Early Easter!

Grandma Deb came over to wish Dani Happy Easter! Deb's headed to Phoenix and then Orlando to see her grandkids, and won't be back until the 14th--so she started Dani's Easter early. With an awesome basket filled with stuff and a BALLOON! Dani was in heaven!

Dani was running all around the house bopping the balloon on the string--and she even said "balloon"!

Mommy has already eaten her Easter cookie (don't tell Dani as mommy didn't share.)

She's getting so big and is so much fun!

Dani's guilty pleasure.

Like mommy, Dani looks forward to the weekly delivery of Star Magazine so she can read all about her fave celebs: It's been so spring-like that we had to break out Dani's new spring coat--an awesome valentine's gift from our local grandma emeritus, Debi Marek!

I know I've been posting much less frequently...just tired. Being 33 weeks pregnant, running a business, and chasing a toddler manage to sap a lot of my energy. (sorry dad.)

Things are moving along--we're amazingly laid back about this next baby. Maybe because we have one already, so we figure how hard can it be? But we haven't moved a single thing out of the attic to prepare; I did buy a baby book tonight at Target, because I have a feeling that without a real effort, baby 2 is going to ask why there are 27 photo albums of Dani and 2 pictures of her...well, also I might have bought it because it was on clearance for $7 but don't tell the new kid that, 'kay?

Still no consensus on the name. Ideas anyone?

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!

Catching up.

It's been an incredibly busy week. I've been light on taking and posting pictures. (sorry dad)

I worked for a big chunk of the day today, and brought some home for tonight, so don't have much time.

Every morning we vacuum the whole downstairs, as Dani spends most of the day on the floor. We generally keep her away from the cord, but she is always trying to get it. Here's a great example of stellar parenting: photo op, then safety.

Somebody likes looking out the front door. I was putting pumpkins on the front porch today, and had to grab the camera once I noticed Dani smooshing her face against the glass.


And a little closer up (a big shout out to Tara who gave Dani the awesome Supergirl shirt):

Big Man has been home for the past two nights. That meant we went out to dinner last night with David and Gail--to the Cock N Bull for a nice firelit dinner, and a tasty Big Man breakfast today. Here's some Dani sillies during breakfast:

She was giggling so much better before the camera was turned on!

Best. Hat. Ever.

A little shout-out to Andrew P., who picked out this awesome hat for Dani. Thanks!

Chang rules.

Chang, my best guy pal, my dude of honor at my wedding, sent us the sweetest present today--a duckie pillow and a sweet baby bitty blanket stuffed animal, with her name on it.

Sweetest of all was the card, which read:

"May she want nothing, but never stop dreaming for everything."

Made me cry.

Love YOU Chang!

Well wishers abound.

Granddaddy B has decided to keep the tradition of roses for little girls alive, but grandbabies get yellow and mommy still gets red. Love you Dad and Grandpa.

And, the Big Man's best pal sent me some lovely flowers, and a tasty box of chocolate! Thanks Bill. They smell lovely!

We've gotten a million emails and notes, and for now, I can only respond via blog--because my baby needs kisses!

Couldn't be happier.

Cutest booties ever.

A huge shout out to my friend Jessie, who sent us the cutest baby booties ever!

Jessie is super crafty and talented and has her own etsy store which is definitely worth a check out. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5899112

Thanks Jessie!

Interviewing is hard!

I have spent two days interviewing legal assistants/office managers, and damn it's tiring! Each day I have had at least 4 interviews, and by the 3rd one, I can't remember if I have already asked certain questions because they all run together. Not fun.

My friend L is temping for us until we have someone new--today was her first day. It was great to see her, and ultimately to help her family out with some extra holiday cash, and to help her begin a transition into the workforce after about 7 years as a stay at home mom.

Our friend Bill has been like baby Santa Claus this week. He sent us an awesome Pack n Play, and a CHICAGO BEARS cribmobile, which are awesome! Me and Big Man just got his thank you note in the mail, and when I get home tonight there's another big Target box waiting for us with yet more baby goodies--a vibrating baby chair and a really neat mirror! What a nice surprise, and what a generous friend. Thanks Uncle Bill!

Other than that, I'm getting huuuuuuuuuuge. Pics to follow.

Baby doc appt next week where we get the final ultrasound. As I sorted baby clothes this weekend, I remarked to BigMan that we were fu&*ed if it's a boy as we have mostly non-neutral girl clothes. Being the progressive dude he is, Big Man said that it's okay if boy babies wear pink onesies! He rocks!

We've been picking up baby stuff too. Our friends Darren and Ann gave us the dresser/changing table they used for their kids, so I went out and got all the accessories for it this weekend. I love going to Target for baby stuff but it's SO easy to spend a bundle! I picked up bottles, and a sterilizer and a whole bunch of handy stuff.

The baby's room is actually starting to come together.

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes Big Man in the baby carriage!

Shower was great. Mom surprised me by sending a ton of awesome gifts down with my cousin.

My Aunt Renny, cousin Lisa, and friends Tara, Gail, Jackie, and Sharalyn planned a really nice event, and I am most grateful.

Gotta love the diaper champ!

Best hooded towel ever! Love the frog!

Beautiful knit blanket from our "local grandma" Debi!


Baby book!

So many presents from my generous friends and family!

I put my 12 year old cousin in charge of photos, and unfortunately didn't get any group shots with my hostesses. But, to all, a big thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Getting ready for baby.

The nice ladies throwing my shower sent us a crib today. It's still in the box, so I can't post a photo yet. Shower's this Sunday! And, the Target in town just opened last week, and it's full of great baby stuff that I can't wait to buy! And soon the nice people at Target will send me a coupon soon because I registered there. Then, commence baby shopping!!

Big Man has begun to prepare the baby room. He moved all the furniture today, and spackled, and tomorrow will paint. Baby room will be Disney's "winnie the pooh yellow". The cable guy's coming next week to move the cable/internet into what will be my home office.

All these plans, and late in the day our realtor calls to say someone wants to come see the house on Thursday! In this shitty market! By then, we will have a full-fledged baby room. But, hopefully then we will have buyers. At this point I don't care, I just want to buy baby stuff.

Big Man is calling the house delay a sign that we will find a better house next year, but we still have a contract to buy the new one so we will have to wait and see.

Got my car back tonight-- $301 to replace both transmission lines. Fun to spend over $600 on car repairs and $600 in furnace repairs in two weeks! Woo hoo! Not to mention that the dealership we took the car to on Sunday let me know on Monday that they were closing their business THAT DAY and that they couldn't fix my car. Oh, and I had to call them at lunchtime to find out that nugget of info. Did I mention there was not a SINGLE sign near the drop box or anywhere alerting us to the impending closure. The closing dealership tells me that they just bought another dealership a few miles away, and that the new place might be able to fix it. But, apparently in their mind it was my responsibility to call the new place and ask them if they could. Oh, and closing dealership tells me that they don't have tow service so I have to figure out how to get my broken ass car to the new place. So, I have to call AAA and explain the situation and ask them to tow my car from one dealership to another dealership. AAA guy tells me that he's sure I'm telling the truth but it's the least believeable story he's heard in a long time. He calls closing dealership to confirm my story and then they agree to tow my car. Fun times.

I'm just glad to have my car back. No more Mrs. Magoo. I can actually see over the dashboard and sit comfortably!

Bring on the loot!

My super-awesome Sister-in-Law Amy (who I credit for the shopping/wrapping/sending because my bro's a slacker) sent us our first baby outfits today:

And, extra props because they are not pink! Thanks a bunch guys!