What is Her Idea of a Decoration?

My wife claimed that I sometimes get toys mixed up with decoration. This is common problem among men. Kris really likes gadgets and I think the sometimes gets them mixed up with decoration. Case in point...

Water bottle placed on doiley. It's a cool water bottle. Oh well, we're engineers. I like it.

Also, the Honda runs. more to come

You might call me crazy

Well, I have found a project. I have a small garage so I needed a small project. I wanted something with wheels and an engine but obviously I don't want a lawn mower. I'd rather have an antique pickup but I found something that will do for now. Feast your eyes on this.

I know what you are thinking. "Dwight, where did you pick up such a prize?"

Two Words - Ebay and Kankakee, IL

Somebody had it in a barn for 20 years.

It's a 1968 Honda Super 90 - Sport 90 - S90 - Honda marketing was apparently unorganized in the 60's.

About 6000 miles on the speedometer and a potential whopping 8 hp @ 9500 RPM (4.7 ft-lbs of torque @ 8000 RPM for those engine nerds) out of the single cylinder engine.

I say potential because it doesn't run right now. Apparently, some mice found refuge in the frame of this bike and used the wiring harness to build their nest. So the best I can do is make the motorcycle noise with my mouth like that mouse in that book with the motorcycle.

First step is to remove the engine and rewire the bike. I'll keep you posted and I'm sure I'm going to hear more about this from your comments.

Kris, being the extremely tolerant and understanding wife that she is, agreed to this project as way to restore and preserve something of the past. :)

Katie, Kris's sister has expressed her disappointment. We shall talk later. :(

Onto the important stuff....

As for being a Dad, it is great. Way better than any bike.

I would like to take this moment to give a public service reminder to all men - future fathers and current. Diaper changes, late night feeding, late night diapers, laundry, watching the baby for momma sanity breaks -- THESE ARE NECESSARY FOR MAINTAINING A POSITIVE BALANCE IN THE LOVE BANK. I have heard reports of men running their balance extremely low during the early months of fatherhood. THIS IS A BAD IDEA. Get in the trenches and suck it up. It is so rewarding and worth it. I appreciate my mom more now than I ever did. She had twin baby boys with 2 year old back when my dad traveled during the week.

Leah is a beautiful girl and my wife is a beautiful mom. We are having a good time learning to be a family.

Here's my chance to experience pregnancy...Thanks to the baby carrier from Grandma D :)

Leah Ellen Photos

The two beautiful women in my life

Obi has arrived

Leah Ellen was born September 21st at 10:04 PM. She is doing well but worried about all the pink stuff that could be coming her way. Pictures to follow.

Fatherhood

I consider myself a pretty level headed guy. Some would say I am a little high strung and excitable. They are probably right.

However, I think preparing for fatherhood is one of the easiest things I have ever had to do. No tests, no exams, no papers to write, a few key decisions about names. Nope high school, getting married, getting a degree, applying for graduate school -- all require more preparation and effort then becoming a father. Maybe it's my "learn it as I go" attitude for learning. I don't want you to think I have been eating bonbons all the time while Kristen prepares to pop the baby out. I've painted, remodeled and really enjoyed working on the house for preparation but no one is coming by to see if I have painted the bedroom equivalent to a C average.

The worse thing about preparing for fatherhood is having to see my wife experience back pain, leg cramps, swollen limbs, contractions, labor, etc. Watching the labor videos for the parenting class only made me think about what I have done to the woman I promised love and cherish. In times like these I do what I do best - make her laugh.

Case in point

Lactation(Breastfeeding) Class was last night. I said I would go and I meant it. Kris has already clearly stated to me that she was uncomfortable about going to this class. I being the learn while doing type of person would perhaps take the same opinion but since I am unable to be milked. Kris agreed to going. Now, 5 women 3 guys - a lactation nurse who has no issues talking about babies and well... you know. She has a video that she is going to show. I don't know what I was expecting but a silent movie of babies getting jammed on their mother's hoohoo was just too much for me. I LAUGHED...snorted...tried to cover it up with a cough....laughed again. I was hoping Kris would laugh with me. Nope. Just the face "I can't believe you just did that"

Well, maybe I just haven't matured enough to be a father but like I said. I learn while doing. I hope to learn from Evan how to get my kids to "Toe the Line" and I've already told Kris that it doesn't matter if it's a girl. She will learn how to change the oil in Dad's pickup. The rest of it I'll make up as I go.

Peace out, Yo

So there is a head as well

We have reached the point in the pregnancy where I think I begin to count.

Getting the baby's room planned

Planning for what stuff goes into the baby's room

Planning whether the baby rides on a green tractor or a red tractor (it will be red)

I would like to let everyone know that I am a horrible planner. I like to wing it mostly. Walk into a store and buy what I need the day I thought about it. That's the way to do it.

It's a character flaw I know.

Another random thought....

I have been reading a book called "Velvet Elvis" It talks about how a rabbi's followers and the rabbi would have discussions about scripture. And like Jesus, they answered questions with questions because the rabbi wanted to know that they had thought about something long enough to develop their own questions about the scripture. Now, I have tried this game with my wife and I lose. I can't think of questions quick enough. I don't think I would make a very good rabbi.

Here is the other ultrasound picture for your viewing enjoyment.

We are having a foot

Ultrasound went really well. Obi looks to be exercising alot. 12 ounces and 20 weeks to go.