Introducing...

May Kathryn Duffy!  born on Sunday the 23rd, in Cairo, Egypt, shortly before the supermoon rose into the sky.  Both she and Trish are happy and healthy.  In fact, I took this picture during our video call just 3 days after the birth, and I couldn't believe how alert May already looked!  And also Trish looked amazing, but that doesn't really surprise me :)  She said she feels "over the moon and super in love all the time!" and that birth is an indescribable, awe-inspiring experience.

Here is some video taken during May's first days, which Justin put together, if you'd like to see.  She is so beautiful!  Can't wait to meet her in person.

Much love to the new parents,
xomo

ps:  By the way, she is not normally that brilliant shade of pink; that's just something weird from the computer lighting/photo taking.

Weddings and Babies

Big things are happening people, BIG things.  Big plans, Big changes, Big bellies.  First of all, Carolyn (also known as my best friend in the entire world) is getting married in two months!  I guess I never mentioned anything about her engagement, but that's obviously old news now.  Her husband-to-be is in those pictures above.  His name is Brandon, and he is a very intelligent, quirky, funny, and faithful companion to Carolyn.  I don't think I would have let her go to anyone else :)  I am super excited for their wedding!  I get to be at home for about a month before it, too, to spend time with Carolyn during her last single days, which I'm really glad about.  Time flies - It seems like Trish and Justin's wedding was just the other week.  It was actually about 7 months ago, however, which you can see by the size of Trish's belly (she calls it an aspiring little mountain).  I can't believe they will have a baby soon!  Those are a couple photos of her in Egypt, where she and Justin are currently living.  She recommends these books, and also check out this article that another mom-to-be wrote, about having a satisfying pregnancy experience, which is interesting.  I am totally in awe of the changes that Carolyn and Trish are undertaking right now.  Love those ladies to the ends of the Earth!

~xomo

ps:  I feel like I see a decent amount of people marrying someone that they slightly resemble.  Don't you think Carolyn and Brandon share some physical characteristics?  I wonder if we unconsciously gravitate towards a face that feels a little familiar and comforting, or if we start to look more like our partners as time goes by because we pick up on facial expressions and style?  I guess some people looking nothing alike, so...whatever.

Photos from Egypt

 No special breakfast at home today because I had a class that started in the early morning and provided food, but I wanted to share these photos that Justin and Trish took, who moved to Egypt a few weeks ago and will be living there for nine months.  They're expecting a baby and working on various projects, and the whole thing is a giant whirlwhind!  They started a  blog to share stories, and here are some amazing pictures, a few of which are above.  I think about them all the time, over there in another part of the world, livin' life.  Incredible :)

Take care out there!
xomo

Baby Beans

This lady has a surprise up her sleeve...and in her tummy!  I am ecstatic to say that Trish and Justin are now expecting Mo Jr to come into the world this summer, and I will soon be an Aunt.  A cousin-aunt.  A cousint?   Cousaunt?  I am so excited!  Here is his/her first picture!

We are all obsessed with looking at it.  Trish is the first person I'm close with to be pregnant, and it's so interesting to hear about how the baby affects her body, and everything she and Justin are beginning to go through.  They are on an exceptionally wild roller coaster because Justin is now involved in a project in Egypt, and they are moving there for 9 months in January.  So yes, the baby will be born abroad!  They are over there right now for a couple of weeks scoping out the scene and looking for a place to live, and started their own blog to tell unique stories.  

I've always been interested in reading about women's pregnancy experiences, but now I'm super into it.  Here is a cool article about the connection and movement of cells between mother and child.  Also, I was always under the impression you were supposed to cut out coffee while pregnant, but look at this.  (That makes me breath a sigh of relief at the idea of going through it myself one day...)  Trish and I have spent time talking about how the experience is different for everyone, and it's really important for a mother to do what feels right for her.  Looking forward to learning and sharing more about all of this!  Much love to Trish, J, and the little spud :)