Follow-up to CA Fires

Had a chat with my friend Chris in California. He and his family are doing well. Their house was untouched. Fires from two sides within two miles, but all is well. Was very glad to hear it. He said the devastation is unbelievable and the fire was much like a tornado the way that it seemed to pick and choose houses. Strange how that happens. Kudos to all that helped regain control and help those in need. Support those people in any way that you can.

Still here, still the same

Haven't posted for some time now. Pretty much because nothing has been happening. Well, except for two wonderful football outcomes this weekend. Thank you Badgers, thank you Packers. Always makes Monday seem to go better.

Sam does four things: sleep, eat, cry, poop. I've been able to give him some bottles now. We've moved away from the all natural way because things just weren't going well between Julie and Sam. Not that she didn't try her heart out, but at some point you just need to do what's going to work best. We'll now be spending a ton of cash on formula, but the way he's growing now since the switch is nearly unbelievable.

I'm still not feeling a real connection with him. Don't know what that means. I know he's my son, I know he depends on me, but I just don't have that "I need to see him and hold him" thing going on like so many people do. I've never been a baby person. Guess I'm still not. I'm hoping that once there's some interaction, that will change. Julie has been grabbing all of his attention that she can. She thinks that once he gets older he's going to be my boy. He did seem to really enjoy my first out load reading to him: 4-wheel and Off-road Magazine's article "Toyota Axle Tech." Looks like boys really are wired differently from the beginning. My friend Eric can attest to that after having three girls and then adding a son to the mix.

Going to try to sneak out early today. Nearly 60 degrees right now, but there's a cold front on the way. Plan on pedalling fast to beat the front.

Ooooo That Smell

This is Clark and Sam (Clark is the one without the pacifier.) They seem to have a few things in common. They both like to eat. They both like to sleep. They both tend to smell like crap! Now I understand this with Sam. Right now his waste management system is nothing more than absorbent and hopefully non-leaking materials that we need to change frequently. However, Clark likes to make himself smell this way. He found some piles somewhere in the backyard. I'm guessing that it's from some of the raccoons that tend to go through the area almost nightly. He likes to roll in it to the point of actually turning his white fur brown and getting remnants caught in the tags and buckle of his collar. Nothing quite like having that smell come bounding into the house. Two washings later, it's mostly gone. Worst part is, I can't find the deposits in the yard so I have no way of stopping this behavior right now. I do hope that Sam picks up on Clark's gentle nature and forgoes the romps in the fecal piles.

Week 1 Back

Back to work a full week. Has it been bad? No. Should my title go back to Fireman? Yes. I know is was a pipedream to think that everything would be perfectly smooth. Things come up everyday that leave you wondering how things of that nature can be avoided in the future. Solve the issue, make educated assements and adjustments, and move on. One issue at a time. Change things. Keep away from the definition of insanity or you will surely be there.

Weekend looks like it will be pretty quiet. Seeing my brother and his girlfriend who also happens to be my sister-in-law (does that sound too redneck?) tomorrow. Parents will be in town on Sunday with my grandparents so they can see Sam. Then Mom will spend the week with us to help out. Julie's mom has been helping this week while I've been at work. Julie and I have great families. It's nice to know that they're there for us.

With the help around and things settling, I should be able to get 45 minutes worth of crit laps around the high/grade schools block a few times during this next week. I'll start now before the weather forces me back inside for the dreaded trainer.

Enjoy your weekend!

You Never Know

It's so easy to feel disconnected when you read or see news. It's much easier to say to yourself, "This doesn't effect me or anyone I know." Even when you see devastation and terrible things. I fell into this category. A contact of mine that I work with about once a month for tech support on one of our testing platforms lives in California. Found out today that he, his wife, and his newborn still have a house, but they've been evacuated. This world is small. Take the opportunity to help others. You can make a difference. Even a small difference is a difference. They all add up. Chris, my thoughts are with you, your family and those around you. One of the organizations that is providing services to you will be receiving a donation. Stay safe.

Here he is

Well.... here's the boy. Many, many months to arrive. Couldn't be happier. Not sure if the feeling of being a father has hit me yet though. Don't know when that will happen. He just makes us smile. Can't wait to see what happens when interaction starts. Right now all he does is sleep, eat, and poop. I have nothing to do with the eating so I'm left with him either sleeping on my chest or changing a diaper. It's all good though. Only 193 pounds until he's a clyde!

What I have really noticed is my life is getting back to something more normal. After my promotion in August I had to train two brand new leads so that I would be comfortable with the work situation when I took time off. The biggest hurdle was having them on different shifts. Meant many long days away from what I really wanted to be doing, but perspectives change when you know what's coming. Things have settled down and my workdays are back to a much more reasonable 9-10 hours. Far cry from 12-14.

Short term goals: 1) Get as much time with Sam as possible. He's not even two weeks old and I already see changes. 2) Always set aside time for Julie. She's a wonderful lady and I'm thankful for every day we're together. 3) Get back in the saddles of my bikes. I want to be ready for the planned trip to New Mexico in April. CB, I still plan on meeting you there. Dawn to Dusk