A whole lotta catchin up to do

Oops. We're a bit behind on our updates. Everybody seems to have some sort of big, exciting news to report in our family so we'll try to give you the Cliff's Notes version on everybody.

Joey: 

This big boy has graduated out of his crib. This wasn't actually something we wanted to do yet but were forced into it by living constraints. Because we only had so much room in our van for our summer Connecticut move (more on that later) and we knew there would be an extra twin bed at our new apartment (and I refused to let either of my children sleep in only a pack-n-play for the whole summer), we only brought one crib with us. That left Joey the twin bed. He has actually taken to it really well and I think it will be a good switch for everyone. Because he can now get out of bed and come get me when he wakes up rather than scream in his crib for me to come get him, he wakes up much happier. Even though this sometimes means that we're all awake a little earlier, even I am much happier for it because as it turns out, "wake up, Mommy" being whispered in my ear is a much nicer alarm clock than screams from the nursery. Go figure.

Moses:

Our little late bloomer FINALLY crossed two big milestones this month. Firstly, he's walking!! I know 14 months doesn't exactly qualify him as a "late" walker but Joey was walking at 11 months and all of Moses' little friends started walking so it felt slow. He really enjoys it and it's so cute to watch the first toddles of a toddler. Secondly, Moses finally cut his first tooth!! Good grief, we thought this day would never come. Most children cut their first tooth sometime circa 6 months, not 14. It was a painful day for him, but we're happy that he will actually have teeth. 

Tom and Mary:

Let's start with Tom's big news. There's a lot.

1. Tom is doing an internship this summer in New Haven, CT at the Achievement First Charter Schools through a program called Education Pioneers. In the smallest nutshell possible, he will be planning and piloting a computer enhanced remedial summer school. He's very excited about it and we're both happy to be in New Haven for the summer. We were really blessed to find great housing on campus and are already making friends with people from church.

2. Tom completed his first year of business school. Hallelujah! This year was a little more intense for us than expected because Tom was completing for one of two scholarships. One of the scholarships would be for a full year's tuition in exchange for earning the highest GPA in his class. We have yet to hear back about this one, but it really doesn't matter because....

3.. Tom earned the McGowan Scholarship to pay for his second full year of tuition! Since Tom won't brag about himself to you, let me do the honors. The McGowan Scholarship is awarded to 10 students from 10 of the top 20 business schools in the country. It requires a high GPA, leadership skills, and community involvement. This will not only be a HUGE ease on our debt load, but it will be a great additional network for Tom to put in his collection of contacts. We're excited about all the aspects of this scholarship except for one. In early November, he will have to go to Chicago for a two-day conference to meet all of the other fellows who earned the scholarship and are involved in the organization. This would normally be great except...

(invisible transition into Mary's big news)

We're pregnant! I am due on November 5th- the day after Tom is due back from his conference. Let's just hope this baby comes late like Joey and Moses did. Oh, and by the way, it's a GIRL. Before you ask, let me answer the questions that I'm sure are running through your mind:

1. Yes. On purpose.

2. No. I'm not crazy (or I suppose we'll leave it to a matter of opinion). I'm really excited to have another child and I know it will be exhausting and overwhelming at times but if I can get through 2 in 13 months, who's to say I can't make it through 3 in under 3 years? 

3. No. I wasn't praying for a girl the way everybody around me was. But yes, I am excited to have a girl. I would have been content to have another boy but a girl will certainly make things exciting. I'm not going to lie, I'm a little scared. I don't like pink and I abhor purple. Bows, tights, dresses, and dolls scare me. I don't accessorize. I provide enough emotion to supply an army- adding more estrogen to the mix is terrifying. 

All that being said, I know it will be wonderful. I know it will be good for the boys to have a little girl around to keep them in line and I'm sure it will be good for her to have big brothers to keep her from being too prissy. We'll have lots of fun together. 

4. This pregnancy has been rough. I had bad nausea all of the first trimester plus some (though thankfully it's gone now) and the dizziness has been out of control. For weeks and weeks I could rarely do more than lift my head up without feeling like I would pass out. No bueno. Though my energy is still really low, the dizziness has mostly subsided (except for extended trips to Walmart or Target. Those still don't work out so well). 

5. No, I'm really not showing that much yet. I've certainly gained enough weight to be showing, but it has been equally distributed to just make me look all around plump. I met a girl here in New Haven who is due 3 weeks after me but looks like she's months further along than me. I wish I looked pregnant. Looking pregnant is so much more fun than just looking chubby. Boo.  

6. And yes, though totally unrelated, I chopped off my hair. All gone. So glad. SOOO much easier. You should do it, too.