Long ago in the hills of Lough Gur Ireland a Prince who’s father, The Earl of Desmond and Mother Queen Áine placed  a spell on the boy to teach him a lesson. He had the ability to take any shape or form and was turned into the last thing he was which was a raven. To break the spell he had to ride his horse around the lake 1 time every 7 years until the horses silver shoes wore down and broke. Only then would the spell be broken, and he would be free to change back to himself. Some say the spell is broken, and he swims with his mothers spirit around the lake in the form of a swan. Others say he still rides around the lake, every 7 years. Queen Áine died and was buried on the hill my Nana lives on. She was buried with her large treasure of gold. That treasure and her grave have never been found.

These are the kinds of stories my Nana would tell me before bedtime when I spent the summers at her home in Country Limerick. My imagination would run wild at the ideas of finding such a thing. I would get up early in the mornings and roam the hills looking for clues. I would dig holes for hours and days all over the country side. I have made many a farmer mad, been chased by my fair share of bulls, I have been stuck in barbed wire, shocked by electric fences, you name it I did it. All to find a treasure.

My Nana turns 80 today.  She is by far the most entertaining woman I have ever known. She has given me some of the best memories of my childhood in Ireland. I spoke with her earlier and she had a suprise party this past weekend. They did a big thing at Bunratty Castle,they did not get home till 5:30am. That’s what I mean, she rolls like that, and she is 80! Happy Birthday Nana, thank you for all the wonderful stories that I will get to tell Desmond for years to come. His imagination will run wild just like mine. I just hope I can tell the stories as well as you did.

The top picture was taken July 18th 1998 at 8:12pm It includes Jake, Myself and Thomas (Matt is missing, we miss you Matt) The next picture was taken March 29 2008 at 7:08pm. Pretty close to 10 years later. In those ten years since that 1st picture was taken, life has changed significantly. The product of those ten years are outlined in the photos below. Beautiful wives, and beautiful kids. Two of my dearest friends from High school were in town this weekend. Jake from NY and Thomas from Savannah. Back in High School (WRHS) we would talk about the day when we would hang out and watch our kids play together. The reality of that dream came true this weekend. We hung out and watched our kids play together, it was beautiful. Full of laughter and joy. Holly, Jakes sister who has been like a sister to us guys herself was also there, with two beautiful girls. It only seems like yesterday that we were kids ourselves playing together.

I love kids, always have. Especially the kids of this family. This Easter weekend heightened my love for all of them. I have had time to reflect on what was different about this weekend. It was Desmond. I think having a child of my own opened my eyes to enjoying watching other children play together. I kept picturing how next year Desmond will be running around looking for eggs. I saw him in them, and what the future brings for him. Also being a parent now, I feel I am part of a new club. I am not just the Uncle running around with the camera taking pictures of other peoples children.

*Updated*
I had a moment with each one of them this weekend, I will start with the youngest….

Desmond and I talked for a while Sunday morning before church as Jackie got ready, he just laughed and smiled as I tried to eat his little feet.

Danny laughs so much! I could hear him as I laid in bed Sunday morning laughing, and when I came around the corner to surprise him he just giggled and ran.

Ivy came running over to me when we were hunting eggs, and I bent down beside her, to talk to her. She was in a hurry, but not in too much of a hurry to tell me she loved me as she ran off.

Benjamin made me laugh as he eyed the cupcakes on the table, (see picture) he also helped me carry my camera and tripod into the house. I was a little nervous, because he is the breaker of all things, but he did real good.

Dylan is such a Rock Star, his hair maybe in his eyes, but he has a look about him. I really believe that little boy is going to do great things. Write a song, paint a picture, take a photo, something that will make people stop.

Aidan, Kelly said it best, he is so GQ or Ralph Lauren. He had some moments with Danny at the egg hunt (see picture) that caused everyone to stop and pull out their camera. He is growing up so fast. He is kind, sweet and gentle.

Emmett and I had a little walkie-talkie fun, it was a combination of hide-in-go-seek with radio’s. As I was running around the bushes and cars, with him hot on my heels, it was then I realized how much I missed being a kid.

The other part of this weekend that I enjoyed so much was, I myself can still be a kid in a way. I had to laugh at myself Saturday night as Joey and I rocked out to guitar hero. We stayed in and took care of the boys so the girls could have a night out. After getting them to sleep, I stood in front of the TV with a plastic guitar, a beer, and a baby monitor strapped to my hip. I could not BE any COOOLER! It all had led up to that moment, and somehow I made it work for me.

There are about a gazillion photos to look at, so just click (HERE)

Life in general personally has just been rough. Spiritually lost, financially frustrated, low self esteem, and the four letter word we all hate “work”. When all seems lost I look to Jackie for strength. I look at Desmond who just looks at me and smiles and laughs, he doesn’t care whats going on with me, he is just happy to see me, and THAT is what I have waited my whole life to see. He can put things in perspective. Life as a family is starting to find its groove and find its place in time. It is also starting to bring meaning to why we deal with the downs of each day. We deal with the downs to live for the ups. I totally made that up, but it sounds deep. I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, I am sure another tunnel is on the horizon, but I will deal with that when it comes. One thing about falling down is you become humbled, and being Spiritually Lost for a short moment, it forces you to ask for help from the one Higher Power that can help you stand back up. Then gradually you are no longer Lost, and you find your way again. Ok Thanks for listening, that was very therapeutic :) Lets move on to the star of the show!

Our boy is growing! He can stand on his own, with balance support of course, he talks about everything! I have no idea what he is saying, but he is very certain about what he has to say. Sleeping is getting better! It is easier to put him down at night, and he still wakes up around 2am’ish but going back to sleep seems to be easier. Have I mentioned how strong he is? We have moved away from the swaddle at night. He laughs in the face of a swaddle. There have been nights I come to check on him and he has undone and rolled the swaddle into a ball and left a sticky note that says “better luck next time”. he is such a Houdini and a comedian. I am working on getting video together of him jabbering. So I will get that up within the next week or so.

Desmond, here is a list of the things you can do at 6 weeks.
1. Hold your head up.
2. Smile at us when you are happy.
3. You grunt when you eat, its very cute.
4. Sleep for 4 hours stretches at night! ( I hope I didn’t just jinx that)
5. You love to sleep on Mom and Dad’s chest.

Life for us at six weeks is still insane, I do not expect that to change, but I think we are getting use to the new insane life style called parenthood. Here is a list of things that are different for us.

1. It now takes 2 hours to watch a 45 minute show.
2. It takes 3 days to watch a movie.
3. I have learned to function on much much less sleep.
4. I feel I have gained more knowledge on breastfeeding then any man should ever have to know.
5. Kelly was right, the laundry monster does exist, and I can’t make him go away. He attacked me at the back door yesterdy when I came home from work, and again this morning as I left.
6. Eating dinner with Jackie just does not happen often, eating is now done in shifts.
7. I have lost 12lbs since you have been born. You are giving me a workout like no other.
8. You stir up emotions from deep inside when you look at me and smile.
9. You make me laugh out loud every day.
10. I can’t imagine life with out you.

There is a known condition that has now been documented by doctors all over the world that people will hear or feel their cell phone ring even when they do not have it on them. I have experienced this known condition 1st hand. I am now however developing a new condition. I call it Phantom Poop Syndrome or PPS. Sometimes sitting at my desk at work, away from Desmond and all things diaper, I will get a whiff. Has anyone else experienced this as a new parent? And yes I washed my hands!

Wow, it seems time is just flying by! I honestly do not remember ever being this busy all the time. From the lack of website posts, you may gotten that clue. I understand things are only going to get crazier, and I am ready, but it has just been insane. Maybe it is the Holidays. Between activities at work, and church and getting the house ready and then getting the things ready for the baby Hogan.

Last night we watched Jacob, he is 2 months old. His parents were in our small group, so we got a little taste of caring for a little one last night. It went well. He had just got his 2 month shorts, I mean SHOTS….yesterday so was a little upset about that. but we got a very small taste of things to come. I realized how much time and effort is needed, its constant. The daily routine of things is about to change. I am not sure how to get ready for that, but love makes you ready and finds the time. Thats what I keep telling myself anyway.

Anyway, all is well with us, Jackie is doing great, the little boy has his head down and is being really good. Nana Millar has arrived from Ireland, and is in good spirits. I am looking forward to seeing her real soon!

Ok thats all I got for now!

I think I am giving up paying for StarBucks. That’s not to say I wouldn’t want to take a free one when offered. I am just making a statement that on my Florida trip a few weeks ago I purchased my last one. They are just too expensive! So if you want to buy me one, thanks, but save your money, unless you insist. Then I will take it and suck that delicious treat down into my belly.

I love the baby so much! Its so weird, I will just sit and stare at Jackie’s belly all the time, waiting, and wanting him to move or something! He has been moving a lot, but mostly he stops when I put my hand there. I think he is tormenting me. Little stinker! We talk sometimes at night when he is up moving around. I tell him to go back to sleep. He usually does. I cant believe it has been over 6 months now! Time is flying by. I cant wait to meet him. he is already cute.

My mom has entered the world of hi-speed internet, ya mom! Welcome to the real internet. It will be lots of fun, VOIP, Webcams, Instant Messaging, Youtube! the possibilities are endless. I installed Google earth for her over the weekend, she found Nana’s house in Ireland on there, that is pretty neat. I told Nana about it, I think she thinks if she goes outside and waves up at the sky I will see her. She told me to send her a picture. She is too funny sometimes. I miss her, and cant wait to see her in December.

Here is a picture of myself and Dad while down in Florida. I didn’t catch any fish, but had fun anyway. I like being on the water. I guess that is why I am a pieces. I do not like the sun and heat though, no thanks.

Naming a child is a big deal! I mean, this is the name he will have for the rest of his life!!! Everyone will know him by this name. People will yell it! Crowds will cheer it! The world will sing it! Ok, I am getting a head of myself. In keeping with tradition, the name will not be revealed until our little boy makes his appearance into the world. Also, no suggestions of names either. Jackie and I have it all under control :)

So what’s in a name? I have been looking at Irish names a lot because I want my boy to know where his Dad, Auntie and Grandparents came from. So lets examine the current little ones of the family, most of which are Irish names.

Benjamin, Son of my right Hand which is Hebrew, but there is an Irish translation in there also, Benjamin the short form of Benedict from the Latin meaning “blessed”. Benedict is anglicised from the Gaelic Maolbheannachta meaning “hoper of blessings”.

Aidan in Gaelic means “little fire” which is so fitting for that little rascal.

Emmett, but is spelled Emmet in Ireland is from a famous Irish rebel Robert Emmet who lead a rebellion against the British. Way to go buddy!

Dylan, The Gaelic version is spelt Dillon and comes from dealan means “a flash of lightning” or from an Irish word for “faithful, loyal.” Which is fitting for him as you will see how that fits with his little sisters name.

Daniel, the Gaelic forms are Daineal and Dainia, which means “attractive”. The song Danny Boy is one of my favorite songs that I love to sing when no one is listening. How much more Irish can you get with that name?

Ivy, well Ivy being as you are the girl you threw a kink in my whole Irish theme, your name is English, no amount of googling was going to change that. Your name means “faithfulness”. This so true because you are faithfully cute every time I see you.

So as you can see we have our work cut out for us. All those names are wonderful strong names, and have an Irish meaning to be proud of. The pressure is on to find the right one. God knows what it is. God, can I have a hint?

Dear Jackie,

I wanted to write you this letter, but I also wanted to share it with everyone because when you are in love with someone, you shout it from the mountain tops (or your domain name). Yesterday we reached a memorable mile stone in our lives together. It was also a personal mile stone for me. We felt and saw our baby kick. I know you have been feeling him move for a week or so now, but for both of us to witness it together made it complete. I have been waiting to feel my baby kick for as long as I can remember, long before we were married or dated. We have gone from friends, to lovers to best friends to husband and wife, and now soon to be Mom and Dad. Seeing the baby move made that so very real for me. (I am hardly crying, as you like to say). I am so proud of you. What you are doing and carrying is miraculous, God sent and breath taking. Half way into this and I grow more in love with you both every day. I also know our little boy loves his mom. I know this from feeling his gentle little nudges and flutters from outside his little home inside you. It was him showing us he has your gentle soul and caring touch, and he knows we are out here waiting for him.

I love you both with all my heart, and look forward to the many more milestones we cross together as a family.
xoxox
Greg