Attention Everyone!

Jeff would like to issue the following statement:

"Earlier this week, I made a statement that could be read to imply that Rebecca was eating a hotdog that is derived from animal flesh or parts, otherwise known as a 'real hotdog'. However, she did not consume a real hotdog, but a tofu-derived food product housed in a hotdog-esqe casing. I apologize for my earlier comments and I apologize if I offended anyone with my remarks. It was not my intention. Everyone who knows me knows that this is not who I am. However, I will continue to push through this rough time and hopefully come out stronger. I apologize to my family, my friends, my teammates, and anyone else this might have hurt or confused."

Because My Mom Said So...

When I was talking to my mom last night, she requested that some of the pictures of Rebecca and her belly show her face. I explained to my mom that the "belly shots" were pictures designed to show how far along Rebecca was in the pregnancy. But since I am a good son I am going to honor her request. Here are a couple of pictures that both show Rebecca's face and Rebecca being pregnant.





Also, here is a special look at the first really cool piece of our nursery. It is a blanket that Rebecca knit for the baby. I think it is really cool



It is pretty neat how she knit those hands in the corners. Don't they look real???

BTW, when I first saw this picture, I got real scared--I thought we were being haunted by a striped ghost. I was like, "Listen specter, horizontal stripes are not the way to go...you definitely need to try vertical stripes, if you get my drift." Then the ghost said to me, "you calling me fat?" and I was all like, "ghost, you are so fat, that you tried to float in the air...and you got stuck." Then the ghost charged at me...but it didn't matter because, well it was a ghost and it passed right through me. Stupid ghost!!

Killer Dinette Set...

"Nice Harley. I was going to get one of those, too. But I spent $6,495 on a killer dinette set. Harley . . . Dinette Set, Harley . . . Dinette Set. Went with the Dinette Set"

Does everyone remember this commercial...it was pretty sweet.

Well, today I bought my "killer dinette set". Rebecca and I bought our crib and matching dresser. We also got an introductory course on what to look for in a infant/toddler mattress and crib sheets. These things cost a pretty penny. In fact, I think the little mattress for our little girl will cost more than our mattress. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy buying these things--no, I'm super excited. What is amazing is how excited I am to buy these things! Its funny how the whole process of preparing for a baby provides an incredible way to see how one's self has evolved over the years--especially when you have to start making choices on what to spend your income and time on.

If you had asked me 15 years ago what I would want to drop my change on, I would've told you guitars, guitars, guitars, and especially a Jag-stang. This was Kurt Cobain's pseudo invention. Fender once asked him what he wanted in a guitar and he basically gave them the pros of a Fender Jaguar and a Fender Mustang. I always wanted a baby blue one. If you asked me 10 years ago what I would have wanted to spend my money on, I would have said a pretty sweet car or SUV (remember this was 10 years ago--gas was ~$1/gallon). At twenty-one I was finishing up college and thinking about all the money I was going to make after graduation (yeah, right--thanks alot grad school!). If you asked me 1 year ago what I wanted to spend my money on---42" plasma TV. That's all I need to say about that.

If you ask me now what I want to spend money on (or time for that matter)---no question, hands down #1---my little girl and my wife. I am so happy to be having this little girl. The crazy thing is that I am getting just as excited as Rebecca about the nursery furniture, all of the decorations, all of the clothes--who knew? Now, I may not show it all the time b/c I have to keep some testosterone flowing in this house (remember, its me, Rebecca, my unborn daughter, and my dog who has been neutered---its all on me for the testosterone). Anyway, there was no real point of this post--it was just me writing down my thoughts and marvelling over how someone so little right now and who's still snuggled away inside of Rebecca can change my life so dramatically.

Now buying a crib, matching dresser, clothes, etc. does not mean I will be a good father, it just means that my perspectives on what is important may have changed over the years--for the better!!!

Anyway, when they come in, I will post pictures of them---you'll see---we bought a pretty killer crib.

Week 22 Comes To a Close...

Hiya,

here is a quick update of our week 22 doctor's appointment. Rebecca's blood pressure and weight are fine and Rebecca is measuring at 22 cm, which is right where she should be. The baby's heart rate was in the 140's, so everything was good. We'll go back in another 4 weeks.

Let's jump straight to the chase--the reason you are all here...the 22 WEEK BELLY PICTURE:




As an aside, I felt my daughter move for the first time tonight. It felt like little muscle spasms, which it could have been--nah, it was my girl--I'm a proud papa!!!

Wouldn't You Like to Get Away...

Hi all,

Rebecca and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary on May 2, therefore, it was time for our annual anniversary "get away". We alternate the planning--I get the odd years and Rebecca gets the even. This year Rebecca planned a cool trip to the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. I must say the trip was awesome (except for the smoke poisioning--more on that later). I thought I would share the trip with everyone in song---just kidding. What about a photo album? Since I am not hearing anyone complaining, let's start. "Honey, get out the slide projector..."

After a very ease drive, we arrived in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley



I must say that I was very happy to be here (the last few weeks were long!)



Rebecca reserved a very cool cabin. It was pretty sweet--comfy beds, shower, toilet, no TV, no phone and very clean. Take a look at the little place



Our plan for the weekend was to relax, hike, do nothing, rest, relax, hike, and do nothing. We pretty much followed that to a tee. On our first full day, we hiked a couple of spots. We ended up doing a total of around 9-10 miles for the trip. Not bad for pregnant lady. All kidding aside, Rebecca was awesome. I think I was more tired than her at some spots. However, there were some rough stretches for Rebecca--even at the start:



I guess that part of the backpack doesn't fit so well right now.....ok, moving along. We saw some cool sites...I won't bore you with a ton of pictures (who does that anyway?), but I will show you a pretty sweet scene that we saw. Check out this waterfall:



Anyway, after a day of hiking, its time for--yep you guess it, food...and not just any type of food, but camping food. Yep, we cooked all meals over a fire. Before I go into the specifics of how good the camping food was, its instruction time. Yep, even though I had never been camping before, I'm going to illustrate how to make a sweet fire (yep, that Ph.D. in combustion is paying off!)

Step 1: Start with empty fire pit (if you have a pit with a fire already in it, please go to step 8)



Step 2: Set up some kindling. I used a small central tee-pee with some leaves in the middle. My thought was that the leaves will burn easily, then the kindling will burn, and then the main logs would eventually heat up and burn.



Step 3: Get a small central fire burning (my initial thoughts in Step 2 are put to the test)



Step 4: Watch this kindling fire grow (hopefully it will heat up a central core and then ignite the bigger logs)



Step 5: As the fire grows, add some more kindling wood and maybe even a new log. The fire is really starting to grow now:



Step 6: Wait for the fire to get pretty big and enjoy the sights. I must say I love this picture!!!



Step 7: Wait for the fire to evenly spread to the main cooking logs. You are now ready to cook (note the really hot central core--this is great for cooking hotdogs, hobo pies, and s'mores)



Step 8: Cook the food!



Yep, that's Rebecca cooking a hotdog---and you know what else?



...that's Rebecca eating a hotdog. I guess those pregnancy cravings finally win. The food was great and I loved making it over the fire. The only problem is it turns out that I am pretty sensitive to the smoke--who knew? My eyes were all watery and I was coughing up some serious phlegm--that's pretty good dinner talk, isn't it? Well, after a long first day, it was time to sleep...and then wake up. Little know fact - I sleep with my head covered.



On our last day we did a little more hiking. We hiked up to this peak with an amazing view.



This was also a good place to get a picture of Rebecca and our daughter on her first hiking trip. Aren't they both so cute!



Well, we had a fun trip. We were tired, but it was a good time. This is the happy couple signing off....