My Dearest Ellie

I would like to CONGRATULATE my little sis and her hubby on their brand new, adorable baby girl! She was born yesterday and weighed 7 lbs 5 ounces!

And, they think they will call her Ellie Kate Paul, but haven't decided for sure yet. But, I think she looks like an Ellie and I hope they go with it!

My Dearest Ellie,

I want you to know that you made my entire day today by allowing me to hold you while you slept in peace even though you were hooked up to all those tubes with an IV forced into your beautiful, little hand.

We were so worried when we heard you were sick and whisked away from your Momma. Luckily, your little body worked hard and overcame the sickness so you can go home and be with your family, who loves you oh so much.

Because you were sick, you were tucked away in a private room where I was told (by earlier visitors) that I would only be able to see you through a thick, glass window! But, I was fortunate enough to have arrived just after your parents were allowed to let 4 people go in to see you and hold you! And, what do you know? I was first on the list!

Whew!

So, your Mommy and I tromped down to this mystery room and followed the strict, "keep the baby safe" rules by washing our hands with a hospital hand scrubber for a whole four-minutes! (Which by the way, I would have scrubbed for 30-minutes if I had too!)

And, then they took one of your machine cords off your chest and straightened out the rest so that I could rock you to sleep in a rocking chair just beside your tiny hospital bed. You were annoyed at first but once you got your blue Binky you were content and I got to watch you fall back to sleep!

So, I was officially the first "non-Mom", "non-Dad" or "non-nurse" to hold you and it was superbly fantastic!

I love you so much and I can't wait to spend more time with you! And, maybe the next time I see you, I can talk your Uncle Erik into holding you!

With love,
Aunt Heidi

Happy Birthday E!

Happy Birthday E!
I can't believe your 33!

Even though, I love you still..
and, as you know, I always will!

Heart, ME

Good News!

Just in..

I'm safe! Whew!

No News is Good News!

Tomorrow my work should be announcing who is getting laid off in my department. The company is laying off 500 people management level and higher, which unfortunately, includes ME!

So, I'm just praying and hoping that tomorrow I get no news, which is good news!

This anticipation also reminds me to feel lucky that I still have a job today. There are many people out there (including close friends of mine) who were laid off a long time ago and are still looking for work.

It's a tough world out there.
God bless us all!

It's Impossible!

My awesome guy's birthday is coming up on Monday! And, I'm in need of any ideas for celebrating his birthday! For anyone who knows him, he does not like to receive gifts (I think he's truly one of the only people I know that really means it when he says not to buy him anything! And, he gets mad when you do!), he doesn't really like to celebrate or have too much attention for his birthday, and every year when I ask him what he wants he says NOTHING!

So.. for me this is.. I M P O S S I B L E! In my family, birthdays are a big event to be celebrated with family and friends. And, I feel horrible not doing anything for his birthday. But, I know this is just my selfishness for wanting to handle the situation MY WAY!

So, what is the best thing to do? A or B

A. Don't celebrate, don't give him a gift, maybe give him a card and a big hug for being a great guy!
B. Celebrate anyway, buy him a gift anyway, give him a card, and a big hug for being a great guy!

These are my options.. And, every other year I have gone with option B. But, now I'm reaching out to my friends and family for advice! Am I doing the right thing? Or, am I blowing this whole thing out of proportion and I need to stop worrying?

I need some outside insight on the mystery of the guy who doesn't like to celebrate birthdays whose married to the girl who can't stand to not fully acknowledge said guy on his birthday!

HELP!