Geez, I'm Sore

I woke up this morning, more sore than I thought possible. The reason I awoke so unspeakably achy was due to my weekend activity. With only six weeks to go until Riley's here, our time is quickly dwindling to set the house in order and accomplish the things we wish to accomplish. So, my father-in-law, Bill and I, installed wood flooring in her room yesterday. It really wasn't too difficult and only took about four hours, but geez am I hurting today!

Even though I'm hurting, it was worth it. I can't believe how beautiful her room turned out. It's the perfect baby girl's nursery. We also hung pictures and mirrors and put her crib together. Last night, Nicole caught me standing silently in the room, looking at everything and smiling. She asked, "Do you love it?"

"I love the person that's going to live here," I answered.

And that, my friends, is the plain and simple truth. I can't wait to meet my daughter.

The Oh-So-Cute Belly, Nursery and Other News

Okay, for those of you who aren't around and have been asking about Nicole's belly, here's a snapshot.

Isn't she adorable? Gosh, I'm the luckiest, most blessed man I know.

In other news, Nic and I have been in a crazy "nesting" phase. We started on the nursery, but then we decided to paint almost every other room in the house and totally redecorate before the little bambina arrives. Here's a snapshot of the newly painted nursery.

And here's Riley's way too cute and growing wardrobe.

Life is thrilling right now, but it's kind of just a big waiting game. As in, we can't wait to meet Riley. Keep all three of us in your prayers as we near the big day (which is September 25th still, if you were wondering). And thank you all for participating in our lives.

Monsters Everywhere

My poor wife. She's a brave woman typically, but when it comes to roaches, her fear is... well, let's just say she could be a little more rational in this area. She's so practical, but when she saw the first roach in the kitchen, she wanted to drape all the furniture and fumigate the whole house. Another time, she asked if we could move. I told her "Sure. To the dark side of the moon. Where we would never have to see them again." Needless to say, she didn't find that funny.

Since that first roach, she's become much more brave, largely because she's had to. We've had more. But honestly, I kind of like it. Don't get me wrong, I hate seeing her scared (though it is funny at times). You see, when she screams, that's my queue to come to the rescue, galloping on my white steed (or slipping down the hallway in my white socks) with my sword drawn and ready for battle (or at least my Raid can ready to spray). It gives me a sense of manliness. More so, though, it proves once again why two are always better than one. Because whatever fear, weakness, or who knows what else we may face alone, when together in those moments you can let your mate know, whether with words, a look you mutually come to understand, or, in a case like this, a good loud shriek, that you need them. And that's what marriage is all about.

The Honey-Do List

Believe me when I say there are a ton of things I need to do inside, outside and around the house. From yard work to painting to trash removal and everything in between, it's a long list.

This week, while Nic was stretching her expanding belly at Yoga class, I decided I would start on some of the items I knew needed completion. Following a trip to Home Depot for the necessary supplies and a little weed work out front, I started on the hall bathroom toilet. The water's been overflowing, requiring us to turn off the water supply after every restroom use. Annoyed isn't quite the word to fully explain my frustration with this problem.

So, after a long time of procrastination, I started to replace our old ballcock (seriously, that's the name for the toilet part). After I finished the instillation, I turned the water back on. Much to my surprise, I hadn't sufficiently locked one of the mechanisms, thereby resulting in a steady and cold stream of water shooting straight out of the toilet, up into my face, and all around the bathroom. It was straight out of a slapstick comedy. Luckily, Nicole wasn't there to see it. Unfortunately, however, a short while later when Nicole was home, I tried unlocking the ballcock to move it higher and raise the water supply to the appropriate level. What I didn't know was that I had accidentally left the water on, and therefore, it happened again. Like Old Faithful, the toilet shot water to the ceiling of the bathroom, directly into my face and all over Nicole's jewelry and other accessories.

While it was funny after the fact, all I kept thinking as I worked on the toilet tank was Thank You, Lord I'm not a plumber. Ah, the joys of marriage and the never ending honey-do list. I did get a nice kiss out of my hard work, though. And that always makes up for toilet water shooting into your eyes.