Reciprocity is in short supply

We will become Uncle Steve & Aunt Tescille in May 2009 to Baby Parker #1. Robert & Elizabeth are pregnant. We were...not quite the last to know, but almost. We knew after the West Monroe and Ohio family found out. The West Monroe News Feed got the information to us before Bob & Liz had even thought about breaking the news to this end of the immediate family. I heard from Amy through email this morning - she said that Pam told Aunt Polly. Of course, Pam denied telling Polly. I don't believe that for a second, but whatever. Liz was crying on the phone to Steve b/c she had a special way that she was going to tell him. Robert told me that they were so busy in the last 5 days - us, too. The irony is that the "conception" announcement said "Say Hello to our new Longhorn" with the sonogram picture attached. Well, under that picture it said "Couldn't wait to share the news!" Yeh, you did and someone else shared it for you! You waited until you had shared it with 15 of your nearest and dearest family and friends. And we are not in that loop. But hey, who are we? Steve's just the brother, and I am just the sister-in-law or rather...."the girl that married my brother who did not meet my expectations." Yep, that's me! This is why when Steve and I have news to share with our family, we make sure that all of our ducks are in a row and we have a captive audience. Or we just don't tell them. We don't want a news leak, and nobody gets hurt that way.

Despite my bitterness about these dysfunctional family issues - lots and lots of therapy needed....We are actually happy to be aunt and uncle to this baby. Stephen & Pam will focus all of their energy and money on Elizabeth and the baby. Robert and Elizabeth will, of course, be perfect 1st time parents. Steve & Tescille will be the cool aunt and uncle who just enjoy the child and give great gifts. Hopefully, we'll find gifts that annoy the parents - those are the best. I care little and know nothing about giving baby clothes - so toys and noisemakers, here we come!

We are not surprised that Liz is preggers, we have been waiting 2 years for it to happen. And I know that they are happy. What is sad is that we couldn't be naturally surprised and happy for them in the way they wanted - I would have enjoyed that emotion and actually, I was looking forward to being surprised and excited for them. I keep expecting something more from them, and frankly, it always falls flat. I call Liz to go to lunch. We go to lunch, she never reciprocates. I go out of my way to find great gifts for her - she gets me gifts right off the list (no list this year). When I go to Kingwood to the chiropractor, I used to stop by and see her. I don't do that anymore - not worth it. I don't know why I keep trying with her - it goes nowhere. In the 8 years, that I have known her, she has never shown me reciprocity. Sad, but true.

It's really happening...

I am losing weight! That being said, I don't know HOW it is happening b/c I have not eaten well this week. I thought I had gained weight this week. With 7 people in the house and tons of junk food - I have not been as disciplined as I would have liked - my portions have increased and I keep trying to eat bread. I shouldn't b/c it still doesn't go down well. I have tried whole grain pasta, and that's okay. So, this morning, I weigh 248 lbs!!!! I am below the 250 line!!!! WOW!!!! I cannot believe it. In a little over 3 mos. since being banded, I will have lost 60 lbs. - that's incredible! Just 2 more pounds to go and there! I had hoped to lose 60 lbs by Christmas. I am well ahead of the game.

I do have new pics, but I left my connecting cables at school before the hurricane. I'll get them tomorrow.