Thankful

Craig and I have an abundance of thanks to give this Thanksgiving. Our most important thanks is for the sweet baby girl that is growing every day. We are anxiously waiting to meet her.

This is the 4th Thanksgiving that I have had to teach on Thanksgiving Day and it hasn't gotten any easier. However, I have made some wonderful memories in these 4 Thanksgivings. From sitting in a makeshift kitchen in Belize to trying to figure out how to cook a turkey in our little German oven; I have made some sweet memories.

Even though I always miss my family (even more than normal) on this Holiday, I am thankful to be surrounded by friends. In my 4 Thanksgivings abroad, I have never spent it alone.

This year my good friend and colleague, Kat, hosted a party at her apartment after school on Thanksgiving day. People from all nationalities gathered together to eat, socialize, and watch American football.

After enjoying the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, we watched American Football!

Thankful for Kat's sling box.

The gracious host!

On Saturday, Craig and I hosted a smaller Thanksgiving dinner at our apartment. It was wonderful to sit around the table and enjoy traditional Thanksgiving food.

The beautiful and delicious spread of food.

As I end my post today, I want to say how thankful I am for technology. We were actually able to SEE the Goodwins on Thanksgiving Day thanks to Skype. I was also able to be in contact with my mom all day. I am very thankful we are able to be in constant contact with our families and friends in the USA.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Bows, Bows, and More Bows!

My mom and I spent some quality time over my October break making the most gorgeous hairbows for Ms. Norah Grace; I just had to give the Germans something to talk about. I have been trying to think of the best way to store all of the hair bows because the plastic shopping bag they were sitting in just wasn't doing it for me. Thankfully, trusty ole' Pinterest came in handy once again and gave me this great way to keep the hairbows.

First, I had my handy dandy husband spray paint a picture frame I had. This frame has been driving me crazy because I couldn't find a picture to fit in it. I am so happy we were finally able to make good use out of it.

I then attached ribbon to the frame. The hardest part of the whole project was choosing what ribbon should go in the frame.

The finished product!

Norah Grace's friends are modeling the "hair bow holder."

Now... where to hang it?!?!?

Don't you just love all of those hair bows?

What to Do?!?

Today is day number 5 of my bed rest and one of the better days I've had. Today I actually started to come to grips with this term I've heard... what is it?... hmm... ah yes! "relaxing." For me, relaxing comes in the form of doing things which boggles my husband's mind.

As a teacher, you still have responsibilities even when you are home sick. Planning sub lessons is not an easy task, but I am thankful for supportive colleagues and a supportive school. I also have reports due in a week and a half, but I am trying not to worry too much as I have to remember that key word "relax."

Today I managed to find a way to sit on my bum but still be productive which is why it has been such a good day. Thanks to pinterest I found the cutest craft that would keep my mind occupied and my body still. I created Ms. Norah Grace a tutu. I had the supplies from when I was in KY and thought it would be perfect for newborn photos.

If you want to make a tutu go to this website for a great tutorial: http://becraftybecreativebecute.blogspot.com/2011/04/super-easy-cutsie-tutu.html

Norah Grace's teddy bear posing with the tutu.

The dogs have been acting funny for quite some time now because they know their world is getting ready to be turned upside down. However, only recently have they started to really act out. Mika has taken on a new love of chewing up things (something we rarely saw in her puppy days). She has managed to chew up a 50 Euro note (which we managed to get replaced..thankfully!) a one dollar bill, and today I found her with one of Norah's hairbows. Bella has taken a different approach and needs to be snuggling with me at all times. If she is in a different room than me she will bark until I come in the room. What am I going to do with these two when the baby does come!?!

This entry is a bit of randomness, but I wanted to record some things because I know that when Norah comes I will have a hard time remembering what I ever did before she was here?!?!

Takin' It Easy

Amy at 27 weeks.

This week has been quite a busy one! Last weekend Craig was away so my good friend and colleague, Kat, came over and helped me paint the baby room.

We left a "border" around the top so that we could add our own border. The wonders of the internet allowed us to order a border online from the USA. I can't wait for it to arrive. Right now the nursery theme is "flower garden" but this could change :)

On Tuesday I went to the doctor for my regular checkup and they wanted to check for gestational diabetes. While at the doctor I felt like a lab rat, but was happy to hear that all was "Wunderbar!" I used to have a HUGE fear of doctors, but now I feel quite comfortable being poked and prodded.

On Wednesday I had my Master's Comprehensive Final Exam. The exam itself was not so bad, but getting the exam proved to be a stressor. I ended up having to make several phone calls because for some reason the exam was not appearing in my principal's email (who was proctoring my exam). Nonetheless, all worked out :) I am now anxiously awaiting my scores.

Unfortunately, after that wonderful doctor's checkup on Tuesday I started to feel not so good Wednesday night. It appeared to me that pieces of light were falling all around me. I chalked it up to a possible migraine coming on and went to bed. However, I woke up the next morning and my vision wasn't as clear as normal so I swung by the doctor who is 3 doors down from me. She took my blood pressure and it was high. However, she couldn't understand it as I had such a good checkup only 2 days before. So, they hooked me up to a monitor to listen to the baby's heartbeat. Norah Grace did not like the monitor and made that very known by constantly kicking it. Thankfully, she was fine.

The doctor checked my blood pressure once again and it was still high. So, I thought worst case scenario would be that I would have to call out of work for the day. Instead, she told me I had to take a week off and come see her again before I go back to work. Craig has already told me I'm not allowed to argue with the doctor when it comes to being wrote off so I just smiled and said I have to do what she thinks is best for mine and the baby's health. All the while, a rolodex of things I needed to do started spinning through my head.

So, now I am stuck at home with a kind and loving husband who won't let me do anything. Unfortunately, I'm not a "sit around" kind of gal and I will probably go crazy before it's all said and done. Luckily, I have some "small tasks" that I can do while I'm taking it easy. Also, the doctor said I can take very short walks as long as I'm supervised :)

I am praying that my blood pressure goes down before my next checkup and I can get off of "home rest."

Amy at 28 weeks on "home rest."

Home Is Where the Heart Is

Craig and I recently got back from an amazing, but short, trip to the USA. It was so nice (and a bit overwhelming) to be in a country where we understood everything that was being said. We experienced a bit of a culture shock when we first arrived, but quickly got back into the groove of being an American.

Our first stop was Exton, PA. We were surprised and happy to learn that we were going to have the chance to see all of Craig's extended family. We felt extremely spoiled and blessed by the beautiful and thoughtful gifts we received at the baby shower. Here are some pictures:

After what felt like a quick visit in PA, I headed south to spend time with my family while Craig headed north for a man's camping weekend in Ithaca, NY.

While in KY I was spoiled once again by an amazing baby shower. One of the best parts, just like at the first shower, was getting to spend time with family whom we miss very much.

Me and my mom at the baby shower. I'm 25 weeks in this picture.

My beautiful cake. It was delicious also!

A new friend for Norah. My mom and I spent some quality time making Ms. Norah Grace hairbows.

Even though Megan W. and Meghan T. could not make it to the shower, they sent me and Norah a beautiful bouquet of flowers. I am so thankful for their friendship.

As you can see, Norah Grace is one spoiled and very loved baby. She will certainly be well-dressed.

It was hard to say good-bye to our friends and family. However, now that we are back in Germany we have many wonderful things to look forward to. I am in my last Master's class and will hopefully (fingers crossed) be completed with my Master's as a Reading and Writing Specialist before Christmas. I also have 5 weeks left of teaching before my maternity leave starts. I will then be off until January 2013. Norah Grace is due to arrive at the first of February and we are busy planning her first trip to Ireland in April.

We are truly blessed and thankful for all of God's many blessings.