Baby Girl

It's a GIRL!!!

pictures & video coming...

Happy Holidays from the Pound!

Good News

Garrett's new cell # (206) 455-5797

Rhonda is doing fine in Berlin and just fell out of touch - like she does. I'm still trying to convince Garrett that we need a real Christmas tree, and I can't find the menorah I got last year so we've missed the first half of Hanukkah. Today I'm hard at work (clearly) and Garrett is home ripping up the carpets and padding in the basement that were ruined from the flooding. I really don't have anything interesting to post about, unless you'd like to know how fat I've gotten now that I'm getting closer to five months. This isn't even a big belly, this is like my body knew it was going to be a cold winter, and figured I wouldn't have any warm clothes to wear. Even my cheeks, neck and upper arms are preparing themselves for the worst.

Also, I have an appointment on the 20th for my ultrasound. I literally can't wait for this: I work in the Radiology department, and I have been harrassing my co-workers about getting me in on a cancellation or working me in earlier somehow. Unfortunately, this appointment is going to take 75 minutes due to all the measuring they are doing, and also they will be inspecting a growth in my left ovary that they incidentally found during my first ultrasound at 6 weeks. They told me not to worry about this, since it's probably just a dermoid cyst. This, in itself, is both disgusting and worrysome. Perhaps this hairy tooth will keep the baby company for the next few months.

We'll let everyone know as soon as we know. Also, if it's a girl, Garrett and I both have come up with Maya Clementine. Word?

We're Engaged!

I knew that "accidentally" getting pregnant and trapping Garrett for life would eventually lead to some sort of proposal, whether performed begrudgingly or under duress... and guess what? It worked!
Yesterday our basement flooded and the bathroom was full of water from the roof leaking, so Garrett stayed home to patch up the bathroom fan vent and the two roof leaks, and he and Scott picked up a subpump to clear out the basement. This is REALLY bad, because we are moving ourselves down into the basement for more room and privacy with the baby. Last November there was a lot of flooding in the Seattle area, but we were spared, so we weren't expecting the downstairs to flood this time around. Scott and Garrett are going to be sealing all the cracks in the basement soon, so this probably won't happen again.

Anyway, back to ME. I came home last night and Garrett was sitting by the fireplace playing his guitar, hooked to an amp that he bought yesterday as his Christmas present from me. I went into the bedroom which was dark with lit candles all around the room and there was the ring propped open in the middle of the bed. I didn't see until I turned around a second time after Garrett had jumped up to follow me into the room.
I'm so happy with him and I feel so lucky to have him in my life. Everything has been so much better now that he is part of it.

Also, Aunt Linda & Jay are getting married!
Also, Rhonda is unreachable in Germany and everyone thinks she is being held hostage by John!
Since yesterday, my mom has been in contact with the American embassy and my Aunt has called the Berlin police, Bürgertelefon, to try to get somebody to check on their last known address, which was apparently incorrect. However, the Berlin police charge 200 euros to do this, and will break down a door if nobody answers. Probably what will happen is the US military will be busting down their apartment door while Rhonda looks up with shock while sitting on the couch with chocolate all around her mouth. I think everyone forgot that Rhonda doesn't "do" phone calls or emails. It's just her way. Like when she was in Austrian prison a few years ago and never called us or tried to get out, leaving it up to Amnesty International to help her. Maybe she pretends to be an orphan when she travels.

This reminds me of the story of my dad, when he was in Vietnam, my grandparents hadn't heard from him in months and months, and were so worried about him they continually called all their known resources, including the Red Cross, to try to find out what had happened to him. My dad told me that while he was in "the bush" out in the middle of nowhere, a helicopter lowered and they shouted out for "Forrester." My dad identified himself, to which they replied, "Call your parents!" and took off.
HAHAHA. Rhonda's story may end up being much more interesting.