Eek! Ack! Baby!

My sister-in-law is in labor. We're going to have another baby in this family before the week is out! Funny how you know it's coming for 9 months and yet it still sends everyone into a little tizzy.

It's also funny, too, how with their first child, I booked a flight and flew down the next day. Granted, I can't leave town right now due to all the pick-ups going on this weekend in anticipation of move-day, but still. Makes me wonder if people stopped for gas on the way to see me in the hospital. :)

So fun! Tonight B and I have a fun farewell dinner with the firm where he's working. We went last year and had a blast. Can't wait for tonight! How can we not have a great night? Celebrating a great summer on the eve of loading up B's Jeep, plus a new baby. Did I mention the baby?

Today's been wild in its own right. Forget the fire-breathing dishwasher. Let's talk about insurance instead. B's canceling his school policy because he's on mine. Only... he's not. Wait, what?

He was on it in May. But then when we rolled into the new policy he apparently "fell off," according to the benefits lady. "Oh this happened to some people in Birmingham." Exciting! I'm sure the hospital would understand... They're fixing everything and making the policy retroactive to July 1, so all should be well. I'll believe it when I can print him a temp card! For now, B, keep your BCBS cards in your wallet. At least the hospital will think you have insurance!

The move countdown is full-throttle on at this point. First load goes tomorrow, family comes to get a few pieces of furniture on Saturday, the washer/dryer goes on Sunday... come Monday I should be living, literally, out of a suitcase.

I'll post updates on baby Carolyn (love the name!) when I get them. Her middle name is going to be Deann(a?), in honor of the name the monkeys gave my Dad, their grandpa, "Dee." After I got off the phone with Mom, I did have this huge instinctive lurch to call Dad. It's hard, but today, we're happy.

FOR THE RECORD: Do NOT, under any circumstances, search google images for "labor and delivery." You will, I promise you, be sorry. B? Are you listening? Back away!

Newlywed Moment of the Day

B: You actually move slower in the morning. Literally slower, a completely different pace.

Me: I speed up!

B: I know. Still. You just kind of shuffle around for the first few minutes. It's cute.

Newlywed Moment of the Day

Me (whispering): Are you awake?

B (in bed at 9pm because he's sick, whispering back): Yes.

Me: Um, the dishwasher smells like fire. But you don't have to get up.

B: No no, I want to help.

Moving the party to the kitchen.

B: Yeah, that definitely smells like fire. Don't use that.

Me: I think this is God's way of telling me to pack the dishes...

"Compromise"

I packed half my dishes this morning. And all my coffee cups (it's ok-- their sole use is to transport ice cream, anyway). And my pie plates. And the wine glasses. We still have four dinner plates, four salad plates, and five pasta bowls. Moral of the story? If you're coming over for dinner, don't bring too many friends!

Birthdays in the Family

Two of my nieces turned three in the past two weeks. That's a whole lotta sass being raised up around here!

B & I celebrated Lily's birthday with her on Sunday. She's hilarious-- such a talker. It made me remember back over Christmas when she kept trying to haul Teddy Ruxpin, a diaper, and a box of wipes around the house. Um, Teddy is heavy. It wasn't going well. B tried to tell her to leave the wipes or let him carry them (Nana buys in bulk!), but she wasn't having it. "I a good mommy," she told him.

B and Lily have a special bond. To start, she's in love with him. Her mom told her that my gift for the birthday girl was letting her marry B, which she was oh-so okay with. Watch it, monkey! She snuggles right up next to him every time she sees him. So freaking cute.

One of my favorite Lily memories with B was a year ago May, at my friend K's wedding-day brunch. B looked out the window and saw Lily trying desperately to reach bottled water that was in the bottom of one of those big drink tubs. She'd gotten as many as she could reach and was now trying to haul the entire bucket over to the steps, smart girl, so that she could reach more.

B went to help her so she wouldn't throw her 18" back out and moved the bucket to the stairs. He handed her a water, which she hugged then sat on step, then proceeded to lurch herself into the bucket to reach more ice-cold water. I got so tickled watching the two of them through the window-- Lily soaked and B trying to explain to an almost two-year-old the logic of not falling in a bucket.

We're both super excited to be moving closer to the other birthday girl, Ella. This girl is quicker than quick and you can't really pull anything over on here. If you try to lie ("no, Gabi, there are no more cookies"), Ella will point her little finger in the air, Nancy Drew style, and say "Wait a minute. I think that I know of some..." and you're totally shot. It's like my brother says about his son, "If you're on trial and Alex is on the stand, take the plea, because he's totally going to rat you out."

Oh these kids. Can't wait to see them! B's out of town tonight for a trial in Mobile, so I'm out to dinner with a friend then home to keep packing. Goal: Make the apartment unrecognizable before he returns. Outlook: Doubtful. :)

Things Done and Undone

Packed This Weekend:
Winter clothes
Spare room bedding
Standing Mixer (wah!)
Knife block/set
Giveaway Books
Keepsakes
Random electronics (B's domain)

To Be Packed/Given-Away:
Important Papers
More decor items
Plates/Pots/Pans/Glasses
Movies
To-Keep Books
Other clothes/shoes
Jewelry

I'm driving B crazy. I have this huge need and massive amount of energy to emotionally unnest the apartment. If it was up to me, I'd be piling stuff outside by now, or loading a truck already. As it is, he's driving up on Friday and I'm already (really enjoying) plotting what he'll take with him. I'm actually excited to pack his Jeep on Friday. Is this a sickness? Is there a cure?

Newlywed Moment of the Day

Me: Happy anniversary to you. Happy anniversary to you. Happy anniversary to B. Happy anniversary to you.

B: ...and many more.