All the News that's Fit to Print

I keep promising you updates about all the happenings, yet keep putting it off because I'd like to do it in some sort of clever and entertaining manner. Since its clear that the time and creativity just aren't happening, I thought I'd just get it over with!

Telling The Snake THE NEWS
We brought him into our bedroom the morning after the NT scan. Reminded him about how he'd been asking for a sibling, then told him it looked like that was finally going to happen. He thought for a moment, his eyes lit up, and he said "Thanks MOM!" and leaned over to kiss my belly. Then we told him there were in fact 2 babies coming. He simply smiled.

Our subsequent trip to PA was filled with admonishing from him that I be a "good driver" to "keep the babies safe." One morning he came down and gave me a kiss, then insisted on giving me another one, then took my hand and put it to my lips and then to my belly -- because the 2nd kiss was "for the babies."

Lately his favorite questions are things like "are the babies punching yet?" and "oh mom, aren't the babies being sweet to you?" and "are the babies hungry? how do you know?" He has been a pretty good helper, but we've tried not to play the you need to be good because the babies are coming card. He is excited and often asks things like will he get one baby for himself, or can one sleep with him, etc. He has been clear that his preference is boys, and that 2 girls would not be acceptable. But he does understand that we have no control over this issue. Which he emphatically informed my BIL when he inquired what type of siblings he'd like.

Follow-up on my dad's by-pass
So far he has been doing fine. He has actually gotten off all the diabetes medication except the Metformin. I'm hoping that one will eventually go too. He says he's lost about ten pounds, which I'm sure will make him look older. I'm nervous to see him again. Last time we talked he sounded pretty depressed, but his personality is such that a long recovery will drive him crazy. And this is just not something you walk away from a week later. Since now there is a question whether he and my mom will come to WNY in June for DH's big residency graduation, I'm thinking of heading down again in mid-April. But it depends on lots of other things.

The BIG trip to LA
So we spent 3 days in LA, mostly in the Palms, Mar Vista and Santa Monica areas. It was too early to actually find and get an apartment, so our goal was to scope out neighborhoods and schools and such.

Our first mission was to check out the University family housing which we are eligible for, but are not certain whether we will receive and have the timing work. The complex is about 4-5 miles south of UCLA's campus, and about 4-5 miles from the Santa Monica hospital that Resident Boy will work at. With the babies coming and our need to buy a new car, we are facing going to one vehicle. So it was nice to see that the U housing is right on a major bus route that goes to both campus and Santa Monica. There is an elementary school about 3 blocks away, which is LAUSD but is considered one of the best in their system. There are some strip malls with in walking distance for me. We finished our tour feeling like, yes we could live there. Its definitely urban and big complex living. But there would be a built-in community and the school was close. And most key is the cost -- significantly lower than most LA apartments, and we could even have a 3-bedroom.

Next we went and checked out a few apartments in Santa Monica. And it was a whole different experience. We really liked the area north of Wilshire and around Montana -- basically filled with shops and boutiques. Very cute and fun. Lovely little houses and apartment buildings. We looked at a overpriced 2-bedroom and got good info from the agent. Who stated that with kids we'd really want Santa Monica for the schools. And they do look a little better cared for and nicer. We did a little more research and we probably could get a decent size 2-bedroom in that area -- but it will run about $1000 per month more. That's $12,000 -- practically an IVF cycle right?

So we have quite a dilemma. How much more in debt do we become? We really want to enjoy this year in a pretty place before we settle down for good. But if we live in Santa Monica, we might not be able to afford much else. And will I meet other moms there who might be able to help me out now and then? But it so nice. And I really worry about the quality of the school for The Snake. I know it's only kindergarten and I'm lucky he is very bright, so he will likely survive a poor experience. But I still want it to be good. Argh! Any advice, assvice or opinions are welcome.

Other News
We also just found out that DH's last day of work is later in June then we thought. He has to attend a board review conference for the last 2 weeks of June. So now there will be NO time between when he finishes work and the conference. We had planned to have him drive our car and stuff out to LA during that week, so that The Snake and I could get out to LA and be settled. I could be there if complications with the babies came up and establish a relationship with a doctor. Now it looks like he won't be free until early July, and he need to study to take the boards on July 18th. So he is freaking out about how we are going to do the move. We may have to consider eating a chunk of money and paying movers, maybe buying our van out in California. I don't know what we will do. I could stay in WNY longer and wait to go with him in July -- but if anything goes wrong then I could get stuck here until the babies come. I DO NOT want to have these babies with my husband in another state! It's just so tiring to have it be so complicated.

Anatomy scan on the 31st. I can't wait. Meanwhile I'm scrambling to get the house immaculate for the realtor to put it on the market. The next 6 months are going to fly.