We think he's getting better, but it's like pulling teeth to get him to drink anything. Very frustrating. He was feeling a bit sassy with his Card's cap on, so we wanted to capture the moment. Doesn't he have pretty eyes, and a sweet essence about him? We think so. He is still a little weak, but is a trooper. He'll be OK, though!

The 28th is his first birthday, and we are excited! I am equally excited about the 31st. This is when we first learned Benny was our son! My other favorite day is October 22. This is when we first held him.

A story about 2 guys, Benny and John...John Deere that is. Even when he is sick, he loves playing cowboy and sitting on his tractor. The hat has been around the block in the short week we have had it. It has puke stains on it for that worn-in look.

Tonight we went to the emergency room to have him checked out. He has lost weight, has sunken eyes, his cheeks aren't so robust (all 4 cheeks, that is), but still maintains a good spirit despite the frequent diaper changes. Prognosis is that he will be ok in a week or so. We need to keep up the Pedialite, etc. At least he's eating now.
Not being able to teach the men's class tonight, my good buddy (Benny's St Louis Grandpa) Ed filled in. Ed is a one-of-a-kind with a great heart, and good stories to tell. If you live in St Louis, and don't know him-look him up!
Check out his blog at www.entritschler.blogspot.com

Today I have been initiated into the official Dad Club. It seems our sweet one has a nasty virus that kicked in with fury last night. I have been thrown-up on 4 times (that would be 4 changes of clothing for the both of us, and at least 1 for G), and subjected to amazing barnyard-type smells when changing his diapers. It literally smells like Dodge City, KS on a summer evening. Oh, the smells, colors and textures of things witnessed today! Quite amazing, my gag reflex that travelled with me most of my life, is all but lost.

It started off at 12:30 or so this morning with a bunch of coughing. I picked him up thinking he had a cold, and WHAM. Next thing I know there's salmon with mac/cheese all over the place. I feel for the little guy. He still can't keep anything down (or inside of him) without getting sick. Eventually we ended up taking a shower together so I could soothe him, and wash that feedlot smell off of him.

I hate that Benny is sick, but love that we are able to take care of him today. Alot of parents don't have that option. All in all, you gotta love his spirit. He throws-up, and is immediately sporting a smile, ready for his game of Peek-A-Boo.

Last night we hunkered down as a family and watched one of my favorite movies-"The Quiet Man", with Maureen O'Hara and John Wayne. All the while, Benny was playing with his new "ride". Here's another pic of him hamming it up for the camera.

What's playing on the iPod right now, you ask?
Thanks for asking!

Bruce Springsteen: Nothing Man
Dave Matthews Band: Busted Stuff

Ever just feel like thinking about whats going on with life, and tuning out everything with a blaring set of headphones?
Sure, nothing gets accomplished of value...but sometimes it just feels like the right thing to do.

Here is a small example of Benny's routine in the morning. Within 3 minutes the contents from this drawer will be scattered in a 3' radius. Take note at the missing bolt cover at the base of the toilet. We can't get it through to him that these aren't food. For now they are put up in a safe place.

Hoops and Cookies

This could quite possibly be the best time of the year. March Madness and Girl Scout Cookies!


On the basketball side, I haven't been able to see much of the games. G got back from NY last night, and we played with Benny. Well, we also saw My Name Is Earl, and The Office (the best sitcom on TV, in my opinion). Come to think of it, "we" is a bit too strong. G was on a conference call most of this time. No rest for the weary.

Last night beheld a beautiful sight. I was carrying Benny to the coatrack at the front door, and spied my Uniformed Cookie Dealer coming up the sidewalk with my addiction in hand. Her watchful mom was riding shotgun, braving the chilly wind with red wagon in tow (Chock full of cookie boxes, I might add).

Our reunion was bittersweet. Thin Mints? Yesssss (doing my best Napoleon Dynamite) Peanut Butter Cookies? .....wait, these were the wrong kind. It CAN'T be. I wanted the kind with actual peanut butter, covered with chocolate. Not these Hydrox knock-offs. I was, however, strong. The young Cookie Pimp did not see me produce the tear that was shed. I gave her the $ and she was gone in a flash. Probably with a sadistic smile in the knowledge she has another sucker hooked on the good stuff.

Not much for self-restraint when it comes to Girl Scout cookies, I am trying to be better this year. Last night I only ate 1/2 sleeve of Thin Mints! And in spite of the sorrow over the incorrect cookies, I had 4.

Self restraint is very subjective.

On another note, on Wednesday we housed 4 guys from the Okla Christian Chorale. They were in town for a concert. As we were talking, it became clear that we had something in common-Kappa Sigma Tau. They were all inquisitive about the Kappa traditions, and what we did back in the day. Needless to say, things have changed. They didn't know about the "Hylt of the Year" award, the Chuck Taylor tennis shoes. They did think that our Spring Sing rendition of "Cats" sounded classic (although I did not go into the fact that we were robbed by Theta that year).

Looking back it makes sense we couldn't quite connect the common dots-those 4 guys were born when I was in Kappa. I don't feel old, but it sure puts the passage of time into some sort of perspective. All I know is that when I woke them up yesterday-both bedrooms smelled like dormrooms! I prefer the smell of diapers.

Benny has already started doorknocking to get his future Ed Jones clients. Here he is taking a breather in the warm Saturday morning sun. He is wearing a cute Ed Jones onesie from our friends Geoff and Tara in Broomfield, CO.

Yesterday morning was absolutely beautiful with the birds chirping and the sun bathing down on our fair city. The evening was just as great with a thunderstorm, complete with lightning. I love weather like this.

Hopefully this year we can get out to Neosho, Hot Springs, Woodward, OKC, and all points in between to take some extensive family pics. After Christmas I posted a pic of Benny with Pa Pa. Here is a pic of him with his Granddad. Benny loves to play with his hat, and take long walks with him. Thanks to Granddad (and Mur) he now has a sweet OU Sooners sweatsuit that he will be growing into very soon.

Poetry in Motion

As the old saying goes:
Fooled me once shame on you !
Fooled me twice shame on me !

After 4 months of bath giving under my belt
I was a confident dad, or so I felt
I ignored the signs, and didn't react
There was Benny doing the pool scene in Caddyshack
Benny's Mama was laughing, you should've seen 'er
I drove to the CFS board meeting smelling like disinfectant cleaner

Ahhh, the joys of children

Here are a few pics from this weekend. First of all he really, REALLY likes waving socks. The other is he really, REALLY likes womens shoes. Hopefully this won't translate into his being a shoe shopper. When it comes to shopping, I only have 2 rules:

1. No fabric stores. Period.
2. I have limited tolerance for being in women's shoe stores. This rule is somewhat lifted for DSW Warehouse. At least they have mens shoes-and above all-mens shoes at the back corner that are drastically reduced in price. Of course those are the ones that are ugly.

Kudos to our good friend Jana in FLA who introduced us to a sweet family that lives a few minutes away from us. We have really enjoyed getting to know Sheri, Tim and Cassady. They are going to Wed classes, and have great hearts. Tim has perhaps the coolest job in the world-he's a roller-coaster designer. This is a pic of Cassady and Benny from the other night.

In addition to Cassady, they have another beautiful girl, Ava, who is waiting for them to pick her up in Guatemala. For those in the know about the process of adopting from GU-they just got out of PGN. They are on the final stretch.

It seems Mama was shopping for Benny today. Every day we are thankful for our Bambino (even though he looks like a mini-Village People).

"Hey Baby..."
For whatever reason the other picture reminds me of the Dancing In The Dark video by Bruuce (homage to Uncle D's license plate).