. Brody is loved more than anyone I know
41. Brody had a little hair on top of his head and a lot of hair in the back of his head
42. Brody had red eyebrows for about a month
43. Brody has fuzzy blond hair now
44. Brody will be a big brother someday
45. Brody looks a little like mommy
46. Brody looks a little like daddy
47. Brody has a puppy dog that daddy calls his fur brother
48. Brody is very athletic
49. Brody is my favorite name
50. Brody wore a blue onesie with guitars on it home from the hospital
51. Brody's umbilical cord stump didn't fall off until he was three weeks old
52. Brody is adorable
53. Brody will be tall one day
54. Brody listens to a bedtime story called Only in Dreams
55. Brody was born 5 days before his due date
56. Brody was hooked on my pelvis during labor... ouch
57. Brody is the sweetest baby
58. Brody was a skeleton for his first Halloween
59. Brody was born on a Friday
60. Brody came home from the hospital on a Monday
61. Brody has big feet
62. Brody loves to put his hands in his mouth
63. Brody loves to talk
64. Brody talks mostly in the morning and evening
65. Brody has a blue pacifier
66. Brody watches football with his daddy
67. Brody has been able to hold his head up since birth
68. Brody likes to sleep on his side
69. Brody doesn't sleep laying down during the daytime
70. Brody will sleep in as long as it is dark
71. Brody eats 5 oz before he starts to spit up
72. Brody calms down if mommy puts her hand on his cheek
73. Brody kicks his legs before he starts to cry
74. Brody holds onto his bottle when he eats
75. Brody has a dimple that we first saw on an ultrasound
76. Brody had a heart murmur when he was born
77. Brody didn't eat for over 12 hours after he was born
78. Brody's favorite toy is an octopus
79. Brody's first present was a WSU onsie his daddy bought before mommy was even pregnant
80. Brody spent seven weeks on a herniated disc in mommy's back before he was born
81. Brody was really active when mommy would swim during her pregnancy and now he swims in the bath tub
82. Brody had lots of blood drawn after birth
83. Brody has big hands
84. Brody has long eyelashes
85. Brody went to a movie when he was 3 months old
86. Brody talks in his sleep
87. Brody likes his forehead rubbed
88. Brody wants to go to college
89. Brody loves music
90. Brody's right ear always folds in half
91. Brody has a perfect nose
92. Brody is very laid back
93. Brody changed our lives
94. Brody loves the painting in our room
95. Brody falls asleep when the hair dryer is on
96. Brody wakes up happy everyday
97. Brody was due Aug. 4th
98. Brody sleeps in a bassinet
99. Brody is strong and healthy
100. Brody is 100 days old today

99....

2010-11-05T09:11:00.001-07:00

37 Weeks

2010-07-17T09:47:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of a stalk of Swiss chard... I hope you like it! Brody is likely about 6 1/3 lbs and 19 1/2 inches long. I am not sure which measurement resembles the Swiss chard.

Well, this week I have been a bit tired and lazy so this post is a few days late...

Dates and numbers:
There are 17 days until our due date on August 04, 2010.
I am 263 days pregnant.
I am 8.6 months pregnant.
I am in my 9th month of pregnancy.
1st trimester: October 28, 2009 to January 26, 2010. (0 - 12 weeks)
2nd trimester: January 27, 2010 to May 11, 2010. (13 - 27 weeks)
3rd trimester: May 12, 2010 to August 04, 2010. (28 - 40 weeks)

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 37 weeks 3 days... 3 weeks 3 days until our due date!!
Total Weight Gain/Loss: About 25 pounds...
Maternity Clothes: I have worn the same shorts all week... is that bad?
Best Moment this week: Getting our maternity photos taken.
Gender: BOY... Brody!
Movement: He must be moving around a little because I can feel his legs in a different spot now.
Food Craving: I really don't think so...
What I miss: This week, not much.
Sleep: I get my best sleep from about 6:30 am - 9:30 am!!
What I am looking forward to: Doctor'sappointment on Tuesday!!
Belly Button: Looks different for sure!!
Symptoms: Pelvis pain due to his position in there! Doesn't feel great, but it doesn't bother me too much because I know it won't be long now!!

36 Weeks

2010-07-07T16:20:00.000-07:00

Here is a cute little picture of a crenshaw melon. Some babies are about 6 pounds about now, the same as that cute melon... Brody might be a little more, but that's OK.

We will go back to the doctor in about 2 weeks, and maybe we will meet him shortly after that!

Dates and numbers:
There are 27 days until our due date on August 04, 2010.
I am 253 days pregnant.
I am 8.3 months pregnant.
I am in my 9th month of pregnancy.
1st trimester: October 28, 2009 to January 26, 2010. (0 - 12 weeks)
2nd trimester: January 27, 2010 to May 11, 2010. (13 - 27 weeks)
3rd trimester: May 12, 2010 to August 04, 2010. (28 - 40 weeks)

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 36 weeks... 4 weeks until our due date!!
Total Weight Gain/Loss: About 25 pounds...
Maternity Clothes: I would like to get some more please!
Best Moment this week: I enjoyed going to the river and seeing all the family.
Gender: BOY... Brody!
Movement: I think the little bugger moved down a bit more into my pelvis. This means he is getting ready to check out! Plus, as an added bonus for mommy, this took some of the pressure of my disc!
Food Craving: I really don't think so...
What I miss: Missed playing at the river!!
Sleep: Is anyone up at 3:00 am? I would like someone to talk to or something to do please!
What I am looking forward to: Baby shower...
Belly Button: Looks different for sure!!
Symptoms: Pelvis pain due to his position in there! Doesn't feel great, but it doesn't bother me too much because I know it won't be long now!!

35 Weeks

2010-06-30T13:12:00.000-07:00

Let's just get over the fact that he was probably a honeydew last week sometime!

Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

Dates and numbers:
There are 34 days until our due date on August 04, 2010.
I am 246 days pregnant.
I am 8.1 months pregnant.
I am in my 9th month of pregnancy.
1st trimester: October 28, 2009 to January 26, 2010. (0 - 12 weeks)
2nd trimester: January 27, 2010 to May 11, 2010. (13 - 27 weeks)
3rd trimester: May 12, 2010 to August 04, 2010. (28 - 40 weeks)

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 35 weeks... 5 weeks until our due date!!
Total Weight Gain/Loss: About 21 pounds...
Maternity Clothes: I would like to get some more please!
Best Moment this week: Swim class... Not only did it feel good, but another lady told me that her baby was in the 80th percentile which made me feel better about Brody being in the 73rd!!
Gender: BOY... Brody!
Movement: He is making smaller movements due to his cramped quarters, but his little feet sure are active on the right side of my belly!
Food Craving: I really don't think so...
What I miss: Sleeping, wine, Hoopfest...
Sleep: I wake up every night about 2:30-3:00am... Did I mention that play about 10 hands of Solitaire then take a shower at that hour before going back to bed??
What I am looking forward to: Going to the river and being able to get in the water... swimming is the best thing ever invented! Oh, and I am excited to see everyone that will be here for the 4th of July party!!!
Belly Button: I am nervous for Tricia to see my belly button... as I recall, she didn't care much for Lexie's innie/outie belly button!!!
Symptoms: The worst back pain ever, big belly, fetal movement, heartburn...

34 Weeks

2010-06-23T16:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a great example of what he weighed about two weeks ago....about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long.

Dates and numbers:
There are 41 days until our due date on August 04, 2010.
I am 239 days pregnant.
I am 7.8 months pregnant.
I am in my 8th month of pregnancy.
1st trimester: October 28, 2009 to January 26, 2010. (0 - 12 weeks)
2nd trimester: January 27, 2010 to May 11, 2010. (13 - 27 weeks)
3rd trimester: May 12, 2010 to August 04, 2010. (28 - 40 weeks)

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 34 weeks... 6 weeks until our due date!!
Total Weight Gain/Loss: About 21 pounds...
Maternity Clothes: I like my shorts that have the little band rather than the full belly band. It is much cooler that way!
Best Moment this week: Celebrating father's day with my baby daddy... and my daddy!
Gender: BOY... Brody!
Movement: he is a wild one!
Food Craving: Not so much... or maybe cereal.
What I miss: Sleeping!!
Sleep: I wake up every night about 2:30-3:00am.
What I am looking forward to: Going to the river and being able to get in the water... swimming is the best thing ever invented!
Belly Button: As Kole said "hey, where'd your belly button go?"
Symptoms: The worst back pain ever....

33 Weeks

2010-06-17T15:34:00.000-07:00

Well, yesterday marked week 33... I was a little too tired to update the blog.

This is what Babycenter.com said about this week: Your baby is proportioned like a pineapple when it comes to weight -- a little over 4 pounds. (Length: more than 17 inches, head to heel.)

It's crap! Last Friday Brody measured 4 lbs 13 oz!!!

Dates and numbers:
There are 47 days until our due date on August 04, 2010.
I am 233 days pregnant.
I am 7.6 months pregnant.
I am in my 8th month of pregnancy.
1st trimester: October 28, 2009 to January 26, 2010. (0 - 12 weeks)
2nd trimester: January 27, 2010 to May 11, 2010. (13 - 27 weeks)
3rd trimester: May 12, 2010 to August 04, 2010. (28 - 40 weeks)

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 33 weeks... 7 weeks until our due date!!
Total Weight Gain/Loss: About 21 pounds...
Maternity Clothes: I love my sweatpants most of all... even though they aren't maternity.
Best Moment this week: We got to see our Brody baby on Friday. He is super cute! You're gonna like him!
Gender: BOY... Brody!
Movement: He loves it when my back is massaged at the Physical Therapist, and he likes it when I exercise in the pool!
Food Craving: Not so much.
What I miss: Sleeping!!
Sleep: I don't really sleep anymore!!
What I am looking forward to: Just trying to make it through the day...
Belly Button: Not in, not out... it is pretty much flat.
Symptoms: The worst back pain ever....

32 Weeks

2010-06-09T09:51:00.000-07:00

Brody is taking up more and more space in my uterus and weighs as much as a large jicama -- about 3 3/4 pounds. (Length: about 16 3/4 inches, head to heel.)

Dates and numbers:
There are 55 days until our due date on August 04, 2010.
I am 225 days pregnant.
I am 7.4 months pregnant.
I am in my 8th month of pregnancy.
1st trimester: October 28, 2009 to January 26, 2010. (0 - 12 weeks)
2nd trimester: January 27, 2010 to May 11, 2010. (13 - 27 weeks)
3rd trimester: May 12, 2010 to August 04, 2010. (28 - 40 weeks)

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 32 weeks... 8 weeks until our due date!!
Total Weight Gain/Loss: About 19 pounds... I am sure more, but until I go to the doctor, I will pretend that it is still 19 pounds.
Maternity Clothes: Maternity swimwear sucks!!! I am ready for summer vacation to start so that I can dress in more casual clothing.
Best Moment this week: Hmmmm.... I am sure there was something!
Gender: BOY... Brody!
Movement: He moves most of the day. I feel things that must be rolls and turns most of the time. When he is moving like this, I think I can tell where his arms and legs are. He also has some exceptional aquatic movements. I think he is going to be an extreme sports athlete!
Food Craving: NOt so much.
What I miss: Some of my clothes that no longer fit.
Sleep: Never!!
What I am looking forward to: Our next ultrasound Friday afternoon! Also, school gets out tomorrow!!
Belly Button: Not in, not out... it is pretty much flat.
Symptoms: The worst back pain ever....

31 Weeks

2010-06-02T12:40:00.000-07:00

He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt.

There are 62 days until our due date on August 04, 2010.
I am 218 days pregnant.
I am 7.1 months pregnant.
I am in my 8th month of pregnancy.
1st trimester: October 28, 2009 to January 26, 2010. (0 - 12 weeks)
2nd trimester: January 27, 2010 to May 11, 2010. (13 - 27 weeks)
3rd trimester: May 12, 2010 to August 04, 2010. (28 - 40 weeks)

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 31 weeks... 9 weeks until our due date!!
Total Weight Gain/Loss: About 19 pounds
Maternity Clothes: Maternity swimwear sucks!!! I am ready for summer vacation to start so that I can dress in more casual clothing.
Best Moment this week: Feeling Brody's "kicks" while Chris was talking to him.
Gender: BOY... Brody!
Movement: He moves most of the day. I feel things that must be rolls and turns most of the time. When he is moving like this, I think I can tell where his arms and legs are. He also has some exceptional aquatic movements. I think he is going to be an extreme sports athlete!
Food Craving: I don't really think I have any cravings... Chris would disagree. He claims I have cravings for fruit and vegetables. I just think they taste good!
What I miss: Some of my clothes that no longer fit.
Sleep: Sleep has ended for me. I am either too hot, uncomfortable, have to use the bathroom... there is always something.
What I am looking forward to: Our next ultrasound in June (which happens to be my last day of work until October!!).
Belly Button: Not in, not out... it is pretty much flat. I put my navel ring in the other day just for fun... boy did that look trashy!!
Symptoms: Heartburn, and back pain.

30 Weeks!

2010-05-26T11:22:00.000-07:00

Brody is about 15.7 inches long now, and he weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him.

I can't describe the feeling of excitement in me when I woke up this morning and thought about the day. We are at week 30! Only 10 weeks left until August 4th. Our next major date is our due date. We are passed the single digits... passed the teens... twenties are behind us... we are finally into the thirties! I never anticipated this week being as significant as it is.

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 30 weeks... 10 weeks until our due date!!
Total Weight Gain/Loss: About 19 pounds
Maternity Clothes: Maternity pajama pants are heaven! I am finding that many more of my pre-pregnancy skirts are fitting still!! Maternity swimwear sucks!!!
Best Moment this week: Watching how big Lexie's eyes got when she felt him move!! And I liked the lotion she lathered on my tummy to "make him move".
Gender: BOY... Brody!
Movement: So much movement!! He is starting to react when we poke at him! He is for sure on a schedule for his movement. He sleeps a lot during school, but is active on my lunch period. He has become a little more active in the early evenings now that tennis is over, but night time is show time for him. He also seems to know when it is the weekend, and moves a ton!
Food Craving: Not so much. I am eating a lot more fruit, but so is Chris. I have noticed that my food consumption has gone way down. He is squishing up into my stomach and making me feel full faster.
What I miss: Some of my clothes that no longer fit. This week I have tried to lay on my tummy so many times!! Oh, and I miss my brain!
Sleep: Starting to wake up a lot more during the night. Boy am I glad that I only have a few weeks of school left. I just can't wake up in the morning. I feel like I get 20 minutes of sleep at night(all right before my alarm goes off too).
What I am looking forward to: Our next ultrasound in June (which happens to be my last day of work until October!!).
Belly Button: It is still in, but I am nervous that it might pop out soon.
Symptoms: Big belly!

29 Weeks

2010-05-19T10:39:00.000-07:00

This week he weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is getting bigger to accommodate his growing brain — which is busy developing billions of neurons.

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 29 weeks... 3rd trimester!!
Total Weight Gain/Loss: About 19 pounds
Maternity Clothes: Maternity pajama pants are heaven! I am finding that many more of my pre-pregnancy skirts are fitting still!!
Best Moment this week: We got to have another ultrasound and hear his little heart beat!! He is very active, even in his sleep. I think that he was sucking his thumb and chewing on his hand. We thought he flipped us the bird, but upon further review of the film, we think it was his pointer finger!!
Gender: BOY... Brody!
Movement: So much movement!! He is starting to react when we poke at him!
Food Craving: Not so much. I am eating a lot more fruit, but so is Chris.
What I miss: Some of my clothes that no longer fit.
Sleep: Starting to wake up a lot more during the night. Boy am I glad that I only have a few weeks of school left. I just can't wake up in the morning. I feel like I get 20 minutes of sleep at night(all right before my alarm goes off too).
What I am looking forward to: Our next ultrasound in June.
Belly Button: It is still in, but I am nervous that it might pop out soon.
Symptoms: Big belly!

28 weeks

2010-05-12T09:43:00.000-07:00

Brody is equal in weight to a Chinese cabbage -- about 2 1/4 pounds. (Length: almost 15 inches, from head to heel.)

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 28 weeks... 3rd trimester!!
Total Weight Gain/Loss: About 18 pounds
Maternity Clothes: Maternity pajama pants are heaven!
Best Moment this week: Celebrating Mother's Day with Chris in Seattle, and then with family!!! Brody and Butch got me a very nice prenatal massage, and Brody picked out some very nice flowers for me at Pike Place!!
Gender: BOY... Brody!
Movement: He may come out running the way he moves in there!!
Food Craving: Not so much.
What I miss: Some of my clothes that no longer fit.
Sleep: I would love some sleep! I keep waking up because i am so hot... this might be a long summer!
What I am looking forward to: Another ultrasound today!!!
Belly Button: Depends.... did I just eat?
Symptoms: Big belly!

27 Weeks

2010-05-05T11:20:00.000-07:00

Baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with his legs extended.

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 27 weeks
Total Weight Gain/Loss: About 17 pounds
Maternity Clothes: Maternity pajama pants are heaven!
Best Moment this week: A wonderful baby shower, with wonderful family!
Gender: BOY... Brody!
Movement: My oh my.... he is getting very strong!
Food Craving: I just had a delicious slice of watermelon and I want another... does that count?!
What I miss: Some of my clothes that no longer fit.
Sleep: Pretty good still, but I have some very odd dreams to deal with!
What I am looking forward to: Another ultrasound!!
Belly Button: Sometimes it is in and sometimes it is flat...
Symptoms: Heartburn!!

26 Weeks

2010-04-28T10:01:00.001-07:00

He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel.

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 26 weeks
Total Weight Gain/Loss: About 17 pounds
Maternity Clothes: I love my maternity tank tops... light weight and I can wear them under anything, to make pre-pregnancy tops work still!
Best Moment this week: Hitting the 100 and 99 days to his due date! We are now in double digits...98 more days until Aug. 4th!
Gender: BOY... Brody!
Movement: He has active times and non-active times.... his little body is starting to bump into my belly and make bumps and waves that we can see!
Food Craving: I enjoyed many DQ Blizzards last week, but that was more of a buy one get one for 25 cents thing not a craving.
What I miss: Some of my clothes that no longer fit.
Sleep: I cannot get up on time in the mornings... I am very sleepy!
What I am looking forward to: Baby shower this weekend!
Belly Button: I think it wants to be an outie soon!
Symptoms: Itchy skin and growing belly!

25 Weeks

2010-04-21T10:47:00.001-07:00

Head to heels, he now measures about 13 1/2 inches. His weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. He's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 25 weeks
Total Weight Gain/Loss: About 17 pounds
Maternity Clothes: I must wear maternity pants, but maternity tops are still optional. I am ready to go buy some maternity spring/summer clothes!
Best Moment this week: Seeing him on at the ultrasound. Getting his crib!
Gender: BOY... Brody!
Movement: He has active times and non-active times.... his little body is starting to bump into my belly and make bumps and waves that we can see!
Food Craving: I really enjoy Popsicles!
What I miss: Some of my clothes that no longer fit.
Sleep: Sleep is great... it is the waking up every few hours that sucks!
What I am looking forward to: Painting his new room.
Belly Button: I think it wants to be an outie soon!
Symptoms: I get really hot while I am sleeping... is that a symptom or is the weather just changing??

24 Weeks

2010-04-14T10:14:00.000-07:00

He has gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up.

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 24 weeks
Total Weight Gain/Loss: About 15 pounds
Maternity Clothes: I must wear maternity pants, but maternity tops are still optional. I am ready to go buy some maternity spring/summer clothes!
Best Moment this week: Watching my belly change shape as he moved!Gender: BOY... Brody!
Movement: More and more each week!
Food Craving: I really enjoy Popsicles!
What I miss: Some of my clothes that no longer fit.
Sleep: Sleep is great... it is the waking up every few hours that sucks!
What I am looking forward to: Painting his new room... Getting his crib!
Belly Button: I think it wants to be an outie soon!
Symptoms: I am feeling really "full" all the time. My belly feels like it might blow!

23 Weeks

2010-04-06T14:32:00.000-07:00

He is more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango).

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 23 weeks
Total Weight Gain/Loss: About 15 pounds
Maternity Clothes: I must wear maternity pants, but maternity tops are still optional. With the nice weather, I am able to wear a few pre-pregnancy skirts that have elastic waistbands. I put on a super cute pre-pregnancy shirt the other day that just barely covered my belly button! Yikes!
Best Moment this week: Cleaning our guest bedroom out in order to make it a nursery!
Gender: BOY... Brody!
Movement: He liked spring break... now that I am back to school he likes to rest during the day!
Food Craving: I really enjoy popsicles!
What I miss: Some of my clothes that no longer fit.
Sleep: Sleep is great... it is the waking up every few hours that sucks!
What I am looking forward to: Painting his new room!
Belly Button: I think it wants to be an outie soon!
Symptoms: Heartburn is making a comeback!

22 Weeks

2010-04-03T10:42:00.000-07:00

At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn.

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 22 weeks (on Wednesday the 31st)
Total Weight Gain/Loss: About 15 pounds
Maternity Clothes: I must wear maternity pants, but maternity tops are still optional. With the nice weather, I am able to wear a few pre-pregnancy skirts that have elastic waistbands.
Best Moment this week: Picking out a crib.
Gender: BOY
Movement: More and more everyday! He likes to move in the mornings and evenings.
Food Craving: Not really... I just like to eat more of everything!
What I miss: Sleeping on my tummy.
Sleep: I think the peaceful nights sleep is behind me...
What I am looking forward to: Painting his new room!
Belly Button: Getting shallow!
Symptoms: Heartburn is making a comeback!

21 weeks

2010-03-24T11:31:00.000-07:00

Baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot.

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 21 weeks
Total Weight Gain/Loss: About 15 pounds
Maternity Clothes: I must wear maternity pants, but maternity tops are still optional. With the nice weather, I am able to wear a few pre-pregnancy skirts that have elastic waistbands.
Best Moment this week: Looking at baby stuff with Chris.
Gender: BOY
Movement: yes... We went to the basketball tournament and when the band played, so did he!
Food Craving: Not really... I just like to eat more of everything!
What I miss: Sleeping on my tummy.
Sleep: Something is up, I just don't know what!
What I am looking forward to: Picking out a crib!
Belly Button: Super round!
Symptoms: Allergies...

20 weeks

2010-03-17T11:27:00.001-07:00

Baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel; about the size of a banana!!

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 20 weeks
Total Weight Gain/Loss: About 13 pounds
Maternity Clothes: I must wear maternity pants, but maternity tops are still optional. With the nice weather, I am able to wear a few pre-pregnancy skirts that have elastic waistbands.
Best Moment this week: Seeing him on an ultrasound! He is very busy in there!
Gender: BOY
Movement: I feel movements here and there.
Food Craving: Not really... but I do enjoy just about any food at this point!
What I miss: warm baths after a cold tennis practice!
Sleep: very cozy now that i have my new pregnancy pillow to cuddle!
What I am looking forward to: Feeling his movements on a regular basis.
Belly Button: Super round!
Symptoms: Sore hips (round ligament pain)

19 Weeks

2010-03-11T13:29:00.000-08:00

Baby is about the size of an Heirloom Tomato! Apparently, that is about 6 inches from top of head to baby's bottom! Don't forget the dangleing baby legs... those add another few inches!!

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 19 weeks
Total Weight Gain/Loss: About 10 pounds
Maternity Clothes: I must wear maternity pants, but maternity tops are still optional. With the nice weather, I am able to wear a few pre-pregnancy skirts that have elastic waistbands.
Best Moment this week: Yesterday (the actual day i turned 19 weeks) I put my cold hand on my bare belly after being outside for two hours....the baby actually kicked!
Gender: We find out tomorrow!!
Movement: I feel movements here and there.
Food Craving: Not really... although I do want a Twix bar about now!
What I miss: Sitting in the hot tub!
Sleep: I could go for some right now!
What I am looking forward to: Seeing how much our baby has grown at the ultrasound tomorrow.
Belly Button: Super round!
Symptoms: Sore hips (round ligament pain)

Breakfast Bars

2010-03-04T12:42:00.000-08:00

Before my kids do a lab I always demonstrate the recipe so they can see the process. Well, each time I demonstrate No Bake Breakfast Bars I remember just how delicious they are! They are super easy, pretty healthy and a great bar to grab in the morning if you need a little something. I always use Craisins for the fruit pieces because the kids seem to like them.

No-Bake Breakfast Bars
Ingredients:

¾ c Peanut Butter
1/3 c Brown Sugar
½ c Honey
½ c Dried Fruit Pieces
2 ½ c Bran Cereal Flakes

Direction:

1. Combine peanut butter, honey, and brown sugar in a large saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
3. Remove from heat, quickly stir in cereal and fruit bites; mix well.
4. Spray an 8x8 pan and rubber scrapper.
5. Use rubber scrapper to remove and press mixture into 8x8 pan.
6. Cool 10-15 minutes before cutting.

18 weeks!

2010-03-03T13:22:00.000-08:00

Is it okay to blame my craving for Cadbury Creme Eggs on being pregnant? Even if I eat a boat load every year before Easter?

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 18 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Earned 9 pounds so far.

Maternity Clothes: Pants since week 9ish and sometimes shirts just to cover the maternity band that shows on my pants.

Best Moment this week: Felt a little movement on Sunday. Felt kind of like gentle pressure but it happened so fast!

Gender: Revealing ultrasound on March 12th!

Movement: See best moment of the week.

Food Craving: Always in the mood for a fudgesicle!

What I miss: Hot baths and a glass of wine!

Sleep: I sleep well, however, it takes a little extra time to get comfortable at night.

What I am looking forward to: Ultrasound on March 12th

Belly Button: Getting rounder!

Symptoms: Headaches....itchy skin

14 week worries...

2010-02-08T12:40:00.001-08:00

Worry #1: I have decided that I am not going to announce my pregnancy at work, but if people ask, I will gladly tell them that I am pregnant and due Aug. 4th!! The thing that worries me is that I am clearly showing, and not many people are asking! Plenty of people are looking, but not many are asking. Come on people I ate just as much as you on Super Bowl Sunday, but there is a baby in there too!!

Worry #2: Kind of the opposite of worry #1.... Three people have asked me if I am having twins! I would love to say that I am carrying two little lemon sized babies, but nope...just one. I know, I am showing a little more than the average 14 weeker, but I can explain...no I can't explain. I am just showing more than the average 14 weeker! The only bright side to this worry is that I have also asked this question. My husband assured me that there is just one baby. I wonder if the other could just be hiding....

New semester, new students, new questions...

2010-02-01T12:34:00.000-08:00

Student 1: "Mrs. Foster, are you expecting? You are really glowing today."
Student 2: "What does expecting mean?"

Junior High

2010-01-27T13:28:00.001-08:00

Update: The custodian stopped by and needed peanut butter too... feeding mice!

Today I have been asked by two seperate teachers if I have any peanut butter. I just happened to have peanut butter out today for the lab we did. Why did these teachers ask for the peanut butter??? Well, one needed it because a girl had gum stuck in her hair, and the other because a boy had silly putty stuck in his!!! Really!!

Thanks a Latte

2009-12-17T11:46:00.000-08:00

The last day of class before Christmas vacation often is the day that teachers recieve thoughtful gifts from parents and students. Elementary teachers generally hit the jackpot on this day. While many gifts can be re-gifted as white elephant gifts at future parties, some gifts are really cool. Apparently, parents stop doing this in junior high school. Occasionally, there is a parent that sends a little gift to the junior high school teacher...this is much aporeciated and always a suprise. Today I recieved my one and only gift this year: a $5.00 gift card to a local coffee stand! I love it! Even though it is a small gift, i really appreciate the thought. I am very excited, because at the particular stand, I can get 3 hot chocolates for $5.00! Score!

hini swab!

2009-10-26T13:17:00.000-07:00

Last Monday, I started to feel a bit sick. Not terrible, just coughing and really tired. By Tuesday, I was feeling REALLY tired and oh so achy! My clothes hurt my skin, and my hair even hurt! I took a bath when I got home from school, and quickly got into my jammies. I think i was in bed by 6:30 that night. Well, after all that sleep I woke up to even more body aches and a rougher, deeper cough. Holy cow I felt like CRAP! I got ready and went to work, but decided half-way there that I needed a sub. I walked straight into the school and told them I was leaving. I made sub plans, and moments before class started and I was to leave, I got a phone call. The sub was running late, and I needed to stay a bit longer. Well, 45 minutes later, the sub waltzed in with a STARBUCK'S COFFEE!!! Here I am, possibly dying and she had time to stop for Starbuck's! I was not cool with that! Anyway, I finally got home and thought... Maybe I could have made it through the day. After watching all of my DVR'd shows within the first 2 1/2 hours of being home, I was bored. I finally fell asleep for about 30 minutes, and when I awoke.... MY TEMP WAS 101.5! I quickly tore off my sweatshirt and blankets, because I was convinced that I was just hot, and not really sick enough to run a temperature. I don't know if I have mentioned this, but I am very stingy with my sick days, and would rather come to work ill, than to use one of my precious days that I might need later. Having a temperature would seal the deal on missing the next day of school! I quickly text my nurse a.k.a. mom, with my symptoms. She text a few minutes later: doc thinks you should have a hini swab. I immediately caught her typo and asked her if I should get an H1N1 swab or if I did indeed need my hini swabbed! She cleared up the mistake, and I had to get ready to go get swabbed! First of all, I had to swing by the office upstairs from the lab to get my hand sanitizer and MASK! I slid it on and instantly I couldn't breath! My face broke out in a sweat and I am quite certain that my face was bright read. The lab guy "swabbed" me, which i was under the impression that he could swab my mouth because that is how they test things on CSI. Nope! He had to stick a long q-tip way up my nose until I thought it was going to penetrate my brain, and wiggle. It didn't really hurt, it was just so annoying and itchy feeling. Then he did the other nostril. I got the results pretty quickly that I did have H1N1. I called my loving husband to tell him, and his first response was "What about me? Am I going to get it?" Cute huh?! I think I caught it just in time, because I was on the mend within 24 hours. I am still really tired, but I feel so much better! The best part about getting this news, is that when I returned to school today there was an H1N1 vaccine form in my mailbox. I think I am good now!

Terrible Tues.

2009-10-14T12:44:00.000-07:00

I finally know what all the fuss is about! Tuesday's are terrible! Terribly short; terribly chaotic; terribly exhausting. I am not complaining, I am just stating the facts here! Tuesdays for me include teaching two additional classes, and serving my two "duties" in the lunch room and in the parking lot. So there you have it. This is what those dreaded "Terrible Tues" are all about! To think that all this time I thought people were referring to two year olds!

Riddle me this....

2009-10-08T12:45:00.001-07:00

While I was leaving school this morning around 11:00am, I was freezing as I walked across the parkig lot. Once I was in my car however, I was roasting! What?! I went from shivering to wanting the AC on in a matter of seconds! That big fire ball in the sky sure has a way of makeing all the air in a sealed car hot!

Friday

2009-09-11T13:38:00.000-07:00

School is back in full swing, and the first week is almost behind us! My body knows that today is Friday, but my mind keeps forgetting.

We are family... I got all my cousins with me...

2009-08-01T00:53:00.000-07:00

When I was growing up I thought it was weird when the other kids didn't know who their cousins were or how many cousins they had. I was blessed with the opportunity to grow up being friends...best friends with my cousins. Those friendships have only become stronger as the years have passed.
Tonight, I had the unique experience to stand united with my cousins and siblings. I am proud to say that I have the best cousins, siblings and husband ever. It is amazing what adrenaline will do for a person...
PS... Jimmy's doesn't suck, but the bouncer with a taser on a power trip does! It is kind of strange that it takes something so chaotic to show people just how much they are loved!
Chris
Jay
Lisa
Marc
Sarah
Kyle
Licia
Danielle
Josh
Jodie
Zack
Casey
Susie
...
I have your back!

Costco Sample Lady

2009-05-26T14:48:00.000-07:00

Today: Thumbprint Biscuits

Random student conversation:

Student 1: "Dude, can I have one?"

Me: "Of, course you can; but only one please."

Student 1: "Thanks, these are awesome!"

Me: "Thank you!"

Student 2 (hustling over): "Dude, what are they?"

Student 1: "Who cares? There's only one left!"

Memorial Day

2009-05-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

Frugal Chic Living

2009-05-20T10:50:00.000-07:00

I can't believe this!

Costco Sample Lady

2009-05-19T14:48:00.000-07:00

I think I have a future as a Costco Sample Lady!

When the bell rings at the end of 7th period on lab demo days, I stand at my door with a plate full of bite sized samples. The kids absolutely love it! I love it too! So many 'compliments to the chef'. The kids just think I am the best ever, while I secretly am hoping to lure kids into signing up for my class! I consider it a Win-Win!

Today: Pancakes

Butch

2009-05-19T10:39:00.000-07:00

Last Friday Butch had to go to the vet. He had a really bloodshot, jacked-up lookin' eye. Chris took him in and they said that it could be an infection, something irritating it, or a disease associated with cancer.

What?!

He is a four month old little puppy!

We had to put eye drops in two times a day, and it is looking all better now. I think he just must have gotten something in it while he was running through and behind our hedge; or when he was bounding into and bouncing on our shrubs; or when he was pulling tree limbs out of our yard waste bin; or when he has digging a hole under our house to crawl into... it was probably one of those things rather than cancer!

Now that I think of it, it might have been when he chewed through a 'protective' wire fencing AND the Internet cable that was being 'protected'.

Bottom line: Butch is better; Dogs don't like eye drops; He chews a lot!

Teacher Appreciation

2009-05-14T12:49:00.000-07:00

Last week was Teacher Appreciation week, and our PTO forgot! Oops! They are trying to make it up to us! They gave us these lovely goodie bags today.

I am not over it yet. They should probably bring something else for me tomorrow!

Do you know who Snoop is?

2009-05-13T13:05:00.000-07:00

Two kids that continually test my patience on a daily basis asked me a few questions today: Do you know who Snoop is? Do you know Biggie? What about 2Pac? How about Dr. Dre? And to each of these questions I proudly said YES! The shock finally wore off, and in their eyes I was cool! But, as they left, I wondered something: Did they really think I was too old to know these people?

Finally an adult!

2009-05-12T14:51:00.000-07:00

I love how life changes. I love listening to the high school kids talk about things that are happening in their lives. It is so funny to finally be the one that says stupid things like: In a few years that won't matter. Or You'll get over him . I hope that someday those kids that roll their eyes at me and mutter under their breath about how I just don't get it/them will think of me when they finally realize that I am right!
Additionally, I love that I just walked to my open door to scare kids away! At the junior high the kids hang around, and hang around, and hang around after school. My room happens to be by the bathrooms (convenient for me since I go about every 10 minutes) in the 8Th grade hallway. After school all the boys wait there for their girlfriends and a big group starts forming as all the cool couples meet up. I always end up walking to my door, stand there, say nothing, heck I don't even look at them sometimes, and they walk away! There was a time that I would have been offended, now I just think: Yes! Got em again!

BlackBerry

2009-05-07T13:19:00.000-07:00

Chris and I got new BlackBerry Storm phones last night. I am still trying to figure everything out. For instance, this morning when I got to school, I hadn't figured out to put the phone in 'vibrate' mode yet... I was fumbeling around with it, and finally just turned it off. Well, 2nd period rolls around and the kid that I have taken a phone from two times and an iPod once had to help me out. I was ready to defend the fact that I could have my phone out but he couldn't...luckily he didn't catch my double standard.

Bloomers!

2009-05-04T12:38:00.000-07:00

We are officially Bloomsday 2009 Finishers! We had estimated our finishing times at 1:15 and 1:20 ish, but according to the Bloomsday site we were a little slower than that. Chris ran in 1 hour and 24 minutes, while I ran in 1 hour and 26 minutes. I am very pleased with my time, but am a little bummed that I didn't meet my goal of 1 hour and 20 minutes.
As many people are aware, my hockey lovin' husband is from Canada, so he had never participated in Bloomsday. I was very happy to introduce him to the course, and be his running partner. Let me just explain how that went down:
We were all lined up, and I wedged myself between two people at the front of our section. Chris was right behind me, and I thought that was just fine. He tapped me on the shoulder and said something like this..."Well, I guess I will see you at the finish line." He was referring to the fact that I was standing in front of him and not with him. So, I gave up my place, and slid in next to him.
We were off, together.
One block in, Chris cut me off.
Three blocks in, Chris is slightly in front of me.
Mile marker 1, my shoe came untied and I jumped off the road to tie it... Chris never looked back! I could see his dark hair bobbing in front of me, BARELY!
Mile marker 2.... no longer could see him bobbing in front of me.
Mile marker 3, I spot Chris stepping out of a Honey Bucket. He settles in next to me and all of the sudden we are running partners again. Unfortunately, I got a side ache, and pulled over to the walkers lane to walk it off. Chris joined me. About one minute of walking, and I told Chris he could run ahead of me and if we were separated we could meet at his office (about mile marker 7, right on the course) to cross the finish line together. He said that was okay, and he wanted to share this experience with me. We started to jog, but the side ache was back and I walked again. This time when I offered that he could run ahead, he took me up on it. After about 5 seconds he came back and said that maybe we should just meet up after the race, because if he was doing really well, he didn't want to stop and wait for me. Basically, he didn't want me to hurt his time! Nice! I agreed, and we went our separate ways. I was rested now, and ran the rest of the race (well, all but the 2nd half of Doomsday Hill).
Even though he ditched me, Chris only received a time of two minutes better than me. Good job Chris!

Here we go...

2009-04-06T13:08:00.000-07:00

Recently, we decided to expand our family! I am very happy to share this news with you!

WE GOT A PUPPY!! Meet Butch!