Bulldawgs back with fresh talent

Note: I'm posting this blog over a week late, but leaving the original date as it was mostly written at that time.

After 3 days of steady rain, Saturday was perfect. Max and Carol were in town again to visit the grandgirls, the sky was clear, and the breakfast was fabulous. How could it be anything but perfect when you're at the Tavern with the Harrells, Bouceks, and Harveys.

Max and I spent the remainder of the morning cleaning out the basement that had flooded for the third time in as many days. There's no point in having a sump pump if it's not installed correctly. A few tweaks later, it drained the basement in no time at all. As if the rain wasn't enough, Max also found a substantial leak in our washing machine hose that was contributing to the high tide.

After a little automotive work on the Jeep, we took off to Lowe's for a replacement hose and a shiny, new pair of Channellocks. By game time, we had employed an array of handyman skills. I'm sure most of you know how rare it is for a single home improvement project to go as planned, much less four or five in the same day. I'm sure my next project will be a doozie . I've wasted many a Saturday mornings away waiting for game time with guilt. But this Saturday was different. We popped the top with a clear conscience and the pride that comes from a job well done.

The media and most fans seem to be attributing the Bulldawg's stellar performance to Coach Richt's celebration stunt after the first touchdown. However, they are wrong. The winds of change blew strong throughout the off season and the early part of the 2007 season, bringing with it the most prized new recruits in Bulldawg history. No doubt Georgia will once again dominate the Gators with the help of freshmen talent: Hendley, Reynolds, and Mary Reese. I'm already looking forward to next year! Go Dawgs!

g

The Gameday crew

Go Dawgs!

Car's Birthday

Sometime Sunday afternoon, October 14th...

"Did you know your birthday is Tuesday?"
"Yeah, I just thought about it the other day. I can't believe it's here already."
"Do you want to grab a bite to eat or get out of the house?"
"Nah, with everything going on lately, I just want to take it easy."
"Ok, sounds good."

Return to present day, October 17th...

Sometimes these mutual agreements offer a reprieve from the challenging decisions associated with a special occasion. Other times, they are simply an opportunity for failure. You know what I'm talking about. How many times have you heard of a mutual break up and said to yourself, "yeah, right..."? The same logic applies - is the feeling really mutual? Although I felt our agreement was about as mutual as it could be, I decided to break it. Here's how it played out:

1:00 pm October 16th...while at work

one day a year
weeks of focusing on mary reese
nice to do something for car
but what
too late
can think of something
could get her a cake
can't
won't like having whole cake around
mary reese
sadie
make them sick
could get cupcakes
too small
could cook
don't want same old thing
what can i do
wait
have family here
why didn't i think of that sooner
been years since had family around on birthday
call julie
can y'all come
great
you've got the sides
i'll grill
i got the cake
bye
this may work out after all
what am i going to grill
take too long
she's got homework
meeting
meeting
talk to boss
chandlers
good idea
google
website
call
yellow cake
strawberry filling
buttercream frosting
done
love the internet
love efficient operations
call julie
bill's chicken parm
julie's caeser salad
awesome
i got the cake
see you 6:15
hey car
what want for supper
ok
i'll make it
be ready at 6:30
you should shower
ok
finish your homework
house can't be messy
cleaning
straightening
what's that
7:00
ok
call julie
hey bill
change of plans
7:00
bye
how's the homework
what about a shower
ok
finish your homework
hey y'all
she's upstairs
sorry
forgot the boiling water
car
upstairs in shower
guess she heard y'all
hey car
feel better
good
yeah
7:00
y'all
no idea
i'm serious
awesome
yeah car
noise
mary reese
yeah
it is
hilarious
no idea
happy birthday

It couldn't have turned out better if I'd have spent a month planning it. Thanks to Julie, Bill, and Hendley for all the help. It would have been just another night without y'all. The food was delicious and the fellowship even better. And just in case you are wondering, it was the best cake we've ever had.

gG, C, MR, Bill, Hendley, Julie

Mary Reese wishes Car a happy birthday

MR hits the town...

Mary Reese got to meet yet another set of grandparents this past weekend. Joe and Carol loaded up the truck and hit the road last Wednesday. One day and 675 miles later, they were hanging out with the newest addition to the family, her recovering mother, and a nearly out of work dad.

What a weekend...We spent Thursday and Friday just visiting and taking it easy. Which was a good call because Saturday was action-packed. We were blessed with a beautiful fall day in Virginia made even better with burgers and fries from Five Guys. After we filled up, Mary Reese reminded us she needed to eat as well. She had her meal in the back seat of the car while Joe and Carol did a little shopping.

With full stomachs, Mary Reese and I dropped Car off at Old Navy to do a little non-maternity shopping while she and I listened to some football in the parking lot. Joe and Carol walked up just in time to assist with Mary Reese's first outdoor changing...in the trunk. I now understand why so many moms are driving SUVs...

Next we headed for the mountains to drink in the sun, scenery, and a little wine. Our trip to Veritas Vineyards marked the first trip to a vineyard for Joe, Carol, and Mary Reese. We're hoping her head start isn't indicative of things to come... For the record, she slept while we enjoyed a sampling of Veritas wines in the beautiful tasting room. She continued to sleep as we sat outside on the deck and took in the Blue Ridge mountains.

She's not one to miss a meal though, and soon demanded her second meal on the run that afternoon. Car tried to be discrete and feed her in an out of the way spot on the steps, but the wedding party in waiting had other ideas. They parked it on the deck right above us and gave Car a new appreciation for the hooter hider. In addition to crowding us, the wedding party proceeded to cut our time short and ran us off. But not before we snapped a few good pictures and imbibed a wonderful bottle of their Sauvignon Blanc.

gThe gang at Veritas Vinyards

Mary Reese napping on the porch

C, G, MR, C

Car and her hooter hider

Papa Joe and a happy Mary Reese

Mr. Mom

Over the last two days, I have become that which some men can only dream of...That iconic figure misunderstood by bachelors, adored by bachelorettes, aspired to by fathers, and admired by mothers and mothers-to-be...They made a movie in anticipation of me, and even a song. That's right, I am Mr. Mom. I don't know why the standard term of Dad won't do. After all, we offer the same services on a routine basis. It must just be that in these circumstances we are resigned to our fate, no longer negotiating for a reduced workload while performing at a higher level.

Situation report - my girls and their respective afflictions:

• Mary Reese - newbornitis (not currently recognized by the AAP, but parents everywhere understand the trying condition)
  
• Sadie - sprained ankle (I swear it wasn't my fault)
  
• Car - infection, resulting in extremely high fever, exhaustion, aches, pains and every other flu-like symptom

My girls kept me busy..."Car, take your medicine"..."Mary Reese, I just changed you"..."Sadie, there's no way you have to go again"..."you can't be hungry, you just ate"... During these two days, Car never set foot downstairs and Sadie was carried up and down the stairs. I probably took the vet's orders of "strict rest" a little too seriously, but she could barely walk and I'm a sucker for a lady in distress.

By Thursday afternoon, the fever broke and Car was feeling better. Sadie was walking again and Mary Reese was potty-trained. Oh wait...that was a dream. Lately it's been getting harder to tell dreams from reality as the sleep deficit continues to grow. No worries though, at this point Mr. Mom can change diapers in his sleep.

g (a.k.a. Mr. Mom)

Ain't wastin' time no more...

Mary Reese was more than fashionably late for her birthday, but she seems compelled to get on with life now. She has stepped it up a notch lately, checking meaningless milestones off her list and forging ahead toward milestones yet to come.

Her first pseudo achievement was the shedding of her umbilical cord. I'm sure those of you reading this without child are wondering how we could celebrate such a weird, you might even say disgusting, milestone. But I can assure you it is worthy. Numerous steps are taken during the early days to avoid disturbing this useless appendage. Things like folding diapers down, gingerly putting on or taking off clothes, and most importantly, delaying the first bath. That's right, your precious child goes through the first couple of weeks au natural. It's a good thing puberty is a decade away.


On a lighter note, The Manny was in town yesterday, so Mary Reese and Car walked down the road to Aunt Julie's new favorite restaurant, Anna's Pizza, to visit with Hendley and her entourage. This of course was Mary Reese's first social outing. I'm sure one day Mary Reese and Hendley will look back on it fondly, perhaps during their collegiate years when socials are the norm instead of the exception.

The first walk around the block took place later that same evening. Mary Reese, Car, and I took off for a quick spin. Nothing too extraordinary. Just one small step toward the millions of steps that Car, Julie, and the girls will take on The Grounds over the months to come.

I guess beauty isn't all that's in the eye of the beholder...

g

Her first outing

Additional Milestones

First nap on the porch

Reading the newspaper with Dad

Sacked out

A week in the life of a newborn...

One week down and many, many more to go...

Mary Reese's first week was action-packed with endless cycles of sleeping, eating, and excreting. Somehow she managed to find time to visit with family in between her primary activities...

Not many can say that they attended their first Georgia tailgate at the young age of 3 days old, but that's just what she did. The Dawgs weren't on TV, so we had to crank up the XM radio and tailgate on our patio in the front yard. We were the only ones around listening to the Bulldogs, since everyone else was tailgating for the Virginia game. We tried to teach the Virginians a thing or two about tailgating, but they didn't show up until 2 hours before kickoff, so there just wasn't enough time. Tailgating relations became somewhat strained when Max, in response to a question from some Virginia fans about how good Florida really is, casually stated that they could beat any team in the ACC by four touchdowns. When they didn't offer him another chicken leg, he got the message and retreated to friendlier tailgates. The afternoon was perfect and everyone had a great time. Some of the crew even walked down to Durty Nelly's for a bite to eat and a beer.

Mary Reese's first doctor's appointment almost didn't happen since the nurse was calling for "Mary" and that was just a little too much of a stretch for Car and I to make the connection. After narrowing it down between the two babies in the waiting room, we went back to see the doctor. She has now passed her birth weight and weighs in at a healthy 9 pounds. Although, if she had relieved herself before the weigh-in instead of after (still on the scale), it might have been close. She left with a clean bill of health and a cute sticker from her vaccination.

She is most alert in the evening, anywhere from 7pm to 3am. After keeping Car up late last night, she's helping me write this as we listen to the International Bluegrass Music Association Awards on XM radio online. The jury is still out, but I think she's a fan.

It felt like we had a house full this past weekend, even though no one was staying here. We were just too stingy to share the sleepless nights. I can't remember the last time we slept for 8 hours straight, but 2 hour blocks of sleeping broken up by 1 hour blocks of feeding, changing, and burping take their toll on you. We quickly learned to accept any and all help offered while we adapted to our new "normal". We would like to think our family and friends for all the prayers, love, and support during this special time.

mr, c, & g

The Harveys

Carly teaching Mary Reese the importance of porch time...

Play time in the crib...

Life After Death

Carly's grandmother passed away last night in her sleep. I think we would all like to believe that our transition to the next life will be as peaceful. She's now spending time with "her Lord and her Savior" that she spoke so much about during our conversations. I only knew her for a few years, but as Julie blogged earlier, we'll be sharing stories about Granny for the rest of our days.

I've spent the day taking it all in, somewhat perplexed by this period in our lives. Never before have I been in a position to appreciate life's ultimate dichotomy as much as I do this evening. Each new event threatening to divert my thoughts permanently toward life or death, only to be followed by an opposing event, offsetting the first and ensuring a tolerable balance as I move on. I use the word "balance" with hesitation. During a particularly emotional time, it's hard to believe you'll ever experience the other side again. But sooner or later you do, because one of the beauties of this world is that you need both to appreciate either.

As we welcome new family into the world this year, we remember the family members we've recently lost, as well as those in years passed. Just as our parents, aunts, and uncles were links to family we never knew, we will be the link to family our children will never know. I was always frustrated when I asked one of my links a question that they couldn't answer, thinking to myself, "surely you should know that." I now understand that it's not the memorization of facts about a person that keep them alive. It's the love for and memory of the person that guarantees survival. Unfortunately, I won't be able to tell Mary Reese all the names of my grandmother's 15 brothers and sisters, or convey what it was like for her to grow up on a farm in south Georgia during the 30's and 40's. But I have no doubt Mary Reese will feel Mema's love in each and every story I tell, because Mema will live forever in my heart.

g

We're ready...we think...

I always knew some preparation would be involved with having a kid. I just had no idea how much. Well, as of last night, we're ready...we think. The last month has been a blur as we moved into a different house and tried to get ready for Mary Reese at the same time. Slowly checking things off of various lists as we got settled. It would have been easier if Carly wasn't adding to the lists twice as fast as I could knock things out. But after a month, I've managed to catch up. We actually have time on the weekends to sit on the porch or go for a walk through campus.

One of the reasons that we moved was so that Mary Reese could have her own room and any of y'all could still have a place to crash when you're up this way. Well, thanks to family and friends, the nursery looks great and is fully equipped. You'll also be happy to know that Mary Reese can easily wear a different outfit every day for the first 3 months thanks to everyone's generosity. Never mind the fact that she must endure her first winter in the nude after outgrowing all the 1-3 month clothes. In all seriousness, we have been fortunate and have pretty much everything we need and more to take care of her.

In addition to getting the house situated, we've got the car ready as well. I performed my first act in the interest of child safety yesterday, installing the car seat. This is when a little of my OCD kicks in and I must admit I read both the car seat and the car's instructions 3 times each to make sure I didn't miss anything. I'm sure most of you know, you either use the LATCH system if your car is equipped or you just put the seat belt across it. That's it. It's not rocket science. One to two clicks and you're done. I averaged about 30 minutes per click. So you can rest assured that car seat isn't going anywhere.

We're now 1 week away from the due date, which basically means she could show up anytime. We appreciate everyone's thoughtfulness and generosity during the last few months. We can't wait for Mary Reese to get here and to share her with all of you. Stay tuned for more updates and pictures.

c & g

"Excuse me...Are you...?"

"Why yes, I am..."

I understand that it's a potentially dangerous question, but if you're going to ask, then ask. Twice within the last week, someone has awkwardly attempted to find out if Car is in fact pregnant, or if she just has a tapeworm.

Car and I took Sadie for a walk the other night and ended up at a junior high baseball game. Sadie helped retrieve a foul ball and I returned it to a man standing next to the dugout. He tried to pet Sadie, who as you know wasn't having any of it. I told him she was just worried about her mother standing off at a distance and we walked away.

As the three of us walked away, he hollered, "Hey! Is she...?". I think he could sense my perplexed look from 100 feet away in the dark, so he repeated himself, "Is she...?" and put his hands out in front of his belly like he was carrying an invisible load of laundry... Having recognized the international symbol for pregnancy, I hollered back, "Yeah, she is...". "She's going to need some extra attention," he said pointing at Sadie. "It's going to be tough at first, just be sure to spend a lot of time with her. I had to do the same when my first kid was born." I guess he redeemed himself in the end by offering up a little wisdom. Too bad we can't say the same for our second inquirer.

She was our waitress at the Outback, and it was obvious from the get-go that she was mentally wondering around in the bush, even as she took our order. A few minutes after bringing our drinks, she came back with the bread and popped the question. "Are you...?" Car and I just stared back at her. "Are you...you know...?" I could see the wheels turning in Car's head: "Am I...beautiful? Yes." "Am I...charming? Yes." "Am I...brilliant? Yes." "Am I pregnant...why yes, I am." The girl then went on to acknowledge what a dangerous question it is and how bad it would be to offend a customer that was in fact, not pregnant. I'm sitting there wondering why that didn't stop her from asking, but I soon realized she was without shame.

Car asked her how many kids she had, "three." "Did you pick up your older kid while you were pregnant?" "Honey, I did it all..." We knew we were in trouble. "I picked up my kid, carried the groceries, moved furniture, had sex...we did it all the time. My husband said 'it was like poking a bag of puppies with a stick', we didn't let it slow us down any." The barrage of words that came after that statement were lost on me as I sat there trying to figure out what the hell she meant. A week later, I still don't have a clue...

g

Minor changes to Pictures page

Car and I spent a little time this weekend organizing the pictures we have taken so far this year. Unfortunately, we didn't get any of those up just yet. However, we did make a few changes to the layout of the picture page. Instead of having lots of links running down the page, we added a drop down box for each year and have descriptions for each set of pictures. It kinda cleans up the page somewhat. Just pick a set and they will open in a new window.

We'll let you know when we get some more pics up.

c & g