Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Rule #243: Do it up in style...

This Saturday marks the 3rd anniversary of my personal celebration of "Happiest Day of the Year." Happiest Day of the Year, you ask?

Yes. You see, this Saturday is the beginning of college football and I have dubbed it the happiest day of the year. For 6 long months we have done without football. And the wait is over.

What all goes into this day? Well, Laura lets me eat all the junkiest food I want all day. Brats, pizza, cheese dip, bagel bites, choice beverages, etc. I can't wait. Saturday morning we'll get up and go grocery shopping, come home, get everything ready, and then wait for kick off. This year should be especially happy because of my new HDTV.

I also sing a song that I made up which Laura loves. It's to the tune of the Christmas song "It's the most wonderful time of year". Here's a little sample:

It's the most wonderful time of the year!
They'll be touchdowns a-scoring
and gatorade pouring
and people will cheer!
It's the most wonderful time of the year!

It's the hap-happiest season of all!
With cheerleaders yelling
and the crowds all a-swelling
La-la-la-la-la
It the most wonderful time of the year!


So if you're in the Memphis area (Ross) and want to celebrate this happiest of holidays. Let me know.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Rule 211: Know What a Bumpo Seat Is

Andrew and I have been introduced to the vast world of baby products and accessories lately as we prepare for Evie Jane to arrive. I have to say that I thought I had a pretty good idea of what we needed when we started this whole process. It seemed like a crib, changing table, clothes, diapers, blankets, a stroller, and a few toys would be more than adequate. I was very, very wrong. As I sought recommendations from experienced friends, I learned that there are so many other things out there for babies- and all of them seem to be important. Now I find myself researching the best baby skin care products (I thought they already had soft skin- isn't that one of their claims to fame?) and the most useful sound machines (apparently babies need to hear the ocean or the sounds of a rain forest to find peace). I have even developed a very strong and unyielding opinion about the high chair/booster seat controversy. However, there are still a few things we haven't figured out:

1. What is a Bumpo seat? Does it conform to a bumpy part of the body or does it make a bumping motion? Does either really sound comfortable?
2. Why do car seats and strollers only fit infants for a few months before you have to buy bigger ones? Why haven't consumers demanded both products that you only have to buy once?
3. Why are all baby accessories made of some bright shade of plastic? Does a swing really need to be neon purple when the baby will be facing out of it and never see it anyway?

Hopefully we will resolves these questions soon. Until then you may find us walking down the isles of BabiesR'Us in an uncertain daze of consumer overload.

Monday, August 11, 2008

A Promise Made....

I promised Justin that I would update this blog that my wife started back in October. Tonight, I make good on that promise. This is going to cover a lot, so this may take awhile.



October
Laura and I (along with her parents and their frequent flier miles and Marriott points) went to NYC to be a contestant on Who Wants to be a Millionaire. Our time there was incredible. I didn't think I would be a fan of such a large city, but now I know why they make those I Heart NY t-shirts, because I do. We won $16,000 and as of Saturday, Laura now has her dining room table.

November

3 years of marriage, but now we're closer to 4 since we only update the blog once a year.






December

Happy Birthday, Jesus.


January
I turned 29. That's right. I'll be 30 years old in a few months.



February
Knocked my wife up.


March
Went to England.
...and won the Duke.








...and got promoted to English department chair at work.








Summer
Bought a new house.









Last Night
Along with my wife, my dog, Maggie, and Michael Phelps, went crazy as the 4x100 U.S. relay team served up a tall glass of shut-up juice to the French pansies.


You're welcome.