So big

Now that he's putting phrases and sentences together, he just seems like such a little boy. He likes to say "I love you," and he says "bless you, Mommy" after I sneeze. He says "thank you" any time I hand him something. My favorite, though, has got to be during our prayers - any time I pray now, he starts singing "Joy joy joy joy" (down in my heart). And I will look up at him and say, "where?" and he points to his chest and says, clear as day, "in my heart." Love love love this little guy.

Matt Wood, Sellout

Not too long ago, I filled my ears with music by new artists that had not yet found their popularity. According to the wife, I was one of those people that turned their noses up at the thought "music on the radio."

As I sit here typing this post, I am listening to, and loving, Adam Lambert's "Whataya Want From Me." For those still too cool to know who he is, he is the 2009 American Idol runner-up. If you read those two previous sentences closely, you'll notice some sharp contrasts to the former version of myself detailed in the first paragraph.

I don't know what has happened to me. If you organize my iTunes playlist in order of "play count", you'll find "Just Dance" by Lady Gaga at #1, followed by a couple of Kanye West songs and more Gaga at spots #6 and #7.

I could blame it on the extra responsibilities I've taken on in the past couple years - getting married, having a kid, etc. But that's misleading and the easy way out. It probably started back in college - when I had multiple arguments trying to convince people that "How You Remind Me" by Nickelback was "an undeniably catchy" song.

I guess I just have to face the Lady Gaga music and realize I've changed. I've sold out. I've gone pop. I'm sorry I've failed all of you.

A Post That No One But Me Will Care About...

Tonight, I am saddened. The Eagles lost their opening playoff game for the first time in the Reid/McNabb era. To top it off, the loss came to the Dallas Cowboys (a team I hate).

In the closing minutes of the game, I started to feel a sense of a nostalgia for Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook. Most likely, they will be let go in the off season. The youth movement for the Eagles will prevail. Now, with all the young studs they have on their lineup, the transition should be smooth and the Eagles will most likely continue their winning ways. However, McNabb and Westbrook have been familiar faces to me over the past decade. I will miss them very much.

It's a time of change. Last year it was Brian Dawkins, now it's McNabb and Westbrook, and Sheldon Brown will soon follow.

Silly, I know, but I love my Eagles.

The Downside to Wearing Glasses...

When it became obvious that i was in need of some sort of correctional lenses, i opted for glasses instead of contacts. I thought glasses were classy looking and I was a fan of how easy they were to put on or take off.

Unfortunately, the latter "pro" of wearing glasses turned out to be a "con". Fumbling after your glasses once they've been knocked from your face by a child, a dog or any other random thing (which happens more than you would think) has to be one of the most emasculating feelings in the world. In the moment, it strips away any bit of cool or confidence you may have. Until the frames are placed securely back upon the bridge of your nose, you will undeniably be viewed as weak and dorky by others (consciously or subconsciously).

Helpful tip: If for some reason you ever get into a confrontation with someone wearing glasses, do not worry about it escalating into a physical fight. Wearing glasses makes people more cowardly. No one wants to get hit in the face while wearing glasses and therefore can be easily bullied. If they happen to be up for a fight, they'll move to take their glasses off first. Take that time to punch them in the face. It's a lose/lose for the bespectacled.

Helpful tip #2: Be fearful of those who are not afraid to be punched in the face while wearing glasses. They are rare and very dangerous.

Little Rascal

Unfortunately, I have no new pictures to post. The reason for that (we believe) is that Barrett threw away our camera. It disappeared completely a couple of weeks ago - we had transferred most of the pictures to our computer, but we lost a couple weeks worth, and obviously haven't been able to take any since. We had no idea where it could possibly be until we noticed Barrett's new habit of putting things in the big trash can in the kitchen. We saw him trying to throw away a remote control, a bill, and a couple of Christmas ornaments, and unless the camera miraculously surfaces somewhere, we're pretty sure it got put in there at some point and taken away.

He has developed some other adorably mischievous habits as well...

1) He begins to do something he knows he's not allowed to do, and when I tell him "no," he says, "bye bye" and waves at me to leave him to his business.

2) He is an amazing head-butter. If I go to pick him up and take him away from something he's been enjoying, I often look down to see him rearing his head back, preparing to slam it into me - he got me once right behind my ear and I thought I was going to pass out.

3) By far the cutest - he's learned to manipulate us through requests for hugs. If I'm trying to put him down for a nap or set him down to change his diaper, he'll get me into a bear hug that he knows I won't break - he says "hug," so of course I give him one, and if I try to stop, he just squeezes me really tight and keeps saying "hug" and putting his head on my shoulder so I won't set him down.

We'll try to get some good Christmas moments on the video camera.

Halloween

Barrett's cow-hide chaps (I made them - I was proud of myself) Grumpy cowboy

Barrett's most favorite friend -Ryann Lamb, aka: "Ronnie," seen here as Fancy Nancy.
"Let's play!!" - I love that they're running and holding hands. Sweetest little girl you ever met.

New Jersey

Last weekend we were able to go up to New Jersey to visit Matt's parents, and we had a fantastic time. The Woods Sr. were incredibly gracious and generous hosts and showed us a fantastic time. See "Passport to Life" for more pics - here are some of ours...

Howell Living Farm - who knew New Jersey was so beautiful.

B with Grandma and Grandpa Wood - love that he got the chance to wear his beloved boots on a real farm.

"I want this one"

On Sunday we drove to Philadelphia and went to the Aquarium.

"Sharky"

Shark tunnel

Meeting Pop-pop

Barrett did amazingly well on the plane ride both there and back, and was uncharacteristically well mannered and low maintenance the whole weekend. Overall, the perfect first vacation.