Hodgins: I always wanted to be a mad scientist! I’m living the dream, baby! [kisses her cheek] Baby! [kisses her belly]
Angela: So what do you want our kid to be, anyway? I mean, if we could decide and make it happen without being those annoying parents that we hate.
Hodgins: Anything I want?
Angela: Anything.
Hodgins: A musician. Hard rock and 50s West Coast jazz. Who is also an astrophysicist specializing in extra terrestrial studies. Who also has a secondary degree, not necessarily a doctorate, in 20th century political theory and its relationship to corporatism. Ooh, who also does killer stand-up on the weekends. What about you? What do you want our baby to be?
Angela: [smiles] A mad scientist sounds good to me. -Bones

We’re back from our mini vacation in Ashland. We had a great time visiting with family. My parents got a hotel room next to ours and our dogs got to play together. My mom said it was really weird to see her baby girl with a baby on the way. I should mention that this week my belly decided to pop. It was the first time I truly looked pregnant and I’m glad I was able to show off my bump.

The first night we spent at my aunt and uncle’s house. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it before, but my cousin and his girlfriend are expecting a baby too! She is due two weeks before me. It’s crazy to think that these babies will be so close in age. It makes me happy to know my Roo will have a cousin to buddy up with at family functions.

First thing we had to do was the obligatory belly bump picture. Is it just me or do I look way bigger than her? I guess it’s how we’re carrying. She is taller than me, but still! I think my bump sticks out like a torpedo while hers is wider. Everyone thinks she’s carrying a girl, and now they say I’m carrying a boy. Like carrying has anything to do with gender. It’d be kind of funny if it turned out to be true!

Notice my cousin sticking out his belly. I told him he might be joking now but just wait! Match has started eating right along with me, and I won’t be surprised if he gets a bump if his own.

The next morning we woke up and peeked out the hotel window to find SNOW! It was so pretty! It’s ironic that when we went to Tahoe we didn’t have any snow, and here it is practically spring and now there is snow. I wanted to play in it!

We wandered around in downtown Ashland and spent some quality time with my parents.

How cute is Monkey in his little jacket? His California blood isn’t used to all this cold weather!

We explored Lithia park. I think it looks like Narnia, all covered in snow.

That night we watched my cousin play in his percussion recital at Southern Oregon University. Some of the music was a little bizarre for our taste, but some of it was awesome. Either way I think my cuz rocked the drums!

When we got home Monkey immediately curled up in his pet crates. How cute is he all snuggled with his turtle? We had such a great visit and I can’t wait to see my family again. My aunt is hoping to make a road trip with my mom to see me for the baby shower. I really hope they can make it!

Eric, honey, could you get the Thanksgiving turkey out of the freezer? Oh, wait. It’s a 20-pounder. Donna, could you get the Thanksgiving turkey out of the freezer? -Kitty, That 70′s Show

This year’s Thanksgiving festivities were so much fun. I still can’t believe this was my third Thanksgiving with Match and his family. Time has flown by and so much has changed for the two of us. Match’s Parents hosted Thanksgiving this year which was really nice for us. We were able to have Monkey there and we didn’t have to drive since we spent the long weekend with them.

I got up early and helped Match’s Dad with the cooking. I made cornbread and stuffed mushrooms by request. I make them every year and they a huge pain in the butt. They’re worth it when everyone eats them before I can get them on the plate!

Match’s four aunts were there along with their spouses and a few of Match’s cousins. I liked that it was a fairly small group this year. Everyone was just so relaxed and comfortable. As we sat down for dinner a few of the aunts made a toast to the family. I never make toasts but I felt that this year I had to say something. I stood up shyly and said, “This is my third Thanksgiving with you all, and my first as an official member of the family, and I just wanted to say, I couldn’t be happier.” It was short and sweet, but it teared everyone up, especially my mother in law.

I love that there was no reason to take pills for acne, no one stressed out, no one argued. It was just a warm family dinner. After dinner we played Catch Phrase and Match’s mom led me in a very clumsy (on my part, I have two left feet) dance around the living room.

We had Celtic music playing, Irish coffees, and lots and lots of laughter.

How did you celebrate your Thanksgiving?

Jess: Wait, you’re taking off? Is this about your dad? Is he alright?
Sam: Yeah, you know, just a little family drama. -Supernatural

Yesterday Match and I got to celebrate an early Thanksgiving with his extended family. I was all jazzed about lots of food but I barely ate a thing. We hadn’t seen a lot of the family since our wedding and everyone wanted to talk. It sort of felt like my wedding because I was so busy talking I never had time to really eat. I didn’t even have turkey (gasp!). I haven’t been working out for the past month so I wasn’t exactly worse for wear after eating a little meal. Plus I made this incredibly fattening, so of course delicious, cornbread. And I may have sampled a bit before bringing it over. And some of the batter. Maybe.

It was great to see the family but there was an awful lot of driving involved for a Friday night. Both Match and I were worn out from the work week and didn’t feel up for driving an hour and a half through traffic.

Match’s Aunt (one of 5)’s house is pretty nice. They have this cool whole house water filter so you never have to use a Brita pitcher. The house has a great layout with an open kitchen and family room and separate formal living room. There were little scatterings of people all throughout the house and I made my rounds visiting with everyone. My favorite part of the night were the games when one of Match’s cousins busted out Catch Phrase. Not everyone played but those of us who did had a good laugh.

While I absolutely love Match’s family, this potluck made me really homesick for Thanksgivings from the past with my mom’s side of the family. It’s been years since we’ve had a big family Thanksgiving. My mom is also one of five siblings and there seems to be a lot of drama within the family. There’s always one aunt or uncle who’s not speaking to the rest of the fam and it seems to get worse the older we all get. I wish we could go back to how it was when I was a little kid and my cousins were all babies. We’d all crowd into our living room and play charades or sing songs. Sometimes one of my uncles and I would put on skits and tell jokes to entertain the family. I’m betting we had just as much family drama back then but I was too young to know anything about it. To be young and oblivious again…sometimes that sounds so nice.

I’m looking forward to Thanksgiving. Even though it will be a bit more formal, I’m sure after a few glasses of wine I can convince the in-laws to play some games. Maybe sing a few songs. But a skit might be pushing it. I don’t know if I want to see my mother in law that drunk.

Do you have family traditions for Thanksgiving? Any family drama around the holidays? I can’t be the only one!

I’m completely, completely in love with you. I even love the things about you that I hate…because you make me feel like I don’t have to be anyone other than who I am and, to me, that feels like family and that’s what I want us to be. I want us to be a family because that never ends. -Justin, Brothers & Sisters

Yesterday’s Thanksgiving dinner made me feel like I was once again a part of Match’s family. I received such a warm welcome from not only Match’s parents, but the entire clan (that’s what they call themselves, it’s five sisters, and they can be quite formidable). I instantly felt at home, and we settled in to a relaxing afternoon of wine, way too much food, and great company. (more…)

I’ve been thinking about you. We are links to eternity. Ahead of us, family yet to come, souls to be born; behind us, ancestors — ancestors who sacrificed. We are making those sacrifices to live the principle, to keep faith. Margie, you are a valued member of this family. We weren’t complete, not until you. You made us complete. I wasn’t complete until you, and our fine sons.        -Bill, Big Love

The last time I wrote about Match, we had a minor hiccup in our relationship. Thank you all for your comments, they meant a lot. You were all right-he was just sick and feeling blue. None of his comments were really directed at me. He’s proved in his actions since just how much he wants a future with me.

This past weekend Match and I went to Portland, OR to visit my family, and watch two of my cousins graduation from high school. It was a great weekend full of late night karaoke singing, beer pong, and general merriment. I had hoped they would love Match, but I wasn’t prepared for just how much! (more…)