Are you ready for some football?

We sure are!

I predict Colts 34 Saints 31.

We picked up some monster delmonicos at BJs today, and Big Man is getting ready to grill. He's got the night off and it's going to be fun!

Operation no paycheck.

Well, as many of you know I started my own law practice last month, giving up the regularity and security of a weekly paycheck and regular hours. I'm in charge of household finances and I assured Big Man that we could cut our budget and get by without my salary. It would be tight, but could work. Could is the operative word because it requires discipline--something I tend to lack when it comes to spending.

So, I make grocery lists (ugh) have seriously curtailed my online shopping (waah) and have really watched my spending. I also completely segregated household and business expenditures. Because we get UPROMISE contributions for using our credit card, we use it for everything, from a cup of coffee at McDonalds to groceries, because a percentage of our spending gets put into Dani's college fund. I got my online notification of our monthly statement and I'm pleased to report that I managed to trim about $800 from our monthly spending. It was a way less fun month activity and eating out wise, but it was a financial victory, leaving me with less stress than I anticipated!

And a big shout out to our pal Bill R., and the guys at blogger/google who fixed the video problem today.

Curses, blogspot!

Blogspot seems to be unable to display any video I have ever uploaded, and they are unavailable on google videos. I have emailed them for help to no avail. I would pay them to fix it but it is not an option, so be patient Dad.

Below is yet another example of why I'm a lucky kid. I come home to a tasty homecooked meal every night like this one from yesterday. Hearty home cookin by the Big Man. This was a tasty ground beef and onion bake, mashed potatoes (both from scratch of course) and corn, ready minutes after I arrived home. I's a lucky girl.

Buzzin' around

Somebody's been awfully happy lately, tearing through the house, screeching, chasing the cats and just being super fun.



We got grandma and grandpa hooked up with a webcam and Skype, and they get to say an in person hi to Dani every few days, which is really fun. And my bro just hooked up so I will get to see his litle guy tomorrow via Skype. It will be so much more fun in a few months when she can communicate better. Speaking of my folks--down in Hickory, NC, they have had more snow than we have this season which is unreal! They got another 8" yesterday, and we got nothing.

Big Man taught Dani to give kisses, which is the cutest thing ever. She hugs and kisses all her stufed animals, and Daddy, and sometimes me. She seems to think it is a game to lean in like she is going to kiss me and then laugh and turn away. He took this awesome pic in the crib yesterday:

Here's an example of the silly, happy baby we saw all day!

And a moment or so later, it continues:

Don't you love how effective it is when I say "no"? :)

Due date.

Just received confirmation that baby number 2 has been scheduled to arrive on April 27. Now all we need is a name!

No pics tonight--blogger won't let me upload. :(

Videos for Grandpa.

These are videos only a grandpa can love. So disclaimer to my facebook friends who are going to suffer from yet another automatic notes-feed; facebook does it automatically when I post to my blog.

Tonight, however is about my dad. He got his new webcam all hooked up and ready with the audio finally working, and called to set up a videocall with Dani, but she was already in bed. She wouldn't take a midday or afternoon nap for Big Man, so she was a tired baby train wreck by 6:15pm. When I walked in the door at 5:30 she came running to me, crying. When I asked Big Man why she was crying, he said, "I don't know, she started as soon as she saw you." Tired little pumpkin, she was.

So, grandpa, here you go. First video shows a distracted Dani who is almost doing "head shoulders knees and toes" correctly.

And this next one shows the walking proficiency I've been telling grandpa about!

Sorry Dad.

I've been pretty busy, and my Dad reminded me that I haven't been posting much. There are, obviously, a lot of factors affecting that. One was that Big Man was home every night last week, so I wasn't by mysef all night after Dani went to bed, so I wasn't online as much. The other--well, the whole new office thing.

But, first things first, here you go Dad, your little sweeting playing with her baby dolls' bottle.

I'm excited about so many things. My phone lines were installed, the office is decorated. Big Man set up a small table and chairs for me for meetings this week, and I have plants! It is looking pretty good. So much effort by so many of my friends and family made this possible. Chang set up my website and email; Dave helped me choose equipment, move into the office, and work on the security of my network; Big Man, well--it goes without saying that none of this would be possible without him; Lisa was super about rent and office furniture, and so many others just pitched in to make it work in a really short time frame. Thanks, all.

And, this little miss is so much fun. She's talking up a storm, although we often don't know what she's saying. She marches up to me about every 8 seconds, book in hand for me to read to her. She spends tons of time with her books! Dani can identify her ears, eyes, nose, and can put her hands in the right spots when the little dog in the picture above sings "head, shoulders, knees and toes". I can ask her which book is "Baa Baa" (Baa baa black sheep) and she will retrieve it. She is very tuned in to my belly, putting her ear on it, patting it and lifting up my shirt to see it. I've been really encouraging this behavior....but she now is obsessed with everyone's bellies, from Big Man, who says "no baby in here Dani", to basically everyone she can get her hands on!

Now that things are set up, I can rejoin the real world, start reading the newspaper regularly, and tune back in to folks who are probably wondering why I fell off the map.

Had my 25 week baby doc visit on Friday, and all appears well, My c-section is tentatively scheduled for April 27!

Ch-ch-ch changes.

Lots of changes here on the B front!

First and foremost, I left my job to start my own law practice! Its incredibly exciting, but also terrifying...walking away from the known and comfortable, a salary and set hours...to something that is very much all mine, to create and build and hopefully grow and succeed. The undertaking has been tremendous, finding space, buying equipment, crunching numbers, making budgets and plans, but I'm up and running!

Dani and her little friend Mary, on a play date yesterday.

I'm blessed to have such an extremely supportive husband, family, friends and colleagues. Big Man has, as always, been nothing short of wonderful. From agreeing to take on even more of his already yeoman's share of things, by being the sole steady breadwinner (and probably having to work some OT), to bringing me coffee, breakfast and flowers this morning on his way home from work, he just rocks.

The new baby is starting to make her presence known--last night, Big Man could feel her kick with his hands on my belly. Dani even seems to be aware of her presence, which sounds crazy since she's so young, but I really believe she knows. I can ask her where the baby is, and she will lift my shirt, pat my belly and put her head on my belly. It's adorable--and she seems to want to always touch and pat my belly, so cute! She's really starting to communicate better, and is just so much fun.

All is well. I'll try to do better about the posting frequency (sorry Dad!). And, while I'm speaking of my most consistent reader, a big ol' happy birthday to my Dad, who turned 65 yesterday!

After jinxing myself by telling my cousin that I never get sick while pregnant on Thursday, I woke up sick on Friday, and ended up leaving work early. Still feeling not quite up to par. It's been a crazy week, and I haven't posted much...much to the dismay of my loyal readers (dad).

Dani's been entertaining herself by flipping through photo albums and looking at pictures of herself.

Big Man also, without prompting, put on his Flash shirt to match Danit today. It was super cute.

Dani's really walking like a champ, tearing around the house as fast as she can go. She often tries to carry things or drink from her cup while walking which has less than ideal results.

Here's a set of videos, where you will hear a part of the oft repeated mantra, "Dani, no kitchen, no bathroom, no stairs," which is said dozens of times per day, in varying order. It will give you a sense of how good she's doing at walking.



Big Man has the night off, so getting ready for some couch snuggle time!

Family day.

Big Man had the last two nights off, so we just had a great weekend of family time. Lots of sleep and just hanging out. We traded days getting up in the morning with Dani so we each got to sleep in one morning. Even had our own "date night" last night where we snuggled on the couch watching the newest Harry Potter movie.

Got Dani tucked in for the night, and after a few minutes she was unusually fussy. I sent Big Man up to check things out because something told me it was out of the ordinary. I hear Dani fussing as he's going up the stairs, and then all out wailing a minute later. The wailing gets louder and louder so I go upstairs to inspect. I walk into her room...she's screaming, and he's holding her and covered in puke. (Better him than me.) So, tubby time, laundry, and Dani snuggling downstairs with Big Man for a little while so we could make sure she was okay. She was. About 30 minutes later I gave her a bottle, and she went right to sleep. Here she is post-bath wearing her new bunny sleeper.
Even the Bears played well today. Other than the puke-apolypse, it was a great day.

It's so fun to watch Dani walk around the house.

My New Year's Resolutions........a Dani guest post.

Hi everybody, Dani here. I've been hearing a lot about this New Year's thing, and even though I didn't get to stay up to watch some guy mommy calls the crypt keeper (but I think his name is really Dick Clark, sometimes mommy messes up people's names) drop a big ball on a bunch of kissing people, I decided to make some resolutions. That's what big kids do, I guess.

Resolution number 1.

I'm going to walk more. I can walk, you know. Sometimes it just seems faster to crawl. But, crawling's for babies, and I'm 1, so I really need to start walking more. Plus, mommy says I can't wear any of the dresses I got for Christmas until I walk because it's hard to crawl in them.

Resolution Number 2

Make friends with the gray cat. It sounds crazy, but the gray cat still hasn't warmed up to me. She always comes around when I am playing with mommy, and sometimes, If I am really quiet and still, I can pet her once. Usually I shriek and wave at her and she runs away. I don't get it. I'm really going to make more of an effort with that one this year. She clearly needs some love.

Resolution Number 3

Talking. I don't really see what the big deal is about this. Everyone seems to figure out what I want when I want it. I guess I'm pretty effective with my gesturing. But, I'm babbling all the time and no one seems to understand what I am saying. I'm getting a little tired of "mommy, daddy, kitty" as my schtick. I want to be able to talk to Grandpa and Grandma on the phone, so I really have to get working on this. Plus, I also need to tell mommy that I want to name the new baby Elmo.

Resolution Number 4

I learned that there's this thing called a potty. I've seen it. I've seen mommy use it. I guess I'm supposed to want to sit on it and pee instead of in my diapee. And then clean myself off or something instead of laying back and letting daddy and mommy take care of it. It sounds like a lot of work, with little payoff. I mean, what if I get my hands dirty? But, I decided that this year I'm going to try to figure out how to use it. That way I can show my baby sister who's the boss and who's the baby.....and I ain't the baby.

Well, it sounds like I have my work cut out for me this year. I'm a pretty smart kid so I figure I can handle it. Happy New Year everybody.

Winding down the weekend.

Our local Grandma Emeritus, Debi, came by today with an adorable sweater for Dani. It's hand knit and has a great little lamb!

It's been a nice, long weekend. Today, Aunt Renny, Uncle John and I went to visit my Great Aunt Virginia in an Albany nursing home so she could meet Dani. Aunt Virginia is my Dad's aunt, and is a nun; she never lived in the area until she stopped teaching, but it's nice to have her close by. I'm pretty sure she's in her mid 90's.

She was excited to see Dani, as were all the ladies on her floor!

Christmas fun!

Somebody loved Dave & Gail's fish tank!

And Dani had lots of fun with cousin Shannon!

Dani found a flash light and, if she could talk, would have told some hella scary ghost stories!

Group photo of Uncle John, Aunt Renny, Leigh and Dani.

Merry Christmas all!

Dani banana 12-24-09.

I promised Grandpa and Grandma I'd put some video from yesterday up so they could see what Dani's been up to. This one's a little long but captures the latest Dani-isms.

Looking forward to going to David & Gail's in a little while. Shannon got a new kitten, and Dani will be very excited to play with a pet that doesn't know better than to let her maul it!

Merry Christmas!

I promised Grandma and Grandpa that they would get to see some Christmas pictures of Dani since they aren't here! We did Christmas Eve at our house, and the family came over, along with some friends.Dani was ready to party and kept everyone entertained!

Dani loved her plush football which makes chimey music when you throw it.

And, she swiped Daddy's new Superman hat.

A very Merry Christmas to all!

First Christmas present!

Dani got a box! Woo hoo!Chang sent her an awesome riding giraffe that plays games!
She was a little scared of sitting on the bike seat, but loved the lights and sounds.

First present of the season! Thanks Chang! We love and miss you!

New baby update: we seen no peen.

Actual text I sent to Big Man this afternoon: "your sperm have failed me".

Well dear reader (dad), we have news. It's not as good as I'd hoped, but we had the 20 week ultrasound today. This is the 3-d profile of the baby--nose pointing to the right.

Apparently, I'm going to be giving birth to a hairless cat! Below, a newborn Sphynx, or hairless cat.

I can't really tell the difference.

Oh, but you're probably reading because you want to know the gender. In the event the title of the post didn't clue you in, it's a girl. No peen to be seen.

Honestly, I'm pretty bummed. I was sure it was a boy. The psychic Gail and I went to last week said it was a boy. Big Man was meant to have a boy! Yes, healthy baby most important, blah, blah, blah, blah. But two girls? Sounds like purgatory after about age 6. Big Man predicts another "Bethany junior". Be afraid. Be very afraid.

We need a name, 'cause I think if we stick with Tommy, she'd have some issues.

Vital stats.

Dani's one year doctor's visit was today.
19 pounds, 6 ounces.
28 1/2 inches long.

She had some fun with her walker tonight.

I've spent the last two hours wrapping christmas presents to ship....still not done.

More Dani tricks.

Dani, or Quasimodo. Love my little ogre face!
Fun day today.

Big Man likes to play a game with Dani, where he clucks like a chicken, and then Dani tries to find her stuffed chicken. She was a little distracted tonight but it was funny nonetheless.

Big Man has tonight off, and was home last night, so we had a great family day. He cooked a big ol' breakfast, we watched tons of football and played with Dani. She is so much fun! I made a kick ass roast in my new roaster tonight!

Mmmmm, iced coffee.

We don't typically let Dani have caffeinated beverages, but she flips for straws. She saw me with my (low caf) iced coffee from Stewart's, and had to try some. I'm impressed by her use of the straw.

Big Man's home tonight, so we are spending the day snuggling on the couch watching football.