Christmas Lasagna

Well, my four weeks home in America are coming to a quick close.  Can't believe it is almost time to go back to Derry.  I'm not super thrilled about it, I suppose you never want to leave home.  But, I know I have to get back because we've only got five more weeks until baby Concannon arrives and I can't have the baby here...I have no health insurance here...yikes!

So, what have I done in these past 4 weeks?  Let's see...

I've worked part-time at my old job.  It is nice to be able to come and go as you please and pick the hours you work...something which of course I couldn't do when working there full-time.

I had my baby shower which was super cute and nursery rhyme themed.  And, I had to buy another suitcase to fit all the baby stuff in to bring back to Derry with me and ship two boxes.  I can't help but wonder where we're going to put all this stuff in our little one bedroom flat.  How could something so teeny require so much stuff?

I went and saw the Nutcracker with my friend and her two lovely stepchildren, which I really enjoyed. The first time I saw it I wasn't that impressed, but I really liked it this time.

I've had lots of lunches and dinners with my friends and family which I think is evident on me arse.  Oh and of course all the Christmas cookies and candy have assisted with this.

I've seen my stomach (and feet and ankles) nearly double in size since I've gotten here.  Everything is bigger in America I guess...including my belly!

I've Christmas shopped my rear end off and I'm malled out.

I've killed Taco Bell and just about everything on the menu.  And, it in turned, killed my stomach.

I've gone to lots of different Zumba classes and went on lots of walks to keep up with exercise.

I finally learned what Braxton Hicks contractions feel like.

I have discovered that the baby has three inch Shaniqua finger nails.  Or, at least if feels like it!  I feel like my insides are being clawed by a grizzly bear at times.

I've also discovered that regardless of what I eat, the baby gets hiccups.

I enjoyed my mom's annual Christmas party.

I began the process of planning my friend's bridal shower and we picked out my Maid of Honor dress for her wedding in June and ordered it(which was fun doing with a massive baby bump) even though technically I'm the Matron of Honor although that term sounds awful so we're sticking with Maid of Honor.  We actually just ordered the dress online since the bridal shop mislead us in the discount we were to get from the bride having purchased her wedding dress there.  We were supposed to get 25% off the bridesmaid dress, but we're told right before ordering that that was only if you had three or more bridesmaids.  This was followed by a comment from the bride: "What?  I have a problem with that!  That's discrimination!  What if I only have three friends?!"  A question that remained unanswered by the bridal shop so we purchased elsewhere. So, there you silly overpriced, rude bridal shop!

I've caught up on all the driving I've missed.  And, the road rage that comes with it.

I've been tortured with these two questions: "When are you moving back?" and "Are you sure you're okay to fly?"  Answers to these are: "I don't know" and "Yes, of course I am, you can fly up to 36 weeks as long as you're healthy and I'm healthy and I'm not quite 36 weeks yet."  I considered briefly having a shirt made with the answers printed on them.  It reminds me of the questions I got when I announced our engagement. It was always the same question: "Where are you going to live?"  Then, after we got married, it was "When are you moving?"  Then, when I got to Ireland, I heard all the time, "So, how are you settling in?"  or from folks who didn't know me, "Are you from America?"  No worries though, I know everyone doesn't realize how many times I get asked the same thing over and over again lol, how could they I guess.

I enjoyed our annual Christmas dinner of Lasagna followed by a trip to the movies.  Yes, we eat lasagna on Christmas.  No, most Americans don't do this. Since we have the big meals (turkey, ham, potatoes, gravy, green beans, stuffing, etc.) on Thanksgiving and usually for Christmas Eve, we're sick of turkey and ham by Christmas day, so we began having lasagna about 7 or 8 years ago, which I really like.  We saw We Bought a Zoo at the movies...class wee film it was.

And, of course, I've missed my hubby and kitties.

Oh, and I forgot to take photographs of any of this.