Man it's hot! And other random thoughts.

Hi friends,

I have just returned from a week-long work trip to Orlando where it rained the whole time. But that's ok because I stayed inside the resort the whole time except for the last night when I was allowed out to a lovely sea food restaurant where I ate a steak. It was SO good - covered in a port sauce with Gorgonzola. MMMmmmm. The work trip went well all things considering. Felt great about the work I accomplished and safe in the knowledge that it was not good enough.

My air conditioning has been out for the past three days, but will probably be fixed today. Thank goodness my mom lives here, now. She graciously took Joe and I in. It is supposed to be 106 today. We left the cats there, but have allowed them the run of the house, something that makes Joe a little nuts. But I am convinced he secretly, deep down loves the little buggars.

So I am about 15.5 weeks pregnant and I think I felt the baby move last week. It's funny but I keep expecting for my stomach to deflate, like it's just a fluke. But it hasn't - just keeps getting bigger. What a strange ride this is. I have much more energy now than I did a couple of weeks ago and I am very thankful for that. Mind-numbing exhaustion was doing nothing for my work performance.

A good friend of mine left the job last week to take another job that allows her to spend more time with her family. I admire her and miss her already. We're friends, so I know we'll see each other, but I am used to being able to walk downstairs anytime I pleased to darken her doorstep. But I am really happy for her and I think she made a great decision.

Inevitably that, among other things like my rapidly expanding waist line, has made me wonder what my work life will look like after Anna is born. Should be another wild ride.

Along with a decrease in tiredness has come a decrease in anxiety which is almost as much of a relief. I am trying to enjoy the weirdness that is pregnancy and not become lost in the details and possibilities that can make a mom-to-be crazy.

Love you all. Thanks for listening to me babble. -Ellen