June 19, 2007 | Offspring: ecstasy and agony, Ottomatic For the People, Woohoo!
We had no idea what time Otto was coming today, due to a confluence of events wherein he had to make several unplanned-for detours. (One of them was due to Audrey—the name Otto has decided to give the new GPS unit—failing to predict that there is traffic in New York City. GO FIGURE.) As of our last check-in call, we figured he wouldn’t arrive until after the kids were in bed.
So when he pulled up while the kids were still hanging up their towels and getting into their jammies and screeching and dancing and generally being spazzy, they didn’t even notice.
This gave me plenty of time to run outside and make out with him, so that was nice.
When we came back in, I called up the stairs to the kids to tell them to finish up and come down.
“Why?” asked Chickadee.
“Because I asked you to. Go brush your hair,” I answered.
She huffed in response and went into the bathroom. Meanwhile, Monkey was making his way down the stairs one at a time, saying “Why?” on each step. That was charming.
“Just come down,” I called, while going back into the kitchen.
Monkey came around the corner. “But why did you—” now he looked up and saw Otto. “OTTO! It’s an Otto! Otto is HERE!” and then he twirled around and ran back upstairs.
“Um, he’s running away from me. That seems bad,” Otto remarked.
“CHICKIE! OTTO’S HERE! HE’S HERE! OTTO! IS! HERE!” I giggled as I heard Monkey making a lap around upstairs, then bounce down the stairs again. He came careening around the corner, made a beeline for Otto, and ran into him so hard that his head actually bounced off of Otto’s stomach. This would’ve sent him sprawling out on the floor on his behind except that he had flung his arms around him and was holding on for dear life.
“HI OTTO!” My son beamed up at my husband, who smiled in return.
At that moment—heck, even now—I could not tell you anything else about my day, whether it was good or bad or stressful or not. That right there, that was my day.
And it was very, very good.
June 19th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
It IS very, very good. And I’m so very, very happy for you all, even though I’ve never met you. Here’s to happy endings and hassle-free moves. Hope you all enjoy the road trip!
June 19th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
Very touching for Otto too, I’m sure. Always great when kids and step-dad are close to each other.
June 19th, 2007 at 10:13 pm
I’d almost bet, truth be told, you greeted him the same exact way in the driveway ;)..more or less.
June 19th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
That is freakin’ adorable. I love your kids and I haven’t even met them!
June 19th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
Too cute!!!
June 19th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
The kids just know, don’t they? He makes you happy, which in turn makes them adore him. They’re great barometers of spousecompatibility.
Enjoy the last hectic few days in your house. Soon you will all be home.
June 19th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
that just makes my heart melt. :) so very happy for you all, mir.
June 19th, 2007 at 10:51 pm
that’s a great ending to the day, mir.
June 19th, 2007 at 10:55 pm
It is very, very, very good to read this, too. It’s been a very odd day in the blogosphere –what with the Yarn Harlot and then Chris’s whole post/thread on privacy on the ‘net. I’m so glad to read something so joyous and, um, normal. Bless you guys –I’m so happy for you. ALL of you!
–Barb
June 19th, 2007 at 11:15 pm
happy happy joy joy!
I think we all should TACKLE HUG eachother more often…in the office, at home, on the street… it would make the world a better place.
Plus, we’d always have to be on our toes. And wear padded clothes.
And probably helmets.
June 19th, 2007 at 11:22 pm
That was a perfect post to end a perfect, or not so perfect day for you and your family. Thank you very much for sharing that. It definitely put a huge smile on my face!
June 19th, 2007 at 11:46 pm
That is exactly how I planning on greeting Otto should I ever meet him.
So happy for you. All of you.
June 20th, 2007 at 12:45 am
I knew the happy ending was just around the corner….I think you have rounded the corner honey!
Yay! OTTO IS HERE! :)
June 20th, 2007 at 12:47 am
WOohoo! OTTO HAS ARRIVED! And your family is beautiful. *sniffle*
June 20th, 2007 at 12:51 am
**SNIFF** What a wonderful Love-Thursday-2-Days-Early! A Tremendously Affectionate Tuesday! Happy Endings… woohoo!!
June 20th, 2007 at 12:53 am
Wow. I almost feel like your blog could end right here, and I would feel as satisfied as I was with the Six Feet Under ending.
But don’t take this as a reason to close up shop. I would hate to lose my daily fill of Woulda Coulda.
You are one excellent writer.
June 20th, 2007 at 7:32 am
Unbridled enthusiasm and love. Yeah, that’s a good day-ender.
June 20th, 2007 at 7:42 am
Totally brought tears to my eyes. YAY, OTTO IS HERE!! I’m just so happy for you guys, my heart hurts a little.
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. I just love to follow along and share the emotions with you, Mir.
June 20th, 2007 at 8:28 am
I’ve got a little tear of joy rolling down my cheek…
Enjoy!!
xo
LBC
June 20th, 2007 at 8:29 am
Sweet.
But please tell Otto, and everyone else who might ever consider driving on 95 not to…it is so much nicer to take 84, 81, 77, etc. No traffic, no tolls, and beautiful mountain views. It looks further, but all things considered it takes the same or even less time.
June 20th, 2007 at 8:43 am
How great! Otto is there for the very last time and soon y’all will all be HERE! Start practicing on that “y’all”, y’hear? ;-)
June 20th, 2007 at 8:51 am
Awww I love that, so sweet!
June 20th, 2007 at 9:08 am
Aaaawwww. Sweet story. Hope the rest of the packing and the move go well. Can’t wait to read about the road trip!
June 20th, 2007 at 9:08 am
Silly Audrey. Doesn’t she know you have to go AROUND New York on the Garden State, then over the Tappanzee (which hopefully won’t be closed due to an accident)?
And I’ll echo Emery Jo’s Happy Happy Joy Joy!
June 20th, 2007 at 9:10 am
Everyone else is gushing and playing in the sweetness, so all I can add is:
Audrey? As in, “Little Shop of Horrors?”
Don’t let the GPS near the garden, is all.
June 20th, 2007 at 9:24 am
That is simply beautiful. What a perfect day!
June 20th, 2007 at 10:06 am
Why for I got this lump in my throat and tears in my eyes.
Oh yeah - mus’ be allergies!
::sniff::
June 20th, 2007 at 10:19 am
Things are progressing for your new family, and that’s great! So what if there’s still a multitude of concerns to work out with housing, etc. Enjoy the new beginning. When has anything in life not been a little messy?
June 20th, 2007 at 10:31 am
Aw! OTTO! IS! HERE! I’m so happy for you guys!
June 20th, 2007 at 10:45 am
Could you say that Otto has a Monkey on his back, erm, front?
heh heh heh
Oh and, AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW. So sweet!
June 20th, 2007 at 10:47 am
That Monkey is one sweet kid. I just love him.
Your new life is off to a fantastic start.
June 20th, 2007 at 10:51 am
HOORAY!!!
June 20th, 2007 at 11:27 am
Let the New Beginnings begin!
June 20th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
That is definately a Love Tuesday post.
June 20th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
That made me tear up!
June 20th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
Dammit! I have cried three times this morning!!!!
I love when my pseudo step son smiles at me and then makes a wise crack. Best.Moments.Ever.
June 20th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Would you stop it, you made me cry! That’s so lovely.
June 20th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Excellent. I loved my step-mom in the same way when I was growing up.
(I still love her, but I so rarely greet her with a tackle ;)
June 20th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
congratulations to all of you. many many blessings on your new life together and praying traveling mercies and angels galore to watch y’all on the road trip! (see the y’all??? i’m from texas!)
June 20th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
it’s all going to be so good. And no one deserves it more.
June 20th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
That is too sweet! I’m beaming ear to ear and I don’t even know you guys!
June 20th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
:)
June 20th, 2007 at 4:53 pm
Oh dear. I just had to de-lurk to say this put a lump of joy in my throat. Thank you for sharing it… you can just tell by reading it that you clearly (and understandably) are overflowing with pride for the love you all share.
My children display a similar reaction (well, they’re girls so it’s an eardrum-imploding squeal and swarming around his legs like ants) when our good male friend arrives. It makes him - and me - so happy. And I’m happy for you, too.
June 20th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
SO. GLAD. Hallelujah for living together!!!!!!!
June 20th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
Dude! And it’s not even Thursday yet. Sweet!
June 20th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
[...] And this just gave me a huge smile. [...]
June 20th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
That is nothing short of wonderful. Cherish this connection with your life. My girls are NOT close to their stepmother and it ain’t pretty.
June 20th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
How sweet and fun! That is how I great my honey! I also greet my boys by singing to them when they stop by to say “hello”~
Me: “Mikie’s home…Mikie’s home…yayayayyayayyy!!”
Me: “Yayyyyyyy Ethan’s here…ethan is here…yayayayay!”
Me: Corey is here…Corey is here…yayayayyayayayay!”
Of course, I resist this urge when the boys stop by with friends, though it would be fun to sing: “Ethan and Corey’s friends are here…yay!!!!!”
June 21st, 2007 at 2:53 am
What a wonderful greeting. Thanks for sharing!
June 21st, 2007 at 3:02 am
Came by to see if there was a new post for today but you must be on the road. I hope the moving and traveling is going well.
June 21st, 2007 at 3:29 am
Oh yeah. Much love, plus a little bruising.