Dear Wine,

With the holiday season (a time I have lovingly coined "the drinking season") approaching, I am feeling a little reminiscent of all the drinking seasons I have spent of yore, enjoying the libations of the holidays. Homemade eggnogg (Martha Stewart's recipe--the most vile, heart clogging richness ever), wine, champagne, port, Glugg, meade,spiced rum, more wine...all the classics live on in my memory. In order to express my feelings, I would like to share this cathartic letter. Enjoy.



Dear Wine,

Around this time of year, I am always preparing for us to have a great time together. As you may have noticed, from the plummeting sales numbers at Spec's for the past 7 months, I am pregnant. This means that for the first time in many drinking seasons--we will be apart. I will miss you dearly. Just know that I have not forgotten you. I look forward to our reunion in the delivery room on February 6th. I have the Piper Heidsieck chilling...

Love,

Deanna

Concert Madness!

This week Elyse attended her 4th and 5th concerts! On Sunday, we went to see Madonna, courtesy of my dad (who will by Elyse's "Papa Dog", isn't that cute??). Dad got awesome tix for me, Ande, Jen and Lisa. The people watching at the show was phenomenal! Madge the Vadge was 2 hours late taking the stage, but the show was fab! It was like being at a Boradway show. The chick is a monster as far as physical fitness. She went so far as to tell Houston not once, but twice, that "we could use some exercise." What a ho-bag!

Tuesday, Jen and I went to see Coldplay! Again, Jen scored some awesome tickets--we were only about 10 rows off of the floor. Chris Martin and company put on a helluva show. They are so sweet to their audience and the band ran around and played in 3 different parts of the venue so everyone got a great view. It was a killer show! Jen, who is a speech pathologist, assures me that my excessive concert attendance will not result in a deaf child. She said amniotic fluid is an excellent buffer and that Elyse is "all plugged up." I listen to the professionals, people!!

Next up on Mama's insane social calendar: Gourmet Goddesses tonight for a VIP meal prepared by Chef Michael Holderfield at the Art Institute of Houston. Then this weekend, it's up to Austin for Aunt Julie and Uncle Madge's couple's shower! Whoohoooo!!!

More Couple's Shower pics

Here is a picture of me with the hostesses and more fab shots by Ande

Couple's Shower Photos

Here are some of the pictures my fabulously talented photographer brother took of our couple's shower last weekend. Thank you Ande!!

Scary fun bags...

This has to stop. My boobs continue to reach new and freakishly large proportions. Cousin Julie and I went shopping Saturday and I decided to have the twins measured because my bras seemed a little snug as of late. Sure enough, the girls have gone up to a TRIPLE D. Are you kidding me? Try to find a DDD at your local Target store. Lemme save ya some time--WON'T HAPPEN. If you are bored one day swing by the bra department and pick up the biggest most freakishly large bra you can find. There is a 99% chance that it is smaller than my size! Even Jason is frightened of the boobs when they are turned loose from the gigantic bra. It is VERY difficult to frighten a man with boobs.

On a postive note, after I am done with the pregnancy and breast feeding, I am going to have Jason bring one of the company tractors over. We will set some of my bras in the yard, fill them with gunnite and have some awesome plunge pools...

Beautiful Shower!!

On Saturday, my mom & dad, Jen, Julie and Lisa threw the most beautiful baby shower for Jason and I! They went all out with fabulous table decor, party favors, and wonderful food. Aunt Pauline and Uncle Fidel bought us a ddeelllooosh cake as well! We were surrounded by friends and family and it did wonders for lifting our spirits after my untimely layoff. Here are a few pics--Ande took much better ones whihch I will post when I get them. Elyse got so many wonderful gifts--she is going to be spoiled rotten. I was overwhelmed by the love that was poured on us--it makes me tear up even to remember it. Thank you to everyone who came and especially to the hostesses for this wonderful time. To use Bob Schneider's words:

There is a universe that can't be seen
It's just a feeling if you know what I mean
A delectable dimension undetectable by sight
It'll fill up your heart in the dead of the night
Some say its an astral plane
Can't be described can't be explained

The world exploded into love all around me
And everytime I take a look around me
I have to smile

Tough Times...

Well, I got laid off from my job on Friday. The timing could not be worse. Since I am almost 7 months pregnant and we are going in to the holiday season, it's pretty much pointless to looks for a new job. Woe is me. I know we will survive, but it's going to be tough.

OH HAPPY DAY!!!!!!

I am so thrilled at the outcome of this election! Elyse will be sporting her Obama gear upon her arrival!!!

Solid as a ROCK!

SWWWWWEEEEEETTTT! Went to the cardiologist today and he said the ol' ticker is A-OK. I even had an EKG done to prove it. Plus, I got my gestational diabetes test back and my results were NORMAL! So happy! I am going to celebrate with ice cream and cigarettes!! (kidding about the ciggies, however, I did leave the cardiologist's office and went to Whole Foods where I picked up 2 pints of ice cream.)

In other SWEEEEETTTT news, Jen, KC and I booked our trip to Playa Del Carmen today! We are going to take a 4 day girls trip for some R & R. As you can see from my "Apple Jack O'Lantern" (mad props to KC for that awesome label) my new belly is coming in awfully pale. Need to lug this gut back to Mexico where Elyse was conceived to get a li'l color on it.

Happy Halloween!

Jason and I obviously have too much time on our hands. We could not stop laughing about this. Enjoy!!

If you happen to see the most beautiful girl in the world!!

OMFG--I spent yesterday walking on a cloud! Elyse was 26 weeks and we went to Memorial Hermann for our serial ultrasound session #2. As I predicted, I was a nervous wreck--scared something would be wrong. HOWEVER, the child is beautiful and 100% on target for growth. She weighs 2 pounds and the pictures they got of her face are AUUHHH-MMAAAYYY-ZING! I don't think I need a 3d ultrasound--Memorial Hermann's equipment ROCKS! Jason thinks she has my cheeks, I think she has his. We shall see in 3 short months!