This weekend, was supposed to be our family get away vacation. Jackie and I would be taking our dear son Desmond to the beach! He would enjoy some sand, and some water, life would be grand! Ok, so there was some holes in our plan.

1. Jackie forgot her bathing suit.
2. My swimming trunks would not stay on me.
3. The beach was in Atlanta?
4. Desmond had started teething again this weekend.

Ok so reason #4 was the kicker. How could we spend over $40 to try and force our child to have mandatory fun at a fake beach in the middle of Atlanta? So being as cheap as I am, ( I like to call it frugally creative, but people just call me cheap anyway, even to my face! you know who you are) I did the next best thing. Sucking up and pooling (no pun intended) all the resources of the Rutledge family household. I filled up two kiddy pools, threw in some balls (but not these balls as Benjamin might say. But actually yeah I did) and then turned on a sprinkler, bringing the beach to their front yard! You see, when you mix a little Irish in with a little GA redneck, you make for some good ole’ fashion fun times! Thank you Rutledge’s for making our summer beach vacation come true!

Ohh and if you cant tell from these pictures, Desmond LOVES water. Loves, Loves, Loves it!! So enjoy some splish splash photos from this weekend. Danny also had a blast, they interacted a lot more this weekend. That was fun to watch.

Desmond’s 1st time eating a Banana

What a weekend/week it has been! This weekend Jackie and I hitched a ride over to Alabama to see her Uncle Jack and Aunt Linda. What a blast we had, but getting there, now that was something to blog about. I learned a few things about Jackie’s mom. She is pretty famous for her sense of direction. We have nicknamed her “MomStar” because we always call her when we are lost. However she now seems to use Starbucks as her compass. Starbuck locations are like her North Star in the sky. She knows where they all are, and they all eventually lead to your destination, so just follow the starbucks. Her dad’s car did not have a speedometer, so the needle pointed to the gears and not the MPH. So if the needle was on R you were in “racing mode” D and you were “dragging” we either were doing a 100mph at times or 25mph it was hard to say. 6 hours later we completed a 4 hour trip, you do the math.

This was my first trip to see Uncle Jack and Aunt Linda over in Alabama. He is has been fighting cancer for a few months now. He was in great spirits and look as strong as ever. He had me laughing pretty good. He also gives his brother Bob a real hard time, an even much harder time then I do, which was great to witness. He also had a new hair do, which I think looked very “Bruce Willis”. So who knows maybe Uncle Jack and him can do a new Die Hard movie or something. Aunt Linda cooked some of the best food, it was endless. Thank you so much for that! I did not get many pictures from the weekend (sorry Heather). We were just having too much fun to take any! I got some of Jackie and Desmond in their pool, and of their dog Pearl, who just loved Desmond, and kept bringing him her toys to play with. It was very sweet. I am throwing in an extra picture of Desmond eating Banana. He made some priceless faces, but loved it! He just was not real sure about it. Ohh and one more thing, he is soooooo close to crawling, he gets up on all fours with no problem, and just rocks like he is about to take off. I will get some video together soon.

In my head I had grand ideas of what my 1st Fathers Day would be like. I would wake up to bacon hanging from the ceiling fan, spinning round and round like beautiful pig butterfly’s flapping in the wind. I would step into the kitchen and turn the cold faucet on and ice cold beer would flow like liquid gold. I would twist the hot faucet on and hot cheese dip would fill my sink, and nacho chips would fall from the sky. The day would be about me, me, ME! Oh yes, it would be a glorious day indeed. Realistic? No of course not….but I told you it was a grand idea!

Fathers Day today for me was not my “Grand Idea”, but it was something else. I think God had a lesson in store for me and that lesson was “to give myself, rather then receive”. My day was spent helping others. Others who at any moment would help me when I needed them, without question. I ended up doing the one thing I hate most “Yard Work”  if you will notice, its a double four letter word. The worst kind! And doing other peoples yard work is even worse! Which is what this was. I did however get to use a chainsaw with no supervision, or guidence! Fixing the chain when it fell off? no sweat! Im a total pro now. Using the chainsaw was something that was always “Dads job” who was the Dad this time? I looked around and only saw me of course. Afters hours of cutting, chopping, hauling, getting flesh wound after flesh wound. It was time to call it quits and move on to a “Fathers Day Lunch”, only to be tricked into moving furniture! There are some sneaky Mothers in this family, I’m not naming any names! They lure you in with food, and BAAM! before you know it you are moving an entire room of furniture from the 3rd floor down.

So now that I am a father, what does that mean? It means I care for my family, I protect them at all costs and I do what needs done even when I do not want to do it. You do what you have to do to get through life, and to help the ones you love get through life also. A selfish attitude will not feel as rewarding at the end of the day. A positive selfless attitude however is a fulfilling feeling at the end of the day. That is how I want to live my life, and that is the type of Dad I want Desmond to see in me. I just pray I can be that way. It won’t be easy. But THAT is what I learned about being a Father today.

So what was my special Fathers Day Gift this weekend? Saturday morning Jackie carries Desmond into the bedroom and places him on the bed beside me, Desmond is carring an IPod Touch. Something I have been drooling over for months and months. As much as I loved that gift, and I really really do love it. The gift of both of them laying in the bed beside me playing and laughing together as a family with the ipod touch laying untouched on the floor.

Maimeó and Pops rolled into Kathleen this weekend to visit their Grandson, the one and only Desmond. You know, that little boy who hogs up much of nagoh.com. Yes, that one. Anyway, getting ready for their arrival is not a difficult task, they have a few simple requirements. Have plenty of Tetley’s tea in stock. Have a hot steady pot brewing at all times. It does not matter that it is 110 degrees outside. If you do not have tea, they will move on to another house that has. Another requirement is cable tv. Give my dad the remote control and more than 4 channels to flip through and he is in Heaven. I think Tivo blew his mind a little bit, because at one point he handed the remote back to me to fast forward, this is something I have never witnessed! Has the student become the master? I almost didn’t know what to do. We watched a Deadliest Catch marathon, we both agreed, we could never do that job, and he is a hardcore fisherman.

This was my dads first time meeting Desmond. This was very exciting for me. I have been waiting almost 5 months for that moment today, and to see him walk in the door and go straight for Desmond is something I will never forget. Desmond just loved him, he was quite all morning until his Pops showed up. They hit it off really well. Desmond put on quite a show, as always.

If you know me outside of work, you know that if I am not in my work uniform, I am in my “other” uniform. My Irish uniform. I pretty much always have some sort of Irish t-shirt on at all times. I have one for everyday of the week. Well after mom unloaded her bags she brought back from Ireland, it would seem Desmond now has an Irish outfit for the next 5 years of his life. They are incredible outfits. If you do not know already, Desmond is Irish for “Man from Munster” which is a province of Limerick where I lived and grew up. Munster recently won the Rugby European Championship, which is a BIG DEAL. So as you can see we are sporting our Munster shirts. I am jealous of some of the shirts he got from my Uncle Paul, with his name embroidered into the shirt. Very slick!

Desmond is still working on this, but do you notice anything about this picture? I did not notice it until I posted it. I find it interesting and amusing. There are now three Hogan Men, welcome to the club little buddy.

9am-11am: I had grand ideas of my first day at home as a Part Time Stay at Home Dad (SAHD). I was going to get up around 9am stay in my PJ’s. Feed Desmond, watch some of “The View” I wanted to embrace my new role, and what better way than to watch “The View” to get my perspective on all things “womanly”. Because we all know Barbara Walters and Whoppi are in touch with all that, but as soon as Ms. Walters started talking about her “what nots” and Whoppi about her “do whats!” I freaked out and covered Desmond’s ears and eyes, and flipped it to Elmo. God Bless you Elmo, thank you for saving me and my child’s life from a tramatic experience that would have cost myself and Desmond years of thearpy.

11am-12pm: Having a house on the market is tricky. Once you get seated and situated you get the call and are told “get out of the house now! Ohh and before you get out, clean it from top to bottom, you have 1 hour”. Like Jack Bauer from 24 I was scrambling like a mad man with the clock ticking in the corner. Luckly I had my mother in law as back up, she was like Chloe O’Brian hacking the subnet and sweeping things under the carpet. Once the clock reached zero I carted Desmond and my two dogs in a car that has no A/C in 99 degree temperatures to the safe house to kill 2 hours, so far this was in no way a day off. I was sweating by 11am and I don’t sweat. Desmond loved every bit of it. That boy loves adventure.

12pm-2pm: Finally getting home after the house showing it was time to mess the house up. Out comes the Jumperoo and swinging chair and play mat. Desmond requires time in each, its a full cardiac workout. He needs to burn some fat to work off them Chankles he is sporting, that little tubby monkey.

2pm-2:33pm: Nap time, he finally takes a nap, I am exhausted. It’s time to follow his lead and do the same. I drift off and dream of milk bottles and diapers. When I awake I am fully NOT rested. Desmond is ready for round two of Jumperoo. That boy is a jumping fool.

2:33pm-4pm: Jackie is on her way home, sweet relief because I have to pee! Why oh why did I not pee between 2pm and 2:33pm? Jack Bauer has this same problem. Such a rookie mistake. I need to regroup and take a new plan of action. Operation SAHD is in full effect. God bless you SAHM’s out there. You do an incredible job each day and every day. I am such a n00b, your wisdom is appreciated.

a year ago on this very day
we knew a baby was on the way
deep inside he began to grow
his name and face we did not know

as each day passed you began to prepare
a home for him and us to share
and when that little boy arrived
his little cry filled our hearts with joy

and now a year from last mothers day
so much has come and gone our way
a little boy who loves you dear
our little son, you hold so near

your a mother now, from this day on
a mothers love keeps his heart strong
his smile is yours, his love is true
there is no one in his eyes like you

I love you J. You are an amazing mom.
Happy 1st Mothers Day

I am under the weather (allergies/sinus infection) this Mothers day, which I am not happy about. I am missing all the madness that is happening at the McDow’s mothers day party. So in my Melancholia (not melon collie as Jackie pointed out) state, I put on the Braveheart Soundtrack (one of the best movie scores ever!) and I sat down to write my wife a Mothers day poem. I have not wrote any poems in a long long long time, but this Mothers Day I feel I am allowed to get all mushy.

Happy Mothers day to my mom and all the moms out there, you are all so wonderful and beautiful.

Friday Jenn (my sister) came over to bring me some Chicken Waaangs, they were delicious! She also got to spend some time with her little nephew Desmond :) She got him a cute little outfit, here he is sporting his new hat.

This weekend we ventured up to Atlanta to spend a weekend with the family of easycheese.net It was good times! We enjoyed a ‘TRES’ DE MAYO party, lots of fun! Even had the playlist to go along with it! Also joining us was the family of  doodlebaby.blogspot.com It was fun to have everyone together. It was great to see old friends, and to have the kids all together.  Not long ago we were all kids ourselves. Ohh how our lives have changed, and now we just blog about it on the internets. I love the internets.

In Desmond News, he has been upgraded to a jumperoo!! He loves it! He is still working out the kinks, Danny gave his little nephew some pointers on pwning n00bs. The torch has been passed.

This picture is for free, because I think its soo cute!

This weekend was fun, busy for sure. But lots of fun too. Friday night was not fun…..Jackie and I had to get ready for a yard sale Saturday morning. A wife directing her husband to get rid of his crap from the garage can lead to one or two melt downs. I am pretty sure thats normal. Borrowing your father and mother-in-laws truck so you can load all your crap into it is one thing, but when they pull up in the truck and its FULL of all their crap, the confused look on my face as they pulled up I am sure was priceless. But it all worked out. Thank you Mom and Dad C for letting us keep the profits of your crap :) It sold like hot cakes!! People loved your crap more then my crap :)

At the yard sale Saturday Desmond was an absolute doll as he always is.  He will just chill and hang out like its no big thing. However it seems the 24 hours following the yard sale, he had extended moments of just wanting to be held. If he was not being held he was crying. Today he fell is asleep in my arms which he has not done since his 1st weeks on earth. It was nice. Thanks Jackie for the picture

Today we did Amy’s Birthday at Johnny Carino’s. Here are some photos from the event.  It was good times as always. Little Ivy seems to have a streak of Jealousy between Desmond and Amelia. Amy came down to our end of the table to see Desmond, and Ivy yelled from the other end, “Mom! No holding Desmond! You are not allowed hold him, No No…” She had this look, she meant business, even I was nervous for Amy. (See Photo)

Jackie made a most awesome Snickers cake! However I tend to say dumb things when I am eating something good people have made. Last time it was with Danyelle’s cake I asked the question “are there nuts in this?” When there was not. This time I asked Jackie “is it supposed to be like this?” When clearly it was. From now on I am just going to cram my mouth so full I can’t ask any questions about what I am eating.

We have full thumb sucking contact! Life is Sweeet!

Mom and Desmond love the Internets!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3ucK6X-mSw[/youtube]

Desmond learns the sounds of a Monkey/Gorilla, and likes it!
Or he just likes that his Daddy is goofy.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCbuRA_D3KU&feature=related[/youtube]

I dedicate the above video to my little nephew Danny, who we got to spend the weekend with! He is such a funny little lad who just loves his new little cousin Desmond. Here are some pictures from the weekend at the Rutledge’s. It was our first trip to Atlanta since Desmond was born, so it was a big deal. It went very well, and we had a great time! Ohh and I am hooked on Guitar Hero.

This picture is an oldie but a goody! If I could get away with dressing this way at work today I am sure I would. However they are pretty strict about the dress code.