Separate vacationers

Peter and I have a "long" history of taking separate vacations. We don't enjoy being apart, but we're both so independent and what with work/ school constraints, its often works out that way. For example, in mid March I went to AZ for a week. He was supposed to come with, but some scheduling conflict at the hospital pushed his vacation to April... when I was working. So, Peter went up to New Hampshire for 7 days to visit sister Amy and family.

In 2008, I went to Italy for seven weeks, practically abandoning Peter that summer. Good thing for Skype and email to keep us connected. Last summer, I went to UT without him for a Nelson Family Reunion because he had to work. I can't count how many trips to AZ I've taken by myself over the past few years... maybe 3 or 4? Next January I hope to spend a month in Arizona with our new baby! I hope Peter can come out mid trip for a week. It'll be his turn for diaper duty and midnight feedings. No, actually we're toying with the idea of blessing our baby in AZ. Maybe at his parents' home in Scottsdale, Sunday afternoon, private party to include both sides of the family? TBD. The important thing is that in the future, we hope to take more vacations together! This is our family goal.

Here are some pics/ highlights of our recent separate vacations:

AZ - March 13-21 (Allison): The weather was perfect (between 76-90 degrees for the high). So, I took long walks daily and went hiking a couple of times. The hike with Wade, Jake and Meredith on Saturday night was the funniest memory (you three know the story). Let's just say that it was a "Super Moon." We went to a Cubs Spring Training game on Tuesday and got a mild sunburn, but you never care when you're eating hotdogs and peanuts. The best part was of course spending time with my family. I got to goosh on Meredith's little guy Quinn daily. He has a growing vocabulary and a friendly "Hi" for everyone he meets; eventually he called me "Alf." He's not quite two. I got to do puzzles with niece Livvy, learn all about nephew Wyatt's video games, and to take walks to the park with Theron. Sadly, I kicked the ball right on nephew Theron's head on one occasion of a kickball gathering, much to the amusement of certain adults and much to the fright and horror to Theron and his mother. Poor little guy. He eventually forgave me. I got to play trains with Weston, relax and sleep in, not to go to work or even thing about it, get a pedicure with the girls, laugh raucously at Olive Garden (just like the commercial), throw the softball with Wade, and chat at length with Mom and Dad. I enjoyed gourmet Italian cooking with fresh salad from Wade's garden; Meredith's homemade cinnamon rolls, Diane's perfect pie crust, and fresh squeezed orange juice from my parents' tree each morning. I relish the memory of telling Chari that I was pregnant, with her big hug and tears of joy. She made the evening so special and memorable.

I enjoyed dining with my father-in-law Steven and getting to see the new house they are purchasing in Scottsdale. Wow! Its huge and unique, there's even a party hut (picture Gilligan's Island) next to the pool in the backyard. I can picture myself throwing many parties here....

I didn't have spare time to see many of my dear AZ friends because I was only there a week and I hadn't seen my family in so long. Therefore, I prioritized family, but next winter, I will be calling all y'all.

(AZ pictures coming soon...)

NH: April 2-8 (Peter): took the Fung-Wah Chinatown bus from NYC and survived; played Barbies with nieces Cope, Brynne and Paige; went running with Amy and Paige (who technically got pushed in the stroller); took Nelson to karate lessons; recited poetry for Amy; had lunch with Gregor and attended the Priesthood Session of General Conference; did yardwork; has snowball fights; worked out at Proctor Academy gym; slept in; ate too much; bonded with Amy and generally had an uber-marvelous time! For a more indepth coverage of Peter's trip, see Makechnie's blog/ link - "A Post, A Toast to Petey."

Boy or Girl?

We may be able to find out if our baby is a girl or a boy on Tuesday, April 19, which is exactly 16 weeks along. If not, we'll have to wait another few weeks. My gut reaction when I took the pregnancy test on February 7 was BOY. Mary agrees. My mom and a close friend JB say its a GIRL. What do you think it is? Guess with me. So far our name choices have progressed to: Sydnie Jolene Nelson - girl; Jonah Patrick Nelson - boy. Course Peter says I'll find out the name at the baby's blessing when he, the MAN, tells everyone what it is. Yeah, bout that...

H.M.S. Pinafore

What, never? No, never! What, never? Well, hardly ever...

Last month, a nice lady was badly bitten by a dog, and ended up in the Emergency Room at St. Luke's Hospital. Peter was on call, so he repaired her face. She liked the said Dr. Nelson, of course, and as the Assistant Director to an upcoming production of Gilbert & Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore, she offered us complimentary tickets as a thank you gift.

I'd never seen it before and was not familiar with the lyrics. Peter, however, grew up with the music because Mother Mary indoctrinated her children with Gilbert & Sullivan. Thus, Peter practically sang along! The show was darling and witty, and really gave a flavor for British humor in the late 19th century (the show first opened in 1878 in London). We had a fabulous time.

It was a gorgeous day in the city, and we walked to and from the theatre (El Teatro of El Museo del Barrio) across the northern swath of Central Park, alongside the Harlem Mier. Purdy!

Peter liked the character "Dick Dead Eye" who wore an eye patch; I liked the songs about the sisters, and the cousins and the aunts. Its a classic. Now I want to see the Mikado and Pirates of Penzance.

I used to say that Peter never took me to musical theatre productions, but the truth is "hardly ever."

Miracles - the REAL News of the Decade

In early February, I was sitting in Sunday School and the lesson was on Christ calling his Apostles as well as a few of his early miracles. My mind sometimes wanders during these lessons, and I was pondering Peter's words to the Savior when asked to let down their nets, yet again, after a feckless night of fishing. Luke 5-"And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
6And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake." For whatever reason, and you will know the reason soon enough, I was overcome with the Spirit, and with peace and comfort. I thought how indeed I could relate to these fishermen! I have been toiling here in NYC at tedious jobs, for a long time now, visiting fertility clinics and adoption agencies, trying to figure out what the heck is going on with my life, and I got nothin' to show for it! AAARGH. And yet, at the Lord's command (His timing), the nets were filled, just as my own personal family "net"work will be filled someday when the Lord wills it. This fleeting moment helped me to let go of anxiety and to feel the Lord's power. It was a beautiful spiritual experience.
The following Tuesday, I finally started wondering why I'd been so tired, nauseous, sore, and cranky for the past couple of weeks... this was new (well, not the cranky part). A random thought struck me and so I took a pregnancy test and boom! There it was - my own personal miracle. I still can't believe it. Its incredible. Every day I'm still in shock. And I'm 12 weeks along as of March 22, thus our baby is due October 4. We weren't even trying (is that TMI?) This is my rescue from the bondage of menial jobs, its my rescue from the bondage of slaving away to pay the NYC rent without feeling real purpose and/or any vision. The Savior is truly the SAVIOUR - he saves us from our own types of bondage in miraculous ways.
So, there you have it. We are so excited and so blessed. We could use your faith and prayers that everything will go smoothly and that we'll have a new, healthy baby Nelson later this year.
What names do you like? We're leaning toward Sydney (girl) and Jonah (boy).

Peter is so flippin' hilarious

My husband does not enjoy giving his opinion on my wardrobe, my hair, my shoes, or my lipstick color. Maybe he feels cornered. Perhaps he doesn't want to offend me. He simply exudes a gushing, flattering response just to get past these types of questions as quickly as possible. For example: "Oh yes, yes, that skirt is sooooo flattering honey!"...with his eyes turned toward the tv... You get the idea.
This morning, I tried a new "do" (which is actually sort of my old "do") by flipping my hair out instead of under in the traditional A-line. My hair is getting long and I'm at that critical decision point, keep growing it out or cut it short again in the A-line. So, I naively thought I'd ask the Pete, since there's no one else around the apartment at 8am... he was dozing on the couch after an early gym visit. "Peter, give me your honest opinion- do you like the flippies or do you prefer it under, like before, in the A-line?" Peter (with one eye opened): "Oh yes, it looks wonderful like that; I love the A-line." ? A: "which one do you like better, A-line or flippies?" P (other eye opened): oh yes, such nice, nice hair!" A: "Nevermind. You don't know what an A-line is, do you Peter?" P: "Hmmm....such nice hair! So pretty!" I had wasted 5 minutes of both of our time.
Then, this afternoon, he sends me a goofy text message: "Did I tell you how beautiful you looked this morning? I mean, how can I slumber when the flippies look so smoking? It revvs my engine, its flippin hot!" I smiled. And laughed. out loud.
The thing with Peter is he just doesn't spend a lot of time on his hair or his clothes and his personal opinion is that "women" shouldn't spend so much time obsessing about their appearances, that we are encumbered about with trivial things. So, he doesn't want to encourage me or others in our vanity. Its not that he doesn't care. And deep down, he knows what I really want more than anything is a good chuckle. This, he delivers everytime.
So, does anyone else think my husband is beyond hilarious? Or is it just me? I'm still laughing.

Swan Lake

Unexpectedly, I got the invitation to attend Swan Lake last night at the Lincoln Center. The gal whose ticket I snagged had a sick baby, so she needed to stay home with him. Poor baby, lucky me! We had 4th tier seats, row N, but the view was still quite good. Girls Night Out! It was a mesmerizing production to say the least. And Peter, the birthday boy? He stayed home to check Facebook and email, responding to all of the birthday wishes. He was content, he says, because he got some indexing done (family history), plus he doesn't like cake.

Visiting Teachers

I'm kinda bugged lately. At my so-called visiting teachers. They never come. They never write. They don't even say hello to me sometimes at RS events or at church. Six weeks ago one of them approached me and apologized for not doing anything with VT, but it was an awkward exchange because I think she almost wanted me to make her feel better for neglecting me and her assignment. "Oh Allison, I'm your VT. And I feel so bad because we haven't ever visited you."
What am I supposed to say to that - "oh, thats okay. Don't worry about it. Don't feel bad...."
The truth is, she should feel bad! Its an important job. Everyone needs a shepherd. I know, I know, I can be an idealist and its hard not to expect that from others. Honestly, I'm a pretty good visiting teacher. I write cards, I visit every other month. I make cookies. I babysit. I say hello at church and RS events and sincerely try to create a caring friendship. I even threw a baby shower for someone I vt'd last year. Sigh....
Part of my frustration is that right now in my life I really need visiting teachers. I'm still relatively new in the ward, I've got no family in the vicinity, I'm not a part of the young mom club (75% of the RS), and I'll be moving soon. It'd be wonderful to feel cared about, overtly included, to have help moving, and to have visitors at least every other month to share a spiritual message. I guess not this time around... my task now is to not resent the situation and to let it go.
Like Peter says, many people suffer from failed perfectionism. They think they have to do something perfectly or they won't do it at all (visiting every month). So, instead of saying hello or dropping me a simple email or a card, they don't do anything. And everytime they see me, they feel guilty and anxious because I'm a reminder of their neglect. As opposed to feeling warmth, friendship and kindness.
My apologies if I sound harsh, critical or judgmental. I just wish my visiting teachers recognized how much I need them. This whole situation is helping me to be aware of the fact that everyone needs visiting teachers and that the program is inspired!!! AARGH!!! or should I say AMEN!
What are your thoughts and experiences with VT?