The Davolts

Another appointment in the books with little news to report. My blood pressure was slightly elevated from normal, but nothing alarming. The nurse said that all patients she was seeing had an elevation in blood pressure and asked if there was traffic or something to blame. I've gained 28 pounds this pregnancy and my belly is measuring right on track, rather than ahead for the first time in months. My doctor always has students with her and over the years I've grown accustomed to meeting many new, eager young doctors. I'm always given the option to refuse to meet the students (I think I have once in five years) but as a teacher myself, I'm happy to oblige, even if it means hearing the same questions twice in one appointment or feeling extra hands on my belly. Today's student came in first and asked the usual questions. She asked if she could measure my belly and made my day when she said I "have a pretty belly. Good job." I laughed and thanked her for th

Most teachers know they have a job from year to year.  Some call it tenure, or maybe that's just the way most jobs are unless you really screw up, but it does't work that way for the newest generation of  teachers.  For the past couple years,  I was on a one year contract, which meant that I only had a job for that given year, and really didn't know about the following year.  This was the source of a considerable amount of stress.  Include the factor that I was not full-time but only part time for most of that time and you can understand how happy Erin and I were when we found out that I would be full-time for the upcoming school year. And at least 60% of my contract was now provisional, which means that I will have a job for the next three years. The following is a condensed timeline of my journey to be a FT teacher. September 2008:   Enrolled in the Concordia University Masters in Teacher Night Program; continued to work FT as a store manager at Ross Dress for Less

One of tasks to complete this summer was transitioning our guest room to baby boy #2's room.  This involved a couple steps. Step #1: Paint the guest room/baby's room, and sell furniture to finance it all.    We sold this dresser along with our guest bed.  This seems to be the only before picture I have of the guest room/ now baby's room.  It's hard to tell from the picture, but the wall color is a very dark brownish red.  We decided to paint both boys rooms the same flat grey color as Nathan had in his previous room at the old house.   Step #2:  Paint Nathan's room. Nathan spent about a week sleeping in baby #2's room.  You can see a quick before of Nathan's room above.  In both rooms the ceiling was for some reason painted a dark tan, which make them both feel small and dark.  Just painting the ceilings white made a huge difference. Step #3: Transition Nathan to a twin bed so the baby would have a crib to sleep in.  

Ferry me across the water, Do, Boatman, do. If you've a penny in your purse I'll ferry you. I have a penny in my purse, and my eyes are blue; So ferry me across the water, Do, Boatman, do. ~Christina Rossetti Nathan loves watching things that go: cars, trucks, trains, planes, construction equipment. We decided he might like to see the boats we read about in his books. Sure enough, Nathan was excited about our "boat ride" and was quick to remind us our journey would take us across "wa-wa" (water). Along the course, we saw other ferry boats, sail boats and one or two speedboats.  Nathan enjoyed trying out the many seating options available, and we changed seats every five minutes or so. He was less sure about the balconies and often asked one of us to hold him up. Nathan liked waving at cars as they disembarked the vessels. We initially considered going to the downtown waterfront, then changed our minds. Gi

What a great summer we have had this year, in so many ways. As mentioned previously, we have been very fortunate to celebrate four different love stories already (with one more to go still). One thing I love about all the weddings is how each bride and groom make the day unique for them, as it should be! We've seen theatrical and dancing performances. We've signed guestbooks that came in the form of coloring projects, giant jenga games and photo albums. We've enjoyed Pad Thai, BBQ and steak for dinner and plenty of yummy cakes in all shapes and sizes.  This fourth wedding was the union of my friend Katy, whom I first met in seventh grade. Katy has always been detail-oriented and I've never been disappointed in her party planning. We've met her now husband Shad a few times in the four years or so that they've been dating and could see how perfectly matched they are.  Given the small winery/chateau venue, we had to leave Nate in the care of my dad for the

August is here and flying by quickly already! One item on our summer checklist  that we crossed off this weekend was the Clark County Fair. Since teaching in Vancouver, I have heard many students talk about the fair, so it was fun to finally check it out myself. Jennifer, always up for an adventure, joined us first thing Saturday morning and we spent just a couple hours before heading home for nap time. The main exhibit hall had a rock 'n roll history display, including instruments that you could play with. Nathan was open to strumming the guitar or hitting the drums, but did not want to wear the headphones to hear his musical creations.  Nathan loves playing with tractors at home, as well as spotting them when we are out. So, he was anxious to sit on every model that was for sale at the fair. I know this picture doesn't show it, but he was really excited. Our first objective in going to the fair was for the animals and we were not disappointed. We saw all

We had the honor and pleasure of attending the third wedding of the summer last Friday. The bride is a great friend from my work, a fellow English and Social Studies teacher. Rose and her groom have been together seven years (finally someone took longer than we did to get hitched!) and all of us ladies at work have anxiously awaited this day. I am so happy for Rose and Joe as they begin the next stage of life together, which includes purchasing their first home just ten days before getting married. Ladies of Discovery MS: Jeanna, Katie, Laura (floating head), Rose, Sue, Melinda and me! Nathan spent his time running in circles around the empty dance floor or waiting by the door for the trains to go by.  Bride and Groom

So according to my fancy little ticker at right, baby is the size of a squash. At 31 weeks, 6 days, I've grown a belly that would certainly contain a squash and a little more. I walked into Starbucks this afternoon and was immediately received by a fellow customer shouting at me, "How much longer you got?!?". Then her three year old paused terrorizing the place to hug my leg. On one hand, I know I look big enough to deliver, but experience and pregnancy books tell me I've got more room to grow. But thanks, lady, for implying that I'm fat. Another routine appointment in the books today, included the doctor saying that while I am still measuring ahead, I'm showing signs of a plateau, albeit temporary. While I previously was measuring multiple weeks ahead, I'm now only one week ahead. Even better, that matched the measurements on my ultra sound from two weeks ago. Speaking of the ultrasound, Dr. Williams said everything (baby, uterus, and especially my p

One of my life goals is to visit every single Major League Baseball Stadium.  It's not so much that I am a huge baseball fan.  I do enjoy the game, but more from a distance.  I will watch highlights on Sportscenter, check the standings periodically throughout the summer.  But, I rarely sit down and watch a complete game on TV.  I don't live and die with how a particular team is doing.  Heck, I didn't even catch the All-Star game this year. Erin and I on the Green Monster at Fenway Park, Boston But, what I do love about the game is the idea and history behind baseball.  There is a romance and leisurely pace to baseball that is so different from any other sport.  Baseball and summer are connected. I love experiencing the ballpark.  Whether is it Safeco Field or some random minor league park, going out to the ballpark is an exciting, yet relaxing experience.  You can relax and take in the pace, but must be aware that any crack of the bat could be the difference in the ga