Ups and Downs

So, while my class is absolutely fantastic this year, I have certainly had my hands full, which is why I haven't blogged in a week and a half (I know, I know...seems like I'm making excuses, until I explain myself). The first week of school (Thursday), my co-worker Barb called in sick. She had been feeling horrible the whole night before and was still feeling pretty bad Thursday morning. Luckily, one of our Preschool teachers, Jenny, only has class M-W-F and had most of Barb's kids the previous year in Preschool, so she had an easy and enjoyable day in Barb's classroom. Barb was back the next day, but still wasn't feeling like herself. It continued Monday and into Tuesday, when she was so pale, she looked like a ghost. She had chest pains and found it difficult to get up out of her chair to lead songs/activities, etc. She asked someone for advice and they told her to call the clinic-it sounded like her hemoglobin was low. She called and went in that night...and was there until 8pm! She called me at 8:51 to give me the lowdown..."Jessica, I have to go into the hospital tomorrow for a blood transfusion and will likely be having surgery on Thursday morning. I will be out for 4-6 weeks." Yikes! 4-6 weeks...already?!? I knew I could do it...a few years ago, Barb broke her leg in January, so I was left (my 2nd year) to plan Kindergarten Round Up and work on many other things that we normally did together. And I know she will reciprocate when I am gone in April, but it still scared me! The stress of doing two classrooms lesson plans, projects, knowing where both sets of kids go at the end of the day-daycare, bus or pickup, etc. They got a sub for her those 3 days last week, who was very nice, but very needy-where's this? Where's that? I can't find her Reading manuals, etc. I would sympathize, but a lot of what she was looking for was in plain sight. The sub was offered the Long Term Sub position, but politely declined (I hope it wasn't because of me...I'm pretty sure it wasn't-she's always taught intermediate kids). However, on Thursday afternoon, they did hire a sub for the duration of Barb's absence.

I didn't meet "the sub" until Friday afternoon, and while she seems nice, she also seems very needy. I am totally willing to help her in any way I can, but I also have 20 children of my own to worry about. She had many questions for me on Friday, which I would answer, but she would ask the same question in a different way. For example, "Do we do a behavior chart like this in the other class, too?" I replied, "Yes, your middle school helpers were getting it ready this week, so it should be ready for you on Monday." "So, is there a behavior chart like this for the other class, too?" AHHHHHHHH! If that is how she rolls, it's gonna be a long 4-6 weeks, but I am praying that it gets better and easier. Or else I'll be eating a LOT of ice cream (I can't have a glass of wine to unwind, so...)!

P.S.-On a side note, I went and saw my new OB on Sept. 11. She is fantastic! I love her! It turns out we sort of know of each other (she came to Kindergarten Round Up last year) and got along really well. She made my questions feel valid (why is my hair breaking/falling out?) and tested my glucose levels and my thyroid (because of above problem-tests came back normal). The funniest part was that she was ready to schedule my C-section for March 17 ("I have OR time that day!"). I go back on October 12th and can't wait!

P.S.S.-Even though I keep saying this, I really am going to try to be better about blogging on a regular basis. Lately my stress level has been exceptionally high, so to cope, I watch TV and fall asleep, but I will try to use this as my outlet instead. It probably won't be once a day like it used to be, but I'll try to make it more often than once every two weeks, too! :)