Houston...we have a problem;
Jake likes to cuddle with his Mommy.
I like to cuddle with my Wife.
Problem is, this is the same woman.
Jake will not share her with me.
I am not to be seen hugging, kissing, touching or standing within a close proximity to "His" Mommy.
If I break his rules, I get his wrath. Plain and simple.
Screaming, growling, pushing, and calling me,"Bad Daddy".
Allright then.
Jake, you are nuts.
I can't wait until you bring your first girlfriend home.
Good times, good times.
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Monday, February 13, 2006
Curious George...
Well, today was Monday. Which means it is my one day of the week to celebrate masculinity with Jake and Brady. You know, lots of booger and poop talk and wrasslin' around the house. Just the boys. Good times. Anyway, I had another one of my infamously bright ideas. "Let's go see Curious George when Mommy gets home." Sure. Right. Like it's that simple.
Brady has never been to a movie in a theater and Jake has been 2 or 3 times. If you know Brady you know why. He's a bit more controllable now, so I thought I would chance it. Wait, controllable is not the right word. Predictable. That's better. He's a mess, count on it.
Anyhoo, Cindy got home for lunch and was unfairly confronted with the information that Daddy had indeed promised a trip to the movies later. Being the ever doting mother she reassuringly smiled at the boys and shot me a backhanded look that said,"Nice work, moron." She is used to me. What can I say?
So skip ahead to the show. Fortunately, I grossly overestimated the amount of time we would need to get there. We were 40 minutes early, and the only ones in the theater. We've got our smuggled M&M's, water, etc., cleverly tucked away in the diaper-backpack-thingy. We took our seats. When I say we, I mean Cindy and I. Jake and Brady thought it would be more fun to run laps up, down and all around the auditorium. OK. Tire yourselves out. Except, they don't get tired. They just keep going. How?
After 25 minutes or so, a few other people show up so it was time to hunker down. The lights finally got low, and the boys' eyes got huge. Brady was loving it. Squealing that nasally little squeal and laughing at the previews. Jake was more amused by Brady than what was on the screen. We all were.
The movie was pretty good. Not "gotta buy it on DVD" good, but still. Half way through, Jake spilled an Icee on himself. Sooo, he watched the rest of the film sans shirt. Funny stuff. The boys both hung in there with the flick and made it to the end without any major complaints. That's all I can ask for.
I had visions of Brady leaping over the seatbacks, and terrorizing other patrons with dinosaur growls. He surprised me and made me proud. Not that he doesn't make me proud anyway, but you know...
There's a different sort of pride when your child behaves in public as opposed to when they execute a perfect flying takedown on their older brother. And then Jake, not freaking about the Icee incident. Plus, reaching over and holding Brady's arm out of tenderness and not malice. Well, dadgummit it's the little things that count the most. Jake, Brady....I love you. You little cheeseballs.
Brady has never been to a movie in a theater and Jake has been 2 or 3 times. If you know Brady you know why. He's a bit more controllable now, so I thought I would chance it. Wait, controllable is not the right word. Predictable. That's better. He's a mess, count on it.
Anyhoo, Cindy got home for lunch and was unfairly confronted with the information that Daddy had indeed promised a trip to the movies later. Being the ever doting mother she reassuringly smiled at the boys and shot me a backhanded look that said,"Nice work, moron." She is used to me. What can I say?
So skip ahead to the show. Fortunately, I grossly overestimated the amount of time we would need to get there. We were 40 minutes early, and the only ones in the theater. We've got our smuggled M&M's, water, etc., cleverly tucked away in the diaper-backpack-thingy. We took our seats. When I say we, I mean Cindy and I. Jake and Brady thought it would be more fun to run laps up, down and all around the auditorium. OK. Tire yourselves out. Except, they don't get tired. They just keep going. How?
After 25 minutes or so, a few other people show up so it was time to hunker down. The lights finally got low, and the boys' eyes got huge. Brady was loving it. Squealing that nasally little squeal and laughing at the previews. Jake was more amused by Brady than what was on the screen. We all were.
The movie was pretty good. Not "gotta buy it on DVD" good, but still. Half way through, Jake spilled an Icee on himself. Sooo, he watched the rest of the film sans shirt. Funny stuff. The boys both hung in there with the flick and made it to the end without any major complaints. That's all I can ask for.
I had visions of Brady leaping over the seatbacks, and terrorizing other patrons with dinosaur growls. He surprised me and made me proud. Not that he doesn't make me proud anyway, but you know...
There's a different sort of pride when your child behaves in public as opposed to when they execute a perfect flying takedown on their older brother. And then Jake, not freaking about the Icee incident. Plus, reaching over and holding Brady's arm out of tenderness and not malice. Well, dadgummit it's the little things that count the most. Jake, Brady....I love you. You little cheeseballs.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Go fly a kite...
A few days ago I had the bright idea to go get some kites and well...fly them. I had the boys all pumped up for it too. We went to Wallyworld and found two Spiderman kites for a $1.00 each. Gotta love America. And Sam Walton.
So after hyping the boys up for how cool flying kites was gonna be, it was time to put up or shut up. Cindy and I took the dudes to a park near the house. We got the kites all put together and off we went. Except the kites. They kinda just sat there. No wind. Well, don't I look like a tool. Yeah boys, flying kites is awesome! Woo Hoo!
Eventually the wind picked up a little. Long enough for us to get Jake's kite up and snap this picture. It came crashing down about 2 minutes later. So, not all was lost but...I lost some cool points I think. Chalk one up to mother nature.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Bombs away!
Brady poops. Sometimes in his pants. Sometimes in the toilet. Never in the bath. Not yet at least. This picture is of him firing off his first real wave of porcelain assault bombs. He's a quick study and an eager participant. However, he is also a busy, busy man and cannot tear himself away from playtime sometimes to come and tell us it's time to do the #2 shuffle. Either way, we are one step closer to freedom from diapers.
What will we do with the extra money? Buy a new car? Buy name-brand clothing? Eat at a restaurant that doesn't serve chicken strips? Ohhh its almost too much to imagine. Hooray for potty training.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Here comes the serious train....
I am tired but I don't want to sleep right now. Too much to process. This past week has kind of been an information overload. Sometimes life hits you with full force, ready or not. Good or bad.
So, I turned 29. That was cool. I got to spend it with Cindy and the boys. Nothing fancy. No need for that. The boys drew me some awesome pictures that Cindy made into a book. Cin got me a great book about the Iwo Jima flag raisers. I highly recommend them both.
Then the other shoe dropped.
A call from Louisiana. My Aunt Maresa got some bad news from her doctor. Breast Cancer. From what I know it had spread partially to her lymph nodes. I am floored. I hate cancer. I hate what it can do. I hate that it exists. That we can't rid it from the face of the earth is inexcusable. I try to play tough, but inside I am shredded.
Almost 13 years ago, cancer took the life of my Aunt Linda. She was one of the coolest people I have ever known. She fought as hard as you can and then some. When chemo failed, she went alternative. When that failed, she went home. Just before she passed, I was too scared to go see her. My good-bye is incomplete and I will never forgive myself for that.
Cancer doesn't care how brave you are. Doesn't care how much you love your children. Doesn't care how much you are loved in return. Doesn't care about anything.
So now, we wait. Surgery has been performed, and chemo will start in the next few weeks. The doctor seems pretty upbeat I guess. I don't know, never met the dude. He better know his skill-set for his sake. In the mean time, we pray. We pray for her, and I'm asking that you do to. Even though you might not know her...just send a good one up for her. It can't hurt. If it helps.....rock on.
After taking that in a bit we got some good news. Yesterday, my buddy GW got to come home for his 2-week mid-tour leave. Cindy and I have known it was coming since December. His Mom didn't though. He finally got her. I wish I could have been there. I want to be there now. For him and for me. He always knows some interesting ways to get a persons mind off real life. He can also lay down some heavy truths and listen as you vent like a steam engine. He's a good friend and a great man. Welcome home G-Dub.
So...ups, downs, in-betweens. What's new though right? Life is still a pretty dadgum good proposition. No matter how sad I get, how many tears I cry....there is a smile waiting for me when I get home. Three smiles to be certain. Three people who give me perspective on all this weirdness. They reinforce these basic truths;
Tears dry. Wounds heal. Laughter is contagious. Smiles are free. Life happens, get on with it.
So, I turned 29. That was cool. I got to spend it with Cindy and the boys. Nothing fancy. No need for that. The boys drew me some awesome pictures that Cindy made into a book. Cin got me a great book about the Iwo Jima flag raisers. I highly recommend them both.
Then the other shoe dropped.
A call from Louisiana. My Aunt Maresa got some bad news from her doctor. Breast Cancer. From what I know it had spread partially to her lymph nodes. I am floored. I hate cancer. I hate what it can do. I hate that it exists. That we can't rid it from the face of the earth is inexcusable. I try to play tough, but inside I am shredded.
Almost 13 years ago, cancer took the life of my Aunt Linda. She was one of the coolest people I have ever known. She fought as hard as you can and then some. When chemo failed, she went alternative. When that failed, she went home. Just before she passed, I was too scared to go see her. My good-bye is incomplete and I will never forgive myself for that.
Cancer doesn't care how brave you are. Doesn't care how much you love your children. Doesn't care how much you are loved in return. Doesn't care about anything.
So now, we wait. Surgery has been performed, and chemo will start in the next few weeks. The doctor seems pretty upbeat I guess. I don't know, never met the dude. He better know his skill-set for his sake. In the mean time, we pray. We pray for her, and I'm asking that you do to. Even though you might not know her...just send a good one up for her. It can't hurt. If it helps.....rock on.
After taking that in a bit we got some good news. Yesterday, my buddy GW got to come home for his 2-week mid-tour leave. Cindy and I have known it was coming since December. His Mom didn't though. He finally got her. I wish I could have been there. I want to be there now. For him and for me. He always knows some interesting ways to get a persons mind off real life. He can also lay down some heavy truths and listen as you vent like a steam engine. He's a good friend and a great man. Welcome home G-Dub.
So...ups, downs, in-betweens. What's new though right? Life is still a pretty dadgum good proposition. No matter how sad I get, how many tears I cry....there is a smile waiting for me when I get home. Three smiles to be certain. Three people who give me perspective on all this weirdness. They reinforce these basic truths;
Tears dry. Wounds heal. Laughter is contagious. Smiles are free. Life happens, get on with it.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Habitual
I have been lazy. I am lazy. I will be lazy.
OK. SO....pictures are on the way. I have a lot of catching up to do so I'll save the uploading for a time in the near future, or distant future.
Jake and Brady. Jake and Brady. I almost never say one name without saying the other. Usually because they are both doing something outrageously dangerous to themselves or our possessions. Nothing new there.
Christmas. Tons o fun. The boys finally reached the age where they both were excited for the whole process. We did have a running dialogue about the real reason for Christmas, but to what effect...who knows? I think the idea of a fat dude who brings you stuff in exchange for good behavior and cookies is just too much brain ammo for them to squeeze in the religious aspect right now. Oh well, as long as it's in there somewhere.
The boys as usual received way too many presents for us to fit into the rotation. So, in original packaging they sit. Waiting for their turn to be enjoyed and destroyed...maybe not in that order.
We were able to make the rounds again this Christmas, and see a good portion of our family. The older I get, the more I realize how much I have taken that for granted. Hopefully next year, we'll get to see even more of the ones we love. Especially all the ones in Louisiana. Jake and Brady, if I didn't get you back there by the end of 2006, punch me. Hard. Leave a mark.
Hooray...its 2006. Uhhh. Not much partying went down on New Years Rockin' Eve. The boys got to stay up a little late, and Cindy zonked out promptly thereafter. So, there I sat. Me and the TV. Cindy got a smooch on the forehead at 12,(that she doesn't remember) and then it was lights out for me too.
The boys continued their rampage through the month of January, just getting things done J&B style. Toys were strewn. Matresses were jumped on. Nerves were frayed. We were attacked with hugs. Kisses were thrown about with reckless abandon. Love was the rule of the day. Everyday.
So, now it's February. Two more days and I'm 29. Holy Lord, how have I lived this long? One more year till 30. That doesn't sound bad. One more year. One more month. One more week. One more day. One more hour. One more minute. One more second. I'll take what I can get. I am blessed with the time I have with my wife and sons.
Looking back on 29 years, I haven't led a perfect life. Far from it. But, I must have pleased God somehow. At some time I must have made God smile. When I think about who God is, or how, or if God is, I always think of my boys. It is said that we are all God's children. Then he must feel about me, how I feel about Jake and Brady. When they mess up, I am disappointed. But I never stop loving them. Their mistakes fade into oblivion, but their triumphs I will always remember and hold close to my heart. God..if you are listening or logging in from heaven.net, I feel you, I know you, I owe you. Big time.
OK. SO....pictures are on the way. I have a lot of catching up to do so I'll save the uploading for a time in the near future, or distant future.
Jake and Brady. Jake and Brady. I almost never say one name without saying the other. Usually because they are both doing something outrageously dangerous to themselves or our possessions. Nothing new there.
Christmas. Tons o fun. The boys finally reached the age where they both were excited for the whole process. We did have a running dialogue about the real reason for Christmas, but to what effect...who knows? I think the idea of a fat dude who brings you stuff in exchange for good behavior and cookies is just too much brain ammo for them to squeeze in the religious aspect right now. Oh well, as long as it's in there somewhere.
The boys as usual received way too many presents for us to fit into the rotation. So, in original packaging they sit. Waiting for their turn to be enjoyed and destroyed...maybe not in that order.
We were able to make the rounds again this Christmas, and see a good portion of our family. The older I get, the more I realize how much I have taken that for granted. Hopefully next year, we'll get to see even more of the ones we love. Especially all the ones in Louisiana. Jake and Brady, if I didn't get you back there by the end of 2006, punch me. Hard. Leave a mark.
Hooray...its 2006. Uhhh. Not much partying went down on New Years Rockin' Eve. The boys got to stay up a little late, and Cindy zonked out promptly thereafter. So, there I sat. Me and the TV. Cindy got a smooch on the forehead at 12,(that she doesn't remember) and then it was lights out for me too.
The boys continued their rampage through the month of January, just getting things done J&B style. Toys were strewn. Matresses were jumped on. Nerves were frayed. We were attacked with hugs. Kisses were thrown about with reckless abandon. Love was the rule of the day. Everyday.
So, now it's February. Two more days and I'm 29. Holy Lord, how have I lived this long? One more year till 30. That doesn't sound bad. One more year. One more month. One more week. One more day. One more hour. One more minute. One more second. I'll take what I can get. I am blessed with the time I have with my wife and sons.
Looking back on 29 years, I haven't led a perfect life. Far from it. But, I must have pleased God somehow. At some time I must have made God smile. When I think about who God is, or how, or if God is, I always think of my boys. It is said that we are all God's children. Then he must feel about me, how I feel about Jake and Brady. When they mess up, I am disappointed. But I never stop loving them. Their mistakes fade into oblivion, but their triumphs I will always remember and hold close to my heart. God..if you are listening or logging in from heaven.net, I feel you, I know you, I owe you. Big time.