Wednesday, September 12, 2012

How I told my family.


This is a really long post. But if you have the time, it is totally worth reading all the way to the end. It is a conversation between my brother, sister & I. I share some pretty awesome stuff right there near the beginning. But the conversation is great all the way to the end. And any questions you might have... they definitely asked. And the pics are at the bottom too. 


Daniel: sweet
 me: did that work?
 Sarah: ooh, a group chat
 me: oooooo
  its the best we get
 Sarah: how exciting!
 Daniel: we should do this more often
 Sarah: yes.
 me: for true
 Sarah: i like it even more with video though
 me: so whats the plan for friday/saturday?
 Daniel: I dunno
  depends on work
  duh
 me: boring
 Daniel: if I am here past 9
6:10 PM I;'ll get a car to take me Stamford
 Sarah: fancy
 me: ok
 Sarah: we're having lunch at darien social on saturday
 me: very fancy
 Sarah: i want a burger
 me: yum
  i want lobster mac n cheese
 Sarah: then some of us will shop
  i can make that happen monday
 me: and saturda
  y
 Sarah: oh, yes, you can have it twice!
6:11 PM me: twice twice twice!!!!
 Daniel: so what time is dinner
 me: on saturyda? 7pm
 Sarah: on friday? when i get there
  so probably around 8
 Daniel: word
  so I doubt I make friday dinner
  but saturday dinner
6:12 PM I can make
  ;)
 Sarah: hey, did you find a friend to bring?
 Daniel: so you're trying to shop from 2-7?
  thats so much shopping
 me: probably more 2-6
 Sarah: no, we'll go to the hotel and change clothes and get pretty and stuff
 me: and then hotel and change for dinner
 Sarah: maybe nap
 me: oh i love naps
  i have been napping so much this summer
 Daniel: eff you
 me: you dont mean that
 Sarah: yeah, seriously. gloating is not attractive
6:13 PM me: im not napping for olympic gold
 Sarah: lol
 me: its hard making a baby
  .....
 Daniel: does napping make a baby?
 Sarah: i don't know what to say to that
 Daniel: I think I've found the problem
 Sarah: or does that mean something?
 Daniel: thats not how you do it deb
 Sarah: lol
 me: nope, napping is the response to having a kidney bean living in my belly
6:14 PM Daniel: wAIT!?
 Sarah: i'm sorry
 Daniel: ?412?213?213
  '?21?421?421?41
  '?$@!?423?/511@#?%51
 me: by saturday it will be the size of a grape
 Daniel: ''/?%!2/
  ?%!@/1
  ';616985YU81315U15
  51851U6IOF
 me: YOU ARE GOING TO BE AN AUNT AND UNCLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  I was going to wait until I saw you but I couldnt keep it to myself
6:15 PM Sarah: this is the most exciting ever
  EVER
 me: thanks!
 Sarah: CAPS LOCK DOES NOT CONVEY MY EXCITEMENT
6:16 PM does mom know? when did you find out? due date? how do you feel?
 me: this is why i wanted to vdieo chat this week
 Sarah: yeah!
6:17 PM information please!
  do you think daniel fainted
  ?
 me: no he did the same thing you did
 Sarah: lolol
 me: only he had to run outside
  so you got through first
 Sarah: haha
6:18 PM me: so we found out the saturday right before peter and roxanne's bridal shower
 Sarah: thats a LONG time ago!
 Daniel: AHHH
 me: when mom was down to visit
  and i didn't tell her either
 Sarah: good. i don't like it when EVERYONE keeps secrets
 me: we didn't tell anyone until we went to the doctor
 Sarah: smart.
 Daniel: which was?
  ahhh
 me: we went to the doctor on Aug. 1
6:19 PM and we have a good sized baby
 Sarah: does it already have a reese head?
 me: right on track for being awesome!
 Daniel: when was their bridal shower?
 me: not yet
 Sarah: july 8
 me: july 8/9
 Daniel: ooo
  a march baby
 Sarah: yes, march?
6:20 PM me: so i will be at 9 weeks on saturday
 Daniel: HUGE!
 me: and baby reese is due right before passover
 Daniel: ahhh
 Sarah: so right around matts birthday?
 me: march 16
 Sarah: perfect!
 me: matt is april 18
 Sarah: just enough time between
 Daniel: yeah what a good time
6:21 PM Sarah: so who knows?
 me: well you two now
  :)
 Daniel: :)
 Sarah: :-D
 me: mom & dad found out last Thursday
 Daniel: phil mom dad linda?
 me: yup
 Daniel: and this is a secret?
 me: colleen & ken
  and yes this is a secret
 Daniel: oh man
 Sarah: can alex know on saturday? it'll be hard not to be excited!
 me: and no facebook
 Daniel: obv
 me: yes alex can know
 Daniel: can andy?
 Sarah: ok, thanks!
  is andy coming?
 Daniel: can we each get a friend?
 Sarah: lol
 Daniel: not unless we can get the maccabi games cancelled
  its either laura or jay or no one
6:23 PM Sarah: ok
  just curious
 me: yes you can each have a friend
  but i get to approve said friend
 Daniel: well whoever is coming this weekend if its laura or jay
 Sarah: call in a bomb threat, then the games would get cancelled
  lol
 me: i told mom she could tell pam
 Daniel: jay is great at keeping secrets
 me: hahaha
  thats fine
 Daniel: and knows no one close to the sitch
 Sarah: this is too exciting!
 Daniel: yeah
  well
 me: YAY!
 Daniel: there goes me concentrating on work fo rlike 2 hours
 Sarah: are you having any pregnancy funniest?
 Daniel: I've got so many things to do
6:24 PM Sarah: funny things?
 me: my farts are very loud
 Daniel: hahahahaa
 Sarah: i knew that
 Daniel: two fart
  s
  in one
 Sarah: hahahaha
 Daniel: not twins right?
 me: and wehn i see something i want to eat, i focus on it until i get it
  it took me 5 days but i got my milkshake
 Daniel: hahaha
 me: NOT TWINS
 Sarah: hahaha
 Daniel: phew
 me: only one heartbeat
 Sarah: don't they hide sometimes?
 me: you should have seen matt at the drs.
 Daniel: what are you guys planning on knowing?
 me: that was the first thing he asked
 Sarah: haha
6:25 PM me: everything?
 Sarah: one is enough
  we get to know boy or girl ahead of time?
  so i can shop?!?!?!?
 me: of course
  but not until novemberish
 Sarah: ok, fine
  i can buy baby reese chanukah presents!!!!!
 Daniel: if its a boy can it be named Flynn?
  get it!?
6:26 PM Sarah: that is not a jewish name
 Daniel: oh
  wait
  no
  I gotta do that
 me: i dont get it
 Daniel: don't name it flynn
  thats mine
 Sarah: he meant flynn stone
 me: hahaha okay...
 Sarah: dummy
 Daniel: fucking patriarchy
 me: hahahahahahaha
 Sarah: like flintstone
 me: thats funny
 Sarah: i'm sure you can find something good for reese dan
 Daniel: yeah I'ma work on it
 Sarah: good
6:27 PM Daniel: did you already rule out star trek names?
 me: UH YES
 Sarah: lol
 me: we arent even talking names yet
 Sarah: what are you talking about at this point?
 me: how bad my farts smell
 Sarah: that is important!
6:28 PM me: how much i am napping
 Daniel: so you can like tell
  that something is growing in your
  belly
  right now
 me: we arent telling people until rosh hashanah
 Daniel: that shit isn't sneaking up on you?
 me: no, i dont look pregs
  sometimes
6:29 PM Daniel: Pretend I know nothing about this
 Sarah: ok
 me: yup
  im having problems pooping
 Daniel: thats how you knew?
 me: no i knew when i peed on a stick
6:30 PM Daniel: ohh
  makes sense
 Sarah: what made you want to pee on the stick though?
 Daniel: a birch stick?
 me: i hadnt gotten my period yet
 Sarah: or are you just in the habit of peeing on sticks?
 me: it wasnt late yet
 Sarah: if it wans't late, why did you pee on the stick?
6:31 PM me: bones said it was fun
 Daniel: haha
 Sarah: total side note: did you think stanley tucci was gay?
 Daniel: and you always do what bones says
  total side note
  does anyone know who that is
 me: yup
 Daniel: don't get distracted
 me: who?
6:32 PM Sarah: yup you know who he is, or yup you thought he was gay
 me: oh yea
 Daniel: ughhh this is so hard
  I want to tell everyone
 Sarah: i know@
 Daniel: all the peoples
 me: was there ever any doubt that he was gay?
 Sarah: i have a staff meeting tomorrow morning, and i so want to be like "my positive is that i'm going to be an aunt!"
  he's not gay! he just married emily blunt's sister
  he's in-laws with john krasinski now!
 me: what would have been better? not telling you so you don't have to keep the secret, or telling you and making you keep it a secret
 Daniel: emily blunt!
  I know her
6:33 PM Sarah: TELLING
 Daniel: obv this way
  I was expecting to find out via the blog
  so I can stop reading that
  ;)
 Sarah: haha
  i like the blog!
 me: hahaha
 Daniel: I got a shout out this time though
 Sarah: if you had said it on the blog i would have maimed you
 Daniel: so you've assuaged my ego
 me: i have a long post about the past month and not telling people
  there is no way i wouldnt have told you myself
  you were going to hear it from me - end of story
6:34 PM Daniel: I knew Sarah was
 Sarah: cause i'm awesome and scary
 Daniel: I'm the irresponsible one
  no this is awesome
  thank you for telling us
  and congratulations
  and all the mazals
 me: thamks
 Daniel: and I'm so proud of you
  and happy for you
  and this is going to be fun on a bun
 me: oh yea
6:35 PM Daniel: I'll start saving
 me: so plan on passover happening here next year
 Daniel: for the paint ball gun
 Sarah: AHHHHH
 Daniel: and the bongs
  thats what you get kids right?
 me: because mom and dad already said that was going to happen
 Sarah: i keep thinking of all the cuteness!!!
 me: ASSHOLE
  and fat babies
 Daniel: no I'm going to be such a good uncle
  with big ole head
  s
 Sarah: oh no!
  i might be in THAILAND when this baby is born
  crappers
  i want to be near the BABY
6:36 PM Daniel: yeah I'm goign to be in DC right?
  thats where I am when this baby is born
 me: you can be wherever you want to be
 Sarah: if i'm in the country i want to come!
 me: and no worries sarah - babies don't remember crap
 Sarah: so? i want to MEET THE BABY
 me: if you are able to go to thailand - YOU HAVE TO GO
 Daniel: yeah
  that's also true
 Sarah: dude, i'm still going to thailand, i'm not nutes
  nuts
 me: I will save the baby for you, and keep it safe until you get home
6:37 PM Daniel: but I have a shit job
  I want to be with babytime
 Sarah: you better
  let's quit our jobs so we can stare at deb's belly until it pops
 me: :)
 Daniel: I would've done it for less
 Sarah: so are we calling it baby reese?
 Daniel: I'm calling it Optimus
 Sarah: or can we can it something cool?
  dan, come up with something cool
 Daniel: Project Stevadore
6:38 PM me: hahaha
 Sarah: let's call it the flux capacitor
 me: I like Optimus
 Daniel: I can come home this weekend with 60 things
  easily
 Sarah: we'll have a board meeting and vote
 Daniel: especially if we're looking for anagrams
 Sarah: matt can officially join the board
 me: yea!
  lucky for him
 Daniel: 3/5 compromise
 Sarah: we'll have to vote on a position for him
6:39 PM Daniel: he can have 3/5
  the extra fifth for the head
 Sarah: ?
 me: sorry guys - i am officially two votes now
 Daniel: that he contributed to optimus
 Sarah: no. the baby does not get a vote on the board.
 me: bullshit
 Daniel: matt's his proxy
 me: bullshit again
 Daniel: its?
 Sarah: that's ok - only if matt doesnt get a vote
 me: ok
 Daniel: haha
6:40 PM Sarah: i'm calling jewish law: actual lives only
  not potential ones
 Daniel: boom
 Sarah: jewish lawyered
 Daniel: and I'm goign to use the next 8 months to consolidate power
  or wife up
  or
 Sarah: how would you consolidate power?
 Daniel: I dunno
 me: optimus is saving a gross shit for you in 9 months
 Daniel: just
  maybe
 me: 7 months
 Daniel: sleep with 2 eyes open
  ...
 Sarah: :-)
 Daniel: B-)
6:41 PM thats the terminator
  in case you were wondering
 me: nice
 Sarah: good to know
 Daniel: so no drinking this weekend?
  when does that start?
 Sarah: she hasn't been drinking for a while
 Daniel: boring
  is matt being supportive?
 Sarah: she's fun anway, promise
 Daniel: by not drinking?
  I'm going full jewish on this weekend
 me: i havent had anything since july4th
6:42 PM Daniel: so many mazals
  ooo
 me: yea, matt lets me sleep all day
  and he made me mac n cheese for 2nd dinner
 Daniel: serious rule
  deb
  no hitting me
 me: true
 Daniel: because I will retaliate
  because I'm dumb
 me: no hitting my belly and were good
 Daniel: until you get big
 Sarah: yeah, hands off policy in place for a while
 Daniel: then
 me: hahaha
 Daniel: you can hit me
 Sarah: cause i poke
 Daniel: because you'll be fat
6:43 PM boom
 me: thanks
 Sarah: are you trying to make boom a thing?
  cause it isn't
 Daniel: its always been a thing
6:44 PM I learned it from Jon Stewart
  he's the best
  so
  its a thing
 Sarah: deb and i are not trying to be jon stewart
 me: nope
6:46 PM im pregs
 Daniel: but
 me: ?
 Daniel: do I have to do anything
  about that
  you being pregnant
 me: for the baby? or jon?
 Daniel: like a baby shower
 Sarah: i think you're off the hook
 Daniel: or do I just get like drunk at things
 Sarah: baby shower comes once she tells people
 Daniel: like the wedding
 me: no you have a penis - you have no responsibility
 Daniel: amazing
 Sarah: on the other hand, i'm gonna have to do stuff
  AGAIN
 Daniel: I will celebrate for Deb
 me: im sure there will be a baby shower up tehre
 Daniel: two drinks for me
6:47 PM me: someone needs to be drinking for me
 Sarah: someday i'm going to make you throw a big party for me in return
 me: all im drinking is caffeine free
 Daniel: Matt and I are on it
 me: done!
 Sarah: not for a while though
 me: ok
 Sarah: big parties are a lot of work for me
 Daniel: dude
 me: now you understand why i said i would drive to and from the hotel to the casino right?
 Daniel: being pregnant is like being mormon but also the farting
 me: hahaha
  im keeping that line
6:48 PM Daniel: no I don't get it/
  are pregnant people also not allowed to drive?
  I was wrong
  its like being Amish
 Sarah: he gets the line, he's trying to be jon stewart!
  also, mormon is more accurate than amish
  she can drive
 Daniel: oh you would
  not wouldn't
  ok
6:49 PM me: yes
 Sarah: a text i got today: friendship must be build on a solid foundation of alcohol, sarcasm, inappropriateness, and shenanigans
  
 me: nice tet
6:54 PM text
 Sarah: right?
  followed by: our friendship is awesome.
  i love my friends
 me: love
  
 Daniel: are we doing ties and shit for saturday?
  cigars?
 Sarah: no, jeans
  nice shirt
 Daniel: the whole nine yards?
 me: matt likes cigars
 Daniel: I'ma wear a tie
 Sarah: you can cigar if you want though
  have fun
 Daniel: and nice pants
  because I can't forget them at home again
 Sarah: i'm going to wear jeans
 me: i like jeans
7:01 PM Daniel: I've literally got 3 pairs of pants
  that I can wear to work
 Sarah: you should come shopping and buy pants
  that's not enough pants
 me: pants pants pants
 Sarah: though, as of this moment, i have two
  one capri length, one long
  the capri length one doesnt even fit either
  so i'll shut up
7:02 PM me: i have lots of clothing that will never fit again
 Sarah: i'm soryr?
  are your boobs bigger?!?
 me: not yet
  just tender
 Sarah: hahaha you'll have to wear a bra every day for forever just like me!
 me: jerk
7:03 PM Sarah: i have to take my kicks where i can get them dude
 me: true
 Sarah: its hard keeping up with you guys
  i'm hungry
  dinnnnenrrrrr
 me: i ate twice while typing with you
 Sarah: nice
7:04 PM i'm gonna heat up dinner
 me: cheerios and then mac n chese
  what are you having
 Sarah: leftover seafood fried rice
  it has lobster and shrimps
 me: yum
  i can eat that
  !
7:05 PM but i can't eat some fish
  its weird
 Sarah: what fish can you not eat?
 Daniel: which fish?
  no sushi?
7:06 PM me: no raw sushi
 Daniel: yeah thats why I want to go shopping
  work clothes
  but at the same time
  4 hours
  feels like a lot of shopping
 Sarah: bring a book and get a snack
  4 hours is wayyy too long
 me: talk to matt and see if he will stick around for a little while with you
 Daniel: can we knock me out of the way?
 me: its only like 20 min from mohegan - you could get a taxi
7:07 PM Daniel: we can do some sarah
  then some me\
  then me and matt leave?
 Sarah: yes
 Daniel: perhaps
 Sarah: but i get to go first
 Daniel: yeah especially cause deb's going to get a lot of attention at dinner
  sorry
 Sarah: yeah she is
  fair
 Daniel: what a bitch
7:08 PM me: i talked to mom for a long time about that
 Daniel: going and getting knocked up right before your party
  haha
 me: about how i didn't want to steal sarahs bday thunder
 Sarah: lol
 me: and how maybe i wouldnt tell you guys until sunday morning and breakfast
 Daniel: I would've stabbed you
 Sarah: i would have fucking killed you
 Daniel: but like ankle stab
 me: hahaha
  why?
 Daniel: baby lives
  optimus
 Sarah: true
 Daniel: I need it
 me: oh thank goodness
 Sarah: i would have maimed for optimus's sake
7:09 PM me: oh well then phew, im glad i spilled the beans
 Sarah: me too!!!!!!
  but wait, what can't you eat?
 Daniel: I'm sure it'll be old hat by entrees
  and then by deserts I'll be wasted
 me: i wont eat foods that have been sitting out
7:10 PM large fish
 Sarah: i'm glad you have a plan dan
 me: nice dan
 Daniel: DEB IS PREGNANT WE ALL NEED PLANS
  in 7 months I have to be responsible and cool
  thank god I don't have ovaries
 Sarah: i'm gonna say it: i want to be over informed about EVERYTHING about optimus
7:13 PM me: ok
 Sarah: i want to kkknnnooooooowwwwwww
 Daniel: I keep trying to work
 me: well right now Optimus has a heartbeat - it was 157 last week - nice and strong.
 Daniel: and its just not happening
 me: and Opti has webbed feet and hands like a duck
 Sarah: get over it dan
 me: and eyes
  and eyelids
 Sarah: fingernails? juno said babies have fingernails
 me: and this is the last week it will look like a tadpole
  not yet
 Sarah: DO YOU HAVE A PICTURE TO BRING
7:14 PM me: YES!
 Daniel: AHREFHSAKEHNTWA
 Sarah: ahhhhhh i'm going to lose my shit!!!!
 Daniel: yeah
  this is going to be nuts
 Sarah: I HAVE NEVER BEEN THIS EXCITED EVER
 Daniel: yeah
  I'm pretty fucking amped
  I feel like I've worked so long and hard for this
  a decade of work
 me: and a little nose
 Daniel: trying to convince you to make me an uncle
7:15 PM Sarah: yeah, dan really put in the hours on this
 me: hahahaha so true!
 Sarah: it was selfish of you to make him wait so long deb
 me: i know i cant believe it
  i am such a bitch
 Sarah: i blame matt
  deb, you are absolved as the carrier of optimus
 me: Opti has an appendix and pancrease
  nice
 Sarah: you don't actually need an appendix you know
7:16 PM stop growing it
  waste of energy
  that's why you need all the naps
  you can skip the tonsils and gallbladder too
 me: so true
  hahaha
 Daniel: yeah
 Sarah: they're nothing but trouble
 me: next week Opti will decide to be a boy or girl
 Sarah: while you're at it, wisdom teeth ain't no thang
7:17 PM me: but we wont know until Thanksgiving
  true again
 Daniel: and pancreas's are the benedict arnold of organs
  fuck that shit
 Sarah: you don't need that one?
  i think you might
 Daniel: you don
  t
 me: really?
 Daniel: oh
  no
  thats gallbladders
7:18 PM Sarah: seriously?
 me: noce
 Daniel: which ever one was betraying sarah from within for 15 years
 me: nice
 Daniel: that one
  benedict organ
 Sarah: gallbladder
 me: i have a friend who just got rid of his recently
 Sarah: its a stupid organ
  nothing but trouble
  he's happier without it, isnt he?
7:19 PM me: yyup
  i dont think ive built that one yet
 Sarah: skip it!
 Daniel: yeah I don't trust it
 Sarah: send optimus a memo
 Daniel: make it prove its loyalty
 me: ooooo
 Daniel: tell it your pregnant
  and see if it tells anyone
 me: harsh for a little guy
7:20 PM Sarah: not a good test
  my gallbladder was great at keeping secret
  s
  for example, it kept the fact that it was the asshole fucking me up a secret for 15 years
 me: ouch
 Sarah: yeah, right?
7:21 PM me: bullshit
 Sarah: so what else do we get to know about babyland?
  there MUST be more!
 me: when i sleep at night, i dream the whole time
  i had a dream it was twins, last night i had a dream about being in a boat
7:22 PM Sarah: was it a nice boat?
 me: thats why i nap, its the only time i sleep alone
  nope - a row boat with mom and matt
  and 3 oars
  imagine how badly that was going to work out
 Sarah: at least you all got your own
 me: yea
7:23 PM Sarah: you're not much for sharing
 me: what?
  im sharing everyhtinng i know
 Daniel: sharing oars
 Sarah: no, like sharing stuff
 Daniel: I read that as a dream about being a boat
  much more exciting
 Sarah: lol
7:24 PM true
  step up the dreams deb
 me: lol
  the rest have been better
  but i cant remember all of them
 Daniel: wait when do you start getting maternity??
 Sarah: well if you dream all the time, that's a lot of dreams
7:25 PM me: maternity?
 Sarah: will you have to go back at the end of the year, or is march late enough that you're out through til september?
 me: ill go back for the last 4 weeks
 Daniel: no I mean when do you start with that?
  its not right when the baby comes is it?
 me: yea it is unless i get put on bedrest
 Daniel: thats bullshit
 me: yea
7:26 PM im due right before spring break
 Sarah: you're gonna be eighty years preggers and teaching
  that's harsh
 me: yea
  ill be teaching from a chair
7:27 PM Daniel: haha
 Sarah: for sure
 me: and so grumpy
  and so fat
 Sarah: you're gonna make kids cry
  right before spring break
7:28 PM they'll be so excited for break
 me: ph yea
  for sure
  and for me not coming back after break
 Daniel: haha I'm excited for it@!
 Sarah: lol
 Daniel: dude before law school I'm going to come and live with you
  and play with the baby
7:29 PM and see what babies do
  when they're babies
 me: ok
  you can sleep in the babies room on the twin bed and not sleep
 Sarah: who's in the guest room?
7:30 PM or is it just baby room and office now?
  will you do the stupid thing where you take a picture of your belly in the same outfit every week please?
 me: yup
  of course
  we are spending tomrorow switching the two spare rooms
7:31 PM the guest room will be the baby room with the twin bed
  and the little room with have the queen bed
 Sarah: ok
  and nothing else
 me: otherwise we have to get rid of the twin bed
 Sarah: fair enough
  oops, xena needs to go out
  i'll be back in 10-15 minu`
7:32 PM me: l
  k
7:35 PM dan dan dan
  dan
  dan
  dan
  dan
  dan
  dan
  dan
  dan
  dan
  dan
  you still there
  san
  dan
  dan
  dano
 Daniel: yeah
  here
 me: hi
 Daniel: I started finishing up my work
7:36 PM it was incredible
 me: oh sorry
 Daniel: haha no worries
  I think I'm almost out of here
  and then we can hang out
  even get mom on maybe
 me: ooooooo
  she was so angry at me when i told her not tel tell you guys
7:37 PM Daniel: hahah
 me: and she was with sarah last weekend and didnt know how she was going to make it through
 Daniel: did she think you weren't going to tell
  haha
  how'd she do/
  ?
 me: she survived
  and didnt tell
7:38 PM Daniel: haha
  wow
  impressed
 me: yea
  very impressed
  ok get your work done
 Daniel: yeah I'll be home in like a half hour max
7:39 PM me: nice
7:40 PM Daniel: oh also
  no melanoma
 me: YAY!! oh good!!!!
7:41 PM Daniel: this is also
  amazing
  
 Daniel: :-D
  I'm so happy
7:43 PM you guys are going to be such good parents
 me: thanks!
 Daniel: I was actually talking about it with someone today
 me: really?
  who?
 Daniel: yeah
  a coworker
  she and I were talking
  and she asked about my family
  and I was describing you and matt
7:44 PM and how you guys are a great couple
 me: thats really sweet
 Daniel: and how you're going to be great paretns
  but you were taking your time
  though I couldn't give you shit for that anymore because you were trying
 me: well theres no backsies once you get knocked up
 Daniel: hahah
  
 Sarah: wow
  that was a lot to process
 Daniel: haha
 me: yea
  sorry
  my bad
7:46 PM i couldnt get you two togehtter without it being sarahs bday dinner
 Sarah: thats ok
7:47 PM Daniel: no this is good
  I gotta record my diaries
  and then I'ma go home
 me: yay!
 Sarah: hurrah!
 Daniel: and I'll call mom and tell her to get to her computer
7:48 PM and we can do this right
 me: i like it
  i think they went out for dinner
  maybe
 Daniel: whatever
  if I tell her we're gchatting
  dinner might end
  haha
 me: true
7:49 PM Sarah: this is excellent
  hopefully the video will be working again
 me: yay!
  seriosuly
7:50 PM Sarah: also, i need to shower
  and deal with my hair
  staff meeting tomorrow, i try to look like a person
 me: ok so lets break and regroup in a little bit
 Sarah: ok
 me: showered and home
  i will stay right here on the couch
 Sarah: i'll stay visible so we can do this up right
7:51 PM me: and you two can come back to me
  sounds good
 Sarah: ok, bye!
 Sarah has left
 Daniel: word
7:52 PM byee
 me: byee come back when you get home
7:53 PM Daniel: will do
 me: yay

So there you have it. Almost 2 full hours of talking about the baby. 


Currently I am 13w 4d. And I am starting to show a very little bit. More info and baby pictures tomorrow.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

End of Summer

It's official. Summer has come and gone. We have been back at work for three weeks. Sad face And as much as we loved summer - every second of it - it is nice to be paid again.

I think the end of the summer was the most packed part this year. Last year I think it was the whole thing.

So where was I at the end of the last recap? The beginning of August. Crazy. I can't believe it has been that long! I promise not to let that happen again any time soon. PROMISE!

So back to August. A trip where I left my camera at home. So sad. We went up to CT to visit my family for the first time all summer. Crazy in itself. We all made it home for Shabbat dinner on Friday night. Lovely to spend time together. Saturday we were not celebrating Sarah's birthday. The ladies had mani-pedis (I am still rocking that pedicure amazingly). And my brother and I brought home fried lunch. We spent the afternoon at the outlets and then we went up to Mohegan Sun to not celebrate Sarah's birthday.

Oooh funny story. The four of us, Sarah, Dan, Matt & I were staying overnight at a local hotel that night. And we told them to get their own rooms. Dan found a deal for the same hotel but $75 cheaper than we did. Because it was in a different state. Dan spent the night on the floor next to our bed. Hehe.

So we went out for the most amazing food at Mohegan Sun Saturday night. More food than any of us would choose to eat on a normal night - extra maybe Matt & Dan. There was calamari, flatbreads, gnocchi, flounder, filet mignon, and more. And more girly drinks than Sarah, Alex (her BFF), and Matt could drink.

Mom and Dad went home and we stayed all night playing craps. My favorite. At one point everyone but Matt was up a lot of money. But we kept playing for another 30 minutes. Fun times. We each still made out with more than we put in, except Matt.

Sunday we went out for local diner breakfast - yum! And didn't eat again all day basically. Everyone went home Sunday except me. I stayed in CT until Wednesday.

Monday night I drove back up to Providence to bring Sarah her dog back and go out for dinner. Tuesday night we went into NYC to see the Yankees play the Rangers. We were going to buy tickets to take Dad for Father's Day and this was the first date we could go - and then he got us better seats than we could buy from work. No lie - it was AWESOME! Wednesday I went out for lunch with Mom and then went home.

The following week - we went back to work. Sad face. We had 5 days of teacher prep time. I'm lucky this year and I am floating. It means I don't have a classroom to decorate - my least favorite thing to do ever. YAY!!!!

That weekend - in between teacher week and the kids coming back to school - I abandoned Matt and went up to Maine to become a Godmother. I had an amazing weekend visiting with the Nuxoll-Sprague clan and I cannot wait to see them again (hopefully soon). I would have taken a ton of pictures that weekend, but there were a million cameras out. Hopefully I will get some of them???!!!!

That's how we ended the summer. It was wonderful.

Check back next week for something big... wink wink.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Mid-Summer Recap

It has been quite a while since we spoke. And quite a lot has happened since then. Although I don't have very many pictures. Hmmmm...

Last we spoke, I had just come home for almost 3 weeks at the beach and Avalyn was brand new. So let's see... where to start?

I think I told you that I didn't come home from the beach because of a nasty storm at home. There were trees all over the roads and on top of some of the neighbor's cars.

Also while I was at the beach, Tim & Sarah bought a house! WITH A POOL!!! So we spent the 4th of July with friends hanging out in the pool. The house is still under construction (thank goodness Matt has somewhere to use his skills! And it isn't in my house anymore!). But every time Matt goes over there, he finds something else that needs to be fixed, and none of them are minor... The house will be beautiful once they get it done.

We also had some friends over a few weeks ago for GAME NIGHT! I love game night. Everyone brings food and we play boys v. girls. We always play Taboo. Matt bought a new version and it felt so much harder, or we didn't know all the answers anymore. Have you heard about a new card game called Cards Against Humanity? My brother gave it to us for Chanukah. It is like Apples to Apples, only it can get very offensive if you play it right. You should check out the link - it is mighty funny.

Then, the last Saturday in July, was the neighborhood pig roast. Our two favorite neighbors have been hosting this for 14 years! Okay so think about this: huge yard, (and from the left to the right) bouncy castle, badminton, corn hole, horse shoes, the pig, the smoker, 4 grills, and 4 long tables filled with food. Think about hanging out with friends in the heat for hours. Another great night with friends.

Oh I forgot. How could I forget!?!?!?! I missed a wedding! Matt & I used to work together at a school in Silver Spring. The school was just opened when we were there and the staff was mostly our age. It was a great time. Always. Over the last few years, we have been going our own ways to other schools and other countries. So when a wedding gives us a reason to celebrate - we all come out. Two years ago Andre moved to Abu Dhabi to teach. But he missed his girl. So he is bringing her with him, but as his wife. Andre & Carolyn had a very moving ceremony surrounded by family and friends and great views of DC. They have about a month in the states before they head back East... to the UAE.

And that was July.
August started a few days ago. We spent the weekend in Lancaster, PA. Every summer for the last few years the boys have gone up there for the first weekend in August. For World Championship of Board Gaming. Matt told me a few weeks ago that I was going this year. Oh? Alright. Okay. So we went. We went on Friday and met Phil & Lauren for some afternoon gaming. We played a few games and had a lot of fun. The main event (and the reason they all go) was on Saturday. For Settlers of Catan. I don't even know what to compare it to... but the boys have been playing it for decades (probably). Every time they see each other, they play. So Saturday, was the real deal competition. There were probably close to 100 people playing too. 3 rounds of open play. I won my first game! 2nd in the second game, and lost the 3rd game. But Matt - he won all 3 games! And made it to the semifinals!!!!! Oooooooo! And from there he came in 2nd at his game and 6th overall! So exciting!

And then today? We went out to Harper's Ferry for TUBING! Up and down the Potomac River. We went with a few friends from work and Colleen & John. 2 hours floating down the river. Then we stopped for lunch. Yum. And then 2 more hours down the river. Loved it. I don't know why we waited until now to do it! Lovely.

Sorry for the long post. And sorry for avoiding you recently. But I've been busy watching the Olympics. So there. I love it.

Monday, July 9, 2012

How big is that?

I made a decision before I went on vacation. This quilt I was working on is going to be the quilt for the XL Twin bed we have in the extra bedroom. That is huge. Way bigger than the lap size quilts I have made already. All of the sudden we are getting much bigger and quickly.

In case you are curious, an XL Twin is 39 x 80 inches. The biggest quilt I have made is 42 x 42. So this is like two quilts put together. That doesn't sound that bad does it?

Here is my sketch. Each square is 9 inches finished and 9.5 unfinished (.25 seam allowance). My quilt will end up being 54 x 90 inches if I use this sketch - which I am kind of attached to at this point. And I don't want to move things around too much...





The shaded gray squares are for my focus fabric. The blue jacks. All the white squares will be individual blocks that I am making as I type. Well not really. You can't sew and type at the same time. Not enough fingers!  


So I will need a total of 40 blocks to fill the white squares... So far? I have 14 done. 1 that is half done. It is right in the middle of the picture. It is made of scraps - and I don't have enough yet. But there will be three or four of that square - if not more. So just you wait. So I have about 26 more to make. Not bad. Plus some of the long strips of focus fabric. But that came in the mail today - so that will be done before dinner!


Long story short? I love this quilt. I especially love that it is hanging on the wall in our dining room. I adore that I have moved the blocks around so many time. I am trying to keep them looking balanced. It is fun. Every time someone comes over, the pieces move again. I also love that if I get frustrated, I can walk away from this quilt, do another project and come back to it without much consequence. 


Here are some of the newest blocks. And some of my favorites. And some of the more interesting ones to look at. And some boring ones for symmetry.


Friday, July 6, 2012

Avalyn Grace

While the power was out for most of the DC area on Sunday, a lot of my family was hanging out together, in the hospital, waiting for our "niece" to be born! After a long day Lesley & Steve welcomed a beautiful girl named Avalyn Grace (Name pronounced - A-VA-LIN - the first A is a long vowel sound.)


She is just precious! I was still at the beach until Monday. And they went home on Tuesday. Wednesday was July 4th. So I thought the soonest I could visit her was Thursday. and visit I did!


She is beautiful. I cannot imagine her being any prettier! Are you ready for a lot of pictures? Because I took a lot. Like I do. 




I mean seriously? Could she be any cuter?




Steve & Lesley are getting the hang of this whole parenting thing pretty quick! Avalyn is a very lucky lady already. 

Thursday, July 5, 2012

BEACH BEACH BEACH!!!!

On Wednesday, we turned in our keys at school. Then Colleen & I went out for lunch and got mani-pedis. We spent the rest of the afternoon packing because we were going to the beach!!!! For 18 days. !!!!!!! EEKS SO EXCITED!!!! I am still so excited I don't even know where to start writing.

Okay so from the beginning. Last summer Colleen & I decided that we were going to the beach. And we were going for two weeks. And we were going when we wanted to. And then everyone could join us. In the past we have had a group and tried to make it work for everyone for a week. But it is so much hassle (no offense to our friends).

So on Thursday morning, we woke up and finished packing. At 11:30 Colleen came over and we finished packing the cars and had lunch. Then at 11:56 we were off!!! We had a wonderful drive over the bridge and to the shore. We stopped at Elmer's farmer market for tons of fruit. And then it was onward to Grandma's house!

Colleen's grandmother is one of the nicest grandmother's I have met. She was so great about the dogs staying with her for a few days. The dogs made themselves at home in the living room. Thursday evening we rode our bikes down to the beach and around Bethany. We bought Fisher's popcorn and walked the boardwalk.

And then the days started blending together... in a wonderful way. On the first Saturday, we spent the day at the beach. Then Colleen went and picked up the KEYS TO OUR HOUSE!!!! The house was great. The upstairs had two big bedrooms with queen beds. And the living space was awesome! A nice kitchen with more counter space than I have at home, and a big living room. No big space for eating, but that was what the dock and porch were for. We made it work every time.




So let's see here. It was just the two of us while we were at Grandma's house. On Saturday, while we were unpacking, Colleen's BF joined us. He "chaperoned" us for three days. During which, we did nothing noteworthy... We went the grocery store, the beach, the boardwalk. On Saturday, we went crabbing off the dock. John was super successful! 

And then we had crabs for dinner. Not the same ones we caught. They tossed those back. Yum. Crab dinner.




We completed our first puzzle and blew up an outlet. I was cooking dinner, and we smelled smoke - but not from my food... it was strange. We couldn't find the smoke for a little while. And then there was smoke coming from a cabinet? Nope. The back of the fridge?!?!?! Nope. The can opener? Yup. From the outlet where it was plugged in? Yup. Oh. Okay. Colleen called maintenance and they took the outlet apart. They had to break into the garage to find the breakers. Smart people. Seriously. The next morning an electrician came and fixed us up good. 

John left us on Tuesday. We had about 6 hours before my hubs showed up. We spent the day on the beach and we each got burned... and at some point a frozen pitcher showed up on the beach... and the bike ride home was questionable at best. 

On Wednesday, two of Colleen's brothers joined us. One biological and one less so. With their ladies. We spent the day at the beach and had a great time playing cards late into the night.



On Thursday, Leela & Rachel joined our group. Matt & I went to visit family who were 30 minutes away. We finally got to see our cousin Adam's new home. It was such a nice treat to be with family.

Friday. It rained all day. All day. All day. So the ladies took a trip to the outlets. Colleen did a great job spending all the monies!

For the weekend, we had a full house. Lots of people joined us on Friday. Karaline, Meaghan, and Jackie. John came back on Saturday. And Alicia joined us too.


We spent another Saturday on the beach and then had crabs for dinner. After dinner we played corn hole and had midnight canoe races. Colleen's Dad and Alicia smoked everyone else's times! They were quick.

Sunday was another day on the beach. There was a pattern here I think. And then most of the ladies had to leave.

Leela, Colleen, John, Matt, & I were left. But John left on Monday. And Roxy & Scott joined us that night. Shenanigans.





On Thursday, Matt & Leela went home in the morning. Roxy spent the day on the beach with us and then took Scott home. And Alicia came back with her roomie for dinner! Alicia was trouble! She could not drink her drink to save her life. But boy could she wear it. So we gave her a sippy cup.

They were gone Friday morning. And then it was just us again. We took the dogs to the beach. As expected, Misty went in the water with me (not with Colleen) and Bones was fine until he realized that the ocean was made of WATER!!! We spent the rest of morning cleaning up and getting ready to move out. And then we spent the day reading on the porch.

Saturday we packed and left our house. It was hard to say goodbye to the house. And then we spent the day on the beach. That habit was sure hard to break. We were biking home when we realized that we left our magnets on the fridge. So I went and knocked on the door only to realize that I knew the people staying in the house. WEIRD! It was my student's family. Hi. That's awkward. I thought I had seen the father earlier in the day around the house but doubted myself until he let me in the house. And there was my student in the kitchen with a box of cereal suspended in the air - like what is my Spanish teacher doing here?!?!?!? But that was fun.

Sunday, we had every intention of going home. But there was a huge storm at home Saturday night. And we didn't have any power. But Grandma did. So we stayed another night. Which meant another day on the beach!!!

We ended the trip the same way we started it - on the boardwalk watching people trip on the sidewalk while drinking beer.

Monday we came home. And we started planning for next year!

Thursday, June 14, 2012

SCHOOLS OUT FOR SUMMER!!!!

I don't think that students have any real sense that we are counting down until summer vacation long before they are. But we are. I put the calendar up on the wall in March and I have been crossing out the weeks and counting down the days since there were 67 days to go.

And then it was this week! And I finished grading my exams! I cleaned and packed away my room! I turned in my radio and keys! And then I did my happy dance!

I don't like to talk about work here, because well, who cares about work. Who really wants to read about someone else's problems at work? Be a big girl, pull up your big-girl-pants, and find a solution.No one is interested. And it's unprofessional. 

But I love summer vacation! Last summer there was a World Trip. We went all over and visited some well-loved and missed friends. This summer is looking to be more low-key. We have been saying that for years, but this time, it will come true!

Right now? We have plans for the next two weeks... and then my lovely Mom is coming to visit. And there is a bridal shower and a wedding this summer. And my amazing sister turns 26 and we are celebrating like it's hot!!!!!!! There might be a bachelorette party later on too.

See? Low-key! Do you know what that means? I AM GOING TO QUILT ALL SUMMER! Those are my big plans! Doesn't that sound lovely?!!!

So I'm sorry that when you graduated from college and got a job you were not smart enough to realize that by not being a teacher or working in the schools you would not have a summer vacation anymore. I am. I am sorry you were not inspired by a teacher to teach and continue getting your summer off. And for that, I am going to rub it in your face. Today, I slept in until 8 am. Normally I woke up at 5:30. NOT ANYMORE!

Sorry to gloat. Have a wonderful summer. Even if you have to work through most of it. 

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Well, that was scary

We have had a very scary few two days (it has felt a lot longer than that).  For an unknown reason, the dogs decided they were going to sleep upstairs on Tuesday night. They just went. Misty first, and Bones followed. Strange for a school night. But we went with it.

In the mornings, when they are upstairs, Misty sits with me in the bathroom and watches me get ready. Wednesday morning, she didn't. when I put her collar on, she felt dopey. Then she tried to stand up. She fell down. Repeatedly. Now I was scared. It was not even 6am. I carried her downstairs and took the dogs outside. She fell again. And again. And now I was calling the vet. I called the emergency care number.

Misty is a 13 year old mutt. We have been together for 6 years. She is dizzy. She is falling down. She can't support herself to poop. She is drooling. Her eyes are twitching. She threw up twice at home.

I woke Matt up. He didn't have an exam to give for finals. So he took her to the emergency room. I called my mom. I thought the worst. I said a tearful goodbye before they left. Somehow I made it to work in one piece. Then I lost it again. I walked straight into the office, and I started to cry all over again. I told them after my two exams, I was going home to be with my dog.

10 minutes before my first exam started, my wonderful husband called me. He had a diagnosis. She was drunk. Like a skunk. Whole-bottle-of-Patron-on-your-own drunk. Not in real life, just in her head. It made her nauseous beyond belief. And gave her a lot of the symptoms of vertigo (an inner ear problem that caused dizziness and balance issues. So she came home(!) and was put to bed with some dramamine.

When I got home, I curled up on the floor with her and cuddled. And then we slept for 2 hours. We had stressful mornings. By last night, she was eating and walking around (still stumbling) but stubborn about doing it herself. She does NOT like to be carried at all. Although, she was okay about being carried down the stairs.

This morning. She was lethargic again. And did not get up to say good morning to Matt - very strange indeed. But we went with it. She ate her breakfast while we were at work. And has been drinking. We are not worried about that.

And the eye twitching is mostly gone. I saw it a little at some point today. But only briefly. When Matt got home, she didn't want to get up yet. That worried him (but don't tell him that) because he immediately called the hospital and started looking for things for us to do to help her (that don't involve a CAT scan - just ain't happening). And then he called me, and I panicked and came right home.

So what we are dealing with?  A dog who is struggling to walk straight. She can walk. She does better on carpet and in grass - because of the traction and gravity. She is okay on the hardwood. She spends more time in her crate and laying in the sun on the porch. Her head is always cocked to the side. She cannot look directly at you, like the world has spun 90 degrees to the left. Her tongue hangs out. Her eyes are slightly out of focus, but she can still see you and find you.

No worries. She did NOT turn down pretzels, bacon strips, or a rawhide today. I think we are going to be okay. I think it will take us awhile to recover. But we will. That stubborn dog just decided she was going to climb the damn stairs herself to get back on the porch (with me spotting her, but not allowed to touch her).

Thank you for all the kind words, thoughts, and prayers. We are still a two dog family. Thankfully.

The best news? Matt & I can respond quickly in an emergency. And we are working together to find a solution to take care of our sweet girl.



Friday, June 1, 2012

Shabbat Shalom & the Floors

This post is going to have a lot to say. So keep reading. There are at least 3 different stories about to happen.

Let's start with the floors. Every day when I come home I am surprised by how much of the floors are done! So much has been going on with them. Matt is a flooring-MACHINE!

Recently, the living room was finished. You saw that. And put back together! YAY!!!!! Then it was on to get the dining room and kitchen ready. While Matt was installing a new sub-floor and fixing the squeaks, he discovered that one of the beams supporting the kitchen had a huge crack in it. So he fixed it. Like, duh. He bought a new beam and supported it. I got to help.

Then we opened up the boxes of knotty (I thought it was naughty, just kidding!!) wood that we got on clearance. In the store it looked really good. They had a little 3x3 area sample on the floor, and we liked the variations a lot. Then we opened up the boxes. They were all 12 inch pieces with 1 or 2 2 foot planks thrown in. No wonder they were clearance priced! Garbage. So we returned them and bought more of the beautiful wood from the living room.

Then it was Memorial Day weekend! I thought I would give Matt the house to himself to be able to keep installing the floors to his content. But the wood had to acclimate to the house, and it was delivered on Friday. So by Sunday, he was happily back to work. And by Tuesday night, the dining room was done!

And now it is Friday. And Matt was hard at work all afternoon. He finished half of the kitchen, then installed molding in the dining room and one side of the kitchen. I hope that this is the last weekend of floors! HOPE HOPE HOPE!!! He told me we could put the dining room and island back tonight! Oh wouldn't that be a Friday miracle!

Which leads me to Story #2. Recently, we had a disturbance in the force. The disturbance is not important. The outcome is very important. We are at that point in our lives where things that haven't really mattered are becoming more important. We are deciding what rituals are important and how we want to deal with them. 

Tonight I brought home dinner. And dessert. But most importantly Challah. Tonight we celebrated our "First" Shabbat. We are going to be more observant. This was important (wow how many times have I just used that word) enough to me to stage a small war between us before we got married. We will be raising Jewish children. It was important to both of us to raise children in one faith not both.   




Both is too confusing and makes children choose between their parents. We are not okay with that for our children.

Before I tangent too far off, we had a picnic tonight. On the new floors between the kitchen and the dining room. We ate burritos. And Challah. And Mondal bread. And B&W cookies. I lit the candles (first duh) and said the blessings. We didn't bless the wine (or beer) because Matt would be using more power tools after we ate, and that just didn't seem safe. And we sat on the floor and talked about the day.

The weirdest part? After dinner, and after we welcomed Shabbat, I was able to sit down and relax. It felt natural. It felt right. It felt like coming home.

Good Shabbos. May your life be blessed with joy, love, and happiness.