feb 28th

If you enjoy your personal space, you don't want to be me right now.

Cooper has been stage 10 kling-on the last few weeks.

I don't really know what that means, but you get the point.

He does NOT EVER LEAVE ME ALONE.

Like, ever.

Here he is on the couch while we watch TV.

You can see that Cooper is staring at me.

He stared at me for an entire show

Is this normal?

Do you think he knows I'm pregnant?

I love my sweet Coop-A-Lou … but I draw the line with him going into the bathroom with me.

He would if I let him!

Love you little man.

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feb 27th

Please help stop an epic marriage argument.

What are those banner things called?

We staunchly disagree.

P.S. You have no idea how creepy I felt taking a picture of my neighbor's house.

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feb 26th

I didn't feel very good today, so I did nothing.

I watched 3 movies and rested.

Cooper however, found my class stuffed animal and had a grand ol' time.

I'll have to steal it away from him tomorrow for a Downy bath before going back to school tomorrow.

Jay made tater tot casserole for dinner tonight and it was amazing.

A perfect snowy day for comfort food!

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{peanut}

Today is my due date with my sweet 2nd baby, Peanut.

Rest in peace my sweet baby girl.

I'm thinking of you today with a thoughtful heart
while you laugh and play with your brother in heaven.

You brought us a lot of joy in your short-lived life.

I loved you fiercely.

And still do.

Mommy loves you.

feb 25th

Jay and I went out for a celebration dinner tonight.

We found out we were pregnant for the 3rd time in the middle of January.

Because of my history of miscarriages, our doctor has been monitoring me closely.

We had a fabulous ultrasound at 6.5 weeks, another at 7.5 weeks, and yet another at 9 weeks.

Today, we went in for a 10 week heartbeat check.

There really is no sound like hearing your own child's heartbeat inside of you.

I continue to be cautiously optimistic and thank GOD for the miracle inside of me.

Every day is filled with more hope and trust in this process.

I honestly cannot remember ever feeling so grateful.

God is good.

P.S. Don't worry, I didn't eat any raw sushi!

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feb 24th

Besides baking some banana bread ridiculously early this morning …

I did nothing all day.

Nothing.

I watched TV then napped from 1-4.

And that my friends, is what mid-winter break is all about.

Here's a picture of my home base, with my constant companion always by my side.

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feb 23rd

We woke up to another blanket of snow.

Today's weather was crazy.

We woke up to snow, it warmed up and melted, then snowed again.

It's the evening, and we're on the couch while it continues to snow.

We love it and so does Cooper. He loved his walk today.

Keep snowing Mother Nature!

This picture was taken from our bedroom window when I woke up.

Try not to be too jealous of our breathtaking view of power lines and the retention pond.

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feb 22nd

I actually tried to upload a video of Cooper and the snow, but it wouldn't work.

So instead, you get this still shot of the snow coming down early this morning.

Do you ever notice how people always complain no matter what the weather is?

Too cold. Too rainy. Too hot. Where's the sun? I need an air conditioner. I'm freezing.

All the complaining.

It's crazy.

I'm really enjoying this snow.

Like a white blanket of peace.

I'll take whatever comes.

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feb 21st

The best part about watching The Bachelor tonight was watching Cooper watch The Bachelor.

Do you see the intensity in his eyes?

He really likes the ladies.

Silly boy.

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feb 20th

Somebody loves Yo Gabba Gabba.

It's basically like crack for kids.

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feb 19th

Somebody's God Daughter is in town.

We're in heaven.

We love her so much and miss her every day.

Looking forward to a long weekend of snuggling and loving on her.

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feb 18th

We had a celebration dinner tonight at the Olive Garden.

This picture is for Kinsey … my breadstick loving friend.

Happy weekend friends!

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feb 17th

Today was the 100th day of school … and it's a HUGE deal in 1st grade.

We made a 100's day museum, did a 100's day writing prompt and even had contests to see who could do the most jumping jacks in 100 seconds.

Big stuff people, big stuff.

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feb 16th

While I was eating breakfast downstairs this morning,
I wondered where Cooper was.

He's usually right by my side begging for food loving on his mommy.

When I went upstairs to brush my teeth ...

guess who was waiting for me at the top of the stairs?

Seriously, have you ever seen a cuter face?

feb 15th

My husband loves me.

How do I know?

Because he stopped to fill my tires with air,
even though we were in a torrential downpour.

Thank you!

Do you see Italianissimo in the background?

DELISH!

feb 14th

Guess where I had to go today?

I went with all the other slackers of the world to purchase a Valentine's card.

My bad.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

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love & giggles

The kids filled my heart with warmth, love and giggles today ...

Student: Mrs. Stookey, will you be here on your birthday?
Me: I'm pretty sure I will be. Why?
Student: Because I was thinking it might be nice for you to go on a vacation for your birthday.
Me: Well what a sweet thought.
Student: Like me. I went to Hawaii for my birthday.
Me: Well ... where do you think I should go?
Student: Somewhere hot. Like I like Hawaii because I like to swim in the pool.
Me: What do you think I would like?
Student: I think you would like a hot state.
Me: Can you give me some examples of hot states?
Student: Well there's NEW Mexico, and PLAIN Mexico ... Hawaii that I already told you about. OH, I know ... you could also go to Florida!
Me: I LOVE Florida ... that's a GREAT idea.
Student: And you could visit my Grandma.
Me: What an excellent idea.
Student: You could look for her house, knock on her door, and she's say, "well what's your name?" and then she'd invite you in. She likes to invite people in.
Me: It all sounds lovely. Anything else?
Student: I think that's all about the states that are hot.

*******************

Student A: Is that a picture of your boat?
Student B: Yes.
Student A: You have YOUR OWN boat?
Student B: Yes.
Student A: You have enough money for a boat?
Student B: I guess.
Student A: Well, how much monies does it cost?

Happy Valentine's Day friends!

feb 13th

Clothes hanging in doorways.

Otherwise known as LAUNDRY DAY in our house.

Hope you all had a great weekend.

Our Sunday consisted of naps, grocery shopping, The Grammys, and laundry.

Here's to one more week of work until Mid-Winter Break!

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feb 12th

We went to one of our favorite weekend lunch spots today.

Maggie Bluffs has wonderful food and gorgeous views.

As always … we ate way too much & had a blast.

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feb 11th

I spy with my little eye …

My first hint of Spring.

Beautiful.

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feb 10th

I had to make a trip to Bellevue yesterday, and
it seems the entire city is STILL under construction.

Hasn't it been like 10 years now?!?

At any rate - I had to take a picture of these two.

This picture basically sums up how your tax dollars are being spent.

They're both smoking cigarettes while standing around.

Doing nothing.

Actually, the man on the left is technically multitasking.

He's smoking a cigarette AND checking out a hole in the ground.

And because Jay is paranoid that I'm going to get sued for posting this picture,
here is my disclaimer ...

There is a chance they could be on break ... and I blurred out the faces.

feb 9th

We had dinner tonight with the majority of our school staff at Mi Tierra.

Fun times and good stories shared.

It's always so nice to spend time with coworkers outside of the work environment.

I really, really miss the days when Mi Tierra was Las Margaritas.

And for all my family members … yes … I ordered Plato Chico.

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feb 8th

I tried to upload this picture last night AND this morning
but for some reason my phone hates me.

So here is a picture of last night's dinner.

Taco Tuesday in our house.

And yes ... that's a HUGE ball of sour cream (it's "light" though). ;)

And yes ... that's Rice-A-Roni.

Don't judge me.

I love that stuff.

And everything tastes better on my sweet bird plates.

jaded

On our way to work today, we drove through our favorite coffee stand (Mercurys coffee).

When we arrived, the barista was talking to another costumer about babies.

The barista tried to engage us in the conversation - which was very sweet of her.

I said some pleasantries, smiled, and continued to listen.

As the barista went on and on about having babies and being pregnant, I seemed to enter a time warp.

Time slowed down and I soaked in everything she was saying.

The barista was a young woman, newly married with no kids.

I was ruptured by the sparkle in her eye ... the excitement about pregnancy, and magic of it all.

But I was also struck by something else.

She has no idea.

How painful, life-altering, heartbreaking, patience-testing, and faith-questioning pregnancy can be.

She doesn't know the hurt.

The years that go by.

Wishing.

Wanting.

As I listened to her, I soaked in every smile, every glimmer in her eye, the way her cheeks creased as she talked, and daydreamed out loud of her future.

And I quietly mourned that fact that all of these things have been taken from me.

My excitement has been replaced with fear.

Hope replaced with hurt.

Time replaced by sadness.

I've become jaded by my experiences.

And I think that's okay.

I'm not saying that I'm hopeless about the future.

I just wish I had that child-like innocence I had the first time I was pregnant.

You just honestly think nothing can go wrong.

I feel wiser because of my experiences ... but there was a brief moment this morning that I really wanted to be "that other girl."

The girl in the coffee shop who daydreams about the ease and beauty of pregnancy.

I'm hoping to get there someday.

feb 7th

Good morning from Chelan.

Last day here.

Would like to stay forever.

But I just don't have that many personal days from work.

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feb 6th

My beautiful mom.

I had so much fun with you this weekend.

Thank you for everything.

Happy birthday weekend.

I love you times infinity.

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feb 5th

My view from the couch today.

In paradise spending time with my family for my mom's birthday.

Happy birthday (yesterday) mom.

We love you very much!

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feb 4th

Classic case of "When Good Times Go Bad."

Here was are … driving through Leavenworth, looking at the Christmas lights (do they keep those up all year?), eating a McDonald's ice cream cone & fries, and coincidentally listening to Christmas music (we forgot other CD 's) … when BAM!

We got pulled over by a cop for speeding.

I won't say who was driving, because that would be rude, but I'm typing this blog post so …

Happy Friday everyone!

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feb 3rd

Sorry for yet another picture of Cooper, but I wasn't fast enough with my camera when a Metro bus fully wrapped in Husky decals drove by me.

It truly was a beautiful sight.

This conversation may have ensued.

Me: Saweet frigging bus!
Jay: Oh jeez. How stupid. Wait a minute … that isn't even FAIR!
ME: Don't be a poor sport.
Jay: Where is the cougar bus?
Me: I don't know … in hell!?!

We're so mature. Yes?

Anyway … another cute picture of the man in the fur coat.

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feb 2nd

I took a nap after school today, and this is how I woke up.

With my personal space cut off at my kneecap.

And you know what?

I wouldn't have it any other way.

P.S. Please disregard Jay's ugly WSU blanket on his side of the bed.

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What's YOUR Number?

One of my students had been going to the bathroom quite a lot.

I was starting to get worried - he'd been having stomach aches, had been missing some school, and I wanted to make sure he was feeling okay.

Student: Mrs. Stookey, can I go to the bathroom?
Me: Come here for a minute ... (student walks up to my desk) ... you've been going to the bathroom A LOT today ... you just went 30 minutes ago. Are you feeling okay?
Student (holding his stomach): Yes, I'm okay.
Me: Have you been going #1 or #2?
Student: What do you mean?
Me: When you go potty, are you going #1 or #2?
Student (LONG pause to think): Um ... I think I've been doing #3.

So cute ... he had NO IDEA what #1 and #2 were!

feb 1st

Ever since our two miscarriages, I've had a love affair with birds.

Sometimes I like to think they are my angel babies, fluttering by to say hello to their mama.

So you can imagine how I felt when I pulled out February's calendar.

I was dropped to my knees and reduced to tears this morning.

Our 2nd angel baby would have been due this month.

Days and months pass, but the pain comes back in very large, very real waves.

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