A Teaching & Twins Post!

My first combined Twins & Teaching post….a little something of each.

Friday was the last day of school with my 68 kids.  I teared up several times in front of the kids, and once more after they left. Not many middle school teachers do that, I don’t think.

The first two years of my career were something insane and, to be honest, it was a relief for the kids to leave. I was way too stressed out in that environment, and it just wasn’t for me. This year? Super sap. I’m not ready to say goodbye. (Or “see you later”.) I know I’ll see them again when they come visit. They are just flat-out awesome kids. They are some of the sweetest, most thoughtful young humans ever. The incoming class has big shoes to fill, let me tell ya. I received a few very thoughtful gifts, too, as well as the sweetest card from a parent that I kind of want to frame. A significant majority of the time, they rocked. (Like 99% of the time.) Yeah, we had our moments, but they were very far and few between. I will miss them so much. How could I not, after them being part of my daily life since August? Daily as in weekends, also…oh the grading with being an ELA teacher. I worked my ass off this year, and was actually able to enjoy it SO much more because of the wonderful environment. Competent and effective administrators and well-behaved kids make an incredible difference. (Even the ones who weren’t as well-behaved were still great compared to the hell I dealt with my first 2 years. Still working on blocking most of that out while still keeping enough in mind to not take small issues for granted in my current position.) I definitely had some downs this year, but mostly ups.

What a year.
I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Next year should be insane. I return mid-September from maternity leave and am hoping to not completely lose my mind…not counting on it.

Now, onto the update!

How far along? 

34 whopping weeks.

Total weight gain:  

The scale at the Dr. office indicates 40 lbs…however I’m retaining a bit of water in my lower extremities and don’t believe that number.

Maternity clothes? 

Always.  I’ve given up on pants, though. It's such a struggle. 

Stretch marks? 

Did you know they hurt?! If I touch them or something touches my belly, it actually hurts/stings. So over that!!

Movement? 

Smaller since they're running out of space...

Sleep?

Ugh. I work up a sweat getting comfortable. 

Best moment this week: 

Fully finishing the WHOLE school year on Friday! And all the love from my students…I’ll seriously miss them.

And when the chiropractor fixed my ankles. She’s brilliant.

Miss Anything? 

Putting pants on without having to hold onto the bed for support. Not being hungry all the time. (Seriously, eating is a lot of work, people!)

Food cravings:  

I randomly craved champagne…and a strawberry smoothie. I believe I’ll make one of those two things happen ASAP.

Anything making you queasy or sick:

Nope.  

Gender: 

 Boys!

Labor Signs:  

My NP says I’m starting to efface…!

Symptoms:  

Back pain (Thank God for chiropractors), heartburn is getting worse, Michelin man ankles and feet.

Belly Button in or out? 

Flat. Oh, and numb. Didn’t know skin goes numb!

Happy or Moody most of the time:  

Happy…but uncomfortable!

Looking forward to: 

Lying on the couch this time next week with no commitments except Dr. appointments!

32-but-actually-33-Week Update

So. Here we are. Thirty-three weeks along and the end is actually in sight. It's next month. Next. Month. It's in just a few weeks. It's been talked about for nearly 6 months and now it's practically reality. Oy vay. 

We've made it pretty far with zero issues...Murphy's Law is sure to set in soon though.  (Pessimistic or realistic?) We've been incredibly lucky that things have gone as smoothly as they have...minimal nausea early on and heartburn that I was pretty sure was burning a hole in my esophagus, but real, health-threatening issues? Nada. The NP made a mention of a trace of protein in my urine today, indicating possible preeclampsia, so we're going to pray that doesn't become a bigger issue. 

We'll be meeting these boys sooner than we can even comprehend...3-4 weeks. Aah! 

How far along? 

32 whopping weeks.

Total weight gain:  

34 big ones. About 26 of that is in my ankles/feet. The other 8? The boys.

Maternity clothes? 

Always.  

Stretch marks? 

Yes, yes they do multiply daily.

Movement? 

Every time I am still, they are not. It’s a sign of my future.

Sleep?

Getting comfortable is quite a task, but once I’m comfy, sleep is pretty great.

Best moment this week: 

When I took my sister to my ultrasound with me and she called me fat, and the tech scolded her.

OH! And our diaper party was pretty great!

Miss Anything? 

Still missing the vino. Being able to get out of bed without losing my breath.

Food cravings:  

None. I really feel like I’m missing out, here.

Anything making you queasy or sick:

Still the thought that they’re coming sooner than later.

Gender: 

 Boys!

Labor Signs:  

They are both still head down, and have been for about a month. If one of them flips I’m going to be so disappointed.

Symptoms:  

Back pain (Thank God for chiropractors), heartburn is getting worse, Michelin man ankles and feet.

Belly Button in or out? 

Flat.

Happy or Moody most of the time:  

Happy…but uncomfortable!

Looking forward to: 

Putting myself on bed rest following the school year wrapping up! (But actually sad about the year being over. Sentimental post about that coming up.)  

30 Week Update

Well. Here we are. A whole 5-8 weeks away from there being two more Kirwen's in the world. (A very small percentage if you know anything about my husband's family.) I have a month of work left to go, hoping that my body stays strong enough to work about 17 more days...I'm not so sure that'll happen, but I'm hopeful. As are my darling students who have been asking more frequently if I'll be there until the end. There's something unsettling to me about not being able to finish the year...my first year, too, at this school with some truly awesome kids. Bed rest is prescribed more often than not for women pregnant with multiples, so I've mentally prepared myself for that news...

On a sad note, I found out Saturday morning that a former student of mine died after being pulled from a house fire. It's something that, as a teacher you know will happen at some point in your career, but you just don't think about it too much. They're kids, and it's too morbid. You think you'll lose one to an illness...never not knowing that his house is on fire and/or just can't get out. I can only imagine what my former colleagues and students are experiencing. I pray for their strength as they head back to the place they saw this young man on a daily basis. I'll never forget the phrase this young man said to me most frequently..."Hey Mizz K, can I plug in my phone?" 

How far along? 

30 whole weeks. Ohmygoodness.

Total weight gain:  

27 pounds. Yep, you read that right. 2. 7. Oy. Only about 7 of those pounds are baby. 

Maternity clothes? 

Yes, with the exception of a few pairs of forgiving yoga pants.

Stretch marks? 

In denial about them, but yes.

Movement? 

Constant. It’s almost a relief when they’re calm.

Sleep?

Pretty good. My Fitbit says I’m pretty restless but not enough to wake me up!

Best moment this week: 

Discovering more stretch marks on Sunday morning. LOL J/K.

Miss Anything? 

Wine. We went to the winery Friday and my mouth was seriously watering. They had the summer sangria out.

Food cravings:  

Ice cream…but that’s nothing new.

Anything making you queasy or sick:

The thought that I’m having these babies in the next 5-8 weeks or so.

Gender: 

 Boys! Very wiggly ones. 

Labor Signs:  

More pressure down below; both boys have been head down at our past 3 ultrasound appointments. I take that as a good sign and they know their way out. Cheers to that! 

Symptoms:  

Back pain (Thank God for chiropractors), heartburn is getting worse, Michelin man ankles and feet.

Belly Button in or out? 

Flat/poking out depending on their locations.

Happy or Moody most of the time:  

Happy…but uncomfortable!

Looking forward to: 

Finishing buying off of our registry and being fully prepared for them to arrive! (LOL. Right.) Car seat bases may go in soon…baby steps here.