Weekend in New England: Finally The Recap!

I know. I know. I KNOW.

I've been back for a week and all I talked about here is basketball. Please forgive me.

I'll cut to the chase: our trip was wonderful. It was amazing, exhilarating, intense and exhausting all at once. I can't believe it's already been a week since we returned. I can't believe it's only been a week since we've returned.

It really was a whirlwind trip. We left super early on Friday morning. One in-flight movie and a couple of episodes of The Office and we landed in Boston. (The last person I want on my case is the lovely daisy mae: I only called it Bean Town in that other post because it worked so nicely as a foil against Mo-Town. PROMISE!) We actually packed light (for once!) so we quickly picked up our car (thank you, thank you, Gold Service) and headed north.

We make it to our lovely b&b in a very quaint town in record time. We had a brief nap and freshened up. Then it was time to meet NHL. She wanted to try a nearby Thai restaurant and we're always in the mood for Thai, so what could be better, right?

Now, I really must digress. You know sometimes you meet people that you've felt you've known your whole life? Maybe you're internet friends and you've emailed and talked on the phone but not yet met in person? Or maybe it's just me. I've had a lot of experiences like that. There are a lot of folks from Wedding Land that I met after much internet discussion. Usually it was ok. Sometimes it was great the great from the very first time we met IRL and we couldn't stop talking for hours and hours(I'm looking at you Aimee and Bebe and the one formerly known as FirstTimer; and Emily and InAHoldingPattern/FinallyArrived and Anna H and Scrambled Eggs and all you NC gals from Blog Land).

And even more rarely it's just so incredibly easy and natural and just so very right you know that's just how it was always supposed to be? Like when I showed up on Liana's (teendoc's) doorstep all those years ago and now I can barely comprehend that was actually the first time we "met" in person.*

Yeah, it was like that. NHL is family. Whatever happens going forward, she is part of us. It was great. We talked for hours. We had a few things to share with her including some books from our consultant and some cookies I baked for her.

We met early the next morning for the ultrasound and regular appointment. It was amazing. Truly amazing. We were so honored to be invited to share such an incredible experience. We saw the fetus in such incredible detail: every vertebrae, the bladder, all 4 chamber of the heart, a tiny foot.

The midwife was really great too. She answered all NHL's questions and said she was doing great. They can continue her Saturday appointments for a while which works great for NHL's job. All is going smoothly with the pregnancy and NHL and the baby are both in great hands.

After the appointment we went out for a leisurely breakfast and some shopping on Main Street. It was just great hanging out and all getting to know each other. Then we took a bit of a break. We all needed naps before dinner.

We met closer to NHL's home for a lovely dinner overlooking a pond. Dinner was nice but it started to cut into basketball time. I'm serious. I had warned NHL that I was obsessed and there was a game. I wasn't sure I wanted her to see just how fanatic of a fan I really was but figured she should see us warts and all.

Even with the warning, she was a bit stunned. She stayed for part of the first half but then it was past her bedtime so she headed for home. It was past mine as well but there was round ball to be played.

The mister and I had a more leisurely morning on Sunday. We enjoyed the nice breakfast at our b and b and then checked out a possible longer term rental for the fall. Then we met up with NHL for a brief visit. We got to see her home and take a few photos. So nice!

We headed to the Big City and a short visit with a friend of mine from my geeky high school. It was so great to visit with him and his family. His wife is also an incredible midwife who is very connected in that area. She embarrassed their oldest, reminding him that I was there when they took him on his very first march! He was only 6 week old and one of the youngest activists on the mall for a large ProChoice march back in the day. Yes he's driving now and applying to colleges (he was more interested in talking about his rowing with me than his activist infant-hood). It's nice to have local folks who are super supportive about this next chapter of our life.

The flight home was easy as well. We got 2 movies (TWO!) including one we wanted to see (Frost/Nixon) and one we didn't know we wanted to see but still enjoyed (7 Pounds). It was pretty late when we finally made it home to our dogs and cat but they were glad to see us.

There are more plans with NHL. We're hoping she'll take us up on our offer to head west in a few months and visit us and attend one of our crazy monthly meetings with our consultant. She's invited me to be her labor coach and signed us up for an all day birthing class in July. We've put down a (refundable) deposit on a lovely in-law apartment in Quaint Town, overlooking the river and just down from Main Streets for a month at the end of the summer/beginning of the school year. We're not officially matched (that can't happen until she's 28 weeks or so) but still getting to know each other and enjoying the process and journey.

Oh by the way, the mister and I are working on our list of girl names. The NHL was convinced before the ultrasound that she was pregnant with a boy but it turns out she's not. It's a feisty, future soccer-playing, very strong girl in there. There's still time to get used to the idea that it's a girl.

There's a lot that can happen in the next few months. We're not assuming this girl will be our girl. We firmly believe that NHL will need to remake her decision after birth and we need to give her the space and support to freely do just that. But for now we're moving forward and trying to navigate this particular ambiguity. That's all good. There have already been some bumps this last week and I'm struggling with what I will and won't write about here. But, for now, we're just living day to day and trying to do the best that we can.

And we are working on that list of girl names.

*For those of you that don't know, that's how I met teendoc the first time. She (and her Adoring Husband) took me in at a crucial time for me. We cycled together at the same clinic at the same time. It was also a pivotal time for her for a lot of reasons. Even though that cycle didn't work for either of us from a baby perspective, it certainly added a very important person to my family.

Comments

[Michell]

So glad the trip went well. I hope things continue to go well for all of you.

[Katrina]

So happy for you! I have parts crossed!

[Red Headed Momma]

WOW, it all sounds wonderful and intense and unpredictable. You guys sound like you are prepared for everything! I do hope things continue to go well.

[Rachel]

I want to know about the bumps and then again I don't. I just want this one to work for you, M. Fingers crossed and I will look forward to more updates -- hopefully with minimal bumps.

[chris]

Oy. I don't know how you handle all this, although I suppose nothing is ever definite.

Good luck.

[thalia]

well this sounds just fabulous. Of course not final and of course still up for breaking your heart but still very fabulous.

[PiquantMolly]

I'm so excited about all of this. Hoping for the best!

[tracey]

How great. And may it continue to be ! Very exciting news. Happy for you and the mister.

Tracey

[anna h.]

it's all so good! i'm so happy for everyone involved that you've connected like this, no matter what happens.

i will be just a drive away in the fall, so there to help in any way i can.

xoxo

[Liana]

I am so thrilled. It sounds just wonderful. Excellent, my sister-friend. Please keep me/us posted.

[M]

This is just so heartening to read - am so happy for you... x

[Pamplemousse]

Finally, the update! I cannot wait to hear all about it in person!!!

[T]

Wow - sounds so great, can't wait to hear more details or plans or anything (and a girl! wooo hoooo!! Not that I'm getting excited or anything).

Quaint northern town, hmm...

[Lut C.]

I loved reading this post.

[Angela]

Thanks for sharing the update. I'm very happy that things are "so far so good". Hoping that they continue to be.

[kristylynne]

Holy cow, that's an awesome update. NHL sounds wonderful! I really hope that it works out just right for all three of you.

[Clover]

Wow- very exciting stuff. I hope this is the right decision for all of you and that come next summer, you have a beautiful little girl in your arms.

[Francine]

All I can say my friend is that I'm praying hard for you. I'll call/email soon... We are WAY overdue.

xoxox, your Oaktown friend

[Donna]

So pleased to read this update!

[sharon]

I am thrilled to hear that things went so well. I have everything crossed and saying prayer's too that things will work out the best way for all!

[Summer]

How wonderful to hear the trip went so well! I hope the good relationship you're developing with NHL continues for a long time to come.

[daisy mae]

so happy happy happy to hear to drop the Bean Town. just trying to help. . .we're not very nice to tourists around. . .

Yes - I'm a bit late to the party here. I've been sans laptop for a couple weeks.