Greatest Day Ever

Our gorgeous little girl

At 1:17 this afternoon, our little, and I mean little Avery Giselle entered into our lives.  Coming in at 6lbs 8oz and just 19inches tall, she may be the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.  It is hard to describe what it is like to fall in love with something so instantaneously. 

Nikki was as brave and unbeleivable as I have ever seen.  It all happened so quickly and without the benefit of an epidural.  What an amazing women and I didn’t think it was possible, but I love her more now than any time before. 

This next step in our journey together will be hard but the fact we are surrounded by the greatest friends and family any one could ask for will make it all the easier.

This is truly, the greatest day of our lives!!!

Hour 10

Just because I love this pic and I found it on Nikki's CPU, no other reason to show it.

Some progress but to slow for Nikki.  Right now she is getting her first sleep since ten last night.  They gave he some pain meds for the contractions, which have been well in a word: ouchy.  They are coming every two to three minutes.  So right now we sit and wait. 

If she is as stubborn as me, it could be a while.  I think that we will have some further progress around noon or so.  The in-laws are on the way up from PA, and they should be here around that time. 

So, as i sit here killing time, lets get to some topics that I have wanted to get thru.

How about Wakefield?  What a season.  11 wins, an all-star berth and all at the ripe old age of 42.  Can’t think of it happening to a better Red Sox, teammate or person.  He has done nothing but dedicate himself to this game and this organization and earns this right.  I commend Joe Maddon(Tampa manager) for making this pick.  the more that guy does(maddon) the more i like him and will be a good replacement when Francona retires after a few more championships.

The Hartford Courant came out with its list of spring All-State high school athletes and what a shame it was.  They had one catcher on it and he no where close came to what Hale-Ray’s catcher did this year.  Tyler Witkowski got, in a word, screwed.  He batted over .400, drove in 20+ runs, scored 15 runs, threw out over 75% of base stealer’s and picked five other runners off.  He was named Shoreline Player of the Year and he got no love from the paper or its voters.  Not even an honorable mention.  Just politics as usual because this kid was one of the best players in the state and was a pleasure to coach for 4 years.  the one thing he can take away is that his coaches and his teammates would want no other dude behind the dish.

Our new studio debut is so close we can taste it, and to be honest, it does taste better in HD.  We have been ramping up our “run-thrus” to the point that we all feel confident about pulling up the curtain.  The only thing that sucks, I don’t know when and if I can be there.  I had a hunch the arrival of the most important thing in my family life and my professional life were on a head-on collision course.  It would kill me not to be there leading my crew through our first shows.  We have all put in so much time and effort I would hate to hand the reins to someone else.  The timing could still work out so I can make both though.   Lets hope.

All right, Nikki is sleeping right now.  More updates during the day when we get closer.  Thanks everyone for the great thoughts!!!!

Waiting…..

a place holder until a real pic

Here it is, 1:10 am and we are in the hospital ready for the arrival of little Ms. Avery.  Nikki woke me up at 11 last night telling me her water broke.  Right now she is getting checked up.  The heartbeat in here sounds amazing.  This has been a real calm experience so far. 

It wasn’t the typical runing around craziness like you see on TV.  She got up, called the Doc, called my Mom(somebody has got to take care of the dog) then woke me up.  I had time to call work, take a shower and get me some coffee.

Just found out that we are about to be induced.  Actually an early form.  Some sorta pill.  the doc just told us it could be anywhere from hours to days.  Good Lord three days in the hosp, i could lose my mind.  She better come sooner, we got things to do: a wedding on Fri night(woohoo Scott and Jen), a tee time Sat. morn and the debut of our new studio. 

Don’t keep us waiting!!!!!

More updates to come, stay posted.

America

cookouts

Apple Pie

Baseball

 

Relaxing poolside

beer

 

Rock 'n' Roll

Freedom

Happy Freedom!!!!!

You’re Fatter Than We Are

New report out todaysay CT is the third least obese state in the nation.  Woo freaken Hoo!!

It doesn’t mean we are a fit state, we just have less fat then say, Mississippi. 

Also, it’s not a small percentage.  Still 21.3% of us are still tubbos as compared to 31.2% of Alabamians.

Yet, the numbers are a bit skewed.  You see, nearly 60% yes 60% of nutmeggers are overweight or obese and 25% of kids 10-17 are the same.  These are alarming numbers.  As a nation we are eating our way to our graves. 

This study does use the BMI rate as it’s basis.  I believe that ratio is flawed.  According to that, Lebron James(6′8″ 250) is overweight and borderline obese.  NFL defensive player of the year James Harrison(6′0″ 242)  is obese.  These are world class athletes at the top of their game, what does that tell you.  Unfortunately it is the only way we have to measure this so until a better method is found, we’re kinda stuck with it.

What can we do to combat this:  maybe put down the soda to start.  How about we start taking the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator.  You can park farther away from stores.  Eat an apple in place of pop tarts.  Take your dog for a walk.  Hell, take your cat for a walk. 

These new stats are staggering and the only ones we have to blame is ourselves.  You know who you are.  All you gotta do is look in the mirror and want to do it.  Stop laying blame and stop making excuses. 

Now, I know I am not the skinniest person in the world but I am working hard to get to a healthier level(even though I consider myself pretty damn healthy).  I beleive that this is a fight we cannot afford to lose.

No Room to Talk

We’ve all been there, making jokes about Mass and NY drivers.  Well citizens of CT, we are now as bad, if not worse then our neighbors to the north and west.

I’m not really sure when this shift of the norm happened.  I do know it has not been an overnight thing.  I have noticed a general decline in the performance over the past few years.  This past month, it has really gotten bad though.

I think it is all of our responsibility to improve.  No more speeding up to pass somebody, cut them off then slow down forcing ’em to slam on the brakes(this happened yesterday >: ( .) 

No more talking on cell phone and swerving into a lane completely unaware, forcing somebody to brake and maneuver only to be given a nasty look when they honk at them(G*@ D&%@ thing happened to me on Monday).

No more driving at 62 mph in the left lane and ignoring all signs to pull into the right hand lane, then when someone finally loses patience and tries to pass on the right you pull over cutting them off and letting a small village of cars pass both of you( a F@#$%*G regular happening for me!!)

It is time for people getting up to speed on entrance ramps so they can merge properly.  No more driving along at 45 on the ramp, cutting off someone who has the right of way and slowly getting up to 65.  In the meantime backing up the rest of traffic(this happens on almost every entrance onto rt. 9).

This can change folks.  We all have the ability to be better drivers.  Maybe we all need to get familiar with the rules of the road again.  I have seen the light, and I have tried to make myself better.  All it takes is a little want-to and know-how.  It’s time to end this madness and give the crown back to the Massholes and the freakin’ New Yorkers!!

A Day to Celebrate

A couple of things to get out of the way first.  A huge shout out to the volunteers from the Hale-Ray Project Grad team.  They had spent the better part of the year putting together a night-long alcohol and drug free party for the recent grads of the high school.  We had it at the Sub Base in Groton and it was an awesome night.  From everything I heard it was a huge success and it was a privilege to be asked to participate. 

Second, Sunday was our third and final baby shower.  To have three is remarkable and to have that many friends and family who go out of their way to help us in this huge life changing event is just mind-numbing.  Nikki and I are blessed to have such fantastic friends and family.  There is no way to thank them all enough.  Our soon-to-be-daughter is so lucky to be surrounded by a network of love.  We truly do have some great friends and the best family anyone can ask for.

Alright, on to the main event.  Today is yet another milestone for our family.  Today marks the last day of my step-father’s state police career.  After years of dedicated service to his community and state, he has decided to retire.  As long as I have known him, he has worn that uniform with pride and dedication.  Today will be a bittersweet day for sure, but one that is well earned and deserved.  The amount of good he has done for the state and its citizens may never be fully known, but one thing I do know is that the streets of this state will be less safe tomorrow then they are today.

Will there be an adjustment, for sure.  Hell, the man has had a free car and gas for more than half of his life.  He has had to go to work wearing armour, not many people fully understand what that means to the person or their family. 

Knowing what he has gone through for all these many years gives me a greater appreciation for our police force.  Sure, there are ones that abuse the power of the job, but they are such a minuscule percentage.  The overwhelming majority though are dedicated, loyal, honest, good hard-working cops.  My step-dad was one of those and I was and always will be proud to tell people what he did for a living.

He has worked tireless hours to provide for his family.  He has always made sure we get what we all deserve.  His four sons, his daughter-in-law and soon to be granddaughter are blessed to have what he has worked so hard to give us.  My mom is truly blessed to have found the perfect husband, not once but twice in her life and I am so happy she gets him full time now.

It is such a rare occurrence during these times that anyone gets to leave a career on their terms.  At a time when it will be financially beneficial to their family and their employers.  Also at a time when someone is young and healthy enough to enjoy it fully.  This is one of those times.  On Wednesday morning he will wake up officially retired(prob. w’ a doozy of a hangover too ) and I can’t think of anyone who deserves it more.

So congatulations on an outstanding public service career and I can’t wait to see where your “retirement” takes you.

Graduation Day

Congrats, Little Bro'

Today is graduation at Hale-Ray High School.  This graduation is extra special for our family since the last of four brothers turn their tassel.  Four of us, spanning 26 years of education in the East Haddam school system and now, done.

26 years of family happiness and heartbreak, highs and lows, laughs and cries that were guided by our parents.  It is now time to start a new family chapter and put an end to this current one tonight.

Can’t tell you how proud I am of Alex.  He has benefited learning from his three older brothers.  From our mistakes and our successes.  He has taken them all and carved out his own niche, never living in our shadows but casting his own.  He has never been afraid to do his own thing.  Never been one to cave in to peer pressure.  Has always been one step ahead of the rest of his friends.  A leader when everyone else wants to follow.  He has numerous friends that stretch over all sorts of high school cliques.  He never cared who you are or what you do or what your name is, if you are nice, that is all he needed. 

Nikki and I started dating the year Alex started kindegarten and now we are expecting our first kid the year he graduates high school.  Funny how the circle of life works.

I could not be more proud of my little brother.  From his achievements in school(not everything involves a grade, good thing for him ) too what he was able to accomplish on the soccer field, the kid has had a good run and will leave a nice legacy behind him. 

 He has been through a lot and has worked hard and overcome some obstacles that could have hampered other kids his age.  His resilience and drive, and a lot of family love and support has carried him to this place today.  We are all excited to see him through to his next step.

Today I am proud to be his brother and can’t wait to see him accept that diploma and then party through the night with him and his fellow grads.

One of Those Days

You know, everyone has those days.  The thing is there are two kinds.  There are thoooooose days and then there are THOSE DAYS!!!!!!  Yesterday, it was one of THOSE DAYS!!!!!  Still don’t get it one is this   and one is this , see the difference??

We had a great run thru in our new digs.  Cameras ran great, editors and servers were running like a well-oiled hybrid and our brand new switcher was smokin’.  Yea, the talent was all right, but really the run thrus aren’t for them so much.  It really is for the production staff and each day we get better and better.  Just wait CT, it will be worth it.

The rest of the day just continued on up, almost as if I was moving to the East Side.  Got a great two hour nap in, came home to newly planted tomato plants courtesy of my Mom. 

Went to have dinner at Eli Cannon’s in Middletown.  If you don’t know, I highly recommend it.  Maybe one of the top bars in the state.  So any day with a stop there has gotta be good.  What made it great: Lobster Mac and 5 Cheese.  OH GOOD LORD!!!!!  Just heaven in a pan!!!  Also tried a new brew: Brooklyn Brewery Brewmaster reserve Cuvee de Cardoz.  Wow.  I knew it was good when Nikki took the first sip(shh don’t tell the prego police) put the glass down, sat back and “Shoot, that there is a mighty fine quaff,” (I may be paraphrasing a bit….)

Then, oh yea, it gets better, Nikki told me she was turned down for a job she applied for!  Awesome right?  Normally no, but when they rejected her because they wanted her in a higher paying role that sets her up for a top spot in her agency, than it is awesome!

After that fun-filled supper, we headed off to our last baby class(finally).  Good class, learned some stuff, but man oh man, the hours were tough and the length of the class was too much.  the one big positive was our weekly dinners at a different restaurant around the hospital, those I will miss.

See, always nice to have one of those good days.  In a world that is streaming negative waves to you on all fronts, it’s good to look at it and say, “You know, it is a mother beautiful life!”

Also Sox won, another +!!