Father and Son

Gratitude Countdown

3 -- Number of children under the age of

2 -- that will be living in

1 -- bedroom around here. As of May 15, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!!

After finally getting all of our new insurance information I had my first prenatal check up on Monday of this week.

In order to make sure the estimated due date was correct, the Dr. did a sonogram to measure the baby's growth. Well, the minute she put the device on my belly it looked a little different.

GK immediately correctly identified two little heads but kept quiet. I thought it looked like two heads and thought, "Wow, that little thing is in a weird position!"

Well the Dr. was quiet as she clicked around and then said, "Well, it looks like you're measure at 15 weeks exactly." (A little behind where I thought I was) "And I have a bit of a surprise for you, there are actually two babies in there."

GK jumped out of his chair and screamed, "I knew it! I knew it! I've been saying that from the beginning!" The Dr. probably thought he was insane... he is.

He really has been talking to the babies from the beginning. He will often say, "Hi babies, how are you. It's daddy." And up until yesterday I would just smack him and tell him to knock it off.

GK is strutting around the house like a peacock and I'm finally understanding why I've been so worn out and why this morning sickness seems to be lingering a bit. I'm carrying an extra parasite.

We are totally thrilled! And alternately totally petrified. But as GK has said from the day we found out I was pregnant with Van, "We're getting a bit of a late start. Twins would help us catch up."

Here we come!

Thank you Social Security

This morning, after months of putting it off, I got up my courage and drove to the social security office to apply for a new card for me (my wallet was stolen three years ago in Denver... I know, I know, they say never to carry your SS card in your wallet, well now I won't) and an original for Van.

He never got his because the hospital filled his birth certificate full of all sort of crazy untrue things including NO GIVEN NAME. Not sure what they did with all the paperwork I filled out, but... I digress.

I knew I couldn't put it off forever, but when I went in Denver to add Risser to my SS card it took four hours. I just couldn't imagine what Van would do for four hours in an office full of people, on a floor covered in who knows what, in a room where technically you're not supposed to eat or drink.

So after almost going in Brooklyn, and almost going in Salt Lake, and almost going in LA, I went in Sacramento. And can I just say? I love Sacramento! I don't know if living in the capitol city just has its organizational perks or if it took a brilliant westerner to think to create a separate office that just deals with SS card applications.

I arrived ten minutes before the office opened and was the FIRST ONE THERE! What!? When I asked one of the workers getting out of his car if this was the right entrance for replacement SS cards he looked at me quizzically and said, "yes, but we don't open until 9:30" and walked inside. Confused at his confusion, I looked at my phone and saw it was 9:21.

At 9:30 on the dot, the doors opened and after a brief lecture about not taking weapons "including tools of trade" inside. I and a band of five or ten others were greeted by 14 windows open and ready for business staffed by friendly, efficient employees.

In less than 20 minutes, the dreaded chore was done and Van and I celebrated our newly documented americanness with some yummy breakfast sandwiches and a trip to IKEA.

By Request

We procrastinated a bit in our Halloween decision making this year. But thank goodness for nap time! Just in time for the "trunk or treat" at church, the Risser-Frankenstein family was ready to go.

Frankenstein (middle) with his Bride (left) and creator (right)

The Bride acting more like the mother (Note Reggie. He was a bunny. Made entirely out of socks. This picture doesn't do justice to the ears, he was totally humilated and wouldn't walk.)Frankenstein in action. He didn't really understand the goal, but he liked the glow sticks and carrying around his pumpkin.

Maybe next year he'll raise the bar and try to get more candy. After all, he'll have to start showing his little sister (or brother) how it's done. Happy Halloween! Our way of scaring everyone is by announcing that we're expanding.

Coming April 28th (ish) 2010.