My son, the comedian

So the other day Ryan and I are playing with his puzzles. He's really good at puzzles. That is not what this story is about. He started singing the theme to Sesame Street, you know, "Sunny days...". So I joined in. Ryan stopped, sat back and listened. Just as I was cruising into the big finish, he breaks out in applause and holds it til the end. Being the proud Daddy, I ask, "So, you like Daddy's singing?"

And my son... my first born... says:


"No, you stop when I clap!"

Braedan

Braedan is starting to really come alive. He is over his birth weight(finally!), and really starting to show some personality. He laughs and smiles all the time now and even tries to talk back to you. He is desperately waiting to show off these new talents to all of his Grandparents! As Ryan would say, "Come visit me!"

Look to the right for the link to more smiling pictures...

Great Grandma Margie's Wedding

Great Grandma Margie married her long time friend Buzz Elias last week. As you can see Ryan was very happy to help out with the cutting of the cake.

Margie and Buzz snuck off to elope so we had to settle for a small reception at Ama and Papa's house. Following an exciting honeymoon to Europe, the newlyweds will be summering in Colorado and wintering in California. While Ryan and Braedan are sad to only have Great Grandma around half the time, they couldn't be happier for her otherwise.

Ryan and Braedan(as well as their Mama and Daddy, welcome Buzz to our ever growing family with open arms.

Congratulations!

Braedan's 1st Bath

Braedan had his first bath this morning. Things started out OK, but went downhill from there real fast. Click on Braedan's 1st bath to the right, under the slide show heading, to see what happened next...

I am happy to report that both Braedan and Mama survived intact.

New to my blog

Check out the new column on the right, Photo Slide Shows. From here you can link to my ofoto slide shows, set up free by Kodak. You can even buy prints from here, for just 15 cents each (4x6). I'll try to put up new slide shows at least once a week, so you can all keep up with your growing grandchildren!

Big Brother

Sorry I haven't posted in a little while, as you can guess, we have been a little busy.

Ryan is a great big brother. Our only worry is that he is going to "kill him with kindness". All he wants to do is hug and hold Braedan. He couldn't be a better big brother.

Mommy and Daddy are holding up well, everyone is just a little tired(Mommy more so than Daddy.) Braedan sleeps a lot better than his brother did, so this time around has been a little easier (again, Mommy might feel differently, since she is the one who is up all night.)

All of our family and friends have been great. We are so lucky to have such a great support system in place. Thank you all for all your help and meals and kind words and clothes and diapers and cards and encouragement and and and...

and I promise to try and update more often and send more pictures.

Braedan Darryl Doherty

We are very pleased to introduce the world to our new son. He was born 9/1 @ 5:11am. Approx. 15 minutes before he arrived(with his mother not being able to fully concentrate - that is how I slid in the "D" name) we chose what should have been obvious from the beginning; the perfect name for my son.

Weighing in at 9lbs 4oz, and 22 inches long, he looks exactly like his brother did when he was born.

Mama and Baby are both doing great!

Quick Ryan Story...

As you all know, my wife is 9 months pregnant. Her actual due date is Tomorrow. So, bearing that in mind, picture the scenario: Our street is closed and we have to park around the block. It's 98 degrees and the middle of the day. My son doesn't sleep. It's time to go to playgroup.

After finally coaxing Ryan the block and a half to the car, he refuses to get into his car seat. Lots and lots of negotiation fail. Alesha gets to the point where she tells Ryan that she is not happy with this behavior, and she is going to count to 3. Ryan knows what this means. Get to 3, TIMEOUT! Ryan HATES timeouts.

Sensing Mommy's frustration, our 2 year old son tilts his head ever so slightly, bats his doe eyes and says,

"But Mama, I'm a genius!"

And somehow I got blamed.

What makes an adult...

I am forcing myself into adulthood today. I'm kicking and screaming, but I'm going.

I always thought having a real job would make me feel grown up, but I ended up selling booze for a living, and that keeps me connected to the college student in me. Getting married? No chance. My wife is 5 years younger and refuses to let me be old.

Certainly then, the reason for this site, my children, would finally propel me into adulthood! Those of you with two year olds, or remember having them, know that that is not true. Playing with my son makes me feel like a kid again, makes all my old man aches and pains go away.

I know, if none of these life fulfilling events have forced me to become what I know I have to be, an adult, what could possibly do so?

Today I am selling my old convertible.

I don't really want to. It runs great. Only has 138,000 miles on it. Still as fun as the day I bought it. But it isn't practical. Not appropriate for a "Sales Manager". Can't drive important wine geeks around in it. Can't put car seats in it. I'm starting to look like that "middle aged" guy we all made fun of when we were in our 20s.

I've been fooling myself lately. Thinking I was saving it for my sons, it would be their first car(Ryan can drive in only 14 more years!). Saying I would use it on weekends. The weather here in SoCal is always convertible weather. The truth is that it hasn't moved in months. If I am going to go somewhere on the weekend, I want to take my son. In 14 years it will probably be a pile of dust. The weather here in the summer is actually AC weather.

The truth is it is time for it to go.

(But not me - I'm think I'll go play XBox with my son)