Coming SOON: Another kiddo!

Today is my last 'regular' day in the office for a while.

I mean, I'm working for the weekend (as usual, Sunday is kinda a big day for the job) and I'll be coming in on Monday... but that's moreso to make sure I've got everything in order for next week...

Because on the 12th of November, the baby comes!

My wife's due date is the 18th, but they decided to induce early since our son was a pretty good sized baby. So, come 39 weeks, we are GO!

For those of you doing the math, this means that I'll be taking one extra day off prior to the date of induction... that's because its going to be my wife's last birthday that she gets all to herself!
(In fact, the Dr. wanted to induce on the 11th, but she said, "NO! I don't want to share." - She's the youngest child in her family, they never share well.)

Basically that's it. Just sharing the fun.
As I'm sitting at home with them I'm sure that you'll get all sorts of semi-eloquent postings - and probably some semi-coherent ones too!

Prayers wouldn't hurt if you got 'em.

Ben's lack of un-birthdays

That famous song from Mad Tea Party talks about how we've all got 364 "un-birthdays", and that those days should be celebrated. However, my son does not have 364... for him its been more like 356.

Ben turned three this week, and as the custom has been (at least its worked out this way three times now) we celebrate his birth for about a week straight. [Which is very fun for almost everyone, but tends to create drowsiness, late bedtimes, and unsightly half-dead balloons.]

Since we live a distance from his grandparents/aunts/uncles/etc. - and since their schedules are invariably as busy as ours - it works out that a birthday week usually occurs. One set of grandparents one weekend, a weekday birthday with Mom & Dad, then another weekend of grandparents. With all sorts of fun events and festivities packed in-between... its a true festival!

However, as a side effect, we end up with a temporary version of one of the kids that got kicked out of Wonka's factory. All of the unceasing attention and happy spoilings can turn any little Charlie into Veruca Salt even if for just a little while.

Don't get me wrong, our kid is great - and I certainly enjoy the visits from our folks... (don't not come if you guys read this... we have a blast!) But I think that every parent knows that this is why that Mad Tea Party was indeed so mad. It has nothing to do with the mercury in the Hatter's blood... its just crazy to imagine a constant celebration.

So you'll please excuse me, but I need to get some work done before I go home to rest. You see we're going to the zoo tomorrow, and it's Senior Safari Day. (Oh yes! This is going to be amazing-awesome!) With special trams to transport those "55 and better" as well as a health-fair and booths from wide and varied groups ranging from the AARP to the Cuyahoga County Coroner's Office.

...and down the rabbit hole we go!