"family"

10


On a snowy day ten years ago we danced to "Let's Stay Together." A private memory whispered in my ear as he quietly sang along and held me close. Friends and family from across the country with us, champagne pyramids, men with ties as headbands dancing to Rage Against the Machine, heckling during our vows, a geisha delivering sake, mountains of cupcakes, and lots of polka. Now wasn't that a party?!

Today we mark our Tenth Anniversary. Much to my surprise my Hubby is quite keen to celebrate and has been telling the girls all about it all week. For the first time he seems keen to share that marriage is about more than having kids that will grab him a beer when he asks. No matter what he says to the kids, I'm still standing beside him with a laugh.

Today we also mark the birthday of a special girl. She joined us on the day of our wedding. One of my dear friends, a bridesmaid even, ended up having her baby that night. It was terribly early for baby and very, very scary for mom, who was quite sick. After some stressful and frightening months both Mom and Baby emerged healthy. So we wish sweet Rachel a very happy 10th birthday!


This is the quilt I made Rachel for her christening, not quite 10 years ago. We've all come a long way! Her nickname was Bug, so it was all about the ladybugs on this one.

This weekend we are quietly celebrating. It isn't often that our anniversary meshes with Easter, but those two days combining create a confluence of bad luck. Between our anniversary and Easter something always happens. It started with Rachel's untimely arrival at our wedding. Then this happened:

2003 - All quiet...
2004 - Someone lit Hubby's TR-6 parked behind our garage on fire. Destroyed.
2005 - Another quiet year....
2006 - I went into pre-term labour and nearly had The Monster at 29 weeks, the same gestation as Rachel.
2007 - The Monster ended up in the hospital with pneumonia.
2008 - The Monster was back in the ER with a respiratory infection.
2009 - I broke my nose by walking into a door.
2010 - A shockingly quiet year, at least on those weekends.
2011 - My Dad died.

So this year, we can't find a babysitter to go out for dinner. Oh well. With a new baby and an already sick Evil Genius maybe that's a good thing. The days of ties becoming headbands and champagne pyramids are behind us. Taking it easy and relishing all the good things that have happened in 10 years might be a better plan. Especially because there have been a lot of good things in those 10 years. A lot of good things.

PS I decided to wrap up the quilt top, back, batting, and thread and present it to Hubby that way. Thanks for all the advice.
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Expansion

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Has it been 2 weeks already?

We're still trying to figure out a new rhythm with Nikolai in the house. He's a pretty good baby, most of the time. His sisters are, of course, bursting with excitement. The realization that he sleeps a heck of a lot is finally sinking in though. As is the fact that they get nothing to do with feeding him until he is older. But they are very helpful and mostly entertaining.

The other morning I unexpectedly had only the little man home with me. He was sleeping and I was feeling rested. Mama decided to pull out the machine and quilt. It was only for an hour, but it felt great. And it was awesome that he was happily sleeping beside me on the dining room table. The Empire has truly expanded.

Now, about that book/baby poll. No one had both days correct. A few got the right baby or the right book date. (I even had the right baby date - I was hoping for the first day of spring and that's when he came!) But one person was awfully close.

Amy had the 5th for the book and the 19th for the baby. We got emails on the 5th saying that some folks had the book in their hands. And Nikolai was born only 4 hours into the 20th. I'd say Amy is the winner! I'll be sending out a book to you Amy.

Thanks to everyone for playing along and supporting me as I navigate this crazy time.
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Admitting Defeat

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Our 10th Anniversary is a week away. I'd hoped to have this quilt done to give to Hubby as a present but damn that baby getting in the way!

I was too pregnant to baste the king sized quilt and now I'm too busy nursing to do it. Oh, and Hubby has been great and been home more. Fantastic from a parenting point of view, but a bit tough on planning a surprise. I'm not complaining, though. I've got my gorgeous boy keeping me busy and really, the distraction is pretty much about our marriage.

So, thank-you for all the good wishes. We're doing great (well, as good as it gets) with our expanded family.

A quick question though, have you ever given an unfinished quilt as a gift or do you simply give a rain check?