La Reve
Right before I got pregnant with Michael Doug and I took a wine tour through Napa Valley. We had been trying for 5 months and it wasn't working so why not right? We visited a champagne house, Domaine Carneros, and talked about how wonderful this was but what we really wanted was a baby. We bought a bottle of their most expensive champagne and promised that we would drink it the night the baby was born.
I conceived the night we came home from San Francisco. And the champagne, La Reve (The Dream) was brought and drank at the hospital while holding Michael Nolan. Our whole family had some and we told them the story.
Doug brought a bottle home to surprise me after we signed the contract on the house that will never be. (You have no idea how much I want to delete that post from my archives. The pain is so much. But it was real, and exists, and it feels wrong to pretend it doesn't). And I was smart. I said no, we drink it the night we move in.
La Reve will wait a little longer to get drunk. For reasons that no one in their right mind can explain, our buyer terminated the contract. How and why and when does not matter, I promise I will do a post about that when I get some time and distance and start eating and sleeping again. (As an aside, home selling and buyers walking best diet ever. I lost 5 pounds! In a week!)
Doug is devastated. I am devastated. Michael just wants to know why Mommy and Daddy are on the phone all the time and can't play with him. We are fixing up the house a little more to make it more attractive to buyers and are then going back on the market. Hopefully next week.
This time I'm going to be a little quieter. I can't help but feel like blogging and twittering every 5 seconds of this process jinxed it somehow. Expect an announcement like, we settled and I move tomorrow! Hopefully soon.
I can't thank you all enough for your comments and emails and twitters. People who don't blog and don't twitter don't get it. Twitter literally hugged me last week and I felt it.
I have had many disappointments in my life. I didn't get into my first choice college or law school and I ended up where I was supposed to. I dated a ridiculous amount of frogs before I found my Prince. This is not the end. I know that. I know it will be ok.
La Reve may be further away. And it may not be that house. But I believe there is another house somewhere that is waiting for a little boy to run through it. And I need to focus on that. I need to get us there.
***This post is in no way affiliated with Domaine Carneros. They have no idea I exist. If they would like to send me free wine to numb the pain, I would take some.
Jodi, I am so sorry. I just have to believe there is some reason for all of this - just have faith your family was meant to be happier and safer in another home. I know how hard it is - we have been struggling with the home selling/buying thing for 3 years. I keep putting my heart into places it isn't meant to be. Maybe someday we can share a bottle of wine & toast to the end of this chapter for both of us. xoxo
Posted by: holli | 06/14/2009 at 03:53 PM
Argh, this must be so frustrating! But I think you're right... it wasn't meant to be and the right house for you is still out there, waiting for you and your family to come home.
Posted by: stephanie | 06/14/2009 at 04:02 PM
It just plain sucks. I'm so sorry. It also sucks that you have to disclaim about the champagne. Sometimes we just like things and want to talk about them on our blogs, simple as that!
Posted by: She Likes Purple | 06/14/2009 at 04:28 PM
I know you're disappointed. But despite the let down, you still have hope. And that's what separates you from those who complain, play the victim or somehow blame others rather than picking themselves up, acknowledging the disappointment and moving on (no pun intended). Your dream will come true. Can't wait to hear about the night when you pop open that new bottle of La Reve!
Posted by: CT Mom | 06/14/2009 at 05:10 PM
You know what? Drink it! Because you quickly saw/are seeing this for what it is. And life is never he perfect that we want. If the sun is shining and he goes to sleep early tonight and it's chilled I would pour it up :) And if you do get some extra bottles, share the wealth. Have a great week!
Posted by: MarathonMom | 06/14/2009 at 05:50 PM
HUG.
You're going to find better buyers and an even better new house, I can feel it.
Posted by: tutugirl1345 | 06/14/2009 at 06:23 PM
Oh Jodi - I am so sorry that things didn't work out with the house. I know there will be others, but it still sucks. Hang in there! Hugs!
Posted by: Maggie | 06/14/2009 at 09:18 PM
agreed. even though it's pretty painful, it does seem like you've got the right attitude.
your body waited for the right night to have a baby.
you dated some jerks before Doug.
this house that is coming, i am sure, will be exactly where you're meant to be...sometimes waiting sucks. but it'll be all the more sweeter life when it all works out in the end.
xo hugs to you!
Posted by: ioio | 06/15/2009 at 12:04 AM
Aw, Jodi, I am so sorry! Sorry I missed your tweets, but here it is: HUG.
Posted by: Janna | 06/15/2009 at 08:42 AM
Oy. We have bought and sold many a home over the past 19 years. If you need hand holding, I can do that. I'm sorry the seller cx'd your contract. However, it means that home wasn't the one that deserved your family to live in it. You'll find the one that does!
Posted by: Parentopia Devra | 06/15/2009 at 09:18 AM
It's the house's losss, not yours. : ) Live in my neighoborhood. Across the moat. LOL
Posted by: Parentopia Devra | 06/15/2009 at 09:19 AM
It was more than a house, it was your hope for a HOME. And I am really sorry it did not happen for you.
Hang in there and don't forget to take care of yourself - you don't need to get sick right now. Not trying to nag, just don't forget. You know, in case you forget. :-)
P.S. Love the name Nolan, it is my nephew's name!
Posted by: cagey | 06/15/2009 at 10:17 AM
Yes, even if you know it will all work out, it's still upsetting to go through. I sympathize.
I first read that you were going to drink the fine wine the night *before* your baby was born and was like WTF? Made more sense aft I re-read it.
Good luck with the house! {hugs}
Posted by: kim/hormone-colored days | 06/15/2009 at 11:48 PM
Phooey. I had a little comment written out and I lost it.
Abridged it was: The hurt is real (we lost a house once too and the feeling was acute). Take care of yourself (ie, be gentle to yourself, don't berate yourself over your feelings).
How about making a voodoo doll of the nasty buyer. That could be fun AND therapeutic!
Posted by: JChevais | 06/16/2009 at 02:38 PM