2nd Floor Framing

I have to give a huge shout out to the 4 guys that were working on our house today!  I was so impressed with them!  In the 20 minutes that I sat there and watched them, they basically got up all the outside walls of the 2nd floor.  They were working so fast I couldn't believe it!  Instead of walking over to get the level and bring it back, they quickly scurried back and forth!  There was not a wasted minute!

Here is what the house looked like when I first arrived:

This is what it looked like 20 minutes later!!  I watched it evolve right before my eyes!  It was so fun!

As I was leaving, a crane arrived.  I figured that they were getting it ready for tomorrow to move the lumber upstairs to frame the bedrooms.  Before I went to church, I stopped by the house with Travis.  I was shocked to see that the crane was up and the framing for the roof was almost complete!  Look!  It looks like a house!  They weren't kidding when they said things move fast! 

I can't wait until we get to walk through the house!  It is getting closer!

Next Week?

I went to the doctor today for my weekly visit.  I met with one of the Doctors that I haven't seen since October!  That is a looong time.  She was very positive and reassuring through out the appointment.  I would love it if she could be the one to deliver me!  She kept telling me how good I look and I couldn't help but laugh.  This past week, pregnancy has really hit me.  I have started retaining water and just feel puffy, my face, fingers and feet/legs mainly.  I have not been able to sleep through the night so I am just exhausted and feel like an emotional basket case. It was just ironic because this is the worst I have felt since the days of morning sickness and she was so nice.

Then she started asking if I had my bag packed and car seat in the car.  I said that I had my toiletries packed but that's about it.  She recommended that I go ahead and do those things.  Then she said, "she could come anytime starting next week."  NEXT WEEK?!?!  How did it get here so fast? 

All of the sudden I feel a little panic to get everything done!  I have my sub plans done...for the most part.  I have baby supplies...for the most part.  I know what I am doing...for the most part.  My house is ready...for the most part.  It is just a little crazy and stressful!  I am still waiting for that "nesting energy" that I hear all about to kick in.  I have had no desire to get things done lately.  I come home and just want to sleep.  I need a kick in the pants to finish these last few things!

I just can't believe how fast everything is happening (it has been 9 months in the making but it still seems fast)!  So, wish me luck these next few weeks and pray for my sanity.  I may be freaking out a little bit!  

Framing...First Floor

I didn't update over the weekend because we didn't really have any good pictures.  On Friday, they poured the basement and garage.  When I went by after school, they were all out working so I just stayed in the car.  I went by later with Travis when he got off work.  At that point, they covered up the concrete so there was no point in taking a picture.  Also on Friday, all the goodies arrived.  We had window frames, stairs and lots and lots of lumber.

We also got an email from our PM giving us an update on what was accomplished and what they hoped to do this week.  He said that they planned on starting the framing.  I was so excited to drive by after school because I have seen how fast they move.  I hear the first floor is up one day, the second the next and the roof on the next.

This is what the house looked like when I drove by at 4:00.

 Back of the house.  The morning room is complete!

 They made a mess of our yard!

They were working hard and working fast.  After taking a couple pictures, I drove around the block to see the progress on the other houses being built.  When I came back by our house, they had 2 more walls up!  I was amazed!

Travis and I went by at 6 and they were still there working!  It appeared to me that they had all the first floor framing, but I am not sure.  They could have just had the outside framing and not all the rooms.  We will have to go back tomorrow to look. 

Baby Shower

I just have to tell you how lucky I am to work at Brantwood Elementary!  I remember when I first moved to Ohio and started looking for a job the feeling I got as I drove up to the school.  I remember telling Travis that Brantwood was my school.  During the time that I had to transfer my teaching license over to an Ohio liscense, I substituted around the district.  Every time I was at Brantwood, it felt like home.  Now, a year later and being a teacher there, I can't deny that this is the place for me.  The staff is absolutely amazing!

That being said, they threw me a shower after school on Wednesday.  I was so shocked at how generous everyone was!  A couple teams went in together to get me some of my bigger registry items.  The best part about having a little girl are all the cute clothes!  I am so grateful for everything that has been given to us!

Travis keeps saying that he doesn't want me to decorate the baby's room "all princessy" because he doesn't want her to be spoiled.  Well, I am afraid that we are not off to a good start.  I walked into her room yesterday and laughed out loud because it is full of baby things (a lot of it still in boxes because we are waiting until we move to set things up).  Travis declared that she already has more stuff than him and that we need our new house just for her.  I am so excited for her to hurry up and get here!  Only 29 days to go (19 school days!!!) until my due date!  Hopefully she will make her appearance a week early to be a St. Patty's Day baby!

Gravel and Plumbing

After school I met up with someone over by our house so I took a minute after meeting to check out the house.  I honestly did not expect anything to be different, but wanted to just drive by anyways.  To my surprise, there were trucks out front. 

Since Monday, they put down the gravel for the garage and leveled out our big dirt mound.  As I peeked over the wall, I realized the foundation forms had been removed, they put in the rough-ins for the basement plumbing and placed the structural steel!!!  Things are really starting to pick up!

I also met one of our new neighbors.  She was driving by as I was getting out of the car to take some pictures.  I am excited to be in such a friendly community! 

Foundation Forms

I was so excited to drive by the house yesterday and see that the foundation forms were not only put up, but poured!  You can see that it it is turning into a house!  Now is when everything is going to start to pick up and move quickly.  Now if only the weather will cooperate!

This is a shot from the right side of the house.  The front mound of dirt is the garage.  You can see the main part of the house and morning room in the back.  I am soooooo excited that I can hardly stand it!

Pregnant moment of the week:  I wouldn't walk around the house because I was too scared of losing my balance and falling.  What happened to me jumping over large holes and climbing high mountains/rocks?  I had to get Travis walk around and take all the pictures. 

Sub Plans

Sub Plans...You Will Not Defeat Me!!!

I have spent the majority of my long weekend completing sub plans for when I go on maternity leave.  Let me tell you, it is not an easy process.  Luckily I have a great team this year so I am not worried if I forgot anything important.  They will keep my sub up to date and informed.

I planned out what needed to be taught each week and came up with activities and practice for most things.  She will have to see what the team does for some of it.  I also got all my centers organized.  The two big things I have left are planning for math and making copies.  With the new core curriculum, I need to talk to the team leader to get the math map since it is changed so much from last year.

I broke it down by week and color coded it.  I have file folders with the resources and a long print up of standards to be taught each week (also color coded).  It was no easy task, but it is done!  Now just to get everything copied and made!  The hard part is done!

My sub box.  I went ahead and planned for the rest of the year.  I don't know if I will be early or late so I went ahead and did it all!

35 Weeks and Dropping

I can officially count how many weeks I have left on one hand!  I have five weeks to go , but I am hoping she comes before then.  I keep telling her that she is due March 17th instead of the 23rd so she will come then.  My dad keeps telling me that she is going to come when ever she wants.  We will see what happens.  I think it would be fun to have a St. Patty's Day baby since 3-13-13 is not likely. 

One good sign that she is getting prepared is that she has dropped.  I have always heard of this happening but never really understood or noticed it on others.  Several people at work this week even commented that I "looked different," "dropped," and I am "carrying low now."

I don't feel so full/thick around my top and the bottom of my belly seems soooo heavy.  I had to hold my belly up last night when I was jogging because it felt so heavy.  Her dropping was a gradual process.  Last week I started having lots of lower back pain and by the end of the week I was feeling all the "symptoms" of when a baby drops.  I am now at the stage where I waddle more than walk and my stomach is constantly tight.  All I can do is laugh at how I must look.  

Travis has been really good at being sympathetic and rubbing my back every night.  Other than the lower back pain, I am feeling great!  I really do need to count my blessings with how well this pregnancy has gone.  I feel huge, but realize that is nothing compared to what others suffer.  I attribute a lot of it to staying active and eating decently, but I guess my mom gave me some good genes too.

Here is my picture from 33weeks vs. 35.  Can you see the difference?

Footers

Let me just start by saying this was the longest week ever and I am really looking forward to this three day weekend!  I am exhausted and ready for the break!

The house this week was pretty disappointing.  It was a gorgeous week and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to get things done.  The footers were put in on Tuesday, but nothing else happened the rest of the week.  I went by every day in hopes of seeing something accomplished and was disappointed.

Footers:
(Sorry it is dark. I didn't have my camera until I went by with Travis that evening.)

We did get an email from our PM today saying that they are waiting to get the foundation walls poured but the forms were dropped off today.  Next week they plan on pouring the foundation, installing the gravel for the garage, setting the basement structural steel, waterproofing the home and possibly pouring the basement and garage slabs.  I am hoping it all gets done!

Everyone has been asking me how the house is coming and they are very doubtful that it will be finished by April when I tell them how much is done now.  I am still keeping my fingers crossed but realize they may be right.  :(

1 Transfer

As a missionary, you do everything by transfer, or 6 weeks.  You track how many transfers you have been out, how many transfers you have left, how many transfers you have been in an area and how many transfers you have been with a certain companion.  Each transfer you make goals, set things to work on, and focus on certain people and things.  There was a saying that you could do anything for a transfer.  It was only a short amount of time.

As of today, I only have one transfer left until I have a baby if not less.  That is not long at all!  If I recall correctly, the last transfer of my mission was the fastest.  It seemed like I couldn't get in everything that I wanted to.

With that being said, the stress of getting everything done has really hit.  I am not so stressed about the baby as I am about life.  I am definitely a planner and you can't plan the arrival of a baby.  She may come early, she may come late or she may be exactly on time.

I officially have a long term sub lined up for when I am on maternity leave.  That is probably my biggest stress right now.  I am really excited about the sub, but how am I supposed to plan 8 weeks worth of teaching now?  Everything is based on the students and how much they are understanding.  Besides being a planner, I am also an organizer.  How do I organize 8 weeks worth of material?  And when will that time start?  I need to plan the next six weeks so that I can prepare plans for the following 6 weeks.  That is a long time!

I have started reading birthing and child raising articles and books now instead of pregnancy ones.  I just don't think anything can really prepare you until you have first hand experience.

I haven't really done anything for the baby's room either.  We will be moving just a couple weeks after she arrives so we aren't even setting up the crib.  My parents and Travis' mom are planning on coming when the little one arrives so we need the baby's room for company anyways. 

I am putting all other buying on hold until I have my baby shower so I can really evaluate what I need.  It is so hard though because I just want to start getting everything ready now. 

I did finally find a diaper bag that I like.  Too bad it is $150.  Travis vetoed it before he even knew the price.  He asked why everything had to look like a purse.  He said he would never carry a diaper bag like that.  What was your favorite diaper bag and why?

This is my favorite one so far.  This is a runner up that Travis said he could handle. (I tried posting the picture, but it wouldn't let me.)

There's a Hole in the Ground!!!

Yesterday was full of let downs.  To start it all off, I was going on day 3 of killer migraine.  I had a doctor's appointment and found out that I can't deliver at the place I wanted and was told that I couldn't be induced until 41 weeks even though at my last appointment they told me I could be induced at 39 weeks.  I thought I would drive by the house to see any progress and all I found was an empty lot.  Then I had to go straight over to church and didn't get home till late after not being home ALL day. 

Today is a totally different story!  I woke up head ache free and had a great night's rest.  The weather has been beautiful all day!  It even hit the 50s!  The best part though, was the text that I got while I was on my lunch break. 

"Travis/Amber, Good news.  I picked up your permit this morning and we are digging today!"

Wahoo!!!!  I could hardly keep my excitement in!  I told the other kindergarten teachers and my principal right after school.  My principal just built with Ryan Homes this past year so he understood my excitement. 

Of course I had a ton to do after school and couldn't leave immediately, but knowing that I could go see the start of our home gave me motivation to work quickly.  I didn't do everything I had planned because I was so anxious to get over to the lot.  (I just wanted to get started on my planning/organizing for maternity leave.  It can wait another day.)

I was so excited as I drove around the corner to see our lot.  I was reminded of a song from Girl's Camp when I saw it.
"There was a hole (There was a hole)
In the middle of the ground (In the middle of the ground)
The prettiest hole (The prettiest hole)
That you ever did see (That you ever did see)
And the green grass grew all around, all around
And the green grass grew all around"

There was definitely a pretty hole, but definitely not any green grass!  So, here are some pictures from today!  (Warning:  you may get sick of seeing house updates.  I plan on going by the house everyday for the next few weeks because I hear things go fast once they are started.)  I can't wait!!!!!!

This first picture is for my nephew, Sam.  He loves construction vehicles so I tried to get a picture with both in it.  You can tell the sun was shining because it is washed out and I am too lazy to edit it right now. 

 I didn't think about it while taking the picture, but I thought I would post this one to show other houses being built right now.  There are at least 8 in progress that I know of.  You can see two that have their backs to us.  There is another one straight across the street from the house on the right and one next door to us.  I am curious to know if the other Palermo broke ground today too!

 Lot 428.  That's us!!

33 Weeks

Guess What?!?! I am having a baby NEXT month!!  I am 33 weeks!!  That means I only have 7 weeks to go before this little princess arrives...49 days to be exact!!!  It could be less than that if I get induced a week early like my doctor said.  That doesn't seem like much time at all!

The stress of getting everything done has hit me.  The only problem is that I don't really know what I need to do to prepare.  I have a crib and mattress (thanks mom and dad!) as well as lots of other things people have given us as hand-me downs.  All those things are nice to have, but are they the essentials?  I should probably get some newborn diapers and swaddle blankets, but I don't know what else I NEED.  Of course I could go out and buy tons of new clothes because a girl can never have too many clothes, but I don't even know what size she will be.  Will I need premie (highly unlikely), newborn or 0-3 months?  It is so hard to plan for such a big change that is about to happen.  Not to mention that we are trying to get rid of stuff at this point so we won't have as much stuff to move a few weeks after she is born.

I am very excited though!  Just a few quick updates so that I can remember during future pregnancies.  She has started moving more and more.  Everything at my last appointment looked good.  I am still feeling great!  Of course I am getting more tired and achy if I push myself all day, but that is normal.  I am afraid that I am starting to waddle a little when I walk.  I blame it on the fact that I get Braxton hicks contractions all the time so it is more comfortable to waddle when that happens.  I can still wear my wedding rings and my belly button has not popped out yet.  I am feeling huge, but I am 7 1/2 months pregnant so that is normal.

Some of my friends that don't live nearby have been requesting pictures again.  So, first I will show you a cute picture of me and Travis from our honeymoon.  I have been craving another cruise lately!  It was absolutely amazing and I wish I could go back now, especially with all the snow and cold weather we have been getting!

And here I am at 33 weeks