Family Time, More Family, and Preggo update

 Weeks 17 and 18 brought a lot of family time and some interesting new pregnancy experiences. It's interesting how each week things change during pregnancy. But first, the past two weeks have given Josh and I lots of time with our familes. The weekend after Easter we headed up to northern MN to spend time with Josh's family. His brother Casey married his high school sweetheart Leslie, and it was a great time to catch up with everyone and have some fun. In Milan before we flew to MN we found a chocolate egg for Easter with Pooh on it and we had to buy it for Josh's cousin Amy. She is in LOVE with Pooh. She was so excited because inside the egg was a coin purse with all of the characters pictured. These eggs are the typical candy given to kids in Italy on Easter.

Cousin Amy and her Pooh Bear coin purse

 After our trip to MN, we flew back to Milan just in time for the arrival of my Uncle Ted and his wife Alice. They have been on a two and a half month (or maybe longer?) road trip of Europe. They started in Paris, drove down to Spain, then across the coastline of the Mediterranean to Italy. We were able to spend some time with them for a few days in Milan and show them all of our favorite spots. Including the city center with the Duomo, Galleria, Castello Sforzesco, and Pizzeria Spontini. We were also able to get tickets to see DaVinci's "Last Supper" after many months of trying. We also brought them up to Lake Como to Bellagio and Villa Carlotta (more on that and "The Last Supper" later). Overall, we had a great time with them and it was great to see more family in Milan.

Bellagio, Lake Como

Outside Castello Sforzesco

In addition to the family fun, weeks 17 and 18 of pregnancy have been pretty good. The flight back to Milan was a little uncomfortable (mainly because my back was sore from the uncomfortable seat), and my feet seriously swelled!! After being in heels all day on Saturday for Casey and Leslie's wedding, then getting on a plane the next day, my ankles balooned. I had some serious kankles for a few days. But thankfully they have gone back to normal!! Now I understand when people say how good it feels to put their feet up! I could almost feel the swelling go down instantly!

This morning I had an ultrasound and it was so much fun!! Everything looks good and I was able to see little Bambino moving up a storm! I could see the heart beating, the stomach, and the legs and arms moving. I could also see the bones that have formed in the arms/legs. He/she was even nodding his head! It was pretty amazing. I'm not able to feel the movement yet, but hopefully soon!

Pizzeria Spontini with the Pizza Nazi, Alessandro

Cannoli for their anniversary

Right now, Josh has the camera (and our pictures from Como) in Belgium. Next weekend we'll be in Amsterdam for Laura Lew's birthday and Queens Day. I'm so excited!!! I'll post more updates with pictures after that. Ci vediamo! Ciao!

Can't you take a gas-x or something??



Baby Carter!



For the past week Josh and I have been in Minnesota visiting family and friends, and also getting ready for his brothers wedding this Saturday. It's been fun seeing everyone but it is seriously exhausting! I was always a little run down just from the emotions of seeing so many people when I wasn't pregnant, but multiply that by about 10, and you have me on this trip. Every night I could go to sleep at 7PM and sleep right through the night! Jet lag may also have something to do with that though... But I was able to see Holly, Brady and their new baby boy Carter- that was so much fun!! He is just absolutely adorable! We also spent Easter with my family which was nice. My mom made a bunny cake that was delicious! But, the poor thing had some frosting troubles... She frosted it on Sat night, and on Sunday morning it looked like he worked out and sweat off his fur! I also had breakfast yesterday with my cousin Jenna (who is also pregnant and due on July 1st) and my uncle Bruce. It's been a fun trip so far!



Me and Holly



The sweating bunny cake

So, at the risk of sounding crude, it's time to talk about some funny things that have been happening in week 17 of pregnancy for me. Well, it's actually something that has been happening since I got pregnant- GAS. Normally this is not an issue for me, but since becoming pregnant I am so gassy! Josh has been traveling almost every week for the past couple of months, so he hasn't really experienced it... until this week. He thinks it's something in the food in MN that's affecting me, but really I think it's little Bambino. Each night the poor guy comes into our bedroom scared that he's going to get a ticking time bomb... Apparently I've woken him up at night because I've dropped a few bombs in my sleep. He keeps telling me that I'm giving him the "dutch oven". I certainly don't mean to!! If I could, I would change that situation! Last night he finally said "can't you take a gas-x or something?!?" It's really embarrassing, but I can't help it!


Me and cousin Jenna- the preggos!




I'm not sure if every woman deals with this during pregnancy, but I know I'm not the only one! I just read Jenny McCarthy's Belly Laughs, and she talks about being in a similar situation. Although, her reason for the gas was a little different... It made me feel better knowing that this was something that others have to deal with. If you haven't read her book, I would highly recommend it! I was laughing the whole way through.

16 weeks!

This week marks the 16 week point for me! It's fun to look at pictures of my pregnant sister in law and cousin... I think I'm bigger than both of them and one is due in June (or July?), the other in August! I'm not due until September... I could be in for a big belly!! Not to mention a big baby if Josh's family history has a say in it...

After starting week 15 I broke down and bought a few maternity things. For the past few weeks I've mainly been wearing leggings and dresses, but now my dresses are starting to get too tight and just awkward. It was time to get some new pants and a few shirts that are more comfortable. I just want to say that I LOVE H&M! They have some really cute maternity stuff.

The past two weeks have been a little rough (other than the shopping), but I can't complain too much. The worst part about being pregnant is getting sick! You can only take certain medications and the tried and true meds for me are off limits right now. Last week I came down with a sinus infection and usually I take Mucinex D, but I had to take something else. At least it helped! After two days in bed, two sleepless nights and four days of rest, I'm feeling much better even though I'm not 100% yet. At least I can sleep through the night now without any issues :)

On Saturday night I really felt like my stomach was stretching and it was the strangest feeling. Everything inside of me felt like it was getting moved and my skin felt really tight. I guess little Bambino is growing! This week he/she is supposed to be about the size of an avocado and will double in size over the next week or two. I might be in for some more stretching!

Ok, that's all for now. I'm off to teach some English at Dior!

16 Weeks