tidbits de grindy

Grace

2009-12-10T21:07:00.000-08:00

Tonight I was sitting in my son’s room watching my husband play his guitar and sing Christmas songs to the little boy while I hear the rain falling out side and I can’t help but think about how God has always provided for us. There are so many people, in all walks of life, who don’t have a warm dry place to go on a night like this and my heart just breaks for them. However, more than that my heart breaks for the millions of people who do not know God’s grace. You see a few years ago our little family was very unstable financially and through the love of friends and family God showed us his wonderful grace and now we are to show love to EVERYONE else because He first loved us.

Oops!

2009-10-16T10:40:00.000-07:00

So far today has been all about the wrong decisions

Bad decision #1: This morning I got a text from my husband with some husband/wife humor in it, so thinking I would be witty I sent him a message back. 10 minutes latter he sends me another text saying that I sent the message to HIS MOM instead of him. Oops. (thanks Michele for being so cool about it)

Bad decision #2: After breakfast the boy and I were hanging out in the family room and he started to grunt and turn red, then I took a whiff of the air and just as I suspected he pooped. So being the good mom that I am I waited a little while to make sure that he was finished and then took him into the bedroom to get a diaper change. When I opened his pj’s I could tell that it was going to be a messy one. I began the unpleasant process only to have my efforts stunted by my squirmy little boy, so I grabbed the first thing I saw that he could hold and keep his attention while I finished. When I was about half way done I looked up to see a pink liquid covering my boy chest and face. I had grabbed my sons Motrin that was sitting on his changing table and he had managed to open the child-proof cap and spill it all over. I finished cleaning off his little bottom then moved on to the Motrin which he was now painting his body with. After all was clean I went to put a dry diaper on him and he peed on me!

I hope this is not an indication of how my Friday will be.

Fohawk, Fotos, Friends, Fans

2009-09-28T02:03:00.000-07:00

We forgot to advise the world that Nick finally got a haircut. Back in August, while visiting Roseville during my month off, we went to this cool little place called "Jack and Jillybeans" in Roseville. Not too expensive, super professional, great atmosphere. I have to admit I wasn't too fond off the place until I saw the chair my son could sit in:

They also had all these other cool chairs. The kids that came in seemed to fight the most over the fighter jet one, but whatever.

Nick's before shot

He did really well and was mostly distracted so long as he got to steer the wheel on his patrol vehicle. I know the lady looks a bit creepy in this picture, but she was really nice and really fast which in hindsight you have to be with little heads moving like lightning and you're carrying a really sharp object.

His first locks of hair

Nick's after shot

Once he got his little "fohawk," we perused on over to Target where they just happened to have a photography studio. Some readers may scoff at how lightly I use the phrase "photography," but hey, maybe we like paying for overpriced pictures in a familiar photo shoot setting, so back off! Anyway, here's a slideshow with the pictures. You can see the whole album here.

And what trip to Roseville would be complete without a get together with the gang?! Unfortunately, we have no pictures of merit from the event because were having too much fun to stop and shoot! Or we just forgot. The former sounds much better so let's stick with that!

We finished off the trip with a visit to good ol' new AT&T Park to watch the Giants get killed by the Arizona Diamondbacks. I organized the trip and didn't realize how far back our seats were. Granted they were lower level, just lower level last row back about 15 rows under the overhang so that you couldn't even see the big plasma screen with all the cool gimmicky games they run on it throughout the game. Nonetheless, good times, plus, Nick (and Katy) were finally able to go to a Giants game. My cousin Chris and his girlfriend Jen, my folks, and my brother Jon and sister-in-law Natalie were all able to go too. Even though there aren't any pictures of them here, they did go. I was in a bit of a pissy mood that day which I'd like to say was because the Giants were sucking but I'm pretty sure I was just pissy. Because of said pissy mood, I neglected to take but a few pics. So, just imagine them in the shots.

Chris loving up on Jen

Katy and Nick with a sweatshirt courtesy of my dad

Showing off my great mood

Our view of the field from the seats...notice the low overhang and lack of viewable scoreboard

One is not the loneliest number...

2009-09-04T10:35:00.001-07:00

Today our son turns one! Well, he actually does at 1:51pm, but still. It's amazing how fast the time has flown by. We love you buddy! Here's a montage with a picture for each month of his life. Happy birthday Nick!

Month 1: Our little red man!

Month 2: Looking handsome with a little help from Andre

Month 3: Getting ready for Farmer's Market in SLO

Month 4: This shirt still rings true

Month 5: Vegas baby!

Month 6: Zonked in his carrier with a monkey who no longer exists thanks to Lucy

Month 7: Still one of our all-time favorites, enjoying a bouncer

Month 8: Serious friends being serious (Happy belated birthday Sammy!)

Month 9: Happy as a clam watching the tube in a barcalounger

Month 10: Poolside enjoying the sun

Month 11: Freezing cold and crying or so happy he can't breathe?

Month 12: A little mousy influence

Can't wait for the next year Nick!

Travelling Friends and Birthday Fun

2009-08-22T11:29:00.000-07:00

My childhood best friend Adam, seen above with me in high school (don't ask), got into the Army ROTC in college and is currently in the Army National Guard. He serves our country in D.C. but he and his wife Michelle, who coincidentally also went to high school with us, live in Woodbridge, VA. I wish they didn't live so far away but since they do time with them is precious. Both their families live here in California so they were kind enough to pay us a visit on their way up to the bay area from LA.

A little flashback to the past, Adam and I in 1999 on our senior trip to Hawaii

Adam spent a year at Santa Barbara City College while I was at Cal Poly. This was one of our frequent hook-ups for a meal.

Ad and I at my bachelor party. No comment.

And back to the present. Maybe Adam and Nick are kindred spirits as they kept trading off with closing their eyes for pictures.

Adam again.

Nick again.

And Nick halfway, probably the best shot out of 20.

Michelle, Adam, and Nick if you can find him.

It just so happened to be Michelle's birthday on Wednesday so Katy made her a cake. Happy birthday Michelle!

The big 2-8!

Almost There

2009-08-18T17:08:00.001-07:00

Nick is super close to walking. Because of this fact, we wanted to make sure we caught as close to the actual moment on video as we could. Unfortunately, our video camera we bought three years ago crapped out. So, in a spontaneous moment, we purchased a new one, much smaller, but just enough to get the job done. To christen the purchase, here's a video clip of our son laughing. Make sure you watch the whole thing, the end is the best part...trust me. As my buddy Noah put it, try not to smile while watching and listening to this!

Dinneylan!

2009-08-18T16:27:00.000-07:00

If you follow Katy or I on Facebook, you were probably well aware that last week we took Nick to Disneyland, or as my dad likes to call it, "Dinneylan!" My folks did come with us which was a huge blessing in that it allowed us to go on rides together while they watched Nick and vice versa. With two families there it brought a lot of pictures, so I'll try and just include some highlights. First let me say, living in So Cal has its drawbacks, namely all LA sports, but it definitely has its perks too. For example, we got a 3 day park hopper ticket between Disneyland and California Adventure for just $99 when a normal 1 day park hopper is $97! Then, we upgraded to an annual pass for just $45 more dollars. We definitely plan on abusing that annual pass so if you have one too and are itching to get back to the Magic Kingdom, let us know! And for all you moochers, our passes have our pictures on the back so we can't share...sorry! Here's the link to all the pics, separated by days: day 1, day 2, day 3.

Here's the whole family right inside the gate for the classic Mickey flowers pose

My dad absolutely abhors the "It's a Small World" ride. But he indulged us by coming too, much to his chagrin.

Nick, unfortunately or fortunately, you decide, loved the ride. He nursed and just stared at all the crazy animatronic children. Funny how some are still not very politically correct. If you zoom in on the picture, you can see a guy chowing on a corn dog behind us. Classic.

One of the few happy moments on Dumbo...not the best ride to wait for as it doesn't have much shade and quickly makes an 11 month old cranky.

I know this looks like child torture, but I promise you, once Nick gets ahold of a lemon, he won't let go until it is scraped clean...I will get this on video one day.

One thing that can be a bit irritating about Disneyland is all the parades. For some, it may be enjoyable, but when you're trying to hustle over to get a fastpass so you can get back in line again, it becomes tiresome, quickly. One of the parades featured this lovely sign, which is cut off by a flashlight wand by an attendant, but reads, "In Everything You Do, Celebrate You!" Oh Disney. How I wish your land was saved and didn't buy in to what the rest of the world longs to hear but desperately does not need any more self image or reliance inflation.

As in every hotel room bathroom, they discreetly hang the toilet paper rolls under the sink as well as exposing all of the pipes for little crusiers to find. This is just some of the mayhem that Nick got into at the hotel room. To read about the real "crap," click here and read my personal blog and an episode you won't want to miss.

Enjoying Thunder Mountain and posing.

Nick in awe on the Monster's Inc. ride.

A toy I won my family by scoping out the water gun carnival game and taking the average of which gun was the quickest based on the previous five games. Best toy I've ever won for five bucks.

Somehow, back at the hotel, Nick managed to army crawl his way underneath the pack-n-play in an attempt to mess with his stroller. Fortunately, he did not get stuck, and weasled his way backwards and out. Crazy.

This next sequence is of the ride "California Screamin'," a "real" roller coaster in California Adventure that Katy, my dad, and I loved. My mom's not so keen on the "real" coasters and would rather stick to ones where you aren't pressed against your seat and go weightless a few times.

So here we are posing as we get ready to launch. I'm right behind Katy. It was worth the extra two minutes to get in the front car.

Here Katy and my dad are in launch. I apparently got cropped out.

And all of us obviously still enjoying the ride for our "complimentary with a $15 charge" picture. Good times!

Nick wondering why he has to ride a blue fish and not the "real" coaster...or maybe just trying to find out where his parents are who are calling him. On a positive note, he has learned to "hi-five," wave, and clap almost on command now. We're getting him trained real well!

At the beginning of day 3, we immediately saw Goofy with a fairly short line. The previous two days we saw numerous characters but the lines were ridiculous, especially since Nick had no idea who these characters were. But this one was worth it.

Later he got to meet Eeyore too. This time it was a bit sad, in typical Eeyore fashion. There was no worker standing by with Eeyore, and no line for a picture. The donkey was just standing there all by himself. Kinda eerie Eeyore.

And what's Disneyland without some Mickey ears!

More Mickey ears shots and looking a bit mousy too!

Nick getting pretty into the psychedelic Winne the Pooh ride. I guess I will have to drug test him sooner than I thought...

Enjoying the Buzz Lightyear ride and messing up the grandparents score by tugging on that red joystick that sent them into a jet wash...way to go son! Our plan worked!

My mom and I after we got the shaft from my dad. He was supposed to take an awesome picture of us on Thunder Mountain, but as we passed by, we saw him holding and playing with Nick instead. Sell out!

And finally, the three of us in front of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves little grotto...pretty tired I must say, but well worth it!

One Shell of a Beach

2009-08-12T00:47:00.000-07:00

On our way back from houseboating, Nick needed a pit stop. It just so happened we were right next to Shell Beach when he needed one, or we needed one. Depends on who you ask. So we got out, grabbed our sweatshirts (it dropped 30 degrees from Fresno to Shell Beach, 30 degrees!) and camera, and found there were a ton of cool places to put Nick and shoot some pics. And here they are:

Nick and a dino head, trust me, that's what it is. The dinosaur caves are right at Shell Beach.

Nick on a piece of a dino egg shell. We were going to put him in the dino egg, but it was full of sand, and Nick likes to put everything in his mouth. So this was second best.

Nick in yet another swing with a classic look on his face.

Nick on a killer whale

Nick in a tire swing and quite enjoying himself

The fam on a bench after approximately 10 takes. This was as close as we could get to Nick looking at the camera. Stupid seagulls! Speaking of seagulls, what do you call a seagull that lives by the bay? A bagel!

Nick making sure Katy was all zipped up in the cold

Look at me! I'm blind on a bench!

Enjoying the cool ocean breeze blowing through his hair

Getting close to walking on his own

Pismo from afar

A pelican in flight

While I was waiting for a pelican to take off from "Brown's Rock," as we found out it was called, we saw them stretching their necks. Everyone of them did it about every two minutes. The weirdest looking thing, but I guess if you have jowels like that they need to be stretched.

Don't know if it was the same seagull that was distracting Nick earlier, but I took the shot anyway. If only I had my .40 in my pocket...

Houseboating '09

2009-08-11T23:09:00.000-07:00

Every year we get together with some college friends for what I like to call, the houseboating trip. We've been doing this weekend retreat for about 6 summers now, and for the first 3 our friend Stephen Ferguson's father had a houseboat we went on. Well, he has since sold said houseboat, but I'm still holding on the the title for the weekend as: the houseboating trip. This year we went to the Jones/Messer compound in Auberry outside of Fresno for 3 days of hanging. There are way more pictures, but after the first night I conceded picture taking to semi-professional photographer/Chippie behind a desk Justice Jones. Hopefully we'll post the other pictures later, if we get a copy. The weekend was awesome, filled with great conversations, ping pong tourneys, fantastic food, shooting of .40 cals, paintball, and of course, good ol' friends!

Some of the gang hanging out...check Nick out under the table. Yeah, that's where we keep him.

Matt Moore being, well, Matt Moore

Sarah Moore and most of Silas

Cole Ferguson congratulating Seth Moore on finishing his dinner

Cole smiling for the camera as only Cole can do

I love this next sequence of Avery Jones

Kinda sees the camera

Oh, it is a camera and it's pointed at me!

Alright Rob I'll smile!

Seth's head is a bit fuzzy. How could I expect a 3 year old to sit still?

Tyler Wisner making sure I know he didn't do it!

Katy and Nick, both enthralled with Matt's story

Katy and Natalie Wisner trying to keep the boys in the tub at bay

Aforementioned boys in tub, Tyler and Nick

Ok, so the story behind these two hands. Dave Wisner and I were the last two outside after just completing a great poker match. We're shutting out the lights to the outside when I turn around and see this. Two hands, perfectly aligned, almost posing for the camera with newly received engagement ring on top. And zooming out...

John Garrison and his fiancee' Skye. Congrats again guys and way to stay on the right mattress and yet still show your love!

Not quite Buellton, but it'll do

2009-08-11T22:59:00.000-07:00

Last week we spent some time in Fresno with Katy's family. On one of the days we were able to go to a local water park with Katy's mom, her sister Michelle, and Michelle's kids. Surprisingly it wasn't too hot and there were some fun slides as well as a large kids area not too deep for Nick.

Can't you tell Nick is totally psyched for the park?!

Oh yeah this is awesome! My knees are touching!

A little bit of snot if you can tell...

Katy's participating family minus one 14 year old boy crazy niece!

Hitting a slide with cousin Jake

Katy's folks are helping a mom who can't afford housing, and her daughter, Calina, had some baby stuff in the house. Later in the week, after a bath, Nick crawled at Mach 5 into the living room to Calina's baby swing.

Somehow he squeezed in between the post and the swing, pulled himself up, and then down.

All the way to the ground, slowly though I promise!

Nick quickly learning that baby babies are not to be touched and then displaying the classic face known as, "What?"

Playing at the Park

2009-08-11T22:52:00.000-07:00

We have a park right down the road from our house. Nick can't walk yet, but we take him there anyway for cute pictures. Lucy, our beagle, does not like the park. For her it entails being tied to a post while we wander way to far for her liking. One of the downsides to being a dog I guess.

Some early seminary preparation before parking it up!

Getting ready and making sure mom's hair looks beautiful!

Swing, swing, swing

Enjoying dad doing all the work

Lucy not so happy

Ok, this next sequence is up here to show you our failed attempt to allow Nick to slide on his own. Please don't call CPS on us...

Sitting well

Katy catching Nick before the ground does

Attempt #2, not so good

Are you guys kidding me with this???

Jewel Lie

2009-08-11T21:56:00.000-07:00

One of the perks of working as a CHP officer is the time off. I get quite a bit. This whole month in fact. Which begs the question, why has it been since June since we posted? No excuse. But here's our month and as always (in whiny mocking voice) "we'll promise to do better.

We have this blueberry farm right down the road from us, literally five minutes. We've always wanted to go and finally had a reason. Our Sunday school class decided to make a day of it on the 4th of July. Needless to say, Nick ate a lot of blueberries and fortunately his poo did not reflect his level of consumption. Although one child who went on the trip, reportedly did poo blue, but it's not confirmed!

Nick enjoying his bucket

Our friends the Baldizon's (Rebecca, Kevin, and Kade)

Katy not quite done picking

And the whole fam outside of the staging area

Afterward we went to the Najoqui Falls, which at this time of year is apparently a trickle, but a good little hike.

Last year I worked on the 4th but I got it off this year. We made the huge mistake of trying to watch the Pismo Beach fireworks show. Bad idea. Very, very, bad idea. We got to Pismo at ten to 7, I dropped Nick and Katy off near the beach and went on an hour long trek to find parking. I ended up finally finding a spot in Grover Beach (And for you folks well versed in the geographic locations of cities near Pismo I heard your collective sighing), approximately 2.5 miles from Katy and Nick. I also made the mistake of telling Katy I would pick up drinks while looking for parking, so as I walked I found a 7-11 and stood in line for longer than it took me to walk to Pismo from the car. Next year, if we even leave the house, we're parking one car near the beach a week before the 4th, I'm bringing my running shoes to get a workout, parking in Grover Beach again, changing clothes in the previously parked car, and then watching the show. Afterwards, we'll pick up the closer car, drive to the other one, and be phone before you can say, Bazinga!

Nick didn't do too bad with the sound, just the not allowing him to eat sand part upset him!

"Well if I can't eat sand, you're going to have your nose picked mom!"
A nice moment before the show

A bath the next day, as we were in way too late for one that night

And happy once again...it might have something to do with the Chippie gear

The aforementioned Kade turned 1 this month, so, prepare for cute first birthday party pictures:

The birthday boy about to have some cake and eat it too

Nick and Kade and their friend Jude, all a month apart

Luke Detter getting some face time

Jude enjoying a carrot

Jude not so much enjoying the pool

Annie and Finn enjoying a little relaxation time

Aaron and Kevin playing some sling darts

Cosette getting sunscreened up by her dad Ryan

Cosette and Kade wondering why Nick is leaving before full prunage?

Izzy doesn't look like she's enjoying her cupcake very much...

Rachel making Justus crack up

After a fun-filled Saturday party, we took a flight up to Roseville to visit with my dad's side of the family as the Illinois Grindy's were visiting. We were hesitant at first of how Nick would do on the plane, but with some good advice from friends on how to fly with an infant (nurse/feed on take off and landing), it went off with out a hitch. Almost. On the way back to Buellton, Katy started to nurse Nick as we started to take off. Unfortunately, we got delayed and had to wait a few minutes. Nick then finished nursing before the wheels left the ground and thus, as the plane finally took off and climbed, his ears popped and he fussed. This stinky old man directly in front of Katy, who mind you was in the aisle and I was on the other side of the aisle, glared back at me, then lifted his rusty old coke bottle lenses, mad dogged Katy and queried, "Can you keep your kid quiet?!?" I about came unglued. Here's how the rest of the conversation went. Oh, and FYI, SOM is an acronym for Stinky Old Man.

SOM: Can you keep your kid quiet?!?
Me: What more would you like her to do?
SOM: Well if you can't keep him quiet then maybe you shouldn't be on the flight!
Me: Oh really? So infants shouldn't be allowed on planes?
SOM: Not if they can't be silent!
Me: Maybe you should think back to when you had kids, if you did, and remember what that was like!
SOM: I did have kids and now I'm done with 'em! (turns around gruffly)

The conversation was not whispered and both stewardesses heard it loud and clear from their jump seats at either end of the cabin. Later on in the flight, the SOM asked one if he could switch seats to an empty one further up. The stewardess sharply declined. Even later, the SOM asked if he could have ear plugs. The other stewardess quickly related they had none. Gotta love those stewardesses!

Katy and Nick getting ready to board

Nick making sure we're at the right gate
Nick's first plane ride

Happy as can be with a full belly and at 20,000 feet. Oh, and no SOM on this flight!

What plane ride would be complete without a naked dip in pappy's pool afterward!

The next day was a family get together. Most of the time was spent in the pool. Nick is quite the water baby much to my disdain, and chants of H2O polo go on and on in the Bernard household as my father shakes his head in disgust at me. Just kidding, I love swimmers...anyway...moving on.

Nick feeding the dogs some Cheerios

My cousin Anna entertaining Nick, deep breath....

And fart noises!!!

Her father, my uncle, my dad's brother, and my namesake, in disbelief at the level to which she went to with the silliness, either that or making fart noises of his own. I think the latter.

At the end of the month on a random weekday, we met Katy's sister Michelle and her two kids Jake and Brieana at Avila Beach. We randomly ran into the Mason's (their son Jude is up above at Kade's party) which was cool but of all the beaches on the coast and all the area at Avila, how weird to run into someone you know on an odd day of the week! Cool nonetheless.

I buried Jake in the sand up to his head. Good times.

Nick being swung through the waves and loving every minute of it.

Nick and his Aunt Michelle

What month would be complete without one more episode of bath time fun?!?! None I tell you!

After being doused with water, still smiling!

Hmmm, how does this thing work

Heiny cuteness

This boat does not taste like I thought it would

Drying off with dad and the puppy

What smell?

2009-06-24T11:24:00.000-07:00

I have a confession to make. I have been a very bad dog mom since the kiddo was born. The other night I realized that Lucy had not had a bath in months and my nose could tell. So the next day I was determined to correct this but I did not want to give her a bath during nap time because that would be too easy. After nap, the boy and I got everything ready and called Lucy into the room with us where she got a much needed (and much too EASY) washing. We then went outside and played while she dried off and went back inside for another nap. Upon waking up I remembered that I needed to make a phone call so I came out into the family room and set the boy down in front of some toys and picked up the phone. I looked back at my son and he was playing with his soccer ball but I noticed there was something a little different about it. Then this horrible smell filled the room and I figured out that it was POOP on the ball. You see, over the past few days the boy has been a little backed up so we have been giving him nature's laxative, prunes. The fruit had done its job. There was so much poop that it had filled his diaper and came out the legs of his shorts and was all over the carpet and his toys. I was a little bit unsure of how to handle this so I picked up the boy, holding him as far away from my body as possible, and took him to the bath tub fully clothed. After I got the situation under control in trots Lucy all clean and shinny but wait. There was something brown all over her neck. It then hit me that there was still poop all over the floor in the family room. Needless to say, I'm tired. Really, really tired.

We don't swim in your toilet so don't pee in our pool!

2009-06-21T12:01:00.000-07:00

We received a Target gift card a while back from some good friends and had yet to use it until about a week ago. Katy had been meaning to buy a little pool for Nick to play in on those hot days where living on the Central Coast with no air conditioning is not very tolerable, so the Target gift card got used on this:

Needless to say there were a lot of escape attempts as we just filled it up directly out of the hose and put him in it, not letting the sun heat up the water hardly at all. Not much playing. Plus, when mom's trying to take pictures and dad's working, makes it even harder to keep the little bugger in there.

Escape attempt #1. Result: foiled.

Escape attempt #2. Result: foiled again.

Escape attempt #3. Result: foiled thrice. Realized resistance was futile.

Subjected himself to some light splashing

What long day in a cold pool would be complete without a ride in a convertible to dry your hair?

And since Nick felt tormented by his first baby pool experience, he felt the need to do the same to Lucy

The second go around went a lot smoother. Warm water, and not just from Nick's pee, two parents. We had this thing dialed in!

Let's go mom, hurry up!

Oooh, it's warmer this time!

Pool's are cool!

You'll never guess what I'm doing right now...

Yup, I know you didn't think I would, but I did...twice!

Splashing is fun

Our favorite pic of the day

Holy Moses this thing spits!

I swear I'm trying to keep the hose from leaking not spray Nick with more water...swear.

Is this halibut or mahi-mahi? Whatever it is, its good!

The reward for playing so well in the pool...an apple with dad. Exhilarating.

Fulfilling an Ordinance

2009-06-14T22:47:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday Katy and I attended a membership class at our church, Grace Baptist of Santa Maria. While there, we discussed the importance of fulfilling the ordinances of the church described in Scripture, communion and baptism. Thinking we were both good for both ordinances, I thought nothing of it and was ready to proceed, as I'd been baptized at Cornerstone in Semi Valley in 2003 and Katy had been baptized by her dad when she was 12. Apparently, Katy got convicted. She realized that her faith was not her own and fairly superficial when she professed her faith publicly in 1994. Knowing the need, not for her own salvation but out of a desire to be obedient due to her love for Christ, she immediately knew that she needed to be re-baptized, this time as a definite believer. Not wanting to hurt her dad due to the special bond they had from the event in 1994, was her only hesitation, so after calling him to let him know of her decision, she had a completely clean conscience and tonight at a little after 6:00pm she was baptized! The pastor in the pictures is our senior pastor Duane Johnson, an awesome lover of the Lord. Thanks for the prayers for those who knew what was transpiring and thanks for the post prayers for those who now know!

Being led by Pastor Duane into the baptistery

Introduction

Just a quirky shot

Giving her testimony

Affirming her faith in Christ

Getting ready for the dunking, er, full immersion

Dead with Christ and raised again! And not looking at the camera while soaking wet...

Nick with his newly baptized and soaked momma!

A little improvisation...

2009-06-13T23:33:00.000-07:00

Tonight we had a BBQ/Going Away Party for two families in our church, the Gilman's and the Detter's. The Gilman's are being transferred to Georgia where Derek has been reassigned and the Detter's are moving to San Antonio where Jared will be taking a job as a psychologist with the San Antonio Police Department. If I had my way, we'd have one psychologist for every peace officer. Then our state budget would be in even deeper dog doo. I digress. It was also a cool way to get together and thank another family in our church, the Youngbloods, who have faithfully served as our Sunday school leaders for a long time. Eons in fact. Right after Jesus died. We all broke out our best summer recipes, and by we, I mean people who actually can cook, like my wife, definitely not me or I, along with everyone else in attendance, would still be perched over a porcelain necessity in every household for the next three hours, that's including the previous four hours that have passed since we left the church. I digress again. Thesis: it was fun. Since you either were there and missed the conversation photographed or weren't there and don't give a Moses (that's the word Katy wants me to insert instead of crap. I think it only works with "Holy Moses!" instead of "Holy Crap!" which is an interesting phrase in itself to dwell on. I digress thrice), I'll give you some improvisation because it's late and I'd like to.

"Phew! That chipotle sausage is giving me the meat sweats! Good thing I have my trusty blue raspberry Kool-Aid!"

"C'mon in! It really is church and not a jail, I swear! They do make you like the Dodgers to join though..."

"Real good Mr. Baldizon, I was just giving Mr. Grindy my best 'pensive' look for the shoot!"

"I'm pretty sure I'm the queen of the BBQ in this high chair."

No comment.

"Good thing the heroes are here since we have all this smoke!"

"Hey Rob, the Dodgers are still awesome!"

"Being a baby is the best!"

"Katy is the most meticulous chewer I have ever seen!"

"I'm good Dad, I'm good! No need for a safety net composed of your hands!"

"I know you all think my Dad is holding me up here...but you'll see!"

"Told you! Suckas!"

And now, a slide sequence

Top

Middle

Bottom

One creepy grinning father, almost evil looking. *shudder*

And finally, sheer joy.

It took 9 months, but we finally did it!

2009-06-12T22:32:00.000-07:00

So we've lived on the central coast now for almost a year and a half. I think total, we've been to the beach 3 times since living here. We went more when we didn't live on the coast than we do now. We finally took Nick over to the beach, even though we forgot his, as Katy calls it, "cute beach clothes," we did it anyway since we were in Pismo for the evening. Once we got out to the surf it was a beautiful sky and we figured we take a few with Nick and the clouds in the background. After shooting 4 pictures we took him down to the surf to take a few shots there without getting our camera wet, only to have the infamous "replace battery" sign pop up on our screen. In any event, here's Nick on his first visit to the beach, but I promise, even though there is no sand, water, or anything resembling a beach in the shot, he's there.

9 months!!!

2009-06-12T22:29:00.001-07:00

Nick turned 9 months old on the 4th of this month! To celebrate, we thought we'd give him his favorite meal...prunes. Here he is showing his gratitude.

Lovely I know.

Here we go...5 months in a post

2009-06-11T17:51:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, we've been without Internet for about 4 months and have been delaying writing, knowing it would be a doozy, for the last month. Why didn't we have Internet, you might ask? Because comcast is evil. How did we get internet back, you might ask? Because Comcast is evil. I'll try and limit the pictures, but I just did a quick count and we have approximately 1228 pictures or a little over 3 GB of pictures, so I'll do my best. If you want the whole scoop, go to our Picasa site and view them. It took me almost a day to upload everything after editing. Disclaimer - this is extremely lengthy so make sure you have the time. So, without further ado, here we go:

FEBRUARY

Toward the end of the month, Katy's Grandma, Shirley Snelling, died and gloriously went to heaven to be with Christ. I guarantee there will be a post coming about this. Katy even wrote out what she wanted to say already and saved it for when we got back online. I had to work the weekend of the funeral, but Katy took Nick with her and tagged along with her family for the 12 hour trek up to Oregon. Katy will tell you more about the family, but essentially it's 3 full families: The Snelling's, Schultz's, and Bernards, in fact, here they are now!

Here's Nick being held by his first cousin once removed Lauren

Nick, Jake, and Brieana, our niece and nephew

Katy's brother Brian and her cousin Zach holding Nick. No, I definitely did not authorize the holding of my son by a firefighter...but if I was to allow it I guess Zach would qualify... somewhat.

Katy's Grandma from a scan of her program...we'll miss you!

Not much else really for the month, but then again, how can you top remembering a great lover of our Lord?

I started playing volleyball with a bunch of friends from church, and of course, Nick "dug" it.

He learned to stand on his own, on a very concave surface (my blubber)

Became more productive with his hands

And attempted to get closer to Lucy, but to no avail, in fact boring her.

That concludes the month of love, now, bring on the leprechauns.

MARCH

It was pretty busy in March for us. A lot of visits/visitors, milestones for Nick, etc. A fairly scary thing happened somewhere in between all the madness. One night I was working swing shift and a fatality happened in our area that closely involved me, but that's a story for my blog. Once arriving home, almost 12 hours after I was supposed to be off, I find my wife in the fetal position on the floor of our bedroom, writhing in pain. Turns out she had a kidney stone. Katy will admit, that it was worse than labor. Part of that pain may have been due to the fact that she didn't know what was causing it at first. So, needless to say, it was a long day for all of us but she got it zapped a few weeks later after being on pain medication and formula feeding Nick for awhile, and is ok. No more Vitamin Water for Katy! Let's get into the rest of the month.

Our friends the Pickards, Tim and Nicole, visited our abode with their four kids. Their youngest, Makaylee, is about a month younger than Nick. Wait. Do you hear that? Is that....? I think....yup, I do....I hear wedding bells!?!

The Pickards oldest daughter, Caitlin, was really sick, but their other two, Grace and Carson, had a blast beating the poo out of each other on the Wii boxing.

Then, Nick turned 6 months...and pooped an awful poop...

And got his first taste of real food...oatmeal...so not really, just some breast milk and mush.

And pooped again, but this time with more sustenance.

He was much more excited when he got peas. Really.

But this time there was green poop (you'll have to visualize a tiny toosh covered in green poo)

We then made a trip up to Roseville to visit the family, and by family, I mean fayhmahleigh, as in a lot.

My parents got a hang on the door bouncer, which Nick loved. This is probably my all time favorite picture.

We set him up in this really old toddler rocker that my Nana, my mom's mom, had when she was a baby and has pictures in. All of the grand kids at about the same age have been photographed in it, and Nick was no exception.

While distracted by family shenanigans, Nick actually fell out (with no injuries mind you!) when we all weren't watching. Good thing it was only about 6 inches! Obviously I still have a lot to learn about parenting since, as you can see, those are my hairy feet clothed in black sandals standing over Nick as he lies spread eagle on the grass!

My cousin Juliana is a photography student in New York and had this sweet old time camera she set up to take pictures of Nick. They're here on her blog, and no, its not the camera she's holding here. Her blog is definitely an interesting read and I encourage you to do so.

What trip to Grandma's (or Noni in this case) would be complete without a sink bath!

My other grandparents stopped by my folks house for a visit and Nick loved his great-grandpa's silvery white mane...good thing because mine is headed that way and quick!

Before we left, we were fortunate enough for my childhood best friend Adam and his wife Michelle to stop by for a visit and announce their first pregnancy. Michelle took holding a baby up pretty easily and should be a natch!

As the month drew to a close, Lucy and Nick began tolerating each other a bit more, even posing for a pic before bed.

APRIL

Entering in to month 7 of Nick's life, we thought we were starting to figure out this whole parenting thing. Oh how wrong we were. With solid foods came more solid poop. With rolling over came tangling oneself into new objects. Which leads me to a fairly embarrassing moment as a new father. On the day in question, Nick was posing for a few cute photos before I had to leave for a swing shift. He had recently learned to crawl backwards, kicking his legs out behind him and going back onto all fours. This afternoon, he backcrawled all the way to our entertainment center and no further as he ran out of room. Me being the all careful father that I am, pulled him away from said media console by his left arm and his left arm only. Little did I know, his heels had gone under "the unit" and did not bend as I assisted him forward. They in fact hindered his ability to freely act as a sack of potatoes being drug along the floor. After a quick yelp, he carried on as if nothing had happened. Shortly after, I left for work while Katy and Nick stayed at the house. I received a call from Katy later in the day, informing me that Nick kept screaming whenever she touched his left arm. I, again being the nurturing parent that I am, told her to wait an hour and see if he was still being a baby. An hour later I received the same call and we decided to take Nick to the hospital, only to find out his left elbow had been dislocated. While awaiting the call from CPS to haul me off to "county" while still in full CHP road uniform, Katy related the doctor merely ran his hands along Nick's arm, found the sore spot, and just popped it right back into place in one quick half-second motion. Ever since, Nick has been unable to use his left arm and may have to have an amputation. Not really, but that's what I thought would happen while spending my days in the state pen. So here he is, moment's before the traumatic experience, showing off his baby blue eyes.

Shortly after becoming semi-mobile, Nick discovered shoes. First his own, as is evidenced here, then others which had been worn on the actual ground. No pictures of that yet because it's gross.

April is the month Nick learned to crawl. About two weeks before, he learned to pop up onto his toes.

Before crawling, we celebrated Easter, the day to remember our Lord Jesus' resurrection from the dead. Since I had to work that weekend, we were invited over to our friends the Balidizon's parents, the Jones', for Easter lunch, along with a few other families we've come to know. It must be prefaced that we're a part of a Sunday School class that seems to provide most of the new membership through birthing. It enables us all to relate in a way necessary for sanity. Nick and his buddy Kade Baldizon, frequently chill, and as Nick went to his toes better than he could sit up without support, Kade felt the need to lend a hand.

Two other kiddos, Luke and Kaley, with Nick and Kade. Turned out to be a beautiful Easter Sunday.

Easter night I had to leave for a two week training in Riverside to become what's called a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE), enabling me to more properly identify and determine the influence of certain drugs on individuals and thus testify in court as an expert witness. In between the two weeks I came home for a whirlwind visit with our friends Andrew, Jessica, and Sammy Davidson.

Right after coming home, Nick was actually wearing a hat. Normally he takes whatever is on his head off, and commences to gum it to death. But, he tolerated it at least long enough to snap a few pics.

Nick and Sammy got a long really well, but I'll admit, Nick was a bit of a bully, pushing Sammy a few times and stealing his pacifier right out of Sammy's mouth and placing it in his own. Here's a picture of them playing (or laying, whatever) nicely.

Here we all are right before taking off for church. Nick already started his worship!

Again, Sunday I had to go back to Riverside, but this time, Katy and Nick came with me and we made a pit stop in Simi Valley to see our old college friends the Moore's, Beuving's, Susan, and Alison. Nick loved Alison, especially her hair, and I hear they have similar eye color? I don't know, you be the judge.

Katy, Nick, Sarah Moore, Seth Moore, Alison, and (not pictured) Silas Moore.

While staying in...uh...beautiful Riverside, we were able to take advantage of the hotel pool and give Nick his first swim.

Nick and I post dip, tolerating a hat, and showing his dire need for a tan.

While staying in the Riverside Hilton, Nick learned to crawl!!! Way to go son!!!

Yeah, no pictures or video. I guess we were too excited to take any and our video camera crapped out on us. Next topic!

My roomate from the academy, Jason, and his wife Tina, had their second son, Christian, during the first week I was there. Katy, Nick and I went for a visit and hung out with them and their first son Nathan. Good times, as you can tell from Nathan's expression.

Katy and Nick at the Grahams.

And finally, after what seemed like a never ending month of travel and visiting, I had to perform a bunch of certifications for the DRE program, travelling to good ol' armpit of the Golden State Bakersfield. Fortuantely, my sergeant let me drive to and from Bako in a patrol vehicle, which led to a cool photo shoot with Katy and Nick.

Hagning out with Officer Dad

Learning how to conquer EVOC

MAY

For some reason, I received a lot of training in a two month time span. In May, that included a week in San Mateo which seemed like a vacation if I'm being honest. We were able to check out a lot of San Francisco, spend time with my cousin and his girlfriend, and even catch an A's game.

Nick showing where his true heart lies.

Not too sure what all these people are doing watching guys on grass.

Glad it's almost over

Nick definitely picked up the whole enamored with oneself in a mirror thing from me...yes I can be a bit vain, so I've been told. Here he is in the hotel mirror, privates covered. Sorry pedophiles.

The family attempting to look fascinated by the majesty of God's creation...Nick didn't really cooperate.

Both of us, ok all three of us but Nick didn't look, he slept, had never seen the backside or butt of the Golden Gate. Very pretty even in this amateur picture.

After cruising around Presidio, we were able to meet my cousin Chris and his girlfriend Jen for dinner. Chris really took to Nick which was cool to see, and was adamant about holding him upside down for a picture. Jen, however, got the short end of the stick as it put her womanly parts right in reach of Nick's ever-reaching hand. Glad she had a good sense of humor about it. Nick obviously saw nothing wrong with the social awkwardness.

After our week in San Mateo, we stopped by my folks' house for a day and night and got some pool time in. Nick must be getting better with his hats and loved to be thrown, or maybe I loved to throw him, either way it was fun.

Katy was ecstatic that her son was loving the water, I'm not so sure he was. Only time will tell.

Once back home, laundry needed to be done, so of course what better way to watch a crawling baby than to place him right in one's work!

And relaxing on a lazy Sunday, just watching some tv, or maybe just eating the remote.

What weekend would be complete without a little tormenting of the family pet?! Lucy hasn't really come to grips with the fact that Nick is mobile yet. Fortunately his hands and/or face hasn't paid the penalty for it.

Nick also got his first teeth finally, just shy of 9 months. In this pic you can see the bottom right one already through, and the bottom left one breaking the gum surface. Katy had to rub her head into his tummy like 10 times in order to get him to open his mouth wide enough for the shot.

Hanging out in the backyard

And we bought a house! Or townhome! Or condo! Whatever, it's a home! So here's our piece of dirt. I'm sure there'll be more thoughts and pictures about this to come, but the jist is that it is off the 246 in Buellton, about a mile from where we live now. Super excited and it should be done sometime in October!

And finally, learning to walk and not too happy about it. This thing holding him up may seem like we're being lazy parents and all you veterans are thinking, "Part of the joy in seeing them walk is knowing your back pain will subside," well whatever. This thing is awesome and everyone should spend the $10 to get it!

So that's us. Now we're up to date. Sorry for the length, and we'll try to be better now that we don't have an excuse!

WE GOT INTERNET TODAY!!!

2009-05-18T18:35:00.000-07:00

Stay tuned for lots of posting

Sunset and a Friend

2009-02-18T17:20:00.000-08:00

The other day we were able to have our friends the Baldizon's over for dinner. Rebecca and Kevin have a son, Kade, who is about 6 weeks older than Nick. We met this sweet family at our new church, Grace Baptist of Santa Maria, and have deeply enjoyed their fellowship, befriending, and conversation. In any event, before they came over there was a sweet sunset happening in front of our house over the hills, so I snapped a few quick shots before I went out and got a pizza, standard Grindy household procedure. When I got home with the pie, the Baldizon's were there and we thought it would be a good opportunity to stage a photo shoot. So Kevin and I each held our sons and tried to pose them, but they ended up more interested in each other than listening to their moms.

I like this one with no flash and the boys just kind of silhouetted in the light, staring at eachother

Nick was definitely jealous of Kade's cargo sweats as opposed to his grandpa pants

As you can tell, they may only be 6 weeks apart, but Kade is years ahead of Nick in hair!

Wondering how long this was gonna take and who would blink first

Clean-up on Aisle 5

2009-02-14T20:02:00.000-08:00

Nick loves to be held upside down. He'll arch his back, giggle, and smile like crazy. He'll let me do it as often as I can without pulling a tricep muscle. I made a mistake recently. I decidedly chose to hold him in said manner...just after he had consumed a large dinner. My mistake not only lay with my timing, but also in having my mouth slightly ajar. As I'm sure you have figured out, oh wise ones, I also tasted Nick's dinner. I then did what any desperate father in this situation would do, I called for my wife to please bring me a burp cloth. She eventually did bring me a burp cloth, but only after snapping a quick photo. You may have to click on the photo to see where the puke landed.

Of course, being covered in baby puke calls for a bath. Nick's growing so big that it's a task and a half to keep him in his little tub. Sometimes it's easier just for me to get in the bath with him. So here we are, hanging out just like me and my dad did. Katy was (mostly) careful in being discreet about my nudity, but some pictures did have to be deleted!

This time I wasn't afraid of projectile vomiting!

A bit of a hairdo

Vegas baby!

2009-01-29T23:20:00.000-08:00

Last week my schedule opened up due to some new guys training and an overflow of officers on graveyards, so I was able to take Katy and Nick on a surprise trip to Las Vegas for an Annivegasry or Annevadaversary if you will. Katy figured out where we were going once we went east of I-5 and she realized there was only one thing out there in the desert. Still, she was super excited and it made the anticipation of my last 3 weeks of planning all worth it. I'm not one for keeping secrets. We stayed at the Paris, since I probably won't get to take Katy to the snobby European one for another 20 years, at least it had the same name! Fortunately, we only lost around $200 to the casinos but definitely made that back in the amount of food we ate at the buffets (much to my waistline's chagrin)! Here's a tip though. At an adult location like Vegas, a 4 month old who needs routine 2 hour naps every 3 1/2 hours does not bode well. But, when one young boy's stomach only feeds on breast milk, and one young mother's bosom can't pump out a week's worth of said milk in a moments notice, he comes along for the ride.

In a nutshell, here was our week: late night drive, early morning stuffing of faces, walk a mile to see lions sleeping, picture taking, more eating, watch fountains to music, lose money, drive to Hoover dam, look at the Bodies exhibit of cadavers, see pieces from the actual Titanic, walk by lots of illegals handing out flyers for hookers, more fountain gazing, more stuffing of faces, more walking, ride to the top of the Eifel tower, lose more money, you get the idea.

Since neither Katy or I had been to Vegas since our pre-teen days, it was a lot of fun seeing how much more stuff there was to do, especially since we pretty much couldn't do a thing back then due to our age. We would've liked to have gone to one of the shows, preferably Cirque de Soleil but it probably wouldn't have been a good idea to bring a baby in to a $100 a ticket show and as for child care, well that would have worked if we wanted to pay some lady $180 minimum to watch Nick for 4 hours. We'll pass.

I will bore you with one story before I show the pictures. While watching fountains rise and fall to Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On," Katy observed a few ducks in the surrounding pond/water area. Here's how the line of questioning went:

K: How do you think these ducks got here?
R: They flew Kates. How do you think they got here?
K: I don't know, maybe imported?
R: Right, someone just crated some poor ducks and hauled them to Vegas.
K: It could happen. How are you so sure they flew?
R: First of all, logic, they can fly.
K: No they can't (with a hint of sarcasm herself)
R: Second of all, I saw one flying while we were at Hoover dam.
K: How do you know it was a duck?
R: What do you mean how do I know it was a duck? The same way I know these birds in front of us are ducks?
K: Yeah, but you don't know for sure, I mean how do you really know these are ducks?
(Let me pause and say that I can't believe she set me up to say a great line that I never thought I'd actually get to say about ducks, so here it comes...are you ready? do you know the line too???)
R: Well, if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck.

Anyway, here are a few pictures of the week. Go to our Picasa site for all of them.

Nick enjoying the new hotel room and going on about 3 hours of sleep at 2am when we got there.

Rob and Nick doing what we do best while in Vegas...watching in room TV. Nick has some hair growing to do!

The Eifel Tower, Vegas style

Empire State Building at New York, New York

Statue of Liberty at New York, New York with Excaliber in the background

On Wednesday we had a beautiful sky, this is right outside our hotel before leaving for Hoover Dam. It ended up not raining until halfway through Thursday, and then only misting really.

Mead Lake, created by the creation of Hoover Dam

Katy and Nick on the edge of the Hoover Dam with the new bridge on the left being built for the freeway overpass and the visitor center on the right.

We got some cooky Brit who was also carrying a Nikon to shoot this for us.

Through the Hoover Dam looking glass

And here it is, where Pierce Brosnan took that famous flying leap in GoldenEye, or whatever James Bond film it was. Also known as Hoover Dam

Mead Lake from the other side of the dam.

Nick and Katy enjoying a laugh, probably at my expense

Or perhaps they were laughing at me pretending this dam builder was pooping on my head

Us after the Bodies and Titanic exhibit still trying to calm Nick down

Nick and I enjoying some guerilla time at Rainforest Cafe in MGM

Ahhh the fountains at Bellagio

On the way home we stopped by my roomate from the Academy, Jason Graham, and his wife Tina's house in Victorville. Jason works as a Chippie in Riverside. Their son Nathan snuck in this shot with Jason and Nick

Five years and Sixty-five to go!

2009-01-24T20:56:00.000-08:00

On this day 5 years ago I married my best friend and the most beautiful woman in the world, Kathryn Ann Bernard. Since it is a bit of a milestone, I felt it merited a blog post since I have been absent from the blogosphere. Each of these pictures holds within it a story from our past I'd like to divulge and show the personality traits that help me fall more in love with my bride with everyday that passes. And, like most of my significant posts, this will be rather lengthy.

Content. Let's start with the above shot of our rings. My wife loves me in spite of the fact on Christmas morning, while in the shower, the ring I spent two months of my paycheck on failed her. Two of the prongs were chipped and the diamond popped out and went down our shower drain which did not contain a trap. Gone, after 5 years, was the diamond I asked her to marry me with. And she felt bad. She didn't need to, but did, when the real culprit was me for not purchasing a steadfast setting. Reason being she's never been one to ever care about our economical state, even with almost nothing. So missing her diamond, while tormenting to me, she thinks nothing of it except for taking the blame and feeling bad for me.

Resiliance. This picture was taken at the top of a hill containing a large "P" right above Cal Poly, my alma matter. For those who know Katy, you'll know some of her least favorite things are excercise out of the water. Yet here she is hiking to the top of a steep incline for me because I wanted to. Now this was about 6 months into our dating relationship, and about another month later we hiked up a peak called Bishop's. I have no idea how high it actually is, but the hike itself is around two miles long. The morning before we went by a bagel shop for a quick bite before hiking and she happened to have a sundried tomato bagel with strawberry cream cheese. The afternoon happened to be a warm one for San Luis Obispo, and lets just say when Katy got to the top of Bishop's she was so excited to be at the summit she could no longer contain her breakfast...and yet hiked down with a smile on her face!

Clothing Taste. While these engagement pictures turned out well, the shopping before hand did not. One thing about my wife is she takes care of how I look. So after 4 hours at Gap the afternoon of, we came out with these complimentary sweaters.

Flame Retardant. On this grand day, our major malfunction took place during the lighting of our unity candle. As many weddings do, we had our mothers light the candles from which we would together light the center candle. After we lifted the side candles, lit the center one, and placed the side ones back down we turned around to do communion with our friend John Garrison who officiated our wedding. While we were taking communion, we didn't realize Katy's veil was directly next to one of the side candles and proceeded to catch on fire! Fortunately, only a small hole burned through the veil and Katy's hair containing 10 cans of hairspray did not! What a trooper!

Patience. We enjoyed a beautiful trip to Kauai for our honeymoon. While there we were able to go on a killer horseback riding trip through the fields above the beaches, just the two of us and our guide. Let the record show, I'm not the equestrian guru you all think me to be. Katy however, definitely is. For an extended period of time we were able to get the horses in a full on gallop for a good mile and Katy was extremely polite, complimenting my riding ability or lack thereof, calmly explaining how to get the horse up to speed. Even keeping her comments to herself as my horse took a huge dump right in front of hers.

Resourceful. While this is not the correct wedding, taken at the Ferguson's wedding about a month before ours, it did remind me of another of the million weddings we have been to, the Davis'. I know you're sitting on the edge of your seat to hear this, so here it is. We lived in Sacramento at the time and traveled down to SLO for the wedding in a whirlwind day trip. For the wedding, Katy was going to wear a dress that required a strapless bra. In our haste Katy left said undergarment in Sac. In order to wear said dress Katy allowed me to MacGyver her dress with a couple of hairpins hiding her standard bra. I'm sure if I had duct tape she would have allowed me to use it as well!

Sense of humor. Contrary to what her face expresses in this picture, Katy found my impression of an elk quite humorous. Let it also be noted that she absolutely hates this shirt I'm wearing in this shot, yet chuckles to herself and shakes her head everytime I wear it. And yes I do still agree with Jimmy!

Empathy. While at the CHP academy I was put through physical hell, lost 30 pounds, and became more toned then I can remember being. Hopefully the loss of weight can be seen in my face through this picture taken at my end of the academy party. You'll also notice how amazing Katy looks. Everyday while I was at the academy doing physical training, Katy was at home doing a similar routine from a preparation video. As much as she hated it, she put herself through a similar pain, without the screaming PT instructors, because I was going through pain. I only wish I could have extended her the same courtesy during her labor with Nick, which I tried to do by watching his circumcision, but we all know how that turned out, and if you didn't, read our labor story.

Understanding. One thing about the CHP, as with any job, is it can definitely take you away from your family in more ways than one. While at the academy I never once heard Katy complain about me being gone for so long and not spending time at home, but I still knew from her face that she missed me. Once on the job, things will come up at the last minute keeping me from coming home on time, and all I ever hear from her is, "Ok, I love you and be safe." So many guys on the job are going through divorces because their wives don't get what they do. I feel so blessed to have a wife who not only gets my job but fully supports me in it and loves that I love what I do.

Mobile. When we were assigned Santa Barbara Katy was nothing but willing to pick up and move from the friends she loves, a house she enjoyed, and a wonderful church family, to wherever the CHP called us. This mobility might have something to do with where we now reside on the central coast, but nonetheless...mobile.

Beautiful. I never thought there was any truth to the whole "glowing" conspiracy associated with pregnancy, but as this picture shows just a month after we found out we were going to have a baby, there is truth in it. While pregnant I've never been more attracted to my wife as I'm sure is true with other marriages. Not to mention my wife's beauty continues to increase the longer I know her as these characteristics become more apparent!

Appetite. When the stereotypical dating relationship begins the woman will order a salad and water. Not Katy. I think on our first date she had peanuts, rolls, chicken, shrimp, desert, popcorn, mike and ike's, and cheese fries. Oh, and she's always down for a BJ's pazookie. This girl can eat! And it only multiplied exponentially when she got pregnant. Now I love food, but Katy LOVES food! If only she could pass on her metabolism too...maybe Barak can fix that as well while he's messing with stem cells.

Sleep. I married a woman who loves to get her shut-eye. Some of our best Saturdays before I was working for the state were spent with the first 1/2 of the day lying around the house as long as we could. We definitely don't get those types of Saturdays, or any days for that matter, any more, especially once the kiddo came along, as can be seen by our state of exhaustedness while visiting in Sacramento.

Courage. Going through labor. Need I say more?

Faith. Katy's faith in Christ that His hands were on her throughout our attempts at having a child and the entire pregnancy process is something I strive towards everyday. This has always been evident since the first moment I heard her testimony at our college group. She went from being a athletic collegiate prospect to losing almost all control of her motor skills both voluntary and involuntary and turning not away from Christ but towards him, makes her my hero. As soppy as it sounds, it's something I don't joke about and is entirely true.

Compassion. I used to think Katy was compassionate until I saw her interact with Nick and it reached a whole new level I never thought possible. Nothing compares to a new mother's love and I love watching Katy love on Nick.

Love. While this shot was at my last birthday the point of this hundredth paragraph is this. Since Katy got sick in high school with spinal meningitis and encephalitis writing has been difficult for her to say the least. What takes us a second or two to sign our names takes Katy a good 15-20 seconds. That being said, every major event, birthday, anniversary, valentine's, etc., Katy always gets me a card and always has a very well thought out, heart felt, written section that I know took at least 10 minutes. She does this not out because she's required to but because of her love for me. And I love her for it, everytime.

Girly-girl. There are a few things Katy does that could be considered a bit tom-boyish. For example, high volume audible bodily functions, appetite, gun shooting, etc. But even with a slight tom-boy tendency, Katy is still, and always will be, very much a girl-girl. This Christmas season we were able to attend my office's CHP party and dress up. Katy sparkles when she's able to get her hair done, dress up, and go out like "real" adults. Which of course, makes me get my hair done, dress up, do my makeup, the whole nine. I guess it's tolerable once in a while!

Love for Christ. When it all boils down, the thing I love most about Katy is her belief, trust, and love of Christ and His works. While on our recent Annivegasry, Katy asked me what my first memory of her was. Easily recalled, Katy was giving her testimony to our college group and while not the most comfortable at public speaking, she told of how she became a Christian to around 200 people not because she was proud of it, but because she hoped her story would help someone else come to know Christ. While visiting the Hoover dam we stared in awe and wonder at this massive work of the Department of the Interior, amazed at how quickly it was completed and how well it worked. While I pointed out man's wondrous creation, Katy calmly stated, "Look at how God gifted these men and the canyon He created perfectly for it."

I love this woman now more than ever and will for all of my days. I hope you all enjoyed the lengthy description of how and why I continue to fall in love with my bride Katy. Thanks for sticking around to the end!

And thank you Kates for the past 5 years of marriage, 6 years and 2 months of being with you, our puppy, our home, our son, and our life together. I love you with all my heart and soul.

Love always, Robert Andrew

Too Long!

2009-01-08T11:26:00.000-08:00

I have been telling myself that since Rob has his degree in English he should be the one to post because my writing pales in comparison. However, every chance he has I seem to find something else for him to do (i.e. hold the baby). So now I'm taking the responsibility on my shoulders. Just a heads up my posts will not be as long or interesting as my wonderful husband's but I will try not to bore you by adding pictures from time to time.

The last time you heard from us was right before Thanksgiving. For Nick's first big holiday event my family came to stay with us for a few days and Rob and I were able to go out on a date for the first time in over 3 months. Being a new mom it slipped my mind to take pictures on Thanksgiving day so all of the shots are of the next few days.

so here is our son on the changing table, for some reason we have come to find that this is were he is the happiest.

CUTIE!!

At the beginning of December Rob had his office Christmas party so his Mom made the long trek from Sac to stay with our little boy for the evening. It was a fun night, everyone who came was put in a raffle for a new TV and blue ray player and a bunch of other fun prizes, of which we won a night of wine tasting!?!? Perfect for the one person there who was breastfeeding.

Nick's first Christmas tree experience.

Next was Christmas with my family in good old Fresno where Nick got to ride his first horse.

And the cousin's where able to get together and have their picture taken (thanks uncle Rob) for Grandma to keep on her wall.

Just a week later Nick's first Christmas was upon us and we found our home full with Grindy's. Pappy, Noni, uncle Jon, aunt Natalie, Dada, Mama, and the little boy. On Christmas eve we were asked to light the Christmas candle at church so Nick was able to show the whole congregation just how much he loves the baby Jesus. Or maybe it was just his Mom and Dad hoping.

Noni and Pappy getting in a little love before bed.

Uncle Jon, Aunt Natalie, and the dogs getting in some love before church (doesn't Jon hold him like a pro?)

This is Nick's other favorite thing to do lately, look upside down.

Jealous dogs!

It was a wonderful day to celebrate our saviors birth! (over 50% of the gifts ended up being for the newest member of the Grindy clan.)

We were able to see our friends the Wisner's after Christmas. Their son, Tyler, and Nick are going to be best friends (even if they don't know it!)

So that bring us to or first son's four month birthday. I can't believe it! He weighs 15 pounds 3 ounces and is 24 1/2 inches long. We had a good time of Q & A with the doc (much to Rob's chagrin), then the time came where they stuck him for his immunizations and made Mama lose her mind along with a bunch of hair. However, the doc did say that he was the best baby boy in the world!! (JK) We'll try our best not to let it go so long, the way it's going though we'll only be posting about 12 times a year! Some day we'll learn to balance this parenting thing and the rest of life!

Good ol' ribs

2008-11-21T15:44:00.001-08:00

One thing Katy and I miss horribly about living in San Luis Obispo is the world famous weekly Thursday night Farmer's Market. Ok, maybe not world famous, but pretty famous, at least in SLO. They always have great local produce, great local food, and great local crazies. I didn't have to work yesterday so we made a day out of it. A costco trip for some juice and diapers, three poopy changes, two feedings, and a great evening. We usually eat at the last vendor on the west end of the market, this local bbq joint with Santa Maria style beef ribs. You don't get beef ribs very often and so its always a treat. And the seasoning they put on these ribs is amazing! Granted, in her usual style, Katy did not eat the ribs but instead enjoyed a nice pulled pork sandwich on grilled garlic sourdough bread. For some reason, she likes to buck the system. For instance, whenever we go to a renowned steak house she'll always order chicken, even though she likes steak. I guess if we went to a chicken house she'd probably order steak there. Sorry, I digress. The thing about Santa Maria style is that it's done on an open wood fire and usually involves little to no bbq sauce, just seasoning, fire, and smoke. We ate on a curb next to this reggae band that apparently had done a marching band style parade down the street before attempting to be as Jamaican as possible while actually whiter than ghosts and all in their mid-60's. They had a few girls and guys dancing in front of them with their hula hoops as a sort of hoola hoop group troupe with glow sticks around the hoops, costumes, the whole nine. We also got to dress Nick up a little warmer with a sweet hat my mom got us from Gap, and his killer Vans, which are not featured in the pictures below. Hopefully I get Thursday's off more as I love this tradition that may have developed.

The boy wondering why he has a hat on in a 70 degree house

Posed by dad

Katy after enjoying her pulled pork...or was it spiked pork? Or maybe it's the Reggae band?

Rob and a snuggled up Nick...I promise he can breathe!

A month in a post

2008-11-19T15:43:00.000-08:00

Wow, life sure does get busy fast. In the last month we had visits from both parents, 3 friends, a birthday, Halloween, a sucky election (other than prop 8) and Nick is 11 weeks old tomorrow. This would take up about 12 posts at least, so I decided to have a variety show of sorts. One post, one month long, and hopefully, as the holidays gear up, I'll have more time to put together higher quality posts. After all, it's what the public expects. Each date will be a link to our Picassa site where you can view all the pictures from said event. So here we go...the Grindy's from October 20th to November 19th:

October 20th - Nick was growing too fast and we were worried he might not fit in his Halloween costume, so we took pictures a week before in a staged Halloween setting with our pumpkins and a bag of 50 cent hay. I call it: Nick as Cow.

October 23rd - Our good friends Adam and Michelle live in Virginia. Adam's a captain in the Army and stationed in D.C. We met in high school and have been awesome compadres. Anyway, he had some training in Monterey and blessed us with a visit. We met in Shell Beach at Del's Pizzeria and Adam got to meet Nick for the first time. Thanks for coming up bro! We've missed you guys!

October 26th - Our other good friends, Noah and Laura Brown, stopped by to meet Nick for the first time as well, along with their Rhodesian ridgeback, Sierra. I'd never heard of this breed of dog, but they're awesome! Needless to say, Lucy did not think he was awesome, at all. She hid under the coffee table most of the night as evidence by the picture. Noah and Laura were very sweet for driving all the way up from SLO for a whirlwind visit, as I had to work in the morning, but it was well worth it and well appreciated!

October 29th - I turned 28 this day and my folks came up for the rest of the week. I'd like to think they came for my birthday, but I quickly came to the realization they came mostly to see Nick. It's alright though, while my dad held his first grandson, I sat in my first recliner (thanks Kates!), which he has never had the privilege of owning. Fair trade I guess. So, Firestone Grill for dinner, Guitar Hero World Tour to play (kind of, that's another story for my personal blog), a recliner to sit in, and a wacky cake to eat, this birthday ranked right up there with the best of them. Infinitely better than last year when I was sick and at the Academy and had to wake up at o dark thirty and PT. Thanks guys! Oh, and check out Nick's killer outfit...Velcro shoes (a Grindy must) and Argyle socks.

October 31st - We weren't sure what we were going to do about Halloween. Katy didn't do anything but harvest festivals growing up, and I did the whole trick-or-treat thing. Well, when we were in Sac we went by the Carter's outlet in Vacaville and Katy saw the cow costume and she was sold. Trick-0r-treat it is, so long as they aren't evil costumes. I don't know, cows can get scary. Nick did get a little tired by the end. Guess it'll be a few years before I get free candy.

November 4th - While my folks were here we went to farmer's market in SLO and picked up some election paraphernalia. Proudly posting it in our front yard, we dressed Nick up in his most white trash outfit and posed him and us. 1/2 of our decorations came true at least. We're batting .500. And yes, Nick looks a little upset. I think he was pushing one out at the time, showing how he felt about the Obama ticket.

November 10th, 16th, 17th & 19th (Each date is a separate link) - Just a few various home pictures to stay up to date on Nick's growth. Mostly so we don't catch any flack from certain Rosevillian grandparents who shall remain nameless. Forgive us for our what appears to be a complete lack of personal hygiene. Katy and I had a few days of getting each other back for taking unkempt photos of the other. Oh well. Part of parenting I guess.

Hope you all enjoyed the Grindy's this month. Until next month! (seriously, I'll try better to stay up to date. It's pretty embarassing.)

Nick's 1st Photo Shoot

2008-10-22T21:28:00.001-07:00

As we said in our last post, Andre Niesing came by our house last Thursday and took some awesome photos of Nicholas. Below are some of our favorites and above is a slideshow of the pictures from Picasa or you can view all of the pictures here. Hope you enjoy them as much as we did!

A preview of things to come...

2008-10-19T22:16:00.000-07:00

On Thursday afternoon, Nick's 6 week mark, we had an old friend over for a visit...Andre Niesing, our engagement and wedding photographer. He stopped by for a while and took some pictures of Nick and he's posted some of the better ones in a post on his blog. If you're looking for a photographer, he's the guy. We've always love his candid approach to photo shoots and he's only gotten better with time. We get the proofs and negatives sometime in the next couple of days and can't wait! While waiting for us to post the pictures, check out his blog and website. Here are a few of the pics from our engagement and wedding that he took as well.

Too important not to link

2008-10-18T21:10:00.000-07:00

I found this clip over at Justin Taylor's site Between Two Worlds and it relates to a post I wrote on my blog because that's where I like to vent about stuff. My job, the world, politics, etc. My cousin commented on one of those recent posts and I started a dialogue with her about it. If you want to check it out, click here. I'd love to hear your thoughts as comments on that post, or this post, whichever, or just enjoy reading the rantings of a crazy Chippie!

Video Fun

2008-10-15T21:21:00.001-07:00

Following in the footsteps of the Davidson's, we thought we'd appease the grandparents and other relatives who don't get to see Nick on a daily basis with some video. The first is Nick's workout video:

The second is simply displaying Nick in a bouncer...a minute and a half of it...exhilarating. But, he is focusing on movement, which, while you can't see it in the video because it's on the other side, is still pretty sweet. So here it is, Nick in a bouncer:

A bit of the country in the middle of Santa Barbara

2008-10-14T21:41:00.000-07:00

While in Sacramento we weren't able to go up to Apple Hill like we wanted to (see how our friend's the Wisner's enjoyed their trip there), so we settled for a little trip to the local pumpkin patch in north Santa Barbara (which apparently the Garate's and Lesiw's had the same idea! Way to go guys!). Let me set the stage for you. Santa Barbara is pretty much city, not much rural but on the outskirts. You'd think you'd find something like this out on the edge of town or up in the hills above town. Not so. This pumpkin patch was right in between two subdivisions in north Santa Barbara and apparently it turns into a cool Christmas tree farm in December. So we went. While pumpkin patches are probably fun with toddlers who can appreciate a little more all the goodies these places have for them (hay rides, petting zoo, corn maze, etc.), a 6 week old, I know this is shocking, does not. Because of that fact, it was a little hard for me to swallow when we ended up paying $32 for 3 pumpkins when we could have gone to the Albertson's right up the street and payed maybe $10. But, it was fun and made for some good pictures...right? Only time will tell.

See if you can spot the major roadway behind the pumpkins!

Nick and I in the bright sun with a scarecrow. I know I look a little ticked off, but I swear, I haven't even paid for the pumpkins yet!

Didn't quite get the shot we intended, but Nick's John Deere socks next to a real life John Deere tractor, and me in my John Deere hat! Go Deelick Indiana! (home of John Deere)

Katy on the John Deere with Nick in the blazing sun...what a great photographer I am, subjecting my newborn son to such harsh conditions.

A bit better, not quite as much sun

Katy and her $10 pumpkin equipped with true pumpkin patch dirt.

Nick and his $3 pumpkin that he so lovingly picked out!

Me and my $15 pumpkin...better make some good pie!

Me and the boy on a bright red tractor, farming the land, in our designer jeans.

Learning to drive at 6 weeks...or learning to do what we Chippies do on CalTrans overtime

Katy and the kiddo about to enter the corn maze, which we failed at. We made it about halfway through after 1/2 an hour and said forget this, I'm tired of ducking under corn leaves and walking hunched over in a maze designed for the height of a 4 year old. So we went back out the way we came in and called it a success.

The happy family after a fun day at the patch!

Couldn't help but take a picture of this. Ahhh, my young Jedi warrior in his polka dot car seat!

The Tale of the 'Stache

2008-10-14T21:40:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking this should be posted on my personal blog, but it involves both Katy and I, not just work. So here it is.The Tale of the 'Stache. I had to go back to work last Tuesday for the first time in 5 weeks. For the past 2 1/2 I've been growing a killer beard. I mean the real deal.

No neck shaving, no high cheek shaving, no trims, just straight growth, the kind you'd find on say, Vlade Divac, or my brother, for my wedding, against my wife's wishes, but I digress. On to the topic of mustachios. I grow a fairly weak mustache. I'll admit. However, as a highway patrolman, it's sort of a higher calling to be able to have a sweet 'stache. So while I can't grow one worthy of admiration, I can still grow one, and I felt like because of the time my 'stache spent under the guise of a beard, I could showcase it. So here it is, in full effect. And yes I do realize it could be called a mild adult film 'stache.

One thing I regret is not taking a pic with my Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses and smokey bear hat on as well, but hey, I was driving at the time and had my iPhone on my steering wheel. Not really...or did I? I'll leave you to guess.

Of course I had to have Katy take a few with Nick in them.

Rubbing his face with it, and no he didn't cry, scream, or scald.

Well little did I know how much Katy would hate it, so much so that every response to any comment, question, or answer I gave related to her hatred of the 'stache. Let me give you a sample conversation we had on a walk while I bore the 'stache:

K: I really wish you'd shave that junk off your lip.
R: (Me avoiding the request) It sure is a nice day.
K: It'd be an even nicer day without that mustache.
R: I'm not so sure it would, but hey, can you pull the shade over Nick's stroller, he's being blinded.
K: Don't talk about our son with those lips bearing that thing.
R: I can talk to our son with anything on my face. Plus I think he likes it.
K: Yeah, just like he likes sitting in his own pee, going hungry, not being swaddled, and other things.
R: Well what do you want for lunch?
K: You to not have that on your face.
R: Seriously, can I make us some sandwiches?
K: Only if they're made by someone without a mustache.

And on, and on, and on. You'd think it would deter me and cause me to shave it. Not so my friends, not so. I'm quite stubborn as anyone who's known me more than five minutes would attest. She even pulled the whole, "If you love me..." bit. Didn't work. And yet, here I am, 5 days later at the Habit on a lunch break with the fam:

What broke me you ask? We'll just say this. Nick was born 6 weeks ago tomorrow. Katy's body heals after 6 weeks. We're able to do things after 6 weeks. The threat was if you don't tonight (last Saturday night) we won't on Wednesday. You figure it out if it isn't too obvious already.

Pismo RV

2008-10-14T21:02:00.000-07:00

Katy's parents recently purchased a fifth wheel and now drive it to various RV parks for the weekend. This past weekend they met some friends at the Pismo Beach RV park and Katy met them for a nice lunch with Nick. Where was I? My buddy Josh who I used to coach in Morro Bay when he was in high school, became a believer, moved to Roseville, helped me when I was a youth pastor, moved out to Arizona...anyway he was in SLO for the weekend so I had lunch with him. Needless to say I didn't get any cute pics with Nick, so I'm absent and Katy was the photographer.

Nick and Papa enjoying the shade

Nick praising Jesus! (Hopefully he doesn't become a charismatic!)

A grandma's love

Later that day Katy did what I wished I could have, enjoyed a nice afternoon on the couch with Nick zonked out.

As you can tell by the position of his diaper, he's beginning to outgrow his newborn onesies.

Simi Valley maintains our good friends

2008-10-14T20:43:00.001-07:00

I'm almost caught up on the last two weeks of pictures and tales...just a few more to go.

When we all graduated from college in the years 2002-05, we all split off to different regions of the state. Some to Sacramento, some to the bay area, some to Long Beach, some stayed in SLO, and some to Simi Valley. Since then, even some have left Simi Valley for other places, but a few have remained true. These are those featured here in this post today, our friends the Beuving's, Moores, and Susan. They all decided to come up on a Saturday morning and spend most of the day with us. A day filled with catching up on each other's lives, watching our kids, having a good lunch in the Santa Ynez Valley (which contrary to Matt Moore is not even close to the direction LA is), and of course, Guitar Hero.

The Moore's plus one, and it doesn't include the one in Sarah's belly being grown right now!

Seth Moore enjoying having a furry friend to play with

Susan and Lucy catching up on lost time

Ahhhh, Guitar Hero and the addicts we become

All the gang outside our house (again, remember our out of focus camera, see the post two previous)

H20 Polo and Lemoore

2008-10-14T20:40:00.000-07:00

I figured it only fair that since I was able to get Nick to his first volleyball game (which everyone knows that whatever sport a child is first exposed to becomes his most beloved sport), that it would be necessary for Katy to let him see water polo. It's ok though, it was his cousin Brieana's game, thus being played by girls, ergo perfectly socially acceptable for him to see it and not be influence by it.

Brieana setting up for a shot on goal

Katy and Nick who was obviously enthralled with the sport...

The family in full support of Brieana, and a few others

Michelle, right off of work, Jake, and they're mini poo?

Aunt Michelle saying goodbye to her nephew
Katy and her kids

On the way home we were able to stop in the happenin' town of Lemoore where the Peregoy's, my cousin Amanda (Mandy) and her husband Carl, live. Carl is in the Navy and was away on tour and Mandy wasn't able to make it up to Roseville for the welcoming party so we stopped by for our own welcoming party! As we stepped out of the car, one of the two of us, her name will be omitted, dropped the camera with its telephoto lens on, directly on the lens. Right now its being fixed by Nikon for around $120. At the time we didn't realize how it affected the photos, so if you see a few out of focus on one side of the picture, that's why. Anyway, here's a few shots from our visit in Lemoore as well with Mandy and her dog Abby (a lot of dogs seemed to be named Abby, no idea why if anyone wants to enlighten us).

Lucy and her friend Abby getting along just fine.

Mandy and her first cousin once removed, our little Nick.

And again, same comment on the photo.

The Grindy's at the Peregoy's

Bathing , a giant Robin, childhood friends

2008-10-14T17:33:00.000-07:00

What trip to a grandparent's house would be complete without a traditional bath in their sink? None I tell you! So here it is, in all its splendor!

Nick quite warm and I'm pretty sure it just go warmer in the sink, if you know what I mean!

Enjoying some suds

Papa doing the honors of cleaning the poop

Mom and son, hand in hand

On Sunday afternoon we had the distinct honor and privilege of hanging out with some very dear friends, the Jones', Ferguson's, and Borelli's. We decided to meet up at Red Robin for some lunch, but little did we know we would be harassed by a giant bird. All the kids were pretty good except for the oldest toughest one who will indeed remain nameless, but you may be able to figure it out. Anyway, great time seeing them all and catching up. The Jones', Ashley, Justice, and Avery, used to live about an hour and a half away, but recently moved to Fresno. Justice was the one who got me stoked on the CHP. All of the families we've been friends with since college and miss them dearly. We are blessed once a year by the Ferguson's as they host our college friends retreat every summer...hopefully August next year as I'm on vacation then and can attend! Here're some memories from our visit:

The incredibly creepy Red Robin

Most of the gang at Red Robin

Avery Jones with a little shiner from how much she enjoys coffee tables

Kinley Ferguson just happy to be out of her carrier

Cole Ferguson concentrating on his mac and cheese and not the big red bird

One of Katy's good friends growing up, Brittany Hunt, just had her first child as well. While we were in Fresno, they were able to hook up and show off their new bundles of joy. It was pretty cool watching these two interact with their newborns and just seeing how happy they were for each other.

Brittany's daughter Meghan

Brittany making sure Nick hadn't been betrothed to any new babies yet

The new mom's with the opposite babies

A cousins meeting and a birthday

2008-10-14T16:37:00.000-07:00

The second day of our tour in Fresno brought us to Katy's sister Michelle's house and her kids Brieana and Jake, our niece and nephew. Since my brother Jon and his wife Natalie don't have any kids...yet...these are Nick's only first cousins. Needless to say they were all quite excited to meet him and had been waiting a long time (4 1/2 years) for their nephew and cousin.

Nick and Michelle, she's not excited at all to see him!

Nick and his oldest cousin Brieana

Jake not too sure about how to hold Nick, but excited nonetheless

Michelle enjoying some quality time with her nephew

The aunts with their niece and nephews

It was great that we got to go to Fresno on this weekend as Sunday was Brieana's 14th birthday and Gene's 64th birthday was the next Thursday so we were able to celebrate them both on Saturday. Jake feeding Nick with some boob juice while watching Fresno State.

Gene and Brieana opening some color coordinated gifts

Brieana with her new longboard for the killer waves you can find in the valley!

Papa and Nick all swaddled up for bed

Lucy still craving some cuddle time with Katy...ignore Lucy's creepy eyes, they weren't photoshopable by me.

Too long I know...But a lot to come

2008-10-14T15:54:00.001-07:00

I guess it's been two weeks since our last post. No excuse really, went to Fresno, got sidetracked, came back to Buellton, got re-acclimated, had to go back to work, lost all track of the last 6 days. So here's some whirlwind pictures from a couple of events over the last two weeks.

My second cousin Trish lives in Roseville and stopped by for a visit on Nick's supposed "due day"

Uncle Jon hanging out with Nick for the last time before we left.

Uncle Jon cleverly showing Nick how to pick his nose with his toes...thanks.

We got to attend our friend Kennedy Garate's 4th birthday party with lots of good friends and their kids. Unfortunately, kids are much more fun to shoot than adults so there weren't too many pictures of them, but enjoy the kiddos!

Here's the birthday girl!

Gwen Garate meeting the newest Grindy

Titus Garate hamming it up

Rachel and Claire Lesiw obviously ready to put Claire down for bed. Check out Rachel's awesome business here! (shameless plug I know, but hey, for everyone that has a little girl these things are darn cute!)

Katy and Natalie Wisner enjoying some quiet talking time without their babies, miss them though they do!
Dave watching one of those babies, Tyler. Ignore the red eyes. They're blue eyed and fair skinned.

In order, the Winans Boys: Tayven,

Dax,

and Harper (Kinda like the Marx brothers but cooler)

And all the kids enjoying some ice cream cake...quite quietly I might add.

The last bit of this post is Nick's first night in Fresno, enjoying the high 90's at the end of September. Quite the long car ride. While Katy and I both love our families very much, 11 days on the road with a newborn is a long time. We still think of ourselves as quite young, but not that young anymore. Definitely the last time we'll be hitting up both towns in the same trip unless it's limited to 5 days total or less in both places combined. What can we say. We're new at this.

Katy and Nick napping after a gruelling car ride.

Nick meeting his grandparents dog Abby who apparently was enjoying his smell.

The Greats and McKinley Montessori

2008-09-27T13:18:00.000-07:00

My grandparents weren't able to make it to Nick's welcoming party so they stopped by for a visit on Tuesday afternoon. It's their first great-grandchild and it showed! I haven't seen them this excited in a long time and it brought smiles to both Katy and my face.

The proud great-grandparents

Great-grandma and Nick

Great-grandpa and Nick

Wise hands and young fingers.

Resting with mom after meeting his greats and having some dinner of his own.

Since we had seen my old vocational buddies, the three of us took a day trip to Katy's old work, McKinley Montessori school for some show-off time. It was definitely unnerving being in the cold-factory that is a preschool, but it was cool to see the excitement on Katy's old bosses and co-workers faces, both to see Nick and to show Katy how happy they were for her!

Showing Nick around the school.

Meeting some of his seniors.

I love this picture because it shows the bosses pure excitement.

Nick, Katy, and her old bosses Rebecca and Kathleen.

Katy, Nick, and Christine

Katy, Nick, and Josie

After spending an hour in a pretty dark classroom as the preschool kids got ready for a nap, it was a bit bright outside so I tried to help out my son by providing some shade.

Visit with Uncle Bub and his first volleyball match

2008-09-27T12:51:00.000-07:00

Katy's brother Brian (aka Uncle Bub) lives in Vacaville and it just so happened that the girls volleyball team I coached in Sacramento, Inderkum High, was playing Vacaville Christian High on Monday, so we killed two birds with one stone. Brian was nice enough to take us out to dinner to BJ's, one of our favorite restaurants.

Nick and his Uncle Bub

Peaceful as can be.

Afterward, we went to Nick's first volleyball match and witnessed his first volleyball trouncing. Not a great year for Inderkum, but hey, at least he was at a volleyball match and not his first swim meet.

Nick's perspective of the match...ok, maybe a little more blurry.

My old coaching partner Stacy Williams enjoying time with a future middle blocker

Me and Nick with some of the girls I used to coach.

What volleyball match would be complete without a post-game nap in a Boppy Pillow?

Our great friends...the Wisners!

2008-09-27T12:08:00.000-07:00

Every time we go back to Roseville, it seems we never get a chance to see all the friends we love for as long as we want to see them. This time however we were able to see our friends the Wisners (Dave, Natalie, Tyler, Winston, and Cooper) for an extended amount of time one night. Still never enough as we are gluttons for time with them, but it was really awesome to get that evening. Katy and I realized something as we drove home. Katy has known Dave and Natalie since a mission program in San Luis Obispo back in 2002, and I've known them since my freshman year of college in 1999. We've hung out with them together since we were dating and they were married, then we moved to Sac and shortly after so did they and felt like they were our friends. However, since we started going to ASGF, we felt like we became great friends. While we used to all get together and play cards, some board game, or watch a movie, for a while now we've been able to get together and do nothing but eat and talk...for hours. The only restraints have been our tiredness. Anyway, it was great to see them and we miss them terribly. Here are some pictures of our sons and dogs from that visit. We love you Wisners!

Nick and Tyler just hanging out on the recliner...a little bit of a size difference (Tyler is 11 months old now so give Nick some time!)

Tyler bright eyed and bushey tailed!

Nick getting bored with the photo shoot

Natalie taking great care of NickNick and Dave whose legs would cramp shortly thereafter
Lucy still not fully recovered from our new addition

Dave entertaining all the pups with tempting cookies (from left to right: Cooper, Lucy, Winston)

A party just for Nick

2008-09-27T11:15:00.000-07:00

A week ago today Nick had a welcoming party at my folks house. All family were invited and it's hard to say how it went. On the one hand, my parents throw a heck of a party. On the other, it was extremely tiring. Not because it was family, merely giving up your son for a whole day to let everyone but you hold him. Selfish I know. But in my defense, Katy felt the same way. It was, however, really cool to see all of the family holding him and excited to meet him, taking time out of their busy lives to come over. Thanks everybody! And sorry if we were short with any of you...definitely unintentional. Here are some of the 115 pictures from that day. Just a few though, you can see them all up above in a slideshow from our Picasa site.

Nick already tired of being the "hot potato"

Uncle Jon getting way more comfortable at holding him...even enough to watch the Ryder Cup at the same time!

Not yet comfortable enough though to change a diaper!

Second cousin "M" (who remains web anonymous per her mom) meeting Nick

1st cousins once removed meeting (that's my cousin Jessica)

Nick and Great Aunt Suzy

The great-grandparents (my mom's folks) fighting over holding him! (or just a changing of the guard)

Aunt Natalie not yet willing to give him up but more realistically telling everyone of the vibrations felt on her left hand due to Nick's flatulating bottom.
Second cousins C and L (same mom) getting prepped by their dad Ryan on the trucks they just got to keep them occupied.
Rissa and M in some quality time

Me showing the flexibility of my son by putting his big toe in his nose...no joke, he can do it!

Napping on Pappy
Zach (Nick's 1st cousin once removed) and his girlfriend Grace with Nick
Always willing to nap on Noni

"C" playing with his John Deere while Tucker the mastiff guards the playing
Lucy has had a traumatic three weeks and for some reason took to cuddling on chairs, especially since Katy's arms were free all day.

Road Trip No. 1

2008-09-27T01:10:00.000-07:00

These posts have been about a week in the making. I was doing so well in keeping up with things, but then we started traveling and it all went down the pooper. Last Thursday morning we set out, and by we I mean the 4 of us (Katy, Nick, Lucy and I), on our very first road trip. We went up to Roseville for what we thought would be a relaxing, no schedule trip, but quickly turned into a whirlwind adventure. We got in late Thursday night, after what should have been an easy 5 1/2 hour trip that became a 9 1/2 hour fiasco. My folks have two dogs, an old awesome mastiff named Tucker, and a cocker spaniel named Chester. Chester is what you would call a mama's dog and was quite interested in what was taking away all of his mom's attention, taking it upon himself to sniff the merchandise, that being Nick.
We're pretty understanding of dogs sniffing and/or licking (much to some people's dismay) our son, so long as it isn't directly in the face or hands. Don't ask me why not there, take a guess. All in all, every dog that has come into contact with Nick so far has abided quite well with these rules.

The next day after we finally exited our room at my parents, the four of us plus Chester, took a stroll down to the local park for an afternoon outing. I know what you're thinking. Nick can't even support his head yet, why is he going to a park?! While that may be true, this particular park is completely fenced in and Lucy needed a good run, Nick needed a little sun as the jaundice he had is still clinging for dear life, and Katy and I were sick of being in either a car or the house.

This picture is awesome. A bit out of focus, but it captured Lucy running with all four paws off the ground!

Lucy and Chester searching through the bushes for...well...nothing at all.

Nick all snuggled up in the 95 degree heat in his Baby Bjorn with Katy

Completely into his sunbathing.

After a brisk walk to the local grassy knoll, we realized he probably got too hot (the clues being drenched in his and Katy's sweat) and could cool off in a nice sink bath at Noni and Pappy's (my mom and dad). In classic grandma's house fashion, we stripped him, dunked him, and washed him.

Still asleep, not yet realizing what was about to happen.
Nick's first soap hairdo...minus the necessary hair.

A nice closeup of dad appearing to follow in Abraham's footsteps but in fact supporting his son.

Not the happiest about being pulled up out of the warmness.

And finally, all wrapped up as our favorite pig in a blanket.

What lovely, nice, refreshing, cleansing bath would be complete without a post deuce dropping? None I tell you! The rule has been in our house that if you're holding Nick when the deuce is dropped, then you do the changing, with certain exceptions that can apply when approved by the mom. My dad tried to invoke some ancient "grandfather law" which states that "no grandfather has to change the diaper of any grandchild if said grandchild is in the vicinity of any able bodied relative capable of changing said diaper." Katy threw that right out the window within 24 hours of arrival. So here he is, in full diaper changing mode, and quite candid, I give you...Pappy!

(notice the diaper in hand)

Green is the Word, is the word, is the word...

2008-09-16T23:14:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been noticing that whatever color Katy wears, Nick ends up wearing, and vice versa. Whether she takes a shower and gets dressed first or changes him from his pj's into what he's going to wear for the day, it really makes no difference. Anyway, to complete the outfit today, my mom bought him some socks back in Deerlick, Iowa a few months ago, and he finally had the chance to don them today. A few too many to comment on, so here's a slideshow of it from our Picasa site.

Snuggling up with mom

2008-09-15T21:52:00.000-07:00

Pretty early in the morning, Katy walks around the house in a robe to get and feed Nick. Fairly practical since it allows him easy access. Anyway, usually after feeding him, she warms him up by holding him in her robe, which is really warm and soft and he loves it. So here they are in the early morning. Sorry about the picture babe, had to do it and hey lay off her, it was like 5 in the morning after feeding him already 3 times that night and waking up every two hours!
Oh, and I forgot to add these pictures of me and my kids from yesterday while watching some football, with Lucy daring to get closer and closer to Nick. One day she'll jump into his crib and take a nap with him...mark my words. After all, she does like to emulate Rudy Jones!

Stinkin' Heroes

2008-09-15T21:43:00.000-07:00

Heroes. Defined by the California Highway Patrol slang dictionary as firefighters. AKA glory seekers. Don't get me wrong, my brother wants to be one and I fully support and am proud of his decision, I have a buddy, Adam Bradley, who is one, and a lifelong family friend, Frank Evans, who has been one for a long time. It's not to say I have a problem with all firefighters, or most for that matter. However my love of some doesn't negate the fact that firefighters in general are still and will be forever, considered by the public to be heroes. Even when they show up and block all lanes of the freeway to treat any fender bender occupants as if they need the jaws of life. With that being said, Katy and I, as well as all of our family members, quickly discovered that this stereotype of firefighters greatly extended into the realm of kids' clothes. It is extremely difficult, if not darn near impossible, to find any kids' clothes with cops on them. Not many people like cops. Not many people appreciate getting tickets, being arrested, or having an accident report with them being found at fault and adversely affecting their insurance rates. Can't really blame them too much. Hopefully some Christians have an eternal perspective about our job. Anyway, I digress. When Nick was born at 7 lbs and not the 10 we expected, our wardrobe was determined to be greatly depleted. So my mom was gracious enough to go out and buy a boatload of clothes at the Ross in Lompoc. Well, some of those outfits had fireman stuff on them, much to my chagrin. Evidenced here by Nick finally wearing some today.

As you can tell, he was none too happy about it either, just like his dad. Fortunately my wife understands me and sympathizes with my feelings towards firefighters in general, and thus only dressed him in it today because the rest of the umbilical cord is coming off and bleeding a little, so the firefighter red covers the blood on the inside of the shirt well. Thanks babe! Oh, and Nick feels me to. No sooner than an hour after donning his fireman shirt, did he pee all over it, the back mind you, because Crawl the warrior king was tucked down and he had so much urine it shot up the back. Thanks buddy! I knew you were my son!

Attempt at Church No. 2

2008-09-14T22:20:00.000-07:00

Last week, Sunday was Nick's third day in this world, and it was not an easy one. Lacking food, BM's, wet diapers, and getting way too much sleep was a bad combo for all three of us. Still, the days following his birth Katy and I were overly optimistic about getting to church with him. Needless to say, it didn't happen. So, after a week of getting used to each others schedules, we were determined, God willing, to make it there this week. And the result...success!!!! Granted we were 15 minutes late, but hey, we're Grindy's, that's how we roll! Here's us becoming even more late by taking a few last minute photos before loading into the car.

And of course, what Sunday wouldn't be complete without an after church nap?! Now, Nick's nap took place during church, after church, in Sunday school, at Roadhouse Grill, and all the way home, but hey, who's counting! The longer the nap the better. We did wake him for two feedings in between all of the napping though. Here he is zonked out after the car ride home.

Then, having wiped out Katy too, sleeping with her in the chair in the nice Sunday afternoon sun.

Visit from the Burtnett's and others

2008-09-14T22:04:00.000-07:00

We were blessed with a visit from our friend's the Burtnett's, a family in the church we've recently become a part of, Grace Baptist Church of Santa Maria. We'd been trying a bunch of different churches in the Santa Ynez Valley but none seemed to click. Initially we went to a church our old pastor Josh Winans' brother and sister-in-law went to, and while we loved the fellowship, it just didn't fit. For months we tried every church we could find, getting more and more frustrated with the whole "church shopping" process, which is a sucky name in itself. Finally, we were directed by Josh to try the church his mom Tonya attended, Grace Baptist. We went for a few weeks and were enjoying it, but it just seemed too good to be true. Well, a men's breakfast was coming up and Katy really wanted to start getting involved in ministry somewhere, and I think in the back of both of our heads was the idea that we wanted Nick to be part of a church family right from the start of his walk with the Lord. So, I had lunch with Gregg Burtnett, the associate pastor of Grace Baptist, and went home blown away! This was everything we had been looking for in a church, gospel-centered, solid theology, great missions, awesome fellowship, the works! Well the next week we attended a Sunday school class which are all really more like small group bible studies, and it was awesome! Every Sunday since we come away with more confirmation that this is where we are supposed to be. This was especially confirmed when Nick was born. Our bible study put together a bunch of meals and one of the families, the Baldizon's, brought it all over. Then, to top it off, the Burtnett's came by for a good time of fellowship and they too brought a meal! Their boys were extraordinary with Nick, never giving us a moment of worry or hesitation. God is good to our family and we feel extremely blessed to have such new friends as these!

Proof behind the theory

2008-09-14T21:58:00.000-07:00

After a nice warm bath, Nick usually gets to be wrapped up in an adorable hooded animal towel. Well, seeing as we only have two and both had already been used, it was down to just a regular old striped frog towel. Not too shabby either.
While drying off on it, Nick took to his old soother Mr. Pinky and discovered his was not as good as mom's or even dad's.

"No dad! The pinky, the pinky!"

I also took to attempting to dry him via helicopter mode 8 feet in the air. It calmed him down, but I was too scared of CPS to try accelerating the speed. Probably best.

These are a few of my favorite things

2008-09-14T21:50:00.000-07:00

Since Nick was born we've found out that he really enjoys a good pinky finger. One good pinky can calm him down within seconds or put him to sleep within minutes. Especially if it's his momma's pinky, as evidence here.One of the greatest joys I've had as a father has been the realization that I have a son who is content in his father's arms. Granted, he'd probably fall asleep wherever, but I like to tell myself it's the warmth my bear rug of a chest produces that lulls him into his dreams.

Katy was folding clothes the other night and I needed to get ready for bed. Nick had just been fed and is usually awake for awhile afterward. Knowing he'd probably cry if set down in his crib at this stage in his life, I opted for setting him in some warm comfy clothes. Fortunately it did not incite any potty dilemmas, merely created some fun shots including the closest Lucy has ever gotten to Nick.

Two birds with one trip

2008-09-13T22:34:00.000-07:00

This'll be my last post for the day. I figure I've caught you up on our lives enough after this, my 5th post of the day.

Nick had his first doctor's appointment on Thursday. We were pretty antsy to have one as we'd had a hectic couple of days since our folks had left on Sunday. Nick wasn't eating very much and was sleeping a ton (which initially I thought was a good thing...turns out it's not). His BM's (that's bowel movements for all you non-parents or non-pop culture people like I was before I became a dad) and wet diapers were few and far between. We called the triage nurse on Monday and she said most of those problems would go away if we increased his feedings to once every two hours. At first we were like, "Holy moley, that's a lot of waking him up out of a dead sleep and him crying like a banshee on fire," but then we realized it would probably work since we both aren't nurses. Anyway, we tried it and went to the doctor after feeding Nick every two hours for the past three days. Our doc was awesome. His name is Dr. Brennan and was recommended to us by a couple of guys at my work whose kids see him. He was extremely personable, not corny like I thought a pediatrician would be (kind of a Patch Adams image in my head for some reason), and stressed the fact that we could visit any pediatrician in our group for any visit if we wanted but that he would rather we see him each time so he could get to know us and us him. We were all about that. So he weighed Nick and he came in at exactly 6 lbs, he had lost a whole pound since birth and 10 oz since being released from Cottage. Not good. But, the doc said if he had seen us on Monday at the height of Nick not eating, pooping, peeing, or sleeping regularly, and apparently, right in the heart of when jaundice can be the worst, he probably would have admitted Nick for a while and pumped him full of fluids and formula, however it seemed, according to the rigorous journals Katy had kept on her feedings of Nick and all his diapers, that he was on the up and up. So, if you ever have a kid, its not always a great thing if he's sleeping almost all the way through the night within the first week. Note that. Here's Nick looking rather yellow, the stuff the doc used, and sitting in his carrier very patiently next to a painting of Disney characters.

After the doctor's appointment, Nick got his first trip to Costco! Very exciting and his parents spent less than $100! Always an accomplishment at the store of temptation.
Nick and his monkey towel (modeled after his 2nd cousin Caleb to his dad's dismay). It may look like he's holding it, but trust me, this is not candid and it was stuffed next to him.

Right in the middle of a sneeze. Good timing.
Katy and Nick in his Baby Bjorn out front. Can you believe she just gave birth? Amazing.
You can just see Nick's head in between the Baby Bjorn clasps. And Katy looking ravishing.

Not liking the wetness so much

2008-09-13T22:24:00.000-07:00

There may be hope yet for my son not becoming a swimmer, and by swimmer I don't mean that he won't learn how to swim and be proficient at it, I mean he won't be part of a swim team. It's looking, after 8 days, pretty good for the volleyball court. Anyway, let me show you why. It wasn't his first bath since he got that the day he was born, but it was his first at our house. I didn't want to show any of his face since they all contained his face and his bits and pieces for some reason. Not sure why, but don't want to tempt the perverts surfing the web. So here's his red body, red not from scalding hot water, but from screaming at the top of his lungs.
Not too keen on getting rubbed down with soap and becoming cold from water. Darn cute in a Pooh hooded towel though. Still a little ticked off about the bath. Note the scowl on his forehead.
Definitely a plus is getting all warm and cozy in his footie pajamas afterwords.

While he may not like baths, they sure do lead to some cute pictures. Especially when wrapped up in a frog hooded towel from Noni (his grandma Michele, my mom. Don't know how to spell it, but it's pronounced "Non-eee" not "no-knee").

And of course, I had to join in the fun of looking and acting (not smelling. freak shows.) like a farm animal...

Walking and Dumping

2008-09-13T22:10:00.000-07:00

This next set of pictures has two purposes. One, to display Nicholas on his first walk through our neighborhood. Not too funny, but cute, at least to me and Katy.

A little disgruntled and creepy looking as he still had a bit of jaundice in his eyes. Oh well.
The second purpose, and more humorous, is to display the following picture that Katy has been bugging me to put up since I took it more than a month ago. There is this sign (it's in the background of the picture, zoom in to get a good look) that is posted four times in our neighborhood along this creek that runs east to west along the north edge of our subdivision. It reads "No Dumping," as there is sort of an empty field running along the south edge of our creek. If I haven't gotten you turned around by the compass directions, the main point is this. We, and by we I do mean both of us, if not more so Katy, always thought it would be funny if Lucy dropped a deuce right near one of those signs and we were able to take a picture of it. We tried to force her to go a couple of times by locking the leash and knowing she hadn't done her business on the walk yet, but to no avail. Finally, after months and months of trying, she finally did on her own. It's not great photography, but it gets the point across. And to answer the question, did we pick it up...? You'll have to walk the path to find out!

On Our Own...Kind of

2008-09-13T21:53:00.000-07:00

I don't want to be one of those bloggers that just puts every picture up he ever takes of his kid. Not that there's anything wrong with those bloggers, I just don't want to be one. So hold me accountable. With that said, there will be explanations behind these pics. This one is of Nick (obviously) and the sun came through the window hitting him just right and bringing out a softness to his face that I thought was pretty cool.
Lucy has had a traumatic last couple of days, mainly because she's been our baby for the last three and a half years. All that to say, she's been cuddling up (which she never did) with us all the time, begging to be scratched (which she never did), and overall yearning for any attention, as can be seen in this picture of me holding her in a way she'd never let me before.
Lastly, every time Katy holds Nick on her shoulder to burp him or just hold him, he slings his arm over her shoulder. He does it with no one else. Only Katy. It brings out envy and awe at the same time in me. It's captured here.

The whole truth, part 3, post-labor

2008-09-13T12:47:00.000-07:00

Catch up on either of the two previous tales here, pre-labor and at-labor. Now for the finale, over a week and two days later.

September 4th, 2008 2:00pm - I had a chance to go and tell all of the proud grandparents he was born and did quite well at holding back tears of joy. It was especially tough when I hugged my own father, knowing that I myself was a dad. Pretty good moment. We had to wait a while as Katy wanted to feed him before he was whisked away to the nursery for some cleaning up and weighing.

2:30pm - After a successful feeding and (a term I am now way too familiar with) latching, the grandparents were all able to come in and see their 1st (for my folks) and 2nd (for Katy's) grandson.
This promptly led Nick having to go to the nursery for a Vitamin K shot (with a horse-sized needle), temperature reading, blood sugar reading, weighing, measuring, bath, and other stuff. All fairly traumatic, not for him, but for me. His blood sugar was a bit low so they ended up having to give him a tube of formula which, as I found out, they shoved down the back of his throat because babies don't have gag reflexes. Crazy huh? He didn't even flinch as they rammed the little piece of tubing down his esophagus. I gagged a little for him.

It was pretty sweet being in there with him, but bittersweet at the same time as I knew Katy was in another room being worked on. My dad and Katy's mom came with me but had to stay outside and look from the window, but, their cameras were only picking up the lines in the window so I ended up taking 3 cameras with me into the nursery to snap shots...of the same thing...three different times...in an age where we could have just shared the same SD card afterward but hey, I wasn't going to argue about it then.5:30pm - Katy got wheeled into a recovery room and we left a super nice towel she used for the shower in L&D and it mysteriously disappeared into the linen vacuum at Cottage. Sucky. Oh well, they got a towel, we got a kid. Fair trade I guess. Anyway, we initially got put into a four-person recovery room that had no pull out chair/bed for me and I would have had to go home had it not been for the super nice nurse that put up with both sets of parents saying, "What the crap??? Where's the private room?" Glad we don't live in urban Mexico. Katy's brother Brian arrived around this time which was awesome since he drove down from Vacaville to spend the weekend supporting us and visiting his 2nd nephew.
So about 3 hours later we were moved into a private room that some (our parents) said was small, but Katy and I thought it was perfect. Very cozy, enabling us to sleep in between Nick; Katy on her gurney, Nick in his bassinet, and me on my pull out chair/bed. It was awesome. He pretty much stayed with us the whole night except for a midnight check by the nurses. All in all, it was great being first time parents. Tiredness included. He did get a Billy Ribbon test which checks for jaundice, negative, and a genetic screening test which checks for all kinds of genetic stuff that we'll find out about later. Having a healthy baby boy is extremely precious and Katy and I felt truly blessed. One last thing. He pooped. It was awesome and gross at the same time, if at all possible. And me being me, I captured such an amazing incident on film. Here it is, check out the stickiness. I pulled the diaper apart so you could see the low viscosity levels found in what I now know as "marconium."September 5th, 2008 Day 2- Nick's life continued going on without a hitch. He was feeding well, all the folks came by during visiting hours, and he was well taken care of by his nurse Deb, a very sweet and knowledgeable lady.
Oh yeah, and an unfortunate incident took place which you can read about here. All I can say is, guys, don't ever even think about watching your son's get circumcised. Trust me. Katy's old bosses Laurie and Mark and their kids came by for a visit, the ones she nannied, which was very sweet. They brought some felt cardboard marker picture of butterflys for Nick. Also very sweet.Rest of the day and night went off without another hitch. Nick slept better, got checked out a few times by the nursing staff, and another day down.

September 6th, 2008 - My brother Jon and sister-in-law Natalie came up that night but we didn't get to see them until the morning. Very cool of them as well since they came on a whirlwind tour arriving at about 2am on Saturday morning and leaving early Sunday. It was also Natalie's first time on the central coast so they got to tour Santa Barbara for a while, so double bonus! And, knowing Jon who got me my first pair of Vans, they bought Nick a sweet little pair of Vans as well!
Jon already has one nephew, Natalie's brother's son, but this was his first blood nephew and, as far as I know, his first time holding a less than 3 day old baby. He was a little nervous at first, holding him pretty far away from his chest and as awkwardly as is humanly possible, but once he sat down he slipped right into holding him great! He even let Nick suck on his pinky to soothe him (Nick, not Jon) down a bit (well, maybe Jon too). I think it weirded him out at first, not really believing how hard Nick's mouth could work, but he seemed to think it was pretty cool too. Quite a proud moment for me, both as a father of Nick and brother of Jon. Very glad Nick has his Uncle Jon. A few hours later I took a picture of Katy, Nick and Dr. Nomeland as he came by to check on Katy. A birth certificate lady came by to get the appropriate paperwork and then put Nick's footprints on a birth announcement.
After all that, we finally got to take him home! Granted it was to a home filled with 4 grand parents, 2 uncles, 1 aunt, and 1 beagle, but home nonetheless!

So there's the story of Nick's birth. Long winded, true, but fairly complete and mostly accurate. Stay tuned for the rest of the updates as I try to write a story a day. I know, I know, quite the bar I'm setting, but I did say try!