Mmmmm

Christian is in Philadelphia until Wed. It's weird not having her around or easily accessible to talk to. And, although I miss her, I know that this trip is good for her. She is learning how the flags are made that she sells. The images of her sitting on our front porch sewing flags has come to mind. It ain't happenin' people.

So I went to dinner with some friends that decided after the delicious buffalo wings we needed gigantic doughnuts. So we went to Gourdoughs (This is just the menu, but it's worth a read). Oh, my, it was delicious. I have driven by the trailer a million times. I just had never stopped. My waistline is going to be angry with me, but the gym will be glad to know that they have me as a client for years longer.

I wish there was more to say. But right now, Lola is barking incessantly out in the back yard and I need to tend to her.

Snow Day

It's been cold here. I thought this was Texas. I thought it was filled with 100 degree days and cowboys. This snow is breaking the stereotype.

There was much anticipation about the snow. Will there be school or not? We were woken up at 5:55a by a phone call from the superintendent of the austin school district. AWESOME. It woke us up and the boy. It was at that very moment that he wanted to go play in the snow. It wasn't even light outside!!!

We talked him into waiting until 7, or when the sun came up. We bundled up as best we could and ventured out into the inch of snow.

The dogs were uncertain at first then started tearing about in the back yard. The image goes as follows. Lola races, ears back, as fast as she can. She's streamline. There is an aerodynamic approach to her running. Behind her, about 3-5 feet, is her "little" sister. Maggie's racing approach is more lumbering. There is NOTHING aerodynamic to her. Somehow she manages to keep up. I think it's because her legs are twice as long as Lola's. She is a tank.

Lola LOVES to dig in sand piles and, as we found out, snow piles. Jake would pile and Lola would destroy. Fortunately he found this funny or else we would've had a rather delightful day.

Maggie can't quite jump into the trampoline enclosure, so it was Lola and the boy and Maggie jumping and barking at them.

The fun lasted for about 15 minutes before we got cold. It was a very enjoyable 15 minutes though.

I love my family.

Collision Course

There was once a bad world. I lived there for too long. Full of lies and heartache and people that never could understand.

The new world is the best world ever. I am understood.

These two worlds shouldn't ever combine. Something like a science project. When you made a volcano with baking soda and vinegar. I'm sitting peacefully in my new world, or the baking soda as i'd like to think. Soon, i'm worried vinegar is going to be poured in and the worlds will collide. It's almost inevitable.

Hopefully the volcano is tame.

What?!

Jake gets into the car this afternoon when I pick him up from school and sitting at a light he sees "Save Barton Hills Elementary" on the back of a minivan. He scoffs and says "what?!" I explain that the city wants to close nine schools and that Barton Hills and Zilker are supporting each other and on the same side. He scoffs again and when I ask him what the problem is he says, "They don't have ANY homework at Barton Hills. I was working math problems and Barton Hills kids only had to read a few pages from a tiny book." Hope he doesn't tell all the other kids at Zilker about the homework scandal.

Post Op

For the first time since my surgery I am able to type like a normal person, with two hands. I got a wireless keyboard for Christmas and can put it on my lap and not have to move my shoulder too much. Which is great because there is no moving of the shoulder. It hurts. It hurts all of the time. I'm not taking any painkillers or anti-inflammatory because I had our first IUI last week! Waiting and waiting to take a test to see if the first time took. Lots going on right now. But, at the moment, i'm thrilled that I found a way to type!

Surgery

Friday was shoulder surgery day. I was nervous but put at ease knowing Christian would be by my side for the entire process. She has been beyond amazing. Not since my mom has someone cared and done so much for me. It is overwhelming sometimes. She is more than I could ever have asked for. She threw a great Christmas party last night. Devotees the house, entertained, and still found time to make sure I was ok.

Today was really rough. Lots of pain and nausea. After a few calls to the doc I think we've gotten it under control. Well, she has. Sandra was amazing and made me chicken and dumplings. It has been the only thing today thy I could keep down.

Really, I am amazed at how loved I am by those around me.

Workin' on TBNL

Christian just called me. It wasn't a normal call about bills or Jake or something funky that's happened at work. This time it was to tell me that she had ordered our baby daddy. Holy crap! The doctor's appointments, the picking of the baby daddy, talking about TBNL over and over, each and every day, it was all exciting and nerve wracking, but actually knowing that we now have little swimmers is different. Great different. It's happening.

I think it started the minute Jill was born. Carrying her around, holding her when I wasn't that much bigger than she was. Wanting to babysit before I knew what babysitting really was. I would read "The Babysitter's Club" books and it seemed like such a glamorous life. I carried "Ugly Baby," as grandpa called him, around everywhere. Mom bought me real diapers and baby clothes that I could dress my babies up in. It's been inside of me for so long. Wanting a family of my own. Wanting to have babies with the one person that makes me the happiest. The realization that the process is starting is extraordinary.

I can't wait and at the same time I'm trying to keep my hopes a little bit realistic. It may not take the first time, or the second. It may take lots and lots of time. But right now i'm happy. I'm happy that baby daddy was ordered. And not just enough for one baby, but hopefully enough for two. Only time will tell what is in store for us.

There are a million and two thoughts flying through my head but I just realized that the dogs are quiet and with a Christmas tree and cookies on the counter, this can't be a good thing.

A parting thought is that i'm kind of glad shoulder surgery is next week so that I will have something, PAIN, to focus on for a little bit. I'm doing a bit of obsessing.