This Ain't No Beer Belly!: Hello 3rd Trimester

28 weeks!!! Wow! Only 10-14 more weeks before Ben arrives! I am so looking forward to him getting here. Things really have started to feel different the last few weeks. I'm starting to feel more and more ready for his birth. By that I mean, I'm not feeling so scared about it but more excited. I really think that by the time February is here I won't be nervous about it, I'll just be so ready to have him that I'll do anything.

We are 28 weeks people!!! Only 10-14 more to go! WHOA!
I feel like this belly is really starting to pop out. Just in the last few days I've noticed it is starting to get in the way of things. I run into stuff thinking I can slip by like I used to, and at the dinner table I have to stick my neck out way far to be able to eat over my plate. I guess I can just start using my belly as a table pretty soon!

I've slowed down a little. The insomnia has set in and I'm awake in the middle of the night. What gets me is how hungry I am. I wake up at 2 am starving. And I dont want to eat anything really, but I feel like I have to or I will never be able to fall back asleep. I used to judge a little, the pregnant women that would share stories of sending their husbands out to Taco Bell or Burger King at 1am. I just thought how ridiculous... but I think I sort of get it now. I doubt I will ever ask Noel to do that. I normally just go spoon some yogurt or cottage cheese into my mouth to get my tummy to stop rumbling. But I can see where these women are coming from. If you don't really have anything to munch on in the house I guess sending your husband out is your best option.

This appetite of mine is no joke sometimes. When I do the grocery shopping, I come home with twice as much stuff as Noel does when he goes. It's dangerous.

So what's happened these past few weeks?

We had a nice family trip to Mount Vernon, George Washington's house, a few weekends back. It was really neat! I am glad we went out there. It's beautiful there. Lina seemed to not care so much about seeing the house and the farm. Her favorite parts of the tour were rolling down the hill in the back yard and the gift shop. Haha, reminds me of when I was a kid and my Granny would take Evan and I on tours of historical homes. I think I spent most of the time whining that the house smelled funny. I can really appreciate historic stuff like this now though.

Ben is 26 weeks at Mount Vernon. Look at my 28 week picture. Do you see a difference?

In George's backyard with a beautiful view of the Potomac River

I have been having some interesting dreams the past few weeks. My favorite is the one where I open up my belly and take Ben out to hold him, dress him in his newborn clothes, and then I put him back in.

We threw Lina her 8th birthday party last weekend at Chuck E. Cheese. It was pretty awesome. She had a blast. We left exhausted, but feeling good that we were able to give her such a happy and memorable party.

I had my sugar test recently. Noel was so great. He came and held my hand while they drew my blood. I was afraid, because the last 2 times I've had my blood drawn the nurse has had trouble getting my vein (apparently because our veins constrict and hide when we are scared) and I had to get stuck in both arms til they could get it. And one time I fainted. I have fainted several times around needles. So, I get a little nervous every time. But this time it was surprisingly easy and not as painful as the other times. So that was a relief! I haven't heard anything about the results yet. I'm hoping that means everything is good.

Noel and I went to a out to lunch recently and the hostess asked if we wanted a table or a booth. I said booth. We got to the booth and the hostess says to me, "Do you think you're going to fit?" I look at her with a scowl, "Are you kidding me!?" The booth was huge! There was plenty of space. A 400 lb person could fit in that booth! I just couldn't believe how stupidly rude this girl was to say that to me. She said it was because recently a pregnant lady came in and didn't fit in the booth because of her belly. But still.... you don't say that! You let me get in and if I'm not comfortable I say so myself and we move. And she could at least have said something more politely like, "Are you going to be comfortable here?"

Our waitress at IHOP yesterday was so sweet. She told me "You look so beautiful." That made me so happy. I wish more people would say nice things to me like that instead of pointing out how huge I am. Yes, I know I have a big belly. I can't believe I have 2 and a hald more months and it's going to getting even bigger. Probably will even double. I'm just not one of those tiny petite pregnant ladies, and I know that. But please don't tell me what I already know. Pregnant ladies really do not enjoy you telling them how big they are!

Our Thanksgiving was quiet and simple. Just me and Noel at our apartment. But it was still really nice. Noel cooked me a huge special Thanksgiving dinner, even though I told him I thought it was ridiculous to make all that food for just us. But I am so glad he did. It was delicious and really nice to have a special meal on Thanksgiving, especially since we couldn't go spend the holiday with family like we had hoped. I probably should have skipped getting the pumpkin pie. Since it's here I can't help but eat it... I've almost finished the whole pie by myself since Thursday. Buttery fatty Thanksgiving food did not help my "Don't tell me I'm huge" cause. Noel even made his own cranberry sauce, even though I told him it would be ok to just by the can. Well he was right not to listen to me. It was amazing. Way better than that canned stuff! Apparently it's super easy to make. Anyway, thanks honey for giving me a special Thanksgiving meal. Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. It's even more special to me now, because it marks the anniversary of when I met Noel for the first time because he signed up to host scrubby Peace Corps Volunteers.

My yummy meal! Complete with baked mac n' cheese!
To me, it just ain't Thanksgiving without baked mac n cheese!

SO HUNGRY!!!

27 weeks, 2 days at Kasey's house. The little bump in the middle of my belly is because I was wearing an undershirt that was too small and squeezing me there.

I took Lina to the movie theater across the street from our apartment to see Wreck it Ralph and discovered that they have really comfy leather recliners for seats. Fancy! I wish all movie theaters were that comfy!

Mr. Jefferson cannot stand being separate from us. He sticks his paws under the doors, reaching for us longingly.
He is the cutest, sweetest cat!

Lina lost a tooth this week! Now she has two holes in her head on both sides of her front teeth.
The tooth fairy brought her $1.

After taking it pretty easy for the last few weeks recovering from my nasty cold, I am going back to work tomorrow subbing for a pre-school class. Hopefully I won't get sick again!