Dear Daddy

Dear Daddy,

For Valentine's Day, I thought I'd help out a bit.  So, I thought I'd start by cleaning out the dog crate.  

Harper wasn't so sure she wanted me ruining the aroma she had worked so hard to cultivate.

 But I know how much pet hair everywhere bothers you, so I went to work.

She was not happy.

Then I picked out a nice wine for dinner.  Though you probably won't let me have any.  Not fair.

I worked on your Valentine.   And...accidentally ruined it in the process.

So I tried to tire out the puppy with some ball action.  By the way?  I said ball, bat, duck, puppy, and Bubba this morning.  I know you've heard them all before, but just lettin ya know.  

Then I tried to make dessert.

And tried to stop the puppy from barking outside.

Neither worked.  Anyway.  It's been a busy day, and it's still early.  But I just wanted to say that I LOVE YOU SO MUCH.  And you're my favorite now.  But you know that with all the yelling, "Dada" while Mommy's holding me.  She had her turn.

Love you lots, 

Robby (& Katy)

Guest Post by Chris: Success with Honor

This was not the planned post for today, but Chris felt compelled to address the horrible situation involving his alma mater, Penn State.  So today I am grateful to be married to a passionate, moral man and grateful for those who fight to protect the innocent among us.

“Success with Honor.” “The Grand Experiment.” For as long as I can remember these two statements have been synonymous with the Penn State family and with many that follow college athletics closely. To those that are not familiar with these statements, Joe Paterno created these beliefs when he started coaching 46 years ago. His idea was that you could have a student athlete that succeeded both on and off the field, one of upstanding character, and one that met certain high academic standards.  JoePa showed the college football world that this was possible over those 46 years, and we the Penn State Community believed every bit of it.  For the better part of my life I have believed in these statements, I have believed that JoePa was above all things, and that JoePa was God-like. Joe has been looked on by the sporting community as the one person that has done things right. Heck, Penn State is one of TWO NCAA Division 1 programs (Stanford being the other) that has never, and I mean NEVER been investigated by the NCAA for major violations of the NCAA bylaws for college athletics.  JoePa created that image by demanding excellence from his players on and off the field and preaching it to all that wear the Blue and White.  I had tears in my eyes when JoePa passed Paul “Bear” Bryant on the win record. Same when he hit win #400 last season.  I have always felt that JoePa is Penn State.  However, with one short sighted decision, all that Joe built was gone. 

This past weekend has been arguably the most trying time that the Penn State Community has ever had to deal with. I myself, a die-hard Penn Stater, am still struggling with the acceptance of the news that broke this past Friday evening about former coach Jerry Sandusky and then blew up on Saturday with the cover-up scandal.  Today I find myself struggling to feel the way I used to about my Alma Matter. Today I find myself saddened by the actions of not only Jerry Sandusky, but also those in power at Penn State, those that failed to do the right thing. Today I question what else JoePa and company lied about and hid over the years. Today I question my loyalty to the University that I grew up loving, attended, and graduated from.

My heart goes out to the victims of this monster that was allowed to walk around free and clear for 10+ years.  Those victims will live with memories that they will never be able to escape, no matter how hard they try.  The fact that most, if not all, of the victims were “at risk kids” being helped by what truly is a fantastic organization, The Second Mile, makes it even harder to accept.  These kids were sent by their parents to an organization that they believed would help mold their children into fine upstanding citizens. They were to be taught life lessons about what is right and what is wrong.  And they were sent to one place that is SUPPOSED to be safe, a University setting.  How are we, as parents, supposed to trust anyone if you can’t trust the staff at a major University?  This may be the part that rubs people the wrong way, I know it does me.

I first found out about the investigation of Jerry Sandusky earlier this year through Penn State fan sites and forums.  As quickly as the word broke that he was being investigated by a grand jury on allegations of sexual conduct with minors, the news was hushed.  At that time, my initial reaction was to think that, “well this will be ugly, but it will blow over quickly.”  Never in a million years did I expect that once the grand jury convened that several high ranking Penn State officials would be charged with perjury and failure to report a sex crime.  Never did I expect that possibly the biggest cover-up in the history of college athletics would be unveiled, especially when it involved Penn State.

Because of this, I am left with so many questions about a place that I love, a place that I worship.  Saturday night I wrote an email to the Board of Trustees demanding the resignation of President Grahm Spanier, Athletic Director Tim Curley, Vice President of Finance Charles Shultz, and Joe Paterno.  These were the men that failed to do what needed to be done.  Yes, Joe did what he legally needed to do by the letter of the law in reporting the allegations to his superior Tim Curley.  But he could have done more and he should have done more.  One thing to keep in mind is that we do not know what the GA told Paterno.  There are differing theories on the description Joe was given and this is crucial to how we judge JoePa.  If the description was merely “I think I saw Sandusky naked in the shower with a young boy” then it is hard to say JoePa did the wrong thing by merely reporting the matter to his superior, Tim Curley.  Now if he was told the specifics outlined in the grand jury report then Joe deserves to be judged harshly.  I can only hope that in the upcoming months more light will be shed onto what happened.  Maybe Joe did pursue this and was shut out by his superiors or told it was taken care of?  Is it likely? Especially knowing that JoePa runs the University, I don’t know.  One thing I do know is that Joe was not protecting a “buddy” because he and Sandusky had not gotten along for years, and that is a known fact.  I do not believe that Joe was part of the “cover-up” directly. I think Joe's failure was in not doing more than he did.  Morally JoePa should have made sure the police showed up and investigated this incident immediately.

Ask any of my friends or family and they will tell you that I am a loyalist to the extreme. Yes, I wanted JoePa to retire about 10 years ago already and yes I hoped that this season was truly it for Joe (which as a side note I really think it was regardless of the current situation).  Everything was set up for a great end of a career.  His contract was up at the seasons end, he turns 85, he has the all-time win record for Division 1 football, PSU has a great chance at the first ever Big Ten Championship game and a great New Year’s Day Bowl Game.  JoePa has done it all.  But now?  Now, that incredible career is tarnished with a stench that will never go away only because JoePa appears to have chosen to do the bare minimum.  Maybe I am wrong about JoePa.  Maybe people won’t judge him as harshly after we learn more about what happened.  Honestly, I hope that is the case.  It would be really sad to see everything that JoePa built at Penn State be labeled with an asterisks.

One major issue I have with the Penn State administration is that Sandusky continued to maintain an office on campus after the 2002 incident despite all the smoke around him.  Not only that, but he continued to bring children on campus despite being told not to.  Another thing to note is that Penn State officials did alert the Second Mile about these allegations and they also chose to do nothing.  They are just as guilty as Penn  State on this and no one seems to be evening mentioning that.

This upcoming Saturday I will travel to Penn State for the last home game of the season versus Nebraska.  This was a game that I was looking forward to prior to this past weekend.  The mood of the game has already been dampened, but I will go to support the student athletes on the field, especially those playing their last game in the Blue and White.  I won’t lie though; it will be very hard to mutter up the courage to sing the words of our Alma Matter though, especially the last two veruses: 

“When we stood at childhood's gate,
Shapeless in the hands of fate,
Thou didst mold us, dear old State,
Dear old State, dear old State.

May no act of ours bring shame
To one heart that loves thy name,
May our lives but swell thy fame,
Dear old State, dear old State. “

Those words just don’t feel the same today as they did last week.  I know they say that time heals all wounds.  For myself, and for other Penn Staters, we will survive. We will unite as one as we always have and always will.  For the victims of Jerry Sandusky, I can only hope that somehow their wounds are healed sooner rather than later. I know it is a stretch, but I can hope and pray that once justice is served that those victims can gain some relief in knowing the punishment was dealt.  I do hope that one day people will look at Penn State with respect like they did before.  The Penn State I know is not what is being drug through the mud right now. The Penn State I know is a proud institution with a proud fan base that does things the right way.  I hope that people will realize that when we say “We Are Penn State” that the “We” is not the individuals that failed to stop a monster.  The Penn State community is a very strong community and will remain strong despite the dark days we have ahead.   

The Trials of Being a New Dad

It's rough being a new dad.  Your wife's a little nutty, and yet she's your best resource for what works to calm the kid down.  And you better believe you'll need to know it, because you're most likely to get handed said kid when he's fussy, or everyone's exhausted or, well, just sweltering hot.  

Sometimes Mom has just HAD it by the end of the day, and Dad ends up grilling dinner, while playing with the dog and carrying baby.  Just so Mom can get a shower, and decompress from fussy baby, exhaustion, and stuff she doesn't talk about on the blog.

As a new Dad you have to try and make sure the older "kids" don't feel neglected.

You may not wake up at night, but you work long hours to support everyone, and then come home to a wife that actually wants "adult conversation".  And food.  And every bit of energy you have left.

And will still set you up while you're napping to make you look neglectful... ;)

Love you, Chris!

Where have all the helpers gone?

Today is my first day alone with Robby.  I'll have to update later with how it goes.  Last week we had some wonderful grandparents on hand, and Saturday, there will be great-grandparents stopping by, but for now I'm flying solo.

Not that there is all that much anyone else can do when you're breast-feeding.  And with little dude eating every hour, I can't pump, so there's no break.  I've managed two bottles so far, which he happily took from Chris...but then still wanted more, so there was STILL no break.  Lil tired.

And...even Chris is out of the picture.  Not just at work (which he is), but there was an accident.  Sunday he was trying to be helpful and cook dinner, when the knife either slipped out of his hand, or fell, or he doesn't know.  He just knows that one of our largest blades was falling towards Harper, who was laying at his feet, and  his instinctual reaction was to catch the knife.  It split his hand open, and blood was spraying everywhere.  I didn't have anyone to call, so I packed up Robby and drove him to the emergency room.  We ended up leaving him there and coming back later because the germs worried me.

Four stitches later, they are not sure if Chris cut a tendon, so we are waiting to see.  But now, Chris can't even change a diaper or do the dishes.  I'm really gaining even more respect for single moms.  Not to mention, Robby had a rough day yesterday.  Typical newborn stuff, but he was very fussy, refused to be set down, and has only slept about 4 hours in the last 24.  I'm pretty worn.  And, of course, typing this one-handed.

I have managed some amazing one-handed-ness.  My mom was impressed by my cutting a banana for cereal, but psshhh.  That was nothing.  I gave Harper her PILL one-handed last night.  Remember, our EPI mess of a dog can't have treats so it involves prying her jaw open and shoving it down her throat.  I'm not even sure how I did it.

Anyway, wish me luck!

Chris's Bachelor Party

Obviously, this will be picture-free, and very lacking in detail, but I can't post how the girls spent their weekend, because I don't have the pictures from Cathy yet.  :) 

Chris and 4 friends went to the Penn State Blue & White game this past weekend.  They left Friday around lunch, and got home Sunday around lunch.  There was drinking, football watching, food, and...shopping.  No, not cruising the malls.  Rather, cruising the shops downtown that sell Penn State gear.  Chris brought home a bandanna for the dog, and yet ANOTHER jersey.  Sheesh.  At least he didn't buy the Nittany Lion shrine he's been eying forever.  I know one day I'll pull in to the driveway and our front yard will be filled with lion.  Little paranoid of when it will happen, actually.

They tailgated 3 rows from the stadium, and landed some amazing seats once inside.  I did get text messages with those pictures.  They amazingly did not stay for the whole game because it was starting to rain.  I frankly believe that Chris must be a pod person, because I can't imagine him missing a second of football.  After the game, they went to dinner, where they ran into a couple players that are incoming freshmen next year, and Chris apparently spent quite awhile talking to one of their parents.  This seemingly made his weekend. 

I must say, the guys did an awesome job putting together a weekend that really fit Chris.  He's far from the type that would enjoy the stereotypical Vegas weekend or something like that, so this was perfect.  Glad you all had a great time!

GOOD LUCK CHRIS!!!!

P.E.

Yes, fear should be struck in the hearts of all men.  Chris is taking the Professional Engineering exam tomorrow, so he is home studying before he drives to Delaware for the test.  And by studying, I probably mean working on the patio and cleaning.  The man is an unstoppable force of nature.

I should not be floored by how much work he's put in.  I did take the bar a few times (in a couple states) and can feel the pain.  Actually, much of our courtship was spent in libraries studying for the FE/EIT (engineer in training) exam and the PA bar together.  This time, he's been on his own.  And...I've been a single doggy-mommy.  He studies a minimum of a couple hours a night and pretty solidly on weekends.  We don't go out much at all.  I was requested to limit my activities, even, so that he wouldn't be left alone with crazy dog-lady.

Needless to say, I think he's ready.  He's a smart cookie, has worked hard, and deserves to pass with flying colors.  Good luck!

A Romantic Valentine

So, a few weeks ago, many of you may have enjoyed a swoon-worthy day full of wine, chocolate and roses...  Or maybe that's just television people.  I don't know.  It wasn't me.  That's not a fair statement.  Chris sent me a lovely bouquet of flowers to my office on Friday, and then claimed that there was another part of my present.  Sure, Chris, ok.

Saturday rolls around, I had already given Chris his chocolates early, and I decided that since his BIG, FABULOUS, SECRET present was still coming, I better get him something else.  And I better go grocery shopping if I wanted anything cooked for dinner.  (He's sweet enough to cook it, but brave the crowds armed with shopping carts?  You've got to be kidding.)  I wandered around Best Buy for a little bit (the kid is a tech-junkie), picking up random things, putting them back, picking them up again....  Generally scratching my head and trying to dodge persistent salesmen.  Finally, I decided we had wanted a nice dSLR camera for the LONGEST time, and intended to get one for the honeymoon anyway, so Chris was getting the uber-expensive camera for Valentines.  (Yet, I have no pictures in this post, go figure.)

Of course, Chris hates surprises, so he got an unwrapped camera in a Best Buy bag the second I walked in the door.  He was psyched, but looked quite scared.  We now have taken about 5 MILLION puppy and cat pictures testing out various settings.  Thank goodness they're willing models.

Sunday, Chris cooked a truly lovely meal of filet mignon in a wine and mushroom sauce, mashed potatoes, and green beans.  Unfortunately, he used lots of butter and milk, and I spent the rest of the night sick.  He tries, but forgets about the lactose-intolerant thing sometimes.  Thought that counts, right?

FINALLY, Tuesday, I think it was, a package arrives.  In it?  The bathing suit I had talked about buying to shame myself into working out even more.  It's really a great suit.  Fits me perfectly right now.  Hope it's falling off soon!  My real dilemma, though, was whether or not to share the photos of myself in said bikini.  Obviously, I have decided against it.  Believe me, it's not pretty.  Maybe once there's an impressive "after" shot.  Maybe never.  I mean, what if I want to run for president? 

Anyway, that's my long over-due run down of our Valentine's Day.  I promise to post some pictures from the new camera soon.  It really is wonderful.

My (soon-to-be) Husband Rocks Friday

I can't believe Harper was EVER that small!!!! She certainly has exploded since then. She's up to over 40 pounds already!!! But onto more important things...Chris's rocking. This week he rocks for encouraging me to get up, get outside, and play. I'm back on track with exercise, largely because we're always out walking, and he really wanted to join a gym. So, Chris rocks because of his active lifestyle and his encouraging of mine.

My (soon-to-be) Husband Rocks Friday

Alright, so I only ever do posts on Fridays. Gonna improve. I swear.


In case you didn't notice...that's not Chris. That's one of his groomsmen. Tim. I would like to thank Chris for introducing me to some fabulous friends since I moved to Philly and knew no one. Even if it does cause us to take silly, terrible pictures together.

My (soon-to-be) Husband Rocks Friday

Ok, so I missed a few. I was injured, and then was lazy. In case you didn't know, this is Chris's "thank you" face. It's an imitation of Dave. Shocking.
But "thank you" Chris for all your help when I WAS injured. Harper decided to bite my eye when I was cleaning the floor, and I was laid up with a torn cornea for a few days over Christmas when our families were here. Chris took care of the dog, made the ENTIRE Christmas dinner on his own (wouldn't even let the moms in the kitchen), and just generally took over. He rocks because he sure can step up to the plate.

My (soon-to-be) Husband Rocks

So, I know we're not married yet, but who couldn't use a little validation? What a great, inspiring blog trend! On Fridays, they are encouraging you to share a story about why your husband rocks. Check it out here:

So, why Chris rocks today:

I may be frustrated that I got up 4 times last night, and he got up once, with a puppy that has some tummy trouble, but Chris has done a wonderful job with her. I may be nervous about what this means for midnight wake-up calls from a baby, but he has been nothing but nurturing, concerned, and attentive to our new little girl. The second something goes wrong, he's on top of it. Being the engineer, he goes into research mode for how to "fix" it. He always has a million ideas for solutions, and is willing to try new things. Therefore, Chris rocks.