On this past beautiful Saturday morning in New York City, I took my lovely wife to Grand Central Station to be a part of the "StoryCorps" project. There's a picture of the booth above, along with a shot of Lori getting ready to be interviewed by me. So what is "StoryCorps"? Well you can go here - www.storycorps.net and find out what they say, or take my short version. They're an organization that allows regular people to interview other regular people and have a copy of that interview go into the Library of Congress. It's Oral History - on tape! [Which seems a bit oxymoronic...] It's been around for several years now and I always thought it would be fun to take Lori to the booth and find out where she's at mentally, emotionally, etc. and what better time than just days before she is about to become a Mom!

We covered a lot of territory - some fun, some serious - and Lori did great! As someone who has interviewed hundreds of people in my life, from Oscar-winners to Average Joes, I can say with confidence that she was engaging, succinct and very interesting. It was from the heart and when that's where it's from, you just cannot lose.

In fact, I've posted a 2:00 segment where Lori talks about exactly when she found out she was pregnant. Take a listen and enjoy!

Labels: fun, interview, library, lori, Nicholas, storycorps

Check out the menu for Thanksgiving 2007 in the Bridenstine house! Notice the large tummy of Momma-to-be under the cute, pink apron! Prepare to get hungry! LET'S EAT PEOPLE!!!

Labels: apron, kitchen, lori, michael, thanksgiving, video

It may no longer be the office for Towhead Productions, but that doesn't mean the Big Blond Brain doesn't still loom large....

Check out this amazing addition to Nicholas' room - a handmade Towhead Productions baby quilt! See the logo smack dab in the middle of the quilt, hovering over the company's future incarnate, looking super cool, super silly and super warm. This one-of-a-kind product is from the artistry of one Ms. Destiny Winters, oldest child of Jim and Laura Winters, and budding star on the fashion scene from TLC's "Kids By The Dozen." Didn't she do an amazing job? Now, I know most of you are probably rolling your eyes at my request for her to create this, but I'm used to it. Most everyone rolls their eyes at what I say anyway. But that doesn't change how cool it is, and it's hanging right about his crib, perfectly fitting into the box. How about that? This is once again proof of what can happen when you surround yourself with talented friends. Destiny - great job! And if you want to see more of Destiny's great work, go to www.wintersfamilystore.com and buy her girl's dresses, skirts, jammies, etc. If you ask her lots of annoying questions over and over in front of a camera like I did, she may even make you a custom quilt! But for now, there is only one TOWHEAD!

Labels: baby, destiny, Nicholas, quilt, towhead, winters

From the desk of The Butterfly a.k.a. Vanessa



Dear Faithful Bridenstine Fans,

Just wanted to let everyone know about a cool new update to The Bridenstines -- Random Rants, Daily Dish and Seriously Silly Stuff -- the sidebar music player now includes LORI'S LABOR: A collection of 6 unique playlists with varying intensity and mood for your listening pleasure! [NOTE: Clicking the left-right arrows on either side of the current playlist at the top of the player will switch between playlists. You can drag the scroll up-down arrows to see the songs on the current playlist. And of course, clicking on the play button or the song name itself will start the music!]

Lori and Michael asked me if I would prepare some music mixes for use during the birthing of Nicholas...a request which I was very honored to fulfill! Since Michael called yesterday to announce that the special CD package had arrived, it is now safe to share the music mixes on the blog without ruining any surprise for them. I hope you will all give a listen and enjoy!

Also, if you would like any information about any of the songs, playlists, etc. -- please feel free to contact me via my blog.

Labels: baby, blogging, butterfly, email, family, friends, lori, michael, music, Nicholas, readers, sidebar, updates

This was from yesterday's doctor's appt. Relaxing in a comfy chair and Nicholas' heartbeat being monitored. I had to click a button every time I felt him kick. It was supposed to only take about 20 minutes but Nicholas choose to sleep during that time! The nurse gave me some cold apple juice trying to get N to wake up and start kicking me again in the ribs like he does most of the day! Chief Towhead got cranky waiting for his son to hurry up and kick so that Dad could go get some lunch!

Labels: heartbeat, kick, lori, Nicholas

At the risk of falling into the realm of "crazy cat people", let me show the world how the Bridenstines prepare for the entrance of beautiful Nicholas to this world - by getting a dry run with the kitties. Notice in the photo above how a tired, pregnant Lori sleeps with Brummie, our cute kitty #1, perched right up next to her out-of-it Momma. Is this 21st Century parenting or what? BRING ON THE HUMAN BABY! [At least he won't sleep right on our head!]

Labels: bed, cats, lori, love, whatever

Hi everyone! Thanks Vanessa! The site looks great!

I am in my thirty-fourth week of pregnancy and looking forward to meeting Nicholas. He is already a very active little guy making himself known by waking his mom up at night kicking her in the ribs!

We've been having fun getting his nursery ready. It's amazing how much stuff a baby needs. I can't believe after this week is over Nicholas is considered 'full term' so anytime.....

This week is my first week off of work and it's been so great to get some rest and not be up before the sunrise! Michael was laughing at my idea of preparing and freezing some entrees, etc. but it's funny because he's been cooking up a storm!

Here's a quick video introduction of me and Nicholas!

And a huge thanks to Vanessa for all of her hard work! You see what I'm talking about, right people? She's managed once again to make me and mine look like we know what we're doing. Bravo to her - visit her site - and give her some work! She rocks!

Now, speaking of work, you'll notice while you're on the site that something very big is about to happen - and I mean like earth shattering big. And that's the upcoming birth of our little man - Nicholas James. The "About Us" is written as if he's already popped out, to avoid more work for Vanessa, but the main banner does NOT have a picture, since the 3-D ultrasound is kinda creepy. When he enters the world, I'll shoot his mug, many times over. So keep your fingers crossed he's as healthy as a horse and keep coming back for updated pics, movies, sounds and random rants about how he's managed to take over our lives. I promise we'll make it as interesting - and different - as possible.

And even though Nicholas is the motivation to start blogging, he won't be the only thing we talk about. If you even just know someone who knows me, you clearly understand that I'll hit on comedy, politics, religion, entertainment, culture, the state of the world and the state of my mind, etc. If you're interested in our interests, check in from time to time and make sure to say hello by making comments. We want feedback!

Thanks for tuning in and let the blogging begin!

From the desk of The Butterfly a.k.a. Vanessa


Dear Readers,

Allow me to introduce my good friends, Michael and Lori Bridenstine. They have made the leap into the Blogosphere -- and as a representative of said Blogosphere -- I welcome them with loving open arms. So much so, that I have created a custom blog template just for their new adventure! ;-D

I hope you all, as their family and friends, enjoy The Bridenstines: Random Rants, Daily Dish and Seriously Silly Stuff. Please, encourage and support Michael and Lori in their blogging adventures by visiting as often as you can and by leaving comments once in a small while...You will see a link for the comments' section under each post called "Comments from the Peanut Gallery." That's all of you! Click on it and you can write as little or as much as you want in response to their posts. This blog is meant to be interactive -- so please, feel free to share your thoughts, links, whatever! The more you do, the better it will be.

As a sidenote: I will be permanently available as the blog's administrator -- it's my ongoing Baby Shower gift to Lori. ;-) If you have any problems or questions (Perhaps a link does not work? A photo is missing?) -- do not hesitate to let me know. I can be reached via my website or my blog. You can find links for both in the sidebar to the left. Please just mention in the subject line that you are contacting me in reference to this blog so that I won't get confused!

Okay, I guess that is all for now. Good Luck, Lori and Michael -- and to everyone else -- ENJOY!


Cheers!
The Butterfly

Labels: baby, blogging, butterfly, comments, email, family, friends, fun, gifts, lori, michael, readers, shower

I'm going to guess that the feed is confused by Michael and Lori being so far up town that it thinks you are in Brooklyn?? Because nobody else but you and me are checking the blog page, right?

If not, then I call for a DELURKING!!! Reveal yourself, Brooklynite! Leave us a comment!!!

Labels: blogging, Brooklyn, readers, tests