Welcome Dexter!

Weighing in at 6lbs, 13oz and 21in long, our little mister, Dexter Eamon Avramov has arrived!! He lasted 4 days longer than his sister, born at 36 weeks and 4 days at 3:20 am on Labor Day. Coincidentally his big sister, born on May 1, was born on the Bulgarian Labor Day. How weird is that!? Now that we have our Labor Days covered I am DONE!!! Dexter and I are home and doing well. I will not write much today as I am not quite up to full capacity and Isabella will be home from school soon. I do want to say a big thank you to all our family and friends for your love, support and best wishes!! We are grateful for you everyday!

I especially want to say thanks to my mom for all her help and to my Dad for giving her up for 2 weeks!

Thank you to our neighbors and friends. The McDevitts for taking such good care of our Isabella, while we labored. To Isabelle, Lubo and Celine for taking such great care of Bella during our false alarm and for always being there just in case (and for the Welcome Home balloons)! Pavlina and Ivan for being our backup's backup and for checking on me while Teddy was out of town! Its friends and neighbors like you who make living here in Syracuse so worth while!

A HUGE THANK YOU to my doctor, Jennifer McCaul, her nurse, Donna and all the staff at St. Joseph's Labor and Delivery!! You are a credit to your field! Dr. McCaul, you are the BEST and I am going to miss seeing you and Donna all the time!!!

Thank you also to my best girl, Isabella! Who, by the way lost her first tooth the night her brother was born and started first grade on Wednesday! What a big, exciting week!!! She was such a coopertive, understanding, big help all summer!! She makes her Daddy and I sooo proud! What a fantastic big sister she is!!

Most of all, I want to say Thank You to my amazing

husband for all your support, for laughing with me,

even during labor (I just keep cutting and cutting and the door still doesn't fit!) and listening to me cry (hormones) and rant uncontrollably (sometimes hormones), for worrying about me and for letting me squeeze your fingers until there was no circulation left. You are the best, honey! I don't know what I'd do without you! I am sooooo glad you're my babies' Daddy!! I sure do know how to pick 'em!!!!

Also before I go, I want to say Congratulations Baba and Diado, Galia, Kiril and Mira and our all our family in Bulgaria! Thank you for all your love and concern!! Dexter can't wait to meet you!! We love you and miss you!! Like a true

Bulgarian he eats and sleeps like a champ!!!

I hope to write and post more pics in the next few weeks! See you then!!

Shenanigan's Quote Board:

"A person's a person, no matter how small."

- Dr. Seuss

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Good Times!

Happy Summer Everyone! It has really been a beautiful, busy summer for us this year. While we have had our share of rain we have had equal amounts of sunshine and the most incredible temps. We have only reached the 80's a few times. The grass is so green and the gardens are flourishing! June and July have been a lot of fun, filled with new adventures, end of the school year celebrations, and guests.


At the beginning of summer, Teddy found a very nice local trout hatchery and soon after he and Isabella went on their second and third father/daughter fishing expeditions. It was then that Bella caught her first fish. I went along out of curiousity and to be the offical photographer. I do not fish, not enough patience. I'd much rather spend my afternoon with good book. At the hatchery there was no need for patience. I have never seen anything like it. They were reeling in fish as quickly and the line hit the water. Both trips took no more than a couple of hours and Teddy caught 5 the first time and 4 the second including a 5 pounder. By the way the trout were delicious!

Our next adventure took us to Jamesville Balloon Fest. It takes place every June at our local lake. Last year I was absolutely amazed and felt like a little kid getting so close to the balloons and watching them fill and launch. This year was no different. It is not like the Forest Park Balloon Race, they don't rope anything off and you can literally stand among all the balloons. I was so excited to take my new camera (my Xmas gift from Teddy) to capture the moment. Some of our neighbors also had their annual Balloon Fest BBQ that weekend and we watched one of the evening lauches from their backyard. Our neighborhood has a great location to view all the morning and evening launches, we don't even have to leave our front porch.

That same weekend we also participated in our first neighborhood garage sale. It was a big success for everyone who joined in. By that I mean, successful at getting rid of our crap. Our family made about $125.00. Instead of using it to by more crap, I decided to spend it on breakfast for my family at Cracker Barrel and a Sunday morning outing to a local nursery to buy flowers for our new gardens. That's right, the landscapers finally got here in June (they were only 3 weeks late!) Despite their tardiness they did a great job and finally our house looks finished and I have gardens to play in. Too bad I can only sit and look for now. Teddy planted everything we bought without complaint, a job I know he hates. I went into early labor with Isabella after doing some gardening and even though it was not the reason I went into labor we were not taking any chances.

In the middle of June we had a visit from Mandi and Charlotte! I was sooo excited to have them back this year and Bella couldn't wait to see them either. We had a great time as always ( although I was a little jealous that Teddy and Mandi got to enjoy the wine without me). Isabella and Charlotte had a lot of fun too. Bella was great with her (she's going to be a great big sister). Charlotte has grown and changed so much since we last saw her. What an incredible little girl she is; full of smiles, laughter and surprises. While she was here she decided Isabella's name was Cinderella, so for the three days they were with us Bella was known as Cinderella. Charlotte also surprised both her mom and I with some great see-sawing. If you know anything about Charlotte this was a pretty amazing trick for our little trooper and we were all so proud and excited for her! She has come so far in her short two and half years on this planet, a great testament to her spirit and her super mom! While it was hard to say goodbye it was wonderful to have those few days together. After they left Isabella asked me if I miss Aunt Mandi and does it make me sad that she is far away. I told her of course I miss seeing her but I can talk to her anytime I want and for true friends, it doesn't matter how far away you are, you never feel like you are far apart.

The next week brought us to Isabella's Kindergarten Celebration. They sang for the families and shared all the fun things they learned throughout the year. It was such a nice afternoon and we were really proud of our girl. She had a great year and loves school. I can't believe its on to first grade! She has grown so much in so many ways this year. Her last day of school was June 25th. It seems so late to me but we get that extra week break in the winter and school doesn't start until after Labor day. Her last week consisted of mostly half days, a pizza party/picnic, water olympics and an ice cream social. It ended with a visit from Grandma and Grandpa.

My Mom and Dad arrived a few days before my birthday and stayed for about a week. We had a great visit and it was so nice to have them here for my birthday (by the way did I mention I turned 25 again this year). We celebrated by going to one of my favorite places here, Coleman's Irish Pub (or as Bella calls it "the leprechaun restaurant" ). They have the most incredible Guiness onion rings. Bella really enjoyed spending time with Grandpa and Grandma and telling them all about EVERYTHING. We also took them to the Fort Rickey petting zoo, exploring at Laborador Hollow and sightseeing in Skaneateles, a beautiful little town on one of the Finger lakes. We are looking forward to my mom coming back to help with the arrival of the little mister. Speaking of visitors we got a wonderful surprise visit from my Uncle Bud and his wife Diane last week. They were here from Florida for Diane's family reunion. It was so great to see them and catch up. They look so happy and I was thirlled to have some more of my family here even for a little while.

July brought new activites for Bella; swimming lessons and a beginner's gymnastics class. It may not seem like a lot (3 mornings a week) but as this pregnancy has progressed all the running around has become exhausting. The last few months have brought tremendous growth for me. I am HUGE (the picture here is from June 25th and does not do my current size justice). Even my doctor seems surprised and measured me twice this week, just be sure. Even though I am measuring exactly where I should I look so much bigger because of my petite size and I am ALL baby. I don't seem to have gained weight anywhere but my stomach and it sticks straight out. When people ask me my due date and I tell them the look of shock on their face says it all. I must say even with all the shocked looks I have never recieved so many compliments by friends and complete strangers. Its nice to feel such support. This pregnancy has been totally different than Bella's (with the exception of the afternoon and evening sickness). I have not had so much as a cold, no asthma attacks and no falls. I did begin having a pain in the right side of my upper abdomen and rib area in June. I thought it had to do with growth and my ribs spreading and was most likely muscular. My doctor was little concerned it could be my gall bladder and sent me for an ultra sound. Needless to say Teddy and I (mostly me) were a little freaked out. The ultra sound showed my gall bladder was fine but I also observed that as the tech went over my upper side and back that my liver was on the screen. That's how far up my organs have been pushed. My liver is up as high as my breasts! I told my doctor that at this rate my liver will be in my throat by the time this kid gets here. Teddy said no wonder my ribs hurt and I can't catch my breath, half of my organs are in my chest cavity (that would also explain the massive heartburn). He thinks the baby's toes will be tickling my tonsils soon (short girls watch out for those tall men!). I seriously can't wait for our little mister to get here (8 more weeks!!). It is going to be the biggest relief in more ways than one! Maybe he'll be a little early like his sister. I have been joking that at the end of August I'll start running again to get him out early. Of course, you know with the wishful thinking, that means he'll be here on time or late(although I don't know how he will fit)! The funniest thing is that my belly button hasn't popped out yet (I have a very deep inny). I wonder when it does, does that mean he's done?! He is crazy active, way more than Bella, I hope this is not an indication of what's to come! If it is I'm going to have to get back in shape fast to keep up after him. Also, just to drive everyone crazy (and for my pleasure), we have decided on a name but we are not telling! Its a surprise!

Before I go I do want to apologize for the long absence. To be honest I have even been wondering if I really wanted to keep doing the blog. It just takes so much time and at times feels like another chore on my to-do list. It is also difficult for me right now to sit at the computer for more that 15 minutes at a time, its just uncomfortable and at times painful (this particular blog took me three days to finish). I decided I want to keep trying to write. It is a great outlet of expression for me and a nice record of our family memories and a good way for all our loved ones to feel connected with us. So be patient with me and keep checking in. I promise to do my best keeping it up to date.

One thing very different about this pregnancy has been the laugh factor. Instead of the intense mood swings and sometimes unexplained deep anger I felt with Bella's I find myself laughing so hard at everything. Some nights as I wipe away tears from laughing so hard, I swear The Daily Show is going to put me into labor. So I thought I would end this blog with some quotes Teddy and I have found very funny and hopefully share a few laughs with you.

The Shenanigans Quote board:

"If God had wanted us to have hindsight, he would have put eyes on our butt."

-Stephen Colbert, The Colbert Report

"I always considered myself a pretty good judge of people. That's why I don't like none of 'em!"

-Rosanne Barr, Roseanne

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More Disney Pics and Nursery Photos

Isabella's Birthday Breakfast

My worst nightmare: being eaten by a shark!
No kidding!!

Disney's Boardwalk

Isabella the Japanese Chef

The nursery:

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It's a Boy!

Wow! Can you believe its almost June?! Where did May go?! We have had such a fun, exciting and busy month. As I mentioned last month we were preparing for our first official family vacation. In January, Teddy and I made reservations for a trip to Disney World. We got an incredible deal, buy 4 nights get 3 free. We thought Isabella was at the perfect age for her first trip to Disney. So on April 25th we embarked on what turned out to be our best trip ever ( at least for me)! They do everything for you there. I have never come home from a trip so completely relaxed and I don't think any of us wanted to come home. Disney World has changed so much since I was there 20 years ago. I don't care who you are or how old you are, once you step in those gates you are a kid again! We stayed at the Disney Boardwalk which was great. Everytime we came in from anywhere someone always greeted us with "Welcome Home", which was so cool. Everywhere we went all week all the cast members referred to Isabella as Princess. We also got the Disney Meal plan and I have to say what a great decision that was! It was more than enough food and boy did it save us money!

We went to a different park everyday. Isabella's favorite park was Animal Kingdom, of course. While at Animal Kingdom we ate at an African restaurant and our daughter actually tried and liked some African dishes. Who knew miracles happen at Disney too?! Bella also loved Epcot. She couldn't get over that she could travel to all these different countries and she loved the Mexico ride the best. Teddy's favorite park was also Epcot. I could not decide if I had to, I had a great time everywhere. I especially enjoyed spending that time with my family and seeing Isabella's reactions.

Isabella celebrated her 6th birthday on our last full day. Can you believe she's 6??!!! All that day Bella got to wear a button that said she was celebrating her birthday and everyone we met, cast members or other tourists said Happy Birthday to her. By the end of the day she told me she wanted to take off her button because she was tired of saying thank you so much. We celebrated by having a buffet breakfast with the Disney Princesses in Norway at Epcot. While Bella was very excited to meet Sleeping Beauty, Belle and Snow White, she was most impressed with meeting Mary Poppins. I have to say the resemblance was amazing and Isabella loved that "she spoke a different language" ( she actually had a lovely British accent). We then spent the morning redoing our favorite things at Epcot and then went back to the hotel for a swim. (We were in 10 minutes walking distance from Epcot.) That evening we went back to Epcot and took Bella to her first Japanese dinner, the kind where they cook it in front of you. Once again she happily tried new foods and really enjoyed the chef hat and Japanese birthday chant they did for her. We sadly left the wonderful World of Disney and all I could think of is why can't the rest of the world be like Disney World?! Everyone is happy and sooo nice and friendly. Everything is so clean and well cared for, and most importantly for a pregnant woman, there are bathrooms everywhere with no waiting and they were all spotless with toilet paper and soap! The rest of the world should follow Disney's model! Even my husband agreed we will definately be back in 5-6 years!

After we got back from Disney World we jumped right back into the fullness that is our life. Within four days of returning home we got the exciting news that we are having a boy! Isabella is very excited and told me she really didn't care if she was getting a brother or a sister, either one was fine. Then she promptly suggested we name him Thomas. While Thomas is a nice name, I told her, we will not be naming him Thomas. I then explained how the mom and dad get to name the baby. She was not happy and told me that she is a member of this family too and she doesn't understand why she can't have any say like she did with naming Daisy (obviously she doesn't see the difference between having a dog and a little brother). Needless to say our little attorney did not win her argument. It sucks to live in a dictatorship! She did get over it and has been very busy helping us decorate the baby's room and going through all her old things. I have saved most everything from Bella with the exception of a few things. I had full intention to reuse her crib set and wall decor until . . . Damn Fisher-Price, sent me their spring preview catalog in March and I fell in love with their new Precious Planet line. So I decided to get a new crib set and wall decor. The best part is a portion of the proceeds goes to the Wildlife Conservation Society.

The crib set and decor arrived last Saturday and Teddy and I began painting and setting up the room. The weekend before we moved what was the upstairs guest room into the office. I threw in some pictures of the final product. I don't know if the pictures will do it justice or not. Teddy, who is usually decoratively challenged actually came up with the color scheme by himself. The top half is a very pale blue, the bottom is green and the stripe in the middle is brown, like melted chocolate. It turned out great. I'm so proud of him. Isabella loves that it is animal themed and she told us she thinks her baby brother will love it too. A big Thank You to Grandma and Grandpa Morris who gave us the crib set as a gift! I do have one wall empty, I have this great idea that I will use my new camera and take pictures of animals sleeping at the zoos we visit this summer and we will pick out the best 4 or 5 pics and frame them. We already got some cute ones from our trip to the zoo this weekend.

By the way don't ask about names we are keeping that a secret and the truth is we haven't really discussed it to much. We are kind of avoiding the subject for now, although I have ideas. I am feeling pretty good for the most part. I did have to give up running last week. The extra weight had begun to cause my knees, then my ankles, then my arches to hurt. I am afraid of causing permanent damage, so thinking of my running future I sadly gave it up for walking until our little Spanky is born. He better appreciate my sacrifice, but I won't hold my breath.

June is going to be another exciting month for the us! Aunt Mandi and Charlotte are coming for a visit. YEAAAHHH!!! Grandma and Grandpa are coming for a visit! Isabella finishes kindergarten June 25th (That's sooo late!). The landscapers will come and put in our beds, bushes and a few trees (hopefully before our company arrives). Most importantly I will turn 25 again! Isn't it amazing how youthful I am becoming! So that's it from here for now! Hope you enjoy the pics! Enjoy the start of summer, I know we will! Our best to everyone!

Shenanigan's Quote Board:

"The reason that I talk to myself is that I'm the only one whose answers I accept."

- George Carlin

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Ahhhh, Peace and Quiet at Last! (Well for five minutes anyway)

After almost 6 years I have finally discovered the secret to getting some much needed peace and quiet. Who says dog crates are just for dogs?! I thought everyone would enjoy our Isabella's newest silly stunt. Yes, she did lock herself in the the dog crate with Daisy on purpose (you didn't really think I would do that, did you?! Although the thought is tempting). Isabella really, really would like to be a dog. Something I too can relate to because at her age I also wanted to be a dog. While Teddy and I were painting her bathroom, for the second time, Bella entertained herself and Daisy by playing dog family and locking herself in the crate. All was quiet until we heard, "Hey Mama! You have to get the camera and come see me!" So of course I did. Unfortunately, she did want to be let out a few minutes later.

Daisy too has picked up a new habit but this time its not related to digging or barking or getting on my last nerve. As you can see she greatly enjoys drinking from the kitchen or bathroom faucets ( sure beats drinking out of the toilet). We did not teach her this trick. She began drinking from the tub during Bella's baths. She would also like to get in the bath with Bella so we have to watch her carefully or crate her. She soon graduated to drinking from the shower sprayer while we rinsed the tub and had now moved on to standing at the kitchen sink while we hold the sprayer so she can quench her thirst. She does always have a bowl of water, I guess she just likes it fresh. Life with Isabella and Daisy is a new (noisy) adventure everyday!

Life has been pretty quiet here. I am feeling much better. No more afternoon and evening sickness, but I seem to have grown overnight. To answer the most popular question: Yes, we will be finding out if its a boy or girl but not until after our trip. We will share the news as soon as we have it. Although I don't think I want to share our name choices until the baby is here and named. I don't really want the commentary or facial expressions if we are thinking about somthing different. Besides Teddy and I will have enough to argue about without everybody else weighing in. So maybe we will leave that for a surprise! As I mentioned I have been feeling much better, my only complaint is that I can't make my body move like I want it to. I miss yoga (prenatel yoga is not the same!) and I miss being able to move with such ease.

I am still running and that's really the only time I feel normal. Everyday I am truly grateful for my treadmill , because there is no way I could run outside. I literally, no exaggeration, have to pee every five to ten minutes. Between the longer warm up and the bathroom visits it takes me an hour to do a thirty minute run and I'm running a ten minute mile! I am not complaining just stating fact. I would not give up my morning runs for anything and I dread the time when I will have too. My running has become such an important part of my life that it will really be hard if the doctor tells me I have to stop (I will of course.) It has gotten me through and helped me stay sane through motherhood, a huge move and everyday ups and downs. It has become my meditation, my outlet and my "Me time". It is truly the one thing in my life that is mine alone and I do cherish it. I don't need marathons or races, just the competition with myself, some goals to work toward and some good tunes! The hardest thing for me about running while pregnant is the pyschological battle of seeing my waistline get bigger and the times get slower despite the miles put in which are also decreasing. All the experts say that pregnant runners should not set or work toward new goals. This is also hard for me, so this morning on my run I decided that they are wrong. We should set goals, just different kinds. Instead of setting goals to reach new distances or times, I am setting the goals to run at least 4 days a week and to finish each run strong and relaxed with the knowledge that I am doing an incredible thing for myself. Who knows maybe Pee wee and I will have a special bond through this experience, maybe he or she will come out a runner and this will be the beginning of many years of running together (as long as they aren't to chatty, I don't like to run with talkers, just ask Teddy!) I also hope that as I grow and get slower and my knees ache from the extra weight it will all help me after our bundle is here and make coming back all that much easier. Afterall if I can run while carrying a child I can run through anything!

We had a very chilly Easter again this year. I don't think Bella will ever see an Easter filled with sleeveless fancy dresses here in the Northeast. We had a very nice day despite the cold. Our neighbors Isabelle, Celine, Lubo, Luke and Amelia had a us again this year for an egg hunt and brunch. Great company, great conversation and great food and Easter Eggs!! What more could we ask for!

Spring arrived here just in time for Bella's Spring break (Thank God!), so she and Daisy got to get outside a lot! I'm not quite sure, how I or they will survive the summer. When Bella is in school or at a friend's, our house is peaceful and the dogs are fairly quiet, but as soon as Bella gets home everything erupts in to chaos and until Brian Williams comes on you can't hear yourself think! (We have a rule all children, furry or otherwise, have to settle down so Mom can hear and fully enjoy Brian Williams and his newscast.) This baby is going to be able to sleep through anything! I also think the baby will thinks its name is "DAMMIT DAISY!" because I seem to be yelling, and I do mean yelling, this all the time. Daisy and Bella have the same affliction, selective hearing. Despite the chaos and craziness Bella and I had a nice time over her break and we were both happy when school started again. I am so proud that so far we have raised a child who is excited about and loves school. She just got her third quarter report card and has been working hard and doing a great job! We are so proud of her. I can't believe her first year is almost over and that she will be six next week! Where does the time go!

That's pretty much it from here for now. We are getting ready for our trip to Disneyworld! I'll have lots of pics and stories next month I am sure. Isabella and I are both sooooo excited! Enjoy Spring!

One last thing before I go, there has been something stuck in my craw this past month. I keep hearing people (either pundits, people being interviewed, even people in casual conversation) refer to our government as fascist. Not just this month but over that last several years as well. Here's my issue: yes, we are free in this country to voice our feelings and opinions but before we do we might want to actually know the meaning of terms like fascism and fascist. Just a thought!

Shenanigan's Quote board:

He who knows nothing is nearer to the the truth than those whose minds are filled with falsehoods and errors. - Thomas Jefferson

"More and More of our imports come from overseas" - George W. Bush

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Talk About Change!

For a little over a year I have talked a lot about change, mostly in terms of our country and its politics, little did I know how prophetic it would be for the change that would come into our life. I am proud to announce that the Avramov's will be welcoming yet another new addition, only this one will not have four legs and fur (or at least we hope not!). At the beginning of February we found out that we are expecting! The littlest Avramov will arrive around September 29th unless he/she is anything like his/her sister and wants to greet the world a little sooner. By the way Isabella is very excited about being a big sister, we just told her the news this past Friday. She told us she cannot wait to read to the baby and teach it to walk. She even volunteered to help feed the baby, so Teddy and I told her she could have the night shift. She said "no thanks, I'd rather not."

We found out the news and I started experiencing the lovely return of afternoon and evening sickness (which I had with Bella) right before Teddy's parents arrived for a visit. Even though it was still very early we decided to share the news with them because it was just easier than trying to come up with an explanation as to why I couldn't ski but I could run 12 to 15 miles a week and why I couldn't drink wine with dinner or eat feta cheese. They, of course, were thrilled. It did put a slight kink in the cooking and eating plans. Dinner has been very difficult for me to prepare and then eat (it has not gotten better at dinnertime, but I feel better the majority of the day especially on the days I run, which is strange I think). Since my sense of smell is super acute, Maria helping with the cooking was unfortunately not a solution. No one starved and we all had a very nice visit. Dad got to ski with Bella and Teddy. Mom enjoyed watching Bella ski and take Karate while taking tons of pictures. We also got to celebrate Dad's birthday while they were here and of course catch up on all the family happenings.

During Mom and Dad's visit we also hosted our 1st Annual Mardi Gras Party (no children allowed!). Thank god I had one of my better days and was able to cook seafood gumbo, jambalaya and corn bread. I even ordered a King's Cake from Haydels bakery in New Orleans ( I couldn't find one up here). It arrived the day before and was awesome. Teddy quickly became an expert at making Hurricanes (I really missed that part of Mardi Gras), everyone kept it clean (no boobies were seen) and all seemed to have a great time. We decided we would like to make this an annual thing, it was a great break during our long winter! Next year I'm all over those Hurricanes!

March has been crazy, hectic for me. This is the month for everyone's dental visits, vet appointments and doctor appointments for both Teddy and I. It has also been busy at Jamesville Elementary with lots of volunteer duties, and I have been trying to get a start on the spring cleaning. I am really looking forward to our vacation! Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, we're going to Disney World! Bella and I are sooo excited! Although I can't ride half the rides now, so I made Teddy promise last night that we'll go back in 5 or 6 years, because I really wanted to ride space mountain! We got one of those great deals in January, buy 4 nights, get 3 free. We couldn't beat the price and we thought this is an ideal time to take Isabella. We decided to go for her birhtday so I don't have to plan a party (Yeah!!). The poor kid probably can't handle any more surprises, we told her about the trip this month too.

Isabella is still enjoying school and loves taking Karate. As you can see she has earned a new belt and can make a very serious Karate face. She is learning to read and can't wait to start reading chapter books. She really enjoyed skiing this year and was as sad as her Dad when the season ended. Teddy has had an equally hectic month. there have been some changes for him at work. Walgreens did some restructuring and gave some his district to the newer Rochester District and they gave him Albany. So, now he has a lot more driving to look forward too and some more messes tobe straighten out. If anyone can make a success out of it he can! Even though the next few months will be stressful, we are very grateful he has a job!

Daisy, our rebellious child, has gone from curious energetic toddler pup to crazy, sometimes pain in ass teenage dog. She has decided, like her human sister, that listening to me is optional, barking at everything is mandatory and she loves to ring that damn bell a million times a day whether she has to go out or not and my favorite, she has picked up the habit of digging, but only if its real good and muddy. Like all children, I can't wait for her to mature and grow out of these annoying phases ( It makes me appreciate Seamus more and more everyday!) Although I have to admit she has grown into a beautiful dog and is especially cute when she wants to cuddle up or she excitedly wags that little nubbin' for you.

I am still running, for anyone who's wondering. My doctor has been really supportive. I have had to cut back on my mileage (12-14 miles per week instead 18-21) and no long runs are in my short term future, but I'm still at my average speed. I definately anticipate having to slow down at some point and I'm sure I will have to trim back on mileage too, but I'm just going to go with what my body tells me. The truth is I have never had so many runs where I consistantly feel so good and like I said is does help with the evening sickness. Hopefully I can get outside more soon and that will help with the insomnia. My biggest problem right now is getting in enough calories with the nausea, but its getting better. I, of course, am still following politics and even though I haven't agreed with everything our new President and his administration has done ( it would be so boring if we all agreed all the time) I think he's doing a pretty good job considering the circumstances and he's definately an improvement! Now if only congress would just straighten out! By the way did anyone see the interview by The Daily Show's Jon Stewart of Jim Cramer. It was beautiful! I haven't seem that good of an interview since we lost Tim Russert! It is a sad day in journalism when a comedian and "fake" news show outshines the real journalists! Jon Stewart, your my hero! I also love how he still manages to work in that brilliant Bush imitation.

That's it from here, hopefully I be able to keep everyone updated a little more often. Since there is no more countdown I decided to do something different. As many of you know I love quotes and in college we had the Green Scabbie quote board, where we wrote down any crazy quote we heard that made us laugh or touched us in some way. I saved that quote board and still get a chuckle when I come across it. So I thought, each update I'll end with a quote, some funny, some poignant. If you have one you like, send to me maybe I'll put it on.

By the way a big Congratulations to my girl Mandi for her hard work and acceptance into Nursing School (her 3rd degree)! I am soooo proud of you! Also Congrats to my cousin Sue for the same accomplishment! You are both amazing examples to all us mom's but especially to your daughters!!! Way to Go! Good Luck!

The Shenanigan's Quote Board:

"Life is mostly froth and bubbles, but two things stand firm as stone: kindness in another's troubles and courage in your own." - Irish Proverb

"We must be the change we wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi

My personal favorite and one used fequently in our house:

"If it weren't for my horse I would have never gotten into college." - Lewis Black, comedian

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