what a day!

Today was a great day–aside from waking up when I heard Firefly open the front door and realized I had overslept. Oops.

I headed over to my mom’s office around 11:45, stopping at the cafeteria on the way to grab some lunch. Her entire office was there along with a few other co-workers, as was my dad. I arrived just after the invocation, which I must admit I was glad of. I arrived in time to see our new Vice-President being sworn in, and my goodness but that was a beautiful arrangement of Air and Simple Gifts, which I fondly remember singing in Quaker meeting when I was young. Obama’s speech was very moving, as is having a page on the White House website that addresses the GLBT community and the administration’s goals to get us closer to equality. It was a great moment, and I’m glad I got to share it with my parents.

I’m feeling hopeful.

no fun.

Firefly slept in a bit today, but started to get achy and couldn’t stay asleep. We went to the grocery to get some things, which took longer than she wanted–which is usually the case when I’m along and I will be the first to admit that it’s not much fun for her organized self to be dragging an easily distracted wife along, but it’s much worse when she’s sick and hoping for a quick trip. At least now we have the missing supplies to make the chili we were wanting last week, and she’s got a couple of bottles of juice and some crackers which are always good when you’re feeling under the weather.

While we were out we stopped by the pharmacy to get her trigger in preparation for this Friday, and I’ve also ordered the swimmers. My dad stopped by for a second earlier in the day to borrow something. When I told him I would invite him in but Firefly was sick and trying to sleep he asked hopefully, “is it morning sickness?” I wish.

I made fried rice with chicken, shrimp and scallops for dinner while she rested on the couch. It turned out pretty well, if I do say so myself. After we ate I left her to watch some TV and doze before she had to leave for work while I spent some time on my math assignments. Which I should really be getting back to…

moving and other stuff.

Well, I may be holding off the crud so far, but unfortunately Firefly has not been so lucky. It really hit her today, which didn’t make moving Bennder and girlfriend-who-does-not-have-a-nickname-yet much fun for her. Not that it was really that fun for the rest of us, what with the cold weather, snow and injuries, but we got everything moved and got some free pizza and drinks out of it. The two of us came away none the worse for wear, although she was thoroughly exhausted. Bennder’s knee and Bean’s back are a different story. We didn’t get a bath; instead we took a nap before she had to leave for work, poor thing.

A bit of good news: remember a while ago how I told you that they found a lump in Badger’s throat? Well the biopsy that kept getting delayed finally came back and it was clean, so no cancer. The bad part of that is that because it’s only blocking 25% of her esophagus they’re not going to take it out right away, which means pain and some difficulty eating for her. But no cancer!

I watched the third period of the hockey game after she left tonight. It was a crazy one, but we came away victorious so I’m happy. And now I need to get back to my homework.

family stuff

My mom called early this afternoon to see what I was up to. She was on our side of town and had a few hours to kill, so she came over and we hung out in the living room while Firefly slept. She hadn’t been to the house since we put the new floor in the dining room, so she got to see it for the first time and really liked it. We eat lunch together at work during the week, but it was really nice to spend time with just her and not have to worry about the time.

Bennder and their parents went to meet the new baby today. We didn’t go, in part because we’ve both been a bit sniffly and sneezy so we didn’t think it was a good idea. We met the three of them for dinner, though, and had a nice time. We spent about two and a half hours at the restaurant, staying and chatting well after our plates were cleared. Her mom again asked how things were going with our attempts, so we gave them a bit of a run down–although I’m a bit too chatty for my own good sometimes so I rambled for a bit. There is now no doubt what her dad knows about what’s happening, and although he didn’t say anything specific about it he was definitely engaged and upbeat throughout dinner.

Tomorrow we’ll be helping Bennder and girlfriend-who-does-not-have-a-nicknake-yet move their furniture into their new place. They’ve already moved much of their stuff and there are a few people helping, so it shouldn’t be too bad–and at least it’s supposed to be in the 20s tomorrow! I’ll be all bundled up, and plan to come home and take a nice long hot bath. Hopefully I can convince Firefly to take one with me. I don’t think that will be too difficult…

some good baby news

Firefly is officially an aunt for the second time. Firefly’s aunt apparently thinks I’m also an auntie, including me in a email of congratulations sent to Firefly and Bennder. Part of me really wants to write back to her and say “thanks, now can you convince brother of that?” but I think that’s probably not a good idea. I’ll just let myself be happy about the inclusion, although it’s really not surprising considering the source.

And in other good baby news, our friends whose baby was born early by c-section on Chri.stmas eve now have their beautiful boy at home with them. Congratulations!

I hope I have some good baby news of my own to post soon…

was i not listening?

I am not getting sick!

I turned in my petition to graduate today. I can’t believe I’m in my last quarter.

I’m not going to work tomorrow. Don’t tell Firefly, it’s a surprise.

Firefly will be an aunt again sometime tonight or tomorrow morning. But apparently I won’t.

We’re going to the hockey game tomorrow night.

There is ice on the bottom of our kitchen door. On the inside.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen our thermostat display a negative number before.

snow day

It’s really damn cold and we had a pretty big snowstorm today, which made for an interesting drive home. It took me 40 minutes for what is usually a 15 minute commute. It could have been much worse, I suppose. There were cars turned around in the median and a few accidents, but I made it home unscathed and none the worse for wear. We were planning on going out to dinner with Bennder, girlfriend-who-does-not-have-a-nickname-yet, and another friend, but we all decided it was in our best interests to cancel. It’s a shame because I was looking forward to it, but I wasn’t looking forward to going back out in the weather and we’ll make it happen sometime soon I hope.

Firefly’s dart league canceled the games for tonight and her plant shut down second and third shifts, so we shoveled the driveway, had a nice home cooked meal and watched a movie, which was nice. I’m looking forward to having her home to cuddle with tonight–especially since she’s actually working overtime both nights this weekend. She was supposed to be shifting off on Sunday night for working the weekend, but because the plant was closed tonight she may be working after all and counting tonight as the one shifted off. She’ll find out tomorrow night when she goes in. I’m off Monday for the holiday, so even if she does work she’ll be coming home while I’m still in bed so I can’t complain–and it’s more money, which we could use right now since this process we’re going through is…well, not cheap.

And now I’m going to go back to spending time with my wife. I hope everyone else caught in the path of the storm is staying warm and safe.

who me?

Firefly and I watched a very exciting hockey game tonight. She laughed at me as I screamed and jumped around. I’m going to have to watch my mouth once we do have babies. Actually, I should probably start now so I can give myself a head start. I’m like a sailor. Really, it’s ridiculous. She says I should start a jar, and by the time baby comes we’ll have enough in there to buy some really nice stuff. I think she’s exaggerating. Just a little.

happenings.

Week one of the quarter is down and I’ve gotten all 10 of the available extra credit for the quarter as well as 11/12 on the first quiz in my math class. Not a bad start. I’ve got to work on getting my portfolio together for my capstone, which I’ve already gotten a little work done on–although not much.

The mudding is finished in the bathroom other than a final sanding and checking for any spots that need extra attention. Firefly and Bean also got a start on the mudding in the bedroom itself where we moved the doorway, and repaired some cracks and a spot on the ceiling where we think a light used to be. Firefly is hoping we can get started on the floor by this weekend, but I’m not sure. Now that school is back in session I won’t really be able to help much–not that I was really much of a help to begin with.

We have a consult scheduled with the RE for next month to talk about our options if we need them after this round. It’s scheduled for the day after we should be testing. Here’s hoping we’ll have to cancel.

moving on.

Well, at least we had a really good time at the hockey game on Saturday night. I got to see a hat trick in person for the first time, which was rather exciting. I’ve seen them on TV, but let me tell you it is another thing entirely to be there. After the game we went over to Bennder’s new place to get the tour and play some cards. This morning we spent some extra time in bed. We deserved it.

We’ve called and left a message with the RE’s office for her presc.ription for Clo.mid for this next cycle, and now we wait. Again. This cycle was a real hit to both of us. We were feeling really optimistic, so the let-down was especially hard. Firefly has been taking things as they come up to this point, and this is the first time she’s really felt like it could be it. She was having what she described as ghost cramps for about a week before she started, which were different that what she’s felt before. I just keep hoping and trying to stay positive.

We went to Firefly’s brother’s house today for an uncomfortable visit to give her niece (and not mine, as was made so clear this week) her Chri.stmas gifts. We arranged to get there at the same time as Bennder and girlfriend-who-does-not-have-a-nickname-yet to minimize the discomfort for all of us. We stayed for a little over an hour. Just enough time to see her open them and take some pictures for Firefly’s mom, and to make some small talk. His wife is due to give birth any time now, which did not make things any easier. We busted out of there and headed home, where I went to work on math.

Firefly cooked a lovely dinner of hashbrowns with egg and smoked sausage, and we watched a show we had recorded while we ate and relaxed for a bit before she went to work. I’m really wishing we both had another day before heading back.