Craig's OTHER List: That's Going To Leave a Mark...

Discussing taking time off for Russell's arrival evolved into getting a month to get situated with having a child and L was able to work out getting about three months. The last week prior to the birth included a baby shower put together by my coworkers for L & I and since L's maternity leave was underway she was able to take part in the mid-day Wednesday soiree. The festive decor included actual rocks (those used for library-related crafts) scattered around the plate of celebratory cookies.

My paternity leave was to then begin at the end of this week, but an ice storm that Wednesday afternoon encased everything in ice and the snow storm the following day dumped about six inches on top - thus, closing the library Thursday & Friday. So my paternity leave began two days ahead of time. It was fun pounding away at the ice and snow to clear the driveway and free our cars from their ice cocoons on day one, then shoveling it all again the following day. If anything, our cats enjoyed the constant human interaction.

During the de-icing of our cars we came away with on unexpected benefit. A couple of years ago, frustrated after an argument (we don't remember what it was about) - L released her pent up negative energy by punching the backside of her car around the trunk area. Unfortunately, she hit it hard enough to leave a fist-sized dent.

Five inches of snow, on top of an

inch of ice.

Fast forward to the aftermath of the February 2022 ice storm, I'm banging on our cars just hard enough to break up the ice to allow for an easy removal. A couple of areas needed a few additional whacks and to our surprise one of those hits with a bit more mmmph actually popped out the dent left by L's iron fist way back when. Upon hearing this great news, L said she had only told her brother of how the dent occurred because she was embarrassed and had previously feigned ignorance when asked about it.

On Saturday, I squeezed in a 3.1 mile run to suffice the Break the Ice 5k virtual race. The in-person race takes place in South Haven, Michigan during the Ice Breaker Festival we have attended each year since 2019. Though we couldn't get there this year with the pregnancy just days away from completion, but signing up for the virtual race meant we would still get the coveted SWAG sent to us. I didn't run all that fast since the ice and snow made for less than stellar conditions, but it was nice to take part from afar. The full sun helped to defeat the near-single digit temps as well. #HShive #mettlemonday

Limoncello cookies,

chocolate biscotti

& pizzelles

We then celebrated L's birthday by picking up some pastries I ordered from Old Man Ciacchi's Italian Bakery, a local couple who run a bakery from their home. I highly recommend the Limoncello cookies, but everything they make is excellent. This was then followed by breakfast at the Sunbury Grill as L had been craving a hearty breakfast without the whole "healthy" thing getting in the way. We spent the rest of the day at her parent's watching the Olympics and playing her brother's Civilization board game till midnight. On the way home, L teared-up a bit realizing the next time we visit her parents she - herself - would be a mom.

Despite being tired from the long Saturday, L didn't sleep well as Russell was moving all over the place. The movement was similar to when he turned the opposite direction the week before, but we think he was just getting excited or making sure his bags were packed for the upcoming change of scenery. The Sunday was also the arrival of several things we had ordered, or were sent to us, for the baby. One of those things may have been a Bengals onesie complete with beanie and bib - the poor boy has to be ready for the Super Bowl next weekend, right?!

We stayed up late, again, watching the Olympics Sunday night and were, again, greeted with blue sky & sunshine Monday morning. As L stayed in bed, I took care of the cats and wandered into Russell's room, gawking out the window into the backyard to see the sun bouncing off the snow, birds taking turns visiting the feeder as well as this past December's Christmas Tree lying just below it and a feisty red squirrel protecting it's territory by chasing away it's bushy, gray brethren.

A portion of Russell's room

Sipping on a cup of coffee, I couldn't help but come to the realization this would be the last day we would NOT be parents. Looking around R.O.K.S' soon-to-be occupied room, I laugh at the fact I'm going to be a first-time dad at 46 and - holy crap - we really need to organize the piles of collected baby stuff & supplies lying in the crib.

Making her way out of bed, L's to-do list starts with calling our landlord and inquiring as to why the rent on our duplex would be going up another 10% (just short of 20% total the last two years). Hearing the frustration in her voice, she was not happy with the answer of "this coincides with the recommendation of the independent appraiser we hired." Concisely & calmly giving the person on the other end of the line a piece of her mind, L then hangs up. Now angrily spouting how wrong this is to the atmosphere around her, I interrupt the diatribe with this is not the time to get herself cranked up.

Getting her to relax and focus more on the to-do list to prepare for tomorrow, we agree that once we are settled with having a baby to care for we would then begin the process of looking for a home to buy. This, of course, would be months from now but still a little disappointing that The Fermented Firefly would be changing locations a little sooner than we had hoped - but good things do have to come to an eventual end: "We'd get sick on too many cookies, but ever so much sicker on no cookies at all." ~ Sinclair Lewis

Headed out the door at 7am
to extract Russell.

We were up at 6am, the cats knew something was up as bags were stacked at the door, we loaded the car, took a deep breath, I downed a quick espresso and we drove the five minutes to Grady Memorial Hospital just as the sun was rising. The parking lot was relatively empty and so was the hospital itself, but when we were escorted to our room there as a parade of nurses, physicians and medical personnel. Pre-operation steps get underway, awakening the butterflies for the both of us, well-wishing text messages began to chime in and soon I found myself in scrubs from head-to-toe....this was really happening.

A description of what would take place from here on out was detailed, then a nervous L was wheeled to the operating room - leaving me pacing in the room by myself searching for some sort of sanity. Soon a nurse pokes her head in coaxing me to follow and into a small prep area outside of the operating room. I wait, again, as the time is almost there and when finally beckoned - L is displayed on a table, covered in sheets and surrounded by what seemed to be every medical professional in the building.

R.O.K.S - shaking his fist at me
moments after birth.

I sit on a stool next to her head which is poking out from behind a sheet screen, grab her hand and the procedure begins. We are given details as to what is taking place during the procedure, shielded by the work itself. We make fun, nervous small talk as she tries to ignore the pushing, squeezing and pressure being issue to her lower half. Before we know it, were told he has been removed from his human cocoon. A quick glance over the sheet and I see a tiny, purply, wet alien-like person held above the table with his tissue tether dangling below him. He isn't crying much, but rather is making annoyed squeaks similar to those made by the angry squirrels that take over our backyard.

Then the waterworks begin, L is crying and I'm a complete mucusy mess. The boy is brought over to meet his mom for the first time, then is placed into the warmer for post-op screening. I'm staring threw the waterfall of tears at this little person with breech birth legs sticking straight up into the air, being poked and prodded by nurses. As the medical personnel disperses, this tiny hand grips my finger and these steely blue eyes glare back - likely wondering what the hell just took place.... I'm right there with you, brother.

For a lack of a better phrase, L is stitched back together and we - along with an awesome hospital staff - welcomed the 7 pounds, 7 ounces and 19 inches of Russell Orland Kidder Simpson to the world at 9:52am on Tuesday, February 8th. For this one day, if ever there was one, all was right with the world.

So here we are, the two of us has become three - ending an era and starting a whole new chapter with stories to tell, mistakes to make, discoveries to uncover and a family to administer. It's all hands (and paws) on deck, for C, L, R.O.K.S, Whiskey & Jameson are about to begin....

Weezer - Beginning Of The End

Knocking on my door they tell me it's time to go on
Last check in the mirror to see if anything's wrong
The writing's up on the wall
A warning shot to them all

My head is spinning, it's the beginning of the end
The people freak out when I walk out there, so scared
My head is spinning, it's the beginning of the end
The people freak out when I walk out there, so scared

Nostradamus predicted a bomb would drop
And all our guitars will be humming in old pawn shops
Watch us brush off the dust, in heavy metal we trust
Then kick back and read The Sunday Times

My head is spinning, it's the beginning of the end
The people freak out when I walk out there, so scared

Fifteen hundred thousand years
Wouldn't be enough to dry these tears
I'll still be here hanging on, and on, and on
Things will never be the same
Save the pieces of your brain

My head is spinning, it's the beginning of the end
The people freak out when I walk out there, so scared
My head is spinning, it's the beginning of the end
The people freak out when I walk out there, so scared