Inch by Inch

Its. Official. As of this summer I will be a stay at home mom. I turned in my resignation yesterday and boy was it weird. After 8 years of creating lesson plans, helping students on the path to academic success, working with co-workers, presenting at workshops, attending workshops & conferences, my life is changing. I always knew in the back of my head that I wanted to be a stay at home mom. My mom stayed home with us and I've always wanted to give that back to my kids if it were at all possible. Last week when we found out about LOS DOS it was completely confirmed. Childcare for not one - but two infants - is enormous. Basically I wouldn't walk home with a dime each month. And I would probably be walking because I couldn't afford the gas to drive to school and keep my babies in childcare. Suddenly it became very real that I would be staying home. Mat and I both knew this is what we want for our kiddos right now. There will be big sacrifices, but we are willing to do what we need to do to make it work. Like I said, I knew in the back of my mind...but it didn't feel real until yesterday when I met with both of my bosses to hand in my resignation. I am excited and blessed that we will be able to do this. I hear people comment about how bored stay at home moms must be and I just don't get that - I see how incredibly busy my mom friends stay - working or not. I truly feel blessed to be able to stay home and take care of these two little girls. I can't help but wonder what next August will feel like when my teacher friends are headed back to the classroom...will I miss the scheduling, testing, planning, bulletin-board making? I am sure I will. Perhaps I will be too sleep deprived to even realize it's August=)

Speaking of students...My students have been HILARIOUS about the fact that their are 2 babies inside me... here are a few of their comments:

So what size are you NOW?

No - your clothes - what size clothes do you have to wear with twins?

Yep you are getting bigger. Babies are growing.

Do you like your babies?

Will you babies come to ELL?

You're pregnant?!!? I thought my sister way lying and you had gained weight.

I think you should name them Cinderella and Bella.

Who's going to take care of us? Ms. Mardell?!! Ms. Mardell?!! PLEASE!

Can we go to the doctor with you to see your babies?

Can you make us all copies of your babies' pictures so we can keep them.

How did 2 babies get in there?

It has been a constant crack up every day to hear their comments. Kids love to come pat my stomach and say hi to the babies. During a read aloud yesterday one of my girls asked if she could come sit by the babies. My 4th grade class would be MUCH happier just asking questions about the girls than doing anything else=) (Uhm...no luck dudes - state testing is around the corner.) I have started using the twins as a class management strategy (sorry babies). If students in class or the bus line are getting a little rowdy I inform them that the babies can hear them and are learning from them and I would be so embarrassed if my babies acted like that some day. Works like a charm. The kids immediately stop. Who would have guessed? (Check that out Jim Fay, but you didn't have that in your bag of tricks?!)

Here is my most recent pic. I know it's weird to post another pic already, but my stomach has taken off my storm. Good. My doctor said my #1 priority is to eat. And eat I will! (I bought 3 more boxes of girl scout cookies since my last post) A few posts back I was griping about how I thought I looked preggo but no one else did... pretty sure I got what I asked for=)