Homeward bound... Well, I suppose I don't really consider the east coast my home anymore, but that's where Gus and I were going to see my side of the family and friends for Thanksgiving. The morning of the 20th I need to get in early so that I can train all of my teams before taking off for the east side.
I wake up with nausea, big surprise (my new normal), and ready all of my bags to be packed into the car for our departure that afternoon. I don't want to eat ANYTHING, but I know I have to if I am expected to keep down my prenatal vitamin. Luckily, I haven't ACTUALLY thrown anything up just yet... it's just my stomach on a constant churn throughout the day to the point where I actually go and stand over the toilet for a bit. Most of the day goes by just fine, especially after I laid down underneath my desk for 15 minutes to ease my stomach. My colleagues (all males) found it comical at least. Gus calls, as I'm under my desk, "Do you need me to get you anything before I come pick you up?" I'm thinking... everything sounds revolting...hmm... GOLDFISH! Don't ask me why, but I knew that would make me feel better. I make it through the rest of my teams without spewing and what do you know, goldfish are waiting for me on the passenger seat when I hop into the car.
You can guess how the airport went. I opted out of the scanner again; even though I know that an ultrasound can do more damage than these things do, I still think it's better to just take the pat down. So we make it back to the east coast unscathed, after our full day of travel. My father, who came up from Florida to see us, picks us up and drops us off at my mom & sister's house. He really knows how to make things happen!
We get in and strangely enough my appetite is restored??? Maybe it's the familiarity or not eating most of the day or knowing that there is homemade eggplant parm and vegetarian lasagna here waiting for us. Oh man, is Gus impressed by my Ma's Italian cooking. I love it when she does her Italian dishes, they are the best! For Thanksgiving my sister had bought 4 different vegetarian sides especially for my homecoming from a specialty grocery store, and I just thought it was the sweetest gesture! So the question wasn't what do you want to eat, it was when do you want to eat it?
My mom comes downstairs from her sleep, and almost begins to cry she's so happy! My sister is there too just saying baby, baby, baby in the background. They are so happy to be grandma and auntie.
The following day "grandpa" comes to pick Gus and I up for a tour de Connecticut (at least the parts that we've lived in). We bounce around all day long, hitting up one of my favorite vegetarian restaurants on the way. New Haven, Madison, Hamden... We get to see it all. We also get to stop into two great Irish pubs and get to see some more east coast peeps. Unfortunately, I'm the one who just gets to enjoy the atmosphere instead of all of the wonderful beer choices on tap. Sigh... I'm starting to really get hydrated on water anyhow!
Thanksgiving was wonderful, just relaxing and easy. My dad came over to my mom's and the five of us all had dinner and pie together. It was a real treat to have both parents at the same table again on a holiday. I am so glad they're friends now. The day after Thanksgiving was a party my mom had put on for Gus and I as a small east coast reception to our wedding from this summer. This way we could see all of the wonderful people on this side of the continent too. Little did they know, we're pregnant too! As people came in, I greeted them and I also spilt the beans! Of course! The great great aunts and the great grandma and the grand uncle and the grandma's, grandpa's, uncles and aunts were all so happy. If you only knew my complicated family then you would understand all of who is who, but that's a whole different blog completely!
Next up was Gus' first time to NYC! My dad said he could even drop off the rental car in the city, so we got to RIDE in a car, not the train, the whole way in! Not only did I not have to bounce around from house to house and family member to family member this trip, but we were getting escorted into the city by none other than my awesome dad! We get dropped off at our hotel, and promised to meet up with my dad and his friend at Folly's Irish bar later for a drink. That is of course, before all of my Jersey friends, Gus and I go out to dinner for my best friend's birthday dinner.
Everyone arrives in the city safely, and all of us girls get our time to catch-up again. Breaking down the outstanding or less than outstanding aspects of our lives at the current moment, and spending some quality time with each other. Luckily, no one or their families were severely affected by super storm Sandy. We all bounce around the city until just after midnight, and then return to the hotel as everyone gets ready to head back to Jersey. The following day, we grab brunch around the corner with two of my former colleagues, meet up with my dad and his friend again, have lunch with Gus' first cousin, and walk around the westside all before we make our way to JFK for our return flight. Here we are at Washington Square Park all bundled up.
No comments:
Post a Comment