Lately...

I forgot to mention in my last blog that I recently had to give up part of my childhood.  ...No, not the obvious I'm-about-to-have-a-baby-and-don't-get-to-do-anything-for-20-years part, but my beanie babies!  Specifically, it was getting rid of the physical representation of some of my memories with Dad.  We would get up early on Saturday mornings and "hunt" the new beanies when they were released, even in the winter.  I have memories of sitting bundled up outside The Basket Case, drinking my hot chocolate, waiting for that chance to be at the front of the line to see what our score could be.  Hot chocolate:  $1.99; Beanie Babies: $6.99; Memories with Dad: Priceless.  Don't be fooled, I held on to quite a few, but I gave a bunch to our niece and nephew last year with the rest going to Peyton Manning Children's Hospital.  I knew if I had to let go that I really wanted them to go somewhere that they would be loved and appreciated.  The hospital staff was so appreciative, and that made it all worth it.

I'm still doing some professional development.  I had more last week and have a lot more still to come, and Steven had some last week as well.  He will be one of a few teachers at his high school piloting a very fancy set of graphing calculators, which might not sound that interesting to...well...anyone...but it is very exciting to the teachers in the group!  :-)  I was not able to go to as much of the PD as I had originally signed up for last week because of grad school obligations and back issues, but before I had my final sign-out, the PD leaders presented me with a card that everyone had been secretly signing over the two weeks I was there.  It was so cute and appreciated that they thought of us during this amazing time.  (You can tell that some of the group leaders must have been mothers to initiate something like this...)  :-)

I'm not 100% sure what caused it, but during my time at the PD meetings, my back progress started regressing...and fast.  Needless to say, it wasn't exactly the happiest news after everything that Steven and I have been through since October, but we're strong and will get through it like before.  I think people who weren't around me last year think that it's just your typical pregnancy aches and pains, but it really has nothing to do with the pregnancy (although I'm sure that isn't helping the situation); it's the exact same nerve damage pain as before, so I'm heading back to resume physical therapy this week.  Good thing I trust my physical therapist with my life, otherwise this would be a very disheartening experience!

Current Curtis car count:  1.  My baby is back in the shop for more body repairs.  ::sigh::

I started my second summer semester of grad school last Monday, and boy is it a trip!  You know you're in for a wild ride when the professor basically says (as part of his 46-page syllabus for a 5 week class) that you probably don't want to plan any vacations during his course.  Good, thanks for the head's up!  Luckily my second class isn't quite as much work, but the two of them together really are a full time job.  As in, set the alarm to get up and work all morning and most likely afternoon.  I think the best silver lining of this class is that it's going to be great to have it over with before school starts and Lily arrives!  These are both required classes, so I might as well take them now to get them over with!

On Sunday, I went to a wedding shower for my friend Aiman, who is getting married in a couple weeks.  With all the (very) pregnant women there, you could have easily mistaken it for a baby shower!  Ha!  It was  a great time, and I'm so happy for her.

Every time I talk to Stephanie, I got more and more excited for the baby shower that she is throwing me!!!  To be honest, anytime anyone shows in some way that they are thinking of Steven and I, it means the world to me.  This has been a tough journey without Mom, but it warms my heart to know that so many people out there are thinking about us.  75% of the way there!