Wow, it has been awhile since I have last posted! I guess I have only the usual excuses involving time. I am sure there is plenty to write about, but I will only highlight the major topics that may be old news to some of you. More with excuses, I know I owe a few emails to some of you out there, which I am hopeful to get out soon. I guess look upon this post as a sign of hope:)

The most major of all topics to highlight is that Bailey is expecting a baby sister this mid May. While more difficult this time deciding on a name, we have finally decided on one. Keeping with choosing names after Bays in Alaska and ironically with all our names starting with “B”, we decided on naming the new little girl Bristol. I think it is a relief to both of us that we have finally settled on a name because for a while we were calling here Bailey #2. Moreover, her middle name only took half a day to decide upon as we chose Dawn…Bristol Dawn Albrant.

On a side note, with so many “B’s” in the house I guess we will have to get rid of one of them…the “b”oat. Si la vie, it was fun while it lasted, but I see a mini van or other mode of mass transit in our future.

Of course, Bailey is getting taller and bigger by the day and is on the verge of walking. I used to be amazed at how fast she was physically growing, but now I find myself more amazed at how quickly she is learning. Just like a little sponge, she is completely fascinated with having books read to her or anything new. I am sure I will have to avast any salty sailor tongue around her or pay for it in public humiliation when it is recited.

Work is like no other place I have been employed and it can be extremely irritating at times. Before I took the job, I imagined a State job as an ideal work environment and that, that concept would reflect in all employees from the administration all the way down to the newly hired. I could not have been more wrong! Naïve through the years, I have just recently really understood what it means to work in a political work environment. I guess the crescendo to this rant is that the union has sent out strike ballots, which I am sure will surely result in a strike if the State does not agree to uphold the union contracts. On a positive note, I have recently finished my RADAR class, which was my final requirement for testing for Inland Mate. Hmmmm, if I get any time off in the future I think I will study for about a week to pass the test. It will be nice, as it will increase my pay about a third.

That is the new and exciting. I will try to be a bit more current on the posting, but definitely make no promises due to upcoming events mentioned above. Of course, I could not conclude a post here without the ubiquitous Bailey photos. I am sure with spring here as our front yard crocus attest to and summer (yippee) around the corner we will be taking some more recent outdoor photos of Bailey to post.