Sarah's first year

Happy first birthday, baby Sarah!

It was one year ago today that we met my niece, Sarah, for the first time. This angel took our breath away and continues to bring an indescribable happiness to all of our lives everyday.

We've really enjoyed watching Sarah develop from an infant to an active and engaging little girl.

Personally, I've never been this close to a baby entering the world, and it's amazing at how exciting every little change becomes. When Sarah was able to smile and react - wow! When Sarah was able to sit up on her own - wow! When Sarah was able to start eating 'real' food - wow! When Sarah pulled herself up and stood up - wow! And all the little things in-between, it's just amazing.

It's going to feel like a single heartbeat has passed when we look back at this day because she's going to grow up so fast. But I'm going to enjoy the journey being the proud uncle and make sure she know how much we love her and are thankful she's part of our lives.

Happy first birthday, Sarah - it only gets better!

Honored, humbled, and completely hornswoggled

It has been said that the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry. However, it has never been said about my sister and my girlfriend.

Even though I unknowingly threw many a monkey wrench in their plan, Laura and Lisa managed to pull off an incredible surprise birthday party for me last Friday evening.

As noted in my previous post, my 40th birthday was last Thursday, February 14th. Laura and I had planned a low-key evening celebrating at home. We grilled some steaks, had a few drinks, and played Guitar Hero until midnight - it was a blast!

Both of us had taken Friday off for a long weekend. My plan was to hit the gym in the morning, do a little freelance web work in the afternoon, then go out with my buddies, Jay and Jeff. Simple. Easy. Just the guys. (P.S. Laura said she was going to a happy hour with her friends.)

Jay came over around 3:30 p.m. and the good times began! We fired up the Xbox (I swear to God it has literally changed our lives - High Definition gaming - but more about that in another post), cracked open some cold ones, played games, had some munchies, and watched some videos from the good ol' days.

I called Jeff to check his status (since he had called earlier to say he would be running late) and he said he would just meet us out later. Cool. Okay.

Just before 7:00 p.m., Jay was getting the vibe to go out, so I pulled on a quick sweater and we headed out the door. He said he and Jeff wanted to have a few beers and play some games at Dave & Busters. Again, cool. Okay.

We pulled into Dave & Busters around 7:10 p.m. and walked in.

To screaming.

But wait. I should describe the environment. When you first enter the building, there is a glass wall with a path that curves to the left and right. To the left is the gaming area, and to the right is the bar/restaurant. The screaming crowd was coming from the elevated billiards area to the left and my initial thought was, "Hey, those people are having a great time" and then I glanced toward the bar.

Then I looked back to the left. Is that Laura? Is that Lisa? Is that Erin? Wait, are those screams for me?!?

Jay and I walked toward the familiar faces screaming and waving at us and it finally dawned on me - this is a surprise birthday party!! I think I was in shock, honestly. Nobody had ever done anything like this for me in my entire life.

I ascended the stairs and was greeted by Laura with a big hug and kiss. I looked around the room and saw familiar smiling faces and felt slightly overwhelmed and still a bit bewildered. Then I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see my mom and dad (from Richmond, Virginia), and sister, Patti (from Ohio). "What are you doing here?", I asked while in shock and hugged my mom for (what felt like) many minutes.

It was during that hug that the moment hit me and I became a little emotional. These people were here for me. Me. Wow! WOW! This is a surprise birthday party and I was completely caught by surprise! Bamboozled! Hornswoggled! Eeek!

I was sincerely honored and humbled that people would rearrange their personal lives to attend an event celebrating my birthday. And some of these people drove over an hour to be there, some flew across country, some just gave birth a week ago. Life is busy and we all have things to do - and for these people to stop and take time to spend with me to celebrate my birthday - well, it was just special, and really meant the world to me.

As it turns out, Lisa and Laura had been planning this party for months. Are you kidding me?!? And since the party, Laura has told me all the wrinkles I unintentionally created for them in the process. Too many to go into here, suffice to say it's really funny to look back on and compare notes.

I am so appreciative of everyone that attended - and for those that couldn't make it, I completely understand how life's commitments get in the way, so don't sweat it. I'm am truly thankful that every single one of you are a part of my life.

Four decades and still ticking...

Send those cards and gifts, guys and gals - today is my birthday! The big 40!

40. Really? Seriously? How did that happen?

I guess it has something to do with being born in 1968 - that's where it all started for me - and Valentines Day, no less. I bet you didn't know that there are a lot of perks being a Valentines Day baby. For starters, you're officially eligible for a heart-shaped birthday cake every year, usually with white and red frosting. Additionally, there are plastic spoons, paper plates, napkins, and party hats are especially designed for your day. Most kids have to think of a theme for their parties, but it's all taken care of for Valentines Day babies.

Being a Valentines Day baby also means I'm an Aquarius, and if you believe in astrology (even for entertainment purposes) I am a true Aquarius. Objective, intelligent, independent, open-minded, energetic, friendly, and understanding. Although being aloof, stubborn, self oriented, and fickle go right along with it, so be warned.

Okay, so I'm 40.

I've run a diagnostic check, performed a battery of tests and, so far, everything is still working as well as it did yesterday (y'know, when I was in my 30's). No need for a walker or warm milk just yet. Put away the orthopedic shoes and adult diapers, for now anyway.

One might be inclined to write a long-winded reflective post about the past 40 years, but I'm not going to do that (I can hear your applause, pipe down over there or I'll whack you with my cane). Suffice to say I strive to build on my personal and professional achievements, learn from my fair share of mistakes, foster healthy relationships, help and respect others, and continue to grow as a person. I think that's really all of us can do, whether we are 15 or 85 years old.

Oh, and to get really good at Guitar Hero.

Okay, so I'm 40.

Buckle up and bring it, kids.

Just for fun, here are some noteworthy headlines from the year I was born:

In the Heat of the Night won Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was album of the year. Still an amazing album after 40 years. Later that year, they released the legendary White Album.

Tragically, Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed on April 4 in Memphis, Tennessee.

Richard "I'm not a crook" Nixon wins the U.S. presidential election, defeating Hubert Humphrey. And, of course, let's not forget we were in the midst of the Vietnam War.

Happy birthday, mom

Today is my mom's birthday!

Happy birthday, mom!

Bonnie Gail Schwartz (you can call her Gail) was born on February 12, 1944. She grew up in the small town of Hanover, Indiana. I enjoy listening to her stories about growing up - I've learned so much about her, what she went through as a young girl and the experiences that made her the wonderful woman, mother, wife, and grandmother she is today.

I am very lucky. I was raised by a woman that loved her children beyond compare. My mother is a selfless woman, always giving of herself and putting her family first. Truly an example for anyone who is raising children (and I'm not trying to gain any brownie points either. Sheesh.)

My mother is very special to me. She has taught me many things throughout life, and continues to this very day. Treat others the way you would want to be treated, do your best, dream, learn all you can, play fair, and love.

But let's pick on her too! :)

Her hobby is ironing. No, really! Mom, step away from the ironing board and nobody gets hurt. Unless you have stock in 'Spray Starch', let's bring it down a notch. I mean it, keep the starch can away from my jeans!!

Worrying is a another endeavor - worry , worry, worry. Did I say worry? Yeah, my mom likes to contemplate scenarios. I imagine I might be that way when I have children, but only time will tell.

Honestly, I love my mom. She has been the single most influential woman in my life. She raised both my sister and me as best as she could, and I think we turned out 'ok'. In fact, I think we turned out 'stellar', at risk of sounding cavalier. Good job, mom!!

Happy birthday, mom - I hope you have a great day and know that, even though we are miles apart, our thoughts are of you.

I love you!

Can you believe this guy is somebody's dad?

My buddy, Jeff, and his wife, Jill, welcomed their little boy, Rowan, into the world this morning. Their oldest, Ian, is now a big brother.

Rowan is a lucky baby boy because he's been born into a family with many fine qualities. For instance, Jill is a teacher and avid reader, so you know Rowan will be a bright child. Ian, the big brother, is incredibly inquisitive and years ahead of his peers in terms of knowledge.

And then there's Jeff, the proud father. Not particularly handy or good at home repairs, lacking in most social graces, and not much of a self-starter, however plays a mean air-guitar and knows all of the audience-participation comments for the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Jeff was once quoted as saying his hobbies included "stair-diving and altitude", while his life's goal was to "turn his entire body inside out." Is this the canvas of which a responsible father is painted?

Jeff has been seen with a Burger King bag in one hand and a can of Slim Fast in the other. Does this kind of rationale lend itself to effective diaper changing?

What does it say about a man when he drives a Cadillac ambulance-hearse while blaring "Baby Got Back" with the windows down? Should this be a concern for social services?

He views the television show "Clean Sweep" as therapy for his hoarding behavior. Seriously, Jeff, do you need another DVD of "Thumb Wars"? Really.

Jeff and I have been friends for a long time. We met in college through our circle of friends and were acquaintances at best. After college is when Jeff and I really became good friends. We've been through some really great times and some really dark times, and when push comes to shove, we always have each others back.

As you can tell from the "roast" above, I can be pretty sarcastic and poke fun at my buddy, Jeff. That's what guys do. But the truth is that Jeff and I are great friends and I am truly thankful for our friendship. He's the best guy I know. Period.

To say he's going to be a great dad is an understatement. Rowan is, indeed, a lucky boy, and will grow up to become a man of character and integrity because he has Jeff as a father and Jill as a mother.

And, hey, Ian...I expect you to bounce him around a little when he gets older. That's what big brothers do.

Happy birthday, Rowan, and welcome. We're very happy you're here!