Another week...another set of baby Jack pictures

It's going to be largely up to other blog writers to keep this blog from becoming soley a baby blog...as most of what we do is now related to Baby Jack in some way :)

The week began by taking "Granny" to the airport after about a fun 1-week visit.

His Mimi and Papa (as opposed to Granny and Grandpa) then arrived and we had a great time.

Here Papa gets in a little hold time.

Here we are during Jack's first big outing (not counting Dr. visits). We went to the baby store, lunch and into old Folsom. Rick and I were worn out though Jack did just fine. Check out the big book between us - I scored the College Football Encyclopedia at Borders on deep discount.



Now here's a cool picture of Jack visiting his new friend Caroline. Caroline is only 4 days old...and about 2 pounds heavier than the little Flapjack.



Finally, we conclude with a picture of Jack in one of his favorite blankets handmade by his Great Aunt Anne. He likes the color and that it is big enough to really swaddle him tight. He still manages to wiggle his hands out though!

Breaking News! Little Duke crosses the 6 pound mark coming in at 6.1lbs this morning!

Jack is a hand full!

Even at only ~5 pounds Jack is a handfull as evidenced by the following photo:

The Longest, Scariest and Best Day

We arrived at the hospital a bit after 10am on Sunday, August 5 with all systems go. The labor and delivery rooms were huge and we were fairly comfortable as the day dragged on with little activity. That evening Steph began having some more intense contractions though she was still doing well and operating without pain medicine. We didn't really sleep much though and we started Monday morning pretty beat. Steph's contractions were a bit more intense now and she got an epidural around 9am on Monday.

Then, about an hour later, little Duke's heart rate dropped down below the 130-140 beats per minute it had been averaging. I went out to the nurses station, they rushed in and rushed Steph out to the emergency room.

Here's the last recording taken before the quick exit.

The red line represent's the baby's heart rate so you can see it was well below were it should have been.

About 30 minutes after hauling Steph out - Jack was born! Weighing in at 5 pounds, 6 ounces.

Four days later, we packed up the little tike to take him home! We also quickly proclaimed him the best baby in the world. He really is a good baby with little crying and lots of snuggles.

We were thrilled to finally get Jack home in his room.

Hospital Time....!

We received a unique "alarm" this morning and promptly went to the hospital as Steph entered labor! So far so good and Steph is doing great!



Wish us luck :)

Steak Night for the Animals

Erin was kind enough not to eat all of her steak at supper. Jake and Yuki, both of canine persuasion, were the beneficiaries. Here the animals look on attentively waiting for their next bite.

OzzFest 2007

Erin and I went to OzzFest on Monday. We had a fun time listening to some great heavy metal. The highlight for me was when Lordi took the stage. These guys have kind of an 80's heavy metal sound, and the coolest part is they perform the whole show in latex monster suits. There were a lot of pyrotechnics, and a coolest part for me was when the lead singer sprouted demon wings right on stage.


I, of course, had to buy a Lordi t-shirt.


Erin picked up an Ozzy shirt featuring art from his just released album.

Ozzy was, of couse, the final act. One thing we noticed right away...Ozzy has gotten old. His voice was often off pitch, he didn't move too much, and he told the crowd that he'd just been in the hospital for a blood clot in his leg. Doctors told him he wouldn't be able to perform the show to which Ozzy replied "fuck you". It was cool to see prince of darkness in person.

More New Products Tested

With Harry Potter Book 7 in your hands, how can you pass up Harry Potter Jelly Slugs? These slugs come in 5 flavors. Juicy Pear, Bery Cherry, Tangerine, Watermelon, and Banana. Banana is the best, pear is the worst. An acceptable jelly candy, but not worth the price.


The brand new Super Target here in Lincoln has an all out massive Jelly Belly section. Not only can you get the beans, you can also find other candies made by the Jelly Belly Candy Company. I tried the classic candy corn. The corn was smaller than the normal Brach's product, and had slightly better flavor. However, these may not be worth the price difference. In the future, I'll likely go Brach's.

New Product Review Bonanza

A nice thing about being out of the U.S. for over a month is that when you return to the grocery store, you find tons of new products to try. Here's what I thought of them:


This Tradewinds Tea is something Winter the Starbucks guy has loved for quite awile. Winter rides around with cases of the stuff in his car because it is hard to find. Imagine my suprise then, when I discovered the stuff at Walmart. I tried the diet green tea. I have to agree with Winter. This stuff is head and shoulders above any other tea on the market. The lablel claims the stuff is fresh brewed just before bottling, and I believe it. It's a hand crafted small batch tea. I give it high marks. Drink up!


3 Musketers Mint has arrived. This bar comes in 2 pieces each a little smaller than the halloween "fun size" 3 Musketers. The mini bars have dark chocolate and the nugat is mint flavored. It's very much like a York Peppermint Patty, except that the mint filling is fluffier and perhaps sweeter here. Pick it up if you like mint.

Miller Beer has introduced "Chill", a Chelada Style beer. The "Chelada" is a beverage that is created by adding the juice of one or two limes to a full glass of ice cubes and then pouring twelve ounces of a dark Mexican beer into the glass. The rim of the glass is typically salted. This Miller product is not a dark beer. It's essentially Miller light with lime flavor added. It's not bad. The lime flavor is mild, but you can taste it. There is no salt element. Pick it up for a change or if you're a lime junkie.

Finally, we have Russell Stover Toasted South Seas Coconut flavored dark chocolate squares. Russell Stover came late to the dark chocolate square party, but with this product, they emerge as the belle of the ball. The toasted coconut mixes perfectly with the very dark chocolate. This is the best dark chocolate square I have tasted.

Last Word From Mexico

One nice thing about Mexico is the glass Coke bottle. You really don't see it in the U.S. anymore, but the returnable glass bottle still dominates in sombrero land. Here I enjoy the Mexican version of a Diet Coke from a chilled glass bottle.

If you think Burger King sucks here, try eating there in Mexico! I ordered the guacamole jalapeno burger, which sounds fantastic in concept. The execution, however, was horrible. The bun was rock hard and the guac tasted like crap. Plus, they skimped on the jalapenos. Bad news.

Car Shopping Sucks!

We went to look around today and got sucked out of ~3 hours and a host of new dealer tricks.

Trick #1: They were trying to sell us a "new" Jeep Grand Cherokee that had nearly 6,000 miles on it!!! Of course they never bothered to tell us this and then tried to overlook it once we noticed.

Trick #2: As we were sitting at the table, Salesman Dufus asks if we'd like to see/test-drive the car we were discussing. We said sure so he sent Salesman Dufus Jr. to retrieve the car and pull it up. A few minutes later, Dufus Jr. comes up and says to us, "I can't find it - I know we haven't sold it" Then they point out the window and say some other customers are looking at it. "Don't worry though, the first person to make the deal gets the car." At the time there was few others in the dealership so this entire episode was being concocted to get us ready to make the deal. Slime-balls.

We ended up leaving. Annoyed that we lost so many week-end hours talking back and forth with idiots.

Pokemon League Champion!!!

On the back of Beefcake and Dialga I was proclaimed the Pokemon League Champion today after I beat Cynthia - the former champ!

Omar Looking to Distribute Cash

Dear Friend

My Name is Mr. Omar jassim, I am 53years old, a citizen and a merchant
in Dubai,United Arab Emirate (UAE).I was born an orphan, I have no
father or mother,And I have no relatives. My wife dead 2 years ago of
Cancer of the Breast With much stress and sufferings, she left our 5 years
old child all alone for Me to take care of not knowing that I have been
diagnosed with Cancer, which was discovered very late, due to my laxity
in caring For my health.

It has defiled all forms of medicine; Right now I have only about a few
months To live, according to my Medical Doctor. I have not particularly
lived my Life so well, as I never really cared for myself but the Oil
business.Though I am very rich, I was never generous; I only focused on my
business As that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this
as I now Know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or
make all the money In the world. I believe when Allah gives me a second
chance and heal me I would Live my life a different way from how I have
lived it.

I have sowed a seed for my healing I have willed and given most of my
Properties and assets to my immediate and extended family members and as
Well as a few close friends. I want Allah to be merciful to me and
accept my soul and so, I have decided To give arms to charity organizations
and give succor and comfort to the
Less privileged of the Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina Victims, as I want
this To be one of the last good deeds I do on earth so far, By
distributing some of this money to some charity organizations.
Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this my self
anymore,I once asked close friend of mine to use my funds in one of the
Saudi Bank with Trust and distribute the money to the charity homes in
my name in Bulgaria And Sudan. They cashed the money but kept it only
to themselves believing that My death is near. Hence I do not trust them
anymore, as they seem Not to be contended with what I have giving them
already.

The last of my money, which no one knows of, is the huge cash deposit
of Twenty Two Million United States Dollars (US$ 22 Million) that I have
in One of of the Security Finance Company in Europe since the year 2003
Waiting for payment. I want you to collect this deposit on my behalf
And disburse it to the Tsunami Earthquake victims in Asia, and Hurricane
Katrina Victims.
Also part of it will be used for my only child for his upbringing as
you will Be responsible for his education, health and other activities to
remember his Parents when he becomes a man. Please send me an e-mail to
indicate your wiliness To assist with trust in this disbursement.
I will set aside 10% for you for your time and efforts. I need Your
urgent reply with the below complete information.

Your Full names:
Your Residential Address:
Your phone/Fax numbers:
Your Age:
Your Occupation:
Your current Email Address:

As soon as I receive this from you it will enable me go ahead and
inform the Company where the said fund is presently deposited to change the
ownership in Your name and get it transferred to you for the project and taken care
of my Only blood left that is my child.

Be informed that this is all about TRUST and believing that it will be
Safe in your hand. I will also plead to you to always pray for me
because Only Allah heals. Please for urgent response send your reply to:

Snacks at wrestling match

What snacks do folks eat at Mexican wrestling matches? Sure there are refrescos (soft drinks) and palomitas (popcorn), but the most popular snack food is patas de pollo or chicken feet. A good sized bag of boiled feet costs 5 pesos or about 50 cents. I didn't buy any, but talked a kid in front of me into giving me one of his. There is more meat on the feet than you might think. The custom is to throw the foot at the wrestlers after you eat the meat. I simply hurled my foot with most of the meat still on the bone.

Lucha Libre

I went the Lucha Libre (wrestling) in Cuernavaca last week, and took my little video camera. Here's a little video I made about the experience!

iChat with Mullins reveals new beard

Here's a screen snap. Do you like the bearded Mullins? I think it works for him.

Elvis licks chops from grave...or from spaceship

A new treat has surfaced in Lincoln and Erin was kind enough to bring me one. It's the Elvis Edition Reese's Big Cup. The package comes with two giant sized Reeses's Peanut Butter Cups with a layer of banana creme under the peanut butter. These are very tasty, although I suspect that Elvis would prefer them deep fried in butter.

Street Tacos

We stopped at a place called "La Gringa" to try out the famed Tacos Al Pastor or as I call them, Street Tacos. Erin loved them! The trumpet of meat spins near a flame while a guy slices pieces onto fresh tortillas. Que ricos!

Subiendo Tepoztlan

We climbed the mountain at Tepoztlan to get to the ancient pyramid on top. The view from above is fantastic!



On the way down I payed this guy a handful of pesos to hack open a chilled coconut for me. Tasty, although it could have used some rum.

Erin visits me in Mexico

Erin flew in to Mexico City and we had a great weekend. We ate great food at Las Mañanitas where the peacocks roam freely. Erin was proud that her shirt matched the peacock feathers.



During the visit we discovered a tasty product in stores with a politically incorrect name...."Negrito" or little black kid. It's a chocolate covered pastry with chocolate filling. I'm hoping stores in the U.S. start stocking the little black kids, but I'm not holding my breath.

Ready for some football???

We're in that summer lull. Georgia Tech is looking to be flat to down this year in football but the season in general is still worth getting excited about...

http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1144&CID=684204


Nebraska should be solid...

http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1144&CID=689906

Nursery Progress Continues

It was a good week-end in the nursery as progress became more evident. Recent highlights include:

1. The furniture came and we set it up and bought a nice firm mattress
2. We had some nice shutters installed covering our nice new window - both great insulators to help keep out the heat.
3. Bought and installed a new ceiling fan and dimmer switch (featuring a remote control!)
4. Getting some of the decorative stuff up - note the picture of "little duke's great grandmother and great, great grandmother below...pretty cool.

Here are a few snaps:

Michigan

There are those who say it is hard to beat a nice summer day in MI - especially on the lake. I think those folks might be right.

Here's Steph in her "Here Comes Happiness" shirt enjoying a trip across Mona Lake.

Speaking of excessive heat....

SInce it's pretty damn hot in Mexico and nobody has A/C, keeping chocolate from melting is a real problem. Buy a snickers bar and there's a good chance you'll be dealing with a melted mess. Enter Nestle, with a product called Carlos V Xcuizi, or as I call it, the premelted chocolate bar. It looks like a normal candy bar, but peel off the wrapper and you'll find a plastic tube of thick chocolate sauce that you squeeze into your mouth. Nifty of gross...you be the judge.

What would Al Gore say to this!!!???

Dino's in Chicago

One of the highlights of transferring flights in Chicago is the underground connector between terminals B and C. I always hope we need to change terminals. They've stopped playing the United Airlines themed music though which makes the hike a bit less enchanting.

On our return from a recent trip to Michigan the place was nearly barren - perhaps because it was ~6am!



The real excitement came from a scale replica of a local museum's dinosaur bones which were prominently displayed in one of the terminals.

Orrie DeBruyn & Beagle

While in Michigan we stumbled across some old scanned photos one of which featured Steph's great grandfather Orrie and one of his pet beagles (name unknown). Kind of a cool photo though...

More from MX

Kid in street demands 15 pesos to make a bracelet for Erin. I suprised the kid by giving him 20 pesos.


Here is the kid's handiwork.



In other news, break dancing apparently still "cutting edge" in Mexico.