No Joy in Mudville

Today we (me, Newmommy, Newaunt, and Newgrandma) took Newgrandpa to the Yankees game as his father's day present and, oh how I wish I got him a tie....or cufflinks....or allowed him to use this day to get a colonoscopy- it would have been much more pleasant.

In case you're not scoring at home: 7-0 Oakland. Our one moment of glory was a Johnny Damon hit in the sixth: the only Yankee hit of the game. We did not bring Bud to the game, but, if we did, she would have made it longer than the Yankee's starting pitcher: Kei Igawa. The highlights of the game surrounded fans catching foul balls (there were some great catches, by the way). This puts my season to 2-2.

That team needs to undergo some major personnel changes if we're ever going to rebuild the dynasty of the late '90s.

Home Alone

That's right...Newmommy and Bud took a mini-vacation with some friends, leaving me to hold down the fort on my own. It's so rare that I get this place to myself....what can I do with all this space and free time?

• Watch "Futurama" and "Reno 911" and other shows that Newmommy can't stand.
• Talk really, really, loud in my house without fear of waking up Bud.
• Watch the developing train wreck Yankees-Orioles series. (Seriously, Proctor walked in the winning run. Have I ever told you how much I sucked in little league?? Last night's game reminded me of my far, far, far, far left field days.)
• Work on my fantasy football roster. Here's who I have so far, I'd appreciate suggestions:
  
• Fred 'Ogre' Palowakski (Ogre! Ogre! Ogre!)
  
• Charles Jefferson (he's still pretty pissed about his car)
  
• Randall 'Pink' Floyd (even though he's due for a major attitude adjustment)
• Bobby Boucher (if his mom let's him play 'the foosball')
• Jake Wyler (Mr. Better-not-ruin-my-perfect-season better not ruin my perfect season)
• Jon Moxon (I don't want your life)
• Catch up on Vinny Chase. OK, you win, I'll also catch up on the polygamists. I will remain behind on my two newest friends.
  

Who's That Ba-boo Looking in the Mirror?

Bud has made a new friend...her reflection. I commented earlier that, on Father's Day, she fell in love with a doorknob. Well, Bud has actually befriended every doorknob in our house, and every faucet, and every mirror. She looks at her reflection and says "ba-ba." Sometimes it's "ba-boo," some times it's just "ba," occasionally it's "Bob," and sometimes....just sometimes, it's "Barbara." I am taking it for "baby." It's either that, or she's befriended some couple named Bob and Barbara.

And, if that's not enough, on the culinary front: Bud had her first pizza! Daddy gave her a little piece, after which she tried to grab the entire slice. Good girl...good girl!! There will be plenty more of that! She also had her first mac-'n-cheese.

P.S. Sorry about the recent lapse in posting: I've been destracted- we may be moving. Also, I've been watching the recent train wreck that is the New York Yankees. They managed to pull back to 7 1/2 out and, just like that, it's back to the double-digits. Looking at the schedules, I think David Ortiz's arm would have to fall off for us to take the AL East, but...as my father-in-law says, "It's the Yankees..." So, we'll keep the hope around here. In the meantime, this post is a great summary of the past decade of Yankees baseball.

Father's Day Highlights

My first father's day was certainly memorable, and not just because I won $36 playing the 4-6 exacta in the 8th race at Monmouth Park, although that certainly would have made the highlight reel.

Bud's first present of the morning was certainly well received: she slept until 8am. The day was off to a good start!

All throughout the weekend we had suspected she had taken a cognitive step, but after she woke up, it was confirmed- my little girl is clapping and waving 'goodbye.' What makes this so important in my mind is that she is responding to what we say: when we say "clap, clap, clap your hands", she does. When we say "bye, bye", she waves, and mumbles something that sounds like "bye," although I am not ready to officially declare the First Word yet.

As I mentioned, the afternoon was spent at Monmouth Park, betting on the horses. It's not as sketchy as it sounds: the whole family- Newmommy, the Grandparents Committee and Newaunt- got a parterre for the day, which was a nice touch. And, despite my $36 win, I think I came out about even. Bud, however, fell in love with a doorknob. She saw her reflection and chatted with the thing the entire day.

Back to Newgrandpa and Newgrandma's house for a BBBQ. Ladies and gentlemen, Bud had her first hamburger. The Corner Bistro is not too far away, although I think it'll be a few more years until she's ordering $2 beers. ("Can I be a boozehound? Not 'till your fifteen...")

Did I mention Bud claps? On the drive home, we were listening to the Yankees/Mets game. A-Rod hit a homerun. I start clapping and Bud follows right behind me! Rooting for the right team at 9-months...priceless.

The Stupidest Question Ever Asked About Bud

I wish you all could have been there as Newdaddy history was made Tuesday night. Newmommy and I were at a party, when some lady, after hearing that we had a nine-month-old at home, asked the single stupidest question ever asked about Bud. And here it is:

"What's it like having a Virgo..."

...and, if that wasn't enough...the follow-up:

"...is she really organized?"

Yes. After waking up at exactly 6:00am and going for her 5 mile jog, Bud meticulously records her total running time and average time per mile into her workout log. She checks her blackberry, and then reviews her daily Lotus Notes schedule.

"Ah, exer-saucer at 9am today; followed by a 10am bottle. Better postpone that conference call with the Teddy Bear, the learn-to-count caterpillar and my blankie!"

Milestone: Bud figured out how to clap yesterday. With cream cheese in hand (and on arm, and all over face) she clapped once, giggled, and then clapped again. You can see the wheels turning.

Sunday Night Potpourri

Some random thoughts on a Sunday night:

• Green Beans & Rice (Cereal) Didn't Miss Ha': I visited the newest newdaddy and his wife in the hospital on Friday and, as I lifted their new son, I was amazed at how light he was; no, more accurately, I was more amazed at how much heavier Bud feels now than she did nine months ago.
  
• Dear Parents and Guardians: Yesterday began the formal phase of newmommy and my house hunting efforts. It was a lot easier last time, all we needed was an easy commute to the city, a bedroom for newmommy and me, and the "office-ultimately- to-become-nursery." Now, we need to worry about school districts, busing, other kids in the neighborhood, etc. No longer is the nearest sushi bar a (top) priority. More on that in the days to come.
• Six-in-a-row!: Yanks take 3 out of 4 from Chicago and sweep Pittsburgh. They still need to take 9 1/2 back from the Sox in order to stand above the AL East, but the team's definitely showing signs of life.
  
• Sopranos Finale: Either I don't have an appreciation for fine theatrical arts, my cable went out at 10:03pm tonight, or that was the worst series finale ever.
  

The Newdaddy Club Welcomes...

There must have been something in the water last September, because today we welcome our sixth addition to the Newdaddy Club in the last month: my college roommate! Finally, we welcome a boy to the Newbaby Club: man, will he have his selection of chicks!! (Yes, shame on me, I referred to my daugther as a "chick".)

Seriously, I would like to wish our newest Newdaddy (and his entire extended family, including the newmommy, newaunt, newuncles, newgrandparents, newgreat-grandparents) a big CONGRATULATIONS!

Buy Me Toys (and other Father's Day Ideas)

Father's Day is on the horizon. Don't know what to get dad? Here are some suggestions. (Note: this is not a hint to my family; just a bunch of good ideas that, if you know me well, you probably would have figured out on your own anyway).

• Sporting event tickets. Wrap it up with a coupon "good for one free night/afternoon of babysitting." For Manhattanites, the ferry trip to a game is always a lot of fun.
• Satellite Radio. I haven't been following the merger news, but I am a big fan of XM Radio. You get all the MLB games. Sirius is good for football fans. It'll be great after the merger to get it all!
• Beer of the Month Club. There are tons of them, but I happen to like this one. Four three-packs each month: two domestic, two imports. This company also lets you mix it up with wine, chocolate, cheese or cigars. Newmommy and I got each other the beer/wine combo for Hanukkah last year. Its an unexpected party each month when the box arrives! (And only you are invited!)
  
• Pictures for the Office. Homer Simpson covered that de-motivational plaque on his desk ("Don't Forget: You're Here Forever") with a picture of Maggie. It worked for him...and TV is always right!
  
• (I considered using a bulletpoint for TiVo/DVR, but if you haven't gotten that by now, you probably already have a good reason.)

I'm still working on this list...any ideas?

Even More Newdaddys!

The club just keeps growing...this time, a buddy of mine from law school. We welcome his little girl into the world, and him into the world of newdaddydom. Congratulations!