Where Did The Time Go???

I officially went back to work last week, and our students' first day back is tomorrow. I've had so much to say, but so little time (and energy!) to say it. Here's a synopsis of what I wish I could devote many entire separate posts about:

Last Wednesday was our official first working day back at school. I knew word would travel fast, but WOW. Every year refreshments are offered before our superintendent gives us the big welcome back speech- it's a brief time when people can chat and catch up. I seriously didn't even get a chance to sit down before people that I hardly ever talk to started coming up to me wanting to confirm the gossip, get more details, and congratulate me. More and more people kept talking to me- I didn't even get a chance to eat a thing! Everyone (except the kindergarten witch) has been appropriately happy for us. There hasn't been a whole lot of inappropriate comments- I've just used certain lines when things are said like, "Do twins run in your family?" by answering, "Well, they do now!" I've decided that I will be honest if people ask the "right" questions (like did you take fertility medications or did you do IVF?) but the entire school district staff, especially people I usually don't talk to, don't need to know the full story of how my babies were conceived- after all, I don't know that information about their babies. Only one of our custodians was extra-probing in her questions, and before the IVF stuff came out, we got interrupted. Whew. The one nasty kindergarten teacher I work with was really acting weird- even though I hadn't seen her yet- she seemed to be mad that I didn't tell her? I don't know what her deal is, but she has yet to even directly comment on the fact that I'm pregnant, except say things like, "how are you going to fit two car seats in your car?" when I'm talking to someone else and after I mentioned that I might miss the next inservice in winter because I'll be 34 weeks and they might come early or I might be on bed rest, " Well, I wouldn't wish for that." She also made a point to tell the next reading teacher sitting next to me that her husband barely looks at her and bam! she's pregnant. I'm so glad I will have a nice maternity break away from her for part of the year.

I've also found that the more people that know, the more uncomfortable I am about it. I guess I thought once I got to this point it would be all sunshine and roses and I'd get to bask in the delight that it was our time- but it has been hard. I guess because I've closely guarded my feelings about pregnancy and babies for so long it is simply hard to do a 180 degree turn from that. I also think that until now, we have been able to revel in the amazing-ness of our true miracles between the two of us, and everyone we work with knowing takes some of the specialness of the circumstances away, and makes it seem so much more normal and common. But I want to shout from the rooftops: our conception and pregnancy is anything but normal and ordinary!!!

Thursday we had an speaker from 7:40 am until 3:30 pm and then our school-wide Open House from 4 pm until 8 pm. I just about died working a more than 12 hour day. I knew it would be hard and it was every bit as painful as I thought it would be. Sitting in hard plastic chairs all day listening to a pointless speaker was rough. A half hour break (to eat and change) before putting on a big kindergarten teacher smile for my students and their parents for 4 hours was a feat in itself. I almost cried driving home I was so exhausted and spent after both of those things combined. I slept 12 hours that night, took a 3 hour nap the next day, and then slept for 12 hours the next night. Now I'm bracing myself for the huge challenge the first week of school will be this week, especially when all I want to do is sleep in and take naps.

I also think I am close to beyond the point of being able to hide the belly. At the Open House, a parent of an old student of mine stopped by my room to visit. I totally caught her glancing down and checking out my stomach. I wonder when my new kindergartners will first say something...what comes out of their mouths will be interesting, I'm sure!

On Sunday I dragged my husband to Motherhood Maternity (an hour drive away) because my lovely Mother in Law sent me a $120 gift card last week. I have an awesome MIL! After trying on loads of pants, I ended up getting four great pairs: 3 dress pants for work, and 1 pair of jeans. I'm starting to let go of the fear that one day I'll wake up and literally have NOTHING to wear that fits. My selection of maternity clothes is growing... and so is my belly... I wonder when I'll wear my first maternity clothing and the bella band won't quite cut it anymore...and when I'll be in exclusively maternity clothes...

I also have two countdowns right now: 4 more days until I get to see my babies again and 11 more PIO shots. Lord help me get through the last 11. I can't believe I've endured those for 8 weeks already. That's over 50 extremely painful shots. I told my husband we are going to have a big celebration when those are done- they have been the most horrible part of this process by far. I think if I can do that, I can do anything! Labor and delivery of twins, here I come! (but hopefully not for another 30 weeks or so)