Have a conversation with Tracey Weller and any woman with any kind of mothering experience would be tempted to give her a big hug and tell her everything is going to be fine. Just fine.

Weller is mother to 2-year-old daughter Sydney, and is nine months pregnant with a baby boy she and her husband, Kyle, named Carter. She has all the same worries and fears many mothers do while pregnant with a second child: How will I manage with two small children? Will I have enough time for both of them? How will they get along? What about my job? How will I be able to juggle everything? Will I be able to love them both equally?

If Weller thinks about it too long she can get a little weepy ... like we all do when we are nine months pregnant ... but when Weller speaks about her fears, it isn't just the hormones talking. Weller knows firsthand exactly what she is talking about: She is assistant vice principal at Warwick High School in Lititz.

A fourth-generation teacher, she loves education and the students. She has been a teacher for 13 years and has been in her new role for about a year. "Though I am not actively making lesson plans now,'' she said, "it is as fulfilling as being in the classroom. I get to teach other teachers. I love their enthusiasm."

And, she added, "I love school!"

Perhaps all of that school experience makes Weller a little anxious about her own abilities as a mother. "For 13 years I have taught other people's children," she said.

Through those years, she's learned what a huge impact parents have on their children. She has seen kids from great backgrounds and she has seen kids from not-so-great homes. She knows how differently both circumstances affect them.

 
Sometimes it breaks her heart.

She knows firsthand how kids need that safety net.

"Sure, I got yelled at when I was growing up," remembers Weller. "But I always knew that I had that safe refuge, that safe haven at home. Not all kids have that." In her career, she added, "I've had some pretty jarring moments."

Weller always realized that when push came to shove her parents would always be there for her. That's a huge security for a child and, Weller said, "I want my own children to feel that."
She admits to both over-thinking motherhood and being an over-the-top planner.

"I plan to plan,'' she said. "I make a plan, and then have a backup plan. I can drive myself crazy."

 
But it seems first child Sydney takes after her mother in that way. "You could set your watch to her," said Weller. As an infant "she was up at 8, 12 and 4." But even though her baby was very predictable, Weller still says, "When I first had Sydney, I was afraid I'd break her."

Knowing Sydney so well and being so used to her also makes Weller wonder all the more about her new baby. Will Carter be as scheduled as his sister? Or will he be more of a free spirit?

Weller is also a little anxious about having a boy. "I think it is easier to connect with a girl because that is what I am," said Weller. "I mean, what do you do with a boy?!"

 
Weller had the experience of teaching an all-boy classroom recently. "Boys really are different," she concluded. "But no matter what, I am looking forward to finding out who this new person is going to be."

And every mother knows all that new person needs is to know his mother loves him. Weller already has that down.

More about May's mom

Weller and husband Kyle met at Shippensburg University.

Weller is Tracey's maiden name, which Kyle took when they married.

She said she loves to make people laugh.

The Wellers honeymooned in Disney World.

They have a dog named Chloe.

Her favorite foods are pizza and Mexican dishes. "Especially these days!" she said.

Her hobbies are computers, reading, event planning, and playing with Sydney and Chloe.

Weller, who has two nieces and two nephews, is pursuing a doctoral degree.

By Maureen Leader, Special Features Writer