Living with someone

How do married couples survive? How can harmony be maintained when one party leaves shavings in the sink and the other party is a hypocritical slob? My fantasy will always be separate domiciles because then, no muss no fuss. You don't have to compromise, you each get your own space. Not exactly cost-effective for the Washington DC area but it's a dream I have.

It's always interesting to see older couples. Some seem so devoted and some...well, it's entertaining to see what they may see about the other partner. I'm hoping A and I can have patience with each other and work towards compromise most, if not all the time. Patience is not one of my strengths.

With G, I work hard at it because I don't want to repeat my parents' mistakes (it is nice to let a kid be a kid) but I've had the days when you're cursing a blue streak. Toss in the partner and a new kid and you have a hell of a Watergate salad. MMmmm, yummy. I never could finish Watergate salad though.

wedding expectations and the middle ground

He wants a small wedding as in just my family at the courthouse. I want a small wedding that includes select friends and family. Small to him: less than 10. Small to me: 40 (each side invites 20 folks, including family). We have less than 6 weeks to plan. :)

My 1st wedding was so large: 250 people. My sister says it was 300. It was crazy fun. My ex and I had a line of convertibles for the wedding party. It was a fun little caravan from St. Mary's church to Ft. Belvoir. Steve broke the horn on my ex's car (didn't know you could do that). I asked that kids come to the wedding (honestly, what's the point of a wedding, if you don't embrace family) and we had the most fun, watching the girls twirl around in their dresses (and those are my favorite pics from the wedding). After the reception, it was on to the cigar afterparty at Matt's house. My cousins and select friends went to Matt's and I ran through the grass in my ballerina style dress. Silly, crazy fun. The wedding started at 10:00a.m. and we didn't hit the Ritz Carlton until almost 10:00p.m. It was all about the party back then.

Now...I have the better man but I still want to celebrate a little. I want my godchildren to be there and I want my friends to share this moment with us. I suppose I should only need the fiance but it's not that simple to me. I always want more. He wants, I want. For better or worse...I always want to find that middle ground. Wherever that may be.

Fairfax and penguins

Yesterday was the best day I've had with G and Andrew. We've had fun before, going to Cox Farms, going to the museum but yesterday, hands down, was the best. G and I went to the Fairfax fair and met Darrell, Liza, Lauren and Dylan. It was fun watching the kids play and what was really exciting was the kids really got into the old fashioned games at the Jamestown exhibit (barrel hoops and sticks, pick up sticks, chess and marbles). Andrew met us there and I think it's the most time that G and Andrew have spent together (since I wasn't comfortable hitting rides in my current, ultra pregnant state).

I actually was mildly jealous, G actually asked for Andrew by name to accompany him on the rides. I know G likes Andrew but it was weird not to hear him ask for me. And Andrew had no hesitation. I always worry about them not getting along, since they're not related. Guess I need to learn to relax more (haha).

Afterwards, we saw Surf's Up at Fairfax Corner. G went back and forth between sitting in his own chair and snuggling up with us. And that was the coolest. He's never snuggled with us before and that was contentment, enjoying the embrace of my two favorite people. I think A was a little disappointed that G didn't give him a hug as he was leaving, but G's not a hugger, despite his affection. He does it to his dad and me, he just stands there, expecting the embrace. Unless he initiates the hug, it's not his thing. Of the moments that I like to collect, yesterday was surely one of them. The only thing I need now is a family picture of all us us, A, me, Jack and G. And snuggle nights. That's happiness.