Blankets, Bottles, and Babies... Oh My!

Lately, it seems as though everyone around me either has, or is expecting a baby! As I told you all before, my Phi Mu little is expecting her first little girl in January and another one of my Phi Mu sisters just had a little boy in November. And one of my coworkers, who actually shares a 1/2 wall with me (I teach in an open space school, so there aren't any real walls/doors/etc.) is going to be having a beautiful baby girl in May! So, imagine my surprise when in early November a good friend of mine from the (ahem:: AWFUL ::ahem) restaurant I worked out throughout high school and college collected our group to announce her pregnancy!

As I said, a little over a month ago, my good friend Adrienne asked myself and our other two friends, Megan and Katie, to dinner, we assumed it was a typical Hef (what we like to call ourselves... don't ask) get together. However, when she arrived, we could tell that she was ready to burst with something. In late October, Adrienne found out that she would be delivering a bouncing baby boy... in MID JANUARY! Needless to say, this little miracle wasn't exactly planned, but definitely an exciting addition to our little group!

We scrambled to get things, and a baby shower with the help of Adrienne's sister, together for Adrienne and baby Boy. Last weekend, we were able to spend an afternoon together, celebrating the new life that Adrienne will soon be bringing to us! We played some fun games, ate delicious food, and OOOHed and AHHHed and AWWWed while Adrienne and her boyfriend opened at least 25 adorable baby boy outfits.

Earlier this week, before the Storm of the Century hit in our area, The Hefs got together at for our annual Christmas dinner. Every year during dinner, we talk about the things that have happened and changed in our lives this year, as well as the things we're hoping for in the year ahead. This year, we had a TON to talk about: Megan got married in September, Katie is engaged and will have her wedding in July, Adrienne will be a new Mommy in less than a month, and I finally landed my dream job as a real life elementary school teacher! It would be selfish to say that I was a little bummed that my "big change" had to do with my career, rather than my love life or a new family, but on the other hand, I saw a dream I've had since I was a little girl come true this year. A big accomplishment if you ask me (even if it doesn't include a diamond ring...)

At the end of dinner, we contemplated whether we might have two babies (or at least one more on the way) at our next Hef Christmas dinner, or if Adrienne or myself would be the next to get hitched. I knew for sure that I was so happy for all three of my friends for the amazing lives they've created for themselves, and their new families.

Turkey and a Baby

I am sitting here, waiting for the Ravens game to begin, dreading the thought of going back to work in the morning. Though it has definitely been a relaxing one, this Thanksgiving break has also been a busy one as well! My festivities revolved mostly around turkeys and babies. First, the turkey portion:

Thursday afternoon, my parents, Antonio and I drove over to my big brother's house for a big Turkey dinner. It was my sister in law's first attempt at cooking a turkey or gravy from scratch, among other things. Since my brother is really only my half brother (we have the same dad), it was definitely a full house with my parents, his mom and stepdad, his half brother from his mom, all 3 kids, my sister in law, Antonio and me! The place cards that Kameron and I made the day before come in handy!

As it got closer to dinner time, everyone started to pitch in to get everything together. My brother and his stepdad fried a turkey outside (which is apparently a "southern" thing, but definitely SUPER delicious and highly recommended), and the kids set the table. My sister in law, mom, and brother's mom all mashed the potatoes, stirred the gravy and checked the turkey. My dad and brother carved both of our spectacular turkeys and Antonio and I prepared the cranberries and got the food to the table (a very important job, if you ask me!).

Dinner was great, and there was definitely more than enough food. For her first turkey, I think that my sister in law did a phenominal job! It was great to have the fried turkey as well, which had a very distinctly different taste from the traditionally cooked one. But, both were great! As usual, I overate and got the "itis", as Antonio calls it, and had to lay down after dinner. It was a short lived nap, though, since Antonio and I had to rush to his family's Thanksgiving dinner very soon after finishing eating! Luckily, it was over and hour drive, so my stomach had some time to make room for more yummy turkey :o) Now on to the baby portion; don't worry they're not connected so you can stop imagining a sitcom-like rush to the hospital for a Thanksgiving delivery, or something equally ridiculous...

Yesterday, I went to a baby shower for my little sister in Phi Mu, Mrs. P. She and her husband are expecting a little girl in January, so her mom and one of our sisters planned a surprise shower for her before they headed home to North Carolina! A bunch of my sisters, as well as some of her family and neighbors gathered together to surprise my little and her little one! It was really great to see some of my sisters. We have all gotten so spread out across the country in such a short time, from North Carolina, to New Jersey, to Georgia, so catching up was a definite must. Even though I rushed Phi Mu more than five years ago, and have been an alumni for over a year, it still amazes me sometimes just how close we all became. Even though a lot of use haven't spoken in months and months, it was almost as if nothing has changed. They were still my sisters and that's what mattered. I loved joking around, laughing, and catching up with my sisters.

There were a TON of presents, plenty of "AWWW"s, and the traditionally silly baby shower games. My favorite was guessing which melted candy bar made the "poopy" mess in the diaper. Not to brag or anything, but I sure do know my candy bars, melted or not! My little loved the zebra footed pajamas I got her, complete with ears AND tail. Tie dying was our t-shirt craft of choice in college so I also tie dyed a couple of onesies for the little princess.

All in all, I had a pretty amazing Thanksgiving break. I got a ton of rest, some extra time at the gym, and lots of delicious food. But most importantly, I got to spend some true, quality time with my families - my real family and my Phi Mu family. Now, on to the ironing of work clothes for tomorrow...