June 20th, 2006 § 18 comments § permalink
Sister is doing well and thanking the baby jesus for modern medicine, my brother in law reports that the baby is the most gorgeous thing he's ever seen, and my mom is as giddy as a school girl.
*Please note that I had no influence whatsoever on that name. Um, hello? Where's the Ming?
June 20th, 2006 § 5 comments § permalink
The doctor decided to induce, so they broke my sister's water this morning and we're waiting for the pitocin to kick in.
I'm on pins and needles waiting to hear the news. My cell phone is glued to me and I keep looking at the clock. I know she's just fine - she sounds so happy (yet bored) and my brother in law is awesome and will definitely be there every step of the way. My mom will be getting there shortly, too, and I know if I ever get to have a kid she's pretty much the only person I'd trust around my post-birthing hormonal state. As quiet and reserved as my mom is, it's pretty much unimaginable to think of her doing anything else but mothering. She makes it look so effortless. Sis just sounded so happy, anxious, and a little bit scared, and I did my best to cheer her on. I mean, why worry about forgetting how to do something when you've got like 10 people in and out of your nether regions for hours upon hours?
I hate that I'm not there, and I was almost in tears this morning about it when talking to her. It's hard to explain to someone who isn't that close to their siblings... we moved around so much when we were young and we pretty much stuck together since that's all we had. She may be five years younger and completely different, yet it feels like we're practically the same and can finish each other's sentences. She is undoubtedly my best friend. I will see her and the baby in two (long) weeks, but just miss everyone so much it hurts.
*UPDATE: Mom calls to tell me sis is quite happy with the epidural. Talked to sis, and she's pretty much numb from her knees to her back. Drugs are awesome!
June 20th, 2006 § 4 comments § permalink
APWBWGTTD will be meeting up tomorrow night (Wed) at Manuel's Tavern around 7-ish.
It's a big place, so if you're a first timer, I'll probably look like this.
June 19th, 2006 § 5 comments § permalink
It was a fantastic weekend. Dave, Bobafred, and I drove up to Clarkesville and met up with Duane and James for P'body and Hakeber's wedding at Glen-Ella Springs Inn.
The weather was gorgeous, the drinks were flowing, the dance floor was hopping, and we all had a good time.
Congrats Arnsons!
(click here for the pictures)
June 16th, 2006 § 13 comments § permalink
Story Corps made me weepy this morning. That's not unusual, but the theme centered on this weekend - Father's Day.
As I walked around the shops and glanced at advertisements, they all reminded me of Father's Day sales, what to get dad, how about something he'll love, etc. Lucky kids who still have their dads ponder what to get him, how to spend time with him, brunch perhaps? Grilling? All painful reminders.
My father was traveling on Father's Day in 1997. The family all made plans to celebrate and give gifts when he returned. I painstakingly picked out two shirts that he really wanted. Daddy was a big guy, so I made sure to track them down in the specialty big &tall stores for him. But I never saw him alive again. He suffered a heart attack in his parked car halfway to his destination, and he suffered second-degree burns sitting in that hot car in the Texas sun (it was hours before anyone had found him). By the time we got there he was unresponsive and on life support, and we had to let him go. After he died, we flew home only to find our much more empty house filled with wrapped and unopened Father's Day gifts sitting on the table.
That Story Corps interview was of a daughter interviewing her dad, and I just sat there and couldn't think of anything I wouldn't give just to have one more conversation or word with him, to tell him I miss him... So forgive me if I'm bitter and sad this month. They're just painful reminders of the empty space in my heart.
