...you read that right - Will's version of "butt cream." Cracks me up each time he says it. And he's not saying it to make me laugh - he is actually requesting cream (Desatin) on his bottom. That he means it makes me laugh even harder. He is getting so big. I come home from work each night wondering how old he going to look/seem to me that day. He's beginning to put two words together - "Daddy bedwom" (Daddy is in the bedroom). "Wioo-Wioo tincu" (Ripple is tinkling).

I'm so thankful that I feel so good during this pregnancy - I can't believe how good I feel, in fact. Is Turtle saving up the brownie points for cashing in in a major way later on in her life? Hmmm.

I spent some time with my director at work, discussing some of the concerns I wrote about last time. We decided that while we weren't sure it would do much good, we would create a list of 6-ish things we need from senior management: examples being concrete timelines/deadlines for integration objectives; clarification of department and team missions; etc. Then we'll see what they do with that request. Basically, Gary is like me - he can't NOT do something, so this was what we could jointly come up with. We'll tap the other managers for additonal items we need from senior management. Gary is willing to take the heat/fall for presenting this (if there is any).

I interviewed a promising candidate for my open position. I want to offer her the job. That will allow me to meet my timeline of being fully staffed by 10/1, and will give me 3-ish months with her before my leave.

I'm not a scrapbooker, but I have been using the photobook features on Snapfish.com with good results. Its a great way for me to keep up with my pictures and add some narrative, which is what will be so great to have when we are old and gray and have grandchildren, without the anxiety that traditional scrapbooking would leave me with. I'm working on our summer '07 book right now.

Steve and I ended up going to Timberlodge Steakhouse for our anniversary instead of Manny's, which was, at first, a disaster, but which we rose above after several minutes of intense pouting. A huge stretch of highway was closed over the weekend, which completely threw off our directions into downtown to get to Manny's so we missed our reservation and couldn't afford to wait since we needed to pick Will up by a certain time. And it appears that Manny has moved since the last time I was there (?). Anyway - I did end up having a 12 oz filet mignon. So decadent. So yummy. So beefy. (Jay and Patti).