8 Years Ago Today

I was in my literacy room waiting for my third graders. The same room I teach in now. My para walked in from her break. “You haven’t left the room, have you?” she asked. “No.” I said. “Then you don’t know.” she said, quietly. “Know what?” “I will tell you after.” “No, please tell me.” “The World Trade towers are no more.” It was 10:45 on September 11, 2001.

Happy Tuesday

I am kicking off my renewed interested in blogging.  I know I am not the most interesting writer, but I am going to try.

When I was in high school a friend gave me a book called 14,000 Things to be Happy About.  I started a list of my happy things in 1993.  When I stopped I had 223.  I doubt I will ever get to 14,000, but I thought I might try to hit 1000 in my lifetime.  I added to the list last year, and then again last night.  Here are my latest additions that make me happy:

  1. my son
  2. my baby’s smile
  3. walks on a perfect summer day
  4. bagpipes in the distance
  5. crisp fall days
  6. my students doing well
  7. back pain-free days
  8. homemade apple pie
  9. fresh macaroni and cheese
  10. new books
  11. computers that work consistently
  12. having a president of color
  13. the freedom to speak out against your government without fear (even if you are stupid)
  14. watching my husband take care of our son
  15. sleeping late while my husband takes care of our son
  16. car trips
  17. leaves changing color in the fall
  18. maple cotton candy
  19. comfortable shoes
  20. going barefoot
  21. fresh lemonade
  22. apple fritters with ice cream
  23. apple cider donuts
  24. that first glimpse of Star Island
  25. shiny blue bow ties

Labor Day

How long were your labors?

I started having irregular contractions Friday morning.  Around 11:30 that night they started to become more regular and harder.  I started pushing around 9 am and delivered at 11:40 am.  So I was going for about 24 hours, but the hard part was really 12 hours.

How did you know you were in labor?

I didn’t, for a while.  But when I couldn’t sit down or lie down I was pretty sure that’s what was going on.

Where did you deliver?

At a hospital, but the “maternity ward” is really a Birthing Center.  Where the smart people are.  Our Lamaze teacher said many times, “When you start to want to be where someone knows what they are doing, it is time to go to the hospital.”

Drugs?

Yup.  Well, sort of.  I didn’t have an epidural, but the transition contractions were killing me and I had narcotics to help me rest and ease through that part.  I would totally do it that way again.

C-section?

Nope.  He was heads down for the last 4 months.

Who delivered?

I delivered, but I had a midwife who was there to catch the baby.  I saw three midwives through my pregnancy and I got just what I needed in delivery, the sweet, funny one to get me through the early stages (3 am -7 am) and the no nonsense one in the pushing part (I don’t remember a few hours in there).  I barely remember my first two nurses, but the two that were there for the delivery were terrific!  My husband was there with me the whole time, holding my hand, rubbing my back and holding my leg when I had no strength left.  My mom arrived just after 6 followed by my MIL and then my dad.  My sister arrived at 11, just in time for the “good stuff”.  I didn’t think I would want them all there, but in the end it was great.

My little guy

I found this meme on Rocks in My Dryer and I am so glad I could participate, finally, in one about my baby.

Baby shopping


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