Ben is ALL BOY!

When we say we have a two year old boy, we really have a two year old BOY. Not only has Ben become a huge Daddy's boy lately, but everything he wants to do involves balls, dirt, cars and trucks, or fishing. After helping me plant flowers a few weeks ago, Ben discovered his love for dirt. Since then, he seems perfectly content to use his plastic shovel and mini skid loader to dig and push around dirt for long periods of time. Luckily, we actually have a spare dirt pile outside, so it works out pretty well. For Ben's birthday in March, he received a John Deere lawn mower from my brother. He was a little hesitant about driving at first, but now loves it. I didn't think I'd seen anything so cute as Ben and Brant both driving their John Deere lawn mowers around the yard, until I saw them fishing together. Ben loves to go fishing and lucky for him, a little blue fish is already attached to his Diego fishing pole, so he thinks he catches a fish every time! He has also really gotten in to basketball and baseball lately. It has been neat to see his catching, throwing, and kicking skills develop. The most common thing Ben seems to say lately,whether it's morning, noon, or night is, "Want to go outside?" We are so blessed to have this happy, vibrant, healthy little boy!

BIG NEWS, big news, and just news

Let me begin by sharing some of our most recent conversations with Ben:

Mommy: "Ben, what's going to happen in October?"
Ben: "A new baby!"
Mommy: "Where is the baby now?"
Ben: "In Mommy's belly!"
Mommy: "Do you think it will be a baby brother or a baby sister?"
Ben: "A baby sister" (sometimes) or "A baby brother" (other times)
Mommy: "What kinds of things do you think you will teach the new baby?"
Ben: "Run, soccer, jump,throw balls, ... "

That's right! By now you've probably inferred the BIG NEWS part of the post title. It is baby time in the Ausenhus household again! The baby is due October 29th. We've heard the heartbeat both at the 8 and 12 week appointments. Everything has gone smoothly so far with the pregnancy. I've been feeling pretty good, but it is definitely different being pregnant while chasing around a two year old. I had a few pretty tired weeks in March, but other than that, I can't complain. Brant would tell you my sense of smell is insanely heightened, after a few funny incidences with "mystery" odors in our kitchen that involved him scouring and cleaning the refrigerator and freezer and buying several boxes of baking soda. Yes, we are planning to find out if it is a boy or a girl. That will happen in mid-June. We didn't find out with Ben, but I really think I'd like to know this time in order to decorate the room and either get Ben's old clothes ready, or purchase some girly clothes. All in all, we are thrilled at this BIG NEWS!

As for the lower case version of the big news (because really, what compares to baby news?) I recently interviewed for and accepted a new job. I will be taking on the role of instructional coach. My position is in the same building I teach in now, but I won't have a classroom of students. My role will revolve around delivering professional development and training to teachers, supporting the implementation of new curriculum, and being a support for teachers to try new teaching strategies and find ways to best meet kids' needs. I've felt the need for a change and new challenge, so I'm really excited about taking this on. However, of course it is a little bittersweet leaving my classroom and the comfort zone of teaching fourth grade, as well as the near perfect partnership with my teaching partner.

Finally, for the just news. I'm really only sharing this because I'm super excited about it, mainly because I love new, fresh things. As many of you know, we've been working to update our living room. Brant has been making new trim, which is turning out beautifully. He got the floor trim installed in our living room last week and we finally got our new carpet put in, and I LOVE it! Who knew you could get so excited over trim and carpet? Well, I do and can't wait to post some before and after pictures in the near future when the project is finally all complete. New blinds will be coming in a few weeks and Brant will then just need to finish the trim and crown molding (he'd roll his eyes at the "just" part of that statement), and then hopefully, the project will be complete.

Truly, there seems to never be a dull moment around here lately. I wouldn't have it any other way!