You can’t really put into words the feelings that come with being a part of one of Gods most amazing miracles “life” but I am going to do my best for memoir sake.

It was about 3am Saturday morning when Jackie woke me up and said “hey, I am having contractions, and they are about 10min apart, thought you should know”. So we stayed in bed, and I had my iphone app (once a geek always a geek) out counting the spaces between them. So at 6am we causally get up, I call my mom to come over. I make breakfast, Jackie takes a shower, and then comes out and says “sooo we might not have as much time as I originally thought”. That is when we kick it into over drive.

Have you ever tired to coach a laboring woman in a car driving down the interstate? It is not like the movies. Also a helpful tip, don’t take the on ramp onto the interstate at high speed during a contraction, I was full sure the baby was going to fly out right there and then. Jackie made phone calls between each contraction, I found this very funny. She is crazy like that.

We arrived to the hospital just in time, because Jackie was at a 10 and it was GO time. We were only there 90 minutes, because at 9:39am Liam John Hogan made his appearance. The first thing I noticed was his amazing long eyelashes, and of course that HE was a boy, because up until that point we had no idea.

Its at this moment in time when the world around you stops and everyone around you vanishes into the background. As soon as Liam was out, one of the most important requests we had was that we wanted him on Jackie, skin to skin immediately, there is nothing more important then that bond. What I did not expect was how important this was for me too. The three of us all together in the total chaos as doctors and nurses pull and fix and give orders and do what they do best. Jackie and I lay there in tears of joy and sang “you are my sunshine” to Liam as he cried his first cry. This truly was and is one of the most fantastic life moments a father and his family can experience. The unexpected moments that come from something so intimate and awesome. I did not expect it, but it made it that all the more amazing.

When Desmond arrived at the hospital, we were all looking at Liam in the nursery, and his first question for me was, “is that my big brother?” If you know me and you know Desmond, then you know there could not have been a more perfect question asked. Now we get to grow together, laugh together, and enjoy life together. I am the father of two boys, and I have never been happier.

It snow’s like once a decade in Georgia. Plus if it snows at all, it either never sticks or just does not hang around. Well this year we got a rare treat of almost 4 inches, which is a lot for us! We headed to Atlanta which was our original plan for a valentine’s day baby sitting trade off with the easycheese family. So we headed north before the snow kicked in. We got a nice amount of snow, and was able to enjoy it with the Rutledge’s. Here are some photos from the day.

Guilty on all accounts!

Any family outing that involves 14 to 17 people can cause plans to change 100 times before something is set in stone. There was no exception this weekend for Momma Colson’s Birthday. What started out as a Sunday morning breakfast idea, turned into a 7:30am cracker barrel breakfast idea, that it turned into a Perry cracker barrel lunch, that turned into a warner robins cracker barrel breakfast lunch that turned into the final destination of IHOP. What was the reasoning behind the changes? Mostly because cracker barrel takes too long with their service. We thought ihop would be different. So after sitting in the lobby for 45 minutes with 300 kids, the hostess came out with crayons and paper. I knew then it was going to be a looooong wait. Getting seated finally happened sometime after my third gray hair grew. Another 45 minutes later food came out, but I was already too weak, my end was near. My final resting place was going to be ihop on Watson blvd. I do have to say though, the food and service was great, so kudos there.

Once I regained my strength again, we celebrated and made as much noise as one would expect from an army of Colson spin offs. Soon, we owned the place. we put the HOP back in I again. Enjoy some photos from this fun filled event!

1. Bob and Danyelle debate what is better, Pancake or Waffle?
2. Ivy thinks they are both ridiculous.
3. Clearly she believes whip cream beats all.
4. Can you feel the love from these kids?
5. When asked to sit like a lady, she did the best she could.
6. Still waiting…

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)

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?