Simon update

Simon is doing great! He has been keeping Amber and me on our toes. We LOVE every second we get to spend with him. The video is exactly how he is most of the time.

SIMON is WALKING!!!!!!!

I could write about how fun this is, but the video speaks louder than I can write.

Simon's First Year Down.

What a year! Simon has broke Amber and me in the hard way. After 25 hours of labor and then a C-section to boot, Amber gave birth to a 6lbs 14.5oz baby boy. Simon started the new year with a bout of RSV and has had some respiratory issues ever since. Now for the good parts. Simon has grown to be a very funny kiddo. He loves to laugh and play with other kids at daycare. Simon has also developed a good sense of exploration. He loves to checkout new thing around the house and at the park. From crawling, to standing, and even walking (with help) Simon has amazed me over this last year. I am looking forward to spend as much time with him this year as I can. Simon is a great kid!

Here are some pics from his Birthday party. Amber made one of the BEST dumptruck cakes I have ever seen. She is already getting iquires from people to make their kiddos cakes. This woman is amazing!

Simon walking and other updates.

Mark Turner
Aug 6th 1977-Nov 20th 2009

Simon is walking with some help. He has grown so much in just a few months. On the 20th he will be one year old. I have heard many people say it goes by way too fast and now I believe they are right. This time last year I could not wait for Simon to arrive. I was very impatient and wanted everything to work on my schedule. One year later and I feel less worried about how fast things get done, just that they get done.

Earlier this month I lost a good friend while he was running. He had a heart attack as he finished the routine run close to his work. Mark Turner was 32 years of age and in the prime of his life. He served in the National Guard as an E-8. He had served one tour in Iraq and was possibly going back soon. Turner (as we called him) ran 2:50 marathons and 16 min. 5K races. This guy was crazy fast! Turner was an amazing friend and person to boot. The last run I did with him was at the Nature Center with Stokes, Turner, and me. Running with these guys was HARD. They would talk while I coughed up a lung trying to hang on.

Now that Turner is gone I still get choked up talking about him when someone asks. One thing I have learned is that there are no guarantees for tomorrow. I have to live and love every moment I get to spend with Amber and Simon. These are the things I will never regret because they are what makes me who I am. A father, husband, friend, and a teacher. I really love this life I live and feel very blessed to have made my life what it is today. Life is not what happens to us, we are what happens to life. Make it the best you can.

Halloween

Simon has been a few things this Halloween. He was a tiger at daycare and Spartacus for the EC Halloween party and the Springfield Symphony. He was entered into the costume contest with over 200 others. Simon's costume (made by my cousin with recycled fabric) won second place. The Fire Truck that won first was amazing. We did a parade over in University Heights housing area. Simon did well during the whole time. Simon even sat and listened to the music for an hour with no fuss.
Simon amazes me daily. We have done two movies this week and Simon sat the whole time and watched. I know the things he does is no different than another kid, but when others notice how good he is in public it makes you feel great. I have a co-worker who has told me I have no clue because Simon is not old enough and I have a lot to learn. I think she is bitter and too old to realize no matter what Simon does he will amaze me. Simon is a great kid who I will learn from daily, this is how life is suppose to be. An awesome wife who puts up with my crap and a son who I love no matter what he does.

Simon and his dog.

Simon is getting more mobile and into more stuff than before. I LOVE this time! He is soooo much fun to hang with. I am no longer doing the coaching thing because I just do not want to be away from him. For Simon's first Halloween he is going to be Sparticus or a Roman guard I am not too sure, you can be the judge when you see the outfit. I will have a bunch of photos here and on Facebook on that night. The hardest part will be running around all day Saturday with Simon in his outfit and me in my toga and then getting up on Sunday to run my half marathon. What a busy weekend.

Simon! Come on boy.

Simon is sick for the second week. Now it is pneumonia. He is on antibiotics and he has a lot of energy, but he is still sick. I have used 5 sick days of my 9 and Amber's work is giving her a hard time. What ever happened to family first? In an age where bottom dollar is the most important of all, this is truly a sad time. "Kids need nurturing and role models" is what I have heard over and over, but they left out the key element, "after money". I am VERY LUCKY to have a boss who understands the concept "family first" and TRULY owns the notion. I know I am a teacher, but come on! We are all human and when money is a driving force who looses? Family? I know we all need to work to provide, but at what point does society as a whole step in and lift the burden of greedy men who do not understand the true meaning of "FAMILY"? My son first then all else. Am I a minority? Anyone? Anyone? We have to carry our young to a safer and smarter society. Educate them young to be pasionate about what they believe, no matter what that may be. Not to be swayed by the all mighty dollar.

Rant over,
Doug