Ry and Coop Dot Com

Totally unrelated to anything Ryan, I saw an email come through this afternoon praising Republican Gubernatorial candidate Rick Lazio for all his hard work.  It got me thinking, what kind of person would start a job they just know would fail.  I’ve been out of politics for a few years now and I suppose I just don’t get it but it seems that Rick Lazio has spent a lot of his own money and taken a lot of abuse, he’s even exposed himself and his family to personal attacks, and yet he’s behind by 30 points in the polls.  He’s not going to win, he’s going to fail.  Perhaps I’m missing something, perhaps his running will improve his lobbying career or there’s some other investment I’m missing.  Some might argue he’s just sacrificing to allow for the Democratic process to take hold in New York which would be honorable and dumb.  This brings me to the question, can someone be both honorable and dumb? 

There’s a rule in parenting I fear will haunt me for the rest of my life.  It seems that a general trend is forming where parenting simply becomes harder just when you thought it would get easier. I’m starting to realize that caring for this young lad is more than making sure he’s fed and watered.  Ryan has officially moved passed the “pet rock” stage into a fully mobile terror on hands and knees and while  I look fondly at this new stage with excitement and wonder, I’m realizing I have a lot of teaching to do.  The question generated from the video below though is one of significant importance.  When’s the right time to teach him that a girl willing to spend time with you is more important than trying to ride the dog. 

Yesterday Jenn and her friend Susan went out to dinner and Ryan’s friend Gracie spent the evening with us.  It was a good opportunity for the two moms to enjoy some wine and adult conversation.  It was also a great opportunity for Ryan to socialize! At first he couldn’t figure out whether he wanted to share his wagon or not.  He eventually conceded and welcomed the company. As you can see the little man seemed confused by his young lady friend.  My advice to Ryan when he reads this blog years from now?  Always share the wagon and keep your fingers out of your mouth. 

I think the California Gold Rush began in 1848 and less than two years later, California had become a state. Having missed California now for two days, I can see why it became so quickly populated. The weather, varied as it was, provided any type of escape I wanted.  I’d venture to guess I could find a place to ski in mid-August (probably within the city limits of San Francisco) and the beaches of San Diego are always warm.  Some say I’d miss the seasons of the North East.  Some would be wrong.  The incredibly high costs, high taxes, overcrowding and pollution might keep me away though. It’s a bad sign for The Golden State if New Yorkers can complain about their taxes, pollution and overcrowding.

Jenn and I are having a wonderful time in beautiful sunny California but we’re missing our little guy terribly.  This morning we finally worked out the time delay so that we could catch Ryan on Skype. It was great to see the little man but it was sad when he started to cry after seeing our faces on the screen.  Glad to know he misses us!  It got me thinking, what did parents do before webcams? Before the phone?  Sometimes technology can be a curse but not in this case!

Jenn and I have spent nearly a billion dollars on toys and entertainment devices for our little man only to find what my grandmother told me was true.  A pot and a spoon is all a child needs.

It really makes me reflect on the things I “need” in life like a riding mower with a leaf vacuum, new floors, new computers and phones and a new car. Maybe I need to take a lesson from the little man and get to playing with some pots and spoons.

I’m not sure I’ll fit in the cupboard though.

Well not really. Jenn and I took some much needed “us” time thanks to my very kind, if not slightly aged parents who so kindly bit the bullet and sacrificed their own contentment to take our young offspring for the evening.  Jenn and I had a wonderful dinner at the Outback and then to Bumpy’s for some deliciousness.  The majority of our evening though was spent painting our living and dining rooms.  Ahh the pain of adulthood comes crashing down on our heads.

All in all though we had a great evening where we focused on each other and the home that we continually work to build better, together.  It was nice. I’m looking forward to some sleep tonight and tomorrow morning but strangely the release of responsibility and not waking up to the little guy unnerves me a bit. I guess that’s a good thing because it’d be sad if I didn’t need the little monster around.

Here’s to great parents and sleeping in!

I’ve read a few articles lately where liberal authors are criticizing President Obama for allowing certain forms of torture to be practiced on the field of combat.  One of these is sleep deprivation, a tactic used to torture a suspect by depriving them of sleep. I’m not sure how they can honestly call it “torture” when it’s something that every parent goes through for extended periods of time.  Ryan was actually improving in the sleep department.  So much so that just yesterday I told one of my colleagues at ESPN that he was doing well and sleeping through the night.  He’s not. 

Last night he was hungry at 3am and bored at 4:30am. Jenn and I let him cry for a half hour before investigating what was keeping him up.  It turns out he can stand up fine in his crib but hasn’t figured out how to sit down.  He had himself cuddled up in his elbow trying to sleep standing up on his crib railing.  It may be time to install webcams.

Studies show that sleep deprivation can cause aching muscles, hallucinations, irritability and temper and weight loss. I think it may be true. I think I have lost a pound or two after beating that leprechaun who was riding a unicorn in my backyard last night.  The only good part is, as I’m writing this, the little guy is curled up and sleeping nicely.  I’ve said this before, but he’s lucky he’s cute.

Reports out of the NBA suggest Chris Bosh is going to sign a six year $125 million contract to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers.  He’s all set to sign but is concerned about living in Cleveland. $125 million and he’s concerned about living in Cleveland! For $125 million I think I’d live in a canoe on top of the BP oil spill. That’s silly money! Random thought #3244 to keep this going.  I’m off to buy Ryan a basketball.