Big News!

Well...

Since I told Chris right away, I have a feeling all of you (and possibly half of Portland) already knows the big news. But just for the fun of it, I'll pretend like you all had no idea and I'm telling you for the first time that...

...Gabe and I are pregnant!

We decided towards the end of last year that we wanted to start trying, so I went off the pill and asked my doctor what to do. She recommended the usual, stop drinking (which I did for two months before we got pregnant) start eating right (I cut out coffee and dessert about three months before) and not to be worried if it took us at least a year to get pregnant. The latter being due in part to my history of medical issues, and the fact that I've been on the pill since age 12. So, we figured when it was supposed to happen it would, and a month later I peed on the stick and saw a plus sign.

That was one month ago, and needless to say it's been a very crazy month. The day I took the test we were signing out of our old lease and signing a new lease on a two bedroom place in Issaquah (about 30 min. from the old place and East of Seattle nestled in the mountains and very family friendly). After having our pup Milo there for about a week, we realized it wasn't going to work as the long hours kept us away from him and he was doing damage to the new place, so we gave him to Courtney and Tudor who have become excellent adoptive parents. When I was cleaning out our old place (which we were forced to move out of because a sewage pipe burst two floors up and ruined our stuff in poop water...I think you all remember Gabe's feelings about germs) I slipped and hit my head, knocking myself out and bruising my patellas (ok med. students, you'll have to correct my spelling but I'm talking about the things under my knee caps). Gabe was worried of course and we went to the OB/GYN who assured us I was ok and just needed to stay off my feet a couple days.

Additionally, I have felt SICK AS A DOG! I got morning sickness I'm pretty sure the second the sperm met the egg (wow, that was likely un-necessary detail) and I've been living on Slim-Fast, Saltines, and Ginger Ale. Needless to say, I've lost about 5 pounds which is quite comical to me, especially because every woman I meet assures me I'll gain it back times ten. Other not-so-lovely changes include the pain in my breasts. I feel as if Mike Tyson (very 90's reference, but I don't know any new millenium boxers) have used my tatas as punching bags for the last two weeks straight. The spontaneous crying is likely Gabe's least favorite side-effect; that or the fact that if he even looks at me lovingly I promptly state that there will be nothing resembling the act that got me to my emotional, morning-sick, sore-boobed self until I stop barfing every time I see a food commercial.

Well...that's probably way TMI for now...but hey, now that I'm pregnant I feel like I have an open-door to overshare with those I love most- which is you!

I miss you all mucho and can't wait to see you. I vote for a reunion of sorts before I'm the size of a baby rhino.

THANK YOU!!!

Even though my relationship came crashing down less than a week ago, I feel like I have so much to be thankful for. First and foremost YOU! I really appreciate all the calls, posts, text messages, etc. It is nice to feel the love! You are all so wonderful. I am also thankful to my mother for always saying the right thing, my friends here in Omaha for not leaving me alone for more than a couple of minutes... literally, med school for being the biggest distraction EVER, my hairdresser for chopping off my hair, Valentine's day for going by without any tears or sad feelings, and so much more. I really do feel almost back to 100% which is really hard for me to believe. It's odd. I am still working out all the details of the breakup, getting stuff back, changing plane tickets, etc., but it all seems to be working out alright. Anyway, I just wanted to send a note to let you know that I'm doing ok and say "thank you" for being the best friends a girl could ask for. I love you all dearly.

the break up

Hey Ladies,

I just wanted to let you all know that Mitchell broke up with me on Wednesday night. I'm of course devastated, but I'll get through. It was not my choice, he made the decision, and we both now have to live with the consequences.

I don't really want to recount the story, because I feel like I have a million times, but the gist is that he has been unhappy and not telling me for a long time. Both he and I didn't realize that we had some big underlying problems until we committed to getting married next summer and booked a place to do so (August 6th in the Peninsula Rose Garden). Yep, we were going to get married! He then realized that he has never been able to fully commit to me and our relationship (on many different levels and occasions) and has just been doing things to make me happy for a long time without doing them from his heart. So he broke up with me. He still loves me deeply (I know because he told me), I still love him (I know because I feel it). But here we are. Broken up because of his inability to give his all to our relationship. The distance between us made this decision necessary I think. He also couldn't see us being in the same place for many years because he wouldn't sacrifice and he wouldn't let me do so either. So I am putting the pieces of my life back together, changing lots of plans that Mitchell and I had made, sleeping alone on Valentine's day, and trying to stay distracted by other people/things.

Ok, believe it or not, that's the short version of the story.

I really miss you guys. I wish I could be in Portland/Seattle/Kansas City right now with you all. Oh, I am going to see Nora in KC next weekend!

I'm off to yoga class today, with lots of movies and cookie baking too! I hope I can stay distracted. :)

Lots and lots of love,
Em

Update: Chris Ritter

So went to Maui for Christmas/New Years. My Christmas was fabulous. Michael bought me an awesome watch that I have been eyeing for the past year or so. Its at a retail establishment that is only found in Hawaii, and New York, so unique... Its more of an international brand. ANYWAYS... Love it and was Shocked I got it. I also got a cook book "how to boil water"... Mike's cute way of telling me I need to learn to cook, so far I like the recipes, easy and practical. And then, after the watch and the cook book, he surprised me with a trip to Oahu! We flew over the next day and stayed at Waikiki beach for 2 nights. Little out of character for him to Plan AND Surprise. I'll take it!

My New Years was pretty lame. Mike was working so I just stayed at his place that night and watched movies... Lame. But I think New Years is over rated anyways.

School started for me once I got back. I like all my classes so far, just want to get out of here! Im also trying to get back into dancing a bit. Found a Studio in Portland, actually Ashley led me to it in some way. Vega Dance Lab. It took me a whole month to get the courage to take a class but I took my first class there last week and loved it and hope to make it a regular thing.

Michael is coming to visit in a couple weeks. Going Ice Fishing (yawn) with his family in Idaho, then coming back to Portland to spend a few days with me.

I realized I needed some glasses for school/work. After studying the pixels on the screen for over 4 hours at a time, it was time to get some. I got two pairs. Tell me which ones you like.

Portland? OR White?

I got one free, so I thought it would be fun to go with a really Ugly, super trendy, hipster, Portland black pair.... so keep that in mind :) I looked ALL OVER PORTLAND (and Oly) for a pair of white frames and found them last week. Tell me what you think.

Hope all is well. Keep in touch!

Chris

Images of Christmas break

Hi loves,

Hope 2010 is off to a great start and that you are all happy and well. I wanted to share a few pictures of a little trip David and I took over Christmas to Westport/Grayland/Seabrook/Pacific Beach on the WA coast. (I've had this as a draft for weeks...couldn't get the pictures to look right but decided not to worry!) Kimmie, I see you have one in draft form too - don't worry, I didn't peek :)

We visited Seabrook, a little planned community with some sweet Nantucket style architecture. Hoping to go next winter with the fam. Took our lovely car for its first experience on the beach at Grayland. And enjoyed a quick walk on the beach - it was cold! The top picture is from a ferry ride during my week off after Christmas.

Things have gotten really busy at work, which is good. I wish I had enjoyed the lull a little more though.

Keep on sending those updates!

New Years Blog

Hey ladies,
Can anyone believe that it's 2010!!! Holy shit!

So anyway, I'm back at it here in Omaha, enjoying (yeah right) the weather. It was -18 degrees when I woke up yesterday to go to school. I started a couple of new classes that seem ok for now and I'm looking forward to spring and summer breaks already.

Winter break was a ton of fun and I really Really REALLY didn't want to come back. Finals back in December were super tough, but I got through them and passed my classes (woo hoo, 1/8 doctor!). I went home to CA for a week, Mitchell met me there and we did Christmas with all my family and even escaped to Santa Cruz and the Monterey Bay Aquarium for a couple of days. It was great to see my folks and my sibs, but I felt a bit guilty for not spending more time with them. Some fun news, my brother proposed to his girlfriend on Christmas day so they are now engaged. He called me just a few days ago to make sure that I could come back to CA in May for their wedding... ALREADY! I was shocked, happy and of course willing to make the trip despite the fact that finals will be the next couple of weeks after that.

On the 27th, Mitchell and I flew up to Seattle. We had such a blast visiting with his folks and just enjoying each other's company... it had been so long since I had felt close to him... long distance took it's toll on us last semester for sure. We spent new years with his married friends, which was surprisingly great. Despite the soberness, it was a fun party and I woke up on January 1st without feeling like shit, which is a first in a long time! He and I had a great couple of weeks and it was so hard to say good-bye. I admittedly guilted him into coming to Omaha in two weeks, so I don't have to wait long to see him... it was a super bad girlfriend thing to do, but I didn't want 6 weeks to go by before seeing him.

I'm planning planning planning for my trip to SE Asia in May. I'll be gone for 6 weeks total, 4 of those on a medical mission with fellow students and the last two with Mitchell traveling through Thailand and Cambodia. I'm so stoked but right now just really stressed out about pulling the trip off! It's all on my shoulders to plan and that's a bit stressful. I just need to get my groups plane tickets purchased and I will feel much better I think.

Ok, that's all for me. I hope you guys had a fun holiday season, I certainly missed spending time with you. I'll be in the NW in March for a week (and over my b-day weekend!!!) and then back again for the whole month of July. Let's have a reunion!

Updates from each of you requested. I want to hear some good New Years stories!

LOVE,
Em

I need to vent!!

I'm so damn mad at my school right now, it's fucking bullshit because being in graduate school they know they have all this damn power over you and there's nothing you can fucking do.

So, let me start in the middle. Brent didn't get any NWT spots, he is stuck in southern Cali next year. The first totally fucked up thing is that they didn't even release the spots in Corvallis that should have been given to the SoCal kids to choose from (there were 6 that should have been made available). So, there were only 2 actually decent spots in Tacoma and Salem, but of course the people who DID get NWT from SoCal didn't want to switch. BUT then a girl from the NWT who got Portland, offered to switch with Brent. This should work, yeah? I mean, it's an easy swap. Well, that's the second fucked up thing, they said no, this wasn't possible. We met with one Dean a month or so ago who said that if Brent got in the NW and it wasn't near my spot, we could try to switch me around to get near him. But, since he didn't even get a spot, we decided to ask someone higher up if he could completely switch with this girl in Portland. Not only did we get a No from one Dean, but another angry message from the other Dean. (yes, it's so complicated). Sooo, now we are stuck in the middle of political bullshit. I'm over the fact that we aren't gonna be even close to each other next year, now I'm just pissed at the school for being such assholes. Of course Brent sent both Deans emails back just saying that his main concern is to be with me next year and didn't mean to upset anyone, but it's still all messed up. I don't really understand what happened with my school. Last year everything was great, there was none of this higher power bureaucracy, but this year has just been a shit show.

Urrrgghhh. On a happier note, I only have one test left of the semester and then I'm heading back to PDX on the 19th!! Yay, so stoked!

Okay, back to studying. Hope to hear from you girls soon!!