Stephen just wrapped up the conference that he was leading.  We can both breathe a sigh of relief now b/c conferences in "go mode" certainly take their toll on Stephen's time and energy.  It will be nice to have him at home after usual working hours, eating dinner before eight o' clock pm, and back to a desirable sleep schedule.

Speaking of sleep, we <span style="text-decoration:underline;">both</span> need to stock up on sleep NOW before we forget what the word "sleep" means. &nbsp;I'm already learning the not-so-fun pregnancy problems of feeling exhausted, but not being able to sleep; the waking in the middle of the night (and morning) in need of sleep, but struggling to find any; and (my personal favourite) nightmares.  Oh yes, evidently having nightmares is a common thing during pregnancy.  I knew full-well that I would be rushing to the bathroom for pee breaks and experiencing food aversions, but never had I *once* heard a woman speak of nightmares until I brought it up to my doctor.  And we're not talking "maybe my baby will have eleven toes" nightmares...we're talking zombies, sharks, &amp; the plague sort. &nbsp;I already feel like I'm some sort of awful parenthood sleep deprivation experiment.

To celebrate the finish of this conference, we did what most Italians do to celebrate anything...went out to dinner. &nbsp;The Exercise Planners, their wives, the international conference attendees, and the other head honchos all met at Esperia (a restaurant set way-up-high on a hill at the top of a winding driveway and that serves excellent antipasti dishes). &nbsp;I've been spending most of my time in Stephen's baggy Navy sweats at home so going out was a nice change, but also kind of a stressor b/c "what's a girl to WEAR??". &nbsp;In the end, I asked for Stephen's help putting on my jeans. &nbsp;That's right, laugh it up...I currently require help putting on pants. &nbsp;Very proud that I can still wear my size zero jeans; very deflated that pulling on jeans is not so natural a task anymore (and no, I didn't zip those babies up).

[caption id="attachment_296" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="I need to find a photo of the view from the top of the hillside...gorgeous. &nbsp;It&#039;s on a road called Via Panoramic, if that gives you an idea of how great the outlook would be. &nbsp;:)"]<img class="size-full wp-image-296" title="Esperia logo" src="http://teamoswald.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/esperia.jpg" alt="" width="480" height="357" />[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_297" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="This is the turnoff from the street &amp; the start of the driveway (restaurant waaaaay at the top-left)"]<img class="size-full wp-image-297" title="Esperia driveway" src="http://teamoswald.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/picture-3.png" alt="" width="480" height="266" />[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_298" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="This is the view from the street, *before* the driveway ascent."]<img class="size-full wp-image-298" title="Esperia st view" src="http://teamoswald.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/picture-4.png" alt="" width="480" height="256" />[/caption]

I think I'm quickly arriving at the realisation that my body is no longer mine. &nbsp;I try not to look in the mirror when I am getting ready for a shower. &nbsp;(One) b/c it's turning cold here and the less time I stand around in the buff, the better. &nbsp;(Two) I know I should embrace this very special thing happening inside me, but I tend to look shocked at the watermelon belly and wonder "what is going on in thereeeee?". &nbsp;That is definitely not how I looked two months ago. &nbsp;LOL. &nbsp;I really should be doing more than looking into buying some stretchy maternity pants, but I just cannot believe that I am pregnant and growing (and might actually need some of those).

So what should you do when the reality of your expanding body sets into your thoughts? &nbsp;<strong>You pack it up and go to a chocolate festival!</strong> I smile, I laugh, and I sigh at this solution. &nbsp;In just a few hours, Stephen &amp; I will be driving to <strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perugia" target="_blank">Perugia</a></strong>.

[caption id="attachment_283" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="our driving route from Monterusciello to Perugia"]<img class="size-full wp-image-283" title="Napoli to Perugia" src="http://teamoswald.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/picture-2.png" alt="" width="480" height="489" />[/caption]

Perugia, the capital city of Italy's Umbria region, mainly known for <strong>CHOCOLATE</strong>. &nbsp;You may recognise the name from the chocolate company Perugina that makes "baci" (kisses). &nbsp;The city has a chocolate festival every October...Team Oswald's kind of place. &nbsp;We heard from reputable sources that the festival is fun, but be prepared to fight the crowds. &nbsp;:::thinks for a moment::: &nbsp;Yeah, I'm ready to fight for chocolate.

[caption id="attachment_284" align="aligncenter" width="382" caption="Perugina bacio chocolate (that&#039;s hazelnut on the inside)"]<img class="size-full wp-image-284" title="Perugina Baci" src="http://teamoswald.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/5ad8f74609756bb.jpg" alt="" width="382" height="352" />[/caption]

No computer until our return on Sunday. &nbsp;Have a great weekend, everyone! &nbsp;Baci!