English

Today I got an email from a group contact telling me that she was "guest-i-mating about 40 people" in her meeting. Guest-i-mating... what? Where do these people learn English?

How about trying "guesstimating" (which is a real word according to Merriam-Webster).

Who I Met Today

Yesterday, a long time friend of mine sent me a message asking if I'd be interested in going with her to a brunch with Mrs. Patmore. I couldn't believe it! Although it was in the middle of the work day and work this week has been crazy busy (because everybody figures they need to do everything they haven't done since Thanksgiving in the first full week of the year...) I was able to get away.

We had brunch which involved tea in different pattern floral cups as we heard stories of Mrs. Patmore's personal life as well as life and experiences on the set.

Nayely and I and my pretty tea cup

She is just so awesome. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, these two quotes are just glimpses of what you are missing out on...

Wrapping it Up

Well, this year only has a few more hours to go before it becomes "last year"... It seems like so much has happened, but in reality, it's just been a few major events.

Like Norm and I both starting new jobs, Juan Ma graduating high school and going off to college, finding out we are expecting and now the search (which we have hopefully found now) for a new home.

Norm's mom came to visit the week of Christmas, and on Christmas day we went to Augusta and had a nice meal at my mom's house, all together!

Of course there was lots of food - which included Pan de Jamon, a traditional Venezuelan Christmas dish.

Michelle's mom and sister and brother in law also joined us!

Then we opened presents

And at the end, we asked Juan Ma if he wanted to be the baby's God Father... he made this face and then said yes!

As we all can tell, some things in this family never change... like goofing off, silly faces, and finding a bed to take a nap after a great meal!

And on that note we say farewell 2014. I don't know what all 2015 has up its sleeve, all I know is that it will involve a house move and a baby. Those two things right there are quite loaded. Can't wait!!

Food Kisses

Norm had a long day yesterday that involved significant amounts of food prep. This is Cali's reaction when he got home... She just could not get enough sniffing and licking of all the delicious (for her, because he actually stunk) food smells!

Please pardon the vertical angle on the camera, I never know which way to hold the phone for video...

Two of Us

Working at the hotel and interacting with so many people, both employees and guests, I am starting to notice a little phrase that totally warms my heart every single time I hear it -- "you two". Many times in conversation I hear "Good morning you two" or "how are you two doing today?" or "take it easy, you two"

Something about others addressing the baby as a little human is an amazing feeling. There are so many folks out there that don't consider these little humans "humans", but on the other hand, there are so many others that do! And they do not hold back on acknowledging it.

Beautiful!

Baby is a Boy!

I can't believe I haven't gotten around to posting this! Aldredge Baby is a BOY! And everything is still on track for him to join us on (or around) April 7, 2015.

Name? I don't want to commit to having it out on cyberspace just yet. Naming a child is a huge responsibility and turning out to be quite stressful. I had never experienced anything like this responsibility of naming another human.

I know.. I know... the name is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the responsibilities of being a parent ~ sigh ~

Perspective

Due to the terms of our lease and the fact that doing laundry at our current house involves going outside and to the basement - which is not conducive when there is a child involved - we are looking into moving at the end of May. Which also means that the baby will be somewhere around 1 - 2 months old...

Today I was talking to my mom about the plan, how I plan on having the majority of the things packed before baby gets here and how we won't set up the crib or the "nursery" until we are moved into the new house I also managed to complain about how bummed I was that we won't be able to welcome  him like a normal family. That we won't be able to set the nursery and get everything organized and perfect the way first time parents always dream about.

She quickly tells me "esto es lo que nos toca vivir (which loosely translated into English means: this is what is in store for us)" and follows it by "Imagine Mary, she didn't even have a roof, let alone a bed for Jesus when he was born".

Point taken.