Feeling the Love

Can I just say how much I adore being pregnant? Yes, it's amazing to grow a little person. Yes, it's awesome to feel her kick (often at odd hours--she's our little night owl already).

But what I really appreciate right now is all the love and support from our friends and family. It thrills me that we'll be bringing our daughter into a world with so many good people in it... especially since they're all ready to welcome her!

I've got loved ones all over the globe, spreading from New York to China. So many people, be they near or far, have offered their congratulations. It means a lot. Truly. On top of that I've got hand-me-down baby items coming my way. I've got experienced mothers (including my own) patiently answering my frequent (and ridiculous) questions.

When I came back to school after discovering the baby's gender, my gal pals at work surprised me with adorable pink goodies. It was the perfect way to liven up what I'd thought was a regular humdrum Monday. I was (and continue to be) grateful for their support and enthusiasm. Plus... how adorable are these baby clothes? Seriously.


Even my students are getting in to it. One of my T.A.s named my baby bump "Buffy," and some other kids tacked on "Jane." (Apparently "Buffy" was too informal, but the "Jane" just classes it right up... shades of Blue Castle, anyone?)

A whole class period--in which many of the members have issues with vulgar language--decided to give up swearing because "it might harm the baby." They've since begun policing my other class periods and have expanded their ban to include (a) all peer-to-peer unkindness and (b) "anything that might stress out Ms. D." It's incredibly sweet. All I can really say is "wow."

Chivalry isn't dead, folks. It is alive and well in American teenagers. They don't get nearly enough credit for their decency, so spread the good word!

Sun Lakes Camping Extravaganza

To revisit my twin themes of (a) belated picture posting and (b) my families getting along... the Sun Lakes camping trip from Mother's Day weekend!

My sister-in-law (D) meets her family for an annual camping trip in Sun Lakes. Last year, D expanded the trip to include her in-laws (Mike and me, the eldest brother's family, and the grandparents). In 2010, the trip got even bigger! My parents joined, as did one of D's close friends. There were kids running around everywhere, food being cooked at all hours of the day, and some pretty cutthroat games of hand and foot.

Mike and I won every round, in case you're curious.

My father was happy to take Mike and James (Mike's middle brother) out for two days of fishing on Banks Lake. I spent a lot of time napping and snacking, though there was a poorly played game of miniature golf...

Weekend Whirlwind

Recently, we had a whirlwind weekend full of amusing events. Thought I'd share... we've been so busy lately, if I don't blog about it I am likely to forget!

On Saturday, we went to our nephews' third birthday party. There were presents everywhere but, not surprisingly, the boys were most fascinated by a tiny tear in the window screen. They kept sneaking over to widen the rip and eventually tried to escape the house! They were quite miffed when Dan rotated the screen and the rip was out of reach. Luckily, distractions came in the form of many wheeled toys. The boys really love cars and trains (which makes my gift-buying life so much easier...)

Unfortunately, we couldn't stay long... though our reason for leaving was also fun. It was off to Mike's brother's house, to watch our nieces get ready for Homecoming. (Lie: Mike just wanted to intimidate their dates, especially since one of them is apparently nicknamed "the Stallion." He is an overprotective uncle... I weep for our unborn daughters.) Don't the girls look gorgeous?

We spent the night at James and Denise's and then got up early to head towards Seattle. We met up with T and K. It was off to the pumpkin patch with their adorable toddler. Little A is big enough this year to actually enjoy the art of pumpkin-picking, to say nothing for all of the farm animals she got to see. A gravitates towards piglets and kittens... good taste, I say!


We are so lucky to live in beautiful Pacific Northwest, near so many family members and friends. Reflecting back on that weekend makes me so glad that I moved away for college... and so glad that I moved back. Now I can really appreciate my good fortune!

The Great Gaming Weekend

I am lucky. I married into a great family, and I really enjoy my in-laws. James (Mike's middle brother) and his wife Denise host all of the big family holidays... as well as all of the not-so-big impromptu family weekends. I love those weekends. They usually go a little something like this: out for dinner, home for hours of board games and/or dominoes, and maybe a brief stint in the hot tub. Fabulous!

We didn't used to play so much, but then Mike and I discovered some great board games and decided to share the love. Now, whenever we get together we play one of the following:

• Mexican Train dominoes
• Carcassone
• Ticket to Ride

If you're pondering Christmas presents for the upcoming holiday season, might I suggest these as a fun gift for a whole family? And while we're on the subject... what kinds of things do you like to do with your extended family?

Do the Puyallap!

Yesterday, we took a trip to the Puyallup Fair. Mike and I had a great time. As always, my favorite part had to be the barns full of animals (especially the piglets!) and we really enjoyed the food. It's a truth universally acknowledged that fair-goers must overload on all things fried. In addition to elephant ears and Krusty Pups, we snacked on fair scones, barbecue, and curly fries.

This was also the year I finally had the courage to do the Extreme Scream--what an adrenaline rush! The guys had wobbly knees for quite some time afterward. I was fine, though my palms were sweaty for the duration of the ride!

The best part of the fair, though, had to be hanging out with friends. T & K are our closest pals from my graduate school program. Seeing them, and watching their daughter A enjoy the fair, was totally awesome. A loved the petting zoo, and she really enjoyed the carousel. I can't wait until she's old enough to go on more rides!

Super Special Travel Plans!

When I was an undergrad, I completed a Group Independent Study Project (GISP) on children's literature. What does this mean?

(a) I got college credit for reading Harry Potter
(b) I wrote literary analysis on Mary Anne Spier and Logan Bruno
(c) At age 20, I had a sleepover party and played the Sweet Valley High board game
(d) I made some excellent lifelong friends
(e) All of the above, and then some!

It was one of my best college experiences, mostly because I've stayed in touch with the other women in the GISP. After graduation, we continued to have semi-regular reunions. But then people started moving away from the Providence area. Now, we are spread throughout Boston, New York, Washington, and Alaska. So when we want to get together, we have to have a Super Special.

Those of you who read the Baby-sitter's Club books know the term "Super Special." They were the thick white books chronicling the club's group vacations. The GISP had our first Super Special last year, when everyone flew out for my wedding.

Starting tomorrow, we're on our next Super Special: GISP Alaskan Adventure! I can't wait. Everyone's been joking that, if our vacation runs true to the BSC model, we will care for adorable toddlers (and meet equally adorable men with accents) on our trip.

I am more than happy to do without both kinds of adorable. I am just excited to hang out with my friends and see Alaska!

I'm sure I'll have all kinds of pictures and stories when I return. For now, I leave you with an image from the first GISP Super Special:

Friends @ Wedding, Part II

And now for a video montage (so much easier to make on my new laptop!)

More Wedding Pictures

Yes, there are still more wedding pictures in the vault! You've yet to see the family photographs, and I'm determined to put together a Mike and Katie montage. But for right now, I'm going to share some great photo collages of our friends.

Here are the SU MIT graduates (and spouses):

Now for some of my favorite Eleise pictures:

And last but not least, the GISP (children's literature, Brown University... good, good times).

Zen and the Art of Knitting

Let it be known that I am not a knitter. I am, however, a grateful recipient of all gifts involving yarn, skill, and beautiful clothing. One of the coolest Christmas presents I got this year:

Thanks, Theresa! I love my new mittens! (Does this mean I have to stop wearing my PEI pair all the time?)

Wedding Photos, The Sequel

Wow! If the time it took to post this is any indication, I should have the rest of the wedding videos done by our first anniversary! My goal is to create two more videos (family and friends, happy couple). In the mean time, enjoy the rest of the reception pictures!

Before the Big Day

As promised, here are more details about the wedding!

The wedding and reception were both at my parents’ house, so that’s where we had the rehearsal dinner, too. All of this took place the day before the wedding. I really enjoyed:

• The relaxed atmosphere
• My father (who wanted to practice walking with me several times)
• The fact that our different groups of friends got along so well
• Mike’s brothers making a special effort to be there, despite the fact that I forgot to tell them they were in the ceremony!
• Laughing so hard that my stomach hurt
• Teasing my friend Eleise about her love life (poor girl! It was romance by public committee all weekend!)
• Watching my brother play in the sand-pile with Mike’s nephew

The minute I woke up on August 2^nd, I just felt so happy. Everything was a joy, even before the festivities began! Some of my favorite “getting ready” moments included:

• Mike calling me while I was at the hair salon, to see if I needed the earrings I’d left at home
• The fact that Mike was at the house, dressed and ready, at 11:00am (ceremony started at 4:00pm)
• Our fabulous photographer chatting with all of our loved ones
• My aunts fixing a minor wedding gown issue (none of us really sew, so it was sheer slapstick)
• Aunt Bunny loaning me the back of her earring
• My friend Shannon doing my makeup
• Bru, Shannon’s delightful husband, fixing the cake topper groom so that he had Mike’s facial hair.
• Watching our different groups of friends sit out in lawn chairs, laughing and talking (and theoretically directing parking).
• Taking family pictures—especially when the triplets got loose, and everyone took a turn at baby-wrangling the boys!
• Maren, Eleise, and Theresa keeping me company before the ceremony.
• Mike sneaking the GISP back to where I was hiding in my childhood bedroom.
• Getting to see Russ before the ceremony, too!

Husband and Wife!

This past Saturday (August 2nd), Mike and I enjoyed our beautiful wedding in my parents' backyard. The ceremony--lasting a mere 11 minutes--was great. I walked down the aisle to the theme music of The Princess Bride, only to be greeted by tulle-wrapped garden gnomes at the end of my stroll (long story, but suffice to say it was hilarious). Everyone was laughing or crying. Mike and I whispered private jokes to each other during the ceremony and afterwards, my grandmother came up to me and quipped, "It's a pity you didn't look very happy."

Yeah, I think my face muscles are still twitching from all the smiling!

Of course, I could agonize about a million tiny details or questions. What about the typo on one of the chocolate wrappers? Did I say "um" too many times during our thank-you toast? Were people offended that we didn't spend enough time with them? (What they say is true... it really did go by in a blur...)

But I guess the only valid worry is about whether or not our guests had as much fun as we did. I truly hope that everyone who came (especially everyone who helped out beforehand!) knows how much we love and appreciate them! We are so fortunate to have had so many wonderful people sharing such an important moment of our lives.

In the days before the wedding, my (adorable) father agonized over every detail, because he wanted me to have "my perfect fairytale wedding." And I told him not to sweat the details: I was going to have a perfect day because I was marrying the right guy. I was going to have a perfect day because I'd be surrounded by the family and friends who've supported us all our lives, who've taught us how to love with respect, compassion, and patience.

Well, I was right about the wedding. It was an absolute fairytale--one of the best days of my life. But you know what? The next day was even better, because I got to wake up in bed next to my favorite person in the world. I got to hear him say, "Good morning, wife!" and I got to say "Good morning, husband!" right back to him. Somehow, I don't think that will ever get old. Even when we're wrinkled and toothless, I'll still be tickled that I had the good sense to marry this wonderful man!

More details--and pictures--soon. In the mean time, I'm off to pack for the honeymoon!

Take That, To-Do List!

On Monday, my mother hosted the last of our bridal work parties. We finished all of the crafty stuff for the wedding (including the wedding programs... aren't those cute? Well, trust me. They're very cute without all the sensitive information blocked out).

Now, I need to head to the mall for some last minute honeymoon items. I need to finish cleaning the house, whip up some thank-you notes, catch up my laundry, clean my car, take some stuff over to the wedding site, decide whether or not I'm going to iron, and tidy up the backyard. Ooh! Don't forget the grocery store and a quick trip to Kinko's. Did I mention that I have to write curriculum for an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel today?

Yeah, and instead of doing any of it I am obsessively watching the weather forecast and wondering how Saturday will turn out...

But lest this blog entry sound too narcissistic, let me assure you that I'm not the only one from the old high school crowd currently enjoying an eventful summer. Tara had a beautiful baby girl on July 20th, and tonight Dawhud (yes, you know him by a different name) is celebrating the release of his first album: Basement Sessions. Congratulations to everyone!

My Bridal Shower

This Saturday, my aunties (and Grandma G!) threw me a bridal shower. It was so fun, and I felt so well-loved! Now my kitchen feels well-loved, too--it's jam-packed with goodies! And I must tell you, it's lovely being related to so many crafty women... though occasionally I feel guilty that I can't (a) crochet afghans (b) make adorable centerpieces or (c) wrap gifts attractively.

Highlights of a grand shindig:

• Just getting to see everyone! Don't you hate it that, as we all get older, we have less time to relax with our family and friends? Needless to say, hanging out at the shower was a treat!
  
• Aunt Elaine organized a game where we all had to feel kitchen utensils wrapped in paper bags. I regret to say there was rampant cheating on one side of the circle... and rampant tattling on the other side. :)
  
• Annalisa dressed up the cover for "Lover's Touch" with hilarious speech bubbles ("Oh, Katie! The game has just begun!")
• Aunt Marla and Melissa put together the cutest themed centerpieces for each little table. My favorite? They were all super cute, but I loved the breakfast centerpiece (which included several mixes, honey, jams, and a scone pan, all wrapped up in a cute arrangement!)
  
• Cheryl introduced herself to everyone as "the ex-boyfriend's mother," which definitely got some laughs. (Fun... my future mother-in-law really has a blast with her.)
  

Thank you to the party planners and everyone who came! I know this is a busy summer, and I appreciate the time and effort you took to make it a special event.

Tammy's Wedding

This holiday weekend, I was at my friend Tammy's wedding in South Carolina. I just got back from the longest airplane adventure of my life, and I'm exhausted. But I couldn't resist putting up a few photos. Aren't these great?

Tammy and Ahmad were married in an intimate ceremony on Kiawah Island, their favorite vacation spot. Tammy, as you can see, was quite gorgeous--and terrifyingly organized! There's no way I'm going to pull off this kind of elegant, seamless affair.

The flip-flops in our welcome bags came in handy as we explored the island. In addition to the wedding, we all went to the resort's Fourth of July buffet and saw some truly spectacular fireworks. Other fun memories from the trip:

• Ahmad and Tammy took us to one of their favorite restaurants, where we had buckets of shrimp and oysters. Yum!
• Maren and I indulged in an ocean dip, despite the fact that we'd forgotten our bathing suits. I love swimming in the Atlantic--it's so warm!
  
• Tammy wanted a traditional girl-gathering before she got married at 6:30pm. So we met for an early lunch consisting of kimche, Ramen, and gossip!
  

The best, by far, was watching Tammy and Ahmad staring at each other in that gooey newlywed fashion. Their ceremony was truly moving, and they have my congratulations and best wishes!