The lion invades tonight

We're back in New York, after spending Christmas with my family up in snowy Methuen, Massachusetts. It was a great time - filled with family and friend reunions, heaps of delicious food, and numerous warnings shouted my way to "make sure Jennifer doesn't fall on the ice!!"

Santa was generous to all of us, including the little one, who received his/her first stuffed animal Christmas gift: a ferocious, blood-thirsty carnivore... in a cuddly form.



There's a monkey and rhino, too - and they sing! It's very, very nice. Of course, the introduction of this stuffed animal into our home means we must officially start turning a particular room of our apartment into a nursery. And, naturally, that room would be the one room I have complete control over: the office. As you can see below, the transformation has already begun.



Sure, it doesn't look much like a nursery now, but slowly more and more animals will appear, replacing the books, papers, and even the computer. Soon, the room Jennifer insists I have complete control over - a room she has NOTHING to do with - will no longer be mine. At least I'll still have the TV, right?

In other news: the little one spent the past week getting larger. It looks like Jennifer will soon be able to get a seat on the subway without any problems.

He/She's got the beat

THUMPTHUMPTHUMPTHUMPTHUMPTHUMP...

Had it been an adult's heartbeat, you'd probably recommend laying off the donuts. But the rapid heartbeat we heard today was very healthy, even if it was very fast. It also sounded like it was underwater... so it was more like a "swish." Our kid's getting some good swimming done in all that fluid. He or she's gonna become an Olympic athlete, I think.

That's all to report right now - sorry no more pictures, folks. Next month we should get one, as we may learn whether the little one's a "He" or a "She." Are you on the edge of your seat like I am?

Merry Christmas everyone!

Manny Christmas

Well, I did it. I went ahead and bought our little one his or her first gift. Even though this Christmas will happen before he or she is born, I couldn't resist picking up this little present when I was in Boston last weekend:



Yes, I know it may be too early to determine exactly where our child's baseball preferences will lie, but I'm pretty sure he or she will be a Red Sox fan. Just a father's hunch.

Plus, I've already taken some precautions to make sure he or she will never root for the Evil Empire.

I've labeled dangerous items in the house with the Yankees logo - open electrical outlets, paints, drugs, knives, etc. That way our child will grow up associating bad things with the Yankees.

Since we're in New York, we feel we'll have to teach our child "Right vs. Yankees" early on. When he or she gets a little older, we'll probably expand this treatment to build up a love for the Tar Heels, too. For example, on the rare occasion when our child does something wrong and needs to be grounded, we'll just say he or she is being "Blue Deviled." If we need to deprive him or her of dessert, we'll just call the punishment "The Krzyzewski."

And, trust me, our kid will not want to be "Steinbrennered." Let's just hope it never comes to that.

Save the date(s)

Apparently the little one doesn't want to be born on Friday the 13th. I can't understand why.

On Thursday, we visited Jennifer's doctor and learned that our upcoming bundle of joy might not arrive on a day known for bad luck, bloody murders, and horrible acting.

Instead, our due date will likely be Tuesday, June 10th - the birthday of New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, presidential wannabe John Edwards, and attorney F. Lee Bailey. Two politicians and a member of O.J. Simpson's Dream Team - not much of an improvement over the 13th.

Of course, there's no guarantee Jennifer will give birth on the 10th, either. As my Mom has told me on several occasions, I was not exactly in a rush to enter the world... so maybe the 10th could be just when things get started, and the 13th will still be the birthday! (Jennifer doesn't like the thought of that.)

Nothing else to report from the doctor, and sadly we didn't get another picture. Maybe we will later this month.

Here comes the stork!

Take a good look at this picture.



This was taken on my birthday earlier this year. Back then, we were young, carefree... and perhaps a wee bit intoxicated.

Those days, my friends, are over. Those two people you see in that picture - they will soon become PARENTS!

Meet the child:



This is the latest image of our little one, taken on Friday. He or she is due on June 13th.

I thought this blog would be a fun way to announce the news, and it's also a place where Jennifer and I can write updates and show pictures without annoying all of you with e-mails. So, come back to the website often, submit a comment or two, and make sure you take part in the all-important polls!

In the meantime, I'll try to cut down on my swearing, and I'll practice holding things without dropping them. Less than seven months to go!