Happy New Year

I was just catching up on some football or more like watching the Big Ten continue to embarrass themselves (except for Iowa). Who knew Iowa was the powerhouse of the Big Ten? We tried to put Quentin's contraband Iowa gear on him today but he wasn't haven't it crying every time we got near him with the outfit. We finally got the hat on him and his response? He puked about three feet off the couch. Now if there were any doubts we know for sure he is definitely my son. I almost puked having to watch mom put the hat on him but some how managed to keep my lunch down. Iowa did, however, have a nice showing. They were the only Big Ten team to actually get off the bus and show up for the game so that was refreshing.

Quentin had a nice New Year's Eve, which doubled as Christmas at pseudo-Grandma/pa Spiegelhoff's Florida residence (our upstairs) so we got him fed and ready to open gifts around 8:30 last night. He got an awesome pair of Chuck's (black) from his Aunt Marieke and several much needed books as well from his Aunt and cousins in the LG. The Chucks were a size 4 and the word on the street is Auntie M was worried they would be too large for Mr. Big Foot. Well, he does have big feet but he's a ways away from a size 4. They are about double the size of his feet but I decided we're stuffing some paper in the end of those things and getting them on him as soon as possible. Too cool. They will go great with the mohawk he's sporting. My folks also got him some outfits and quite possibly the most important book he could own "My First Wisconsin Words, GO BADGERS!" The book contains red & white, Bascom Hall, the Terrace (beer drinking paradise), Bucky, On Wisconsin, UW Marching Band, the all important Camp Randall Stadium (where we will spend many Saturdays), and most importantly his college of choice (if he wants mom and dad to pay for it) University of Wisconsin. Seriously, could anyone think of more important words? Well, maybe Mom and Dad and possibly Send more money but after that this book has it all.

We are getting old and we did have our most tame NYE of all time but still managed to make it until midnight. My parents also (surprisingly) made it until midnight and I think were grateful that midnight is an hour earlier in the eastern time zone. We grilled some new york strip steaks with some cheesy potatoes and string beans while having a few drinks on our patio until the mosquitoes got the best of us. We watched the ball drop with Quentin and Dick Clark, whom we all agreed should quietly ride off into the sunset. Not looking too good, Dick but to each their own. For a solid 30 minutes we pondered whether anyone actually likes Ryan Seacrest. Does anyone? What does anyone see in this guy? Then we realized Carson Daily was on the other channel and took another 30 minutes pondering how he got on TV. Apparently, they will give anyone a job hosting NYE these days. My parents were crying for the mute button, which I happily obliged and we settled on watching a rerun of Letterman until we got within five minutes of the ball dropping and then suffered through Dick Clark attempting to count down from 20, which he did two seconds behind the actual clock. Better late then never. Him making out with his wife was a nice touch at midnight. We were then saddled with the disturbing fact that more people kiss their pets at midnight then their significant others. Hmm, well I do have a strong affection for Lucky, but decided my wife was a better kisser and smooched her at midnight, defying the terrifying statistics. What a year, 2008!

Everyone coming to visit was great. It's nice to have family come down out of the northern chill and see why we have had such a hard time leaving tropical Tampa. There were a few blow outs - Quentin loves letting Grandma have it. He actually pooped our bed the other night. I never thought I would have to change the sheets because someone pooped in our bed but it happened. Carrie snuggled Quentin in between us the other night and he let out a monster, which woke me up thinking that couldn't have been Carrie could it have? I mean I understand her body is going through a lot of changes but she is still a lady right? Well, it turns out it was him. I was so tired and desperately wanted to roll over and go to bed but the stench, oh the humanity! I couldn't take it so I took one for the team and got up to change him when I realized he blew out the diaper, his clothes, the blanket and uh-oh the sheets, the mattress pad (please not the actual mattress!?!?!?!?) and thank the poop gods it didn't soak through on to the mattress. I feel like there are a lot of poop stories in this blog but this is what no one tells you. I know plenty of people with kids and I have yet to hear anyone tell me how their newborn pooped their bed, but I'm sure it has happened so if this blog is a little tweeny you won't get any apologies here. If I knew my kid was going to poop through 6 inches of diapers, clothing, blankets, sheets and mattress pads I would've put some tin foil down or something. We dudes need to know this stuff! So fellas, if you've got a new born saran wrap your valuables.

Let me tell you about the grunting. This kid loves grunting. He is probably actually clocking more shut-eye hours but he makes so much more noise grunting through his dreams that I think I am getting less sleep. He grunts loudly and constantly in his sleep, when he is hungry and a great deal of the time while he is eating. Carrie says it's his man instinct. (They all love the boobs). Alright, I won't complain about that but buddy, tone it down in the wee hours will ya? Dad, is dying here. I am heading back to full time work on Monday and have already carved out a healthy piece of real estate on the couch so I can catch 2 consecutive hours of sleep. When he's eating it's hilarious and kind of funny all the time but still I want to sleep so bad. I know Carrie has it worse then me and don't know how she does it. The little gruntster rolled over for Grandma and Grandpa this evening (and I caught it on video) grunting the whole way. He's going to be walking way early and we're not sure if we should be proud or very afraid of all that Independence. At least he is performing upon command. Again, those obedience classes for Lucky coming in so handy. We gotta hit the sack to take Grandma/pa to the airport before dawn. I don't need an alarm clock I've got the lil' gruntster set for the 4:45 am and he's always on time.