38 weeks

Tony and I have developed a new nightly routine.  Before we go to bed we each check our phones, the volume, are they working, etc before we go to sleep.  If either of us gets up in the middle of the night we check them again.  Every so often one or both of us is asking Megan to call us, just to make sure they are STILL working.  She has got to be sick of the “drills” by now.  I vacillate between being calm and patient, and ascting like a crazy person pacing the floors LOL! 

We had our 3^rd, yes I said 3^rd baby shower yesterday.  I cannot believe how lucky this baby is, she has a whole village just waiting for her to be born.  My mom and dad through this one, and we had an amazing time.  Here are some pics.  I hope everyone ishaving a great day.  MAYBE the next post will be announcing Zoey’s arrival!  Fingers crossed!

Zoey's FIRST baby shower

Yesterday was the first shower for Zoey!!  Her guncles and Godfathers threw it for her and it was really incredible.  I am so grateful that our daughter is surrounded by SOOO much love.  She isn’t even born yet and she is a spoiled little girl.  I looked around and saw all these people just waiting to welcome her into the world… it was overwhelming and humbling. 

We also decided to do a little “binding ceremony” during the shower.  The state we live in doesn’t recognize gay marriage yet, but we do have Domestic Partnerships.  It may not be equal, but I’ll take it.  We completed the paper work awhile ago, and have felt married in our hearts, but it was really important to Tony that we do some sort of ceremony before Zoey is born.  Originally the plan was to have a big ceremony after Zoey was born, and to do this for now.  Tradition and symbolism are very important to both of us, but especially to Tony.  I was very excited to be doing this because it meant so much to Tony; I didn’t realize until we started how important it was to me as well.  It was very casual, but filled with love and support.  As I looked into my husband’s eyes, so full of love and emotion, and felt the love and support surrounding us I realized we don’t need another ceremony.  This is perfect.  And afterwards it felt sealed.  I am so glad we did this exactly this way.  Megan was the one who actually "officiated", which just made it even more perfect.

 Literally tied the knot

 Awwww

I swear I was not singing to him

 

AND the best part is I am throwing out all of Tony’s T-shirts!  It was in our vows, and I take them very very serious.  So yep, any Tshirt that says “Rugby BLAH BLAH 1996” or “Firefighter Stairclimb 1981” all gone! 

What an amazing weekend this was.  My cup runeth over. 



Papa's Extreme Shower Experience.

Papa  (Tony) here.

We had the 1st baby shower yesterday.

In true Mississippi form, we combined our Marriage vows with our Baby Shower.

Yeah, we got married.   The big tying of the knot.  Game over.   Check and mate.

Yep… that’s our amazing surrogate officiating

We have Registered Domestic Partnership here in Washington State, but it's called "Everything But Marriage".  Or as I refer to it, "Marriage Light".    It gives us a TON of legal protections for each other, and for the baby.    But mostly, I just love Mike, and wanted to make it real and legit.

I am so in love with this man…

The ceremony went off in perfect weather, with a perfect altar that our friends set up.     The garden was incredible.   The music even worked out.    We performed a "handfasting" ritual, using all the colors of long ribbons, each signifying a quality in our bond.   It turned out beautiful, the knot held, so I did not escape.    With our friends looking on, we declared our love for each other.   Mike even shared his true feelings about some of my favorite clothes (my COOL t-shirts), which he doesn't like.  I am, for all intensive purposes, a MARRIED man.

Mike and I and my mother in law

Mike and I with my father in law

Then we did the Baby Shower.    I have never BEEN to one before, and was unprepared.    I needed practice on what to say as each gift was open, as I ran out of things to say after "AWWWWW", and "Super Cute!!!", and "she'll love this".    After the 12th gift, I felt like a goof.     The gifts were amazing, thoughtful, and adorable, I just didn't make the cut on my what I was supposed to say.

But it was alot of fun.   And I got to hang out with people who were excited that Zoey was coming.

See the confusion on my face?   And Zoey’s BIG SISTER helping!

I can't speak for Mike on this one, but I am in awe of our friends in preparing for this Baby Shower and our Ceremony.    I didn't know what treasure we really held till yesterday.   Maybe that's the point of these showers after all, that you won't be going it alone....