Almost 9 weeks

Let's see, these two weeks have been really, really busy. Last week, on Monday, we traded in our Subaru (beloved Subie) for a brand-new Kia Sedona minivan. I am not exaggerating when I tell you that I teared up twice at the dealership at the thought of leaving my Subie behind. But, after driving the Kia for almost two weeks now, I really do like it. It has plenty of room, which the kids love, and on our first trip with it to Houston it was so nice to stretch out. My next goal is to get some dvd players for the kids to watch in the back to hush them up on long trips!

Last week was a blur with work because I took off Friday and Saturday so Bret and I could go to the Texas Renaissance Festival in Magnolia. We met up with our friends Ian and Holly on Friday night and had really good food at Pappadeux. Then Saturday was Ren-Fest day! That was the first Renaissance festival that I have ever been to and it was overwhelming! There were hundreds of shops, thousands of people dressed (or undressed) in really cool costumes, and plenty of tummy-hurting food. Right away I had my hair braided all around my head because it was so hot, and I loved it. Bret found some awesome clothes to begin his costume for next year, but my preggo self didn't even bother. I did get some good ideas, though. During the day I could feel a headache coming on, but I tried to take some tylenol and drink lots of water. We walked so, so much that my feet were exhausted. I knew the minute I got in the car to go home that I had a horrible headache coming on. It got worse and worse on the 45 minute trip back and everyone just dropped me off at the hotel room. I ran upstairs and got so, so sick - the first time I've thrown up in this pregnancy. The next day I was still feeling out of it, but at least I didn't get sick again. Even though the ending sucked, the actual fair was awesome and something I'd highly recommend.

School really kicked my butt this week - I had to write a journal entry, take a psychology test, write an 8-page book review, and two essays for a take home test. Everything had to be turned in by last night, and I think I may have been cured of the need to ever go to graduate school. I will be so glad when this semester is over! I don't handle extreme stress well - I snap at everyone and then cry (could be hormones?) and my muscles get all tense and cause headaches. I'm looking forward to a semi-lazy weekend at home.

Ellie has been going through a weird phase where she doesn't want to go to bed, and cries several times through the night. I'm not sure what is causing it, but it's wearing us out. This child used to sleep all night and long into the morning, so I don't know if she is just outgrowing her former sleep habits, or if this is a new 3-year old thing.

I got some new pregnancy/ baby related books I'm excited to read: Ask A Midwife - looks like a natural "What to Expect", and Penguin Classics Baby Name Book - all names from literature! I love it! I also got a book by Margaret Atwood, which I'm excited to read because I loved The Handmaid's Tale. And the newest No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency book. I love Half-Price Books! Even though I have a Kindle, it is still such fun to pick out books from the shelf.

Another awesome thing I got this week is a Homedics Shiatsu Neck-Massaging Pillow. That thing was worth every penny of it's 39.99 and more. It really feels like a massage, and even has a heat function. My headaches stem mostly from muscle tension in my neck, since I look down so much at work (and for schoolwork) and I am loving it. I wish they made a mattress out of those massaging rollers and I could just lay on it for an hour every night.

My new goal is to start doing acupuncture and regular massage and adjustments. I'm so bad about going to the chiropractor regularly - I tend to wait until I am in screaming agony to go. But I've read in several of my books that acupuncture or other energy work really helps with nausea and fatigue during pregnancy.

On Tuesday, I'm excited because I have my first appointment with the midwife, Amber. I hope she'll be able to hear the baby's heartbeat on the Doppler - and I'm hoping there's only one heartbeat!