So Much Going On!

Well, school has started. We have officially finished 4 days......and I'm still alive. I have 21 students this year. This is the largest group I have had in my 9 years. I did have 26 when I student taught...but being that it was a private school...it's hard to compare! I have a pretty chatty bunch, but Garrett Boot Camp is in full force and I don't think it will take long to get them into shape! I love seeing all of the fresh haircuts, new clothes, and gleaming white shoes! Every year I try to come up with something different for my door...this was my last minute attempt for 2009:
I am working half days right now. I felt like I deserved to miss some school just like every other teacher I know that's had a baby. I can't help it if I have perfect timing and he's born the day before we get out! I leave at noon everyday through August 26th. I really think it would be easier to be there all day, because my plan time is in the afternoon, so I have been getting there at 7:15 in the morning (I KNOW, RIGHT?!?) to make sure everything is ready for my sub. I can't wait to get my hair chopped off b/c it is driving me crazy and looks ridiculous. Just haven't had the time...or energy...so please don't judge!

I thought this picture of Brecken was hilarious! I was out buying props for his 3 month pics and these were the first pair of shades I bought. I ended up finding some with the strap that fit better, so these Hot Wheels ones will have to wait till he's a little older! You can't see his eyes unless there is the flash of the camera...but I think it is so funny! He apparently thought it was pretty funny, too....he was workin' on a poop!
Brecken actually turned 13 weeks old today! He will officially be 3 months old tomorrow, but I have to take a picture of him EVERY Monday for his weekly pic! Oh, don't you worry, I'll be taking more tomorrow...I'm sure he will look quite different! Here he is today:
He's becoming quite the flirt! I love that everything I do makes him laugh! =)
That's all for now! I wouldn't want you to pass out from so many updates!
P.S.---Is today really just Monday?

He Really Is Growing Up Too Fast...

Brecken had his 3 month shoot on Friday....AHHH! Where has the time gone? I have to admit, I was quite nervous after the hot-mess that I became at his newborn shoot. That was the first super-horrible, before the pediatrician visit day ever. He screamed the whole time...I fed him and it made it worse. We ended up spending 3 hours there and I was so mad b/c I didn't think we were going to get any good pictures.

Well, he proved me wrong! I think we got some great ones, and really, I'm glad we didn't get a ton b/c it's too hard to choose from these. The bad news...the shoot went so well yesterday that I'm not sure if I'll be able to pick any out! I didn't want the traditional, just sitting there propped up against a pillow shot...so we did some fun stuff. I guess I will save all that for when we get them back. Our photographer has a blog (it's on the right) "Only Young Once". She just had a baby herself and has an excellent attitude about everything. Since it is an hour-and-a-half from our house, he needed to be fed when we got there and she was so patient. We ended up getting everything done (naked/beach/stud/casual) in an hour. He only started to whimper twice (it was naptime)! I am so proud of him and can't wait to see the proofs! And....I'm investing in a beanbag...He loved it, and fell sound asleep in it!

Here are a few of my favorites from his newborn shoot. The first one is his birth announcement. I know, he's not a newborn...but I have a new motto, "Better late than never"!

Enjoy!

Going Private

As much as I love how easy it is for everyone to access our blog, I have also realized that if it is that easy for family and friends then it is that easy for anyone to read it and learn quite a bit about our family. Lurkers=Creepy! There is a setting in blogger that allows you to make the blog private and only allow registered users to view it. You have to type in your email and a password in order to access it. I am going to change our blog to the private setting because I primarily blog to keep family and friends up to date. I have many of your emails, but just to make sure I don't leave anyone off of the blog, please email me. I can add you at any point in time. I am hoping to get this done this coming weekend and so in the future when you go to our blog you will have to type in your email and a password.

Please email me at t_townteacher@hotmail.com

Has it been TWO and a half months already?

I feel like my little man is growing up before my eyes......waaaay too fast! I know he is only 11 weeks old, but it feels like just yesterday that I was in fear of getting my first IV, and the only thing that got me through it was knowing that in just a few short hours, when I was being wheeled into that operating room....we would go in as two...and come out as three!

Brecken is doing so much better lately. Of course, now that it's time for me to go back to work. =( He was put on Nutramigen aka "Liquid Gold", because he would scream every time he ate. It got to the point that I would just cry when I held him while he was sucking down that bottle. He was so eager to eat and little did he know that within 15 minutes, he would be in horrific pain. It was so hard to deal with. I wouldn't have gotten through it without our friends and family! He was and still is constipated. The Nutramigen helped...with prune juice. He was doing so much better that the ped. wanted us to introduce Enfamil Gentlease by 3 mos. He wants Brecken's little body to break down the proteins more on his own. Eventually, we will hopefully work our way back to the Enfamil Lipil. The Nutramigen is already broken down, so his body doesn't have to do so much work. Well, he was doing so well lately, that we tried the Gentlease. He was pooping so well, that I quit the prune juice.....big mistake. BUT, at least he is not in pain after he eats! Baby steps.....that's what I say to myself. I'm just glad he can handle this formula now, b/c our wallet wasn't handling the Nutramigen!

At his 2 month appt. he was 24 in.----95th percentile! 12 lbs. 6 oz. WHOA! He's so long and skinny, but I will always call him my "Chubba Wubba"....he lost his cheeks for a while, but they're finally starting to fill out again...I love them! He's starting to smile and coo when Brett and I make ridiculous sound effects! It's so cute! He looooooves to cuddle. I think that is my favorite thing. When he's been upset and I pick him up and he wraps his arm around me. UGH..makes my heart melt! I also love it when he pouts....yes, I said it...POUTS! Not the screaming, just the pouting! He makes his lips so tight and sticks that bottom one out and I laugh in hysterics every time! Brett has gotten some really great "faces of Brecken" pics...so I thought I would add them today.

This is a picture of me at 6 wks and Brecken at 8 wks. Hmmm....cheeks, anyone?


He opens his eyes so wide....my baby pictures are like this, too...it's so weird! 9 wks.


TA-DAAAAA....the POUT! Love it!


This is his, "You mess with mommy, you mess with ME" pose!


He LOVES bathtime. 10 wks Bathtime good....floating Bumbo...not-so-good...he thought it was fun, though!


Well, that's it for now. Hopefully I'm on here again before the boy heads off to college! Thanks for the motivation, Bridgette! =)

Brecken is One Week Old!

Brecken turned one week old on Monday, May 25th, 2009. Here are a couple of the MANY pictures I have taken. I know I'm slow...but looky...I made more than one post within a month! Diesel is finally getting used to having a little brother. I was really nervous those first couple of days when he hid behind the recliners and wanted nothing to do with us. He's much better now...they will end up being besties..I just know it!

The Newest Garrett Has Arrived!

Just a few minutes old!

Mommy's Chubba-Wubba!

Brecken is not a fan of Chili's Spinach & Artichoke dip!

Get us out of here...we wanna go home!

Getting ready to go home.

Brecken Michael Garrett was born Monday, May 18th, 2009 at 7:30 am by c-section. He weighed in at a whopping 9 lbs. 6 oz. and was 20 inches long.

Actually, they couldn't get Mr. Wiggleworm to be very still, so it was kind of a guess. He pediatrician measured him at 21 3/4 inches, which makes way more sense since he doesn't look like a 9 6er!!! We actually had to go buy clothes b/c the 0-3 month ones were too big! So he is wearing newborn for now. Not for long, I'm sure!!

Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy! I will add more later.

Reality Bites...

No, I'm not talking about the movie. I've been in a funk lately. My dad had a dr.'s appt. because he was getting really sick. Long story short...they admitted him to the hospital and he was treated for pneumonia. Well, as many of you know, he has smoked for over 35 years (and DOES NOT go to the dr.). The pneumonia was a blessing in disguise.

They did a chest xray and said that if it looked "suspicious" they would do an MRI. Well, you guessed it. They did the MRI and said if it looked bad, they would do a PET scan. Guess who was the lucky winner of that? Come to find out, he had several "hot spots". One in the upper left lobe of his lung, two in lymph nodes under his breast bone and one one his pelvic bone.

He was released after 5 days and is still on oxygen 24 hours a day. He had an appt. for a biopsy. He was told that he has severe emphysema as well. They said that normally they would go through the bronchial tubes, but his lungs were so deteriorated and full of holes that they could collapse. They ended up doing the biopsy on his hip. The tumor was 2 inches under his skin and into the bone. Not good.

We just found a week ago Monday that he has stage 4 lung cancer. WOW. Now I'm not stupid. I've said for 3 years that he has had it...always coughing, can't mow the yard without almost having a heart attack, BUT I AM surprised that it is stage 4. I was filled with mixed emotions. I have been so sad and heartbroken, but at the same time soooo mad at him. How could he do this to mom, Michelle, and me? How could he do this to his family? Anytime we brought up quitting he got so upset. I always had a nice way of bringing up the "cancer sticks and coffin nails." Then I realized...it's an addiction. He wasn't thinking of us back in his early 20's when this all started. I have friends that can't/don't want to quit and they haven't smoked near as long as he has. Now I'm just so sad. I cry every single day about it. I want my son to know his grandpa. I want him to be around to see him grow up.

Mom and him went to cancer class last Thursday. He got his shunt put in yesterday and had his first round of chemo. today. 6 HOURS OF IT! UGH! I'm just trying to be as supportive and positive as I can. Sometimes I wish I was more like my mom! She told me that the dr.'s said he has 6-24 months, but she is determined that it's all in your attitude and that this ISN'T going to get him. He will go back on weeks 2 and 3 for blood work/mri's and then start the chemo. again on week 1.

I think what is most frustrating is that he has never wanted to quit. But this all happens and he says he hasn't had a single craving. WHAT? My grandpa (his dad) smoked a pipe and cigars for YEARS, had heart trouble, and quit cold turkey. Did seeing that happen make my dad want to quit? No....he just had to go through it for himself. It just makes me so irritated that it took this to do it.

But yet, I'm still thankful for the pneumonia, or else we may never have known and he would have never quit. I was also upset that this all had to happen a month before I'm due, but am now realizing that Tator Tot might just be what this family needs.....

Happy St. Patty's Day!

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I just wanna SLEEP (a little vent)!

OK, it's Friday. Last night I was at school until 7 b/c we were "expected" to be at the Board of Education meeting. Check.

We recently wrapped up Parent/Teacher Conferences where we had to put in two (nearly) 13 hour days. Check.

I'm at work until at least 5 every night (not 3:30 like most people think). Check.

I spend my weekends at school. Check.

Tonight is Chili/Bingo...for school...again......I WANT A BIGGER PAYCHECK!

UGH....I just don't get it. Crappy economy? Everyone and there dog is out spending money. I get a crappy paycheck, plus put in WAAAAAAAAAAAAY more hours than I ever thought I would as a teacher (they don't tell you this stuff in college...nor the enormous amounts of paperwork!). We're "expected" to show face at school events. Do I get paid? NO. So what do I do if we want to day anything fun in my room like science experiments or cooking? I spend my paycheck to pay for it. Unless it's construction paper, glue, glitter, or paint, you're pretty much on your own to pay for things. Oh....and let's not forget the budget cuts that are taking place THIS school year. I swear. And if they think that for a second that increasing all class sizes to 25 is going to "fix" things...than they'll really love us when our test scores come in and they drop (and wonder why)! The whole profession is just getting to me. I know I haven't been in the business that long, but in the 8 years that I've been doing it, I have seen some crazy changes! What happened to just plain old teaching? Now it's TEST, TEST, TEST! I don't even have time to teach my students b/c I'm ALWAYS testing. I feel like a meanie most of the time b/c there is so much stuff we are required to get done that we can't even have fun anymore. It's just aggravating.



I'm done venting...I just wanna go to sleep...

TIARAS OR CLEATS?

CLEATS! That's right, we're having a little boy! You would never guess that from our new background. Most of you talk to me through myspace and facebook anyway, so it's no surprise, right?! Sorry it has been so long since I posted, but to tell you the truth, I had a lot on my mind and didn't want to get into it at the time.

I have so many new pictures since my last post, but don't have them scanned, plus I am at school! Hey, it's Kansas Day..the kiddos are watching The Wizard of Oz!

Anyway, when we went to our level 2 in December to get checked out and find the gender, the dr. had found a white spot on the baby's heart. She was not my usual ob and was very impersonal. Very matter-of-fact and not compassionate at all. She said it was a marker for Down syndrome. Our chances of having a baby with DS was 1/887, but because of my age, that sliced it in half to 1/443. I was not concerned about having a child with DS, I was more concerned about him having some sort of heart condition. I was so put off by her attitude that I really didn't even ask any questions...which I had a million of them after we got home...and cried and cried and cried some more. We did however have the nurse put the gender in a sealed envelope and this is how we found out:

Brett and I decided that we wanted to find out at the same time our families did. Most of you that know us well know that my sister, Michelle, was born with mental retardation and a slight form of autism. Let me tell you, she can't wait to be an aunt! She is so stinkin' excited! We figured that since she will never get the chance to experience all of this for herself, that we wanted her to do the honors of finding out first and telling everyone. Brett and I took our envelope to Build-A-Bear workshop and we made the cutest little bear. We picked out a boy and a girl outfit. We also recorded Tator Tot's hearbeat at the level 2 and had it put inside of the bear. We then gave the envelope to an employee and explained that the gender of our baby was inside and that we wanted her to dress it in the appropriate outfit while we went shopping. I could hardly stand it! For some reason I knew it was a boy, but I still couldn't stand the suspense! Now, one VERY important detail is that this took place on a Friday afternoon and Brett was going out with friends in KC that night...so I had to wait until Saturday to find out! I made him keep the bear in his car, or else I KNEW I would peek! We invited the whole fam over on both sides and Michelle opened the bear "condo". When she took it out, I had my face covered. She cradled the bear like a baby and everyone screamed!!! It was so cool...and then I jumped up and down like a complete fool yelling, "I KNEW IT, I KNEW IT!" I told my friends, I guess God knew there could still only be one diva in our house...for now! We all enjoyed some yummy cheesecake and I about wore the heartbeat outta that bear wanting to hear our little Tator Tot!

I went back for a second level 2 on Monday, January 26 and the spot is still there. Needless to say, the dr. must have been in a bad mood at that first appt. b/c she was a completely different person this time. I asked her what that spot was in real life and she explained that it was a calcification on the muscle near a valve, but that it hasn't grown and she isn't concerned. She explained at both appt.'s that plenty of healthy babies are born that have this. I had my regular monthly appt. that afternoon and they aren't concerned, either. I'm just gonna trust the professionals! He is getting so big....I was 23.3 weeks and everything was measuring over 24...except for his little head. Guess he won't have my big ol' melon! He weighs about 1 lb. 6 oz. I just can't wait to finally meet him!!! I feel him moving more and more everyday and it is so weird, but cool!

I hope to get some pics of our cute little bear and the new ones of Tator Tot up soon. Again, I'm trying to be better! If I would just keep up, I wouldn't have to write a novel! Peace out, cub scouts! =)