December 17th, 2002
Week 30

Randi hated bed rest. She hated lying there and not being able to do her usual stuff. There was so much to do. Ireland's first Christmas was soon and she had to shop and decorate. She didn't want anything to go wrong, but Dave seemed to have everything under control. He was only working thirty hours a week and that gave him a lot of time to do what Randi usually did.

Randi laid in the bed trying to hand stitch a zipper onto a skirt. Ireland sat on the bed next to her playing with a few blocks. Dave walked in with a hot cup of tea.

"The snow is really coming down out there." He said.

"I'm glad I don't have to be out in it." She said, "What do you think we should do for Ireland's birthday?"

"Her birthday?" Dave cocked his eyebrow. "Her birthday is in February."

"I know." She chuckled putting the sewing down, "But that's only a month and a half away. If we're going to have a big party, We'll need to start planning. What will the theme be? Who will be invite? How much food will be need? When exactly will we have it?"

"Okay okay." Dave chuckled sitting on the bedside. "The theme will be a circus theme. We'll invite grandma; couple of people from work, maybe a few of the neighbors. We'll need a cake and just the usual birthday snacks and we can have it on January 28th in the late afternoon." Randi looked at him and laughed.

"That sounds fine to me." She smiled. "How does that sound to you, Pumpkin?" Ireland grinned clapping her hands. Randi chuckled. "She likes the idea I guess."

"We can rent an elephant and horses and monkeys…"

"And rabies shots and pooper scoopers." Randi snickered. "I veto that idea. It's going to be January in Chicago. Bad Idea."

"Very." He chuckled.

"Why don't we rent a clown?" Randi suggested. Dave frowned deeply.

"No way. Those things are disgusting." Dave shivered. Randi laughed softly.

"You expect to give our daughter a circus themed birthday party without having a clown there?" Randi asked, "What planet are you living on?"

"I hate clowns." He said.

"You won't even have one for your daughter?" Randi asked, "Ireland will love having one there. Let her have one." Dave narrowed his eyes.

"Fine, but I won't be in the same room." He said, "unless you want me to have a panic attack." Randi smiled triumphal.

"You don't have to be in the same room." Randi snickered. Dave looked at Ireland.

"See what I do for you child?" He said as he lay down next to Ireland. She smiled brightly and threw a block at him. "Ow." He rubbed his forehead.

"Ireland Grace." Randi chuckled, " No injuring your father."

"She has an arm on her." He said sitting up, "Maybe she'll be a future baseball player."

"Maybe." Randi snickered.

December 31st, 2002
Week 32

Ireland's first Christmas had been wonderful. They had curled up in the bed and opened the stockings Santa had stuffed with surprises. As soon as they were done, the family ran down to the living room to the Christmas tree. Ireland loved playing with the wrapping paper more than her gifts. She received a car she could ride in from her grandmother, new clothes, stuffed animals, and tons of Fischer price toys. She was spoiled. Randi and Dave had also spoiled each other. Dave gave Randi a brand new watch with a diamond in the face. Randi got Dave a new gold necklace with a pendant that said 'IL' for Ireland and Lyric. Their first real Christmas was wonderful. Now, they were welcoming in the New Year with an ER party that was being held in the back of Golden Corral.

"A buffet and a pregnant woman. Lord help us all." Randi chuckled as Dave found a parking space.

"I know, Just relax and stay in your seat. If Coburn is here, she'll pitch a fit." Dave said shutting the car off.

"I'll be fine. Stack my plate up with a little bit of everything." Randi unbuckled her seatbelt. She slowly pulled herself out of the car. "Eight weeks left. Eight weeks left." Dave chuckled as he unstrapped Ireland from her car seat. They waddled into the restaurant. Everyone was already there. Randi sat next to Elizabeth with a soft smile.

"How are you feeling?" Elizabeth asked.

"I'm ready to have her out." Randi smiled watching Ella babble with Ireland. "She's getting really big."

"Almost two years old." Elizabeth smiled, "Ireland is almost a year right?"

"Yup." Randi smiled watching Ella talk about a balloon she got. She chuckled softly as Dave brought her a plate loaded with food, "God. I love you."

"I love you too." Dave chuckled sitting down. He gave Ireland a taste of his carrots and mashed potatoes.

"There's Coburn." Randi said gnawing on a piece of chicken.

"Don't worry." Dave chuckled.

"Here Bebe." Ella grinned putting a roll in front of Ireland. Ireland giggled taking the roll.

"They seem to be getting along well." Elizabeth smiled stuffing some salad into her mouth.

"Yeah it's great." Randi said, "Ireland doesn't know many other kids."

"Well, we'll need to have a play date sometime." Elizabeth said, "Ella doesn't get to play with many kids either."

"A play date." Randi smiled "That would really be wonderful. I would love Ireland to get used to being around kids before Lyric comes."

"Well, anytime you're up to it we'll be there." Elizabeth smiled. For the next couple of hours, the all mingles. Randi stayed put holding Ireland who had falling asleep in her arms.

"Five minutes until the ball drops." Dave grinned sitting down next to his wife.

"Five minutes until I drop from tiredness." Randi chuckled. Dave took Ireland from her arms and slipped his free arms around Randi. "This year is going to be so much better than the last one."

"But this past year wasn't half bad. We had a baby and we got married." Dave pointed out. Randi chuckled.

"That's very true." She smiled.

"Okay everybody!" Kerry called everyone's attention. "Twenty seconds." Dave looked at Randi.

"You going to kiss me?"

"Maybe." Randi chuckled as the crowd started to count down.

"Nine…Eight…Seven…Six," The crowd yelled, "Five…Four…Three…Two…One. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!" Everyone yelled. Randi leaned over and kissed Dave gently.

"Happy New Year." She whispered.

"Happy New Year." Dave smiled kissing his wife back gently.

*****

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