1. Naomi Rachel

2. 30 on Feb 11

3. I live with my boyfriend in CA, work in Derivatives + Commodities Trading documentation for a big bank in San Francisco (corporate America), enjoy reading, writing (few small works published, working on more publications!), photography (building a business focusing on pregnancy/baby photography) and spirituality. I love NYC (it’s my soul’s true home, lived there from 2002 – 2005) and hope to move back there this summer.

4. I’ve been reading your blog for a month or two, but I’ve ready pretty far back, and I keep coming back because you’re funny and quite entertaining and a really engaging writer! Also I love the photos you post.

Your name: Megan
Your age: 26
Your life in a nutshell: Second year grad student in Nautical Archaeology at Texas A&M, living with my husband and a small fuzzy dog. Work consists of going to school and reading prodigiously boring textbooks in the hours between classes
How long have you been reading this blog, and what keeps you coming back? I’ve been reading since shortly before you found out you were pregnant; I come back because you so often say things that I can COMPLETELY relate to, but cannot articulate in such a hilarious way. (See: posts about spiders, etc. I’m terrified of all bugs, and yes I group spiders in the “bug” category. Too many legs and no internal skeleton. EW.) Some of your posts have made me laugh so hard I’ve cried.

My name is Jamie, I’m 30. I live in Utah (no, I’m not mormon) and I live with my husband and 2.5 year old son and I am currently pregnant with son #2 due in June. I am a SAHM though I never thought I would be, I worked full time during my son’s first year. Not having a part time option, I decided to try being home for a while, and lo and behold, I kinda dig it! With a new one on the way, I don’t plan to work outside the home again for a couple more years.

I first started reading you at Purple is a Fruit and kind of freaked out when you announced that they were shutting down their blogs, so I went looking for your other blogs and found this one. SO HAPPY I DID! I love your writing style and since our boys are the same age (and we’re both pregnant with our second boys) I find I can really relate to what you talk about here.

Anyhow, GOOD LUCK TOMORROW! It will all go down without a hitch, I’m sure. Can’t wait to see STP’s first pictures!

Hi Linda!

My name is Melanie and I may or may not have commented on your blog before. Also, I’m 24.

I’m going to be starting school in March to become a licensed esthetician, down at a school in Renton. (Facials, anyone? *wink**wink*) Right now I have a shitty job answering phones for a company that is slowly stealing my will to live. No kids, but “watching” you do the whole pregnant thing is really making me start to think that not taking my birth control would be an awesome idea.

I’ve read this blog probably going on two years now. I come back because you are hi-larious, and because I think you would understand the necessity of a zombie/apocalypse evacuation route. And a survival kit. Not that I have either of those ready in my closet, or anything.
Also, it’s great to read a blog by someone from the area.

Thank you for sharing your blog with us and congratulations on the new baby, whatever size/gender/species he may be :)

(Also, remember to caucus on the 9th! Not that you’ll be busy or anything, right?)

Laurie, 30, I live with my husband and three kids (7 and twin 2 year olds.) I work in government records (much more interesting than it sounds.)
I’ve been reading since Riley was born, which was around the same time as my twins. Raising a toddler is hard work, but you put a funny twist on everything. I come back because you make me laugh and I can totally relate.
I went through the waiting room before C-Section and getting forgotten once admitted. They put me on some meds then about an hour later asked me to sign a consent form to allow nursing student to watch the delivery. If that happens to you, don’t sign or you’ll end up with a delivery room so packed, it looks like a movie theater with you as the main attraction.
Good luck!

1. Justmouse (sue)
2. 34 (never saw much point in lying about my age…well, except for the whole getting into bars thing…but that was a LONG time ago!)
3. (random flash of Austin Powers “help! i’m in a nutshell!”) hmm…i am married – almost 10 years now, to my best friend. he doesn’t live with me anymore, though…but it’s not like THAT. he works in a small hickville town 2 hours away. maritally, we are still stupidly happy. i live with my 16 year old son who is my OTHER very best friend in teh world, without whom sanity would cease to exist. thing Gilmore Girls, only he’s a boy. for work i type. alllll day long. then for my TWO part-time jobs…i come home and type some more. sometimes i type for over 12 hours a day. sometimes i really hate my life. i have a large hairy dog who smells like bum, but i love to death. i wish i did more with my life and had the motivation/energy/attention span to pursue passtimes i actually enjoy (mostly artsy things). i am constantly torn between feeling about 100 years old, and being perpetually 14.
4. i have been reading you for YEARS! i think i love you in a non-creepy, non-stalkerish sort of way. i envy you, i admire you, i look up to you, and i hope someday to meet you and buy you as many fancy caffeinated beverages as you want from starbux. your sense of humor is delightfully sharp. you have made spurt diet coke out of my nose with laughter (“engorged labia”!). you’ve also made me cry for you with your honesty in dealing with lifes hard parts. you’re wonderful. i look forward to reading your blog more than any other i’ve ever found. (the only thing that perhaps enthralls me more is Cuteoverload.com and icanhascheezburger.com – sorry!) please. don’t EVER stop writing!!

(and good luck tomorrow! i’m so excited!!!!)

Hi there Linda!!!

1. Your name
Bel
2. Your age
22 (I’m not old enough to lie about it…yet!)
3. Your life in a nutshell:
Well I live in Western Australia in a house with my boyfriend, which we’re renovating. I’m very excited because we are getting air-conditioning installed today…it’s been between 30-40degrees celsius with no rain for about a month and a half now! I have recently finished a politics degree and work in a policy role.
4. How long have you been reading this blog, and what keeps you coming back?
I’ve been reading this blog for about 6 months – another blog I read has a link to this one. I keep coming back because Riley is so cute (I’m very clucky for a 22 year old) and I’m looking forward to seeing how cute Smalltopus is! I also enjoyed reading and seeing pictures of your completed renovations – I am renovating and it’s the LAST TIME I’ll do it because living on concrete floors and without ANY doors in a house sucks! But looking at your completed reno’s reminds me that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel…If you would like to read my blog it is belsbigblog.blogspot.com other than that – good luck with the birth Linda, I can’t wait to see the gorgeous newborn pics!!!

1. Erin (they call me mama on Flickr)
2. I’m 32, 33 in April
3. I’m married to an Air Force officer, so we have moved around a lot in our 9 years together. We have two little girl, 4 and almost 2, and I stay at home with them. Before that I was a teacher. Oh, and we have an 8 yr old choc. lab and an 8 month old Great Dane puppy. They keep me pretty busy, too. I am striving to become a better photographer. And I’m learning the ropes of Photoshop.
4. I read because you’re funny, you say the things I only wish I had the guts to say (my family reads; I’d be too embarrassed), and you take great pictures. I’ve been reading for quite awhile now, a year maybe? More? I’m more of a lurker, but I comment every now and then. Like tonight! Plus, you are embarking on an adventure I’ve already lived: the birth of your second baby. I know you’ll find it as wonderful as I have with my two girls. :)

1. gabby
2. I just turned 34 last Friday
3. I live with my hubby of nearly 9 years and my 18 month old son. I’m an at home mom who is sllllllloooooowwwwly getting back into freelance journalism after taking a nice long break. However, we are moving states in a couple of months, so I think I should add a couple more os to slowly.
4. I’ve been reading for…at least a couple of years. I think I started right after you had Riley ish. I keep reading because you are funny. And say what we all think & would say if we dared. Or had a blog of our own!

Congrats & good luck tomorrow!

1. Laura (as it says above (below?))

2. 24

3. I go to grad school in Toronto. I live in a crappy tiny 6 bedroom apartment. I study medieval things and spend a lot of time answering such exciting questions “what are you going to do with THAT?” I also take a ton of photos and have just started knitting. Ta daaa.

4. I started reading back when you were on diaryland. I kept coming back because I found you very funny and very interesting. (what a keener answer)

1. Melissa
2. 35
3. Your life in a nutshell: I’m an independent children’s bookseller, and I live outside of Philly with my husband and our sixteen month old daughter. We’re moving to St. Louis in June.
4. I’ve been reading this blog for about a year, although we actually met at JournalCon Austin and I think I read it for a few months then. I stopped reading journals altogether for awhile. I hope tomorrow goes really well for you.

I’m 24 years old and live in Georgia. My life cannot fit into a nutshell, but I will try. I was a Navy brat in a dysfunctional/extremely abusive home, moved away from the crazies when I was 17. Went to school for sociology and psych, graduated, did a live in nanny job and more and now work in management for FedEx 600 miles away from said crazies.

I hang out on your blog cus you are an amazing writer and you write out what I’d love to say myself. I love to see pictures and hear about positives and negatives in a normal functional home. I like your suggestions, your thoughts and the readers of your blog are usually intelligent and can have great conversations. It’s an awesome little community you’ve got going here.

Name: Trena
Age: will be 32 in August
My life in a nutshell: will be married for 4 years in June to my husband, mama to Owen who will be 2 in July, work part-time for the Red Cross but since that BA in history hasn’t exactly panned out, I also go to school part-time studying IT stuff (who knew there was a computer geek just waiting to mouth-breathe her way out?) and I do a little web-design on the side. We all live in fabulous SW Virginia.

How long have you been reading this blog, and what keeps you coming back? I think (?) I started reading right before Riley’s first birthday(maybe? that would have been right after Owen was born…so things are still a little fuzzy). I keep coming back because you’re funny (in a good way) and you say things that a) I wish I had the nerve to say and b) in a much more articulate manner than I ever could. That and Owen gets so excited to see pictures of Riley (what can I say–keeping him locked in that closet all day makes him lonely for other kids–I KID!!!)

Good luck tomorrow–hope everything goes without a hitch and we’ll be eagerly awaiting updates!

1. Heather
2. 32
3. I’m married, two cats, no kids. I live in Quebec City, and I am an event coordinator/public relations thingy/shelf monkey at the city’s only English bookstore. My husband and I have just bought our first place. I’m crazy afraid of wasps, and hope to move to Barbados someday.
4. I’ve been reading this blog for many years… at least six, maybe more? I keep coming back because you’re so damn funny, and your writing is brilliant. You say things the way I wish I could say them.

Congratulations on Smalltopus’ arrival! I wish you a speedy recovery from the delivery, and lots of ice cream.

Oooh crikey, self-revelation, shoe on the other foot etc.

Tina, 48 years old (sadly true) but mentally stuck around 14 I think. Separated, two BOYS! who are wonderful and live with me. I have a boyfriend who is a hell of a lot younger, which keeps the insecurities alive and kicking. I work as a business analyst for a company in the agriculture industry (yawn) but it means my office is out in the country with a lovely view from the window.

I’ve been reading and enjoying your blog for years and years. I’m a fair way on from the new baby thing but I remember it well. Going into the hospital and seeing an empty bassinet in the corner of the room, realising with a jolt that pretty soon there would be a -whole-nother person in there. When I had #2 I was filled with surprise – hey, he’s different!

What keeps me coming back – your humour, your openness and your wonderful way with words, for starters. Also – consumate V’s!! You get 34,987,347 extra points for having Trogdor in your blog!

1. Your name
Hilary
2. Your age
34
3. Your life in a nutshell:
I am married, with a 2.5-year-old girl and another one on the way in early June. I work part-time as a writer and editor. I go to the office 3x a week for a nonprofit where I delight in wearing something other than cargo pants and chatting with my single girlfriends about their dating woes, and then cram in as much editing and writing work as I can during my daughter’s naps and on the weekend. I live in San Diego 2.5 blocks from the beach–the trade off is living in a very small house. I USED to compete as an amateur boxer (as a hobby) and I hope to get back to training after #2 is born…but can’t imagine being anything but round right now.
4. How long have you been reading this blog, and what keeps you coming back?
I started reading about a year ago–I think I found you through Kristin’s blog. The reason I started reading was bc our kids are the same age, but I keep coming back because you’re hilarious, honest, and sound like someone who would be wonderful to know.

GOOD LUCK! I’m so glad I’ll get the truth on dealing with 2 from you before I step off that cliff.

You’ve been in my thoughts all week. Tomorrow by this time, you’ll all be a family of four, and the thought just blows my mind. I’m really happy for all of you.

Questionnaire:
1. Your name:

b.

2. Your age:

31 — but I’ll be 32 in a couple of weeks.

3. Your life in a nutshell:

My life is currently defined by my marriage: because of it, I’ve gone completely around the world in a Magellan-like circle. I have lived in a small Middle Eastern village, and I have two very energetic, very mischievous little boys. Currently, though, I’m just a Bostonian suburban housewife. Being from the South, I find Boston to be as nearly as foreign as any place I’ve ever been. I keep my mind from atrophying through blogging and connecting to others via their blogs. It isn’t that I don’t enjoy my life as-is, but there are only so many conversations about how trucks go BUUUUUUURRRRGH that one person can take — and there’s nothing very exciting about laundry, is there?

4. How long have you been reading this blog, and what keeps you coming back?

I started reading your blog when you were still at Dairyland. So. However long that’s been. What keeps me coming back? Your sense of humor, your perspective, your writing — and the sense that you are exactly the sort of person who, if I knew you IRL, I’d want to consider a friend. I can’t say the same about all the blogs I follow, but it is something that I can say about yours.

Best wishes for tomorrow! Can’t believe the big day is finally here.

Hi Linda,

I’m Erin, 33 years old and living it up in Ballard in what is gradually turning into condo hell. I’m a mental health social worker and I run a program that helps people reintegrate into the community. I’ve been reading you for a few years now–pretty much because you’ve got the funny and your writing appeals to me. No kids but I’m warming up to the idea and my boyfriend and I are doing what we can to move that along. Good luck tomorrow!

I’m not going to say anything other than I’m 40+ and have been following your Web site since I found it just before you announced you were pregnant with Riley.

May all of you have a blessed tomorrow! I look forward to meeting little “D”.

My Name: Erin

My Age: 33

All about me: I live in Canada with my husband, my son (who will now share a birthday with your son!), my daughter and two dogs and I do freelance graphic design and photography.

How long have I been snooping around: Long enough that I can no longer remember. I started reading you when you still had your old site and a good amount of time before Riley. My brother and/or my sister-in-law initially pointed me in your direction and I’ve been reading ever since.

Good luck tomorrow! I know how exciting/nerve racking the night before can be, but I can also offer that I found the recovery for a scheduled section much easier then for an unscheduled one. Either way you get a great little bundle in the end!

1. Kelly
2. Turning 28 on Feb. 4, so I’ll share a birthday with STP! :)
3. Your life in a nutshell: Quit my job as a news anchor to stay home with my kid, who is now 8 months old. Contemplating a career change. Trying to adjust to being a SAHM: love being with my kid, hate the new budget and lack of creative outlets. I live in PA. Working now as a freelance writer from home.
4. I’ve been reading for a while, and I come back for pics of your adorable kid, glimpses into my future with a boy, and most importantly, your kick ass writing. Hilarious!

Good luck tomorrow, and happy bday STP!

1. Kristin

2. 27

3. My life in a nutshell is that I was a library assistant for the past 8 years until I decided to go back to school to become a mental health counselor. Now I am an intern, complete with a client case load and therapy groups and it’s really just too much change from a quiet library to really wrap my mind around! I live with my partner of 7 years and my dog (whose named Riley and I know you hate that dog name-baby name thing so I apologize in advance!)

4. I’ve been reading your blog since you were about 3 months pregnant with Riley. I’ve really been a lurker for most of this time but thought you may want to know that I’ve been reading your blog consistently all these years. I keep coming back because your voice and stories are unique and real and I often relate so much to the struggles, joys and everyday life that you describe. I don’t read very many blogs online but I have sundry mourning bookmarked and I always look forward to new updates!

I wish you the best of luck tomorrow and I can’t wait to see how smalltopus will look and act. Riley was the most adorable child and I’m sure the 2nd will be just as beautiful as the first.

1. Amy
2. 26
3. I just finished grad school here in Seattle this past June and I now work as an instructional designer/technical writer for a consulting company (which sounds way cooler than it probably is). I live by myself for the moment, but sometime within the next year I’ll either be changing apartments or heading back towards the middle of the country where most of my family and friends are. I really wish I had enough room for a dog.
4. I’ve been reading you since Diaryland. My friends and I had journals at the time that were our means of keeping in touch and one day when I was wishing someone would post because I was lonely, a banner for your site came up. Shortly after, you posted a picture of Dog with a red glowing nose for Christmas, and I was hooked. I continue to read because you don’t mince words or life experiences- life is what it is and somehow you seem to have come out of everything a functional and happy person. What can I say- I must be looking for your secret :)

1. Mary

2. 46. Almost 47. Obviously a senior member of your fan club. Hate that.

3. I live in Edmonds with my husband, 18 year old son, 14 year old son and ten year old daughter. One dog and one recently acquired cat. Dealing with college applications, and finding, to my surprise, that teenagers are way cooler than anyone ever told me. I do taxes for a living.

4. I’ve been reading you for ages, I read you on diaryland for a long time before you moved here. I love your writing, your honesty about your life and your great pictures of your beautiful family. I hope, in a very non-stalker-ish way, that someday I will run into you at Fred Meyer. Somehow I think we have a lot in common.

Best of luck tomorrow, I will be sending good thoughts your way!!!

1. Hi! I’m Allison.
2. I’m 22.
3. I live at home with my parents (officially), I also live with my boyrfriend (weekends) who is in the Australian Army. I work in Recruitment in Sydney, Australia and I love my job, I have a Labrador named Spencer, I use a Nikon D70s, I’m going back to Uni this year to do Human Resource Management. I don’t have a blog but I have a Flickr page.
4. I’ve been reading your lovely blog since diaryland, firstly because you wrote about Dog, then you wrote about Riley, and now you’ll be writing about little-D. I’ve been coming back because it’s like a good book I can’t put down – I want to know what happens next! Sounds totally lame, but it’s true.

Fingers and toes crossed for tomorrow!

Hi Linda!

I’m Alice. I just turned 28. I live in Washington, DC and I’m a lawyer. I’m single and childless, but I think Riley is one of the more precious creatures I’ve ever laid eyes on, and I love your blog for its hilarious, raw, honest writing. Basically I have a girl crush on you, and a family crush on the gig you’ve all got going on out there. I’ve been reading for about two years and cannot wait to meet STP tomorrow. Good luck – I’ll be thinking of all three/four of you.

I am 43 soon to be 44.
I live in a tiny little town in northeast Nebraska where I teach video production/media at a small state college. My life consists of my 18 year old son, my great dane/lab dog, and my job. I was recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma cancer when a tumor broke the L2 vertebra in my back so I’ve been on the
disabled list for a semester.
I’ve been reading since before the birth of Riley.
I keep coming back because you’re funny and a good writer. You cheer me up.
Thanks for sharing your life with us. Good luck with the new one.

Hi and good luck and eeeeee!

I’m Victoria (ok, not really, but yeah)

I just had my birthday and this year’s a doubler for me (also an internet secret, but there’s your treat for your baby’s b-day)

On the interweb, I pretend I’m a spy. But I’m not. I just am making sure I have some illusion of anonymity and I want to make sure I’m not too tempted to talk about work. I live by myself and am not sure if I’m happy about that or not. I’m not in a relationship and each time I come out of one it reminds me that I don’t feel ready to be in one. I miss having someone to snuggle with though. I’m an aunt and I love that, but am not sure I want kids of my own. I don’t do much outside of work cuz being a spy’s a pretty tiring job! I like books and movies and I still sleep with my teddy bear.

I can’t remember how I found this site, but I’ve been reading for a few months now. I’m not sure how many… three… six? I keep coming back because I like your writing and your stories and your pictures.

I hope everything goes well tomorrow.

Hugs,
Victoria

Blessings and good thoughts going your way!

1. Your name: Samantha

2. Your age:32

3. Your life in a nutshell: I have been married to my husband, Brant for 9 years, we live in a teeny tiny cracker jack box, where we are raising our seven y/o daughter, Zoe. I teach preschool, and Brant is a Schwan’s man.

4. How long have you been reading this blog, and what keeps you coming back? I have been reading this blog for AT LEAST two years. What keeps me coming back is your honesty, and most definitely your sense of humor.

I’m Erin, I don’t think I’ve commented before, but I’ve been reading for about 3 months (and read backwards quite aways and love your writing and the honesty in your stories).
I’m 29 and I live with my husband and two dogs in Portland, Oregon. I work in college admissions and my job is wonderful and crazy-making at the same time. I’m a doting aunt, but not a mom yet. I’m currently days away from finding out if I might be moving to Germany this summer.
I’m afraid I’ve answered your questions in a very round about way and I hope you’ll forgive me.

Best of luck to you tomorrow! I hope all goes smoothly and I’m sure you’ll be a wonderful mom to two. I’m very excited to see pictures :-)

Name: Stephanie Breck
Age: 38 (there is an old one in every group, isn’t there?)
Nutshell Life: Married almost 8 years, one crazy 2 year old little boy, Wyatt. Live with husband Justin in Kalispell, Montana – right, I know you’ve never heard of it – it’s near Glacier National Park. Moved here in 2005 when we found out I was pregnant to be near Justin’s fam (we were in Los Angeles where I worked in a hellish job, but had originally met in Oregon in law school). We are both lawyers. Would much rather be SAHM, writer, personal trainer, barista, I don’t know – anything but lawyer – but must pay off staggering student debts. Clearly, I have a big nutshell… Hoping to get pregnant this year to squeeze one more out before 40.

Why your blog: Been reading since I was pregnant, I think, so at least 2 years. A friend sent me the link. I’ve been sending it to friends, too. I return because you are a great writer that I really enjoy reading, I can identify with your every day issues (toddler hell, clothing dilemmas, home decor, horny dry-humping husband, etc.) but I also identify with some of your other more personal issues (the alcohol, to be exact). I appreciate your transparency – it is what makes you a great writer that people want to return to and read over and over again.

My blessings to you and your family – I will be praying for you and your child’s safe entry into this world. I am so excited for you guys – enjoy every little thing about the experience, Linda. Um, except for the part where they shave off half your bush. JB will be calling you Half-Beard for the next year, but it will all be worth it.

1. Name: Jen
2. Age: 27
3. My life in a nutshell: I was living in Seattle, but recently moved out to Northern Idaho to “be closer to nature.” (Which I accomplished; there’s a good five feet of snow directly outside my front door. ;o)) I live with my amazing dog, next door to my best friend, and have a friend of a friend staying with me for two weeks while he relocates to the area himself. I’m a grad student, and have about a year to go before I’m teaching in the college classroom. Watch out, world! ;o) Endless papers keep me plenty busy, but I do find time to volunteer at the local animal shelter.
4. Readership and return: I’ve been reading since way back in the Diaryland days. I don’t even remember how I found you, but I’ve been reading all this time because you convey an honesty that is pure, refreshing, and quite hilarious in your writing. I always wanted to drop you a line when I was still living in Seattle, to meet up or something… cause you just seem completely awesome… but I guess I figured that was a little too much like being a stalker. ;op”

Best wishes for tomorrow!!! Er… perhaps today, when you read this!

1. g

2. 32

3. I live with my husband of 2.5 years and our 8 year old cat. We currently live in Florida where I’m getting a Ph.D. in cultural anthropology but we spent a few years in Portland, OR before grad school. We’re both Westerners at heart, having grown up in Idaho. My research frequently takes me to Latin America where I go into serious blog withdrawal!

4. I’ve been reading (lurking) for a couple of years. I keep coming back because I love your honesty and think you’re one of the best writers on the Internet. You’re also the kind of mom who makes me think I might want to have kids, which is a new feeling for me. That you share both the hard parts and the achingly wonderful parts in equal doses makes parenthood seem frighteningly real and totally worthwhile.

Congrats on #2! I can’t wait for the pictures.

I’m Allyson. My husband, baby, and the bean (EDD 3/11) live in South Carolina. I started reading you sometime before our boy was conceived and keep coming back because I have really enjoyed your stories and can really relate to some of your experiences.

Best wishes. I hope STP’s delivery is textbook.

My name is Tomika and I’ll be 29 (for the first of many times, I’m sure!) on Feb 23. I live with my husband and 2.5 year old daughter in the Houston area. My daughter is exactly one week older than Riley. She was also born at 37 weeks by c-section after a crazy attempt at inducing her birth. But, to top that all off, I then spent 4 weeks watching Hurricane Katrina news in the hospital cafeteria while she lay in the NICU. It sucked. We even started having to show our IDs to get into the hospital because the hospital was down the street from where all the New Orleans evacuees were staying in Houston. Then the day after we got her out of the hospital, we were in that mass exodus from Houston because of Hurricane Rita. That sucked too – took us 17 hours to drive 200 miles with a baby who only wanted her NICU nurses back!

I used to work full-time outside of the home for a local university. I was a software trainer so I got to teach the professors. In August (wow – it’s been 6 months already!), I quit my job and now I’m a full-time Ph.D. student and part-time graduate assistant. I work mostly from home, though, since the school is 100 miles from my house. I always said that I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom while sending my child to day care. This feels pretty close to it and I’m loving what I do right now! I’m also in the process of trying to convince my husband that some money will fall out of the air for additional childcare should we procreate again in the near future.

I really am not entirely sure how long I have been reading your blog but, it started around the time that the ClubMom blogs started up. I read you sporadically for a while and now I’m hooked. Hooked because you crack me up and I really just enjoy your writing.

Good luck with everything tomorrow!

1. Your name : Quinn
2. Your age : 20
3. Your life in a nutshell: I’m a college student in Boston. One who is very depressed after watching a perfect football season go down the tubes. No kids… haha. Studying psychology here at a small all womens college right next to Fenway park. Live with a roommate in my dorm room that is smaller then a closet… and probably smaller then your new baby’s room.

4. How long have you been reading this blog, and what keeps you coming back?

Started reading it because it was linked off another blog “When in Doubt, Use Parsley” that I found randomly searching my name on google (sounds very lame now) because her daughter is also named Quinn. I’ve been reading about a year and a half now, and your writing keeps me coming back, I love love love your style, wit, and sensibility.

GOOD LUCK from a college student who has no idea what you’re going through right now, but wishes you all the best!

Quinn from Boston

1. My name is Jen

2. I’m 31 years old.

3. I live by myself currently, i’m also currently unemployed but reading the want ads, applying for all kinds of jobs, and I have a degree in Early Childhood Education. However, i’m not sure I want to continue in that path so I’ve been applying for just about everything. (Dog groomer, Air Traffic Controller, superhero etc…)

4. I’ve been reading for, oh, about a billion years. Back from the Diaryland days. I stay around because I love your writing, and because I can relate to some of the things you have been through. Just thought i’d stop by and wish you good luck for tomorrow, it’s going to be so awesome and exciting and amazing! Well, except for the sitting around and waiting part.

Amy, 32

I live with my high school sweetheart and our kid (just a few days older than Riley). I did the parent full-time thing up until recently, when I started doing consulting for my old company (research in secure operating systems and networked platforms) part-time. We live on the Central California coast, but I pretty much constantly pine for New England, where we grew up. Maybe this summer, in the few weeks between hubby’s last teaching commitments and my own due date?

I’ve been reading since shortly after Riley was born, when an old flame of Chiara’s pointed me at your blog. I keep reading because you have a particular gift for capturing slices of life with wit, passion, and clarity. Thanks so much for keeping up with what must be a fairly time-consuming hobby!

And good luck with the little ones. Let us know how it turns out? :)

1. Name: Kristin
2. Age: 32
3: Life in Nutshell: I think you know about even the most uncomfortable bits — I’m a fairly recently single Mom of a two-year old who is a few weeks older than Riley. I have a wicked sense of humour, a love of swear words, bananas on my yoga pants, and a tendency to assholery at times. I’ve been obsessively reading you since…when, 2004 maybe?

I kind of feel like you are living the life I may have lived if the sliding glass didn’t close two seconds earlier, you know? I loved meeting you as much as I enjoy reading you, I love working with you over at the Insane Gravepit of Often Hysterical Commenters, and inexplicably, I am feeling nauseous for you right now.

Can I do something? I feel like I should be making cookies or pacing or something.

So excited for you, friend.

-Danielle
-just recently 27
-live by myself in a great little town in PA. I work in mutual fund regulation, but I’m desperately hoping to get out of it soon. For fun I like to play outside and buy cheese from the cheese shop a block away.
-I’ve been reading for about a year and a half. I think I got linked here from a comment you left on another website. I really enjoy your writing style and love to read your stories. Congratulations on Smalltopus!! Best wishes for tomorrow. I hope the waiting isn’t completely horrendous.

Good luck tomorrow! We’re all excited to meet your new little guy.

1. I’m Anna – super-secret-very-creative blog name Banana
2. 28
3. I live in Seattle with my husband. We just bought a house less than a mile from my parents house, where I grew up. I work as an event planner/wedding planner and an operations consultant for an arts non-profit. Hopefully in two years I’ll be operating my own business full time – half my time spent consulting and half the time planning weddings. I’m a crazy breed of planner and organized, OCD, nerd who LOVES to plan huge parties – weddings being the ultimate party. We just made the decision to start trying for a baby, so hopefully I add mother to my resume in the next year or so.
4. I’ve been reading you for a year and a half or so. My friend turned my on to your blog and I’ve been addicted to blogs ever since. Seriously addicted. I keep coming back because you are a wonderful writer and so relatable. Also, you’re pretty freakin’ funny.

I’m Nikki, 32 (33 in March) and live in Ohio with my 3 sons. I started reading you back in the Dland days and have just followed along since. I’ve enjoyed reading your writing not only for the laughs but also for the honesty of it.
I hope everything goes well tomorrow!!
Can’t wait to see pics of Smalltopus :)

1. I’m Miranda
2. I’ll be 25 exactly three weeks from today, which should be more exciting than it actually is.
3. I graduated from college in ’06 and had no idea what I wanted to do with my life so I moved from Ohio to London to be a waitress. When I rand out of money I backpacked around Europe for awhile then came home to mooch off my parents, who are super cool. Now I have my first grown-up job in a cubicle and health insurance and trying not to go crazy working in a cubicle all day and writing when I can, which isn’t that much because boring office job + status as low man on the totem pole = very little free time or creativity.
4. I’ve been reading this blog for a couple years and keep coming back because, even though I’m single and not a parent, I like to think I’ll be a mom like you someday — brutally honest about the whole experience — the good, the bad, the wonderous and frightening. I like that you don’t sugar coat what it’s like to be a mom and don’t let being a MOM take over your whole identity. Best of luck tomorrow and the days following. Here’s hoping your day moves quickly enough for you to be comfortable but not so fast that you don’t remember it!

Melissa, 36, living with a lovely husband, two dogs, and a leaky roof. I’m a secretary for a few graduate programs at the area university. I’ve been reading for maybe two years, commenting irregularly, and I keep coming back because I like the way you write, you post great pictures, and I’m impressed with your husband’s fence-jumping abilities.

All the best to the soon-to-be-expanded family tomorrow!

I’ve been reading you for over a year. Can’t quite remember where I picked you up but love your funny posts. You have such a way with words and some of the most beautiful pictures. You know it’s always great reading about someone else’s life. I’m 47 and live in LA with my husband and two children 18 and 15. My daughter is in college where I work and my son is in the 9th grade. We love animals and have a dog and cat. I can totally relate to your life – reminds me of mine when my kids were young. Funny short story for you – mentioning your baby “accidentally” being a girl made me think back and smile – mine really was. She was a “he” through several ultrasounds and all during labor with the heart monitor hookup. OOPs. We had all boy clothes, a room done for a boy, blue stroller, blue highchair, etc.. AND diapers. That was back when the diapers came in big bulky boxes – blue or pink. No white… Ultrasounds have come a long way since then. Hope everything goes well with you tomorrow. We’ll be waiting to see your beautiful baby boy….

1. Stacey
2. I’m 30
3. I live with my husband of 2 1/2 years, 2 big old dogs- a German Shepherd and a lab/ shepherd/ border collie (we think) mix, and 3 cats.
I’m a pediatric physical therapist- I work with kids of all ages that have special needs. I’ve been doing this for over 7 years, and I really love it.
Thinking about having kids soon, although I’m not quite sold on it just yet. Reading your blog does make me want to inch a little bit closer, though- you make parenting seem like a fun adventure. Your son is awesome- I’m sure the next one will be just as much fun.
4. Gosh….a long time. I don’t even remember. 3-4 years, maybe??? Definitely since before you switched sites- I still remember the “much ado about everything” site. Back when cat and dog were the stars! I keep coming back because you write the way I think- I could hear myself saying the things you write. You know…if I lived your life or something. Not to get all “single white female” on you or anything. Don’t be afraid. Oh- and I love your pictures, too. Your whole site is endlessly entertaining.

Good luck tomorrow!!!! How exciting!!! I can’t wait to see the pictures of the newest spud. Soon, please. Kthxbai.

Is it selfish to ask that baby no 2 stays in until Tuesday, ’cause then we’d have the same birthday? No? Okay, then here’s the questionnaire to keep you entertained.
1. Your name: Bethany
2. Your age: I’ll turn 32 on Tuesday, February 5.
3. Your life in a nutshell: born in Portland, OR; moved to Tacoma for college; graduated and got a job in the area so I stayed; got a different job; married and then we moved north to Snohomish County (yup, I’m in your general ‘hood). Mom to two kiddos, a son, born May 2003, and a daughter, born May 2005. For work, I am in fund development and grantwriting for a local municipality. Snore, but I like it. But for fun I like to sew, read and hang with my kiddos.
4. How long have you been reading this blog, and what keeps you coming back? Gosh, I really can’t remember, is that terrible? I’m pretty sure I started reading around the time of Riley’s birth. What keeps me coming back is your honesty and humor about motherhood. I also like to read local bloggers – I love hearing about local haunts and insider info.

1. Elizabeth

2. 29

3. living and working as a teacher in Japan, married to a Japanese guy, only kids so far are 4 cats

4. I really can’t remember when I found you – it was when I first discovered online journals/blogs, probably about 4 years ago. I keep coming back because there is a “realness” about your writing that makes me want to find out what will happen next for you and your family.

Best wishes on your new baby!

1. Elizabeth

2. 29

3. living and working as a teacher in Japan, married to a Japanese guy, only kids so far are 4 cats

4. I really can’t remember when I found you – it was when I first discovered online journals/blogs, probably about 4 years ago. I keep coming back because there is a “realness” about your writing that makes me want to find out what will happen next for you and your family.

Best wishes for your new baby!

1. Your name (you can stay anonymous if you like) — velocibadgergirl

2. Your age (you can lie about this if you like) — 26 for another month or so

3. Your life in a nutshell: who you live with, what you do for work (category includes raising children and going to school, obvs.) — live with my husband and a spoiled cat; work in nontraditional education; eat too much ice cream; read a lot; love to be outdoors; buying a house (OMFG)

4. How long have you been reading this blog, and what keeps you coming back? — two years, I think…I come back for the humor and the great writing. Also, the cute kid photos.

Best of luck tomorrow! Can’t wait to meet the STP!