Go Steelers!

The Steelers making it to SuperBowl XL (since the Packers are long out of it, it's really OK to cheer for them!), happens to coincide with the ongoing discussions about what to name our baby. Cast your vote for the player who you'd most like to see our child named for : ) should it turn out to be a boy:

Jerome (Bettis)
Chukky (Okobi)
Antwaan (Randle El)
Kimo (von Oelhoffen)
Hines (Ward)
Marvel (Smith)

Happy Birthday Paul

Ok, this is Jenny writing here ... Paul Newman turns 81 today. What!??! How can that be? They don't make movie stars like that anymore...
I read recently there was discussion of remaking "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. I urge them to reconsider ... don't mess with perfection boys!

Timpano

We had the privilege over the weekend of being part of a "Big Night" dinner cooked by our friend Ryan. The crowning achievement of the meal -- which came after three kinds of risotto (pesto, cheese and seafood) served on a platter in the manner of the Italian Flag -- was Timpano. For those who haven't seen the movie "Big Night," Timpano is the ultimate moment in the meal. What is it? A drum of dough containing pasta, meatballs, hard-boiled eggs, cheese, salami and who knows what else. As one of the main characters in the film says, "To eat good food is to be close to God." Amen to that!

The Terrible Towel

A big day in our house and for Steelers fans everywhere...
A short play-by-play:
With one minute to go and Pittsburgh up 21-18, Jerome "The Bus" Bettis fumbles the ball, giving Indianapolis a chance to score and either win or put the game into OT.
The scream heard from the couch by Don: "no no no No No NO NO NO!!!!"
With less than 30 seconds on the clock, the Colts miss a field goal and the celebration begins (see photo), thus thoroughly confusing the dog and filling Jenny with a sense of relief that the rest of the afternoon would be a happy one for the house's #1 Steelers fan.

Feeling "pampered" and lucky

My friends threw me a baby shower over the weekend that resulted in quite a stash of diapers to get us started as well as some fabulous pampering products for me! It was a great night of laughter, swapping old stories as well as the always popular "guess how big the belly is" game. The winner? Shannon -- mom to 4-month-old Claire! My heartfelt thanks to everyone who made the trip -- some from as far as Michigan and Chicago -- to share in the fun.

Puppy milestones

We missed Keely's official first birthday while we were in Mexico, but celebrated when we picked her up upon returning home by presenting her with a new toy that she is certain to rip apart before she turns 2!

MEXICO!!!

We just returned from a week-long trip of relaxation and sun in Mexico. More photos to come, but the one you see here shows us basking in the waters of the Caribbean off of Paradise Beach at Tulum, a Mayan archeological site. While the skies stay cloudy and the snow falls here at home for the next couple of months, we will close our eyes now and then and daydream of this spot!