Family Visits Scheduled

Michael's family is set to fly out here from Louisiana on December 26, in celebration of both Michael's birthday and of our baby boy's birthday. They are set to be here till Dec. 31 and will be staying at a local hotel close to our house. We are gonna have a family "Welcome To The World" Party on Dec 27 in celebration of our little one's arrival, and hope that my family will be able to make it by that day too. I hope my aunts and other family will be able to join us in this celebration of our little boy's arrival to the world. Michael and I hope to have some time to adjust to his schedule in his first few weeks of life, and will relish the time we will have alone with him to bond when we bring him home (even if he is born a little late, he will still be home by Dec 27, God-willing, so we figured that would be a good time to have his birthday party and get together with our family). I have also heard terrible things about postpartum "Baby Blues" caused by the drop in hormones a new mother experiences within a few weeks after birth, and I hope to be in good spirits when our out-of-town families meet our little guy.

My Aunt Marty gave us a gift card to Home Depot and some money toward a new glider & ottoman in the baby's room. We picked up the glider yesterday and picked out some shelves for the baby's room with the Home Depot gift card. Thanks Aunt Marty!! Also, my Dad and Aunt Dino gave us gift cards to Walmart for my birthday. I was able to buy curtains and curtain rods for the baby's room with those gift cards, as well as a few thin maternity sweaters for me. Thanks Aunt Dino and Daddy! Both the baby and I will be stylin.'

On Monday night, Adam, Brandi, and my Mom stopped by to pick up our exercise bike from us. We will no longer have room for it, with our little arrival coming, so we figured we would give it to someone who could use it. While they were here, my Mom cleaned my kitchen (thanks, Mom), and we had decaf coffee and polished off my leftover birthday cake.

My brother and his fiance are celebrating their anniversary this weekend, so my Mom is gonna come over to stay with us in order to give the lovebirds some privacy. While Mom is over, I figure she could tackle some painting projects Michael won't let me do. And I will hang the new curtains I got for the baby's room.

Today, I am set to have coffee with my theatre director Anna (I will be having decaf, of course). We are meeting to catch up for 30 minutes before she teaches an acting class. Tonight, my friend Marcia will be stopping by to see me and to pick up some Mary Kay facial cream she ordered.

FYI on the pregnancy front: I have gained 11 pounds in this pregnancy so far (I am almost 22 weeks pregnant now). Yes, I am still experiencing morning sickness every day (some days are worse than others- yesterday was terrrrrible). I am irritable at least a few times a day and get annoyed pretty easily (my poor cats and hubby have to suffer the wrath of my tantrums the most). But the best part is that I am also having quite a bit of fetal movement! Hehehe. He is poking and kicking and dancing up a storm at least twice a day for about 10 minutes at a time. Michael has even been able to feel him thrust his tiny legs out to kick a couple times. It is just awesome! Tell him to keep it up! It is a source of endless entertainment for his mommy and daddy.