Dear Lucy

My dear Lucy,

Friday we find out if you're getting a baby brother or baby sister. I'm very eager to find out what the baby is. Your mother and I are defiantly worlds apart, because of me, on a name if it turns out to be a boy. If it's a girl, we have a name set. Maybe. Your middle name was going to be Marie until a couple weeks before you were born. At my Poppa's funeral, your mother heard a cute story about how my Mom was suppose to be named Joy but Poppa changed it during her church blessing without Grandma Lucille's knowledge. Your Mom loved that story and because in a way it still represents my Mom, Grandma Lucy's wish, and because you brought our lives so much JOY, we made the change.

I know you're only two and despite the fact your Mom and I think you're way too smart, I know you won't be able to read this for a very long time. But right now when I try to tell you these things, I sometimes tear up and you just think your Dad is a sad, funny man. So I thought I'd put in down on a blog, pens and paper are so 1998. The real purpose wasn't to tell you the story behind your name. I know you'll hear that a bunch of times growing up. The real reason I'm doing this is to tell you I love you like I've never loved before.

When we found out about Rufus (one of the many ugly names I use when talking about baby, it drives Mom nuts), after the initial excitement, I actually got scared. I love you and Mom so much, but in very different capacities. I will never love another woman like I do your Mom, she's my world, my best friend, and partner. But the love for child is so different, so powerful, it's actually something very hard for me to describe in words. Anyhow, when I got scared it wasn't because I didn't want another baby, I do want another child really bad. I just got scared and wondered how I could ever love another child like I do you. I obviously know it's possible, my Mom had four kids and we all felt like we were the favorite. But the love I have for you makes me feel like my heart could burst at any moment, makes me shed random tears of happiness, it's turned me into that obnoxious parent that has to show everyone your pictures. Yes, I'm that guy.

So again, captain tangent, what's the point? I just want you to know that no matter what attention the new baby gets, no matter how cute and awesome Rufus will be, and no matter that Rufus will be loved AS MUCH as you, nobody will EVER BE LOVED MORE. You're my little buddy, and I love you beyond the stars and back. You're only two years old and I absolutely adore you. I just want you to always know this, and I will spend my life reminding you, embarrassing you, and doing what I can to show you. I was meant to be a Daddy, and I'm thankful everyday that I get to be yours. Happy Valentines little one.

Spring Training, Hall of Fame, and Bye Bye Kings

With baseball around the corner I have sports on the brain. Nothing more exciting than Spring Training baseball. The optimism surrounding your favorite team. The excitement of seeing new players and staff. The one time a year that every team is even in the standings. Is your club going to rise to the top, or be in the bottom of the standings come fall? I'm a Mets fan, so mine is probably the latter.

With all these thoughts of baseball, I can't help but think of the Hall of Fame balloting that just happened and the many, many names that were left off due to either suspected PED (performance enhancing drugs) usage, or admittance to it. My whole take on the idea is a simple one; LET THESE GUYS IN! There is no reason to let these athletes miss out on the Hall because of their PED use. First off, who's to say the generation before them wasn't on something? Hell, many players from the 70's & 80's were doing hardcore narcotics before, after, and sometimes during the game. Secondly, these guys were playing alongside other PED users. Barry Bonds was crushing home runs, but the pitcher throwing him the ball was also using. How does anyone have the advantage if they are all using? Plus, as fans, we wanted to see Bonds, McGuire, Sosa, Palmeiro, and so on, hit the ball out of the park. We wanted these men in peak physical condition and they achieved it.

 Reading the books and articles that I have, the league and clubs knew what the players were up too. The revenue was at its highest. We wanted it, they delivered it. Now that MLB wants to distance itself from that era, which I also understand, I think by doing the drug testing and making the rules clear to all, that they are doing the right thing. However, the players shouldn't suffer or be excluded from the Hall because now MLB is worried about their image. These players and their alleged PED usage brought baseball back to the American forefront. Many fans had given up on the game due to the strike in 1994. We all watched Sosa and McGuire battle for the home run record, and once again, baseball was Americas past time.

You can bring up the fact that part of the Hall of Fame standards center around character, and then use that as an argument to keep them out. But if you're going to go that route, explain to me why we have guys like Ty Cobb, and extraordinary ball player, in the Hall of Fame even though he was a HUGE racist, with a violent history, who was also accused of stabbing a black man to death? If you ask me, being a racist-douchebag-killer is much worse than sticking a needle in your butt. Honestly, as a man that has never tried an illegal drug and didn't have my first beer until my 21st birthday, I believe keeping the players from this era out of the Hall is a bigger black eye to the sport than the drug use that was happening.

Now off that subject and on to another; I have to say that I am happy to see that basketball is most likely returning to Seattle. I know that it's got to hurt the fans of Sacramento that their Kings will be leaving, but outside of that area nobody in the rest of the country will be sad. I can go on and explain why Seattle is a better NBA town, but that would be like kicking the Sacramento fan while they're down. All I have to say to the people who are upset and use the "I can't believe the NBA would let us lose our Kings" rant, is REALLY? You can't believe the NBA would allow the Rochester Royals/Cincinnati Royals/Kansas City-Omaha Kings/ Kansas City Kings/Sacramento Kings to move? This franchise has moved more than any other in the league. I'd be mad if I lived in Sacramento and were a Kings fan, so really I mean no disrespect, but Seattle is a much larger TV market and the team will thrive there. Let's just hope the owners get rid of Cousins, that guy is a cancer.

With those rants, I'm out!

Time just flies by

I can't believe it's already February 2013. Seems like my life has been a giant whirlwind. If I'm not home, running after a hyper 2 year old, I'm at work, putting in a very long day. Seems like just keeps going, nonstop. Not complaining at all, I'm actually very happy, just in awe of how fast time gets away.

Brian and his family came out after Christmas and spent about two weeks here. It was great to see them all, but between the horrible weather, every single kid getting the flu, myself getting the flu, and then a medical scare for Jill, lets just say it wasn't the most relaxing two weeks for anyone in this household. Nevertheless, it was wonder seeing him, Krystal, Isaac, and Grace.

My sweet baby girl turned 2 in January. That alone makes me feel like time is moving in fast forward. Her birth feels like it just happened. I'm so amazed by her intelligence, demeanor, and size! Her doctor said she's very advanced mentally, and she's in 89th(ish) percentile for height. Between her size, motor skills, and language, it's like we have a four year old at home.

Lucy really loves Thanksgiving Point. Between the Dinosaur museum and Farm, she just can't get enough. My in laws bought me a membership for Christmas and Lucy and I have taken full advantage of it! She runs around, pretending the Dino's are out to get her. She's so funny.

My sweet Jill is looking very pregnant now. She's like my Mom was. You can see the baby pushing outwards. She's doing really good, and even when she's not feeling the best, she doesn't complain much and is just happy for this blessing. We find out in two week the baby's gender! So excited. Let the name debates begin!