Barreling Toward Parenthood

{It's almost time!}

{37 weeks}

[Note: So, I started this post a week ago, and as per usual, I got distracted... As I write this now, it is Baby Cusi's birthday! Sleep was fitful at best, and I'm just killing time until it's time to leave for the hospital. My thoughts on the these final moments of pregnancy are here.]

The past two months have been a whirlwind of baby preparations. The holidays and our birthdays kept us busy and distracted, but ever since New Years came and went, it feels like we've been barreling full speed ahead into new parenthood. 

On the second weekend in January, Kelsey and Brandy flew in to celebrate Baby Cusi's impending arrival...

We met up in LA and then drove straight to Coronado since my mom and sisters had planned the most lovely shower - straight from my Pinterest dreams really. 

The shower had a travel theme and everyone was asked to bring a book, so I mean...they get me. 

They put together a delicious menu with food from around the world - spanakopita, chicken satay, quiche, caprese salad, and of course, sweet treats (which, apparently, are the only foods I took pictures of).

Everyone took onesie decorating very seriously...

 Especially Kelsey.

It was a wonderful day - Baby and I felt very loved!

{completed onesies and the beginning of Cusimini's book collection}

The next weekend, Barbara threw me a Wells Bring Hope shower - we're pretty lucky, this babe and I!

With all the parties out of the way, it was time to get down to business... There were classes that involved a selection of terrifying dolls.

 

 

There was reading.

There was lots of nesting. 

Tom put together the crib (and the dresser, and the shelf).

I did some crafting...

And eventually, we had a lovely place for Baby Cusi to come home to...

We are friends for life...

“We are friends for life. When we’re together the years fall away. Isn’t that what matters? To have someone who can remember with you? To have someone who remembers how far you’ve come?” 

                                                                                             ~ Judy Blume

{2003}

 “A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.” 

 ~Shakespeare

{2013}

If I were to go back in time and revisit any point in my past, it would be the four years I spent at the Holy Cross. As with most things, I didn't realize how wonderful it was until it was almost over. Now, looking back, I can't believe how good I had it. Aside from an awkward few months of hawking underpants at the Victoria's Secret in the Auburn Mall, learning was my only job. All I had to do was read and write and have interesting conversations with smart people. And between all of the reading, writing, and discussing, there was plenty of time for shenanigans. It was amazing.   

Point is - I loved college for many, many reasons, but more than anything, I loved it because it is when I got to know Brandy Ault, Lauren Bourque, and Kelsey Scott. It has been fourteen (gulp!) years since I first met them; since then, everything has changed and everything is the same. These women  have truly seen me at my best and at my worst. They saw me become who I am. In fact, I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't be who I am if we hadn't spent those four years together, trying to figure ourselves out. I'm so incredibly grateful to have had them in my life then, but I'm even luckier to have them in my life now.

Last month, we got together in Sonoma for a little wine tasting and a lot of chatting and laughing. It was the best. The best.  I only wish that it didn't take months of planning and a bunch of plane rides to make it happen. 
  
We celebrated Kelsey's birthday, albeit much differently than we did back in the day because she's pregnant. Also, we're old.

{In the ten years since college, fancy cakes have replaced 30-packs of Busch Light as birthday party staples. Thank God.}

So, yeah, everything is different.

 

And yet. Everything is the same.

I am the luckiest.

Summer, Part II

Where was I? Oh yeah, that summer where I did stuff but totally neglected this blog. Onward.

There was a bridal shower.

There was a new band. Meet The Walcotts.

There was a traumatic amputation - my dad lost half of his left ring finger in a battle with a porch chair. Fortunately, he has quite a good sense of humor - my sister and I received this photo via text after the bandages came off.

 

There were trips to the beach and Neptune's Net.

There was a fourth anniversary followed by a trip to San Francisco to celebrate with a couple of my favorite people.

There was some exploring of downtown and the discovery of a new favorite bar.

{best drink ever}

There were also a couple of weddings, but those deserve their own post. Almost caught up...