Little Spider

Take a look at the little lady that was making a home right outside our kitchen window the last few days.

I know the pictures aren't the best, but no way was I going outside to snap her.  She was about an inch across, including legs.  Her web was beautiful though!

And the baby is a......

Some of you might have guessed along with me what gender this baby is going to be.  First, I thought girl.  Then I used Intelligender (an at-home gender predictor kit) and it said boy.  Then I was all confused.  Some people thought girl, some thought boy.  I was going crazy!  Finally I decided it was probably a boy, and started hunting for names and little boy things. 

On the 12th we finally had our big-deal ultrasound, where they look for lots of things, especially development of baby's organs and such.  They also tell you the sex of the baby if you want to know.

So we went in, Bill and I, all prepared to hear what the tech had to say.  This lady is the one who did our ultrasound for Karina, and told us she was a girl.  She's only been wrong 2 times in her career, and I know she's been at it for probably over 20 years. 

So, do you want to know what it is? 

It's.....







a....























GIRL!!!

Yes, Karina is going to have a little sister!  I was so shocked, I had gotten my head all into thinking boy, but I guess my first instinct was right all along.  Assuming this isn't our tech's third mistake, ha ha!  No, I'm kidding; I'm fully confident that she's right.  We have a middle name picked out, we've had it for a long time.  Just need a first name.  It's taken me a while to get back into the girl way of thinking, but I'm happy that she's healthy (oh yeah, that important part of the ultrasound--she looks great!).  Also happy I don't have to buy a new diaper bag because I really like mine!

Well I hope you had fun wondering and guessing.  It was fun for me, too, but I am beyond relieved to finally know and start planning and shopping.

Have a good weekend!

No Tears!

Karina did great going to preschool today!  She didn't cry at all, which means neither did I.  She was a little unsure, and she was dawdling over her breakfast, but other than that, she went willingly. 

When I picked her up, the first thing she said was, "Where's my backpack?" (They keep them in the hallway)


We went to Wendy's for a special lunch to celebrate, and now she's supposed to be sleeping, but I hear her in there talking.  Sleep, girly!

I'm so glad it went so well.  And I didn't cry!

First Day of Preschool, Report

Well, as I predicted, everything went fine today.  I was there with Karina at preschool the whole time, which is how they plan it, and Karina did just fine.  She colored, then played with trucks, then it was cleanup and snack time (ice cream!), and then books and we went home.  It helps, I think, that her little friend is in the class.  I know it's nice for me to see that familiar face (her mom) when I walk in.  Thursday will be different--Thursday I leave her in there alone, so I'll have more to report then.  Hopefully we'll have no tears!  Or there will be a LOT of tears coming from ME!!

First Day of Preschool

Tomorrow is the first day of school for kids in Virginia.  That includes Karina!  She is starting preschool.  Bill and I decided about a year ago that it would be good for her to go to preschool for the socializing aspect of it.  I knew of a certain school that I wanted her to go to, because not only is it a great school, my friends have their kids there and the mother of one of my friends is the head of school.  So I felt really comfortable sending her there.  At the time, they had one day a week 2 year old classes, but the teachers and staff decided that it basically wasn't worth the kids' time (or the teachers' time) so they went to a 2 day a week or 3 day a week class.  Karina is in the 2 day class.  I'm not that nervous, which really surprises me.  I thought I would be, but to be honest, I'm really kind of looking forward to it.  She will only be in class about 2 1/2 hours, and the school is far enough from our house that going home will be pretty much pointless and a waste of gas.  Luckily, there are tons of places near the school to shop.  I made a list one night of all the things I can do--by myself--while she's in school, like get a haircut, do grocery shopping, go to the craft store, or Target, or the mall.  There is a ton to do.  Of course, at some point I'll be pregnant enough that I won't want to wander around anywhere, but that's okay, I can still find something to do sitting down, possibly eating a Frosty...

On the other hand, I will miss her!  I'm so glad it's only twice a week (I really wanted the once a week class, but it'll be okay).  I love being with her.  I know a lot of parents who are fed up with their kids, or their kids are obnoxious or something, and I hear about how happy they are that school is starting up again, or they're so happy to get away from their kids.  Maybe it's just not happened for me yet, but I don't get it.  I love being with Karina.  Don't get me wrong, I need my Me time, too, but usually, I'm content to be with her and take her along with me.  So I will definitely miss her, but I think it will be so good for both of us.  We will also be doing Musikgarten again this year, YAY!!!!!  That will be on Wednesdays.  We had a bit of a scare when the teacher announced the class was on Tuesdays.  I told her I had specifically requested the Tuesday/Thursday preschool class so we could still attend, and she was able to work her schedule so that we could still have the Wednesday class.  I am SOOOOOO happy!!!  I love our Musikgarten classes, and if any of you read this are in a position to go to one, I HIGHLY recommend them.  It was the first thing Karina and I did as a class experience, and it was great not just for her, but for me as a first time stay-at-home-mom to get out and be around other grown ups who were in similar situations.  In fact, one of Karina's Musikgarten classmates is in her preschool class, too!

The preschool starts the twos off slowly, so I will be with Karina for the entire (shortened to one hour) class tomorrow.  There will also only be half the class there during our time, and the other half will come in after us.  Then on Thursday, she will go by herself for only 90 minutes.  Finally, next Tuesday, she will be there by herself for the full 2 1/2 hours.  I'll post a brief update after class tomorrow sometime, but I don't know how much there will be to report, since she won't be by herself.  We've already met her teacher and assistant, and they are great, so nice.  So, I think everything is going to go just fine. 

To all the kids out there starting school tomorrow, have a good first day!  Listen to your teachers!  Do your homework!  Pay attention in class!  Have fun!!!