Hello there,

So many people have written in, sorry for the email response. I'd like to be able to call everyone but with sleep deprivation in the form of a smiling 11 day old boy just doesn't allow for it. Poor Barb is so tired at 3-4 AM! I'm glad she preps a bottle for me every night so she can at least get a 4 hour stretch of partially uninterrupted sleep. Now that we're veterans, it's fun to see how we respond to a little 6 lb infant screaming at the top of his lungs only to come to a screeching halt once you insert the man made mammary attached to a glass bottle. And to add to the abrupt halt of the helter skelter, he locks eyes with you, gazes at you as though nothing happened, gives you that "love you dad" stare and you melt. Then comes "can I borrow the car keys?". I've noticed I'm not as jumpy when he's pulling that stunt while I'm in the fast lane. Gone are the days of the 4 lane change in 4.5 seconds, only to find the kid just wanted to see someone's head in his face, lonely, no poopie diaper, not hungry. He just wanted to see what I'd do if eventually I did pull over so he could stop screaming, flail his hands and feet as infants do so he could insert his big left toe in my right nostril, head hits the ceiling, it's a comedy...

We had him circumcised day before yesterday and I'm still traumatized over the whole event. Every time I change his diaper my groin hurts. Gabrielle being a girlie girl and all, she's never shed blood, broken a bone (maybe a nail), fallen off her bike, swing or piano bench. I'm glad she's cute, dainty and we didn't have to hack something off her at 9 days old. It hurt to watch his tiny little arms and legs being strapped down, and then the needle...okay, he can have the car AND the antique Harley.

Gabrielle is adjusting to the newcomer. She just left here as I was sitting staring at more houses for my clients. I let the screensaver come on as she sat here in my lap for what seemed an eternity in silence and I was thinking I'd really be sad if she chose to go to an out of state college. I'd probably buy a house there anyway so her overbearing parents could keep the raves and professional students to a minimum anyway. She'll be 10 in October and she's in doubt as to whether or not we'll make it to PA for her birthday, but we will as we had promised her over 5 years ago. She hasn't had a birthday with all of her cousins so she's due. She's growing up so fast, I already miss her. She's been such a great big sister, always concerned, always ready to lend a hand.

Barbara is mending well. She took the Binford 2000 Megastoller with matching carseat, compressor, jackhammer and pneumatic ratchet set for a stroll around the block for exercise yesterday. She didn't make it too far on her exercise trek since all the womenfolk on the block wanted to see the kid that was soon to launch a baseball through their living room window. She's a great mom, ask Gabrielle in 9 years or so after she moves out on her own. Although I'm enjoying cooking again, something I've been a little rusty at. But hey, the kitchen is spotless every day...I don't think I'm scoring any extra "wife points" but at least she doesn't have to sweat the cocina. Besides, now I can make real chorizo while she's not looking.

So this is how a Realtor spends his Saturday morning, thanking you indirectly by spelling out our lives' events. I wish I could call each and every one of my friends and family but those of you that are veteran parents know sometimes a 20 minute typing spree is all you can do.

My old friend Scotty knows better, he just bulldozed his way through my phone and called; smart move since sometimes all it takes is a phone call in a busy life to know your friends and family still care. So call if you care to, it might save me from flying brown or yellow matter. But then I wouldn't trade the loving after gaze from an innocent kid to his dad who's elbow deep in poop.

Take care,
Marvin

At your service...