Thoughts on first year teaching and first trimester

I did it. I survived my first year teaching. For those who have also survived this know exactly what I am talking about and no words need explain the joy I feel that it is summer. For those who don't, let me try to summarize. Basically for the last 9 months I have felt immense stress, pressure, annoyance, and exhaustion. I love my school, I really do love the kids (most of them at least), and I love my subject, but that is unfortunately not everything that teaching is about. There is so much pressure to teach a certain way and to please so many different people, and so much planning and patience, and then in between all that you have to somehow manage to actually teach your curriculum in an interesting way and try to get to know the kids along the way.

For every teacher the end of the school year is a crazy time because the weather warms up, the kids are anxious to be done, you are anxious to be done, there is end of level testing, and it is just a hard time of year. Now add on top of that my very first trimester of pregnancy. So not only was the last two months difficult as a normal teacher it was even worse because I felt sick every day and so exhausted I could barely stand up in front of the kids some days. Needless to say, I have been in survival mode for the last few months and I could not be more relieved that it is summer.

As usual Sam and I already have our schedule packed full. We started the summer off with a weekend whirlwind adventure to Zion National Park to visit my friend Melanie who is all the way here in Utah from Germany. I spent the whole summer of 2007 at summer camp with Mel working together as co-counselors. I have not seen her since then and because I can't see myself making it to Germany any time soon I thought, why not make the trip down there? It was fun. I got to meet her husband Stefan and her sweet little baby Lina. We had dinner on Saturday night and then actually accidentally ran into each other at Zion and went on a short hike. It was great to see her again and totally worth the drive. Zion was beautiful, but I could not do too much since I am pretty slow and out of shape these days. It was also so incredibly hot that it wore me out even faster than normal. It was a nice little trip. We stayed in a hotel, had delicious food, enjoyed the beauty of the earth, I got to stop by and visit my friend Petrice, and spend quality time with Sam.

I will say that traveling as a pregnant lady is a lot more difficult. Basically everything is a little more difficult now that I am pregnant. Now don't get me wrong, I am so happy to be pregnant and I don't want to complain because I don't think I have had it too bad. I knew I would have side effects but what I didn't realize is how much I would have to take it easy. I know being pregnant is not an illness and pregnant women can do a ton of normal things. However, because I was so busy already with teaching and just busy life, I really had not been that active before I was pregnant and that has made it really hard to be active at all during pregnancy. About the only thing I was doing before was playing soccer weekly, but that is too physical for this pregnant lady. It has really made me appreciate my body and all the things I was able to do before. I feel like a china doll now. I feel like I have to be so careful. I realize some of this is just first pregnancy paranoia but part of it is justified. Twice I have had light bleeding, which was very stressful for me. Both times nothing has been wrong and this baby appears to be growing and so far everything looks good. But it makes me feel extra stressed because any amount of concern is basically enough to make me have an emotional breakdown.

In the end, all of this is worth it and I really can't complain. So far I have only thrown up 3 times. I definitely am growing out of my normal clothes and can see my belling growing a little bit. We had an ultrasound at 13 weeks and seeing that baby do flips and kicks was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. I have not gained much weight. In fact my last Dr. appointment I had lost a few pounds due to not having any desire to eat. I probably eat more healthy now because I crave fresh foods, especially fruit. I really don't love meat, I can barely eat chicken, but I can eat steak. I am not that in to bread either because it is so dry. I drink a ton of water because I am thirsty all the time, and of course that makes me have to go to the bathroom non-stop. I have not felt the baby kick yet, but I hope that in the next weeks I will be able to. So far things are good. Now that summer is here I can finally take naps and start getting the nursery together. Only one month until we find out the gender! Sorry this is so long. Cograts if you actually read this whole thing! Mostly this is just for me to record my experiences. 15 weeks 5 days pregant, only about 25 more weeks to go!

About 12 weeks pregnant

15 1/2 weeks pregnant

Ultrasound of Prusse Baby at 13 weeks