Disqus - Latest Comments for senor123

Re: Memories of Home

Matt — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:26:37 -0000

Sounds fantastic. It is a shame to see the urbanization of areas such as those. I grew up with a cornfield at the edge of my back yard (remind me to tell you sometime about the year I spent in hiding when "Children of the Corn" was released). The farmer who owns the field finally sold, and they're razing the whole thing for McMansion tract housing. Sad.

Music is one of the most consistent and powerful nostalgic sources for me. I am still amazed at how certain feelings, memories and emotions can wash over me when I hear certain songs. I can be sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic....doesn't matter.

Re: Celebrate Dads - Father's Day Contest Winners

Matt — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:24:17 -0000

All very cool posts. Another great contest, Jeremy.

Re: Do You Role Model Forgiveness?

Matt — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:12:33 -0000

I think it also teaches your kids that you are human, and would suggest that them witnessing that dad may not be perfect, but consistently strives to be so, even if it sometimes ends in failure, creates a more positive and memorable role model than the alternative. Great observations, Jeremy.

Re: Spotlight on Dads - Jared Hoylman

Matt — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:07:14 -0000

Good interview all around. I completely agree with the insight that work somehow takes an immediate second to spending time with your family once you have a child. How did I ever think that was so important?

Re: Butterflies and Tiger Lilies - New Baby Room Pics

Matt — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:24:31 -0000

Good looking room! Really cute and comfy looking.
I have to resist the urge to make a joke here about how lame our bedroom is compared to my daughters, because its not. Her room is great and all, but our bedroom is really cool. Its the one place in the house that is ours and ours only, if you know what I mean, so we decided a while ago we were going to make it kind of a sanctuary for ourselves.*

*My wife will slightly disagree due to the coat rack, I mean Soloflex, that has lived quietly in the corner for the last two years. But other than that, its pretty slick.

Re: Playground Justice - Memories of Hazing and Freeze Tag

Matt — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:45:22 -0000

Awsome story...Sanjay lays the SMACK down. Love it. I had a similar situation but over a longer period of time. There was a kid named Vince. He was your classic nerd stereotype. And he used to get picked on all the time. A lot. If I remember correctly, he was picked on for almost five years or so. For whatever reason though, he never really backed away from challenges. He even ran for Student Council in 7th grade, although everyone laughed at him through his entire speech and booed him. Then one day, some stupid bully was taunting him at recess. The kind of taunting where people are giggling at first, then start feeling uncomfortable because the bully is simply going too far. Well, something in Vince just snapped. The kid......went........off. He literally beat that bully into a bloody pulp. I think some kids ran to get the principal because they were getting worried he would do some serious damage. Not your average playground fight. He gained a lot of respect with many of us that day. When I am able to get back home and hang out with my old friends from school, "the day Vince went ballistic" STILL comes up every time."

I heard he's doing very well now. Family. Totally loaded. I'll bet that day played a pivotal role in his success. And you know what? I don't remember him ever getting any type of punishment for his beat-down. Something tells me the administration decided to let that one slide.

Re: Father's Day Contest - Celebrate Dads

Matt — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:21:37 -0000

OK, Finally got mine up http://redsparks.com/plaype..., and linked here as well. And I've had you in my reader for a while now...can't miss an episode! Hope you have a great Father's Day with the whole family!

Re: Premature Distraction - Both Kids Get Sick

Matt — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:36:25 -0000

I hope you get some good news! You guys can use it I'm sure.
That cough thing is weird. We almost cancelled our camping trip because of the exact same thing. We were thinking maybe slight dehydration or something. Who knows, but hopefully he'll be fine. That's the last thing you need right now, huh?

Re: Happy Birthday Angel - Growing Fast

Matt — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:32:23 -0000

Have to admit this post scares me. When I see her going from a little kid to a young adult, I think about my own daughter and say "uh oh." Congratulations. Are you going to continue the Discovering Dad birthday tradition and make her clean the house?

Re: Premature Anguish - A Repeat Performance

Matt — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:38:25 -0000

Jeremy - Having known you for a short time, it seems we're similar in the way we deal with stress, particularly when it comes to the health of our families. I have to commend you on how level-headed you sound. Maybe you just left it out, but I think I would have thrown a huge fit after the second apnea when the doctor suggested Caitlin may not be able to tolerate it. Sounds like you really kept your cool, which I'm sure benefits your wife in the end.

And I feel for you on the IV thing. The fist five minutes of video of my daughter features me saying "What the Hell happened to her wrist?", to which the nurse replies "That's what we call an IV attempt." It still makes my stomach tie in knots. As if the little kid didn't have enough to go through already. All I can offer is that we are all pulling for you guys.

Re: Discovering Dad Diet Plan - Hospital Food

Matt — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:30:26 -0000

You're doing a lot better than I would have in that situation. Whenever I find myself in a hospital for an extended period of time, I tend to "rationalize" my menu choices. So many items to choose from. Its like a quest for that one thing on the menu that won't taste like crap. Forget about getting discouraged by the five or six other things that I have hated previously. Its out there. Just have to keep searching.

Re: Cleaning Up the Toys - Friday Round-up

Matt — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:13:48 -0000

Woah...pace yourself man. I'd offer to come help but I have to rearrange my sock drawer.
I can imagine its tough. Maybe you can just put it off for now and have a little party in a month or two. Or wait until next year and tell everyone that you should get two gifts from each of them!

Re: Cleaning Up the Toys - Friday Round-up

Matt — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:06:35 -0000

Lori lets the cat out of the bag! Happy Birthday, dude! Don't clean your desk today...have a couple of Chocodiles or something instead. Hope you have a good one.

Re: No More Stuck in the Middle - Chani's Moving Up

Matt — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:53:19 -0000

Thats cool, man! Congratulations. It must be very rewarding as a father to have your daughter turn out to be so intelligent and dedicated. Sure hope mine does!

Re: Premature Heartache - Darkness before Light

Matt — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:04:15 -0000

Oh, man. That's bad news. Just remember that, I my opinion, those people who work day and night in the NICU for our children's well-being and survival are the highest form of human being. I have posted a few times about my distaste for certain aspects of our medical system but, at the end of the day, they truly DO care.

I am sure that she is in completely and totally capable hands, not to mention that I do believe that all of them (my wife and I referred to them as the angels in blue) want to see Caitlin healthy and happy almost as much as the two of you do. They WILL take care of her...and they will do it to the best of their abilities. In that, there can be some solace.

Re: Discovering Dad Diet Plan - Stress Eating

Matt — Fri, 30 May 2008 20:57:44 -0000

Pretty good! Losing two ponds while frequenting a hospital is tough. Many good choices at those cafeterias.
Favorite stress drink: Tequila on the rocks with a wedge of lime
Favorite stress food: In and Out Double Double. For those of you who don't have In and Out, you have not truly lived.

Re: Premature Confidence - The Long Fall Down

Matt — Fri, 30 May 2008 12:31:49 -0000

Hang in there man...hopefully the next installment will be a bit more positive. Glad to hear the cannula is out though....thats always a really good sign.

Re: Our Ninth Anniversary - What a Wonderful World

Matt — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:37:28 -0000

Congratulations man! The heavy metal pic rocks, man. Our 10th is coming up in September...gotta do something big, just not sure what yet. Dora marathon? Maybe I'll post about it.

Re: Premature Hope - The Calm Before the Storm

Matt — Wed, 28 May 2008 12:08:07 -0000

Well, first off, I was half way through my breakfast burrito when I got to the placenta part. Thanks for that.
That's funny about wanting to look away. The doctor asked me if I wanted to look "behind the sheet" during my wife's c-section and, without thinking, I just popped my head around it. Car accidents. Train Wrecks. Joe Theismann. Birth. There are some things you just can't un-see.

Re: Premature Birth - Not Quite the Joyful Experience

Matt — Tue, 27 May 2008 13:22:31 -0000

Hang in there, man...I really hope all is well with everyone. And I am enjoying this little series of yours. Reminds me a little of reality TV..."We'll find out...................................................................................after the break."

Re: Premature Labor - Dealing With the Unexpected

Matt — Tue, 27 May 2008 13:12:33 -0000

Glad to hear that it wasn't actually a cat! I don't necessarily agree, Jeremy. Pre-term births happen all the time, and there's not always something bad associated with it...certainly not when it comes to the reason why it happened. When we were in the NICU we saw MANY babies come in early and just go right home the next day. I mean, I know you know this and have dealt with it all before. I guess I am just trying to be encouraging.

Re: Spotlight On Dads - James Grayson

Matt — Tue, 27 May 2008 12:46:44 -0000

Another cool addition to the series! And I totally dug the Mean Joe Green story....pretty cool. Did you keep the towel or what?

Re: What Dads Really Think About Series Update

Matt — Sun, 25 May 2008 00:47:02 -0000

Looking forward to the series!

Re: Introducing Baby Caitlin

Matt — Thu, 22 May 2008 12:12:42 -0000

Congratulations, dude! She is super-cute. You've got yourself a pretty good looking family there, I must say. Glad to hear it all worked out OK and that everyone is doing well...reading your last post took me back a bit to the old NICU days. How long does she have to be there?

Re: Bringing Out the Kid in You - Contest Announcement

Matt — Mon, 19 May 2008 13:44:34 -0000

OK Jeremy....I am SURE you have other things on your mind right now, but I have posted my entry (I really really want to win that candy, man.) on The Playpen. Check it out when you have time....the link is in my profile.

BTW, cool contest...I enjoyed writing this!