Baby #3

I had my ultrasound today to confirm just how far along I am, and to possibly determine the sex of the baby. Neftali came with me, since he is so excited about another baby. But the minute the tech dimmed the lights, he panicked and started to cry. Not until my friend Michelle arrived for moral support did he really start to settle - and maybe even enjoy looking at the pictures of his next baby.

My doctor said that everything is coming along nicely and baby looks very healthy. I guess I'm living up to the words he shared with me during one of my very first visits when I was pregnant with Neftali: "You were meant to be pregnant!" I'm glad, and feel so very blessed to truly have uneventful pregnancies and deliveries. He thinks I'm almost 16 weeks, putting my due date somewhere around the third week of February. Apparently, it's a little early to be 100% sure of the sex- but I'll let you look at the picture and judge for yourself. :)

...and after...sort of...

My library area


Computer center (and notice the beautiful blank bulletin boards behind!)


Desks in rows...at least for the start of the school year.


The back area...right now, the collection spot for items that I won't be using. But I intend to keep it nice and open, with necessary items easily accessible.


Nefty and Sol trying out the computers. They weren't able to actually use them, but Nefty was pretending...and Sol was just pressing buttons. At least Sol smiled (sort of) for the camera!

My classroom is beginning to take shape. There is still lots of work to do, and sorting and organizing of materials. But I will hopefully get in at least one more day this week to get started on that. I have new teacher orientation from 8am-4pm on Monday (8/24), and then next week I plan doing more finishing touches. In-service meetings begin Sept 1...and then classes are in session on Sept 9th!

My Classroom - before...

Before...desks on their sides and in the corner...


The back corner and exit to the courtyard and playground...


The chaos from another angle...

I had the opportunity to meet with my team teacher today and see my classroom for the first time. What a disaster! Furniture everywhere, bulletin boards that needed tidying, and no lack of need for organization! The boys helped me out as I began the tedious task of moving things around and trying to make the vision that I have for my students' come alive. We had a very productive day and got a lot of movement and rearranging done. Now, I have to wait for some products that I ordered to come in so I can begin the really fun process of decorating! In the mean time, I sign papers tomorrow (yah!), and should get my own copy of keys. Hopefully, I will also get my district-issued laptop soon so that I can begin some first days documents, and sketching of the activities and lessons for the year. I can't wait to get back in the classroom!

It's Official!

After many months of waiting patiently and praying that a job would come about, I was excited to discover that the school where I did my student teaching placements had an opening for a third grade teacher! A colleague of mine from the school with whom I had kept in touch emailed me to let me know about the posting. I was so thrilled! I applied immediately, and was feeling pretty positive about the possibilities. It turns out that the mentor teacher under whom I worked for 3 months for my major placement has decided to take a year leave to teach in Poland! Pretty exciting. So, the principal emailed me last week after I let her know I was back in town, and she told me that she would be contacting me about an interview. Just before we had gone to Guatemala, she had told me that she was hoping to have a position for me in the fall. I had my interview yesterday (Friday, Aug 14th) - and I got the job! I still can't believe it! I'm really a teacher, and I will be teaching 3rd grade in 3 weeks! In Spanish!! I'm so excited and terrified, but I'm looking forward to visiting what will be my classroom and picking up a few things I'm sure I'll need to make my classroom feel welcoming for my students! Mrs. Menendez, 3rd grade teacher...

Surprise!

Well, I guess it's safe to share our exciting news. The Menendez family is about to get a little bigger. Just before returning home to the states, we discovered that I am expecting our third child! Neftali is thrilled to be a big brother again, and is hoping for a baby sister this time. I had my first prenatal visit the last week of July, and we were able to hear the heart beat! I am already showing a little, but we're not 100% sure how far along I am. We're estimating about 4 months, but we have our next dr's appointment on Aug 25th - and my doc said that we might be able to find out the sex!