"You're Like Real People!"

So, it was not that long ago that I posted about our wedding. Little did we know that we'd be posting about this so soon.

We're having a baby!

I'm 14 weeks along, and while the first trimester has been challenging to say the least, I think the second trimester will be so much easier. I have a better work schedule, and from what I understand, the second trimester is the easiest of the three.

Jason and I are both so excited. We had been keeping this to ourselves and just telling close friends and family face-to-face. However, I think it's OK to put it here. Also, I haven't posted here in forever, partly because once we found out, there wasn't anything else to post about! We have a doctor's appointment tomorrow, which is good because I need something for these sinus headaches I've been getting.

Otherwise, we are on the hunt for a new apartment. We need a little more space than in the last one, but we also can't stay here at the 4640.

Hopefully I'll keep you updated on all the baby things...I'm terrible at updating my blogs.

- J & M.

EDIT: I totally forgot to mention that our due date is July 7th! (thanks Marjorie!)

New Everything!

I am terrible at updating this blog, but I'll try to get better about it.

The first four months of wedded life have been wonderful. We just love being together and being married. Because we lived together before we got married, not a lot has changed in how we get along, but it's just nice to know we are together forever.

About a month after the wedding, we moved from Roxborough to Center City with some friends from college. People think we're crazy for spending our first year as a married couple living with three other people, but it actually works quite well. We save money, I have people to be social with when Jason's looking for video game time, and we love the location. We're two blocks from the El, so I can take the subway to work, and we can walk to the grocery store, local restaurants, and bars. It's a sweet way to spend married life, pre-kids.

Other than that, not much else to report. Barney has had some skin issues (possibly stress from the move), and I'm always on the look-out for another job in addition to my teaching duties. I'm tutoring some, and writing for a website, so I'm finding ways to make some extra dough. We've spent two Fridays at OCNJ already, and we have an OBX trip planned for July. Life is good.

- J & M.

Mawwiage...

We got married!

The day was beautiful, I felt lovely, Jason was adorable, and the reception was a blast! There were times leading up to the day that I was worried we had made odd decisions and that things wouldn't work, but those ended up being the biggest hits. I had Megan and Maeve do make-up and hair, and they both did wonderful jobs with everyone. People mingled and mixed, and Jason and I hosted a pretty hopping after-party. Many of our friends came out, and home friends were talking with Masque people, and it was just wild.

The honeymoon was also a ton of fun. We went on a three-night Disney cruise, then spent 4 nights in Disney World. We even got to be the grand marshals of the Magic Kingdom parade! We also spent a day with Emily in Epcot and MGM, which was fun.

However, we're happy to be home (with B!) We had a busy weekend to cap off our wedding weeks, with the Mid-Atlantic American Studies Conference and the Improv 101 Alumni show. Nancy and Scott and Miss Anne visited for the conference too! We're thrilled to get a day to relax and start our regular schedules again.

Comment away!

- J & M

33 Days!

Today marks 33 days until Jason and I's wedding! Ahhh! We are constantly reminding each other of it, and we could not be more excited. Things are really coming together and last night, I was thrown another shower, this time by my mom and Jill's (Future Mother in Law) friends. In my mom's case, I've known most of these ladies since we moved to Central PA 20 years ago, so they had some adorable stories about how they met me. It was hosted by Kim and all the ladies pitched in to make the day really special. Pictures to come. Jason and I also got some sweet stuff, so we're pretty excited about all that.

In other news, I have two new jobs (which I haven't updated this blog about). I'm a history professor at La Salle and a dance teacher at Fusion School of Dance, Music, and Acting in Cherry Hill. Both jobs are very new to me, so each day is a challenge. However, both jobs are also something I would love to do with my life, so the challenges are welcome and always productive.

Things here in Roxborough are good, all in all. Barney is cute, healthy, and essentially, our little boy covered in fur. He was really happy to see us last night when we came home from a weekend away. "Uncle" Doug took good care of him. We can't take Barney on as many car trips because he gets very upset and car sick. I'm bummed about it, but I'd rather he be comfortable than scared.

Comment away...I promise I'll update more often.

- J & M.

Barney.

One of the major obstacles Jason and I have had to overcome as a couple is our differing views on pets. While we both love them, the species is what comes into question. The McGee's are cat people, and I have not gone more than a few months of my life with out a cat. The Yinger's are dog people, and Jason loves dogs. As a kicker, I'm sorta afraid of dogs (I'm getting much better) and Jason is allergic to cats. So, I had more or less come to grips with the fact that I would be a dog person from now on, which made me a little sad.

My bridal shower was this weekend, so Jason was left to his own devices Saturday and Sunday, while I went home with my bridesmaids (sans Michele) to have love showered upon me. On Sunday, when Sara and I returned to the greater Philadelphia area, we called Jason so he could put some shoes on and helps us unload the loot. He said he had a surprise for me, which I could only guess was a visit from Michele, so we should come up first. Fine, we thought. We came upstairs, and I gave my man a kiss. "Where's my surprise," I inquired. "Check out the couch," he replied. At first, I didn't see anything. Then he lifted "Big Blue" (this giant blue pillow I've had for years...my A-15 roommates named it), and underneath was a tiny, black KITTEN. This was quite a surprise indeed.

A woman Jason works with has a cat who recently had kittens, so he had been thinking about it for a little while, even asking her to bring fur from her cat to see how much it bothered him. He picked our kitten up on Saturday for a trial overnight, just in case the allergens bothered him far too much. Fortunately for me, they did not and we have our little buddy. Jason picked him because he was sleeping...surprise.

We named him "Barney" after Barney Stinson from How I Met Your Mother, which is one of our favorite shows. We considered a number of television-inspired names (Hurley, Sawyer, Marshall...), but Barney fits. His white markings look a little like a suit. He is so cute and I love having a little friend around during the day. Jason also loves the cat, so we're all happy. We enjoy "raising" Barney, teaching him to use the litterbox and not to scratch things. He's a good little kitten, and has already started using the litterbox on his own. We're like proud parents to a very very fuzzy little boy. :D

- M & J

Storms.

So, the past week has been more or less characterized by wicked thunderstorms rolling through the Philadelphia area. At times, its been neat, but more and more it's annoying.

Monday was generally storm free, and I went to Quizzo.

Tuesday was dinner and Ikea with Em. We went into Ikea and the sky was slightly overcast. We left Ikea (at around 7:30pm) and she and I were convinced the end was near. The sky was D-A-R-K dark. We were petrified for our entire ride home.

Wednesday was another storm free day, but it was overcast and vaguely threatening all day.

Thursday was also vaguely threatening. I actually don't remember the weather that day because I was working really hard on my thesis.

Last night was ridiculous. Rain off and on all day. So, that night we had the brilliant idea of going to Main Street with Jen. She lives close and we could walk. The walk there was nice, but the skies opened up on the walk home and it was scary! We ended up seeking refuge in Jen's brother's house until late at night. That made getting up this morning tough for Jason.

Today has been rainy too. I'm pretty sure I fell asleep for part of it, but another storm is on its way. The forecast seems to promise nothing but rain and scary-ness. I just want to walk to the store!

:/

- J & M.

Life at 330.

Well, Jason and I have been living together for almost a month now, and I have to say, it's pretty awesome. We still haven't gotten every thing unpacked and where it needs to be. We're still missing a few pieces of furniture. There are still piles of my junk hanging out all over. However, it works right now and we do a little here and there.

I've been steadily working on my thesis, with one of the chapters really coming close to a final-rough draft. I still have to start 2 or 3 chapters, and get some serious edits going on the other, but I feel comfy with the way things are going. I also tried out for a play and got called back. However, I haven't heard back yet, and I'm keeping my hopes low in order to avoid real disappointment. It was still fun to get back on the proverbial horse, since I hadn't attempted theatre since Picasso.

We also bought some more Wii games at the Game Stop sale, and I'm really enjoying "De Blob," which is so much fun! Basically, you are a blob and you roll around making things colorful and liberating this city from the evil ink oppressors. I'm on level 5 and Jason's on level 2. He had to beat Zelda first. We borrowed that from Fred.

Not much else to report. Pictures of the new digs when I feel like things look organized enough.

200 days until the wedding!

- J & M.

PS: If you commented and we didn't respond, it's because we didn't have it set up that comments were sent to my email. Sorry Gwen and thanks for your comment! :)