Random Ramblings of a 3L

I've had an eventful couple of weeks. My substantial writing requirement is turned in. The. Final. Paper. Is. Turned. In. Yea!! I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders this morning when I hit the "send" button. Poor professor Thomas now has to read twelve of these monsters. Professor Thomas is retiring after this year. I have been in three of his classes. He is kind and knowledgeable. Many professors have not practiced much and teach more theory than practical knowledge. Professor Thomas has practical experience and teaches both. It is a sad day for the law school. Professor Wood is another awesome professor that is retiring this year as well. I know the students will miss them. It is starting to dawn on Robert and me that we are leaving this year as well.

Law School has had its ups and downs. I have grown so much through this experience and met some truly amazing people. A part of me thought this day would never come. But here I am staring at my graduation announcements and ordering my cap and gown. I entered law school as a scared 1L (first year law student). I was single and thought I would remain single for some time. I had started to make plans for my life. Then, I met Robert. I started my 2L year as a newlywed; I never thought I would have a child when I graduated. Yet, I started my 3L year six months pregnant. I took one set of finals while throwing up from morning sickness, and another set of finals recovering from giving birth. I learned through this experience that I can do more than I thought I could. I also learned that the Lord does prepare a way for you to accomplish what he commands, even when it seems impossible.

Yet, things are difficult. I never really rested after having John. I had classes to attend less than two weeks after his birth. Then, I had finals and the holidays. While I had two weeks to rest over Christmas, it was not enough. Soon, I started another semester and went back to work. I'm not suffering from anything huge, just several little annoyances that will not go away. I feel like I'm only functioning at 60%. But, as of last week I no longer have a job. My good friend Elizabeth hired me last year as an editor and I loved that job. After a busy day writing my paper and taking care of a very fussy John, I had had it. After John finally went to bed Robert noticed that Elizabeth had called us both repeatedly. Sure enough she had left five voice messages on my phone. I knew then that it was not good news. Robert called her and she and her husband wanted to come over (it was 9:00). Elizabeth and her husband are our classmates and our good friends. Elizabeth told me that most of the company, including herself, had been laid off earlier that day. I know that must have been hard for her to have to do.

I am sad and a little scared, our summer plan was for me to work while Robert took the July bar; he would then, hopefully, get a legal job and I would take the February bar. Now, we do not know what our plans are (other than Robert is taking the July bar). Once again I had made plans for my life but my life is going in a different, unknown direction. With this added stress came the stomach issues and the flare up of my TMJ (inflamed jaw due to overuse). When I'm stressed I clench and grind my teeth which causes my jaw joints to swell and protest in pain; I do this in my sleep as well. I have not a flare-up this bad since High School. Usually, I have a mild flare-up every couple of years. I take some advil for a day and then I'm fine for another couple of years. My jaw has hurt so bad this week I could barely talk (but I finished "that paper" in spite of it). I guess the point of all this rambling is that life never turns out how you expect it to. There will be times of great stress and distress but, hopefully, things work out and you make it through.

That's My Roly Poly

John learned how to roll from his back to his tummy on Monday. It is his new favorite trick and he does it all the time. Poopy diaper change = attempt to roll over; getting clothes changed = attempt to roll over; put down on his back = will roll over. Robert had to go into the other room. John was on his back. When Robert came back (maybe 30 seconds later) John was on his tummy. We kept missing him roll because he would do it in the 2 seconds we turned our heads. Finally, we were able to see him.

The video was hard to get. Every time I would have it ready he would stop turning to see what this camera was, or he would turn before I could hit "record." Luckily, I caught this one just as he started his turn.

He still is not a huge fan of tummy time so when he rolls he is all proud and then realizes "wait, I'm on my tummy!" Then he cries. When he gets really going we roll him onto his back. Two seconds later, he rolls back to his tummy. Sigh. He attempted to roll over in his crib the other night but got stuck when he rolled onto the edge of the crib. His hand-eye coordination is really good now. If he wants something he can usually grab it if it is within his reach - up, down, side, etc. He still giggles and squeals. He loves Robert's voice; whenever he talks John smiles and giggles. Wow, a semi-mobile baby. Now the fun starts!

Snow now? Really?

Yea, it's March! It snowed this week. A lot. Ugh. It was a sunny Saturday though. We took the MPRE and then did Saturday chores. But, alas, it is raining today. I was sick this week. I had a horrible cough, no voice and felt like crap. I'm feeling a little better but am completely drained of all energy and I still have that dang cough! John caught my cough, but he's still happy, smiley, and giggly. I'm counting the days until graduation. I'm so ready to be done with law school. My professor returned my substantial writing draft and I don't have to change much. I'm so glad. That paper took a long time to write and I was worried that I'd have to rewrite it.

John likes putting everything he gets in his hands into his mouth (including my hair if he can manage it). We had to take the stuffed animals out of his crib because he moves around in his sleep (hey, he sleeps like daddy) and we don't want anything to happen. We go in before we go to bed and put his blankets back on him, only to find them once again kicked off in the morning. He and his swing have been good friends lately. He is having trouble napping, but the swing puts him right out. He looks relieved if he's really tired and fussy and we put him in it. He also likes to be put in his bed before he's asleep so he can fall to sleep on his own. Win-win I'd say. He loves sucking on his fist or his index finger. He loves it when we sing to him. He smiles and giggles (this is really great when he's cranky). One of his favorites is the hokey pokey (probably because he loves the arm and leg movements that we do for him).

Tired.Reading his book on bugs.

Sleeping in his swing.

Looking at mommy.

Putting everything into his mouth.

Sucking on his fingers.

Looking out my sliding glass door.

This is March!

This was only a third of what we got.

Winter Wonderland.