21-22 Weeks

This pregnancy is over half over! Valerie was born at 36, although induced due to pre-eclampsia and definitely was not ready. Eleanor came at 38 on her own.. so we will see if this little one comes early or not! They generally schedule c-sections at 39 weeks, which would be during the first week of July. I certainly do not want to be in the hospital on the 4th of July, yuck. They better work around that!! (unless of course she comes on her own then, that's ok ;) )

Derrick and I just returned from a lovely weekend in Paris. The kids stayed with friends and did pretty well, although Valerie had some issues going to sleep at night. It was very hard to be away from them, as we actually enjoy traveling with our children! However, it was certainly nice to sleep in and have several meals with my husband, uninterrupted!! In March, Paris is grey and misty, temps were in the 40's/low 50's during the day. It was certainly tolerable although I think it would be absolutely beautiful in the later spring/fall!! I adored the city in general. Everything was so beautifully taken care of. Every single time we walked into a store, cafe,etc. we were greeted so cheerfully with "Bonjour Madame!" and Derrick pointed out that everyone in Paris seemed to take pride in everything that they did.

It was so different from being in Italy, where you can be standing in line, making eye contact with the person at the store, and they completely ignore you. People cut in front of you constantly. The bathrooms smell so horridly of urine (and don't even get me started on the cleanliness of them.. if there even IS a seat,etc.). It is just generally a place I am quite honestly ready to leave. It's a beautiful place to see for it's historical beauty and gorgeous coastlines. It seems as though the older generations are lovely people, but as a culture in general it is very obviously "every man for himself" down here in Sicily. Derrick and I are going to miss Europe terribly, but would only retour in Northern Europe some day if ever we decide that Derrick should remain on active duty. Only time will tell!

In two weeks, we move out of our little townhome and into the lodge for a few days before flying back to the states! We are crazy busy these next couple weeks repainting, deep cleaning, getting the dogs to the italian vet out in town for certificates, getting medical records to take back with us, etc. It is overwhelming but very exciting to be getting done at the same time!

I haven't even had a second to look at my pictures from Paris, but hopefully here and there will post a little about our trip. Today I am to clean the downstairs so we can start painting tonight after the girls go to bed. Here is a picture Derrick took of me in our hotel room this weekend- about 21.5 weeks. I'm carrying just the same as the other girls.. high and wide. lol :) Oh well :)