Happy Holidays, Everyone!

Hard to believe there is so little time until Christmas! I still have so much shopping to do. Being tired makes shopping all that much harder... and I usually love to shop!

I am doing well. Officially into my second trimester, and also started my fourth month... yipee! I'm still tired, but I've been keeping late hours, so I'm sure that's not helping. I just can't take naps because I am so afraid I will forget to get my daughter off of the bus. I was really tired yesterday, and even though I was awake, I was completely zoned out and not paying attention to the time. My daughter was knocking on the door before I realized what had happened. I felt so horrible! But that rules out naps for me completely!

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving. My friends from New York drove down with their four children and spent the holiday weekend with us. We had gotten a table that seats 12, and couldn't wait to see all the faces around it... it was better than we imagined! My girlfriend and I braved the crowds the following day, and spent three hours shopping at Target. I was wiped out! We also took them to the Columbus Zoo and all the kids had a blast. Between us, we have seven children, ages 6 and under. Don't panic... they have adopted three of their gorgeous little ones! It works out very well because all the kids get along with each other fabulously. All in all, it was a terrific weekend, and we were sorry to see them go.

I am getting so excited about this baby. Not that I wasn't excited before, but the closer I get to having 'her' kick, the more excited I get. It's going to be so wonderful having another little baby around here. I can't wait to see what color hair he or she has, what color eyes, who he/she will look like. It seems like forever until June! I haven't even heard the heartbeat yet, so it's a little hard when I read the posts from the Expecting in June board... almost everyone has heard their baby already, some have even seen their baby. I can't wait!

My husband and I have decided that if he doesn't get a direct hire into his company, that I will go to a midwife who does hospital births, and pay for everything ourselves. I'll just keep my visits to a minimum, and work something out with the hospital. I feel better about that than a homebirth. The midwife that I would like to go to comes highly recommended, and I think that it gives me the best of both worlds. Homebirth scares me for several reasons, but mainly, I am not an Amazon woman, and although I'd love to go drug-free this time, I'd like the option there if I need it. Plus, I love being in the hospital... you get waited on hand and foot, there are nurses to take the baby, and I get to relax at least a short while before returning to full-time motherhood!

Eating and exercise has been a huge struggle for me lately. Because I've been so tired, I don't exercise, and my appetite has picked up. Not a good combination. When I feel up to it, I'll start my workouts again, and I'm also going to make an attempt to eat better. I'm still not in maternity clothes yet, but probably soon. I'm really surprised I've held out this long!

Well, I suppose that's all for this week. I hope you all find time to relax during the hustle and bustle of this busy season! Enjoy it!

Hugs,

Heather and the bambino