As soon as Donna and the rest are out of the Oval Office, I spring into action.
"Okay, let's go. Operation Nursery Surprise starts now."
"Of course, you had to give this a goofy name." Sam grins at me. He knows me well.
"Of course. Did you get the paint?"
"Yes. But please tell me that Donna at least helped you pick out the color. This isn't a complete surprise, is it?"
"She helped. We looked through some magazines, and this color was her favorite. A couple months ago she was leaning toward Sage Green with pink accents, but when she saw this picture, she fell in love." I take the folded up magazine page out of my wallet and hand it to Sam. "She says this looks very soothing."
Sam hands the page to Matt as we get into the Motorcade. I'm probably not Ron's favorite person right now, but when Matt over heard Sam and I talking about painting the nursery while the girls were at the baby shower, he insisted he wanted to help too. Sometimes he just needs to be a regular guy for a few hours.
"This is nice." Matt smiles. "Only you and Donna would chuck tradition and paint your baby girl's room blue."
"It's Ice Blue. And who cares? I really like this." In the picture, the walls are all ice blue with white trim. There are soft yellow curtains on the windows, a fluffy rug on the floor, and an oversize yellow chair in the corner.
"So how much are we trying to accomplish today?" Sam's practicality always shows.
"Just painting. Maybe hanging the curtains. The furniture is on order. And we still need to pick out some art work."
"Oh, I think Helen has you covered on that. She decorated the shower with framed prints of the illustrations from a children's book that Donna said she liked."
When we get to the Brownstone, I'm surprised to find Bram waiting for us in my living room.
"What are you doing here? And how did you get in?"
Matt laughs at that. "My agents took care of it." Well that answers the second question. I look to Bram for an answer to the first, but it's Sam who jumps in.
"He's the one who brought the paint and all the supplies over here. You asked me if I'd got them. Didn't you wonder where they were?"
"I just assumed they were in the trunk of the limo."
Finally Bram speaks up. "I worked my way through undergrad as a student painter. Sam thought maybe the two of you could use a little help."
It's just a small room. How hard could it be? But hey, I'll take all the help I can get. It will probably mean we'll get to the beer and pizza faster.
"Well, thanks man."
"Okay, show me the room."
"Right this way." The three of them follow me down the hall to the guest room.
"Is this bed staying in here?"
"Um, yes, for now. My Mom is staying with us this weekend. But we could move it into the den, if that's better."
"Well she might prefer not to sleep in the room with the fresh paint smell."
"Good point. Let's move it."
Once we get the bed into the den. We spread drop clothes over the hardwood floors, then move the dresser to the middle of the room. Then finally, Bram says we are actually ready to paint.
He hands each of us a roller, and pours paint into a flat tray. "Okay, here's what you want to do, up and down, long smooth motions, keep enough paint on your roller so that it covers evenly, but no so much that it drips. I'm going to trim out the doors and window while you all start on the walls."
Well, thank god I appointed Sam to get the paint, and thank god he enlisted Bram to help us! Why didn't I just hire a handyman to do this? Oh yeah, I wanted to surprise my wife by doing something manly around the house.
With four of us working, we manage to get the first coat done in just under an hour. I'm so glad I didn't try to do this alone! We are almost done with the pizza break when I glance at my watch.
"Yikes! It's 1:30. I'm supposed to make an appearance at this baby shower. How much longer do we need to wait before putting the second coat on?"
"Why don't you two head back to the Residence? Sam and I can finish the second coat and clean up."
"Yeah, that works. Can you tell Ainsley to pick me up here when they are done?"
"Sure thing. Thanks Guys, I really appreciate this."
On the ride back to the White House, Matt grins at me. "Thanks, Josh that was fun."
"Um, okay. Anytime." I'm not much for manual labor myself, but hey, if that's what rocks his boat. I've got no complaints.
Once we arrive on the second floor, there is no doubt about which room the party is in. There is lots of laughter spilling out.
As I walk into the room, I see Ainsley wrapping a piece of toilet paper around Donna's middle. I turn to Matt, "What the hell is she doing?"
Matt laughs. "Oh! I know this game. Everyone had to tear off the amount of toilet paper they think will fit around Donna's belly."
"Why toilet paper?"
"Well, now, that I don't know!"
We watch for a few more minutes, and I'm shocked when Amy ends up winning the game. Helen informs her that she can take the flower pot from the middle of the table home with her.
Helen spots us at the door. "Oh good! Josh is here. You guys can open the gifts now." My Mom beams at me from a table with Mrs. Bartlet and Zoey and Donna's family. To be honest, I was a little surprised that my Mom came to the shower, but since Donna had asked there was no way she'd miss it. Even though we don't usually do these, I'm glad she's here.
I make my way to the front of the room, where there are two chairs. A regular banquet chair, and a glider. The glider has a tag on it. Donna turns it over.
For our favorite Chiefs of Staff- Something for you to keep in the Residence Bedroom for when you need a quiet place to go with your new boss.
"Oh my goodness! Donna exclaims. Thank you so much." She gives Helen a big hug.
"It's from me too!" Miranda calls out.
"Thank you, Miranda! Come here and give me a hug."
After Miranda hugs both of us, she goes over the the table piled with gifts and brings one back to Donna.
The tag just says "from Margaret." Donna opens the box and pulls out large, yellow wooden letters. Two, cursive capital "L"s and two lower case "u"s.
"For the wall in her nursery." Margaret says. Donna must have shown her the picture too. She definitely wanted the name on the wall. I hope she's really okay with Lulu, because it seems it's here to stay.
"Thanks, Margaret! This is perfect!"
Miranda brings Donna another gift and she reads the card. "This is from Mallory, she wishes she could be here."
She hands me the card. There is a lot more in there than what Donna read.
Josh and Donna-
I'm so excited for you two to begin this journey called parenthood. I'll tell you it's not easy, but it's so worth it when you see your child learn new things, and make new friends, and enjoy the world. It gives hope for the future. And the love! You aren't even going to believe the love. I know that the two of you are going to be amazing parents because you already have so much love for each other and such a strong desire to make this world a better place. Your baby is blessed to have parents like you. I'm sorry I'm still not ready to spend much time in the White House, especially so close to the Anniversary, but let's get together between Christmas and New Year's so I can meet your little angel. And then we'll need to take the kids to a Mets game in the spring.
Much love,
Mal
Oh, that's really sweet. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do with the card so I tuck it under my leg. Donna has the paper off, and the box open now, and she pulls out a fluffy sheep. The tag says it's a "Sleep Sheep" Mother's best friend, makes relaxing white noises including whale songs, to help baby to get to sleep.
Donna laughs. "This is awesome. If Lulu takes after Josh, I'll need all the help I can get to get her to power down and go to sleep at night!"
"And if she takes after Donna we won't need it at all, because she can sleep anywhere, anytime!"
Donna gives me a bit of an evil eye and everyone laughs. I kiss her cheek. "I'm not saying that's a bad thing, baby! I hope she takes after you!"
Miranda is anxiously waiting to hand us the next package. It's a Rubber Giraffe teether from Ginger.
"My sister said those are really amazing!" She calls out.
"Thanks!" Donna responds. I set the bag near my feet and slide the card back into it.
Next is a plastic bath tub filled with baby shampoo, wash cloths and hooded towels. It's from Annabeth, Angela, Lou and Edie.
"Thanks guys. This stuff will definitely come in handy."
Zoey and Charlie give Lulu a whole "Georgetown University Baby" outfit, complete with sweats, a onesie, hoodie and little hat. That reminds me. I haven't asked Zoey if her parents found out her living arrangements yet. Oh! And I need to send that shirt back with Lottie for Jim.
"Go Hoyas!" Donna shouts as a thanks.
"Go Hoyas!" Zoey responds.
The next present is from Bella & Anna, Becky & Carly. It's a big box of colorful clothes with matching bibs and blankets. It looks like you can make several different outfits. That's kind of handy.
The next package has two identically wrapped boxes tied together. Donna pulls off the card and reads it, putting her hand to her mouth. "This is from the Bartlets." She manages to rasp out. Then she hands me the card. Once again I read it to myself while she's opening the boxes.
.
Dear Lulu-
You were meant to be. So many people waited for your parents to figure out what was staring them in the face, but all that time was worth it so that you'd be you, coming at the perfect time in history. We can't wait to see how you'll change the world. And just remember if your parents are being jackasses, you can always come stay with Grandpa Jed and Grandma Abbey.
The first box is labeled "Super Nerdy ABC Wooden Blocks." These have to be from Grandpa Jed. The blocks all have science information on them. Like G is for Galaxy on one side. And the definition on another. And cute pictures. They are really neat.
The second box is a complete baby first aid kit and a "What to Do if" first aid book. Well, that must be from Grandma Abbey.
"Thank you!" I tell her sincerely. We already have a first aid kit but I'll feel much better having one with baby size stuff and a book!
Amy gives us a package of swaddling blankets and a book on how to make balloon animals. Well, okay. Karen gives us a very soft, hand knit blanket in the perfect color of butter yellow.
The gift bag from Andy & Toby contains a set of "Baby Lit" Board Books. Pride and Prejudice counting- 5 Bennett Sisters. Too funny.
Sam and Ainsley give us a box filled with funny onesies- Donna reads them off-
"got milk?"
Not yet, but I am really looking forward to watching her nurse.
"all Mommy wanted was a backrub"
Well that is so not true, but I'm smart enough to keep the comment to myself.
"18 years until my first tattoo"
Um, no.
"You can do this, Daddy".
That one's got directions for which body part goes through which hole, and garners lots of laugh from the ladies. I pick it up and study it carefully, causing even more laughter.
"Oh! This is my favorite!" Donna says holding up "Future Democrat" with a little picture of a donkey.
"Sam picked that one out!" Ainsley hollers.
"Thank you! These are really cute."
The last gift is from Donna's Mom. It's another knit blanket in a soft pink.
Donna rubs it on her cheek, then smiles and hands it to me.
"Thanks, Mom. And thank you, everyone! We really appreciate all of the gifts, your thoughtfulness, and generosity. We feel so very blessed to have this great family. We know you are all going to be a very special part of our baby's life."
"There's still lots of food! Get some dessert!" Helen announces.
"Wow, this is was really great. We have some really good friends." I give Donna a hug.
"We sure do. But what are we going to do with all this stuff? You don't want to take it home do you?" She asks.
I'm honestly torn. I can't wait to see all the cute clothes in Lulu's closet, and the toys and books on the shelves. We are already winking and nodding at the old Jewish traditions by painting the room, but putting up Lulu's name would really be over the top. My Mom already ordered the oversized rocking chair for the room but it's not going to be delivered until after the baby arrives. And we won't set up the crib until then either. Finally, I decide.
"I'd rather not. I know I don't fully practice, but I think it means a lot to my Mom for us to keep some traditions. Can we just keep this stuff in your office until after Lulu get's here?"
"Absolutely. Maybe you can grab Matt and Peter and ask them to help you carry it down there?"
On the way home, Carly prattles on and on about how great Peter is. He's got an amazing room, and he's so smart, and he's so nice. I'm starting to get a little worried. She's 11! Isn't she kind of young to have a crush on a boy? And I wonder how Peter feels about this. I'm kind of conflicted here. I'm protective of both these kids, who's side am I supposed to be on? Good thing she's only here one more day. Maybe I won't have to figure it out right now.
When we get back to the Brownstone, Sam's still there, sitting on the couch drinking a beer watching a college football game.
"Sam! What are you doing here?" Donna exclaims, giving him a hug.
"I wanted to say Hi to Mrs. L." He makes for my Mom as soon as Donna let's go.
"You saw her earlier." Donna replies, narrowing her eyes at him. "What's going on?"
Sam gulps. There is no way he'll be able to keep this secret.
"Sam helped me with a little surprise. Come with me!" I put my hand on her back and lead her towards the guest room while everyone follows behind. I open the door, turn on the light and guide Donna into the room.
"Oh Josh! It's perfect! Thank you!" Donna grabs me in a hug and plants a dozen little kisses all over my face. I gotta say. I'm liking this reaction.
She turns to Sam. "Thanks for helping, Sam!"
"Bram and Matt helped too."
They really did do a great job. The paint looks really nice, and they even hung the yellow curtains up.
"Very nice, darling." Mom says patting my cheek.
"It's blue!" Donna's Mom exclaims. "I thought you were doing sage green, with pink accents?"
"I changed my mind. I like this color scheme a lot better. Mom bought us a big stuffed rocker. It's yellow, it will go in that corner. Then the crib over there and then a cube shelf under the window and a changing table over there." Donna point around the room while her Mom nods.
"Well. That does sound nice. I'm sure Leonora is going to love this nursery. Let's hang up her name and the prints right now!"
"Mom! I told you we haven't made a final decision on the name yet! And we aren't going to decorate the nursery until after she arrives! I've explained this before!" Uh oh, Donna's just reached her limit.
"Well, you know, tradition is fine and all, but what about our traditions? Why does everything have to be done the way Josh's family wants it?" She spits back at Donna.
My Mom turns a little pale, and I take her arm and gently guide her from the room. We can still hear Donna and her Mom pretty clearly though.
"Mother. This is your eighth grandchild! It's her first. We don't have ANY family traditions regarding decorating the nursery. We only do it in advance because it's convenient. And as far as traditions go, I'll have you know that Josh is a big fan of Leonora, which was YOUR suggestion because YOU like the tradition of giving girls Italian names. But the way you are acting right now, I don't want to do anything to carry on your traditions."
