How to be in Love

Along with the start of Fall comes another new year of Marriage. In my life, I haven't been around good lasting Marriages, so how did I end up with such a balanced, beautiful, loving, fun, & strong marriage? I guess it depends on your perspective as to the success of ones relationship, and this is how I see it.

• My wife and I spent a long time growing and maturing together. Even though when I first met her I had a feeling she was the one, it took 8 years of working through things and experiencing life to get to the eye to eye heart to heart that was needed for Marriage.

• We don't yell, or argue aggressively with each other. If we have a disagreement, we treat each other with respect and work through it.

• I have so many great memories of things that we have done together. weather it was going to shows together or taking a drive through the countryside, we have an appreciation for similar things and know that experiencing them together makes it ever better.

• Our hopes and dreams are shared. Sometimes we daydream together like kids, "when we are older will we live in the French, or English Countryside?"...

• Hey, I'm not going to front, I have one of the most beautiful women in the world as my wife!

• We could probably do a sitcom, seriously we have some funny exchanges. Humor really can be a glue that makes a bond even stronger.

• There isn't any question that I love my wife in the deepest realest way that I can. There isn't anything that I wouldn't do to make her happy, as she is what makes me happy... and another anniversary is here and times haven't faded, they are just in focus as they were on that Fall day in 2007....

... and each year is just going to get even better, especially now that we have this little side car on our journey.

We'll sail belly up to the clouds...

Rachel, I read your post today, and I thought I would add a yin post to your yang post...
First, I want to say "Holy Hell, can you believe we are parents ?!?" 11 years ago, you were my supportive awesomely cute girlfriend, now you are my supportive, beyond beautiful wife. Is there really a difference between, then,driving to a show with your hand resting on my leg with my guitar and amp in the back seat, and now driving with your hand in mine on a fun family day trip with our bundle of joy in the back seat? Back in the day, perhaps there was a time when it looked like rock stardom was in the near future, but I would much prefer where I ended up, sitting on our couch with just my Daughter as my audience staring at her Daddy. Remember when you surprised me for my birthday with a trip to Pittsburg so I could visit the Warhol Museum? And Phipps Conservatory? (picture above). That was the first of many surprise, awesome, thoughtful surprise trips that you put together for me. We truly have had such a great adventure together, and our parenting adventure has redefined what Love can be, to me.  I love, love LOVE you dude! Thanks for sharing all the adventures with me. xo

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Bloggin' Mamas

Happy Mothers Day to all of you awesome Mamas out there, you know who you are. It's been an honor Blogging with all of you for the pat 8 months... and more to come. I would, however, Like to give the biggest Happy Mother's Day recognition to my personal favorite, and best Mom that I think there ever will be... also the Love of My Life...

...Rach, I couldn't have wished for a better Mom for my Baby, Happy First Mother's Day, I Love You.

Late Night Cookies

 One thing I knew long before my Daughter was born... Don't stand between your wife and some fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. What I have learned tonight... a late night cookie craving from your wife can be tough, when you are trying to get your Daughter to sleep, and at this stage in the night, noises and light will wake her (sure fire way to make her pissed off). SO, armed with this info, we set out to make some home made cookies, in the middle of the process Addy decided she wanted to hit the hay. So, while Mommy was getting her into bed for the night and soothing her into a deeper sleep, I was in the kitchen, with Addy's nightlight and the light of the stove as the light that guided the rest of the process.

You don't know what you got 'til it's gone, when you have no timer (beeping will wake Addy), no light, and you have to make every move with much contemplation (don't bang the cookie sheet on the stove). I was able to work my way through it and got all of the cookies done, unburned, with Addy still asleep.

I was just in time for my wife to come tip toeing out of the bedroom, stopping for a second to give me "a look" and softly, but assertively let me know that every click of the camera sounded like a gunshot (I guess in relation to the silence of late night baby sleep time).  We grabbed some books and met in the living room, now able to have light and make a little noise, we actually were quietly enjoying some late night Mommy/ Daddy time. I knew I did well when I asked how the cookies turned out, She gave me a cute look, I knew I had to ask... how many have you eaten already?  "4 of the biggest ones, basically six normal cookes"... Looks like I may be doing this again tomorrow night.

A little Mommy time

I want to take a little time tonight to talk about Moms (especially Adeline's Mommy), from the new perspective I have as a soon to be Poppa. Being the father here, I feel so much happiness and anticipation for our little ones arrival, sometimes I can forget the other part of this equation, being the mom and being pregnant for 9 months! Although I am reminded every night at bedtime when I have to lotion the belly, all of the extra things that I have taken on since we found out about the pregnancy can't compare to what must be going on for her. I will do everything I can to help out, but there are some things (obviously) that I just can't do. I appreciate, so much, her going through the sickness, sore muscles, strong baby kicks. Not to mention the fact that she will have to give birth, it must be a scary thought, but the courage and strength that she has will be no match to any obstacles leading to that first time that we can see our baby, give her a big kiss and tell her how much we love her. I guess some back rubs, dish cleaning, dinner cooking, belly lotion rubbing and anything else I need to do is only fitting.