26-28 weeks...a whole lot to say

So much to say...mostly cause I was at a conference this week in Boston requiring constant attention and learning...ummmm yeah right. To keep myself awake during this rather painful experience, I started jotting down everything on my mind (that I could remember...ha!).

I find it so odd so many people ask me, "how are you doing in this heat?" I hadn't really thought about it I guess, as awful hot/humid it's been. Are they expecting me to say something different than they feel not being pregnant? It's over a 100 degree heat index and I can eat the air it's so humid- how the hell do you think I'm coping? Probably the same as you...miserable. :) But upon further examination, I realized they're not crazy to ask me...cause in fact, without even knowing it, I've been pretty much avoiding the outdoors, when I usually can't wait to get outside to lay in the sun. I think the inability to 1) lay comfortably even in a bed, and 2)lay on my belly, really pretty much limits my options there as far as sunbathing goes. The shade is nice though. :) I have also started to find myself wanting to lounge around in just my undies and T-shirt, or comfy pants and a bra...when usually it's all about the sweats. Actually it's kinda nice to be on the warm end for once. :)

I was out in Boston/Connecticut for about 2 weeks total the month of July so our besties out here, got "meet" Omar. Their reactions were so silly. Scott all of a sudden became very concious of his driving ability (as he should since he's the worst driver ever and I fear for my life nearly every time I enter his car), not doing stupid things...I thought it was so sweet...I didn't even think he'd think about it. Kelly would ask questions and seemed like she wanted to feel, but didn't want to creep me out or anything by touching my belly. Denise, Dave, and Danielle were inquistive but also didn't rush to be hands on. I just grabbed Linds' hand to feel Omar one day...she was probably weirded out but never said anything. :) Ariane and Matty were a whole nother story. I stayed with Ari for 5 nights and the whole time we were together, she was lovin up Omar and constantly had her hand on my belly. It was really cute. :) Both her and Matty were all about talkin to her, givin her the love. :) It was tough to be away from Jamie for my 10 day conference; he sure missed his girls. :) He was so excited to read her books when we got home and that he definitely did. :) My first evening back, it was like I'd never left Ariane since Jam had his hand on my belly the whole time...but Omar really went nuts for him. She was SUPER squirrely and excited to be back with Dad. And I love that even still, Jamie is enthraled by her movements, still saying, "woah!" or "wow!" every time. He never passes up an opportunity to feel her. :) And he texted me while away, "Congratulations. We are in the third trimester!" How cute!!

Now as I am a bit bigger, though I'm still not THAT big, perfect strangers cater to me...offering their seats on the T in Boston whenever I boarded. It's really kind, but at the same time I laugh cause it's not like I'm an invalid or 9 months pregnant with some ridiculous waddle (I know I will be acquiring). Everyone does whatever the prego girl wants to do or eat. In fact, my friends again are so funny, cause they're all kinda odd around me until I say, "I'm the same person guys! ...just with baby on board...that doesn't morph me in to some random girl." None of them have kids or are even really around kids/infants/prego people...in fact most of them aren't even married yet. My friends from home are very different in that respect cause most of them have been there. It's just interesting to note the difference.

Well, unfortunately as early as 26 weeks, I'm starting to get a little more uncomfortable...but mostly in my back. I'm having a hard time doing anything for very long before my back reminds me to move my ass, which is probably not a bad thing to be reminded of...it's basically like an anticoagulation technique my body has inherited..."move your ass or you're going to get a clot!" haha... I was just hoping the aching/pain would hold off for a while yet. Oh well...can't complain too much since things have been going pretty smoothly.

I passed my sugar test!!!! Woo hoo!!! And at 28 weeks I had gained 16.5 lbs total which I'm pretty pleased about. A little bummed about my ass jiggling every time I pick up the pace walking briskly or running (which is more like shuffling oddly), and the thighs which have resumed their dimple status after so much hard work to improve that...oh well...at least I know I'm capable of tightening and toning up and it's actually something I WANT to do (but after the baby of course). :)

LOVE LOVE LOVE all the movement! Omar is the perfect age (well, as of yet anyway :)) that she's big enough and small enough to feel her move all the time. This is DEFINITELY my fav part about being pregnant. :) I am constantly touching my belly...and really mean constantly...cause I can. :)

Name considerations at this point (though we still haven't really agreed on anything): Lenora (Leni, which Jamie HATES Leni), Vera, Charlotte (Charlie, which we both like but I KNOW it's going to be an up and coming trend), Bentley, and Arwyn.

Still no change in appetite, which I won't complain about. There's nothing worse than feeling hungry constantly and then feeling guilty when I eat (cause I can tell you, fruit/veggies are not the usual snack of choice).

Kenny had some super great news to share. She's pregnant!!! And due on my birthday. :) We are so happy for them! And we hope everything goes wonderful/smoothly.

SOOOOOOOO I meant it when I said I had a whole lot to say...cause I'm about half way done. :) Take a coffee break and possibly a nap.

At home- BUSY BUSY BUSY BUSY BUSY BUSY...did I mention BUSY? Jamie started the basement!!! It was a promise/expectation that the living area would be done prior to Omar entering this world. :) I started on the nursery- painting painting painting...and I really LOVE the green I picked out. The light grey unfortunately took on a light green appearance due to the lighting but it doesn't look bad... I've been really excited/anxious about starting it. Besides painting and working around the house, my first veggie garden ("the talk of the neighborhood" according to my neighbor Harvey) is producing quantities of food I can't keep up with. I have no idea what to do with it all...have never canned nor seen anyone can, nor know what the hell I'm doing. After reading some and talking to many (like someone is going to have some kind of "quick solution" for me) I sort out what needs to be done. With trepidation, I make pickles (cucumber and zucchini), can tomatoes, make homeade salsa, shred and freeze zucchini, blanch and freeze green beans and peas. We love the fresh veggies but this garden business is a lot of work. (see garden entry for more details). Nesting has set in my friends. I stopped planning weekends and visits with friends. I really just want to be home, particularly with Jamie. I feel completely asocial. Jamie has all his meet the med/phd students parties which I normally would love to go to, but have been pretty much outright refusing to attend...sorry Sugar. At least he's being a social butterfly. :)

I started registering. "Oi" is the only thing that really comes to mind here. 1) I have NO idea what I need...this isn't like registering for wedding gifts...ie picking out whatever the hell you WANT...there's a lot more pressure here since these products are for my baby and selecting the cheapest or cutest things are not always the best selections. Thankfully Sarah bought me a FANTASTIC book called Baby Bargains (with parent and product reviews with prices listed, and everything you need or could buy for your baby). 2) everything is SOOOO expensive! I know everyone has always said- babies are expensive, but seriously, BABIES ARE EXPENSIVE!! Good thing I had Sarah with me...I was like the husband with the laser gun that just shot the scan bars after she pointed and said, "one of these. two of these." Super. Great. Looks good. :) I haven't bought much for her yet, which is surprising to most people...unless it's too adorable/trendy/original to pass up, or it's on crazy clearance. :)

Regular shirts are not really fitting anymore so unfortunately, I had to go buy some more maternity clothes. Boo! Definitely not feeling that cute anymore, despite not even being ultra huge yet.

Cutest thing...the other day I was at Otter and Sarah's (per the norm), playing with Hailey (4yo) when she asks in the sweetest voice, "Kara?" "Yes honey." "What is your baby doing?" "I think she's sleeping honey." "Oh. (pause) What is she doing tomorrow morning?" "(haha) Probably sleeping sweetie." So friggin adorable. :)