Coming Out of the Newborn Fog

Whew! I wish someone had told me that having a baby pretty much changes everything . . . just kidding!

Today is really the first day I've had the mental capacity to do much more than just sit in my recliner with a blank stare on my face.

But now it's back to business as usual . . .

Little Man Tate's Baby Pool

And the winner is . . . 6-month old Mallory!

Some may be impressed that a baby could predict the birth of, well, another baby but I'm just trying to figure out how she typed her guess on the keyboard. Hmmm . . . I wonder if Mommy Shannon had something to do with that.

Of course, I'm sure Mallory will use her Barnes & Noble gift certificate to buy baby books and not cooking or sewing books!

It's pretty embarrassing that my guess ended up 37th out of 40 - hey, I was certain we'd have a Thanksgiving baby!

Thank you all for playing.

We're Home!

We've made it!

Thank you all for your kind comments. Kelly and I have felt lifted by your prayers throughout this entire adventure. It has meant so much to us to know we have such encouraging friends and family! Please continue to pray for us as often as you'd like!

He's awake! Quick! Grab the camera!

Look at this kid's hair! Since Kelly and I were both blonde growing up, we're amazed that Tate arrived sporting black hair.

I'm sure it'll fall out soon but while it's here I'll have fun combing it over. Hmmmm . . . . I wonder if I can spike it up into a mohawk?

Coming soon: The results of Little Man Tate's Baby Pool

Sweet Baby Tate

Let me begin by stating how incredibly disappointed I am in our hospital's wireless network - disappointed indeed! I stayed up until 1:00 AM trying to post updates! Sorry to leave so many of you hanging!

Since I had to run home to pick up a few things, I thought I'd stop down and show off my boy - what else would you expect from a proud daddy?

Kelly will give all the details later but the day went pretty much like this:

7 AM: Arrive at hospital.

8 AM: Kelly's water is broken and she is given a "pit IV" - the stuff that supposed the get the party started.

8 AM-6PM: Absolutely nothing! After watching contractions on the monitor for almost 10 hours, Kelly is still only a 6 - very frustrating! Thinking we still had a ways to go, I order pizza. (Don't worry - I wasn't planning on eating it infront of Kelly!)

7 PM: Just as I finish my pizza, Kelly is now a 9 and we're told we'll be pushing within 30 minutes. (My pizza-filled stomach suddenly doesn't feel so good!)

8:10 PM - Tate shows up fashionably late!

7 lbs 7.7 oz (with those numbers he'll be picking all my games when he gets older!). 20 3/4 inches. A head of black hair so full that you can part it to the side! He is simply perfect!

As for Kelly, she simply amazes me! Absolutely fabulous doesn't come close to describing how well she did. She never complained. She never got upset. She never lost hope. Heck, she never even broke a sweat!

And should any of us be surprised?

Ready or not, here he comes!

Teddy Bear says, "Walk towards the light, Tate!"

Kelly-ism #7

One thing I will always remember about Kelly being pregnant is that she has been so quick to laugh during this time. I wonder if there is any medical evidence supporting 'pregnancy induced giddiness'.

We all know, however, that there is plenty of evidence (mainly from personal experiences by moms everywhere) supporting 'pregnancy induced loss of bladder control'. But leave it to Kelly to find a way to actually combine the two and lose bladder control nearly every time she starts to laugh.

For example:

When Macy (our golden receiver) and I got home from a softball game the other night, we both needed a bath. Below is the conversation that occurred shortly thereafter when Kelly walked past the bathroom:

Kelly: "Ew! It smells like wet dog and wet 31-year old in here!"

Wade: "Yeah, smells kinda like up-dog!"

Kelly: "What's up-dog?"

Wade: "Nothing! What's up with you dawg?"

Although Kelly had heard the joke before, she couldn't stop laughing at how stupid it was . . . Whoops! So much for bladder control! Off she ran to the bathroom! (You'd be surprised how fast she can move at 39 weeks!)

There's something that cracks me up about watching my 9-month pregnant wife crack herself up and then have to rush off to the bathroom!

Who knew I'd have so much fun during Kelly's pregnancy! We should do this more often!

QOTW: Christmas Decorations

I know I'm going to sound like a scrooge when I say this but there are some things about Christmas that are an absolute beating! That being said, they are usually the very same things that eventually make Christmas all the worth while.

I'm talking about shopping malls. Parking lots. Christmas carols 24/7. Picking out a Christmas tree that doesn't come with a payment plan. Trying to figure out Uncle Ricky Joe Bob's sweater size. It's A Wonderful Life on a continuous loop on 4 different channels. A Christmas Story on a loop on 4 other channels.

Last but not least - Christmas decorations.

For me, my responsibilities for Christmas decorations involve only one thing - putting lights up on the house - umph! I'd rather a Steinway piano fall on my head!

So yet again this year I found myself elbowing my way down the Seasonal Aisle at Home Depot wrestling some poor old lady for the last box of green outdoor lights and praying to God that they actually work when I get home.

Once I start hanging the Christmas lights I begin cursing the guy who originally came up with this glorious idea. All the while knowing that once I've finished, the Clark Griswald moment of the lights not working is inevitable . . . of course, there's one bulb out so the entire stran doesn't work.

(Side rant: That stupid box said the lights would keep working even if one bulb goes out!)

Breathe in. Breathe out. Count to 10 . . . and try again.

Hey! Not bad! I guess I don't mind putting up Christmas lights after all . . . even if is kind of a silly tradition.
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"When do you start decorating for Christmas?"

Total votes: 16 votes

As soon as I clear the Thanksgiving table: 9 votes, 56%

December 1st: 4 votes, 25%

December 15'ish: 3 votes, 18%

Bah humbug: 0 votes

Tuesday?

Looks like Tuesday will be the big day.

Kelly's got the details . . .