My Goodness, Things Happen!

Dear Leigh,

When you wrote to me, you were planning a move to Virginia. Are you still? I hope so.

It's astonishing how things change in a few short weeks.  My brother was planning to relocate; now he's unemployed (his previous employer--how shall I put this delicately?--screwed him over). He's considering a return to school to study accounting.  My parents and I have been trying to help him with his job search, but unfortunately it's a very bad time of year to be looking for work. Companies accomplish almost nothing of note between November 15th and the new year.  I'm astonished that Congress has left its most important work until this point, for that very reason. Most of the FBI is out hunting this week, for instance.  I'm heading home early, because I can (and I'm so, so exhausted).

In addition, I studied for and passed the CAPM exam (Certified Associate in Project Management), which proves that I know the generally accepted project management processes and have some project management experience, to boot.  Unfortunately, they don't seem to be about to hand me the raise or promotion I had hoped for.  But then, it has only been a week.

Then, last night, my mom told me that Mike's Kate is pregnant, and due in June! And still planning on coming to beach week?? It kind of floored me, because--and you are to tell nobody, not even Mike or Derek or your animals --I'm also pregnant (again), and due in June.  June 23rd.  Not sure about beach week (will depend on the advice of my midwife). We have told basically nobody, this time, for obvious reasons. My parents don't even know. My mom was just so sad, last time, when we lost it... Including you, 4 people know, all of whom are my close friends and who guessed, anyway.  Otherwise, I was trying to keep it a secret until at least week 12 (this is week 9 and 2 days, and it's getting difficult to hold it in, as you see).

This, naturally, changes our plans regarding the Master's in Library and Information Science.  We'll probably hang out here for another year, since I'm doing well professionally.  It's funny... we tried for months and months last time, with disastrous results.  This time, we tried once or twice, then precisely when I changed my mind and decided I should really go back to school, I learned I was pregnant. So, because of that, and the miscarriage over the summer, it's been hard to feel at all excited.  I also feel crappy all the time, which has a way of muting my excitement.  Last night, however, I felt this little buzz, or flutter, or something down in my abdomen, and had a surge of hope for the future. So, if all goes well, you'll be an Aunt x 2 in June.  If not, c'est la vie, and we'll become cat hoarders.

But back to you.  When is your big graduation day, and what kinds of opportunities will be available to you with your new degree?

Write soon.

Love,
Kate

P.S. - Again, tell no one! We'll probably share with the wider world somewhere around week 14.