She is so cool.

Totally. Already cooler than her parents, that's for sure. I barely knew any Ramones songs before she was born, and now I can probably sing you the entirety of Rocket to Russia, including the bonus tracks. Of course, it helps that all the songs only have about four lines each.

Kate! Tacklehug!

Pix! Big hugs! How's the bedroom coming along?

Oh dear gods I can’t even. I’m just about out of spoons and I have an out of town guest who I haven’t seen in 8+ years arriving at 10 and the house is so close but...yeah. Having a hard time mustering the energy for a final push.

But hi! You and the bebe are adorable.

Oof, good luck to you! *hugs again, just because*

I should add that I actually think it would be very different going to a shower for someone I’m really close to -- most of the ones I’ve struggled with have been family and people I’m not as close to, which makes the forced frivolity harder to deal with for me.

Yeah, that would help. I was 8 when my sister got married, and I was out of touch with her and with my BFF when their babies were born, so all the showers I've gone to have been for casual and work friends.

Hil, my grandmother instilled in me a similar superstition, but about *everything*. That if you talk too much about something you love or want, or you're too "proud" of something, you'll lose it because God will take it away from you.

Zen, her God sounds like a bastard.

I thought that was a Lutheran thing. (of course, maybe you are.) I think I might send out "It's a Novel!" announcements since I don't think I'll ever get married or breed.

Zen, her God sounds like a bastard.

He was. His followers talked a lot about love and comfort and forgiveness, but they never actually showed any.

I thought that was a Lutheran thing. (of course, maybe you are.)

It was a Presbyterian congregation, but I've been told other Presbyterians aren't as hellfire-and-brimstone as we were. I know nothing of the Lutheran tradition.

I think I might send out "It's a Novel!" announcements since I don't think I'll ever get married or breed.

You should absolutely do that.

seems like a better idea thanCarrie Bradshaw marrying herself.(Although, when I first saw that, I hadn't been soaked by family members for weddings and baby gifts yet.Without getting anything much from that whole side of the family, either,) Not that it's quid pro quo or anything, but you feel me, right? Like the one time I hear in, like, *six years*, there's a registry attached...they were kids when I got out of college, so of course, off the hook, and that makes sense, but, really? A gift-fishing invite to your SSI cousin? Well, you know, lots of tough Scandinavians farming in cold climates...I'm sure you can feel the warm fuzzies from here,or...Garrison Keillor is pretty accurate in his Lutheran descriptions.