Ok, so once again I’ve put off blog writing. But here are some recent developments in the last month
The cruise was fun for the most part. Not drinking was kind of a downer. SIL was kind of bitchy most of the time. She’s pregnant but not really basking in the glow of pregnancy, just complaining about it. She even asked one of our friends who was on the cruise if he would bum her a cigarette. Our friend did not feel comfortable with this at all and it really pissed me off when he told me. I really do want to get along with her. I know we’re not going to be best friends, but we should be able to get along. We used to get along better, but lately she has just been cold towards both DH and me. This really irritated me and I shouldn’t make a big deal of it. It was her birthday the Sunday we got back from the cruise. We gave her the card with a $50 GC to Macys at the apartment. She opened it when neither DH or I were in the room (we stayed at their place in Tampa a night before the cruise). It took until Sunday for her to even mouth a “Thank you.” I had to coax it out of her. We were saying goodbye and I gave her a hug and said enjoy your trip to Macy’s. BIL was wondering what that meant. I said “Oh we gave her a card to Macys. It was in the card right?” and she said yes and then said “Thank you.”
DH brought the tension between SIL and us up to his BIL recently trying to get to the bottom of why she was cold to both of us. The only answer I got was that SIL doesn’t like how DH has changed from how she used to know him (She has been dating BIL since before I came into the picture). She doesn’t like how he fawns over me. Hmmm..... I’m not sure what to do with that. He’s my H and he treats with love and respect. We’re not overly lovey-dovey around people, but he is respectful of my needs and during our trip we ended up breaking off from the group and doing a few things that I wanted to do and no one else wanted to do. I could tell she didn’t like this very much. But god forbid I should want to do things separate from the group on my vacation. I just have a different travel style and I think she should respect that.
But whatever, we don’t see each other that much. I just wish we could get along during this pregnancy. It was kind of sad that most of the trip was filled with tension between her and I since that will be only time we will see each other while pregnant. Her cold behavior really played a factor in me deciding not to go down with DH for a wedding in June since we would probably be staying with them. I’ll get to see BIL again in June when he is up here for work and I’m excited about that. We get along pretty well and he’s funny.

Baby Developments
- I think we’ve decided on a name. We were strongly leaning towards Jeremy after BIL and DH let it slip after a few drinks on the cruise that we were thinking of that. Of course, he’s all excited and had this nice doe-eyed look on his face when he found out. Now, I guess we’re kind of locked in. DH and I had some more discussion about it and we’re both fine with it so I think it will be Jeremy Michael H. Michael is after my dad.
- I’m feeling him kick and move around a few times every hour. DH can feel it too if he catches it at the right time. He actually felt him kick first on the night of his birthday when we were laying in bed on the Cruise Ship.
- I’m up about 15-16 pounds. I guess that’s a little at the top of the range. But I’m trying to eat healthy for the most part. My biggest downfalls are sweets. I crave chocolate, cookies, etc. Every day it’s the same struggle not to stop at this little bakery I love for a cookie.
- DH and I made a list and timeline of all the things we need to do to get ready for the baby. We’ve already knocked off two things on the list. We signed up for Childbirth classes and we found a doula. TBH, we interviewed her and she was nice enough. But the main factor that played into it was cost. I e-mailed a ton of doulas and most of them were between $900-$1200. This lady did all the things the other ones did but she was $700. Also, if for some reason we decided we don’t need her. We will only be out the $200 for the two prenatal visits. So that was pretty good.
- I figured out that I’m good for at least two-months of maternity leave without having to rely on leave donation which is incredibly reassuring. I can use 6 weeks of sick leave (which I should have by July) and then use up my annual leave (which should be about 2 weeks). If I want to strive for the full three months under FMLA, I would have to get leave donation. I may or may not do this.

Other developments
- I’m moving offices and I’m very excited about this. It should cut down my commute by a good 15 minutes each way (maybe more). I’m going to have an office that I share with one other girl and a window with a nice view. I can’t wait.
- DH and I are going to NYC to visit a good friend next weekend. I’m excited about this, but kind of worried that I will be bored by the no drinking thing. I’ve been to NYC a good number of times and TBH I can’t think of too many more things I want to do there.

I vow to all those following this blog or reading it that I will post more so they aren’t so long. Sorry about the length!