Happy 10th Anniversary

Summer 2008

Today is our 10th Dating Anniversary.  We have always celebrated April 29th as a special day but figured we better live it up because our wedding anniversary (July 20th) will undoubtedly be busy this year with two 3 or so week old infants to care for.  So we went to Shogun's Japanese restaurant and Coldstone Creamery tonight.  Sorry no pictures, my camera charger is MIA, which is another reason I am behind on my blogging.  I have had 5 baby showers I promise to catch up on soon...  I can't believe Patrick and I have been an official couple for 10 years!  Our love story is not your typical boy meets girl and falls in love...  We actually met in November 1998; we were 18 years old!  Was I really ever that young? Patrick's dad worked with my stepmother, and they thought it would be a good idea to introduce us.  I didn't want anything to do with it.  But somehow he had met my roommate, Jennifer, at a frat party and was conveniently invited over to our dorm room.  Well, I was NOT trying to make an impression so I was in my typical flannel pajamas by 7:00 p.m. painting my nails propped up in bed.  I might have said Hi or a few words here & there.  Patrick thought I was a complete snob, and I thought he was a dork.  Somehow we kept running into each other on campus and he kept e-mailing me and calling me.  We developed a friendship and had our first real date that February.  Well, that was a disaster as well and we both decided we were better off as friends. So from February on, we were seeing each other often, talking on the phone, e-mailing, going to church together, but NOT dating.  Everything kind of came to fruition on April 29th, 1999 (Dead Day) when we realized we were a couple and could not live without each other.  The "L" word was finally said. That summer we quickly fell in love, and I was dropped that next Christmas (a pre-engagement where the guy gives his girl his fraternity letters).  We dated 2 years and got engaged, another year and we were married.  Patrick is the greatest husband in the world.  He spoils me rotten. He knows when to make me laugh, when to let me cry, and when to let me be.  He is smart (how many people could teach AP Physics?), funny, sensitive, and caring.  He does a million little things that show me he loves me such as cooking me pancakes for breakfast, writing me poetry, leaving me silly voicemails, filling up my gas tank, giving me neck massages--you name it.  He is SO excited to finally be a daddy, and I can't wait to share this next chapter in our lives.  It's funny we both admitted the other night that we were secretly a little bit sad that it wouldn't just be the two of us anymore.  Don't get me wrong, we have wanted children for years, but now that it is a few weeks away, we are a little scared of the unknown and of not spending quality time together.  We are so fortunate to have had these 10 great years of "us" time which have included GREAT vacations and happy everyday memories that I will forever cherish.  I am the luckiest girl in the world.  I am a firm believer in soul mates and am thankful to God every day that I found mine.

It's About Time for the Minivan!

This one's for you Becky...  Becky, my former co-worker, knows how much I have secretly desired to have a mini-van, always jealous of hers.  She believed, even when I didn't, that one day I would have kids (maybe twins like her & her sister) and would finally get my mini-van.  In fact, that was the first thing she said when I told her I was pregnant, "now you can get your minivan!".  So yesterday Patrick & I test-drove and have pretty much decided on the Honda Odyssey, which works out well because my friend, Hilary's husband sells them.  (They have boy/girl twins born in December).  It will be tough since both of our cars are paid for now--adding a car payment along with diapers and daycare but with two carseats, two animal carriers, and all the extras I think it will be a necessity.  We will have many road trips considering two of the three sets of grandparents and all great-grandparents are a good 3 hour trip away.  I went to the doctor Friday for my glucose and anemia tests and a regular check-up.  I am now on a 2 week schedule and still no talk of bedrest which is great.  I am really feeling the pregnancy now... hard to tie my shoes, get out of chairs, very achy in the belly, etc. but well worth it.  There is a little concern that has popped up that I will share... on my last ultrasound Baby A measured a week and a half behind where she should, just on her torso measurement which is something new because they have always measured the same.  So out of caution and since I am considered high-risk, the doctor has referred me to the only high-risk OB clinic in the state, 3 hours away for another ultrasound and consultation to ensure that everything is okay.   Their biggest concern is that one baby is getting more nutrients than the other... not sure how they would fix that but didn't want to go there yet.  Patrick & I have been skeptical since the past ultrasound so we are not worrying too much yet.  The ultrasound tech was very rushed and not as friendly as others in the past.  Instead of taking 3 measurements and averaging them, she only took one. She did comment that the position of Baby A was curled up at that moment and was hard to get an accurate measurement.  So we are confident that everything is okay but are looking forward to the appointment as peace of mind.  We will keep you updated.  Please keep our babies in your prayers that they are growing and healthy.