#holidays2011

this year the holidays have been incredibly laid back, aside from the arrival of our second niece, "melody rose" who was born in dallas, texas to chad's sister, mackenzie on december 23rd. we can't wait to meet her and give her giant kisses on her big, beautiful, chubby baby cheeks. 

we chose to do very minimal decorating this year, mostly displaying whatever was on top of the christmas decoration box and wasn't purple (chad's not a big fan of my purple christmas decorations, apparently).  we didn't even exchange presents with each other, per se.  we figure, we've got a pretty big present on its way to us in a couple of weeks...

we did do some christmas decoration shopping this week at some 1/2-off sales.  we figure we'll want to go "all out" next year for giacomo's first christmas.  (he won't understand why the entire house is lit up and full of bling, but it will be really fun for us, regardless.)

we also enjoyed an extraordinary christmas brunch at monell's with our new friends, the jones'.  eating is a very important celebration around here these days!  in fact, i've already gained 45-lbs. since the embryo transfer in may (probably more since the beginning of the hormones in march, but i forgot to weigh myself at that point, which is probably a blessing in disguise).  holiday cookies have played a pretty important part of our celebration.  good thing the new year is just around the corner so i can make more of an effort to curb these sugar cravings.

heartburn is slowly but surely taking over my night time sleep hobby.  last night i was awake for about an hour, walking around downstairs trying to settle my squished tummy.  (it was probably the spinach & broccoli quiche i made for dinner.  i might've had two big pieces because it tasted so good!  lesson learned.)

falling asleep hasn't been any problem whatsoever.  i've been listening to hypnobirthing relaxation sessions every night, which i cannot recommend enough.  i've actually never been able to stay awake through the 19-min session, which is actually really lovely.  i intend to listen to it once contractions begin -- with any luck i'll be able to sleep through the first portion of labor in order to rest up for the ride to the hospital and the tough stuff once i get there.  there's also a second track on the cd for birthing preparations, which i haven't listened to yet.  (one day at a time!)

we did choose to purchase one big "family" gift this year, for both of us, which was a hurom slow juicer.  it just arrived today, and already we've made the most delicious *green lemonade* (lemon, kale, spinach, ginger, celery & apple).  i'm hopeful fresh juice will replace sugary cookies.  we shall see.

in other news, i've been swimming at the downtown ymca or practicing prenatal yoga daily, which feels really good, but isn't completely reducing the unsightly swelling in my hands and feet.  only a few more weeks of this giant belly -- 4-weeks and 1-day until the due date arrives!

stay tuned for the 37-week photos.