Bri: Daddy, that old guy that just drove by was listening to an ipod.

Dave: Old people listen to ipods, too………..

Bri (incredulous): What do they listen to — Eye of the Tiger?!?

oh Boy! what a name!

One week ago, we arrived at Bristol Hospital with butterflies in our stomachs in anticipation of finding out the sex of the baby. Bri and I were *really* hoping for a boy. We thought Jen hoped for the same, but afterward she admitted to having secretly wanted a little girl.

When Jen was pregnant with Bri, three ultrasounds ended with no determination of sex. Arrgh!

Even so, almost everyone we knew had been convinced Jen was having a boy. They’d all used various old wives’ tales to come to that conclusion. Jen’s carrying high (or was it low?). There was a glow about her, that only happens when it’s a boy, everyone knows that! It’s obvious!

They were wrong. All of them.

I knew it because I’d had a dream and in this dream, she was a girl. There were no details beyond that. But when I woke up, I was convinced. We didn’t even consider boy names from that point forward. (I’m not normally this superstitious. Or at all. I don’t know what came over me.)

This time around, events played out in much the same way. (There is one pretty big twist, but I’m not going to write about that today. Maybe another time.) Once again, everyone predicted a boy. And once again, I did not.

After an agonizing 20 minute examination where the ultrasound lady measured every little body part, she announced that it was a boy! Jen was disappointed that she didn’t bother to show us a penis, but I was so excited I didn’t bother to do a proper verification.

In any case, we were very excited to have arrived at this milestone.

Having already discussed the possibilities, it allowed us to settle on a name: Santiago Jose Rodriguez. We’ve continued the tradition of taking a family member’s first name and using it as the middle. Bri’s middle name is Margarita, after my father’s mother. Jose is Jen’s father’s name as well as that of Jen’s great-grandfather on her mother’s side. I love the fact that the entire name can be pronounced in both Portuguese and Spanish.

Only 4 more months!

This is turning out to be quite a year for our household!

Earlier this year, Jen learned that she was being inducted into not one but two(!) honor societies! Her major is Elementary Education, so she was invited to join Kappa Delta Pi, the Honor Society in Education (picture above, thanks to Tina).

Jen is minoring in History and so was also invited to join Phi Alpha Theta, another honor society. What a geek!

As many of our friends and family are aware, we are in the process of buying a house. We expect to close on May 25th and can’t wait to move in. The house is part of an estate, being sold by the daughters of man who recently passed. As you might imagine, there is plenty of work waiting for us, but nevertheless we are all super excited about the move.

Well, except for Bri…..but she’ll get over it, because……
Jen’s pregnant!

We found out on Bri’s birthday, so it was only natural that Bri announced it to the family at her birthday party this past Saturday. Most people were shocked, presumably because they’d all given up on us having another kid. But I shocked all my critics and pulled it off in the end!

Naturally, it’s much too early to know much more that the due date, which, for now, is pegged at Dec 17th. This is going to be a December baby, just like me. This is my big opportunity; I’ve been given the chance to right all the wrongs of my childhood. This kid’s gonna receive two gifts! One for his birthday and one for Christmas! bwaaahahaha!

Anyway, we don’t find out the sex until August sometime. I don’t know how I’m going to hold out. And for the record, I’m cool with either. But I would love to know. Three more months is going to kill me…..

I’m in Va Beach for a firewall project which necessitated my staying here over the weekend. I’m so very bored that I decided to come to Panera to mooch their free refills and their free wifi.

I thought this might actually be a relaxing way to spend the morning. Until I was joined by a couple who are apparently headed for a crash landing. Well, they’re at the next table, but it sounds like they’re sitting with me. She’s crying now….great.

I don’t mean to make fun, but damn! Find a table in a corner or something!

OH! They’re done, I think. Have a good life, MFer!

(I’m a bastard, I know)

UPDATE: Ok, so today is going to be “Observe and bitch about those around you” day.

Several women and a pile of kids walked in a few minutes ago. As they all sat down (right near me of course), I couldn’t help but notice the moms all doing that really annoying ‘cater to your childs every wish, no matter how inconvenient or inappropriate’ thing. I thought to myself, “Oh boy, they’re creating little monsters, before my very eyes.”.

Almost immediately, I realized I was being a judgemental jerk and kinda sorta felt bad about it.

Imagine my sweet surprise, when just a few minutes later, I watched one kid try SEVERAL TIMES to slap his mother in the face! She was absorbed in conversation and didn’t even notice his flailing little arms until the third attempt or so. Feisty little bugger!

Do you think the kid was put in his place? No, of course he wasn’t, because if he had ever been disciplined in his short little life, he would probably not be trying to slap mommy for the entertainment of the viewing public. Instead, she turns to the little bastard and says “I’m going to take all your cars away!”.

Oh no, not the cars!

Now, if the cars meant the world to the kid and she’d followed through on the threat, then maybe this would be an appropriate punishment, but I heard the way she said it. It came out of her mouth for the millionth time and her tiny little assailant wasn’t buying it. He went back to the cars, ignoring her meek objections to the (near) bitch slaps.

The Daddys have shown up now. Ike’s father has about as much control over him as momma does. This kid has bigger balls than any man at that table!

Don’t tell my mom, but sometimes I miss the days of good old fashioned beat-downs….

Check out the photos of Christmas Eve through our impromptu New Year’s Eve get-together last night!

(click the photo to go to the album)

I realized that today marks exactly one year since I left the (to that point) best job I’d ever had. At the time, it was a somewhat nerve-racking decision, for both myself and for Jen. But the opportunity to join Halestar couldn’t have presented itself at a better time for me.

Today, I’m happy to report that it was 100% the right choice. I’m even happier where I am now, working with people I respect and admire. We’re busier than ever, behind partnerships and technologies I, as an engineer, can believe in.

Anyway, it’s been a good year.