Daddy needs to step up to the plate...

Like Brynn's latest "take to bed" item? She is definitely her mommy's girl. There were two strikes against me when her daddy and I started dating - I am a Yankee and I played soccer. I'm not sure which one was worse in Doug's eyes, considering he used to have major soccer grudges (it is played in the same season down here as his beloved baseball; his job now has helped him tolerate the sport). Since we have been married I have managed to bring more Yankees into the neighborhood (hi mom and dad) and have coached three soccer teams. I'm still around so I guess he decided I was worth it in spite of my past. :)

Other night-night rituals... well Brynn won't sit still for an entire story though she loves to bring me books and listen to me read for a nano-second before she is off again. She typically brings a few books into her bed and will read them loudly and with expression before she sleeps (even in a dark room). She also sits in bed singing and doing the hand motions to "Itsy Bitsy Spider" which is pretty hysterical since the only recognizable word is spider, the tune is way off and the hand motions are wild. But she is clearly thrilled with her performance each time based on the round of applause and hooting and hollering she does at the end of each rendition. Just before she falls asleep, she also yells night-night to everyone she can think of, plus a few inanimate objects. She is a trip. Before bed she goes around and attempts to kiss goodnight each of her brothers to varying degrees of success ("Eban" tries to move away, Price loves her back, and Caleb will let her kiss him as long as he can continue to do whatever he is engrossed with at the moment).

Special note to Doug's family: while you shouldn't worry too much since she currently calls every ball a baseball, she is a smart girl who learns quickly so you better start that baseball brainwashing soon!

-Kate