The Name Game

Brian and I have been so excited about little Baby Turner (or Baby Wilbur, as David and Briana like to call him). Needless to say, Wilbur Turner will not be the official name. When we found out Briana was a girl, her name was fairly easy to agree on. We named her after her Daddy and gave her my middle name as her middle name. Well, it is not that easy the second time around. Since Brian got naming rights to the first born, he graciously allowed me to have some say over baby number 2. I made a list of names that I liked. He then was able to veto names he didn't want. Brian seems to have a knack for knowing exactly what he doesn't like. Once we narrowed the list to four, we started to discuss the middle name possibilities. I assumed we would use Allen, Brian's middle name. I was in for a surprise when Brian said that he was not sold on that plan. After some late night discussions and a lot of saying different names out loud, I think we finally have decided on the final name for the future addition to Team Turner.

To learn the name of Baby Turner, you will have to check the blog on Monday. We want to keep you in suspense and keep you checking the blog :)

50 days and counting

If all goes as planned, we will have an addition to our family on Friday, October 19th (a scheduled delivery) - exactly 50 days from today. As many of you already know, we will be having a boy.

We met with Gretchen's new doctor (Dr. Pool) yesterday. To make a long story short, Gretchen discovered there was an insurance issue when filling out some paperwork a couple of weeks ago. She has her own insurance, while the baby will be on my coverage (along with Briana). She was scheduled to deliver at a hospital that doesn't accept my insurance, but her doctor doesn't deliver at the hospital that does. So, she had to switch doctors. But, my dream will be coming true - our son will be born at the only hospital that can claim they delivered a baby that went on to win the Heisman Trophy twice. In case you don't known, Archie Griffin was born 53 years ago at The Ohio State University Medical Center. Like Briana will always be tied to Bethlehem (Pennsylvania), our son will always be tied to Ohio State.

Within the next day or so, Gretchen will discuss our baby naming process.

OSU Day @ at the Zoo

We are very fortunate to have an incredible zoo in Columbus. We have a membership and go several times a year. You have probably seen the zoo's director emeritus, Jack Hanna, on the David Letterman Show at some point. Each August, the zoo hosts "OSU Day at the Zoo". Briana got autographs from members of the men's soccer, women's gymnastics, and women's ice hockey team. She also took pictures with the cheerleaders and her favorite, Brutus.

New Favorite Father/Daughter Song

Every year, I use Bob Carlisle's Butterfly Kisses on our annual Christmas DVD. I will continue to use that song, but I have a new favorite father/daughter song:

You probably remember Billy Ray Cyrus from Achy Breaky Heart fame, but a whole new generation knows him as Hannah Montana's dad. This song (Ready, Set, Don't Go) was written for his daughter Miley (Hannah). At the 1:31 mark, there is a clip of him telling Miley, "No daddy ever wants to see his little girl grow up"; he couldn't be more correct. You can be sure you will hear this song on the 2007 Christmas DVD.

1st Day of School

Friday, August 24, 2007 was a landmark day in the Turner household - Briana started kindergarten!!! Hilliard City Schools does a staggered start for their (half-day) kindergarten classes, so there were only 5 students on her 1st day. With her red dress and backpack (Ohio State, of course), she was ready to go early Friday morning (but school doesn't start until 9:05). When she got home that 1st day, I asked her what she liked best and she said "Riding the bus home." Hopefully, that will change quickly once the class gets into a regular routine.

Dropping her 0ff the first 3 mornings, I could not be more proud of her. She is excited about going to Scioto Darby Elementary School. When we get to the front of the school, she gives me a kiss, then lines up with the rest of Mrs. Price's class. As I walk to my car, I can't stop looking back at her. She is growing up before my eyes. As Bob Carlisle says in the song I use each year in the Christmas DVD, "I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl."

Why blog?

I have been thinking about starting a blog for some time now to document our family life (especially for Briana and the future little Turner). While I make a DVD of pictures and video of Briana each Christmas for our family members (and will continue to do so), I would like to keep everyone updated throughout the year. After seeing my brother and sister-in-law's new blog (theedisonsworld.blogspot.com), I was inspired to go ahead and start one for our family.