It has been ages since I last wrote ---and I mean ages!! too much going on: working Full Time, doing the Mommy & Wife thing when I get home ---too many jobs for 1 person . Well, it wouldn't be so bad if I had the stamina  to stay up past 10 pm, I could get more things done .

I try to read the Xanga email when I can, I just don't always have time when I am at work. So, in case anyone reads this, hope everyone is doing well.

Both kids & Kevin, have finally gotten over having the flu - boy, that sure stunk. Fortunately, none of them had the throwing up kind, only the very high fevers! Poor kiddies. When Brianne is like that, she just wants to plant herself on my lap the whole day ---I have to bring her in the bathroom with me too. Wahhh! Cass isn't too bad about it. Usually in a good mood unless she doesn't get her way.

Cassidy started Nursery School!! Can you believe my baby is growing up?? I cried the first day of school---and so did she when she realized I wasn't staying . But, now, she loves it and comes home with a big smile on her face, talking about all her friends. And the things she brings home...they are so cute. My fridge is covered with projects from there She will learn more of the social aspect then anything they will be teaching.She already knows all her colors, the ABC's, can count, etc. But the interraction with other kids is HUGE, plus, all the projects that I don't do with her is key for me! Just know that I am loving her, loving it!!

Briane is getting HUGE!! She is as big or bigger then most 2 years olds and she is only 17 1/2 months old!!! Cassidy is 39 inches and Brianne is 34!! Wow! She is going to be a big girl, gets that from Daddy's side

Still playing vball when i get the chance. I play twice a week for 2 different leagues and play once a month on my GEVA team. My GEVA team is doing great. We have been playing BB, which used to be great competition, but now every time we play, we make it into the finals and either win it or come in 2nd. Just not as much fun . Sure, it's great to win and all, but the victory is hollow if the compeition isn't good.So, we have been doing BB and A/AA. We aren't winning the A/AA tournies, but taking alot of games from some really tough teams. I would much rather play better competition, get my butt whooped (though we don't really get whooped, we are only 5 points behind usually), and know that I had fun and played hard. All in all, it is nice just to get out, see my girlfriends, have some ME time and play my favorite sport

Ok, all, or whoever is even reading this dribble, I have to run.

Hope all of my chums are doing well and I will try my best to make some rounds.

p.s I have pics to post, but won't have time until the end of the week.

What a wonderful welcome back I received!! Gosh, I really did miss everyone here. I definitely won't have nearly as much time to write as I used to "back in my Xanga day", but I will try and post a few times a week.

My company was off yesterday - woohoo for me - so I had a lovely 3 day weekend. Of course the weather was stinky and it rained the whole time, but at least I was home with my hubby and kids. Other then it being soggy, I got tons of wash done, lot sof homemade meals cooked and one fattening delicious apple pie. Yummm, can you smell it now?? Smell the cinnamon and apples baking in the oven???? Ahhhhhhhhh, breath of fresh air---and a few pounds too .

Cassidy was, once again, wearing her princess gown yesterday. That girl cracks me up. here she is in this pretty pink princess gown, hiking it up around her waist to pee on the potty - too darn cute

Getting Cassi up in the morning is soooo difficult - she sleeps like her father ---like she is in a coma!! And man, is she CRANNNNNNKY! Sometimes you won't even be able to talk to her for at least 15 minutes after she's woken up. Eeek, this should be fun once the teenage years come. Now brianne?? She wakes up all smiles! As soon as I poke my head in the room she is already smiling and bouncing up and down on the crib mattress. She is just unbelievably happy. Thank goodness those two don't have to share a room. Eeeks, they would be throwing toys at either. Cassi in anger and Brianne just to piss her off

All in all, everything is hunky dorey in our house, just a little bit of craziness that shows how much we love our kids. Toys all over (which get picked up a few times a day but by the end of the day looks like I never clean a thing), dishes in the sink (even though I just ran the dishwasher the night before), clothes to wash (even though I did 2 loads the day before) and the never ending dog hair that seems to spread around the house. That will happen with 2 big labs - one black and one yellow. Thank goodness for the good ole ShopVac.

Ok, that is it for my boring day.

Thank you all again for such a warm welcome back.

Holy Shmoly!!! I cannot believe how long it is has been since I last Blogged! Time sure flies when you have 2 kids to chase around .

This is Brianne for the Labor Day Parade. We all (my family) dressed as the Disney characters - Brianne was Tinkerbell and Cassidy was Sleeping Beauty (I was one of Sleeping beauties fairies--but I don't have any of those) -BOTH KIDS ARE FLUSHED, IT WAS SUPER HOT EVEN IN THE SHADE!!

Let's see, Brianne is now 1 years old - her bday was Sept 11th. She has been walking since she was 11 months (just like Cassidy)---she is my hell on wheels kid with a darling angelic face. Go figure! The red hair is still there, what a great contrast with her HUGE blue eyes and pale white skin. Really is stunning. If I must say so myself She really looks nothing like me, she is all Kevin.

Cassidy as Sleeping Beauty

Now Cassidy, on the other hand, all me. That little pixie looks like me and acts like me. You know what? She is my mini me! She says the funniest things and as soon as she says it, I want to clamp my hand over my mouth since I KNOW who she got that from. Never any curses, just things like, "Oh Dah-ddy (with hand on her hip), don't annoy me". Thought Kevin was going to choke the first time she said it to him.Like I said, this kid cracks me up. She will be 3 Nov 1st is on her way to being potty trained. She refuses to poop on the potty (sorry for those that have delicate ears and stomachs) but the rest? Wonderful!! So very proud of her. My little big girl!!

Now, me, I'm chugging along. Been pretty tired the past few months. Seems my thyroid has been down the tubes since having both kids, I just never really noticed until after Brianne was born. So, I've been going for blood work and seeing an endocrinologist to regulate meds that will perk me up and hopefully, allow me to finally lose this lingering weight.

Yup, still playing volleyball, just have not had nearly as much time as of late. I went to the beach every weekend, just didn't always get a chance to play. Oh well, the kids loved it so it was worth a little non-exercise for me.

I am going to try to get to some sites between today and tomorrow, but I won't make any promises. Really missed coming here, just need I dream of Jeannie to blink in what I want to blog in...pics included

Hope everyone is doing well and hope you like the pics.

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adding some new pics (ok folks, I DO have hair, it is back in a ponytail and apparantly in hiding)

Holy crap.....it worked!!! Thanks, MelsWorld  you're the best!!

I really am still around just never have a chance to get on line anymore. Just thought I would post some pics while I have some time to breathe

The quality of these pictures stink, but that is due to developing at Eckerd's instead of CVS. WOn't do that again.

The bottom pics are of Cassidy at her 2nd bday party.

Hope all is well.

Brianne Irma Hope Bunting

Date of birth: Sept 11, 2004 (which made her 10 days late)

7 lbs 11 1/2 oz

21 1/4 inches

She is one beautifulllllll baby girl!!!!

Sorry for not keeping you all more informed but once I went passed my due date, I was pooped and not a happy camper to still have this little munchkin in there. I hope you all forgive me

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Here is what happened:

I was scheduled to be induced on Sunday the 12th but apparantly Brianne, wanted to stay in control. Typical girl . I started getting contractions Saturday morning, about 10 minutes apart, but I thought maybe they weren't the real thing since I just saw the Dr the day before. I told Kevin to go to work as usual, that if I needed him, I would call him and he would come home. I had called my dad and stepmother and told them what was going on, just in case I needed a back up plan.  While on the phone with my dad, they started to come a little quicker and stronger, about 7 minutes apart now and I thought, Hmm, maybe I should call the Dr and my hubby and start getting the show on the road. See, last time, my water broke and I didn't have any choices to make. Much easier that way, if you ask me. Well, Kevin came home, took me to Dr's office, since she was in the office from 10-2. I was dialated at 2 1/2 but she told me tog o the the hosiptal anyway, seeing how I was 10 days overdue and had been scheduled for the next day anyway. They got me in, had lovely contractions (yeah right), but no water breaking. So, I actually had to wait until my Dr got on her hospital shift time (from office after 2). Wahhh!! Once she got there, she broke my water and mannnnn, did those contractions increase. Yowsey!! Once I got to 5 (dilation), I asked for an epidural (which I did not have the first time), these suckers were more painful and lasted much longer each time. Once I had the epidural, I felt much better. Ahhhhhh, now why the hell didn't I do that the first time .

Once it was time, and I had reached 10, they got me prepped to start getting ready to push. But, the baby's heart rate started to take a few dips and they needed me to push sooner. Of course they don't tell you all this, just tell you what a great job you are doing. Hmmm, how could I be doing so great when I didn't feel anything happening from my arduous pushing?? So, not only am I getting a little worried, in the middle of a big push, my hubby says, "great job, Sha, keeping pushing, you're doing great...................................wooomfph". Yep, hubby has now passed out next to my bed. In all this commotion, we all stopped to look over to the left at my large husband (6'4" 230lbs) slumped against the wall on the floor!! Poor thing. Apparantly, he felt lightheaded when eh saw her reach 2 hands up inside of me and come out dripping blood (the first time was nothing like this so he must have sensed something funky). They had to get someone in to take care of him, but then they had to wheel me out for an emergency C-section. It seems that once your baby passes it's due date, to an extended amount of time, like my 10 days, the baby is no longer as protected and the need to get them out is much greater. So, I had to have a C- section. My Dr was great, they had a great team in there and made me feel as relaxed as I possibly could under the circumstances. Mind you, I was scared shitless, hoping my baby was ok. They were all chatting about what great music the anesthesiologists had playing, so I figured this was an easy task for them all. I was on that table at 4:40 pm and she was out by 4:48 pm. By the time they finished, an hour had gone by, then recovery room time, another hour. I was super skakey and chills galore but they were all amazed could I move my legs and actually move myself to the recovery table.

Needless to say, I am in a little more pain then I was last time, but when I look at my beautiful daughter, it is all worth it to me. She has red hair, go figure . She looks like such an Irish baby . So, to explain the names:

We just liked Brianne

Irma - Kevin's late grandmother who died the day of Brianne's amnio at age 99

Hope - for the unfortunate bday of 9/11 and the hope that she will bring us new memories on this fateful day.

That's it in a nutshell. Oh, and Cassidy is just loving her new baby sister. Always wants to see or "I hi baby". She love to point and touch her . It really is wonderful. She is still a little mad at me and is turning to Daddy more and more, which hurts my feelings but can't be avoiding right now with my not being able to pick her up and be her normal active mommy. In time she will see the old mommy. But, for now, Kevin is loving the clinginess of her, since she has always been such a mommy's girl. I can't blame him in the least, plus, this is helping me out too. Now that he is more involved, maybe it will stay this was and won't go back to my doing everything for her all the time. What a relief that will be.

I hope you all enjoyed this news. Once again, sorry for not staying in touch more. I love you all!!!