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

We all have goals. I have lots of goals; Jackie has a list for them. She sure does love lists. I got a new list this weekend, it’s on the fridge, I titled it “Holy Mother of Goats List” it is a long one. I have a list in my head of creative things I would like to accomplish. I love all things creative, and recognize creativity when I see it. So let’s begin….

1. Write and Sing a Song. I play guitar, I am not excellent or anything, but I can play well enough. I would like to apply all the little songs I have in my head and put words to one and make it my own. I would like to write a serious song and a funny song.

2. Write and Direct a Short Film. No, the Chupacopra Hunt does not count, but it was a nice start. I do not want people in it, directing is not my strong point. I have trouble saving seats for people at the movies. This one proves to be a little more difficult to execute. However it is all in the editing, and that’s what I like to do. I enjoy taking video footage and trimming it down to what matters most. Kelly and Joeys wedding video is my favorite example of that. I like how it turned out. It captured them and their day together nicely.

3. Capture a Breath Taking Photo. I have stopped taking photos as much as I used to. A lot has to do with the frustration I have with my current camera. However it is not always about the camera. It is about being quick with the shot, having a good eye, and the creative vision to know what you can do to make a picture turn out to be in the end. I think Kelly takes some of the best pictures of Danny and the kids; she gets great smiles and nice angles. Marcus over at invisiblegreen.com  also takes amazing colorful photos, be sure to check them out.

4. Write a Book. This blog is about as close to a book as I am right now, I know my grammar, punctuation and spelling sucks, I hated that subject in school, that’s what editors are for. I love to write and tell stories and being from Ireland gives me a flavor I can share. If Frank McCourt can write a book about living in Limerick Ireland, then so can I. Granted my life there was not as sad as his, but that’s his story, and I have mine. I have even played with the idea of doing a children’s book. Maybe I can write a follow up to “Gregory the Goat“.

5. Do Something Meaningful. All of the above goals can be applied to this one goal. I just want to place a stamp on the world that says Hey I did this. I know God has a plan for all of us to make a mark and speak to someone. We may not even notice who or how we do that, but he knows and has given us all the ability inside to be creative.

My Dad took this picture for a photography class he was taking back in 1984. It is the only picture I know of that my Dad ever took of me. (Mom did all the picture taking) I was in 1st grade when this was taken. Most of the pictures he took were of fishing hooks and lures, I never got what that was all about, but now when I think about it, it was “art” in a way. Jackie always tells me I am very creative, whether it be photos, stories, making videos or just crazy ideas in general. If I have a creative side where did I get it from? I have never thought about that questions until now, and finding this picture tonight made me think of Dad and his photography class he took. With layouts of weird negatives consisting of fishing hooks and fishing weights all so randomly lay ed out, who knew that was art? I did not. I just thought he didn’t know how to use a camera and wanted to go fishing so bad he took pictures of his baits to help ease to pain of not being out there fishing. But guess what Dad? It seems deep down your an artist, and you rubbed off on me, because people close to me think I have some creative juices flowing, and I got them all from you. Or they could just be being polite because they love me . Haahaaa.

Anyway back to the picture and the details of that day. I remember Dad having a real hard time getting all these boys to line up for this picture, little Irish boys can be a very troublesome when it comes to taking orders. As you can see though, I have no problems following directions from my father, I lined up, I smiled and a picture was made. It was my first year of school, and he captured it very well. What is amazing to me is how in one picture so much can be said for each little face that is in it. Each face has a personality that matches what I remember that boy being like. You have the following emotions in this picture, Emotion, Loneliness, Anger, mischievous, shyness, and happiness. They all now have a face that lives on forever online.

So, I was thinking. (oh dear, I hear you all say). It accord to me that Superman could quite possibly be a vegetarian. The man of steel is my favorite super hero, but I just cant picture him eating an animal. It just seems like he is too good natured and gentle to kill and eat an animal. Don’t get me wrong, I love meat, and there is no way I am giving it up, but this is how I feel. Knowing my vegetarian wife as intimately as I do, I see how gentle a spirit she is. Shes my super-woman.

However, lets look at Batman, he is just a meat eating, take no prisoners, Bambi grilling, steak sauce smothering, finger licking carnivore. This is not to say he is cooler then superman, or that he is a bad guy, he just has more of an animal side to him, and is not one with the universe yet, much like most of us.

As a side note, Robin eats milk shakes, and pudding snacks, maybe a gummy bear or two.