Alex's 1st TV game

Because Ohio State played in Columbus Alex's 1st 2 weeks at home, this was his 1st chance to watch a Buckeye game with Daddy. Alex got to watch (okay, he slept most of the game) the Buckeyes destroy Penn State, 37-17. Briana watched every game with me during the national championship year of 2002; hopefully, Alex will bring the team just as much luck. Ohio State has now won 27 consecutive regular season games, along with 19 consecutive conference games. The next 2 games are at home (Wisconsin & Illinois), followed by the last game against arch rival Michigan. If the team wins these games, they will again be playing for the national championship. I can't wait to take Alex (and Briana) to their 1st Buckeye games.

Briana's (busy) week in review

As I mentioned in a previous blog, Briana had quite the busy week. To review, she had a cheerleading camp a week ago Friday,


Followed by cheering at a JV football game on Saturday...


and Scarlet & Gray Saturday at Ohio State...


On Monday she had her weekly dance lessons...


Followed by a great date night with Daddy. We ate at my favorite restaurant (On the Border) then attended the High School Musical Broadway play.


What a great week!

This week is Halloween, so you will get to see Briana in costume.

6 pounds, 7 ounces

Alex celebrated his 4 week birthday with a visit to the doctor. He is doing great and is almost 2 pounds heavier than his birth weight.

Quite a busy little girl

Here is Briana's schedule for the next week or so:
Yesterday - school field trip to the fire station
Today - school field trip to the Columbus Zoo
Tomorrow - cheerleading clinic at Davidson High School (it's a student holiday in central Ohio)
Saturday - (noon) perform at half-time of the Davidson JV football game; (2:30) Scarlet & Gray Saturday (Briana goes to our new rec center to play and swim while I watch the Buckeyes play Michigan State)
Sunday - gathering at our new faculty member's (Dr. Galen Trail) house
Monday night - dance lessons
Tuesday night - Motor Skills night at Ohio State (future PE teachers observe kids like Briana learn motor skills)
Thursday night - date night with Daddy. We are going to dinner and to the High School Musical broadway play
I'm sure we will be reporting on these events shortly.

3 weeks old

Alex turned 3 weeks old today. He is doing very well and is really getting big. Here are some recent pictures:

Happy birthday to me

I've received some great birthday presents over the years (including an Ohio State mini-helmet autographed by Troy Smith this year), but nothing compares to the (belated) gift I received today - Alex came home! It would have been great to have had him home on Saturday for my "official" birthday (and so he could have watched the Buckeyes beat Purdue with me), but Briana has a rule that your birthday isn't over until all of the cake is gone. Using that logic, his coming home was the best gift ever.

My Husband

Brian and I quietly celebrated his 42nd birthday on Saturday. Briana and I let Daddy sleep in on Saturday morning, then we got ready and visited Alex in the hospital. We stopped at Buckeye Corner for some gifts, since I couldn't shop because of bedrest. Then we came home and he got to do what he really loves, watching Ohio State Football!

Birthdays always seem to bring about a time of reflection. Even though it is Brian's birthday, I am thinking of how much our lives are intertwined. I cannot imagine my life without his. He is an amazing husband, a wonderful friend, and of course-a truly incredible father. The day he was born ultimately changed my life forever-even though I came a few years later! I am so grateful for the life he has given me and my beautiful children. Even as we have weathered stressful times in our lives, he has always been so calm, so steady, so strong. Thank you, Brian, for being the person you are. I love you! Happy Birthday!

Buckeye Baby

Alex's hospital pictures are now online; he is officially a Buckeye Baby! Click here to view the pictures (there are 8 of them).