I have a new review up for Hanes Comfort-Fit underwear for kids on Lawyer Mama Reviews. I know you're just dying to hear about my little nudist (Hollis) and whether he actually kept the underwear on!
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I also have a new post up on D.C. Metro Moms, detailing the rules of the world according to Holden, my two year old. He's quite a dictatorial ruler.
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The strangest thing just happened to me as I was pulling up Typepad to write a new post.
My cell phone rang and I answered it without checking the number. The woman's voice on the other end said "This is your Aunt Lisa! Ryan wanted me to call and let you know that Peyton Matthew was born 33 minutes ago. He was 7 pounds and 5 ounces!"
My cousin Ryan is in the Air Force and currently stationed in the Azores, where he's living with his wife. I found out they were expecting their first child at my grandmother's funeral in March. It actually helped a bit, knowing that my grandmother had heard the news before she died.
I was so excited for Lisa and congratulated her and asked how she was doing and if she was excited about being a grandmother. We chatted for awhile and she sounded a bit hoarse, as if she'd been screaming all day. I asked her if she'd been sick and she said "No" and sounded a bit puzzled. Then I asked her if Ryan was back from the Azores for the birth or if he would be back in the U.S. soon.
Puzzled silence.
Then Lisa asked, "Why would he be where? What is Azores?" "Hold it. Who is this?"
Me: "Umm...this is Stephanie. Is this Lisa L___?"
Lisa: "No. You aren't my niece, Shannon. I must have dialed a wrong number!"
Then we laughed at the incredible coincidence that this "Lisa" called me, with a phone number ending in a 2 instead of a 6, and a cousin named Ryan expecting a baby very soon.
I congratulated her again on her new grandchild, and she congratulated me for my new cousin-to-be, and we hung up with smiles in our voices. I could hear someone howling with laughter in the background. It just reminded me how much we all have in common on this third rock from the sun. Despite differences in background, politics, or culture, the human experience is universal. The joy we feel in new life always amazes.











