I have lots of good excuses

As I just explained to my Aunt Beverly in a belated email response, I've been back to work for three weeks. But that's just part of why I can't blog right now.

Because I've been back at work, and the first of each trimester is always crazy, I'm behind on all things at home. (I think there was an ENTIRE large laundry basket full of David's blue & black socks to match up last night. Does he really own a month of socks? As he matched them, he admitted, "I was getting a little low. . . " My response: "Next time you get a little low, feel free to start a load of laundry!" Not that he doesn't help out around the house. He does. Just not much on the front end of the laundry.) Anyway, the computer naturally takes last place.

And even if I had time to be on the computer, I would be doing things for work, plus before I let myself blog, I'm making myself work on the thank-you notes for Carmen's birthday gifts (yes, now 3 weeks ago, but that coincided with the back-to-work week, but the main problem was I didn't have an idea right away).

I did have an idea for Paloma's invitation, but it was pretty time-consuming. Since Paloma loves Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and all of the sequels, we did a little book about her patterned after that book. I wasn't sure we'd get it done in time, but David did the finishing up of printing and assembling. We distributed them in person last week at mom's and then David took them to a belated party for Abuela (though I couldn't go; had to finish things in my classroom).

And since we had a birthday party today for Moma today (family only, but still big with both sides!), now we have thank-yous to write for her as well.

And besides getting ready for Paloma's party this weekend, our family also attended (and David & I shot video of) a wedding of a good family friend. Jennifer has been one of Amy's best friends since 3rd grade, and we were neighbors for over a decade, too. We met her husband Michael at her law school graduation party when Carmen was just turning 3, so we're glad they finally made it offical.

I've also been trying to print a year’s worth of photos for Irma (David’s mom) for her birthday (which was the day after Carmen’s) since that’s all she wants, but alas, I have not finished that project either.

Plus, last weekend, I went to Women of Faith in Dallas with many of my girlfriends from church. I hope to blog about that eventually. Most people I talked to thought I was mad to go the weekend before school started; I'll have to agree, but I wanted to see what was so great about it that my friends go year after year. (David managed to get P's invitations done and take care of the kids while I was at WOF. And yes, he did enjoy that acronym a little.)

And I didn't even get to mention or post anything about Gabriel's FIRST DAY of KINDERGARTEN a week ago today!

But, rest assured, I have drafts of many posts that I look forward to sharing with my readers very soon. (I found out at the wedding that I have more readers than I knew about.)

But before I do, I have one last excuse.

Today at Paloma's party, she opened her last gift:



For anybody paying attention to the wrapping, it was a hint: a Tiffany box always means something special is coming! Anyway, inside was a t-shirt that read "Big Sister".

So this was our announcement to the family, though I had thought of doctoring this photo:


but I didn't like the connotation, having seen the movie trailer.

Anyway, that is my best and last excuse for today. I am 9-10 weeks along, so I'm often queasy and easily tired. I'm glad the news is out because my clothes are already tight and uncomfortable and I didn't want people wondering/ guessing before we told them!

(Lauren was suspicious every time she saw me wear one of my favorite t-shirts--Anne Geddes--this summer. Paloma calls it my "black baby"--it's a black t-shirt with a white outline of a newborn. And the week before school started, I don't remember what was said, but I referred to a craving or something and my friend Charis said something like, "Do you have something to tell us?" but I could not even look at her because I would have given it away--I probably did anyway by not protesting!)

David wanted me to wait a while to tell everyone; he probably would have preferred I get through the whole first trimester, but seriously, folks, I didn't think I'd make it much longer. I understand why he's feeling cautious, but if anything bad happened now, it's not like I'd try to keep that a secret either.

But there is another reason I've needed to get this out: I need a doctor!

My last OB moved to Nevada to take care of his mother. The one before that, the doctor who delivered both Allison & Amy, quit delivering babies after Gabriel was born. (He's still my GYN, but knows I need more than that now.) My OB with Carmen was nice enough, but his office--not so much. They would let me sit for 2 hours and not tell me he was gone delivering a baby. And then there is the whole hospital story... why we had G & P downtown instead of 5 minutes from home. (I do not have the energy to tell that story now, but David wants to switch back. I have not gotten over my disapointment yet.) But having another baby downtown only seems to be an option now if I go downtown for office visits, which I cannot see happening.

I'm looking forward to hearing a beating heart and seeing a sonogram . . . I'll be sharing when that happens! Please keep us in your prayers in the meantime. I'm thrilled, but cautiously optimistic, as they say. Yes, that's an oxymoron, and I've never used it before. But somehow it fits this stage. We've been blessed over and over again, and this is another blessing from God!