Monday Morning Quarterback - 2/5/2007

The Circle of Life

Last night, after all my site tweaking was done, and the children were in bed, and in between the raindrops of the Superbowl, I went “visiting”…

I found out our dear friend Jessica, from Oh, The Joys, posted a piece about her grandfather. He’s very ill, but according to Jessica, he’s comfortable. If you get a chance go “visit” Jess and take a look at the great picture she posted. My thoughts and prayers are with Jessica and her family.

I also read that our friend, Steve, from Inside Fatherhood, welcomed the arrival of his beautiful baby daughter yesterday morning, Meghan Alexis. Congratulations to Steve, his wife, and the rest of his brood… this makes five for him! Interesting note; Steve’s baby was born at home! For more information on at home births visit Steve's site... and ask him!

The Superbowl XLI

While I did watch most of Superbowl XLI on my big TV, as the only adult in the building last night, I was up and down a million times. That is, until the sweet relief of bedtime arrived. I used the halftime break to say good night and tuck in my little men, so I missed Prince’s performance. Oh, well… putting my guys to bed was more important than his Royal Purpleness.

Sorry, Drama Mama… to you and your family. There’s always next year. Congratulations to all you Indianapolis fans, enjoy it, because it won’t happen next year, you’re no New England Patriots… and I think our Big Green Machine will go all the way!

The Baby’s Four Month Check Up

On Saturday, the Mommy took the baby for his four month doctor’s visit. He gained another pound and another inch. Such a healthy, happy kid!

It seems though, at four months old, he’s not satisfied with his liquid diet anymore. The doctor recommended that he actually start some solid food. I know this isn’t usually begun until at least six months, but our little guy was up to 40 ounces of formula a day. He’s not chubby; he’s still in the 75^th percentile for weight, he’s just not satisfied. They grow up so fast!

Of course he got some shots (needed vaccinations) too… his least favorite thing in the world. Well, he actually doesn’t have much to compare it too, so it actually makes it worse. I did not go to the appointment with Mommy and the Baby. I stayed home with the other two. After the appointment, Mommy dropped the Baby home and went up to the store for some “solid” food, a.k.a baby cereal and fruits, and a prescription he needed. Both our sons suffer/suffered from bad cases of eczema on their heads. When he was a baby, The Helper’s went away immediately after using the prescription ointment. We’re hoping for the same with the Baby. It’s amazing how brother’s can be so similar… yet so different.

It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Forget Christmas, Forget Back to School… this is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Yes, that’s right, tax preparation season. Between January 31^st and April 15^th millions of us receive tax refunds, some of you have to pay… I’m sorry for that.

In Saturday’s mail was the last piece of financial documentation we needed to complete our tax returns. Whooo Hoooo! Savvy fans of Long Island Dad will put together the fact that we had a baby this year… in October… which means a bigger refund. Again, Whooo Hoooo!

Long Island Dad is a big fan of this tax preparation software. I’ve used it for years and it’s never let me down. It took me about an hour to prepare and e-file our returns… 10-14 days until our back account is flush again. Ah, direct deposit; a man’s best friend!

But then reality sets in and the bill folder gets opened… Alas, our wonderful financial windfall will be put to good use, supplying the much needed electricity and heat, as well as, food for the brood.

It’s still the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, though… when else does the government give you back cold hard cash?

Weather Update: Friggin' Cold... 10 Degrees upon awaking this morning! But... Sunny, if that's any consolation! It's NOT!

That’s it for this week’s edition of Monday Morning Quarterback. Thanks for visiting! Oh, and please comment on the new look… or anything else.

The Big Game... The Big TV!

The Mommy is working this evening so there will be no big Superbowl party at Long Island Dad's house. Not such a big deal... seeing as our beloved JETS are not participating this year. While I'll still be watching this year's extravaganza, it's outcome really doesn't matter... to me. Of course, there's the National Anthem being sung by Long Island's own Billy Joel, and, then there are the commercials, and the all important Half-Time show.

This year though, my excitement is definitely at an all time high... why you ask? Because this year Long Island Dad has a big new TV -- A 42" SONY WEGA HDTV! After 42 years on this earth I have acquired one of man's greatest inventions... a large screen TV.

A note about High Definition TV (for those of you you haven't had the pleasure)... there's something to be said for being able to see droplets of sweat fly through the air after two large men collide.

No, LID's not a rich man... I have kids, remember? You see, my neighbors' were remodeling their home this fall and decided to replace their TV with a new Phillips Flat Screen. They offered me their existing 18 month old set for $900. A great price considering the TV was $2,500 just a year and a half ago. Well, at the time, I didn't have an extra $900 for such an extravagance... let's be serious, I never have an extra $900. But, I did have something they wanted... it seemed, "Mrs. Neighbor" wanted their living room, hallway, and kitchen painted. I offered to do it in exchange for the TV of my Dreams! Deal struck; everyone was ecstatic! I bought the paint and spent three days working off my barter. Everyone got what they wanted!

There's a lesson in here for the kids, too... sometimes an item is often more appreciated if you use your time and talents to acquire it, rather than just paying cash!

So I'll be watching, and as promised to Drama Mama, will be rooting for 'da Bears! Not really a stretch for me... you see the COLTS are an AFC team... our beloved JETS are an AFC team... get my drift? If we can't have it then no one can! Petty I know, but this is sports, folks... it brings out the inner child in all of us. Nothing sophisticated about grown men running after a small, weird shaped ball, just for the heck of it!

So if you need me after 6 p.m. tonight, you'll know where I'll be... my big comfy chair, feeding the baby, yelling, "Get out of the way!" at the Helper, just enjoying my Big Monster TV!

And Now... A New Look!

With my new ability to change my header, I thought it might be time for a fresh look here at LID. I went on a search for 3-column templates that work with the new blogger. Lo and behold a great gentleman from the Netherlands, Thur Broeders, had been working very hard on just such a thing. The layout you see is fully customizable, from colors to fonts, to layout size. Between Jeff and Thur, LID is getting closer to the look and feel I want.

Please visit Jeff's and Thur's sites. They're both great.

A million thanks!