Getting Ready

We're about five months into our marital equation, and the question has started coming. Quite frequently, in fact.
'So, are you thinking about kids? Any addition to come?'

The answer has been a resounding, 'Absolutely.'

But recently, after one particular query and after one particular response, my enthusiastic yes, became a little more thoughtful. This week, the rotating door at Zano Salon in Naperville once again swung its way around; out went my favorite eye brow waxer, and in came a new one. And as I've always done, perhaps due to the compromising position or the inevitable fear of the combination of dried wax and hair being ripped off my forehead, I started spewing my life story. The new girl learned about Peter, about how we met, moved out to Naperville, landed jobs in a down economy, got engaged, and celebrated our nuptials, and about my addiction to documenting and publicizing life's lessons on this blog.

Right before she was about to rip off the vagrant hairs of my left eye brow she said, 'So you obviously aren't thinking about kids anytime soon.'
Obviously not thinking about kids? Why would she think that? 

'Actually, we are. Ouch.'

'Really? Oh wow.'

'Well, I'm about to be thirty, and I want a big family, so basically, I need to get the show on the road. OUCH.'

'30? Really? I thought you were my age.'

'How old is that?'

'23.' 

Given my increasingly present old fart fears I was flattered, but it got me thinking about age and age-related priorities. Yes, I'm just about 30. But I honestly don't feel like it. And my maternal clock only recently starting ticking because everyone else seemed to think it should be on. I mean, my parents only took away my magical Gold Visa card about five years ago. And Peter, my first boyfriend ever, only came around about four years ago. It was just two and a half a years ago that I finally got the kind of job I had always wanted. And like I said, it's only been about five months since I got married. So really, my level of maturity hasn't aged past 25. Perhaps the technician at Zano had tapped into something a little deeper - physically, the clock might be ticking, but I still have some pre-children fun to get out of my system. 

The past 48 hours confirmed it. On Friday, we went into the city - to see friends, make some investments, and take a look at what living downtown would be like. Although children are on our minds, I would call the present a child prep phase - a phase defined by maximizing the experiences we have with each other, about living it up, and about making decisions that will set our future family up for, dare I say, the best life ever. 

We made steps toward finding the optimal place to live - whether its in Aqua or Bucktown or a great Loft in the West Loop, Peter and I are very close to making the leap over the Eisenhower, downtown this spring.

We asserted that there always needs to be a little Quinlan in our lives, along with hipsters, trendy dining scenes, and amazing muddled cocktails, oysters, and bone marrow spread on toast.

We invested in the ultimate Father-Son summer outing. After about a decade on the waiting list, Peter is now a proud season ticket holder.

Back in Naperville last night, we practiced, with the help of good friends who don't mind driving all the way out here for pork chops and home brew, for when our table will always be full.

We brought Roscoe over, and practiced being responsible care-takers.

And we added to the store, which will come in handy on rainy rug rat ridden days when aged beer is going to taste better than ever.

And this afternoon, we're off to see a child-friendly movie, Hugo.

Lo.