The Birds

We've had a bird problem lately, and as most of you already know, I hate birds.  I detest them.  I loathe them.  As my grandfather used to say (although his dislike was with cats), "The only good one is a dead one."  I'm totally in agreement when it comes to birds.  However, I'm not so fond of the dead one on the edge of our driveway.  I most definitely want it gone, but how does one go about disposing of a dead bird?  You can't just pick it up and throw it in your trash.  I decided to contact animal control inquiring of any health hazards we need to be aware of and asking for their advice on how to properly rid my driveway of this foul fowl.  I was really hoping they would say, "Don't worry, mam.  We'll send someone right out to get that for you."  I even played the pregnancy card hoping for some sympathy.  The response I received from the director of the animal control department was, "Contact the Health Department."  Gee, thanks buddy!  Glad my tax dollars are paying you a nice salary to give such great advice.  Our neighbor down the street has been more helpful than animal control...he at least shoots at the birds every evening.

Chris took a video and a few pictures the other day to share with everyone (while I stood inside watching through the storm door).  If anyone has any suggestions on how to make our yard bird-free, please, please pass them along.

HERE THEY COME!!!

AAHHHH!!!!

Winter Wonderland

We were hit with another snow storm last night.  They predicted our county to get less than an inch and we ended up with close to five inches of very wet, heavy snow.  The news reported this morning that our county was one of the hardest hit in the region and school has already been canceled for tomorrow.  Our poor little canopy on the back deck felt the effects of the snow, too.

 The canopy used to come to a a point on top.  Now it sadly sags below under the weight of the snow.

I also had another doctor’s appointment today.  The doctor said the baby and I are both healthy and doing well, although he did caution me that the third trimester is considerably less comfortable than the first two.  The baby has spent the last six months growing to be about two pounds, and in the next three months he’ll grow substantially, gaining somewhere around five to six pounds.  I’m keeping my fingers crossed that he’s not an overachiever in this area!  I go back to the doctor in three weeks and get to look forward to a slew of more tests, including the gestational diabetes test (I get to drink some nasty, red sugar-water!) and several blood tests I’ve already had.  The state of TN now requires doctors to run a second round of blood tests that are performed at the beginning of pregnancy, just to be sure everything is still okay.  I can’t say I’m overly excited about this next appointment or the woes the third trimester may bring, but my pregnancy has been great so far and every time I feel the baby move I’m reminded that it’s all worth it!  I honestly can’t think of anything I wouldn’t do for him, so what are a few tests, really?

Back to the grind.

Well, it's back to work in this Vivio household.  I actually went back last Tuesday and my kids started last Wednesday, but then we had two snow days this week so it feels like we're starting all over again. 

Chris's first day back is officially tomorrow, but he's been going to the university everyday to practice.  Chris has been invited to perform as a featured guest artist at the Regional ITEA (International Tuba and Euphonium Association) Conference in March and is sharing a recital with one of his former professors and a very well-known person in the tuba world, Dr. David Zerkel.  They've also given Chris and Zerkel a prime time slot at the conference for their recital.  Needless to say, Chris is very excited...and a bit nervous.  I know he'll do a great job, though!  His tuba and euphonium ensemble at Austin Peay have also been invited to perform, so he'll be showing off his directing chops, too!

The baby is doing well.  He's actually been doing the wave across my belly as I've been typing and I have to admit, it's very weird and amazing at the same time.  Chris and I go back for our next check-up two weeks from today.  We've been on a four-week check-up cycle so far, but after this next one, we switch to every three weeks.  My belly has definitely grown since my students last saw me before Christmas and they were very excited to see my progress.

My eighth graders had a few extra minutes at the end of class today and wanted to make baby name suggestions, so I had them write down their ideas.  Here are a few that Chris and I never thought of, written exactly as my students wrote them this afternoon:

Delton
Jake (this one popped up several times)
Cleatus
Christobal
Eugine
Lance
Meil-pronounced as "Male"
Tarrence
Elijah McGee
Deondre
Desimeon