Here's what I want to know:

How come, no matter how much planning I do, I always end up having to rush out and buy something to take to Steve's relatives on Christmas Eve?

Steve and I spoke, oh, about a week ago about what I should bring. I told him I wasn't up for anything huge. "But I can make a pie, or some bread or something...?" Steve never really responds to these types of questions. He kind of brushes them off, or says something like "you should bring bruschetta." Which is ridiculous because 1 - IT IS NOT BRUSCHETTA and 2 - you have to cook it just before you eat it and 3 - I am just not up for the hassle this year, having an 18 month old and being 8 1/2 months pregnant and all.
So the conversation never comes to anything close to anything that looks like a conclusion - to me, anyway.

And so today, after Steve got home (at about 3:30pm, since it's the holiday season and all,) I casually mention that I have nothing to bring to his Aunt's. Always helpful, Steve says "you knew this was coming up - didn't we talk about this?" I pointed out that talking about it doesn't mean we actually decided on anything, and then told him I could make a pumpkin pie ("on Christmas Eve?" he asked, as if the concept were similar to that of having candy canes in March) or that I could make shortbread cookies ("If it's a choice between the two, make the pumpkin pie.") His overall comment? "I still think you should make the bruschetta."

The thing is, I suggested these things because I HAVE THE INGREDIENTS! There would be no shopping! No dragging my 180 lb. self out the door and standing in line with french bread, picking through tomatoes, and wondering if the cheese I got is the good kind or the plastickee kind because I can never remember which is which...

But then I did some thinking while giving Nicholas his bath. These are HIS relatives. Why should I have to do anything, and I mean ANYTHING at all for this party. I was willing to make an effort, but Steve wants me to do everything and won't give me a hand - except, possibly, to watch the baby while I'm at the store, and I know when I start cooking I'll be running after the baby while I'm doing it.

So too bad. I may, in fact, go to the store tomorrow. And if I do, it will be to pick up some fudgy holiday treat that is pre-made. Fudge sounds good. I like fudge. And if Steve disagrees, he can always go back to the store to pick up stuff and make tomato mozarella melts.