Two Months

Sweet Theo is two months old!

He weighs 11 lbs 15 ounces - 32% - almost doubling his birth weight!
He is 22.4" tall - 15%
His head circumference is 39.8cm - 63%

He feels absolutely huge to me, but honestly he's still not that big.  compared to how  little he was, he's made some huge progress.

Theo has changed so much this month! He now smiles at us, is starting to chat with us, he can roll over from his tummy to his back and is sleeping much better. (except lately because of those dang shots.)  He started off the month only taking naps while being held, and now he will sleep in his own bed, as long as he's swaddled.  He went from an okay sleeper to a fabulous sleeper. Once he gave us an 8 hour stretch from 9pm-5am.  that hasn't happened since, but is a huge improvement from the waking up every 2.5-3 hours he was doing in the beginning of  the month.  He still loves bath time and would stay in there for forever.  I love that he's chunking up and his smiles melt my heart. He has his first Halloween and I can't wait for the Holidays.  I may or may not have already decorated my house for Christmas.

 He was superman for Halloween and it was the cutest

 4 generation picture

flying superman

One Month

Shortest and longest month of my life.

He didn't have a month check up, but he's eating like crazy and looks and feels much bigger.  We're still working on the sleeping at nights thing.

He's Here!

Theo made his debut 8 days early on September 9, 2016 at 5:18am.  He was a whopping 6 pounds 2 ounces and 19 inches long.  Here is the whole story:

It all started on Thursday, September 8th.  I had my 38 week appointment in the morning.  I found out I was 3 cm dilated and 70% effaced.  My doctor was pretty excited that I was making progress.  I felt validated because I told her I was having more contractions lately.  She stripped my membranes and then I was off to work.  I felt crampy, weird, and nervous the membrane stripping would put me into labor.  I couldn't really focus on work - plus everyone told me to go home, and also thought I was going to go into labor.  So I went home and started tracking my contractions and trying to rest as much as possible.  At this point I wasn't sure anything was going to happen.  For the previous few weeks I would have contractions and then I would go to bed and they would go away.

Some hours passed, and Tricia and her cute kids came over to keep me company, have dinner, and hang out. (Thanks for keeping me company!) At this point my contractions were about 10 minutes apart, but not painful.  (apparently in my family we have 'silent labor' for a while.  I should have listened to my sister and gone to the hospital a bit sooner than I did.)  When Tricia left, I decided to lay down again to see if the contractions would get closer together or go away.  Well, they became closer together, but still not painful at all.  They were 5 minutes apart for about 2 hours or so until I had two painful contractions and then I knew it was time.  I called for Kevin a little bit hysterical, we said a quick prayer and off we went to the hospital.  At this point, Kevin was still not convinced it was go time - he thought it was a false alarm.  The ride to the hospital was SO long.  The contractions were getting more and more painful, and still steady at 5 minutes apart.

When we finally got there I could hardly walk up to the hospital entrance.  Kevin finally convinced me to sit in a wheel chair.  I was being stubborn.  I didn't need a wheel chair!!  Wrong. I totally needed one.  The second I sat in the chair my water broke.  Good timing, right?  After that the pain got pretty dang bad.  Kevin handled the checking in process because I could hardly talk to the nice nurses.  The hospital was busy that night so we were in a room that didn't have a labor bed - so getting checked was really hard and uncomfortable.  The nurse had to check to see if my water actually broke, and my contractions were getting closer together and more and more painful, so it felt like a really long time before I was officially admitted.  I got back into the wheelchair and was wheeled into the delivery room - and it was a crazy blur of pain.  It was definitely more painful than I thought.  Duh, of course it was going to be painful.  I just thought being a first time mom, labor would be slow and I would get the epidural before it got too bad.  I finally got dressed into my gown, and got my IV in and I started to shake like crazy.  My contractions were around 1 minute apart and I started to panic.  I NEEDED MY EPIDURAL.  The nurses turned on the newborn warming thingy, and kept asking me if I felt pressure and the need to push.  Thank goodness I didn't.  I could not handle that.  Finally my favorite person in the world (the anesthesiologist) came in and I sat up and started to get ready for the epidural.  The pain was slightly more manageable sitting up rather than laying in bed.  I was so nervous about getting the epidural, but I didn't feel a thing.  I was so grateful I was able to get it and felt better almost immediately.  We got to the hospital around 9, and I got my epidural around 11:30.  Things escalated quickly.  My nurse (also on my list of favorite people), told me to come to the hospital sooner for my next baby.

After the epidural things slowed down.  I was able to rest a little and watch Jimmy Fallon.  Around 3:30am I was at a 10 and ready to push.  I didn't need pitocin or anything, my body was ready to get that baby here.  The nurse had me do a practice push and Theo's heart rate dropped.  It was absolutely terrifying.  Doctors came in and stared at the screen, and put me on oxygen.  I waited some more, while we waited for my doctor to get here. This was torturous.  I couldn't rest at all.  I just kept listening to his heart rate, hoping and praying it would stay stable.  His heart rate improved and by 4:45am my doctor was there and ready to try again.  I pushed through maybe 4 or 5 contractions and Theo's heart rate dropped again.  My doctor wanted to get him out ASAP so she talked about using foreceps.  We of course agreed - whatever it takes to get him here safely.  Two other doctors came in, along with two or three pediatricians - just in case he wasn't doing well when he came out.  You know it's scary when you go from three people in the room to eight.  Once the forceps were in place, I pushed through around 3 contractions and he was here. I pushed for a total time of 30 mins.  The cord was wrapped twice around his neck.  That's why his heart rate kept dropping.  Once the cord was unwrapped he started screaming.  It was the best sound in the world!!!  The pediatricians immediately took him to check him out, but he was absolutely perfect.  Kevin was able to hold him while the doctors finished up with me.  Then I was able to hold my sweet baby for the first time.  A moment I will never ever forget.

We are so glad he his here safe and sound.  It was an incredible experience, and we love him so so much.

 Before I got admitted

 After the epidural.  What's up with me and the thumbs up? I look exhausted.

My sweet Theo.  I have more pictures to upload, but for some reason they're not working right now. I'll try again soon.
He's now officially 3 weeks old, and starting to fit into his newborn clothes better.  He had his two week check and now weights 7 pounds 8 ounces!!  He gained a lot of weight fast!  Keep it up, little buddy.
 

Halfway Through Third Trimester

Here are some real bad bathroom photos showcasing my ever growing belly and a mind dump of latest pregnancy related happenings:

This is me at 17 weeks.  I still look a little sickly and pale at this point.  To think I was already so upset that my waist was going away.....

Hello 34 weeks! (well 33 weeks and 6 days, but close enough.)  Look at that baby! He's so huge, and I still have 6 weeks to go.  I took my passport photo this week, and a friendly PSA: do not take a passport photo 8 months pregnant - if you do not want to look like an angry chipmunk.  It's not pretty. But I honestly can't believe I'm at this point.  Well, yeah I can, but now I feel like maybe I won't be pregnant for forever.  I'm still feeling pretty good.  I'm sleeping pretty well, and I don't quite have a waddle yet.  The past couple of weeks my nausea has gotten a little worse, but nothing too bad.  I'll just need to take my medicine until the very end.  I found 3 stretch marks on my right hip the other day.  (THE HORROR.  I only cried a little.)  I'm confused as to why they are only on one hip and not the other.  I'm sure they'll show up, and when they do I'll be equally upset.  I have 5 more weeks of work until maternity leave.  I'm so excited, but also had a little freak out yesterday because I still have quite a bit to do.  Plus I am lacking in energy and I would much rather be home prepping for baby.  The nursery still isn't done, but this weekend we'll make some good progress.  That's the plan anyway.  I also want to start getting my hospital bag ready so I won't have to worry about it.  I'll just keep it in my car in case I go into labor at work.  I am so ready to meet this little guy.  I had my first dream about him last night.  He had dark hair and looked like a little Kevin, and then the next day he was a toddler and walking around.  I guess it's my subconscious telling me how quickly time flies by and to enjoy every minute.  I will try to remember that while I'm sore and sleep deprived with a newborn baby.  I really am so so so so so excited.  I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

Second Trimester

I have officially been in my third trimester for a couple of weeks now, but I thought I should recap what I can remember of my second trimester before pregnancy brain completely takes over and I forget my first name.

Everyone talks about the magical 2nd trimester and how wonderful, blissful, and easy it is.  So when I hit 14 weeks I hoped (and prayed) and expected to feel suddenly better.  Well, duh, that didn't happen.  I was still puking quite a bit until around week 17 or 18, then it slowly started to get better.  However, my energy did come back full force pretty much instantly, which made a HUGE difference in my mood.  This is when I felt like I could start doing things again.  It really was wonderful. 

The second trimester was a busy time.  We bought a house, packed, and successfully moved into our first home.  The home that we will take baby boy home to!  (ahh!!!!)  Soon I will upload some pictures once we finish getting everything ready.  The nursery has a long way to go, but everything else is coming together quite nicely.  I felt pretty helpless during the move, but we had a lot of help so it went by fast.  Thanks everyone!!!  So far, we LOVE it!  It's so nice to have more space, a dish washer, a washer and dryer, air conditioning, a fridge with ice and water, and a garden.  We pick raspberries every evening, and it's so fun to see everything grow.  I can't wait for my tomatoes to come in so I can make salsa!  We're slowly getting to know our neighbors, and we haven't been to our ward much, but I'm excited to get to know everyone there, too. 

The second trimester was a success, and I am so, so excited that I am in my third and final trimester.  Even though I am still terrified of giving birth and the recovery process, I can't wait to meet this little guy.  Whatever his name will be.

When Baggy Shirts Aren't Baggy Anymore

It's happening.  I'm getting bigger and bigger everyday.  It's bound to happen, I am 23 weeks and 5 days. Trust me, those 5 days are important to say.  I was getting ready for bed the other day, and I put on one of my 'baggy' shirts and to my surprise/dismay it was fitting quite snuggly across my belly.  I guess I'll just have to wear Kevin's shirts to bed from now on. ;)  I also am quickly realizing that the rubber band trick is quickly coming to an end, as well.  Unfortunately rubber bands only stretch so far.  It's really weird to see my body change so suddenly and dramatically.  It doesn't feel like my body at all.

 Most of the time I am feeling much better.  I am now throwing up around once a week. (YAY!)  But I feel sick if I don't eat enough, I feel sick if I eat too much, and I have a sour stomach right after I eat, no matter what.  Even with a gross feeling tummy, I've still somehow managed to gain 15 pounds. Thanks, Obama!  *I say this because I went out to lunch with some of my co-workers and this lady taught her 4 year old son to say this whenever anything goes wrong.  So if he's riding his bike and he falls, he says 'Thanks, Obama!'  Which I found hilarious.*

I have been craving fruit like crazy lately!  Kevin, bless his heart, does all the grocery shopping now. He asked me what I wanted from the store and I replied, 'all of the fruit.'  which reminded me of this.....

Anywho, this isn't a way of me bragging on how healthy I'm being.  I still eat whatever the heck I want.  Which includes daily nutella toast and shirley temples. (not together, obvi.)  I just really love fruit.  Especially grapefruit, which is interesting.  The sourness used to bug me a little before pregnancy, but now I love it. go figure. 


Overall, I feel like I'm really getting the hang of things when it comes to this pregnancy.  All the new symptoms feel like cake compared to how I felt before.  I can handle the having to pee every 2 minutes, backaches, leg cramps, and gross taste in my mouth. (except the last one makes me angry sometimes, it's so so so so so disgusting.)  Work is getting more and more tedious as the days go by.  All the stupid work issues feel secondary to everything else I have going on in my life.  This pregnancy has really put things into perspective for me, for which I am grateful.  Family is the most important thing.  Work drama = way less important.  September still seems like it's so far away, but on the other hand, I still have so much to do.  Pack, move, unpack, get the nursery ready, and start buying baby boy things.  Poor guy has almost nothing right now.  But I don't want to buy things now and have to move them to the new house, when I could just buy them in a few weeks. 

Keep on cooking in there, baby.  Can't wait to meet you.

   

Yes, I just took a picture in the bathroom at work and was too lazy to take off my sweatshirt.

Pregnancy Milestones, so far.

Jan. 13th - took a home pregnancy test.  Found out I was pregnant!  

Feb. 14th - 9 weeks.  Told our parents and siblings.  Told Kevin's parents with a grandparents book and Kevin's siblings with the 8 week ultrasound picture. Told my family with a sneaky cupcake insert that said 'Baby Bowen ~ September 2016.'  

March 4th - 11 weeks, almost 12 weeks. First big ultrasound!  Found out baby is doing just great after a little scare.  So weird to see a little jumping and squirming human when I could feel nothing.

 16 weeks - Really felt baby kick!   Kevin could feel it a few days later.  (We have a mover and a shaker.)

19 weeks - 2nd big ultrasound!  The tech was able to tell the gender, but we asked her to put it in a sealed envelope for our gender reveal party.  

April 29th - Gender reveal party!  My awesome friend, Alexis prepped for the big reveal.  I gave her the sealed envelope and she filled  black water balloons with homemade paint. We bought a canvas board and stuck tacks through the back - and when we were ready we threw the balloons at the board.  It was SO MUCH FUN!  We had our friends and family there, and everyone was so supportive and helpful.  My mom and brother brought delicious cookies, and Kevin's mom decorated with the cutest onesies and prepared fruit and bought yummy candy.  The 5 day wait was definitely worth it.  We cannot wait for our BABY BOY to arrive! I was so excited when I got home from the party, I could not stop looking up baby boy things.  I even woke up in the middle of the night and I couldn't go back to sleep because I was so excited.   As hard as this pregnancy has been, I feel so grateful for this little guy.  Pregnancy truly is a miracle.    

1st timer 1st trimester

I thought it would be fun to start blogging about my pregnancy!  Right now I am currently 20 weeks, but let's bring it back to the beginning.........

WARNING IT IS NOT PRETTY.  CONTINUE READING AT YOUR OWN RISK.  BRUTAL HONESTY COMING AT YA.

For quite some time, I have felt the pull to become a mother.  I just felt like there was a sweet spirit waiting for us to decide when the time was right.  When Kevin graduated, found out he had a job, the time finally felt right for both of us.  I'm one of those weirdos that knew they were pregnant almost immediately.  I felt this fuzzy feeling in my gut, little twinges here and there, and I just felt different.  I snuck a pregnancy test home, took it, and I was planning to tell Kevin in a really cute and fun way.  Well, that didn't work out too well because I was just way too excited and blurted it out.  I told him to come look at the test and his response was, 'What does two lines mean?'  We were both shell shocked, that's for sure.

The next week flew by and I was feeling great and I was so, so happy.  Then BAM week 5 hit me like a freaking freight train.  Constant nausea from sunrise to sunset, and fatigue like I've never felt before.  I would wake up, make myself a piece of toast, go fetal on the couch and take a bite every ten minutes.  Then I would drag myself to the shower, which was the most exhausting thing on the planet, and then go back to the couch to rest.  I would pack up  my unfinished toast, drive to work, and try my very best to actually finish the entire piece of toast before lunch time came around.  I never wanted food.  EVER.  It was awful.  The worst part was feeling so incredibly alone.  Since I wasn't throwing up at this point, I talked myself into thinking that this was minor morning sickness and I should be handling it better.  I was really hard on myself.  There were times when I would come home from work, go back to fetal on the couch, and then walk and collapse to take breaks on my way to the kitchen and/or crawl to the kitchen because I knew I needed food.

I went to my first doctors appointment during my 8th week and saw the little glimmer of a beating heart.  What a beautiful sight!  My sweet doctor took one look at me (and the number on the scale), and immediately put me on some medicine.  I am so grateful for Diclegis.  I still felt like crap, but I could actually eat my toast in a half hour instead of 3 hours.  BUT around 9.5 weeks the vomiting came.  I am lucky that I would rarely throw up at work.  I have this weird super hero power where I could hold it together until literally the minute I got home from work.  I did some crazy breathing exercises to make it through rush hour traffic, yelled at some idiot drivers, (just to myself, but my road rage was outta control), and cursed to myself driving down 2700 south. WHY CAN'T SOMEONE FIX THAT ROAD?  I would walk through the door and start gagging, and then continue throwing up until I went to bed. (I told you it wasn't pretty.) The only time I felt good was when I was asleep. 

There is a light at the end of the puking tunnel, and even though I still feel sick most of the time, it is much better.  The first trimester sucked.  Big time.  Thank goodness for sympathetic family, good friends, understanding bosses, a sweet husband, chocolate milk, bagels, strawberries, and smoothies, and so many jolly ranchers.  I survived. 

  

Ummmmm hi?

Nobody blogs anymore.  Is it because it's not cool? Not the latest fad? I have some downtime at work occasionally and I like to look at peoples blogs.  Then I remembered that I have a blog that I never use.  So I stalked myself and it was run to read these little memories that I would have forgotten about if I didn't write them down.  Therefore I want to start blogging again.  Just for fun and just for me.  Here is a short and simple review in the form of bullet points, because there is no way I can possibly recap an entire year and a half.  whoops.

-Yesterday was our 2nd Anniversary!  woohoo.
-Kevin got accepted and is in his first semester of grad school.  He will get his MSF either this May or next fall.
-Kevin also interviewed and got an internship.  He will start sometime this week we think.
-Kevin gets to go to NYC over fall break and I don't. :(  It's a networking trip where he will visit quite a few finance firms.  I have always wanted to go to NYC in the fall and I am so jealous.  
-I am no longer teaching at Wasatch.  I am super bummed I didn't blog last year because I had a great time.  I learned a lot, it was terribly difficult, so much fun, and I miss it.
-I got a job at the U in the college of education.  It's fine.  Nothing special.  It will give me health insurance and a steady paycheck.  Not quite a career, but it's good for now.
-I am still teaching at CBT two evenings a week.  I really enjoy it. I feel like it's something I will always want to do.


This update was just the last couple of months.  I cant' seem to remember much else.  I will be a better blogger.

Happy Fall!!

Happy Reminder

This school year is coming to a close!  Thank goodness!  It's been fun, but I am ready for a break.  I've lost my mind many a time this year so the summer can not come soon enough!  I have my students write in journals to write goals, reflect, talk about their assignments, etc.  I had one final journal entry where I told them to review their goals and reflect about the semester one final time.  I want to share one because I don't ever want to forget it.  It made the entire year worth it.  This is from a talented, hard working girl who never danced until this year. She was in both my dance 1a and dance 1b classes.

This semester in dance I feel like I have really progressed.  Out of all of my goals I feel like I have really gotten better at dancing and I can dance faster as well.  I am more comfortable dancing in front of everyone but I still have a ways to go before I am completely confident in myself.  I'm a little farther into my splits but I could have worked on it more than I did.  My kicks definitely got higher not by much but they did improve.  Out of all of my goals the one that I did best at was perfecting my spins.  My pirouettes have gotten so much better than they were at the beginning of the semester.  The feeling that I get when I'm dancing is incredible and I feel like I was born to dance.  It's incredible to think that a year ago I had no clue what a tendu even was and now I'm dancing around my kitchen everyday practicing my skills just because I can and it makes me completely happy.  I'm so proud of my progress this year and now that I discovered this amazing world I don't think I'll ever leave it.  Thank you for teaching me so much this year and helping me to come so far.  If it weren't for you I don't think I'd have gotten as good as I am now.  Thank you for being such an amazing dancer and teacher and inspiring me to do my best.  This year has been great.

Nothing makes me happier.  If I only help one student this entire year or my entire career it will be worth it.

This Makes Me So Happy

Conference

One of my favorites....






 Such a nice, relaxing, and uplifting weekend.

Fitness

Here I am blogging on a Friday night.  Kevin is at a movie with his friend.  I was invited, but declined.  It's one of those nights where all I feel like doing is laying on the couch and watching tv.  Kevin felt bad leaving me, but it's his last day of spring break and I don't mind because I can choose anything I want to watch! (and I'm tired and sore)

It has been almost a year since I graduated and thus stopped dancing everyday.  That, along with the long horrible winter I have not exercised as much as I should have.  This wonderful weather has motivated me to try to change my bad habits and start exercising again.  Last Saturday I took an awesome jazz class for the first time in a very long while and that got me pumped.  I was feeling so good when I got home I decided to immediately go for a run.  I have always hated running, but I have always wanted to be a runner.  It's the worst contradiction.  So I am trying to kick start my fitness by running more often.  I am proud to say that I have gone on a run everyday this week so far and I plan on finishing it off tomorrow.  This will definitely not last, but my goal is to go around 3-4 days a week.

Some days have been better than others, but I never go very long or very fast.  I have to start somewhere, right?  Kevin even went with me to Sugar House Park today.  He hates running more than me, or anyone else I know.  So I'm thinking we'll go on lot's of hikes this spring/summer, and running can be a solo activity for me. Unless anyone wants to go with me!  Just give me a few weeks until I feel a little more confident.  Don't worry, I won't post pictures of me in my sports bra or anything, but I decided to blog about my feeble running attempts so I won't give up.  Because then I'll just feel stupid.

Highs and Lows

Lows
-Kevin is on Spring break as of right now and I am not for another 3 weeks. UGGGHHHHH
-Still really don't like approx. 8 of my students.... could be worse.
-Feeling fat and lazy and literally crying to Kevin about my fat arms. (don't judge me). Kevin gave me a hug, then later laughed at me for being ridiculous.
- Kevin's laptop broke 2 months after the warranty expired. $$$
- School gets out June 6 and starts again August 21
-Kevin has to take the DAT ( this will be a low until May 16 or 23, whenever he decides to take it)
-Allergies

Highs
-Being mistaken for a middle schooler by the police officer at WJH today when I came in during 1st lunch.  He asked how I got into the building and one of the students said I was a teacher.  He felt stupid, I felt happy. Made my breakdown earlier in the day about my fat arms disappear.
- Chatting to my TA the whole time during 7th period while my students had journal time and fixed their choreography. She's the best, I was not that cool in 9th grade.
- Kevin telling me that I could go shopping at the Gap while he picked up his computer at CityCreek.  My limit was $20.  Good thing Gap was having an awesome sale.  Hello new sweater and shirt! Sisters and mom, if you are reading this, we need to go to CityCreek next shopping day because it's awesome!
-My cute little fish won 'the contest' for being the cleanest dance so far.  They get a prize and I am proud
-The snow is melting!
-Claritin

As always, the highs trump the lows. Happy Friday!

Captain Jax Saves the Day

Wednesday and Friday are the days where Kevin TA's.  We have to leave before 8am on these days so we're usually rushed and tired.  Last night I set my alarm for 7 so I could wake up early, shower, and get ready.  My alarm didn't go off or I turned it off in my sleep, and Kevin didn't set his alarm so we slept in.  Kevin can't be late and if he missed his lab it would be a BIG deal.  Luckily our little Jax saved the day by walking up my stomach and licking my face at precisely 7:45am.  Some days he chooses to wake me up and some days he chooses not to.  I am so glad he chose today to kiss my face good morning.  We owe you Jax.  He got some extra attention tonight.  One day we'll have kids and we won't post so many pictures of our cat.... but until then, we love our little weirdo.

Jax and Jax

He didn't quite fit

He lays on his back all the time. Odd.

Valentines Weekend

Happy Valentines Day! We had a low key day at home.  I had to work 'til 6 so Kevin made dinner! Steak, potatoes, rolls, broccoli and carrots.  It was delicious.  After dinner Kevin had to grade papers so I made chocolate covered strawberries.  Then we watched a movie, and went to bed early because Kevin had to get up early on Friday. 
I had the day off of school on Friday, so I got to sleep in!  Once Kevin got home from his TA job, I went up to work and did laundry.  It was tough going to work at the U when I had a day off of teaching, but I did it anyway.
Saturday we both got to sleep in because I didn't have to teach at CBT and Kevin didn't have class.  We cleaned and I did more laundry (yay), then we decided we wanted to go to Outback for dinner.  Once we got there, there was an hour and a half wait.  We were both starving so we decided against it and went to Wingers instead. 
Sunday we woke up early and went to church and taught Primary.  I'm starting to love this early church idea, I really love having the whole day to rest/nap/read/cook/do whatever we want.
Monday I woke up and went shopping with my mom. We went to fashion place mall and it was fun to go out and shop with no time line or anything we had to do that day.  My mom came to hang out for a little after and we played the Kinect. Then like every other night Kevin ended the day studying. Poor guy, this is going to be a rough week for him.
Today (Tuesday) was hard to go back to work and school.  I am so ready for spring/summer break.  It's my opinion that Valentines Day should be the first day of spring and so far the weather has been a little warmer!  Although I hear it's supossed to snow tomorrow.  Let's hope the rest of winter goes by fast!
xoxo

Nap Time

Creativity Block

Lately I feel like all I've been doing is choreographing dances.  All. The. Time.  I'm choreographing for my dance 1a and dance 1b classes for their concert in April. This is tricky because there are 28 students in each class, so I have to figure out groups, what movement they are capable of and somehow create a logical, interesting, and somewhat sophisticated dance. Plus I have to be prepared every single day.  I'm choreographing for my 4 jazz classes at CBT. This is easier, but still takes time and creative brain power that I am lacking lately.  I have been struggling to find something that interests me, and therefore interests my students.  Having a creative job is interesting because I am expected to constantly create, create, and create.  It's exhausting at times.  I need to go to a dance concert or something to spark some interest and get me excited again.


This is my favorite time of year teaching at CBT.  Everyone is starting to get ready for the performance in April (The Little Mermaid) and everyone is so excited.  My beginning class are fish, and it's going to be so cute.  Also, this is the time of year that I start to visually see my students learning.  They have been working hard and practicing and by Jan. or Feb. something clicks and they are stronger, and more capable of doing the things that we have been working on.  It is so rewarding, and it makes me proud.  I taught a 7th grader at school and she is in my most advanced jazz class.  At first she was very timid, flexible but not very strong, a little stiff, but a very hard worker.  Something happened this week and she was strong, confident, dancing fully, performing, and she looked AMAZING.  She was dancing with her whole self and it was beautiful to watch.  Watching my students understand what I've been telling them not only in their mind but in their body is awesome.  It makes me feel like what I'm doing is worthwhile and that I'm doing something right.

Paperman

This has been going around facebook today. I love disney animated shorts.

Random Wednesday

This post has no point other than to tell you about one of my favorite books, "The Ordinary Princess."  I have read this book probably like 10 times.  It's short, and I usually read it in one night.  It's basically a children's book, but I still love it, and I can't help it.  I don't necessarily love to read, but when there's  a book I like I go crazy for it. (Harry Potter, anyone??) 

The Ordinary Princess is about the youngest Princess who received the gift of being ordinary. Eventaully she runs away, lives in the forest, finds a job when her clothes are falling apart, and falls in love.  Maybe I connect with it because I am ordinary, I am the youngest, I always wanted to live in a magical forest, and I have something inside me that wants to do the unexpected at times.  Example:  In High School I was the only one of my sisters to not do Pep Club.  Maybe this silly act of 'rebellion' was to prove that I was different and had different interests.  Being the last of four girls could be challenging at times, but mostly awesome. :)  Don't worry though, instead of Pep Club I was a dance company officer my junior and senior years and that kept me PLENTY busy.  Plus for homecoming my senior year, my fellow non-pep clubber Abby and I dressed up like the Pep Club, learned their dance, and went down on the field during the Homecoming game to perform with them.  (That's a story for another time. We thought we were sooo funny.)

I know that I will keep coming back to this silly book as one of my favorites.  I will read this to my daughter.  If I don't have a daughter, my son will have to suck it up and listen to it. 

Another one of my favorite books is 'The Westing Game."  All of my favorite books are books I read when I was a pre-teen.  What does that say about me?  If you haven't read it, read it.  It's awesome.