January 4th, 2011

Happy New Year! So excited to think that 2011 is the year our baby will come into this world!
So how did our winter break go?  Before the holiday break even started, the year ended with a bit of a cry/meltdown at work.  I thought the emotional thing was done!  I had a bit of a cry when I couldn't handle my students chaos of the last day before the winter break.  They were out of control with excitement.  I teared up and had to leave the room because they wouldn't be quiet for the math lesson after repeatedly stopping  the lesson.  Ugh...Good thing, my co-teacher was there to take over.  Baby R sure does hear me go through many emotions from yelling to crying to laughing while at work.   Our little one will know their mommy has a majorly emotion filled job! After a quick recovery, many hugs, apologies, and pats on the belly from my kiddos, the day ended with laughs and a little sadness that I wouldn't see my students for a few weeks.  Oh, who am I kidding?  I was happy the winter break and the student-break had started!  The holidays were fun and exciting with 4 Christmas' and a nice long break.  We got to have our Arkansas family, the Bennicoffs, here at our house for the holidays.  Mom, Dad, Karissa, and the Bennicoffs came over and we had the first big family Christmas in our house.  It was truly special to have them all here.  Next we ventured down to Wisconsin for the two more Christmas' with the Isaacsons and the Burkes.  We finished our break traveling down to Miami to see our Rothe family!  What a nice time we had exploring Miami with VEG and D & G Rothe (otherwise known as mom and dad).  We enjoyed seeing Glen and Velvet's new home and of course, playing with Evan!  Donna and Glen even took time to throw us a surprise baby shower: Our first one.  It was so kind of them and we got some adorable gender neutral clothes and baby supplies that we very special to us!  All our immediate family members got to hear the baby's heartbeat during our visits.  Each niece and nephew seemed excited about the new baby.  Liam had to try and listen to the baby using a 'kid" stethoscope.  Lots of questions were asked about when the baby would get here and how big it was.  Liam and Evan both have names for the baby including smoke and march april bennicoff.  All kiddos said hi to the belly and told him/her how much they loved them.  It is so adorable to see them so excited about their new cousin coming soon.  Baby Rothe enjoyed the pats on the tummy and was especially happy during the break with the cookies and holiday meals that we were fed. My belly is getting bigger!  I don't know if it is all baby cause I know there must be some "fat" in there too.  Dave swears I look adorable but he is just a great husband. We spent the New Year at the Pachners celebrating with David's cousins and aunt/uncle!  Family time is always so wonderful!  And now we are back to the grind of work and home life.  I love being with my families, but it is good to be home with my new family...and soon Dave and I will be more as a family of 3.   Feeling really good....have flutters here and there.  I can't wait to feel it for sure.  Right now our LO feels like it is tickling my belly.  Hip pain and sore back are some of my fun symptoms right now.  Tings and pangs of pain come and go but overall I am feeling good. Memory loss and jumbled thoughts seem to be in full force. My belly is certainly hard and at times (especially at night) is huge!    I am seeing the spider veins coming too! Oh the joys of getting older and of course, those that come with being pregnant. But one thing is for sure, this baby is going to loved so much!  There is so much excitement by our parents, siblings, and especially the little niece and nephews for this little one to come.  Baby R, you know mom and dad can't wait to meet you!  More to come!  Our next appointment is next Tuesday!  One week till we get to see you on the big screen little one!  It has been too long since we got a peek at you!  David promised to post next so now let's see what he has to say on the blog.....