Week 31: Taking time off from work

Weight: 136 lbs
Waist: 38.5 inches

Cravings: chocolate shakes, mexican food, apples, chicken sandwiches, hard boiled eggs, water, water, water! The beer craving is gone, which is good because I really wanted to drink an ice cold beer.

After working six-day weeks since Thanksgiving weekend, I was more than ready for some time off. Rachele and I decided to close the studio until January 2nd to recoupe from the crazy holiday rush. This is the slowest time of the year for photographers, photo labs and our other suppliers, so we might as well take advantage of it.

Unfortunately, I caught a nasty cold and have been sick this whole week. I'm feeling better, but my sinuses are in bad shape. It's just not fair. At least, I don't have to work right now and Finnegan and I are spending all these days together because he's on Christmas break from pre-school.

Aches 'n pains: The usual; lower and middle backache with accompanying shooting pain radiating down my leg to my knees. My hips always hurt and the sciatic pain cause me to limp often.

I'm feeling really heavy and my belly is sticking our so far that women keep asking me if I'm ready to deliver or if I'm having twins. I would have liked to see them when they were pregnant! Everyone thinks they were svelte pregnant models I guess? Anyway, more and more women are saying, "Bless you," and then patting my belly. Hey, if it can get me a parking spot closer to the grocery store, I'm all for it. Instead, I'm on public display.

My hands and feet are swollen and I can't wear my wedding ring. I tried to wear it on a necklace, but it bothers me right now.

Limitations: Can't drive the truck anymore, can't reach items in the back of the refrigerator, and very difficult to pick up Finnegan. I took Finn for a walk the other day with Spoon and it was a lesson in patience. Finn wanted to run every where and Spoon, well, he was Spoon. We were gone for almost two hours and I had to take a nap upon our return.

Good things: I can sleep through the night, eat normally - just smaller portions, and I can still bathe and clothe myself.

Mood: At times I'm very emotional. I'm cranky in the morning and I don't take criticism very well. Or rather what I perceive to be criticism. I've yelled at Doug a few times for picking on me. In actuality, he was teasing me, but I was not in the right mood for it.
Ups and downs I guess.

Dreams: I've been having a re-occurring dream about being in college and not doing any of my course work throughout the semester and then worrying about graduation.
Well, this week I had the dream again, but this time I went to my professors and asked them what I could do. They told me that all I had to do was pass the final exam and I'd be set. Wow! What a concept? No more dreams.

Nesting: Doug and I have been gathering all the supplies for the baby. We went to Baby's R us and purchased many needed items and then came home to find out that we only needed half of what we got. So, I'll be returning a few things. I've also been clearing up the rest of my studio stuff to make more room for us. It's really nice to have all the equipment and supplies out of the house. My plan of purchasing items for a studio during the past eight years was a good one except that I had to store everything in my house. Now it's almost all gone.

Finnegan's room: I've been working on Finn's room trying to organize it for him and decorate it with the planes-trains & automobiles theme. It's coming together nicely and he likes it. I want him to feel comfortable in his room and take ownership of it.

Gotta go. Cinnamon rolls are calling my name.