Updates, Updates, Updates!

I don't quite know where to start! I don't think I can go chronologically, since the most exciting part of our update doesn't come until tomorrow at 6 a.m.: Maya Emily Segar! Dan and Simona's newest edition is coming tomorrow, and we're thrilled to our toenails. She's the second of our seven babies, and I can promise that there will be a ton of pictures when she arrives (hopefully Simona and Maya will be resting comfortably by mid-morning).

Yesterday (Sunday), we took the train with Angi and Sean to meet Neill, Fran, Destiny, Fran's sisters, their kids, and Fran's dad at Arlington Park for a little gambling and horse watching. The afternoon was hot, but we had a nice shady table on the terrace and some frozen drinks to keep us cool.

(You can clearly see baby #7, a.k.a. "Poppyseed," a.k.a. "Girl Power" in this shot of Angi)

Saturday (the day before Sunday...looks like I'm going in reverse chronology), while Trevor toiled away at the gallery, I took a day trip to Madison. My college friend Anne and her husband, Matt came into town from New York, and some of the old gang was spending the weekend to see her.

Although I only came for the day, I think I made the best of it. I met everyone at Nick's around noon for Bloody Mary's, then we wandered State Street for a couple of hours, shopping, browsing, and getting sweaty (the early morning rain did little to dry out what felt like 139% humidity and 95 degrees).



One of my favorite new (new to me) Madison stores is Anthology, where I found a yellow onesie (for Maya, of course) that read, "Born to be a Librarian." I also got a gnome ring (yes, that's right) and a couple of greeting cards (you'll know what they say if you get one in the mail).

After shopping, we spent a few hours hanging out at the Terrace, drinking beer, eating ice cream, and just having a wonderful time.

And we stumbled upon an impromptu break-dancing competition on the Mall:

While everyone was freshening up for dinner, I stopped at my old shop, Paul's Book Store, and dropped a bit of cash on a sack full of books. Caryl, the owner, wasn't there (I think I'd just missed her), but hopefully I'll see her again soon. The shop was just as fantastic as it always is. I would have taken a picture, but I didn't want to freak out the guy working there.

It was so good to see everyone, but especially Anne and Matt, who I hadn't seen in about five years. I'm hoping that it won't be that long until the next time.

Last Thursday, Paula and I went to my grandma's place for a cake baking lesson. The cake baking was fun and successful, but the best part (aside from grandma's company) was the huge lunch of salad, mostacolli, meatballs, and garlic bread. We topped it off with spumoni ice cream and cookies. My Lord, Marie, you made our day.

(Although Grandma mixed, poured, and baked these babies, Paula and I frosted them. We worked so, so hard.)

Okay, I think I got us all up-to-date, but for more photos of everything, check this out.

I've got two weeks before classes start for the fall, but unfortunately I won't have too much time to do nothing (one of my favorite vacation activities). But what nothing I do, I'll be sure to document it and keep you all in the loop. Sleep well, all, especially you, Maya. It's your last night in the warm wombiness of Simona!