...testing, 1, 2, 3, testing...

I love being involved. It makes me happy to know that I am valued enough to be kept in the loop. I may be that last one notified when things happen but I am on the phone tree. At least I am on one side of our family.

I'm trying to stay in contact with everyone. With our families spread from coast to coast and our nearest relatives over 10 hours away from us it's not an easy feat. I'm sorry if my frequent phone calls, text messages and blogging annoys you. I try not to although Amie is convinced that it is my job.

Maybe I'm trying to hard. I want to believe that if I didn't go out of my way my phone would occasionally ring. Unfortunately, I doubt it.

I know I sent out every form of contact we have here in New York. It was a successful email to easily 40 or more frequently used email addresses and none came back with an error message. I hate assuming anything but I have a sinking feeling that this email ended up in a ton of trash folders without having the information saved.

I understand that no one can focus on our family 24/7. I would be surprised if anyone spent more than a minute or two each week thinking about us. Everyone has their own life to live, busy schedule to keep to! I can see who is "following" my blog and I have a good idea of who calls us frequently. I hope that there are others out there that check on us occasionally.

I love hearing about your family, that you want to share this with us. Please keep in mind that I expect the same from you. I want to know that you are concerned about my family. Blame these feelings I have on pregnancy hormones if it will make the request easier for each of you to handle.

My requestto our families is that you find a way to let us know that you are keeping up with our struggles and successes. For everyone that does (email, usps mail, text message, comment this post, whatever works for you) I would like to send you a gift of appreciation.

To thank each of you, I will be sending out a new photograph of our family. This "giveaway" is open to our friends and family and will remain open until the end of April, 2011. Please expect your gift to arrive in the mail in May around the time of our second wedding anniversary! Please make sure we have your current mailing address if you've moved in the past year.

XOXO, A. Scott