Like every rational person on this planet, I think "It's a Small World" is one incredibly creepyass song.
For the purpose of this story it's important you know that.
I've downloaded a bunch of fun Children's songs and pop songs for Michael. Songs like "When You Wish Upon a Star." Well, last night I adde a particular creepy kid's song.
Tonight, as I got Michael ready for bed, I pulled out our Phillie Phanatic and Chase Utley puppets. He loved playing with them while "Crocodile Rock" and " You've got a Friend in Me" played.
The night was going well.
Then "It's a Small World" came on and all hell broke loose.
Mick burst into tears. He slapped the Phanatic. He but Chase.
When the song came ended and "High Hopes" came on, everything went back to order.
I now know for certain I have an awesome child.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Welcome back, Chase Utley
One star back, two to go.
In fact, Chase dropped by High Hopes to talk about the Phillies chances to make the playoffs.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Saturday, June 23, 2012
A great verdict; a terrible feeling
Tonight, Jerry Sandusky - a former Penn State assistant coach and a former hero of mine - was convicted on 45 of 48 counts involving the sexual abuse of children.
Tonight, little more than an hour after the verdict was announced, I walked into my six-month-old son's bedroom and scooped his sleeping body up in my arms. He didn't wake up. But he smiled in his sleep, which brought me to tears. I held him close to my heart and prayed that he would never ever come across a monster like Jerry Sandusky.
That's when the fear really and truly gripped me for the first time.
I've spent the past seven months rethinking my feelings for Penn State - an institution that was more than a football team, a school or a sleepy town in central Pennsylvania. It was home. The safest place I could ever imagine being. But the monster that is Jerry Sandusky changed all that. Suddenly, I was worried if it was a place that deserved a child like Michael. Suddenly, my memories were tainted.
The journey back to adoring Penn State for the greatness it gives to this world has been hard but worthwhile.
That's when the fear really and truly gripped me for the first time.
I've spent the past seven months rethinking my feelings for Penn State - an institution that was more than a football team, a school or a sleepy town in central Pennsylvania. It was home. The safest place I could ever imagine being. But the monster that is Jerry Sandusky changed all that. Suddenly, I was worried if it was a place that deserved a child like Michael. Suddenly, my memories were tainted.
The journey back to adoring Penn State for the greatness it gives to this world has been hard but worthwhile.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Which player shall be designated Michael's favorite?
Tomorrow, Michael goes to his first game.
We're going to have to get him a jersey or bobblehead or poster.
Thankfully we already have a personalized "Abdalla" jersey (Thanks, Emily) and an "I am the fifth starter" T-shirt (Thanks, Erin and Jeff).
We're going to have to get him a jersey or bobblehead or poster.
Thankfully we already have a personalized "Abdalla" jersey (Thanks, Emily) and an "I am the fifth starter" T-shirt (Thanks, Erin and Jeff).
One of the best days of my life
If you asked me what would make the perfect Father's Day, I'd need these ingredients: Michael, Molly, friends and family. Dogs and burgers on the grill would be nice. Dr Pepper would be fantastic. Adding a little Indiana Jones would be great. Oh, and a Phillies' win would be icing on the cake.
Well, thanks to the Phillies' loss to the Blue Jays, my first Father's Day as a dad didn't reach perfection.
But I'll take today over nearly every other one I've had (Exceptions include July 22, 2006 - our wedding day; Oct. 8, 2005 - Penn State's win over Ohio State with Molly by my side; Oct. 21, 2008 - Harry Kalas screaming, Brad Lidge kneeling, the Southpaw hopping up and down at Travis and Jill Lau's house.)
Molly had to work in the morning and early afternoon, so it was the Mike and Pat show early on. He had some mango and pear baby food - smiling the whole time - and played with his new toy. He was playing on the living room floor while I did some errands. When I came back into the room he made his little screech and reached for me. I walked over and hugged him. He squeezed me tightly and kissed me on the cheek. It was just a fantastically beautiful moment.
The Phillies game hadn't started yet, so we were flipping through the channels for some background noise when I came across "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." Sure, it's not the best Indy flick, but it's better than 80 percent of the movies out there. Interestingly, Michael seemed into it. But Dad kept distracting him. Rolling the ball to him. Making animal sounds - which always get a laugh.
Eventually, we threw the 2007 season highlight reel in. Almost forgot what it was like to have the Phillies play exciting baseball.
Then the friends arrived. The grill was fired up. Then the Wiffleball started. It was a slow start - Michael was tired, so he cried during the first inning (Jess said he was angry over not being allowed to sing the Star Spangled Banner.)
When all was said and done, it really couldn't have been a better day. (I'll pretend the Phils didn't play)
Well, thanks to the Phillies' loss to the Blue Jays, my first Father's Day as a dad didn't reach perfection.
But I'll take today over nearly every other one I've had (Exceptions include July 22, 2006 - our wedding day; Oct. 8, 2005 - Penn State's win over Ohio State with Molly by my side; Oct. 21, 2008 - Harry Kalas screaming, Brad Lidge kneeling, the Southpaw hopping up and down at Travis and Jill Lau's house.)
Molly had to work in the morning and early afternoon, so it was the Mike and Pat show early on. He had some mango and pear baby food - smiling the whole time - and played with his new toy. He was playing on the living room floor while I did some errands. When I came back into the room he made his little screech and reached for me. I walked over and hugged him. He squeezed me tightly and kissed me on the cheek. It was just a fantastically beautiful moment.
The Phillies game hadn't started yet, so we were flipping through the channels for some background noise when I came across "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." Sure, it's not the best Indy flick, but it's better than 80 percent of the movies out there. Interestingly, Michael seemed into it. But Dad kept distracting him. Rolling the ball to him. Making animal sounds - which always get a laugh.
Eventually, we threw the 2007 season highlight reel in. Almost forgot what it was like to have the Phillies play exciting baseball.
Then the friends arrived. The grill was fired up. Then the Wiffleball started. It was a slow start - Michael was tired, so he cried during the first inning (Jess said he was angry over not being allowed to sing the Star Spangled Banner.)
When all was said and done, it really couldn't have been a better day. (I'll pretend the Phils didn't play)
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
How time flies
It's hard to believe it's been six months since Michael first came into this world.
I keep saying it can't be. Our boy cannot be 6-months-old.
But he is.
Today I celebrated by taking him to Toys 'R' Us, in hopes of finding a toy for him. I had noticed a couple months ago that some toys say "Birth +" while others say "6-18 months" or something similar.
I pushed Michael up and down the aisles searching for the right toy. He's already got a glowworm thingy that he adores (Thanks, Brad and Sue) He already has a ton of books (Dad loves reading "Duckling Gets a Cookie," "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish" and "The Giving Tree" while Mom loves "Jazz Baby" and "Guess How Much I Love You." We both enjoy reading "Martin's Big Words" to him.) And he spends quality time with his Phillie Phanatic puppet and a train from Miss Darlene.
He was not old enough for the Transformers toys that looked so cool. Ditto the superhero toys. Some of the toys that fit in his age group looked cool, especially tool and kitchen playsets that teaches counting and color. But they were more expensive and I didn't want to buy them without telling Molly.
But each toy I looked at brought one of two thoughts to my head. The first, that I couldn't believe he would one day play with a toy like that. The second that I couldn't believe he was old enough to play with that particular toy. I'll probably feel the same way when we teach him to ride a bike and drive a car.
I keep saying it can't be. Our boy cannot be 6-months-old.
But he is.
Today I celebrated by taking him to Toys 'R' Us, in hopes of finding a toy for him. I had noticed a couple months ago that some toys say "Birth +" while others say "6-18 months" or something similar.
I pushed Michael up and down the aisles searching for the right toy. He's already got a glowworm thingy that he adores (Thanks, Brad and Sue) He already has a ton of books (Dad loves reading "Duckling Gets a Cookie," "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish" and "The Giving Tree" while Mom loves "Jazz Baby" and "Guess How Much I Love You." We both enjoy reading "Martin's Big Words" to him.) And he spends quality time with his Phillie Phanatic puppet and a train from Miss Darlene.
He was not old enough for the Transformers toys that looked so cool. Ditto the superhero toys. Some of the toys that fit in his age group looked cool, especially tool and kitchen playsets that teaches counting and color. But they were more expensive and I didn't want to buy them without telling Molly.
But each toy I looked at brought one of two thoughts to my head. The first, that I couldn't believe he would one day play with a toy like that. The second that I couldn't believe he was old enough to play with that particular toy. I'll probably feel the same way when we teach him to ride a bike and drive a car.
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