Cincinnati Visit

I finally got to meet the new nephew after a weekend trip to Cincinnati. The entire 40 hours or so that I was there went way too quickly. I mostly ate--chicken chilli, cheese ravioli, salmon, etc. And watched sports--a Reds game, a U-M victory over Syracuse in the NCAA Final Four Basketball tournament. I also went on a run in Mt. Adams, which always kicks my as$.

It's so weird..when you are children, you see siblings on a daily basis. And then it's only once or twice a year, and they have their own families and sets of responsibilities and interests and you still them as eight years old. And you wonder what their children be like as they grow. You remember them as a little boy, and it feels like it was just yesterday. Oh how the years go by.

Family Visit Memories

Joey yelling at everyone that flip cup "was stupid! Don't play this stupid game! I'm from the police and I'm going to arrest you! You're bad!!!" And telling the poor waiter, that too.

Joey: "There are no time outs in this house! There are no corners in this house!"

Joey: "This bathroom is so cool!"

Hanging out at the building museum and that awful Subway.

Steve popping wheelies in the stroller.

Watching the amazing fireworks on the 7th Street block party.

Watering the flowers and the tomato plants.

All of those red to go cups littering the house. "I will get you water!"

Playing Apples to Apples with the family. Joey kind of playing.

Joey trying to drink our beers.  And wanting to name all of his future siblings "Stewie" or "Peter" or "Brian."

His surfer bus and FBI truck gifts.

Joey liking all of the sour cream and potato chips, and liking the spicier almonds.

Lemonade.

The horrible 95 degree plus heat.  Which led to the meltdowns.

Lots of fun.

Thanksgiving in the D

Ten Things I will remember from Thanksgiving in Detroit...

1. Lots of nephew moments. "I don't want any more food. Alcohol!" He so proudly pronounced that. He also took a swig of my (empty) Blue Moon and took pictures of all of our beer.
2. And he "played" Apples to Apples.  He also proudly showed me his new bedroom and his new toyroom. Spoiled!!
3. The Daz hug.
4. Shopping at Lakeside with mom.
5. Watching football at B-Dubs with Paul and Steve.
6. And watching more football....Lions lose after Suh rages, the Cowboys eke it out against Miami, the 49ers lose the Haubaugh-bowl to Baltimore, and U-M finally beats Ohio State.
7. Good runs. One with Steve, one with Paul, and one alone.
8. Mom giving me a new prayer book and struggling with the right responses at mass.
9. Watching Jurassic Park with dad.
10. Having dinner with the whole family on Wednesday night at Roger's Roost. It doesn't happen often enough.

Weekend in Detroit

Had a nice weekend in Detroit for mom's birthday. We had a homemade dinner of salmon on Thursday. Friday consisted of hanging out with Joey. Sigh. Highlights included playing cars and bouncing the balloon, blowing bubbles and playing catch over the fence, and candyland, which Joey won. Until, of course, he grew bored and decided to demonstrate his TV DVR skills. And he showed me how to check the tire pressure. I guess hanging out in dad's car with the AC is pretty cool. I think I remember liking hanging out in the car when I was a kid. Mom and I snuck in a trip to Lakeside after dad got home, and I found a $3.50 blue jacket at Sears. Score!

We had dinner at Outback, which wasn't all that bad. Saturday we went to the Tigers' game, which they lost. Lunch before that was pizza at Hockeytown, and I consumed more Miller lite than I care to again in my lifetime.And Sunday, mass and breakfast with Betty. Can I say again how nice, quiet, and normal it all was? I even got in some videogame time and pictures with Mr. Joseph on Sunday. He is growing up so, so fast, and I love when he ekes out "Lisa."  Man, do I miss the nephew!

Don't Jinx Me Yet...

Lots going on. Lots to do with work. Lots to do with the new house to be. Lots to do with travel. Lots to do with catching up with friends.

Detroit was so nice. Having K&C drop Joey off, having him be a little shy until he spotted the laptop, him crowding next to me to peer at the computer and smile when he saw that I could email and surf nickjr. on it. He is so freaking cute. He can mug for the camera, dance for the camera, and appear as charming as anything as he whined "Max and Ruby!"

It was a sweet couple of days and too short.

A Little Niece (or Nephew)!

So Joey is going to be a big brother next year! SOOO excited.  In an otherwise crappy day full of craptastic work stuff, this is good news.  He is going to be the best big brother, and I am so excited to have another little niece or nephew to spoil

Memorial Day Weekend

We had a great time in Detroit. I could just sit and stare and my awesome nephew for hours. Him putting dishes in the dishwasher, throwing things away, listening to his story about Max and Ruby, playing in his sandbox and his little house, wearing all sorts of cutie clothes, and etc. He has the perfect lightly curly sandy brown hair, and he can smile and smile all day long. He is just awesome. And my brother is such a good dad. Honestly, he is patient and just confident enough. And it's so cute to see dad with Joey; he is totally in his element. Of course, I could say that about mom, too. they just light up whenever he's around. That kid is so loved. And I hope he always is this happy, before the world gets to him.

It was good to see family and maybe I could write a better word than "good" but this was the essence of good. It's just good. It's easy and happy and I miss being there already, so so much.

Enroute to Detroit

Heading "home" today for big boy Joey's 1st birthday extravaganza. Has it really been a year? It sounds like he is growing up SO fast...pudgy and trying to walk and grab things and create all sorts of trouble. I am so excited to see him!!

Since I've been down-lately with some stuff, I am excited about this stuff to:

--I am so lame, but I so should have downloaded the Daughtry single No Surprise. Catchy and great music.
--Lost is SO good. Can hardly wait for the season finale next week, though I hate the 8 months to the new season starts. Lost is one of the best things about winter. Who dies? What time period do they end up in? So very good.
--The H Street Country Club menu is up and it looks like really good tex-mex. And how fun will the games be?!?!
--I have to buy a couple news shirts at the Gap today. Have to. So frustrated with menu!
--I am going to buy a trashy magazine -- even if it's just Health or Glamour -- for the trip today. I hope the weather holds up!

Grandma's Birthday

Today Grandma would have turned 96 years old. She's been gone nearly fifteen years, and was ill so long before that. I remember her beautiful skin (can I please have that someday!), how nice she smelled in her Charlie perfume, her purses and her beautiful smile. She was the most resilient person I knew, with such strong faith, and I miss her. I can't believe she's been gone so long. I was a senior in high school, then. Wow.

I hope baby Joey gets to know his grandparents til they're in their 90s!!! Cindy just sent some pictures. He's so cute, kinda pudgy, and always with that funny little grumpy expression on his face, like hey, why are guys bothering me so much? Though mom thinks he's already manipulating everyone into paying attention to him. He's a very smart baby.

Memorial Day weekend

Big weekend to be in Detroit. The weather was pretty close to perfect for late May, the Red Wings WON (and need only two more wins for the Cup!!!!), and the Pistons at least evened up the series, though don't have home court advantage. Even the Tigers scored 19 runs on Saturday before quickly, ahem, choking. We even got a run in at MCC!

And little Joey is so cute! I swear he looked at me, and he has beautiful big eyes and the cutest little lips. He is absolutely perfect. I hope his mommy gets some rest. I was bummed we did not see much of him on Sunday, though.

Back to work...I did get a new computer today, which almost made my Tuesday. Only three plus more days to go!

Little Joey is Here

About 8 pounds, 1 ounce. Very exciting. I guess born around 4pm. Poor dad is still in Alabama!!

The Waiting Game

So two days past when he should have arrived, little Joey has not yet made his appearance. Maybe today. Hopefully today. Between that and Steve's job search news, I've been a rather impatient wait-er lately. I'm trying to keep up the distractions--lunch time shopping, new Death Cab and Duffy CDs to listen to, a good run last night with Steve, and wine on the stoop. But I keep waiting for the phone to ring and bring good news.

We leave for Texas tomorrow. So there is another distraction ahead of us.

I keep thinking something monumental should be happening.

Updates to come.

Babies and Shopping and Detroit

Cindy's baby shower was on Sunday in Detroit. They got a slew of gifts, including several frog pods (whatever those might be). If it was a family venture, we definitely would have chosen a nicer locale. And food. And I definitely would want drinks at my shower!! Only the best for my little nephew :) He is going to be one big baby. Leigh Ann got him this super cute CMU onesie.

Mom also bought a dress, a black & white suit, to wear to the wedding. Very exciting for her. Not terribly flashy, but she looks really nice in it, very MOTB. Four months this week!

Steve got one job offer and he's stalling to figure out what else might be out there. I am keeping my fingers crossed things work out OK for him. He's in CA all this week.

I've had this headache that won't go away, though it's better now then it was earlier. Perhaps it was the screaming kiddos at the shower yesterday?

Back to Michigan

Finally home after a long weekend in Michigan (Ann Arbor/"home") for our conference. Lunch at Gratzi on Saturday. The conference went well, despite some fireworks from the BAMN supporters during the Ward Connerly panel.

So my little nephew will be named Joseph Edward! What a perfect name, and I am so so so excited. I need to do some shopping!

I also got a couple of birthday gifts: a blue windbreaker from Land's End/Sears and a book of Laura Ingalls Wilder columns. Nice!