Circle of Life

When it rains it pours - or so they say. That's what's happening in our world anyway. . . .

Last night our beloved Uncle Tommy passed. He had been sick for a while and we saw the end was coming but it was still deeply saddening when it finally happened. And so, we are headed up to NY a few days earlier than originally planned to be with the family.

This does give us a few more days to enjoy being with people and being "home". This is especially good since the rest of the week is filled with even more events. Thursday we will spend time with the Martins for Turkey Dinner which we are very much looking forward to. They aren't my in-laws (other than Danielle) but they are pretty darn close and I love when we get to spend time with them. And yay for not having to cook - mom and ed could use the break!

Saturday we will join our Raleigh friends in LI to celebrate their marriage. We are glad to be able to incorporate our travel plans with their happy day. And an excuse to get a cute pregnant outfit to party in!

Sunday will be my baby shower that I am very excited about. Family and friends will gather with us to celebrate Baby Trend. It will be a nice way to spend the day and end the week with the family.

As Leo pointed out this morning, we are faced with all these different events that really are the circle of life - from death to birth. We are sad to say goodbye to Uncle Tom but very grateful to be able to have so much more to celebrate.

Registry

Some people have been asking so I thought I would post it here. I feel funny doing it since it feels like I'm making sure you all know how to get gifts for Baby Trend -but you asked! We are registered at the ever-popular Babies R Us. I have also done a little additional dabbling at MyRegistry.com. There are some other items I had my eye on - classics for the DVD and book shelves for the little one and this was the only other way to keep track of it all. You can find both registries by looking up 'Trendowicz'. Have fun and THANKS!

Goodbye Old Friend

My Civic has officially found a new home. The money and papers have been deposited, exchanged and notarized. My baby now belongs to a friend of mine and is off in the streets of Raleigh as we speak. I was sad to see her go. But it helps that my new car is fabulous!

Hello November

Yay for November. Why? Why not!

Let's see . . . Halloween itself was pretty uneventful. The kids came later than we expected but I'm sure since it was a Friday, they were allowed to stay up a bit later than a school night. Also we realized the doorbell is broken. Oops. We put up a sign, "please knock", but then I realized little kids probably can't read for the most part which is why they were whispering and peeking in the windows, looking at the candy sitting just on the other side of the door! My favorite costumes were the Target employee, the mini tootsie roll and the army uniform with the words "Major Flirt" on the shirt. Very cute.

Now that I think of it, Halloween was not uneventful for other family members. My mom made it to Area Manager. In the Arbonne world this is a pretty big deal. It means she's kicking some butt and growing a big team of people who use and love Arbonne and teach others to do the same. It also means bigger paychecks! Yay MOM!!!

Saturday was busy. I got a new car!!! We had been looking for a while and I finally decided, once a Honda girl, always a Honda girl. I really wanted a CRV. We saw one on-line that looked perfect! While planning to sell my civic the car I wanted disapeared. That particular day was a bit hormonal and emotional - I was not happy. But a couple days later the car reappeared and we made plans to take it for a spin. It was perfect and we got it! It's an '05, and it's got all the bells and whistles - leather, 6-disc changer, seat warmers. Even the back seats recline! It is more than I could have asked for and I'm so very happy with it!

Our time at the car place lasted longer than we thought. In the evening we had to rush to get ready for the evening festivities - halloween parties! As you know, Leo has this wonderful red hair that gets nice and thick as it gets long. He decided to use it to his advantage for the costume this year and I followed his lead for my own. You can see for yourself here . . . (click pic to see bigger)

We had a nice time out with friends. I was pretty much feeling tired all day so lasting until about 12:30 was a surprise but I did. And today that extra hour was great. At least for those who sleep. I was up switching stuff between the two cars getting ready to send my other one off to it's new owners. Now I'm thinking about our next road trip. I can't wait to go in our new car!

Change is here

Looking back to about 3pm on Saturday I saw myself in a very clean house, food ready to be served, friends on the way over for a party and me, a little pregnant but happily very comfortable in my environment. I'm very thankul for that last hour in a peaceful, organized environment. Because our world has already changed in the few days since then.

It starts with FedEx. (Or UPS, but the white truck pulled up first.) A box arrives. Yay! Presents! And then FedEx comes back. Again. And again. And suddenly I can't open the door all the way. Wow. Presents! Leo's Grandmother and Aunt had fun shopping for our nursery furniture and it has all arrived. (Thanks Babci and Aunt Julie!) It is exciting and surreal and crazy. A crib! In my house! Leo and I thought we would maybe move it someplace else for a little while but when I got home yesterday I found him spread out on the floor among directions, wood pieces, a screwdriver and a beer in the baby-room-to-be. He was putting together the dresser! I knew he couldn't wait! So we finished the first of many assembly evenings to come. And it was so fun! The bedding set arrived and today a stroller got here. (Thanks Kate, Jess and Meghan!) Whoohooo! And now I am having wedding flashbacks. How exciting to come home to a new package! Fortunately I learned a thing or two and the thank you cards will get a permanent spot on the coner of my desk and a place designated for all reciepts and packing slips had been arranged. Anal or not - you need to do this!

And so it has begun. Our house will no longer be a model of perfect organization, efficiency and cleanliness. It will now be overrun with baby items - possibly the most spoiled child around already and he's not even here yet. What a lucky kid! I'm glad I have a lot of time to get used to this. . .

I'm going out for a bit tonight. I wonder what Leo will put together next . . .

Another Event, Another Successful Party

Last night we had about 30 people milling in and about our house for my birthday party. I feel like I'm 10 when I say birthday party but that's what it was, sans the cake with candles, pin the tail on anything and silly hats. Mom and Ed were awesome help with the food - everyone loved the sausage and pepers and meatballs. And my penna vodka was a success as well (as usual I must say!). We have an excess of bread and desserts - both of which Leo and I can handle. Our regular party going friends came, as well as some of my friends who have never been to one of our shin-digs but had a great time. And everyone was o generous with gifts and cards - so not neccessary but so very thoughtful. I admit the beer pong is always a hit and gets people out of their shells. When Leo wanted the actiivty to be a centerpiece many parties ago I wasn't so sure. But it's actually a lot of fun and gives people something to do. What else can I say? We just got good at entertaining!

Still, I think it may be the last of the large parties for a little while. And that's ok with me. I'm ready to focus on making over the guest room and transforming it into a little boys room, finally getting that new vehicle (in which to transport the items which will transform that room) and finish up other projects before March next year. This was a nice way to welcome me into the 30's Club and into the next phase.

Birthday Surprises

There were many! First, Greg and Danielle showed up on our doorstep on Saturday to surprise me for my birthday. Yay! Well, I guess technically they appeared well before I opened the door for them as they got in earlier and headed out the back door to hide and then reappear at the front for me to find them. It was really nice to have them here and we had a great time - if only for a few short days. Sunday night we al went to mom & Ed's for my favorite - homemade lasagne. Godparents Kate and Larry were there too so it was like a little piece of home for me!

This week has been another whirlwind of activity and today was definitely no exception. We went to the doctors where we found out the gender of our littl bun in the oven. This was not a huge surprise but a wonderful piece of news all the same. We're having a little boy! This was eveident from the beginning apparently. Still, I teared up and was very happy to hear (and see) that we know the sex now. No more "its" in this house!

So now what? We have a party to prepare for this weekend. Cleaning, cooking, etc. And then the rest - so much to prepare for in general. And I have to Christmas shop?! I might get you all "Aunt", "Uncle", "Gramps" or whatever shirt would be appropriate for you. Hope you like green and blue!!!