Life has gotten in the way of writing lately, and I’m here to remedy that with a few family updates.
Jessica and Christopher’s pea pods continue to grow.  I was lucky enough to not only tag along for one ultrasound on Jessica’s birthday, but felt honored and privileged (plus just super excited) to join them for a second peek on their 19th week ultrasound.  The babies were little whirling dervishes as the tech attempted to assess that all is growing well.  I was especially thrilled (with my Neonatal ICU background) to see 4 chambered hearts, each baby with 2 kidneys, intact spinal cords, appropriate amniotic fluid, etc., etc., etc.  But what brought and continues to bring me to tears was finding out that there are two little girls growing inside my beautiful daughter-in-law.  Two girls who are going to have the best father for a role model, to show them who and what a man should be.  Two girls, who are already loved so much by so many.
We went together to register at Babies”R”Us which was a small glimpse into the window of what their new life will encompass when the babies are born. Jessica tires easily as the “girls” grow, but through all the “morning” sickness and exhaustion she is just glowing with love and expectation. Â Christopher seems to be taking everything in stride very calmly and is exceptionally supportive of Jessica’s needs. Â Baby shower plans are in the making, and Jessica’s sisters and Niki are eager to share ideas and lend helping hands on decorations and games.
On Jessica’s birthday after the ultrasound, we drove to downtown Detroit for lunch at Wahlburgers.  Unfortunately “Mark” wasn’t there in person but there were several posters for eye candy.  A walk a little way down the street brought us to Greektown Casino for some slot machine action.  Typically I’m not much of a casino person, probably because all my money is usually lost within 20 minutes.  However I remember my mom, who is always lucky, once saying that she would just walk around and stop at a machine that felt “right” so I decided to follow her advice.  Well I’m not retiring any time soon, but did come out $100 in the black.  From the casino we ventured over to Hockey Town Cafe for a bite as we had tickets at the City Theater for “Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man.”  Fun and laughter ensued throughout the remainder of the evening, with Christopher being a very good sport in a situation that could have been extremely awkward sitting 2 seats down from his mother.
Easter dinner was held at the Benakovich Banquet Center. Gathering with family, friends and food truly makes my heart happy. Â This year was a little different as we had more 20 something “kids” than adults. Â My sister Anne and her husband are now in Florida, my brother Joe and Ida are in Arizona, and my sister Danielle and family were hosting her in-laws from out-of-town which made it 7 less this year. Â New to the event was our niece Shannon’s boyfriend Josh. Josh plays basketball for Central Michigan University and he brought a teammate/friend along who would have had to spend the day alone. Â The male height average in our home that Easter Sunday still gives me a crick in my neck from looking up all the time! So in conjunction with the traditional Ham, Cheesy Potatoes, Pretzel Jello and Acini salad, we had pizza muffins as a new twist for the “20 somethings” to fill their bellies and take back to campus. Â The Simon Ancestral egg war game has been modernized to now include a $1 entry fee for each egg and a bracket system to determine a winner take all jackpot. Â It was a fierce competition with a lot of groans, lots of laughter, and a lot of cheers with my sister Mary Kay winning the 1st round and our son Christopher the second.
So with the winners leaving with their pockets a little fuller, and the losers a little lighter…..Everyone left with full bellies, new memories and smiles on their faces. These are the days that I look at Joe, my eyes full of love and say “see this is why I was insistent about getting the double wall ovens!!!”