January 14th, 2003
Week 34

Randi laid on the couch trying to relax as much as possible. She was starting to get nervous, nervous about giving birth. She had already gone through it, but she knew every birth was different. Randi looked out the window. It was snowing.

"You think Aaron's gravestone is covered in snow?" She asked.

"Probably for now, but the groundskeeper will take care of it." Dave said.

"Do you every think how Aaron would look like if he was alive?" Randi asked looking at Ireland.

"Sure. He would look like Ireland, except he wouldn't be wearing a pink dress." Randi chuckled softly watching Ireland playing with some blocks. Ireland turned her blue eyes up to Randi.

"Mama." Ireland cooed. Randi's jaw dropped.

"Did…Did you hear that?" Randi asked.

"I heard it." Dave grinned as he knelt down in front of Ireland, "What did you say pumpkin? Whose that on the couch?"

"Mama! Mama!" Ireland clapped her hands as Dave scooped up his daughter. Randi sat there with tears in her eyes.

"You said it." Randi grinned. "Her first word." Dave held Ireland above his head.

"Who am I, Pumpkin." Dave smiled, "Say Dada."

"Mama!!" Ireland reached for Randi. Dave groaned and handed his daughter to Randi. Randi planted kisses all over Ireland.

"You've made me so happy, Lovebug." She whispered. Dave pouted as he sat down next to Randi. She laughed gently; "She'll say your name sooner or later. Don't worry."

"Kids are suppose to say Daddy first." He said.

"Who said?"

"Me." Dave pouted. Randi patted his knee.

"She'll say it eventually. You just need to wait." She smiled. Dave sighed slightly.

"Mama mama!" Ireland cooed.

"When do you think I'll finally pop?" She asked rubbing her belly. Dave looked over at her and shrugged.

"You're due February 25th, probably very close to then." He said. Randi sighed.

"Valentine's day would be nice."

"Yeah it would be wouldn't it." He chuckled. "Any day Lyric is born on though will be very special." Randi smiled running her hand over Irelands hair.

"You're right." She kissed Irelands cheek. "I'm just super anxious."

"I know, but I'll be here for you." Dave grinned.

January 28th, 2003

Week 36

Randi made sure all the streamers and balloons were perfect. She waddled to the food table and made sure there was enough to eat and there was enough food. She glanced outside. Friends and family started to arrive.

"Dave, everyone is coming! Get Ireland down here!" She yelled up the stairs. Dave walked downstairs with Ireland. She was dressed in a purple party dress and she had a single white barrette in her hair.

"Here's the birthday girl." Dave said.

"Oh she's so beautiful!" Randi clapped.

"She knows it too," Dave said putting her down on the floor in the living room. Everyone walked in, placing gifts on the table. Elizabeth and Ella walked in last.

"Thank for coming." Randi grinned.

"Oh I wouldn't miss it for the world." Elizabeth said, "Their first birthday parties are the most important." Ella ran into the living room and sat down with Ireland and a couple of other kids.

"Well, thank you for coming everyone." Randi said, "Please help yourself to any of the food. I'm suppose to stay relaxed and seated so just have fun." Randi eased herself into the easy chair as Elizabeth handed her a cup of punch.

"It's almost over." She chuckled. The mothers all sat down with Randi and they all started talking at once.

"Why is Dave standing nervously in the door way." Samantha Blaine asked. Randi laughed softly.

"It's because of the c-l-o-w-n-s. Even these pictures are freaking him out." She smiled.

"Oh lord. " Elizabeth snickered, "I guess we all have our fears."

"Yeah, Dave is going to have a heart attack when the clown comes in." Randi chuckled, "And a video camera is going to be rolling."

"You're evil." Elizabeth chuckled.

"I know." Randi smiled watching Ireland play with the older kids.

"Land, hew." Ella handed her the blocks. "Put hew." Ireland began to stack the blocks as Ella handed them to her.

"They seem to be getting along well today." Randi smiled.

"Ireland will be great when Lyric comes." She said.

"Oh, that's what I thought." Samantha said, "I thought Sophia would be a huge help when Makenna came, but lord was I wrong."

"Oh I know." Gloria Pasture said throwing her hands up. "Blaire was horrible when Timothy came. She kept on hitting him." Randi bit her lip.

"Ireland will be fine."

"Randi, you know who is here." Patty said, "We should do the cake." Randi nodded as she hauled herself up.

"Okay, kids lets go into the kitchen so we can have some cake." The children cheered and ran to the kitchen. Dave scooped Ireland up nervously and went to the kitchen. Randi pulled out the pink cake and placed one candle in the center. Her grandmother told her to be careful. She was supposed to be on bed rest after all, but Randi shrugged it off. She was almost done with this pregnancy and she didn't want to miss her daughter's first birthday. "All right." Randi grinned.

"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Ireland. Happy birthday to you." The crowd cheered. Ireland grinned as the cake was placed was in front of her.

"Okay, baby, let's blow the candle out." Randi smiled taking a big breath and blew the single candle out. Everyone cheered. "Good Job, Pumpkin." Randi giggled as she cut into the cake. Just then, A clown with a dozen of balloons walked in. The kids cheered. Dave backed against the wall.

"Oh god." He groaned as he started to panic. Dave backed up against the door and tumbled outside. Randi shook her head. She still couldn't believe Dave had a clown fear.

As the children ate, the clown made balloon animals for all the kids. Ireland found the balloons to be hysterical. The clown was a huge hit at the party. After awhile they started to open all the presents. Ireland had been truly spoiled. She received puzzles; books, stuffed animals, and a little tricycle she could ride or have one of her parents push her on. But all fun has to come to an end. Ireland had fallen asleep. Everyone graciously thanked Randi for a lovely party and left. With a little difficulty, Randi tucked Ireland into bed. Randi waddled out into the garage where Dave was sitting on the ground playing with Dixie.

"You don't like clowns either, girl, do you?" Dave asked the puppy. She yapped and fetched a ball. She dropped it near Dave. He chuckled and tossed it on the other side of the garage.

"The evil clown is gone." Randi chuckled.

"You should be in bed." Dave said, "You've been on you're feet too much today. Remember you're on bed rest." Randi rolled her eyes.

"I know, Dr Malucci." She said extending her hand. Dave got to his feet

"Is the clown really gone?" He asked. Randi giggled.

"It's gone."

"Thank the good lord." Dave shook his head taking the ball from Dixie and threw it back, "Lyric and the rest of our future children will never ever have a clown party."

"We'll just see about that." Randi smiled wobbling into the house. "I think you should tuck me into bed. I am feeling very tired and swollen."

"You look it too." He snickered, "I'll clean up the party mess. Ireland get tons of presents?" Dave asked as he helped Randi up the stairs.

"She got spoiled as usual." She said. "She's a very lucky little girl." Randi kicked off her shoes and crawled into bed with a groan. "This feels heavenly."

"I'll join you after I clean." He kissed her forehead. "See you soon." Randi smiled and snuggled into the bed with a yawn. Today had been a wonderful day. Her daughter's first birthday. It was a big step and milestone.

*****

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