Before I start complaining about everything I thought I would list the things I am thankful for.

1.  No swollen ankles, face, hands, feet, ect ect ect
2.  I sort of have a belly button at 7 months!!
3.  I can do all the balance poses in yoga better than non-pregnant people
4.  My weight gain is right on track...so far only 24lbs gained, AND it's all in my belly and chest
5.  No stretch marks (*crosses fingers* none will come in the last 3 months!!!)
6.  Haven't had any leg cramps since New York over the holidays
7.  Paul and I created a new budget plan, it's our second month following it and so far everything is good
8.  My nesting instincts have enhanced my organizational skills...I am starting to feel like I have a daily routine


Okay now time to complain....

1.  I can not touch/see my toes...so I can no longer give myself a pedicure and there are no salons to get it done that are inexpensive.
2.  I hate that we have to pay out of pocket for all prenatal care/hospital stay/and tests only to be reimbursed later my our US insurance....but good news is having a baby here is still 75% cheaper than the US
3.  I miss being able to drink Belgium beers and my favorite wines and champagnes
4.  I am always tired, I feel drained from carrying around all this extra weight
5.  Snow/ice + being pregnant = even clumsier Ashley
6.  Singing has become very difficult, so my days feel boring because I can no longer do the work I want to
7.  I have to use force of will power to say NO to junk food, yummy fattening foods, and caffeine. 
8.  I can only sleep 3-4 hours  because Brandon likes to dance on my bladder... I'm carrying him so low


This past week Paul has been working extra long hours because right now the refinery is going through a turn around, this just means they are repairing and cleaning lots of things in his part of the refinery.  His hours have changed so instead of leaving the house at 7AM he stays home until 2 or 3PM and stays at work until 1 or 3AM....very rough, but work has promised him some sort of compensation.   We are hoping this can be given to us in extra vacation time.  Currently Paul has 4 weeks and 1 day of vacation left for 2010. Seems like a lot to Americans, but most Dutch get double this, Paul only gets 4 weeks because it is the Dutch Legal minimum, if we were in America he would only have 2 weeks, so we do feel very lucky, but with Brandon coming and not having family close to help, Paul is really the only person I can count on to help me .   Paul says that next week will be the last week of these rough hours.  Good news is that since he works until 2 or 3AM he did not have to go into work on Saturday this week, but because he worked these harsh hours he got a cold from working outside in the cold  :-(   I hope he doesn't get me sick.  I've been feeding him lots of soup, oranges, and Day/Night Quil, lets hope he gets better fast and that next weeks work schedule does make it worse!