MS 150

Ryan is riding the MS 150 again this year.  The MS 150 is an annual bike ride from Houston to Austin over a two day period in April to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Here's what Ryan had to say on his fundraising website:

I've registered for the BP MS 150 to get in shape. I needed the challenge. But for me there is a personal side. In 2004 my Mom was diagnosed with MS. Since then I have wanted to ride in the event to support her. This will be the first year since she was diagnosed that I am able to ride and support her in that way.

If you'd like to financially support Ryan in this ride, click on this link.

Thanks!

a letter to my nephew

Dear sweet Elijah,

I know how much you love Star Wars.

We ALL know how much you love Star Wars.

I already have Elizabeth's nursery all picked out, 

but I know that if you could choose anything

to decorate your baby cousin's room with,

it would be this:

Too bad we didn't find this earlier, right?

I love you,

Aunt Sarah

Speaking of Elizabeth Mitchell...

Don't you love the cover art on her album, You Are My Little Bird?

It's by artist Ida Pearle.

I am completely loving her art, especially these alphabet cards:

Here are some upclose shots of my favorites:

I love the J one ridiculously because every time I look at it,

I think it's a J for Joy. I just realized today it's for Jump.

In other news, Kayla (4th grader) told me today in the nicest

possible way, "Mrs. Craig, you look like a big pumpkin."

In her defense, I was wearing orange.

In my defense, it was burnt orange.

It's a Big World, Baby

The top ranked children’s album on iTunes is Kidz Bop 15. If you buy this album, your tots will be listening to a group of tone deaf children singing songs like "Hot N Cold" by Katy Perry and "So What" by P!nk. It is not cute. It is horrifying. Look, my tastes are pretty eclectic, but who really thinks it’s a good idea to have kids singing along to songs like this? Probably people who buy their daughters Bratz dolls and let them wear shorts with words on the butt.

I managed to wade through the murky depths of children’s music until I came across Elizabeth Mitchell. I bought one of her albums, You Are My Little Bird. She’s also put one out with Lisa Loeb, Catch the Moon. Bought that one, too.

I am now in love with Elizabeth Mitchell. These are the kinds of songs I want my little Elizabeth to listen to. Not some group of crappy kids singing Rihanna’s “Disturbia”. Ms. Mitchell has 2 other albums out as well. I will be buying those in the future. For sure.

I also discovered Renee & Jeremy. Love them.  I LOVE their title song- “It’s a Big World”.  “It’s a big world, baby, and you’re little for a little while; it’s a big world, baby, you can fiddle in your own style.”  Yeah, bought that album, too.

Did I even mention that Johnny Cash released a children's album?  Hell, yeah, you know I'm buying that.  Eventually.  I think 3 albums for an unborn baby is enough for one night.

3 days ago

Last weekend we went to Dallas for The Mitchell's surprise

30th birthday party. His wife Kelly did a fantastic job putting

it all together, and it was so fun to see the whole crew.

BFF's Turf, Kates, Woody, The Mitchell, and Ryan

The better halves

Paige, Janel, Whitney, me, and Kelly

I would like to take a moment to give a shout-out to

Kates and The Mitchell. I discovered this weekend that

they are faithful readers of The Craig Life.

I am impressed beyond words.

Quote of the Day

"Recess made me the man I am today." -LaDon, 3rd grade

No wonder

No wonder I'm feeling her move so much this week!

Elizabeth is now the length of a carrot- almost 11 inches.

In other news, if you have called/texted/emailed/facebooked

me in the last few days and are feeling ignored, I apologize.

I'm sick with my 4th COLD OF THE SEASON 

(not that I'm bitter or anything).  I've missed the last 2 days of

work, haven't gotten out of my bathrobe for two days, and am

now addicted to my Afrin nosespray.

I love being pregnant and I love my job.

I just wish the combination of those things didn't make

me so susceptible to catching every little thing I get exposed to.

Happy 100th Day of School!!!

Nursery Art

Here is some art I found on Etsy that

I would LOVE to put up on Elizabeth's walls:

"Fun with Bubbles" by Le Papier Studio

My favorite thing about this is that they can

change that green to LAVENDER!

"Waiting" by Sarah Jane Studios

"The Three Bears Revisited" by Sarah Jane Studios

"Alphabet Girl" by Paula Prass

Nursery Inspiration

I love to decorate. Got that gene from my momma.

I was obsessing over the imaginary nursery

 long before there was a reason.

Since becoming pregnant, that obsession

has kicked into overdrive.  After changing my 

mind about a zillion times, I think I've finally

made a decision.

(I stole this idea from a lady who posted her pics

on Project Nursery.)

I'm loving the wall color, the lavender, the flowers on the wall,

the "butterfly chandelier".  I've already bought the wall decals,

and registered for the butterflies (as well as other butterfly 

paraphernalia) at Pottery Barn Kids.

I cannot wait to see how Elizabeth's nursery turns out!

Ridiculous

I have a confession to make.

I am obsessed with onesies.

I have successfully refrained from buying these,

but I love them so much it is ridiculous.

Train a child in the way she should go...

Rosa is the bomb.

This is from the first chapter of David Copperfield.

I've been warned that even when you dress your

daughter in pink, and put a bow on her head,

people will still say,

"Your little boy is so cute!"

GIVE A HOOT

DON'T POLLUTE!

Like mother, like daughter?

I can feel Elizabeth moving around more and more everyday.  I love that she has her own little schedule all figured out:

Sleep all day.

Party all night.

Pink

Mom and Grandma traveled to Texas last week for the

ultrasound.  When we got home from the doctor's office,

Mom brought out this huge pink gift bag, full of little

pink onesies, little pink shoes, little pink hats, etc.

She'd bought one bag full of blue stuff too, just in case.

It was so fun to get home and open up all this pink stuff,

instead of just more gender neutral!

We went out in the backyard the next day so mom could

get some photos:

Oh dear.

I bought this for Elizabeth today.

I could not help myself.

Knowing your baby's gender

+

internet shopping

=

Danger

It's a GIRL!!!!!!!!

Elizabeth Grace Craig is due to make her debut on June 25th!

Time to start buying PINK!

?

Tomorrow's the BIG DAY! We have an 11:30am appointment for our big 20 week ultrasound. HOPEFULLY Baby will be in the right position so we can find out if IT is a HE or a SHE. Will let you know tomorrow afternoon...

a 5 minute peek into my job

These are the kinds of conversations you get when you are a pregnant white teacher, and all your students are black.

(I’ve already told the kids at work that if the baby is a girl, we’re naming her Elizabeth.)
Thomas (2nd grade): “Mrs. Craig, I don’t think you should name the baby Elizabeth if it’s a girl.”
Me: “Why, Thomas?”
Thomas: “No, offense, Mrs. Craig, but the only girls I know named Elizabeth are white.”
Me: “Are you telling me ‘Elizabeth’ is too white of a name for my baby?”
Thomas: “I’m just saying, maybe you can name the baby something like ‘Mariah’.”

Cedric (2nd grade): “Mrs. Craig, is your baby gonna be white?”
Me: Well, yes, Cedric. I’m white and my husband is white, so our baby will be white, too.
Cedric (looking very disappointed): “Aw, Mrs. Craig, I like black babies.”
Me: “Well, I do, too, but this one’s gonna be white.”

I love how kids don't find it awkward to talk about race like adults do. It makes for some pretty funny conversations and we all just end up laughing at ourselves in the end.

"This next part is very important. They're going to take you."

WHAT?!  You haven't seen Taken yet???

Get your ass to the theater NOW!

19 weeks!

Mamacita is gettin' BIG!