I feel like the days and weeks get away from me lately...I hate the feeling of missing everyone because I haven't seen or really talked to anyone in awhile. I have just been so busy with work, grades, closing up the classroom, senior activities for my students, coming home and being NON STOP with Rhowan until she's in bed, house chores, and finally-getting ready to go to Alaska! Ahhhhh, finally get to see and be with TJ after the longest two weeks ever. Yes, I've had plenty to keep me busy, however, not having him home feels so empty and incomplete. Not having that person to talk to before bed, hand Rhowan off to when she's fussy so I can finish cooking dinner, or running her bath, etc. I have so much respect for all the single moms out there, it is tough, and we've had so much family and friend love and support. What I would do without our families so close by is unfathomable. THANK YOU everyone for being so understanding, for checking in on us, for having us over for dinners, for all the love and support!
I am sorry I've been such a stranger and so bad at blogging, texting, calling and emailing. I love and miss you all. Rhowan is growing so fast, I just can't keep up with her...I have been so bad about recording it all too (that's how crazy my life is) and all I tell myself is, "Heather, you better get on it, she will want to look at this some day and her heart will break if it's empty." So I have a summer project=baby books! :) This will be my first summer off, no working since before college!!! I am soooo excited to take advantage of this time with Rhowan, its pointless to work just to pay day care, so I am going to enjoy my time with her while looking for full time work come September and then she'll start day care full time. (Auntie Nichole will be doing her student teaching, so Rhowan and Alexa will start day care together. She has been so lucky to stay home most days with Auntie, so it will be a change. Probably harder on me than her though!) She stood today, all on her own, NO holding on, for about 30 seconds, so I know it is just a matter of days or weeks that she will be taking those first steps. My baby is getting so big. I had to go buy 12 months clothing because I know it will be a matter of time her 9 months will be too small, here real shortly. :( I am so sad, but happy because she is such a fun, enthusiastic and happy baby to be around.
Mommy is still learning how to let the house just go and take the moments for what they are and to stop cleaning up all the time so I could just enjoy being with Rhowan. I am so bad at that and hate that about myself. I always have a running to do list in my head and can never sit and relax when at home. Such a fault of mine...but I am working on it, or aware of it at least.
My long term ends Friday and I have to say, I will miss my seniors and ended up loving it. It was a rough last week with finals and crying seniors who didn't pass, therefore not walking, but the few that did come in, hug me, thank me, wrote me letters and told me how much they loved and appreciated me, made it all worth it. I truly loved working with them and feel like I made a difference for once. I didn't need the pat on the back, I know I pushed these kids, some with babies of their own and some the first to graduate in their families. I can feel the passion for my own classroom on the tips of my fingers, burning. I will not give up, maybe I need to leave the profession, get another credential to do 6-12th so I can do all grades and find something to provide for my family in the meantime.
TJ is doing well in Alaska. We get to skype only about once a week because our schedules are opposites, Rhowan is so confused as to where his voice is coming from with his picture on the screen. She said "da da" for the first time last week. She is starting on table foods: wheat, dry toast, avocados, crackers and shakes her head no as well as saying, "Hiiii" very high pitched! Oh our princess is so freakin cute!!!!
Well just an update for you all. I have tons of laundry and packing to do as well as two more days of work, so gotta run and get things done.
We love and miss you all. We will post pictures as we can while in Alaska. Rhowan and I fly out Saturday, I am so excited I can hardly contain myself. Keep the prayers coming for TJ to get a full time, paid coaching position after this summer.
Love to you all,
The Bruce's
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
More BBQ Pics
Best Lookin Coach on the field...we are so proud of you babe!
Hmmm....is he listening to my speech?! :/ (haha) Lookin good babe! :)
Playing basketball in the pool always comes with a lot of bruises and scratches after!
And the princess in her Juicy bathing suit...of course, would you expect anything different?! :)
Memorial BBQ/ Good Luck Daddy
Well as most of you know TJ went off to be a head coach in Anchorage Alaska for a summer league. We had a bbq to wish him luck and congratulate him on Memorial Day. It was bitter sweet, as the Dirtbags ended their season, 2 years in the row with no post season, but another door opening full of opportunities ahead of us for TJ's career. I was so happy with the turn out. With it being a holiday weekend I know a lot of people had things to do and places to go, but for those that were able to make it, we had such a great time kicking back, enjoying the beautiful weather and getting to visit with friends and family. Which is a rare occasion for us with baseball consuming most of our lives! No really, it is 12 months of the year and I have finally adjusted and accepted it, almost 4 years into our marriage and after meeting wonderful people to show me the way of being a baseball coach's wife, so I know a lot of people don't get it, but everyone has been so supportive, loving and just there for us through it all and that is what friendships and family are all about. I loved seeing that so many of our friends and family were able to share that with us this past Monday. I gave a speech, against TJ's will/permission, but hey, I am freaking proud of my hubby and had to let him and everyone know it. I was very proud of myself, I got choked up, but sucked it up and continued on like a big girl to finish my toast/speech to the best damn baseball coach, husband and daddy I know!!! :)
Hunny, we are so very proud of you, I never thought it would be this hard to have you away for the summer (we'll see you in two weeks, but it still seems like forever). I am sorry for breaking down so much the past few days (I've cried every day, at least 3 times a day or every time we talked about him leaving, then the night he left, OH Goodness...WRECK! I would be a horrible military wife, that is for sure. Wow, I am blessed, he is going to coach, not to war, but it is still damn hard. I feel so incomplete without him here. When we skype I cry, when we say goodbye on the phone I cry, when Rhowan wakes up for a feeding and my bed is empty, I cry...seriously, post baby hormones, can you keep it together?!) Ok, so anyway, babe, we are so proud of you. Keep your head up, we are behind you 110 % and can't wait to come visit you. Wherever this career takes you, we are right behind you.
Oh by the way, Rhowan said "Da da" today. TJ called while we were having our oatmeal and I said, "oh, it's Daddy." Rhowan said, "Da da." I was like, "Babe, OMG, she just said Da da, I think." So we got on skype and I said, "Rhowan, come say by to Daddy." She crawls over 100 miles a minute and says it again, "Da da." Ok, and the tears come again! LOL. I know, right. I can't keep it together! These 2 weeks will go by so fast and then off to see Da da we go!
We love you all and thank you for your unconditional love and support of TJ, his career and our little family. We would not be where we are today without our family and friends.
love you all and God Bless,
The Bruces
Sunday, May 23, 2010
More Pics...
She was such a good girl all day at the ball park...she sat and watched daddy coach, crawled, pulled herself up on anything and everything to stand, played with all her toys, ate her puffs (notice the dirty shirt) and then finally...a nice long, nap! :) What a great day!
More updates later :)
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
7 months already...
Our precious princess will be 7 months tomorrow...oh just writing that makes me tear up. I know, I know, its happy tears though. These past 7 months have been such a huge highlight of my life. Rhowan is such a blessing and brightens our lives every day with her huge smile, fun laugh and personality and busy, busy body (or nose bud) as some call her! Yes, she is "HM" (high maintenance baby) at times, but she is so cute while doing it that how can you ever be upset with her. Well, after a few nights of not much sleep you can, but that's besides the point.
Anyway, Rhowan is full on crawling now. She has been almost there, rocking back and forth, backwards army crawling, for weeks now that we knew it was just a matter of time. So Sunday we were playing on her rug in her room, reading books, and playing and she just crawled towards me trying to get my phone of course. I wasn't sure if she really did it, I was taken aback by it and so over come with emotion, that I didn't know how to react. So I was telling her that she did it, she crawled and she sat up and just started clapping! It was freaking cute and such a great photo op, but there was no way I was walking away from that to go get the video camera. Oh well. So now, needless to say, she is non stop. You can not leave her for more than seconds at a time, she will crawl under things, grab things, fall and hit her head and pull herself up and already seems to want to be walking. AHHHH, our lives are over as you know it. No, just kidding, but time to get the pack n play out for a play pin so mommy can fold a load of laundry here and there without hearing a big "boom," on the hardwood floor. :/
She has two bottom teeth now, I think she is teething the top one now, I can always tell with her moods and stuff. She is still eating 6 oz, I am pretty much done breast feeding, she still nurses about once a day, usually her early morning/middle of the night feeding when its mommy's turn, then I don't have to heat up a bottle like daddy has too ;) (hahaha). I have weaned her and she is doing great with it, I am a little sad to stop because I love, love the bonding, but I gave it a good and solid 7 months and am very proud of that. I never thought I'd be one to breast feed to be perfectly honest, I was very hesitant at first, well all the way until she was born I was hesitant.
I am still making baby food, she is quite the picky eater though. She has not really liked anything with a lot of sweet tastes. It's weird, they say start with bland and veggies then go to sweets, otherwise they will never go from fruits to veggies. Well Rhowan would be happy with plain, gross oatmeal all day, every day. She has her oatmeal in the morning, then bottles during the day with an afternoon snack of puffs! She loves puffs, but not the yogurt bites so much...oh her face with yogurt bites are hilarious. She loves carrots, sweet potatoes, and oatmeal. Hasn't been a big fan of anything else: peaches, avocados, sweet peas, green peas, squash, pretty much anything! LOL. I will keep trying with the variety of foods: fruits and veggies. I make enough for a month and freeze it in baggies in ice cube servings. So my dr said, if she doesn't like something, try it again the next day, then give it a few days and try again. So I will continue this "trying" method and hopefully she broadens her horizons!
She is still quite the ham, loves the camera, loves attention and gives kisses as she feels like it that is. I have thought about getting her into modeling, pay for her college at least. CAUTION: about to toot her own horn, everywhere we go, people compliment how gorgeous of a baby Rhowan is and how happy she is and that I should put her up for the "Gerber baby," etc. Well we all think our own babies are the cutest treasures on Earth, but she loves being the star everywhere we go. So I am thinking about looking into it if anyone knows of good places or where to start with this.
She is doing amazing and growing so fast every day. It is milestone after milestone. We lowered her crib all the way to the bottom level last night and I cried...yep, came out of her room and was really crying. TJ was like, "what happened?" My response, "Our baby girl is getting so big." He laughed and said, "that's a good thing hunny," then hugged me. I looked up into his eyes and said, "I'm ready for another one."
To be continued...and NO, I'm not preggo! :)
We love you and miss you all.
xoxoxo
Anyway, Rhowan is full on crawling now. She has been almost there, rocking back and forth, backwards army crawling, for weeks now that we knew it was just a matter of time. So Sunday we were playing on her rug in her room, reading books, and playing and she just crawled towards me trying to get my phone of course. I wasn't sure if she really did it, I was taken aback by it and so over come with emotion, that I didn't know how to react. So I was telling her that she did it, she crawled and she sat up and just started clapping! It was freaking cute and such a great photo op, but there was no way I was walking away from that to go get the video camera. Oh well. So now, needless to say, she is non stop. You can not leave her for more than seconds at a time, she will crawl under things, grab things, fall and hit her head and pull herself up and already seems to want to be walking. AHHHH, our lives are over as you know it. No, just kidding, but time to get the pack n play out for a play pin so mommy can fold a load of laundry here and there without hearing a big "boom," on the hardwood floor. :/
She has two bottom teeth now, I think she is teething the top one now, I can always tell with her moods and stuff. She is still eating 6 oz, I am pretty much done breast feeding, she still nurses about once a day, usually her early morning/middle of the night feeding when its mommy's turn, then I don't have to heat up a bottle like daddy has too ;) (hahaha). I have weaned her and she is doing great with it, I am a little sad to stop because I love, love the bonding, but I gave it a good and solid 7 months and am very proud of that. I never thought I'd be one to breast feed to be perfectly honest, I was very hesitant at first, well all the way until she was born I was hesitant.
I am still making baby food, she is quite the picky eater though. She has not really liked anything with a lot of sweet tastes. It's weird, they say start with bland and veggies then go to sweets, otherwise they will never go from fruits to veggies. Well Rhowan would be happy with plain, gross oatmeal all day, every day. She has her oatmeal in the morning, then bottles during the day with an afternoon snack of puffs! She loves puffs, but not the yogurt bites so much...oh her face with yogurt bites are hilarious. She loves carrots, sweet potatoes, and oatmeal. Hasn't been a big fan of anything else: peaches, avocados, sweet peas, green peas, squash, pretty much anything! LOL. I will keep trying with the variety of foods: fruits and veggies. I make enough for a month and freeze it in baggies in ice cube servings. So my dr said, if she doesn't like something, try it again the next day, then give it a few days and try again. So I will continue this "trying" method and hopefully she broadens her horizons!
She is still quite the ham, loves the camera, loves attention and gives kisses as she feels like it that is. I have thought about getting her into modeling, pay for her college at least. CAUTION: about to toot her own horn, everywhere we go, people compliment how gorgeous of a baby Rhowan is and how happy she is and that I should put her up for the "Gerber baby," etc. Well we all think our own babies are the cutest treasures on Earth, but she loves being the star everywhere we go. So I am thinking about looking into it if anyone knows of good places or where to start with this.
She is doing amazing and growing so fast every day. It is milestone after milestone. We lowered her crib all the way to the bottom level last night and I cried...yep, came out of her room and was really crying. TJ was like, "what happened?" My response, "Our baby girl is getting so big." He laughed and said, "that's a good thing hunny," then hugged me. I looked up into his eyes and said, "I'm ready for another one."
To be continued...and NO, I'm not preggo! :)
We love you and miss you all.
xoxoxo
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Is it Friday yet?!!!!
LONGEST week ever!!! Ok, so I will say it once and forever hold my peace...high school seniors freakin SUCK! I have had so much anxiety about starting this long term position, as blessed as I am to have my 3rd long term of the year and be able to finish out the school year before a summer of no work, I have just been stressing about it. I don't have much experience with high school...that's my sister's cup of tea...I am the little kiddies kind of girl, where I get FULL control, structure, and routine. :) So if I ever second guessed for a minute that I went into the wrong grade levels, no more second guessing needed!
However, it is time to leave that behind for now and go forth with something that will bring my family a secure income to contribute to and some benefits. I am not losing hope or leaving teaching behind, but just looking for something to stabilize us so that no more stressing over the "unknown." We will forever live in the unknown each year with the career TJ is in, but I am ready for his pathway in this baseball world to take off.
Anyway, back to my original story, geez I go off on tangents, ok...high school seniors SUCK!
So my first day of taking over, after meeting with the teacher, prepping, meeting all the support staff, and having a good support teaching staff to help me I was at ease going into my Monday at Milikan High School. I have subbed for these classes before and knew 5th period would be my challenge, but never thought it would take to this...so, students are working, I am sitting at one end of the class when some students by the door, jump up, gagging, slamming the doors open, running into the hallway, running to the windows and half way hanging out of them! I had no idea what was going on...then, I got a whiff, STRONG whiff...I couldn't breath, talk, see, eyes were burning, throat burning, gagging, gasping for air. I have lost control of the class...all the students at this point were hanging out of the classroom windows. I called the office for a staff assistant, still not knowing where it was coming from or what it was, but could not get the words out fast enough, I couldn't feel my throat or talk without choking!
Then it was brought to my attention, once we evacuated into the quad, that a group of girls, sprayed pepper spray...yep, you read correctly...PEPPER SPRAY!!! On accident?! Yeah, my ass, there is a safety on it smart ones! I was livid...I reamed them...there were students with bad asthma, me being a nursing mom, just not very smart!!!! Not to mention, the girl that did it, wasn't even in my class! She ditched her class, to sneak in on mine! Ughhhh, welcome to Milikan, Mrs. Bruce.
So that was my Monday...oh how the fun continues! So, fourth period, my conference on Even days, and I'm sitting there grading papers and there is another teacher in my class that is a rover teacher so I just sit and do my work. 10 minutes before the bell is going to ring for lunch there are 4 bells...ok, we all started cleaning up thinking it was a fire drill and the fun of high school students begins...chaos! Nope, this was a "Lockdown." I think to myself, hmmmm. Ok, all windows and doors locked and shut. Not a drill even, a LBPD mandatory lockdown. So here I am thinking, there is someone running through campus with a gun...hey they bring pepper spray, so my thoughts aren't to drastic! Well emails start coming from the principal, kids are all on the phones trying to figure out what is going on. There were armed robbers that got out on foot from a police chase off the 405 just down the street, hiding in the neighborhood! Lovely...so, one hour goes by...man I have to pee and its getting hot in here. Another hour goes by and I am thinking ok, we are never getting out of here. Well after over 2 hours, they caught one guy and we were released. Ahhh...lunch time....then skip 6th and only have half the period left for 8th. So much for a productive day with a quiz! LOL. What else can you do, but laugh! The joys of being back in high school ten years later.
However, it is time to leave that behind for now and go forth with something that will bring my family a secure income to contribute to and some benefits. I am not losing hope or leaving teaching behind, but just looking for something to stabilize us so that no more stressing over the "unknown." We will forever live in the unknown each year with the career TJ is in, but I am ready for his pathway in this baseball world to take off.
Anyway, back to my original story, geez I go off on tangents, ok...high school seniors SUCK!
So my first day of taking over, after meeting with the teacher, prepping, meeting all the support staff, and having a good support teaching staff to help me I was at ease going into my Monday at Milikan High School. I have subbed for these classes before and knew 5th period would be my challenge, but never thought it would take to this...so, students are working, I am sitting at one end of the class when some students by the door, jump up, gagging, slamming the doors open, running into the hallway, running to the windows and half way hanging out of them! I had no idea what was going on...then, I got a whiff, STRONG whiff...I couldn't breath, talk, see, eyes were burning, throat burning, gagging, gasping for air. I have lost control of the class...all the students at this point were hanging out of the classroom windows. I called the office for a staff assistant, still not knowing where it was coming from or what it was, but could not get the words out fast enough, I couldn't feel my throat or talk without choking!
Then it was brought to my attention, once we evacuated into the quad, that a group of girls, sprayed pepper spray...yep, you read correctly...PEPPER SPRAY!!! On accident?! Yeah, my ass, there is a safety on it smart ones! I was livid...I reamed them...there were students with bad asthma, me being a nursing mom, just not very smart!!!! Not to mention, the girl that did it, wasn't even in my class! She ditched her class, to sneak in on mine! Ughhhh, welcome to Milikan, Mrs. Bruce.
So that was my Monday...oh how the fun continues! So, fourth period, my conference on Even days, and I'm sitting there grading papers and there is another teacher in my class that is a rover teacher so I just sit and do my work. 10 minutes before the bell is going to ring for lunch there are 4 bells...ok, we all started cleaning up thinking it was a fire drill and the fun of high school students begins...chaos! Nope, this was a "Lockdown." I think to myself, hmmmm. Ok, all windows and doors locked and shut. Not a drill even, a LBPD mandatory lockdown. So here I am thinking, there is someone running through campus with a gun...hey they bring pepper spray, so my thoughts aren't to drastic! Well emails start coming from the principal, kids are all on the phones trying to figure out what is going on. There were armed robbers that got out on foot from a police chase off the 405 just down the street, hiding in the neighborhood! Lovely...so, one hour goes by...man I have to pee and its getting hot in here. Another hour goes by and I am thinking ok, we are never getting out of here. Well after over 2 hours, they caught one guy and we were released. Ahhh...lunch time....then skip 6th and only have half the period left for 8th. So much for a productive day with a quiz! LOL. What else can you do, but laugh! The joys of being back in high school ten years later.
On a brighter note, I have found a family day care for Rhowan to start right after summer. It is a lady right down the street, state licensed, awesome home, organized, gave us a full folder (very teacherish, loving that.) and had cubbies for each kid, has a lot to offer and just overall it is a great fit. I have yet to discuss in detail with TJ, we talked it over briefly, but between games this week and the week I've had, not much time for talking! ;) Ok, so Alexa and Rhowan will be attending together (she even gave us sibling discount!) and her hours are great, and she lives like 2 min from us. I really liked her and felt very comfortable. I had my list of questions (memorized because I didn't want to embarrass my sister) and I asked each and every one of them while taking notes. Yep, I sure did. Hey, I am a first time mom and can be over protective...I will get over it, so leave me alone! ;)
Anyway, she was awesome and gracious and answered every single one with honesty. I told her not to be offended, I did this at Rhowan's first Dr. appt as well. LOL. So now I just need a job now that I have her taken care of!
Ok, I have so much more to write and update with our busy bee and brave princess...she is growing so fast you can't take your eyes off her for a second. I will write more later, I promise. Super tired and mind going hundred miles an hour...time to unwind and stop babbling. More updates to come, I promise.
Love to all.
xoxoxo
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