Valentine's Day

I love Valentine's Day.

Steve doesn't really like it and doesn't get why we celebrate it since everyone has anniversaries, but since you celebrate it with friends, family, and students, it's sounds great to me!

This Valentine's days was one of my favorites yet. I got lots of love texts from Steve throughout the day. And I got not one, but TWO vases of flowers delivered to work. I was surprised and thought that Steve must really love me a lot! But then I realized one of them was from my parents (THANK YOU!!!).

These are the flowers Steve sent me.

Because I love Valentine's Day, I had to decorate my classroom accordingly.

And this little puppy has been sitting on my desk since February 1st when my fav little student just HAD to give me my Valentine Day present early since it would be PERFECT for the baby's nursery.

One of the best parts of teaching on V-day are the boxes that the students decorate. These are some of my favorite from this year:

My students also made me this GIGANTIC Valentine card with sweet notes. It took up the whole whiteboard!

When I got home, Steve and I celebrated with a home-cooked meal of steaks and asparagus. We both got our own pint-sized fancy ice cream too. We exchanged presents and I surprised Steve with some Minnesota memorabilia.

And he surprised me with a prenatal massage gift certificate.

See....who wouldn't love Valentine's Day?

It's Official!

Steve got his acceptance letter from University of Minnesota today!!!

I am sooo PROUD of him.

He interviewed at both University of Michigan and University of Minnesota last week and Minnesota was his top choice.

We aren't even interested in interviewing with any other schools because Minnesota's program is exactly what Steve is looking for.

It's such a relief to have that figured out. We know where we're going in August. We know where we'll live for the next few years. We don't have to pay for any more plane tickets! Phew!

Yes, it is in the middle of nowhere and yes it is freezing cold for 5/6 of the year, but I came to terms with that a while ago.

It does have the Mall of America within minutes and everyone that has lived there says they loved it!

Go Golden Gophers!

As for me, I am now 16 weeks pregnant. I've had a fairly easy pregnancy so far. I didn't have much morning sickness, I actually didn't really have any symptoms until a few days ago. I have worked some longer hours this past week and have been suffering from terrible sciatic pain in my back and legs. I was hardly able to walk on Saturday, but I am getting a little better each day.

I feel like I am finally starting to show a little. I noticed my stomach this morning in the mirror and one of my coworkers told me she noticed an "eensy weensy bump". I'm not quite sure if it was my bump or the shirt I had on, but I take it as a compliment.

I haven't told my students yet. I think I'll tell them after my 18 week appointment in a couple weeks.

And we find out the gender on February 29!!!

Only good news over here in the Winder Household:)