It Starts Right Now

I just told Kristine tonight that right now is the time to make the changes. I have less than two months before this little boy is born. I know things are going to change and priorities will be completely different, but that doesn't mean that I have to stop taking care of myself. I hope that in the coming months, I not only have nothing but great news from the standpoint of being a dad, but also that I have started eating well, stopped drinking and continue to make time for the gym. 216 lbs is just not gonna cut it.

The goal right now is to lose 30 lbs by the end of the year. I don't want my son to look back at pictures from his early months and see a big fat ass for a dad. I want to change my lifestyle so when he gets older he sees how good of shape I'm in and want to be like me. My dad was always so fit and healthy and I always respected that. Even when I was younger I knew that. Especially when all of my friends would comment about how good he looked. I know its kind of selfish, but I want to be the guy that people look at and are impressed about how in shape he is. Right now, that is not the case. I look sloppy and out of shape. I'm the guy they look at and say, "wow, how did THAT guy get THAT girl?"

I've realized now that I cannot do this by myself because I have no self control. So, for the few of you who read this, and actually care... do ya mind helpin me out?

Goodbye January... FINALLY!

Ok, I have to admit... January did not exactly go as I had planned. On a positive note, the pregnancy has continued to progress extremely well. Kristine got her heartburn figured out for the most part and is getting some better sleep. Now it just feels like a waiting game. Fortunately for her, it seems like days are still flying by, only 51 days til her due date.

Now, for the not so good stuff.
1. The weather has been SHITTY! And that may be an understatement. Everytime we catch a break from the snow, I get the ice scraped off the driveway and the sun shines, the weather predictions just get worse. This coming week we are supposed to be in the low 20s with freezing rain, sleet and snow predicted. Its supposed to get NASTY!
2. Not being able to be outside and only getting a few hours of daylight each day is kind of a downer. I'm less active and it seems like all I do is wait for my next meal.
3. Which in turn has led to me feeling like crap and looking like crap. Not only have I not lost any weight, but I think I have put some on. My irregular eating habits have caused my system to go haywire.
4. My stomach is F*CKED UP! Have to make an appt with the gastroenterologist this week. I don't think sharp shooting pains 3-5 times a day and constant cramping is a good thing for a 30 year old man to be experiencing.
5. Work has not helped. We have not slept through the night yet this year. Being tired every day makes it harder and harder for me to get motivated to get to the gym. Its a vicious cycle.

Birthday Wishes

Happy 81st Birthday to my Grandpa today (soon to be GREAT GRANDPA). "Uncle Bill" as he is known to just about everyone was born in January 1930 (makes it easy to remember bc he is always 50 years older than me). He served on the Chagrin FD for over 45 years, including a stint as Chief and many years as an Assistant Chief. He owned and operated Village Glass, where he was the community expert in the field. His accolades include plastering (to the best of my knowledge) every house in Northeast Ohio, driving nuns in Pennsylvania at the age of 14, pushed in a wheelbarrow through town when Kennedy won the election, and jumping from a train, nearly ripping a finger off, among many others. Next month he and my grandma will celebrate their 59th wedding anniversary. Whew!

And We Wonder...

This is why its been a little crappy lately. This weather is getting to be ridiculous! Right now it is 12 degrees and snowing. No high temps over 17 for the next 3 days... awesome!

Oh yeah... we shovel out fire hydrants! We've had 3 fires in the past 10 years,

but let's make sure that every fire hydrant is clear!

This was taken last week... my car was outside for about 3 hours!

This was after the first snowfall of the year!

I know, I know...

Yeah, its been a while... and the updates I've been posting are boring, but there is seriously nothing going on! You don't want me to write about how shitty work is lately, so... here are some pictures of happier days there.

Yes... we played a full 18 Holes upstairs at Station #2. Good times

Chad doing his best impersonation of... well... himself

AK wins for most creative sleeping hideout.


Leave it to the firefighters to figure out the laziest ways to do any job!

We can't do any of this fun stuff anymore because we are constantly on camera now. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

BOO!

Good news... Days still seem to be going by quickly, bad news... Everybody is sick and the weather is miserable! Hopefully, this little baby boy brings some sunshine our way in March. Not much else goin on, which is why I haven't updated. I can't wait to get back to the gym this week, Kristine and I are attempting to teach ourselves how to play the guitar... with a little help from our friends. Its already been fun, I really hope I can learn, bc I'm really jealous of Rob. Only 67 more days til this little nugget is due!
The days keep getting closer, and once baseball starts (Jan. 21st Conditioning) these days are REALLY gonna fly by. I wish I could snap my fingers and make Kristine fall asleep though. I really feel bad for her. However, she keeps pluggin along and never complains about it. Seriously, she has been the exact opposite of all the horrible pregnancy stories everyone told me about. I mean... I knew she was not going to go all crazy, but I still get tired of hearing all of the bad stuff. I cant wait to have this little guy around. She is going to be the best "ma" in the world. Until later...

Happy New Year!

I don't think I've looked forward to a year as much as I am this one! 2010 came and went like a fart in the wind. This was the first year since I joined Beachwood that I had both New Year's Eve AND New Year's Day off from work. We rang in the new year amongst close friends. Thanks to Rob and Sarah for havin us. Great food, a couple beers and some great games. We almost missed the ball drop because I was channel surfin... oops. Luckily, I got to a channel just in time and got to kiss my beautiful wife on New Years for the first time in years! We stayed out til 3:30 and unlike Rob and Sarah, got to sleep in til 11:30. I can't remember the last time we slept in that late. We took all the X-mas decoration down on the first and began to get the crazy house back in order. Its only been 3 days, but 2011 has already proven to be a busy one. We better try to find some time to relax, because come March, it's gonna be NUTS! Only 78 more days til this little guy is born. That only gives me a few short months to get all the finishing touches done around the house. I'm sure you're all gonna be sick of me bloggin, but I'm sure it will be entertaining to read! Keep checkin often, I'll give some updates as the day draws closer... It's about to get really good!