Well the day has finally arrived that our boy has used the potty for something other than peeing….yikes!  

We could not be prouder of our little stinker.

Cool Quote: “It looks like chocolate, but I can’t eat it!”

Resist. Multiply. Use some wipes!

This guy is a buddy of mine. He is one tough mother. Check out his latest victory.

So today Bridget and I decided it would be fun to take Jacob to see his first movie. There was a limited release of a “Thomas the Train” movie that we both thought would be perfect. I bought the tickets online and we headed out to the theater in beautiful Cedar Grove, New Jersey. Jacob was excited and we both were pumped to see his reaction when the movie started playing on the big screen. We purchased popcorn and we sat down in the dark arena. Then there was trouble…

Apparently, the theater, a less than updated cinema, had a power outage the morning of the showing. The movie projector was fried and countless families sat in the theater waiting, and waiting for a movie that was never starting. Luckily, Jacob is friendly and he befriended another little boy who was growing quite restless, as well.

Long story short, after 50 plus minutes of waiting and several attempts on my  part and Bridget’s to get the theater to start the film or at least admit it was not going to happen - we finally left. We got our money back and headed to Friendly’s for lunch.

Jacob said he loved the movie. We are thankful he does not really understand what he was missing. I think he thought it was all about just playing and eating popcorn in the dark.

So I guess he had a fun day despite my disappointment. His first movie will have to wait….

Here are some pictures from the day.

Jacob sitting in his movie chair.

Waiting to eat his Friendly’s meal.

Eating his ice cream cone treat.

Making a mess of it. Priceless.

Dean here. Sorry for the last month or so. Things have been all way too busy. Staying home as Jacob’s father was a less hectic job. It was busy, but less involved when it came to all the new additions to my day. For instance, there is the obvious take-home work of being a teacher. There is the shaving every day now. That part I try not to do on the weekends. Maybe a beard would be nice right about now. Of course, it would add about ten years to my appearance.

Honestly this is starting to sound like a Jack Handy skit from SNL - “Deep Thoughts” by Dean Everton Prescott. I guess what I am trying to say is that the blog is dying a slow and painful death. Owen has been absent for some time now and I am starting to dwindle away, as well. Life, real life, is taking over again. Another baby is on the way, Jacob is growing up, I’m working five days a week instead of two. I’m wearing a tie four of the five days (not Fridays). Life is moving fast and changing.

So I am not promising anything. I can’t and I know I can’t. I’m focused on my family, my job, and everything else but this blog.

It’s been a good run. Is it over? Who knows? Maybe. Maybe not. Time will tell - but I’m not making any promises.

I can try to do more, and I can try to do better. In the end, I think it may have run its course. We’ll see…

Resist. Multiply. Offer me some motivation.

Thought this was too cute not to share. Enjoy. More posts soon.

So Bridget, Jacob, and I have all started back to school. For Bridget it is the same routine she has been used to the last two years while I was home with the little warrior. For me, I have to admit after the first day I was seriously considering leaving education and finding another job in the world of paint. Of course, this was a normal feeling after so many changes that had become comfortable and welcome - as the main caregiver the last two school years.

I returned to fourth grade (a new grade level for me), a new school, and the thought that I most certainly will not be seeing as much of my son as I had grown accustomed. It was culture shock for that first day.

After an almost full week (four days because of Labor Day), I am back on the bike so to speak. I feel comfortable, confident, and pretty secure in the assumption that I can do this for the next 24 years or so. I’m back.

Jacob, on the other hand, is in a world of hurt. The first few days were fine for him. My mother watched him everyday until he began nursery school on Wednesday. That’s when the castle began to crumble.

The first morning I dropped him off and he seemed eager to go - after months of saying “that’s your school” as we drove by it all summer long. I brought him into the school and we met Ms. Monica, one of the teachers. She seemed very kind and Jacob was okay with a hug and a kiss goodbye from me. He didn’t cry - or so I thought.

I left and arrived at school ten minutes later. I taught all morning, with thoughts of him in my head, and then I received an upsetting email from the woman who cares for Jacob the three afternoons he goes to school. She said he cried almost all morning and was asking to go home. I was so disappointed and heartbroken to hear that he did not enjoy his morning. The rest of his day was more blissful, as he really likes Gal and staying with her for lunch and a nap.

I arrived home that afternoon, after picking Jacob up at Gal’s, and I spoke with Bridget about what happened. We both agreed that CHANGE is hard. I had survived mine the week before, and he was going to survive his. We sent Jacob back on Thursday and Friday morning.

Each day he cried when I left (I’m the lucky one who gets this job - since I start my day ten minutes later), but he also stopped crying shortly after I left. I am okay with that for now. The big picture of socialization and learning is much more important than a few tears.

The hardest part in all of this is that as a parent we all have to let go a little. At two and half, Jacob is more of a person than ever. To keep him isolated from the world could be tougher later on. So he will go to nursery school - whether he likes it or not.

Hopefully he will like it more in time. We think he will. Of course, for now we will have to put up with, “I don’t want to go to school anymore.”

I know what you mean, brother. I know what you mean.

Resist. Multiply. Don’t cry when your kid does.

There is plenty to tell and plenty to write.

Soon will be the time. Soon will be the time.

We have left our duties for far too long. School began and we got swept up.

No excuses. No excuses.

Expect more from us soon. This weekend may provide the break in the action that we need.

Until then, resist, multiply, and accept our gratitude for sticking by us.

WE WILL RETURN - SOON.

Our president made CHANGE the center of his campaign. I have talked about it much lately, too. It is an inevitable thing. We cannot avoid it. Change comes to us all in many forms and many connotations. In less than two weeks I will embark on yet another change in my life. I’ve seen numerous changes to my life in the last two years, and perhaps the best has been the addition of Jacob into it. He is an absolute joyful son and each day with him has been a blessing.

Now the hard part is coming….letting go a bit. In September I go back to work full time and Jacob will be enrolled in nursery school three mornings a week. The rest of the time he will be with my amazing mother and another fantastic woman, Valerie, a mother of four boys, all grown. Of course, my mother-in-law will help plenty, as well. She is terrific and Jacob loves both his grandmothers so much. This was the best we could do for the first five months of the school year. Bridget and I wanted to ease the little man into school and also allow him to keep his nap schedule. Again we are lucky to have great support - even if we have to pay for some of it.

CHANGE is upon us all in many good ways, but I know I will feel a huge pang of sadness at letting go of the best two years of fatherhood - staying home with Jacob. I have bonded with my son and he has done the same with me, but I somehow feel he will be more resilient. Ironic, isn’t it? He’s two and a half and I am thirty one, but he is better equipped at letting go. How did that happen?

The newest and best news I have to offer is that Bridget and I are expecting again. Yes, it’s true and you can feel free to send a congratulations our way if you feel inclined. That CHANGE will be here in February. Until then, Jacob will be telling all who will listen, “I’m going to be a big brother.”

Resist. Multiply. Accept CHANGE because what is the alternative?

If you are one of the many men that are described in Dr. Owen’s post below - you may be interested in purchasing a great number of shaving products that would allow you to shave yourself without bothering your significant other. It may also be a plus for your love life if your woman doesn’t have to do a super cuts haircut on your body!

Visit this site to buy some great grooming products.

Happy Shaving…..

Resist. Multiply. Clean up your act.

God is definitely a woman, and she definitely has a sense of humor, a wicked one at that, just take a look immediately around you and a gander at the spinning world in which we all cohabitate.  It’s a hairy place, and heh gang, speaking of hairy, let us discuss, and dialogue about manscaping.  Manscaping, the removal of body hair via scissors, clippers, electric shaver, is an important part of my life, particularly in these warm, muggy months of fading summer 2009.

The omnipotent power that oversees all is a female, explaining male pattern baldness, or what I’ve come to deem the valley of shame.  The fact I have more hair on my legs, arms, and even knuckles then I do on the top of my head is a dark comedic joke.  The punch line is the fact I, or my wife, has to shave me down for public pool, and beach appearances.  I’m getting older, but I still have my pride.  I will not offend the sun -loving masses with the linty rug that is my back.  I’m a hairy man, but a kind, considerate gentleman who does not want to offend young beach goers.

Stella loves shaving me down.  Not.  When and if we relocate to Costa Rica the frequency will increase ten fold.  The painstaking shaving process will no longer be limited to three months, but all twelve will demand some form of manscaping.

For those in need of a full tutorial, or a visual might I suggest clicking on the link below.  A full multi media presentation.  Enjoy. Please make sure to view the how to videos.  Great.

manscaping101

Tomorrow: Boston, Burger King Tears and Tool (The Band)

Resist. Multiply. Shave Down.

The stage was set for a spectacular game between Premier League rivals, Manchester United and Chelsea. It’s hard to believe that just a few short weeks ago I was actually in London touring Chelsea despite my firm allegiance to Man. United. Regardless, today I watched a brilliant football match that left me feeling a bit disappointed, but hopeful still as life without Ronaldo and Tevez begins in just one short week.

Even though today’s Community Shield match was brought to a tie in the closing minutes of regulation by Wayne Rooney’s masterful footwork, the final outcome left Chelsea on top and Man. U. without any hardware or bragging rights.

Nevertheless, the team will find itself. Nani showed promise and perhaps the first glimpses of escaping Ronaldo’s shadow. He is, of course injured with a dislocated shoulder and will miss the start of the 2009 - 2010 campaign. Rooney also stepped up and looks to be able to secure the goal scoring form of his youthful past. Carrick and Fletcher also performed with confidence and stability in the midfield. I expect them to hold down the fort all season long.

Now don’t get me wrong - I am not a sore loser. In fact, I support Chelsea (unless they are playing Man. U.) most of the time. Today, they were better. Their penalty kicks were crisper, and their keeper (Petr Cech) was much better than Ben Foster. But most people will realize that there are two things to think about as the season approaches. Chelsea is probably going to peak early - as they did last season. By mid season they will fizzle out. Man. United are notorious slow starters. They don’t hit their peak until it matters. Secondly and lastly, Manchester played without a majority of their key players. Chelsea had a line-up that boasted most of their starters they used in the last campaign. Vidic and Van der Saw were both absent and that makes a huge difference. They are the spine of the defense and if you don’t think that plays a part - you are out of your mind.

So here’s to Chelsea and their first shoot-out victory against Man. United since John Terry missed in the Champions League two years ago in Moscow. Enjoy it boys because you may not see a trophy like this for a long while.

Resist. Multiply. Support good football.

A buddy of mine from way back just opened his own restaurant in the town I grew up in. Jacob, Bridget, myself, and my parents all got lunch there today. The food is excellent, the prices are low, and the service is top-notch! Check it out here.

Tell Steve that Dean sent you…

Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her sperm, she’ll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she’ll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she’ll give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she’ll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her. So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit.

THINK ON THAT.

Resist. Multiply. Enjoy your family this beautiful summer weekend and be good to your wife!