Last DINK Birthday!

It's my last "Dual Income No Kid" Birthday! At this time next year, BD Baby will be almost 7 months old. We will celebrate at a local resort "staycation" with some 115 degree pool time, pedicure and of course dessert.

Thanks for all of the birthday wishes. My favorite card came from PC Jenny! This looks exactly like my sister and I when we were little. Seems like just yesterday!

4 UTP and 21 Mondays!

I started the official Monday countdown...only 21 left if I am here every Monday until due date. Like most people, I dread Mondays at work. Endless meetings, entire work week left, only female in most meetings...did I mention that they are endless? Regardless, I now have the big whiteboard countdown going and that alone makes me feel much better.

The other tally I have going is the UTP (uninvited tummy pat.) I feel like the number is pretty high considering it is still a bit pooch looking and not so baby looking. Rule of thumb, don't pat unless you are invited to pat. If you are invited to pat, and only if,  don't sneak in a TPR (tummy pat & rub) or a DTP (double tummy pat)...believe me, once was enough for both of us!

Belle Diem Baby Future Friend

Last week I had my first official baby shoot! Shown here is precious little Owen, a future BDB friend for sure. If you are taking newborn shots, here are some great tips:

• Try to shoot within the first two weeks
• Be patient
• Take lots of shots
• You can't see crying from the back, feet or hands (Owen taught me that)

Silver Shampoo?!?

Pregnancy brain strikes again! I went to Ulta to buy some new shampoo + conditioner and was thrilled to find some yummy smelling Matrix. This was after a long day of everyone telling me how "pregnant" I looked so you can imagine the thrill of purchasing items to enhance the hair and distract from the belly.

The next day I went to put both into the shower and READ that it was SILVER enhancing. It wasn't in small font either, rather the entire bottle was SILVER and said so in numerous places.

I did feel better when I returned it and the sales clerk asked why I was returning. I just pointed to the SILVER. At least she didn't notice either. She might have been pregnant too...

Warner Family Rules

Right now I am reading Kurt & Brenda Warner's book First Things First. It is actually a really good read about their parenting styles, faith and commitment to family. One of my favorite parts so far is a list of the "Warner Family Rules" as the kids see it.

1. Everyone has to agree on which strangers’ meal to pay for when dining at a restaurant.
2. At dinner, share the favorite part of your day.
3. Hold hands and pray before every meal.
4. After ordering at a restaurant, be able to tell Mom the server’s eye color.
5. Throw away your trash at the movie theater and stack plates for the server at restaurants.
6. Spend one hour at an art museum when on the road.
7. Hold hands with a sibling for 10 minutes if you can’t get along.
8. If you can’t get along holding hands, sit cheek to cheek. (If you can’t get along cheek to cheek, then it’s lips to lips!)

Trav & I do #3 as much as possible and #5 (waitress in me) but I love the rest as well. The Belle Diem Family Rules would include the Warner Rules and maybe some of the following:

9. Always take your grocery cart back to the store or proper area.
10. Send hand written thank you notes whenever possible.
11. Pick up trash when you see it.
12. Always make your cookies from scratch!

Blueberry Blue!

We have received an enormous amount of support while announcing our "news" about BD Baby! Hugs, cards, books, clothes, creams, dinner and even a little fund started for the nursery from a favorite Aunt. :)

This is one of my favorite cards, not only because it made me laugh, but also because on a weekly basis the baby is likened to a fruit or vegetable for a growth reference. Not to long ago, BD Baby was just a blueberry...

And is now he is a lemon!

Carlotta Aletta

This was the name of my very first Cabbage Patch! While I am certain that I sent in the birth certificate to change her name to something more practical (like "Laura" or "Karla") I thought of it the other day when I was namestorming. DON'T FREAK OUT FAM, I still hate the name but I did wonder where in the world did Xavier Roberts come up with all of the names? Turns out Roberts' browsed a 1930s baby book. I may just browse the aisles of Target checking out birth certificates for inspiration! Do you remember your CP name?