No, no baby yet...

We've reached that point where every time we pick up the phone or call someone, we're bombarded by the "has she given birth yet?" question. We've almost bypassed all of the due dates that various people and websites have given us. The last date on the list is today, so I guess we've still got a few hours left before she's officially, officially, officially, etc... late.

(Side note: I just had to flee to our bedroom to escape Celine Dion on Dancing With The Stars... I can still faintly hear it singing. I'll have to sterilize my ears later tonight...)

The funny thing is, we keep getting the "has it happened yet?" questions from my parents and other people who are pretty much a given that we'd call them within the hour if not immediately.

So to sum up:

Has it happened yet? No

Are we ready? Yes. She more so than me for obvious reasons.

Will you call me when it happens? If your relation to us could be called nuclear or you stood (or almost stood) in our wedding, then yes. Everyone else will get a call or e-mail once we have time to come up for air.

That reminds me, I should invest in snorkels.

To SUV or not to SUV

With 2 pugs and a baby on the way, we're going to need a bigger automobile to cart everyone and their stuff around town.

But the question at hand is: SUV or Minivan.

Now before you slap me and scream "why would you even consider a Minivan?!", let me play out the logic here.

1) SUVs come in all sizes and prices from small and cheap to large and pricey. Minivans usually start at the lower end of the SUV price range.

2) Small SUVs can only carry 5 people with limited cargo space. Large SUVs can carry 7 people, sort of, and have more cargo space, but not much with all 3 rows set up. Minivans can carry 7 people more comfortably and more cargo. Most minivans have more cargo space with the seats taken out than the entire cabin and cargo areas in a Large SUV.

3) Large SUVs have low MPG numbers. Minivans have MPGs closer to smaller SUVs. Gas is expensive. (In case you hadn't noticed...)

Yes, they're soccer wagons and grocery getters, but you can't argue that a minivan is more practical than a SUV. Besides, I've always seen SUVs more as gas-guzzling status symbols than anything else. How else can you explain the lifted compact station wagon that is the Lexus RX? (ok, so they've made it larger since the first model... but it's just fun to pick on.)

So, I guess we're pretty much going to go with a minivan unless someone knows of some redeeming SUV feature that might sway our opinion. Any suggestions on the different makes of minivan would also be appreciated.

So hop to - it all 3 of you who read this little blog of mine - and help a dad-to-be out. ;)

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Homeowners

We closed on our new house today, which means 2 things:

1) We're in debt again.

2) We ain't moving anywhere again anytime soon.

That said, the house is beautiful and has more than enough room for us to grow into. After months and months of looking, it was the closest we'll probably ever come out here to finding a home that met most of our criteria and I know we'll be very happy there for many years to come. Good schools, nice yard, 3-car garage, good "dog solution", 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms. We'd have spent twice what we got it for to get a similar place in San Diego.

Now we just have to give notice, make a few repairs and move. Wish us luck!