Karate baby

I swear I am going to give birth to a ninja warrior! Eva is the wiggliest, punching-est, kicking-est baby ever. Brendan was quite the mover too but I don't remember feeling him this fierce this early. I was at 25 weeks this Tuesday. She likes to be especially awake when I am trying to fall asleep. But this is Jason's favorite time of the pregnancy - when he can bug the baby. He loves to push on my belly and see if she reacts. Silly.
More news - I was released from Cub Scouts and am now the new Young Women's first counselor. I wonder if they know what they got themselves into calling me. Where I go, Brendan has to go also. :) At least I know that young women generally love little kids and probably won't mind so much. It was kind of hard to keep up with him AND the 9 year old Scouts. In fact, here's a story about my lovely son and what he was doing while I was being set apart. We were in the bishop's office and it was my turn to be set apart. While heads were bowed and eyes closed, Brendan wriggled away from his dad and made his way to the bishop's desk. He grabbed the phone and said, "Hewo? Hewo? (Babble, babble, babbble) train. Bye-bye". The others in the room were trying to be reverent but most were laughing. I was. Jason snatched him up and had to take him out of the room.

Things that make you go hmmmm . . .

Last night Jason and I witnessed something Brendan did that makes me wonder. I watched him open the silverware drawer, get a spoon, use it in his smoothie, lick it really good and put it back in the drawer. Now I wonder just how many times that has happened before and I never saw?!

Happy Halloween a little early

San Rafael has this super fun thing they do every year at Halloween. They hold Trick or Treat on 4th Street. The main road in downtown is 4th Street which has a ton of shops and restaurants. The Saturday before Halloween these businesses decorate for the occasion and hand out candy to little trick or treaters. It was SO much fun! There were tons of kids out in the cutest (and scariest) costumes ever. Brendan was a knight this year.

He didn't quite get the "Trick or treat" part until the very end. It came out more like "Geekoo treat" but he was pretty good about saying "Thank you". We walked for about an hour, visiting more than half the participating businesses and then Jason and I were pooped. Brendan could have kept on going though. Later that day, there was trick or treating at the church party. Now the trick is to parcel out the candy to Bubbs. Already he keeps asking for "Geekoo treat".
This last shot was taken on the way home from the event. We all decided that this will be an annual McDaniel event while we are here in the Bay Area.

I've been tagged!

I'm IT! I have been tagged by my bloggin' friend, Heather. Here are the rules: 1. Each person list 6 facts/habits about themselves. 2. At the end of the post, the player tags 6 people and posts their names, and then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment, letting them know they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog for the rules.
Let's see . . .
1. I really like to go to the demolition derby. You wouldn't think of it to look at me. I think I have a secret aggressive side. It is really fun to watch all those crazily decorated cars crash into each other. I guess I like it because nobody gets hurt but there is an element of danger.
2. I have never had a cavity and never broken a bone. Chalk it up to good dental genes - guess it makes up for my awful eyesight and stick-straight hair. I think I am just lucky (or too careful) about the broken bones thing.
3. I am really anal about spelling and grammar. It drives my husband crazy because I am always pointing out mistakes in newspapers, on signs, in his reports . . .
4. I have been in jail.
5. I have always wanted to write a children's book. Maybe some day . . .
I also think a really great job would be an elementary school librarian. Yes, I am a nerd and I am okay with that.
6. I hate to make the bed. Seriously, it is my least favorite chore. I think I'd rather do dishes, fold laundry or even scrub the toilet.
Sheesh! It is hard to think of six interesting things about yourself. Why is that?
Well, most of my blogging friends have already been tagged so I can't choose 6 but I will tag Kristin Anderson, Raynie Hawes and Jessica Curtis. You're it!

P.S. Just had to keep you in suspense about my incarceration. Actually, my father works in the county jail and I have visited his work a few times. So technically I have been in jail. :)

Bath with Bubba

How do you get your child to understand that they aren't supposed to eat the bubbles in the bathtub? Or drink the bathwater?

The Bridge

Last weekend we did the most touristy of touristy things here in San Francisco - we walked across the Golden Gate Bridge. Okay, so it was only halfway across and back but it was getting dark. Brendan LOVES the bridge. He gets so excited every time we go into town. If we are driving anywhere he asks us, "Bridge?" He freaks out every time he sees it.

Jason had had enough of studying that evening and so he told me to load up, we were going to walk the bridge. We put Brendan in the backpack but we let him out to walk on his own later. He ran ahead of us for most of the walk, stopping to peer over the side between the railings every so often. He was heartbroken when we had to turn back and head to the car.



It was a little windy and chilly but I enjoyed the walk. I was exhausted when we reached the car. My OB would be so proud of the exercise I got, but I was sore the next day. As you can imagine, we had to walk at a pretty good clip to keep up with Bubba.
Jason insisted that we get some pictures of me too since there are hardly any. I am always the one taking the pictures. This one is not bad considering I am almost six months pregnant. Should have taken off the camera case so you could see my burgeoning belly.

The picture below strikes me as funny. It is a crisis counseling phone on the bridge. I wonder how many calls they get.

As we drove home we took a side road and wound through Sausalito. What a beautiful town, especially at night. Upon reaching home we went to a pizza place we have been wanting to try. It was very tasty and Brendan ate more than I could believe. He must be growing through another growth spurt; he is always hungry.

I am grateful for spontaneous family times like this, especially during dental school. Just taking walks as a family has been some of the most fun we've had here in the Bay Area.

1st Quarter

This is Jason. So we just finished our first quarter. I got my grades back and I did ok, all B's and a C. I also recieved the coveted invitation to the Operative Dentistry Remedial class on Saturday mornings. I asked my instructor to put me in it. This quarter is already starting to ramp up, but I am not too worried. Things will work out; they always do.
Today is Conference Sunday and we are just lounging around the house in our pj's watching the sessions on our computer. I was surprised and happy to hear that Elder Eyring was put into the Presidency. He has always been a great speaker and now we get to hear him talk even more. I liked what he had to say about keeping a book of remembrance. In years past I used to keep a journal but I have stopped and I think it is time to start again.
Things are going well here in California. I wish that we had more friends like we did in Arizona. School is fun and busy, but I worry about Christine and wish she had some good pals to hang out with. I am sure that the Lord will send some friends our way soon though.
The break was lots of fun. We went to Yosemite as a kind of trial run to see if we wanted to go back later (I do). The trip there lasted all of 24 hours because we have learned the hard way that one night camping is about all we can handle enjoyably with Bubs (Brendan). Right now we are just looking forward to Thanksgiving.

Is anybody out there?

Seriously, sometimes I wonder if I am writing this blog just for myself (which is not so bad really since I like to journal) but I am curious who reads this. So, if you are a friend or family member who reads my blog, please comment. It makes this so much more fun when I know what you all think. Plus I don't get to talk to many of you as often as I'd like and your musings make me happy.

Vacation

I am now getting around to posting vacation pictures. We jammed a lot into the week of Jason's break. First we went to Oregon to visit my sister who had just had a new baby. It was so beautiful and we had a lot of fun. Our gracious hosts have an amazing house set back in the woods which are so peaceful. I was a little sad to leave.

Here are some pictures of us on their property.

Notice my nephew's boots. He loves to wear his galoshes anywhere!

The boys got to feed the horses!
Born free!

The next few days we went with some friends to Yosemite. Jason had never been and my father took us a lot when we were little kids. Jason wanted to see what it was like. He loved it. We only stayed two days because camping with Brendan is anything but relaxing. :) The Raders (friends that met us up there) brought their little girl and their dog. Turns out dogs are allowed in the park but not on most of the trails. Bummer! But I enjoyed getting to know Justin and Nicole better - they are super nice people.

Notice the sign.
Wilderness boys!

The next day we had the ultrasound and found out about our daughter. We also got a killer bassinet from craigslist. Sweet!

On Friday, Jason went to the ADA conference in SF and I later met up with him at the Raders for a BBQ. Saturday was the day to lounge around. My hubby read Harry Potter most of the day. He did, however, pick up the twin bed we got from craigslist (did I mention that I love that site) and make me dinner. It was the fourth anniversary of our first date and we try to do something to remember it each year.

On Sunday we went to my parents to join in the blessing of my sister's new baby. It was so fun to be with family again. My sisters are also very good at sharing maternity clothes so I am nearly outfitted for the next four months. Yea!

Jason is holding baby Dane.
All the kids had ice cream cones after dinner on Sunday. They were a mess! It was so cute!