Xanax For Sale

My dad would have been 79 years old today.

I'm back from my whirlwhind trip home to see my new niece.  It was great to spend time with my mom, sister, and brother-in-law, and the baby is absolutely adorable.  And chunky.  And goofy.  I spent a good deal of time fighting with my mom over who gets to hold her.

Here's me finally meeting her:

And obviously we had to go get dim sum.  She's not really into it yet, though.

My mom watched the baby one night and my sis, brother in law, and I went to eat Giant Ass Chicken Nachos™ and beer.

After wrestling Jordin from my mom, I let her sleep on my boobs.  See, they're good for something!

Since I'm the educator in the family, I thought I'd go ahead and start teaching her gang signs.

She's also pretty good at kung-fu.

Here's a pic of all the girls (my sis, me, baby, mom).

All in all it was a great trip.  I'll be back soon, and hopefully she won't grow too much!

Daddy
Originally uploaded by mingaling.

My father died nine years ago today.  I think it's fitting that my new darling niece looks like him (even if a little squishy-faced!).

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?

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!