Time...the only thing that they're not making more of!

Since Courtney re-awakened the blog last night, I figured that I should make a contribution too! There are so many things that I could post about that I don't even know where to begin.

Here are some Julia highlights of late:

Playing XBOX with Daddy!




Playing chess with Ben!




Playing Rock Band at Auntie Liz and Uncle Nate's!


Rock Climbing!


The truth is that it's all happening so fast! And I know that at least half of the people who read this blog have warned me about that. The other half are experiencing it with us. I feel like as I approach my 33rd birthday, I'm just starting to truly understand the concept of time.

When I was young, time was when the Muppets or the Dukes of Hazard came on TV. As a teenager, time was how late you could stay out without truly getting in trouble. In your twenties, time is when the bar closes...Oh how I miss those days!!!

Now, time is 8-12 hours of work per day...not enough to get everything done. Time is 90 minutes a day with Julia after work and before bed. And time is only about 2 waking hours a day with my soul mate and wife...nowhere near enough.

The good news is that I'm starting to really believe that life pays you back for the time it takes. If you invest time and work hard as a parent and professional, you get things like vacations and memories, retirement and grandchildren and you get to call you child when he or she is in their 30's and say "did you see what the Sox did today?"

I got that call from my father this summer, just as so much was heating up at work at Julia was as challenging as ever. I responded that I barely have time to breathe and that's when it hit me. Until that moment, I could never understand why my father seemed to never have time for things like that when I asked the questions.

This was just one more lesson to learn from him. Life makes time for a little of everything and it all comes full circle. We get the good with the bad, fun and stress, a career and then grandchildren. You just have to make sure that you make time to keep up with the Red Sox!

When I sat down to post this blog, I had no idea what I would write. I had no idea that I would go in this direction. I'm glad I did. For me this blog is not just about what Julia is up to. I know...that drives hits. People want to see cute pictures of her, not listen to me! I'm writing this blog to give Julia and any siblings that she might end up with insight into our lives and just who her mother and father really are.

By the way, speaking of siblings...Courtney keeps asking Julia if she wants a baby or a puppy...I don't know what that means but Julia answers baby almost every time!

-Andy

Nah-Ahhh!

All I want to say is that there are two sides to every story. Recently I recieved a promotion to Superintendent of Recreation for our county, but since my old position is still a part of our department, I've been essentially doing two jobs for the last 3 weeks. Couple that with the World Series being in town and I really had a lot of pressure on me over the last couple weeks.

The guys that run the World Series have become some very good friends of ours and I admit that at points during the week I spent some time enjoying myself with them. However, I far from abandoned my post in fatherhood.

The main issue was the one night when I woke up to my beautiful bride feeding my beautiful daughter. Instead of talking gently to her as she fed her, she was commenting on just how, and I quote, "F'ing Worthless your father is" and "he would rather booze it up with the boys than spend time with his daughter".

Now in the moment, I completely understand her frustration. I would be irritated too if I just couldn't wake her up to help me out, but I don't know if I would exhibit such extreme behavior. Nevertheless, we have moved past it and did so very quickly that night, I might add.

I have now resume full daddy responsibilities and even got home tonight at 5:00!!! I think this was the first time that has happened since I recieved my promotion and I was psyched about it!

Last weekend was AWESOME!!! With all the work I've been doing, I really have been missing my girls A LOT! Well on Saturday, Julia and I had our first official Daddy Day. Courtney became our sugar-momma for a day, working a lacrosse tournament and we spent the day together.

The funniest part was when I called Courtney early in the day to make sure I was following the schedules that she had been setting for Julia. After that, I think Courtney called to check in about every hour! I think that she missed her shopping buddy!

I can't blame her...I know how she felt!

-Andy

The View From "Shower Dad's" Seat

Alright...it's time to get this straight...guys don't do showers, they do man stuff. You know, things like bar hopping, watching sports, cussing and scratching ourselves. Whether I knew about it or not, the fact that I was the subject of a shower has caused a review of my Man Card! That's right...I might lose my Man Card over this! In my defense, it did take the collaboration of five women to pull the wool over my eyes!

Seriously though, it was a wonderful surprise! As a matter of fact, I still don't believe that they did that for me. Most of it was a lot of fun. At least everything but the little baby food game that they made me play. I challenge any of you to be able to stomach Mac & Cheese or Ham, Pineapple and Rice baby food after a few beers. It was DISGUSTING!!!!

Getting back to the surprise, I could not have been more flattered. Most of these people were those who I worked with or met through work and in this day and age, people have better things to do than to throw a party for a co-worker. The fact that all of you went out of your way to surprise me and be a part of our coming family addition humbles me. The unbelievable outpouring of support that we have seen in the past few months from all of our family and friends has been overwhelming and words cannot express just how appreciative we are.

We received more wonderful gifts and a few of them were some really funny gag gifts. We got baby's first bottle (Bud Light with a nipple and baby label), a hospital bag for a Dad-to-be, Daddy's toolbox, a diaper cake (pictured above), the wheel of responsibility (which I think is fixed because it never seems to stop on Mommy) and Daddy's tool belt. Linda, the reining queen of gag gifts, handmade a "tool belt" to help me with baby. It came complete with earplugs, tongs, goggles, rubber gloves, a teddy bear and even a clothespin for your nose!

It was a great fun day! I feel so lucky to have so many wonderful people in my life!

Special thanks to Sandy (the ringleader), Linda and Kelly for putting this together and doing a great job keeping it from me. And extra special thanks to Michelle for not only helping to put this together, but also hosting it at her home! Those Tourism Girls are the BEST!

- Andy

Pregnancy...The World Tour!

Coming to a town near you! It's Pregnancy...The World Tour!!! Starring Courtney as "Momma" and LBMF as "himself"! T-shirts are just $14.95!!!

I know...I know...the blog has been dead for a few days! Well, don't worry, everything is just fine! Court and I are taking some trips (while we can) and hopefully we will be coming to a town near you!

Last weekend we visited our friends Kenny and Amanda in NC and had a BLAST! There is much more to come on this excursion as Amanda is sending us scandalous photos of playing Rock Band and the like and we will do a full post on the trip.

Then work took me out of town for a couple days to the tropical paradise of Easton, PA. Driving back today, we left sleet and freezing rain and arrived to 58 degrees. Now who says Delmarva isn't the land of pleasant living! (I might have just opening myself up to lots o comments on that one)

Thursday, we hit the road for an evening in Easton, MD (kinda ironic, eh?). It's our niece Ellie's birthday and another stop for LBMF, Momma and their shared, limited bladder!

This weekend, we are heading to CT for a baby shower that my mother and sister have planned for Courtney (and if you weren't invited, don't blame the blogger; we would have invited everyone as LBMF is eager to meet you all). Unfortunately our time is short there and hopefully we get a chance to catch up with you at the shower. But the next day, we'll be onto the next city as more LBMF fans await.

In other news, the nursery continues to progress. The excess holes in the walls (and ceiling) have been repaired and we should be primaring soon (as soon as the roadtrips end). Courtney will need to do a full post on this soon.

We hope that everyone is doing well and ready for spring!!!

-Andy