An interview with the author

First off, it’s been 6 months now. How’s Texas? Well, Texas is Texas. We had a couple of months there where my sanity was touch and go. It wasn’t really HOT, per se, but humid, and sticky and gross. That’s more like it. Now the weather is a b s o l u t e l y gorgeous and stick-free. The people are nice as can be, our ward is great, it’s green and beautiful, the BBQ is top notch, and the opening of an HEB grocery store 5 minutes away has made my life a complete dream come true. The drivers aren’t anything to complain about (which hasn’t been the case for 2 of the previous places I’ve lived- won’t say which ones), but their DPS (their version of DMV) definitely IS. I mean, it’s no Pasadena DMV (where I once witnessed a man attack the bullet-proof glass), but I waited 3 hours to get my license (and I won’t get into the emotional wreck I was when I had to surrender my CA license). We had a minor setback in September when we left the nastiness here to the beautifulness of California and hung out with family again, but we’re going to be okay. Like I mentioned, July and August were painful, but other than that, we seem to be happy as clams.

Sources tell me that you’re still using the same phone you’ve been using since the Bush administration. Do you care to comment? Well, to be honest, this thing has been loyal to me for more than 5 years. Who am I go go behind it’s back and replace it? It’s taken a few dives, and it’s days are definitely numbered, but I will probably continue to use it till it’s final days of operation. Do you also want to judge me for still using the same phone number, with a Chicago area code?

Let’s switch gears a bit. I can’t ignore the elephant in the room. Your belly is growing out-of-control large. Is that due to the Texas BBQ or a new Packer family member? Well, a little bit of both, actually. We’ll be welcoming a new addition (only one; we decided to take the traditional route this time) to our family sometime in March, quite possibly the 19th, which as some of you may know to be the birthday of 2 other members of our family, isn’t that special? We are thrilled and well, terrified. Three children in three years. Who does that? I am so excited, though, and quite honestly, I can’t wait to see what it’s like to only have one newborn in the house. I can’t wait to hold him/her to my heart’s content and not feel the guilt of knowing that another one needs me, okay until one of my 3-year olds needs me, that is. We’re excited for the baby and for our growing family.

Do you have names picked out? No, not at all. The last ultrasound gave evidence for the technician to believe that it’s a boy and although I think we were both hoping for that to be the case, we do not have a single boy name. So, it looks like we’ll be turning this over to the capable hands of our children. Kate has decided that if is a girl, it will be Sally (as in Cars) or Ariel (the singing mermaid) and Ethan says that if it’s a boy it will be Lightning McQueen (also Cars). All are excellent choices, I don’t think we can go wrong.

Avid Double the Fun readers like myself know that there were problems with your first pregnancy. How are things going so far with this one? I will almost definitely NOT have to go on bed rest this time. Some of you recall that I had a surgery when the twins were 5 months old to ensure that this would be the case. I will, however, have to have a C-section because of it. I didn’t have one with the twins, so naturally, I’m scared. But it’s a small price to pay and I don’t really think too much about that. I will also, starting next week, have a weekly visit from a nurse who will give me a shot of progesterone to prevent pre-term labor. I had this last time and on bed rest, I happily welcomed the visit, but not being on bed rest, I’m sure I will dread the shots. Again, small price to pay and all that.

I think that’s all I have for you today. Thanks for taking the time to talk to us. Oh, any time. And thank you.