To catch up on the whirlwind...

It's been awhile...Life has seemed to be moving very quickly. Lately I can't seem to fit enough time or energy to do all the things I would like to do or see all the people I want to see. Many phone calls are on the list... But I think I am going to switch from my vox blog to blogspot...so I will once again try to keep up with this blog so my faraway family and friends can catch up when convenient.

Where to begin? I suppose most of you by now know that I am pregnant. I found out the same day my dad passed away. It did make it seem a bit magical to me. The whole cycle of life seems to make things easier to deal with on both sides. I am now more than 5 months pregnant and am due sometime in March. It's a girl. We are pondering names currently so any ideas are appreciated. Pachy shot down my first choice of "Lula" so currently going with "Lily" or "Tavi" in honor of dad. I like my moms name and middle name to...perhaps there's a name in there somewhere... It's all up in the air though for now. But, wow. It's really good to have this nine months to get used to everything-the idea, the actuality, the changes... I think we are just now starting to feel a bit excited instead of fearful. This was a big surprise. To answer some of the usual questions:

• I am feeling good, a bit tired, but good.

• No cravings...mostly aversions. Actually, yes, I have many of the same cravings I always have-lox, brie...all the things I am not allowed to eat. So, no, not a lot of cravings. Perhaps subway sandwiches with avocado...I have eaten so many avocados I will be lucky if the baby doesn't come out looking like an avocado! But, you know, I did have my first plate of meat in a decade-flank steak (i know!) so that's kind of unusual.

• Yes, you can tell...I feel way more huge than I appear but it's pretty obvious.
  
• Yes, beginning to feel the nesting affect. Other current symptoms are absent mindedness, exhaustion, and strange stretchy pains from an ever expanding body.

You know, Doug's dad has been keeping up with the weekly changes with Lily. He's a scientist so it's been interesting to hear his perspective. The other day he sent me an email about what was happening... It was put in a way I had not thought about. He posed this: Perhaps we are so close to our grandparents because of the bond shared so long before we even will know them... That Lily is producing eggs NOW that will one day produce a baby of her own...the future grandchild. I had never thought about that...the bond of the future happens so far into the past. Things that lead to other things put into motion so long before...it's an interesting concept to me. The cycle is mesmerizing. But I digress...

Doug and I have made our 12 years official and are feeling good about things to come. The photo to the right is from our wedding day. We both didn't feel a desire or need to have a big wedding. We have been together for so long that a celebration was definitely in order but neither of us really desire the "traditions" that, I guess, usually go hand and ringed hand with marriage. So we decided to elope. We went to the court house and then got married under an apple tree outside, just the two of us, a minister who demanded a tip, twice...and another stranger-our witness/photographer. It was perfect. When we went to the mall for rings we thought, "we are at the mall...on tax free weekend...at the mall...searching for rings we don't really want." Doug looks really weird in a ring and I haven't heard him complain about being so uncomfortable since the time his friend gave him some really uncomfortable jeans. So we thought, "well, we're creative people...what could we do to 1.get out of the mall and 2.commemorate this union without rings...something that would honor what should be honored about it and remind us what is really important about loving each other. So, Doug came up with a great idea, a perfect idea really. We will celebrate our anniversary every year with a trip to a place neither of us have ever been...just the two of us (except I guess for this first year in which we will have a little one to accompany us). So, that was that and we left the mall! We did want to celebrate though so we through a party at Naples (another place of sentiment for the both of us) and had a great brunch for those we wanted to celebrate with and share our news of Lily. It was a great time. I do wish some of my family or friends from CA could have been there but there is plenty of time for future celebrations. Photo to the left is from the celebration...the cake was delicious!


So, yeah, lots of life changes in the last few months. But some good lessons along the way to pay attention to. I will post some photos and news as it arrives. You know, blogging is so weird...it's time I could have shared this with some of you over the phone or in person...It seems like a smart way to share some personal thoughts with a lot of my loved ones...but, it is strange... and it's strange to keep things so personal in such an impersonal place...but as my pal Anna says, "it is what it is...i'm just sayin'". Thanks to all my family and friends for calling and chatting up some funny tales during this time and keeping me up to date with your equally exciting lives. Like I said, it's been a crazy few months...a lifetimes worth of changes and you guys who've been keeping in touch have made it all easier and enjoyable. I am glad to have you to share with. Thanks.