Deep sighs of relief!

Here's the Kiddo update: "This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy."

So, why the deep sighs? I have finally finished the background of Kiddo's room and tomorrow, my aunt and cousin are coming over to help us finish up the characters, for which I have all the paint purchased. I seriously cannot wait for the painting to be over with because I really want to arrange Kiddo's room already. Aaron and I went to Babies R Us on Thursday and ordered our rocking chair and ottoman. The furniture specialist there asked if either of us had an engineering degree, but I'm not disuaded! We have constructed a crib, bouncy seat, swing, and stroller so far, so I think we can manage a rocker.

In other news, Aaron and I have selected a day care and we are going to sign the initial paperwork on Tuesday. Aaron still has yet to see the place, but my glowing recommendation sold him on it. The people were so friendly, the facility was so clean, AND they are willing to work with cloth diapers. The first day care I looked at was ok and was closer to home, but it felt a little "used" I guess is the word I'm thinking of and they were also not willing to give us as good of a deal for when I'm off school in the summer. The second day care I looked at was a freaking nightmare! They asked me to schedule a visit, which I did, but then no one was prepared for me to come! There was also a sign in the director's office that said, "Your lack of planning is not my emergency." Now, I've thought that VERY often, and would honestly LOVE to post that sign in my classroom, but I know how inappropriate it is; I guess these people don't. They also were the furthest from home, seemed nervous about cloth diapers, and were the most expensive place. There was a kid just wandering around too, no supervision on him! Yikes! The lady who came to get me at the door screeched like a banshee to find out if anyone knew I was coming too. I should have just walked out. This third and final daycare is not as close to home as I'd like, but it really does seem great. I wish it had a little more security, but overall, I'm happy! Having a day care selected is like having this huge weight lifted off my shoulders. I think Kiddo will do well there and if, for some reason, things don't work out well, we'll look for a new one.

So, how about some pictures? Think of this as the "reverse tour" through Kiddo's room.

Must still paint closet doors and add a piranha plant.

Picture Mario, a Goomba, and a Koopa in this general area, plus another piranha plant in the pipe.

Same wall, a bit higher so you can see the coins.

A piranha plant and Koopa will join this wall on its completion.

Only a Goomba to add, under the mushroom block.

Look at the fancy bouncer and swing from Grandma and Grandpa Johnson/Lehs and Grandma and Grandpa Johnson respectively.

Ah the travel system! Purchased with the help of a few returned items and gift cards from Great Grandma Griffin and Great Aunt Ellyn.

Now let's take a moment to appreciate the awesomeness of super-talent friends by browsing the onesies and other creations from last weekend's suprise shower:

Aunties Rislow, Anni, and Steph created these (from l to r).

Auntie Anni, Auntie Kathryn, and Momma created these (clockwise from top left).

I think the top left one was Auntie Rislow, but the prego amnesia thing is at work so I apologize if I'm wrong, then I made the geek one with a rudimentary Pac Man, and Auntie Kathryn painted the sun.

Aunties Anni, Rislow, and Gab created these masterpieces (clockwise from top left).

Momma made the shroom and Auntie Gab made the other two. I heart the "I'm a boy" one.

Auntie Steph made the blue blanket and Halloween onesie, Auntie Rislow made the blue and brown blankie, and Auntie Kathryn got Kiddo the cute "Don't blame me" onesie.

I bought some onesie extenders from Amazon last week so hopefully, these onesies will last a LONG time, no matter how big Kiddo gets. I need to stop buying clothes for him. At BRU last weekend, I saw these really vute forest onesies with Rislow and when we bought the rocker, I bought a ton of things from that set, like a cute little jacket and a couple of sleepers. I am officially calling off all clothing purchases by me until he arrives now because we have so much and there are other things to buy that are far more important.

I'm coming to the swift realization that school will be here before I know it. That's kind of depressing. I look forward to it, but I think I'm so caught up in the baby mania of my mind, that it's hard to think of much else. About a month in to the school year, I'll go on maternity leave, come back for a week or so before Thanksgiving and then spend three weeks working before Christmas. Second semester will be a LONG HAUL though. Not much is blossoming on the job-front. Of course, I have my awesome FP job, which I am in no hurry to leave, but it's not administration and it seems like no one is really willing to take a chance with me there. I applied for one job that I was sure I didn't have much of a chance at getting, but it sucks to see that it is still posted because they pushed the date back and THEN said "open until filled." Hello! I'm right here! Eh, the person with whom I'd work hates the air that I breathe, so it wouldn't work out well, but it still stings a bit. It also stings that I don't hear any feedback on the other positions for which I apply. I really do want to get my hands dirty as a school improvement leader, but I think my only having five years experience in education is working against me a little, no matter how awesome I think the experience has been.

Anywho, I think I need to go clean something. I think the bathroom smells of dill for some reason, so maybe I'll scrub the floor. When Aaron gets home from work, we are taking Kiddo to his first (and hopefully not last) in-utero movie: Harry Potter 7.2! I'll get to indulge my milk dud craving! Woot woot! Much love gente!