My Molly friend woke up this morning on a cruise ship somewhere in the Caribbean. While I can't say that the weather here quite compares to that, I don't know, right now 60 degrees seems pretty balmy. It feels like spring. It feels like February on Tybee Island (because we never seem to travel south in bikini weather). It just feels pleasant outside, cool and breezy, sweater weather. The only thing vaguely depressing about it is the knowledge that in a day or two we'll be back to winter coats and scarves and gloves, frost and snow and ice. Winter weather doesn't bother me either, but this little taste is making me start to wish that spring was really on the way. Too bad it's only January, and early January at that.
It occurs to me that when the warm weather comes back to stay, will be about the time we get to meet our kicky new little family member. Just as I expected, now that the holidays are over and we've rounded the corner into the new year (and new trimester), suddenly it seems things are coming up so quickly. Tomorrow I'll be 29 weeks into my pregnancy, which means only 11 weeks left until baby arrives. And, only 9 1/2 weeks left of work. Somehow 11 weeks seems like ages, but 9 weeks seems like hardly any time at all. Funny how time works that way.
Christmas was good this year, or maybe I should rephrase that and say that after Christmas was good. Before Christmas, I came down with a stomach bug, which kept me at home in bed, feeling sympathy for women who get morning sickness (and grateful that I never did, at least this time), and unfortunately caused us to have to cancel a visit with seldom-seen friends, as well as miss Jana's bridal shower. By Christmas Eve I was feeling almost normal again, and then Joe came down with it. :( So, with the exception of about an hour where we went to Joe's parents' to open gifts (and were soundly reprimanded and sent right back home after the gift exchange), we spent a quiet first Christmas together at home in our pajamas, watching the Lord of the Rings Trilogy extended edition on DVD. :)
A few days later, both recovered, we headed out for a short visit with my parents, Kristie and Hamilton and their cats, Angela and Mike, Molly, and a few other people. We played board games, laughed a lot, went wedding dress shopping for my sister, and generally just really enjoyed the company. We were only there for a few days, but it was definitely a "quality" visit, if not high in "quantity". We had to return before New Year's because our childbirth classes started that Sunday. On New Year's Eve, we finally picked up our carseat (yep -- the ugly brown one!) and stroller. We rented Slap Shot, which turned out to be pretty, um, stupid. Went out for a late dinner and discovered that the fast-food places were actually closed, so, it was off to the grocery store for a gourmet frozen dinner and a bottle of sparkling grape juice. Overall, another quiet evening at home, with Joe playing Bioshock while I finished the Christmas cards. ;) We watched the ball drop and toasted the new year with our wedding champagne flutes. The next day, we visited Fr Sean for morning Mass at our old parish (and he seemed happy to see us!), then spent a quality day with Joe's family, watching the Winter Classic hockey game in the snow, eating too much food, and chatting with family and friends who stopped by. A great way to ring in the new year, and bring an end to my break. Even then, I only went back to work for 2 days. Joe convinced me to take Friday off (okay, so he didn't have to twist my arm too hard), so we had a nice long weekend to conclude the break, during which we visited Sean and Emily and family, went to the movies, and went out to eat several times -- including dessert. :D That was the real end of the break, as Joe and I are both working again as of yesterday. Overall, I'd say it was a good one!
So as I said, now that the holidays are over, it seems like everything is right around the corner, which means I'm preoccupied with all the baby-related things that need doing in the next 11 weeks. My prenatal appointments are now every 2 weeks, and our childbirth classes have begun. We are learning the Bradley Method and I'm pretty excited about it. I've got a nutrition plan to follow and exercises to do every day. I've also got a great coach who's behind me 100%. So that's going well. Last week we had baptism preparation class at our new parish, so that is another thing out of the way (well, once we ask the godparents if they're willing). I did some work on the nursery last week, putting the bumper in the crib (why not, since I have it :P), putting the few outfits and blankets into drawers, etc. The closet still needs cleaning and we still need some things, but if baby came home today the only *necessity* we'd have to get are diapers. So I'm feeling pretty good about that. Now on to the little things, like choosing a pediatrician, pre-registering at the hospital, etc. :P
Anyway, this is getting long, and I should probably get back to working, seeing as how I have so few weeks left of work. ;) It's gotten a bit cloudier and darker outside, but even so, the temperature is still pleasant and it will be nice to head home to my husband, and get a nice walk in this evening after dinner. Tomorrow is supposed to be rainy and cooler, with winter returning in full force by Saturday. Ah well. Hopefully Molly's Caribbean weather stays nicer. :)