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!

As Billy Fucillo says:

It's HUUUUUUGGGGGEEEE! (my belly that is). Took this one lying on the couch. So big, round and Buddha like, no?Dani and I went for a walk with Gail the other night. Great neighborhood for walking--lots of kids and puppies to wave to. Also, they have a playful, declawed kitten who seemed to enjoy being tormented by Dani.

And lastly, some pre-bedtime stretching.

Final ultrasound tomorrow--keep your fingers crossed that we see something dangling!

Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down, a Dani guest post.

Hi everybody, Dani here. Mommy said I could make a guest post tonight because I wanted to share some things that I like and some things that make me kinda mad. Now that I'm a toddler, I am probably going to have a lot more to say, so get used to it.

First, a BIG thumbs down to teething. I'm getting these things called molars and, well, if I knew any swear words, I'd probably be saying them. It hurts. I keep chewing and chewing on my fingers but it doesn't really help. But tonight, mommy tried something new...she gave me a freezy pop. (editor's/mommy's note: it was 100% juice) A thumbs up to freezy pops. It was so cold and yummy it made me forget that I was mad about my gums being sore.

A big thumbs up to spring. What a great season. Last spring I was just a little baby and I didn't really get to go outside and enjoy it. It is so nice and warm. Mommy lets me walk her up and down the block and all over the yard; I just hold on to her finger and I get to explore the neighborhood. There are so many dogs, and cars and neat stuff! Of course, I still love my swing but walking around is super great!

Another thumbs up to my cat, Scrubbie. He lets me pet him and kiss him as much as I want. And I like to give him lots of kisses, even if sometimes I get hair in my mouth. Another even bigger thumbs up to babies. Mommy is going to have one soon, and I pat her belly and kiss it. Hopefully the new baby will be as fun as my baby doll. I like to kiss it and give it bottles. Even Scrubbie likes to snuggle with my baby doll.

And, another thumbs up to toys! Gail got me a sit and spin. I can't really spin it myself yet, but mommy can spin me and it is a lot of fun. I love to spin around, sometimes I do it until I fall on my butt!

Ok, I guess it's bedtime now, so I have to go. But I promise to post more soon!

Dani says:

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Bring on the green milk!

15 Month Checkup.

Big Man took Dani to her 15 month visit today. Apparently, for the first time, she reacted much like a dog at the vet. Not pleased. He said she screamed from the moment he brought her back with the nurse until they left. She wouldn't stand on the scale or assist in any way and was just squirming and fighting the man. (There's a reason mommy doesn't attend these visits.)

So, she weighs 20 pounds, 14 ounces, and is 31 1/2 inches long, and cute as heck. Although tonight mommy and Dani shed some tears when she fell down went boom on mommy's watch. Not fun. But it happened on daddy's dime today as well.

Dani seems to have interited her mommy's clumsy nature and mommy's tendency not to pay attention to things as carefully as she should. She takes off running, or walking even, and doesn't really look at what's on the floor in front of her. She took a little tumble this morning (on daddy's watch) and started wailing. She was crying and clinging to me when Big Man says, "I know what might help," and breaks out one of the birthday lollipops. The second Dani saw it the tears ended and she smiled. I am certain that we taught the lesson today that: candy is your friend and you should cry until you get some. Awesome.

We love craigslist!

I found a talking Elmo sit and spin chair on craigslist this weekend. Needless to say Dani was thrilled.

Dani also loves laundry basket rides.

This video shows Dani's first few minutes in the Elmo chair. Be sure to watch until the very end.

Just a little high chair silliness in this video:

Stay tuned for some rockin' St. Patty's Day photos.

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?

They say it's your birthday, a Dani guest post.

Hi everybody, Dani here. It's been awhile since Mommy let me post to her blog. There are so many exciting things happening here. I'm getting lots of teeth, sometimes it hurts though. Mommy's tummy is getting realy big. She moves kinda slow and is always saying her back hurts. She's not as fun as she used to be. But they say there's a baby in her tummy. I like babies. Daddy has been reading me books about babies, and I have been practicing giving kisses to my baby doll and the cat. The cat likes kisses, but sometimes it makes fur get in my mouth.
Mommy took this picture of me after my nap today.

It has also been getting warmer. Mommy took me outside today and I got to go on my swing. I also got to walk around in the back yard. Mommy says that she is getting a swingset for me to play on. I can't wait!

Today is Daddy's birthday. It's also my Grandma's birthday! My Grandma is coming to visit me on April 11, and she is bringing my Great-grandma with her. And, I get them all to myself because the new baby won't be here yet. Grandma and Grandpa sent Daddy a box with presents in it. There were presents for me too--a new baby doll! There were also these things called tootsie pops in the box and Daddy let me try one. It was so super yummy! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

I'm pretty sure that Daddy had a good birthday. I gave him lots of kisses today. Last night, Mommy and Daddy got dressed up and went out to dinner for Daddy's birthday. Here is a picture of me and Mommy before they went out. See how big her tummy is? I can barely sit on her lap anymore. I hope that when the new baby comes there will be more room to sit on her.

I learned to do something new. I like to spin around and around until I can't spin anymore. It's lots of fun and makes me feel all silly. I do it alot. Mommy is always telling me to be careful, because sometimes I fall down when I do it. She worries too much.

We had cupcakes for Daddy's birthday. Mommy and I sang to him and he blew out a candle. Then I got to have my very own cupcake! It was so yummy. I really liked the frosting and that I got to hold it all by myself.

Well, I think that is pretty much all that is new and exciting here. Oh yeah, Mommy quit her job and became her own boss. She's a lawyer, you know. She seems really happy and I get to see her more so it makes me happy too.

Grandma and Daddy, I hope that you both had a happy birthday and I love you! Bye, bye!

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.

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!