Da coach.

Dani said "Ditka" today. Daddy wiped a tear from his eye. She's mastering lots of her letter sounds and starting to talk up a storm.

We broke out Dani's birthday bike, and she's finally big enough to scoot around on it.

This morning, I planted Dani in front of The Wiggles so I could pack her diaper bag--we were supposed to meet Aunt Renny and Uncle John at McDonalds for breakfast. This would be Dani's first trip to Mickey D's. So, Dani sat perched on the couch, and was so quiet. When I peeked into the room, this is what I found:

Another fine moment in parenting. It's always important to capture the deed on film before correcting it.

Dani, enjoying her first Mickey D's trip. She was too little to actually play on anything, but the closed off room was kid friendly and we had it all to ourselves.

Super slacker. Blame facebook.

I've been really bad about posting. Facebook is partly to blame because it is so easy to upload without having to type anything.

Things have been good--running my own business is a challenge, but so rewarding. I'm keeping busy, learning a ton about the many things that go into running a business-record keeping, accounting, marketing, banking, etc. It's keeping me very busy--but good busy. I would be working a ton more if it weren't for the kiddo and the bun in the oven--which is a good sign, because I want to work more--because it means I'm working to support my family. Having a bun in the oven is helping to keep me balanced and remind me that I made the transition for the benefit of all of us.

But, knock on wood, I've had lots of calls and lots of old friends who have asked me to do work for them. It means a lot.

All is well in the land of B. Dani's just so much fun that this video doesn't do it justice. Big Man and I spend most of the day laughing at her antics. She has become so affectionate---kisses abound. She even lifts my shirt up to kiss the "baby" in my tummy. Just a little love bug. She loves looking through our many photo albums at pictures of baby Dani. When asked, she will point out everyone in the pictures--except mommy. Even when Big Man is looking at them with her, he can ask, "where is daddy" and she will point to him, but the same question of mommy gets no point...odd!


Big Man's home for a bunch of nights so it will probably be a quiet couple of days.

Grandpa's Harley Kid.

Grandma and Grandpa sent Dani some Harley gear for Valentine's Day.

We are working on reading books with real pages instead of just board books. I'm pleasantly surprised that we haven't had any page ripping, and that Dani loves these books just as much.

Here's she's marching up to me with one of them so I can read to her. Kid loves books.

Big Man's off tonight so we're all spending a little quality time together!

Be mine.

Mommy says this a heart and hearts mean love.

L is for Love. I can make an L.

I love Daddy, and Mommy, and Grandma and Grandpa and my almost baby sister and my cats and everybody!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Parenting 101.

Big Man was in the kitchen making dinner while I was playing with Dani. I decided it was time for a diaper change, so I put her on the changing table, got her undressed, and she started to really fight with me. She was kicking and trying to roll over and making it impossible for me to get a new diaper on her. Rather than try to overpower her, I thought I'd give her a minute to calm down, so I put her on the floor, sans diaper, with just her onesie open and her long sleeved shirt on top. I figured she'd toddle around for a minute while I picked up the clothes and changing table mat that she had flung around the room--then we'd try again. So, she walked over to her blocks, and then stood very still.

Yep. She stood there and peed all over the floor. So, I swear a few times, dart into the kitchen to grab paper towels, and come back to Dani splashing in her pee puddle.

It was then time for a bath. Big Man just shook his head in wonder. How was I supposed to know she had to pee at that instant? No parenting awards for me tonight!


As you can see from the photo, Dani has a little friend. Scrubbie cat is so desperate for love that he allows himself to be mauled by Dani constantly. She loves it.

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.