I'm surviving Jerome's deployment and so far, it's not so bad--however, this past week was extremely busy, so that was a huge factor. I'm not so sure I like being SO busy, though. I am so exhausted by the end of the day, I feel like I'm neglecting Bella and there's no time to relax. Seriously, I am not cut out for a job that works until 5pm--when do you find time to do anything?? Thank goodness for getting off at 2:45pm everyday. :)

So since Jerome left, of course, several things have needed his attention, but he's not home to attend to them. It's inevitable that it happens this way, but I think it's just a test for me. :) I used to be so independent and ever since I've gotten married, I've come to depend on Jerome a lot...so now it's a test for me to find myself again! Anyway, the night Jerome left, we found that the crack on our Civic's windshield has spread, so the car now sits in our garage to prevent it from getting worse in the sun. (I usually drive that car when Jerome is not home so we can save gas...) So now I get to call our insurance company to see how we can get that fixed. I've also either chipped my molar or the filling has come off b/c it's not feeling quite right. I blame that one on the pregnancy b/c my teeth has not been the same ever since. Baby stuff have come in the mail to be assembled, and of course, I'm not going to wait for Jerome to come home to put it together! Yes, I put together the baby's swing and a Pack 'n Play and if I do say so myself, it all looks great. (of course, Jerome will have to double check...just in case! for baby's sake.) Also, I'm trying to finalize dates and such for maternity leave and need Jerome's input...but that can wait for when he comes home. Oh, and then there's Bella's food running out--we made a mental note to get some more before he left, but we both forgot. We usually get a 50 lb bag, but that's not going to happen, so I just got a little bag for her for the time being. :)

None of it is really a big deal, but when you're lazy like I am, it's pretty darn hard to get anything done. The 2nd trimester energy burst is slowly going away and I'm back to daily naps to get me through the evening.

I'm almost at my 27th week, so that means just 1.5 weeks until my 3rd trimester. Crazy, isn't it?!?? I feel huge, but people say I don't look it...so I guess that's good.

Jerome's emailed me twice and it makes my day when I get an email from him. He passed his dolphin boards, so now he's a fully qualified sailor!! I'm so proud of him--yay! He will be in port in San Diego soon and will probably be able to take leave and to go LA for a few days (since Tijuana is off limits for them now!) so hopefully he'll be able to see some friends and family when he goes home. Too bad I can't be there too!!

I will try to take a picture of myself one day...one day, when I remember to bring the camera upstairs. (dude, once I'm upstairs, I don't go back down until the next morning!)

Remembering

Today we remember what happened to our country seven years ago. I don't know why, but 9/11 always make me contemplative. I think about how much our lives have changed since that faithful day--some as a result of the attacks, many that have nothing to do with the attacks at all. I guess I was just think of the person I was back then. I was still in college when the attacks happened and I still remember exactly where I was and how I found out. It's amazing how life changes so quickly. Who would have ever thought I'd be married and living in Hawaii 7 years later?

Anyway, the school held a moment of silence today and I actually teared up a bit. The students noticed, but did not say anything. They were only 5 years old when the attacks happened!! Some didn't even know where the twin towers were located...it's amazing how little some of these children know about 9/11....and they were alive when it happened! So it was a small, teachable moment for them. *sigh* makes me feel old.

I'm in my 25th week of my pregnancy and I'm doing well. Had my doctor's appointment yesterday and all is well. Although, my doctor did not enjoy the 6lbs I gained last month ("didn't we agree on 1lb/week??") he said that my overall weight gain is in check. Now I have to watch my carb intake...boo.

The only thing that has been bothering me is the heat here. It's the hottest part of the year--it's mostly humidity and it's driving me crazy. There's no a/c in my classroom, so if there are no tradewinds, the humidity just sits there and it's SO HOT. As a result, my skin (face) is breaking out...oh, well. Not much I can do!

Jerome leaves for his deployment soon. He will be gone through his birthday, so I'm bummed that I won't be there to celebrate with him. I hope that the time will go by quickly...I'm sure it will because it seems that the time just flies by here. We've lived in Hawaii for almost one year already! So here's hoping this deployment goes by quickly....

Not much else going on here. It's just work and, lately, preparing for Jerome's deployment. The days go by quickly because there's always so much to do. I'm enjoying teaching 6th grade--for the most part, my class is great. My school is so supportive and I never have a problem wanting to go to work. Life on the island is good....let's see if I feel the same way this time next week! Oh, and in three weeks, I get my Fall Break, so one week off for me!

Here I am with my 24 week belly: