Glory days?

Back in the day, shortly after Kevin and I got married, we played on a semi-competitive softball team in the Ann Arbor recreation league. For those of you who know me, this was a disaster from the start. Although I played softball from third grade through my junior year of high school (my senior year, I got a clue and golfed instead), I pretty much suck. I was a decent player in the field but couldn't hit a lick. I think the only reason I played all those years was because I thought my Dad's awesome baseball talent would kick in at some point. Guess it skipped me and went to my sisters! My favorite story from those days is that the ONLY time my batting gloves got dirty was when I got brownies or melon juice on them. See, when I played softball in high school, our coaches and random parents would load our benches up with food (don't you play a sport to get INTO shape?). For those of us who never left the bench area (other than to occasionally warm up an outfielder who was important enough to make the line-up), there was nothing to do BUT eat and the staples of our dugout at good ole' Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes (lame) were brownies and melon balls.

ANYWAY, back to the team Kevin and I were on. Before we "officially" joined the team, our "manager," who was a new friend of ours, wanted to know how many years of organized softball/baseball experience we had. What? We should have known from that question that this was going to be interesting. This team, which still plays today, was one of the oldest in city history and they always did well. Although this team wasn't in the ultra-competitive, this-is-my-last-stop-before-I'm-playing-with-Barry-Bonds league, they still took it pretty seriously. Our manager was great at making sure everyone got to play, even if you sucked so that's why Kevin and I saw the field every now and then. One time, Kevin hit this screamer down the third base line and we all thought for sure it would be at least a double. However, the chick playing third would have none of it. She made an awesome play deep at third, fired over to first with her cannon of an arm and threw Kevin out by more than a few steps. He got the last laugh, though, because, on that throw, she threw her arm out. Ha, ha! Another time, I actually got on base (I walked, IN SLOW-PITCH SOFTBALL) and, since I sucked so badly, I batted last in the line-up. Of course, that meant I had to be on base when our lead-off hitter (and probably the best player on our team) smoked the ball deep to right center. The ball dropped in for a hit and he practically ran up my back on the base path. He probably would have scored if I wasn't holding things up - damn!

Despite OUR lack of talent, the team did well. We had an all-day tournament at the end of the season to determine the league champion. We made it to the championship game and we were all excited but we quickly went down 10-0 as our pitcher was having a very bad day. So, our "manager" took over the pitching duties and held them scoreless the rest of the way. We then battled back to make it 10-9 before losing on a game-ending play at the plate. Bummer! At least we got a free t-shirt, though!

The next year, we weren't invited back to play. Guess they needed some higher-caliber talent! We didn't miss the softball much, but we did miss the people. There were some characters, like our first baseman, who ALWAYS had a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. One particularly cold and windy spring night, he was standing in the outfield with a cigarette in one hand and a beer in the other and said, "That wind is seriously going to impair my ability to reach the fences." We died 10 times!

Glory days well they'll pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days

Yeah, well ...

This is Aimee's favorite song.

Stuff

Saturday evening, after a delicious Mexican feast with Stacey and Brian at El Taco Loco, Kevin and I FINALLY bought a video camera. We decided to check out a local store, ABC Warehouse, and, after asking the salesman questions for an HOUR, we walked out with the Sony DCR-HC36. Kevin spent most of Saturday night playing with it and I think he almost has it figured out. I'll have him give me the Cliffs Notes version later. Most importantly, though, Kevin was able to get video of Harmon literally putting his foot in his month. Not too long ago (March 27), he found those cute little feet and it took him a few weeks to figure out he could put them in his mouth, along with everything else he gets his hands on!

A side note on the restaurant mentioned above, El Taco Loco. I'ts not ACTUALLY called El Taco Loco anymore. Several years ago, this restaurant was located in my hometown of Pontiac, Mich. It was a total hole-in-the-wall place, with only four tables for people to dine. But, it was immensely popular! People would come from all around to get the good Mexican food. For some reason, though, the owners closed this location and opened the current location in Farmington Hills. The new spot, however, was named Camelia's Authentic Mexican Cuisine. Being the old schoolers that we are, though, we continue to call it El Taco Loco, which is kind of funny.

My youngest sister, Erin, is graduating from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) this Saturday so I spent all weekend (well, when we weren't inside ABC Warehouse) looking for something to wear. Since Harmon was born, I haven't bought much clothing. Actually, I think the ONLY things I have bought were two pairs of sweatpants and a new Michigan sweatshirt. Since I can't wear those things to graduation (DAMN), I had to force myself to try on some clothes. I tried on some pants at the Gap and they actually fit, although I didn't end up buying them. I went to New York & Company and tried on several things and they all fit too. Who knew! I ended up buying some dressy cropped pants and a light sweater so, hopefully, I'll look OK. The surprise of the trip to NY & Co., however, was that I tried on some knit gaucho pants and actually liked them. This right after I told my sister, Stacey, that I HATED them. We were sitting outside Starbucks on Friday afternoon enjoying our delicious Light Mocha Frappuccinos and being hilarious and some girl walked out wearing those damn gaucho pants. I commented vehemently how stupid they look and how much I hated them. Guess I should have tried some on before I spouted off because, if I DO buy a pair, I'm sure my sister will remind me! Maybe if I buy them, I'll wear them to her MBA graduation from Oakland University on May 6!

By the way, Kevin really wants to see this. It takes him back to his U-M Sports Information gymnastics days. Ahhh, yes!

For good measure, here's a new Harmon photo!

You guys wanna see my videos?

Now, you don't have to be Dan Smith to see Harmon's big lip. Actually, Harmon is a very happy and pleasant baby, and loves it when Mommy makes him giggle and laugh. Thanks, Aunt Stacey.

Odds and ends

• First off, this is a real shocker! I guess not really, especially after this! When’s the last time we had a decent basketball recruit, 1991? Jesus! Can something be done about this travesty of a program? It’s so aggravating, embarrassing, maddening, etc. Why do I bleed maize and blue like I do!
  
  
• And, while we’re at it, glad these guys (above) are having so much fun while our football program goes down the crapper. Hey, laugh it up, enjoy your night!
  
  
• OK, as many of you know, my Mom watches Harmon on Wednesdays. When he naps, she gets bored. So, instead of camping out in front of HBO (like I do) or reading a book (I do that too, sometimes), she finds things to do in our house. For several weeks in a row, she folded and put away our laundry even though I TRIED TO HIDE IT FROM HER. This past Wednesday, I successfully hid the laundry (YES!) but she found other things to pass the time. She cleaned our stove, our sinks and plucked the weeds out of our ivy bed! This woman cannot be stopped, she was made to do this stuff and she can’t help herself. Of course, I am immensely grateful for all this but I wish she would just relax and enjoy her time with Harmon, even if it’s just watching him sleep!
  
  
• Since Harmon has grown out of the Pampers Swaddlers (sizes 1 & 2), we went in search of a new diaper for size 3. When we were on our Costco run for 10,000 cans of Enfamil, we decided to try Huggies. Let me just say that I HATE THEM! Every time we change him, he has all this crystallized goo all over him. The diaper matter in the front must break down or something and it takes FOREVER (and 30 wipes) to get it off him. Unfortunately, we bought a HUGE box of these damn things so I think I’ll send them to day care and we’ll try either the Pampers Baby Dry or Pampers Cruisers. Grrrrr.
  
  
• Bruce, what’s up with this? I heard you put another E Street Band project on hold to do The Seeger Sessions. And, even worse, you’re teasing me by stopping in Detroit on June 17. I want to go but I know that instead of hearing Rosalita, Born to Run or Land of Hope and Dreams, I’ll hear cover tunes. I’m so sad!
  
  
• OK, if ever I enter the inside of a movie theater again, I have to see this. Although I’m not a NASCAR fan (at all), I love Will Ferrell.

Easter and stuff

For the Easter holiday, we went to visit Kevin's family in Peoria, Ill. Kevin's parents haven't seen Harmon since his baptism in February so, needless to say, they were excited. We left Friday morning not really knowing what to expect making a six-hour drive with a five-month old. We stopped near Kalamazoo to feed little Harmon and when packing up to get back on the road, we discovered this sad, sad sight:

How could someone leave a Dunkin Donuts Munchkin behind? Especially a glazed chocolate cake one? What a tragedy!

After a few more hours in the car, we stopped just south of Joliet for another feeding. Although I wanted to see the town where Rudy was from (well, not really), Kevin was excited to get a glimpse of the Michigan Wolverines' 2006 (note, not 2007) bowl destination: El Paso.

OK, so it's not the "real" El Paso (as in Texas) where the prestigious (ha, ha) Sun Bowl is played but does it really matter when we suck so badly!

After getting into Peoria around dinner time, we joined Kevin's parents and sister at Donnelly's Shamrock Pub, which has THE BEST cheese soup ever! During dinner, Harmon started to get a little fussy but being trapped in a car seat for hours on end will do that to a little guy. We got him home and in bed but he didn't stay there for long. It was one hundred million degrees there and, being born in November, he had no clue what warm weather is. He also was all out of sorts sleeping in a new place, hearing new sounds, etc. so he woke up at 2 a.m., 3 a.m. and 5:45 a.m. – what a joy!

On Saturday, the little man wore shorts for the first time. Just look at those white legs!

Later in the day, we visited Kevin's best friend and his family and checked out their awesome new house. And, Kevin's uncle and godparents came over for dinner to visit with us to see Harmon.

Sunday was the big day as Kevin's family has a family reunion of sorts every Easter. The first time I met Kevin's extended family was at Easter 2000 and there were 60 people and it was crazy! We got engaged on Good Friday and then I was indoctrinated two days later! So, I was a little worried about Harmon and sensory overload and all that. We started the day at 9 a.m. Mass with Kevin's parents, then took thousands of pictures of Harmon in his Easter outfit and finally headed to his aunt's house for the big party. As soon as we walked up to the house, Kevin put Harmon's carrier down and all 15 of his cousins swooped in to get a look. The rest of the night, he was passed from one person to the next and, much to my surprise, he did a great job! He met many, many members of the family, most importantly his Aunt Kim (who had been dying to see him since he was born but it just hadn't worked out).

After quite a day, he totally crashed that night--we didn't have to worry about him waking up at all! On Monday around noon, we hit the road back to Michigan. Kevin's parents were SO sad to see us leave but they already are making plans to visit in May! Harmon did pretty well on the way home, as you can see:

Overall, we had a great weekend and I'm so glad everyone got to meet Harmon. You only get to be the new baby once! And, of course, he collected quite the loot during his visit. This kid will never want for anything!

Opening Day 2006 and other things!

Today was Opening Day for my beloved Detroit Tigers! There is much rejoicing in Motown as the Tigers started the season 5-0, the best start since 1985, before dropping the last two (including today's game--ugh). Being a Tigers' fan over the last decade or so has been rough. However, there are few things I love more than Tigers' baseball and evidence of that is not missing an Opening Day since 1998. In fact, thinking back, I've been to 9 of the past 11 Opening Days and, when not there in person, I've been planted in front of the TV for the big game since I was a freshman in college (1992). Of course, all this history made missing this year's Opening Day even harder. Kevin tried to get tickets via Ticketmaster and we've had luck every other year but this one. He also tried a few ticket brokers but, with a new baby and all, we don't have the same amount of disposable income to fork over this year. We also entered every contest imaginable but it just wasn't meant to be. And, I was SO disappointed in not being able to attend IN PERSON that I didn't even think ahead to take the day off anyway and watch with Kevin and Harmon. So, I was stuck at work. Of course, it was 60 degrees and sunny out - perfect baseball weather! I remember so many Opening Days past, like when Comerica Park opened in 2000, when I was in layer upon layer of clothing topped off by my HUGE winter coat. All in all, not fair.

In other news, we're actively on the hunt for a video camera. We've been casually looking since the fall but, now that Harmon is nearly five month's old, we figured we should get our act together before he's off to college. So, we've been at Circuit City a million times a week (we should just sleep in the back somewhere) trying to decide which one we want, what we should get with it, etc. We made another stop there yesterday when we were out for our walk and, I think, we've targeted one we like. While Kevin was asking the sales associate all kinds of questions, Harmon grew bored. I then engaged him in a lively game of peek-a-boo and I'm sure everyone in the store thought I was crazy. I didn't care, though, as our little game produced an extreme amount of giggles from the little man! It was so fun and he was so sweet and, damn it, I wish I would have caught it all on video. Maybe one day!

Last Wednesday, my Mom bought Harmon the Bumbo Baby Seat. Kevin and I have seen it before but weren't ready to pay $40 for it (we felt $40 in Enfamil was money better spent). But, my Mom decided he had to have it! Good thing too because, as you can see, he loves it. I think he likes to sit up like a big boy even though he's not quite ready to do so on his own just yet. Whatever makes him happy!

And, just before getting the Bumbo, he got his first pair of cool shades! My best friend, Betsie, has a sister (Sarah) who had a baby (Matthew) a week or so after Harmon was born. Betsie was visiting Sarah and Matthew in Colorado last month and sent along some pictures. Little Matthew was all dressed up for skiing and looked so cute, especially with his little sunglasses (called Baby Banz). So, I had to have them for Harmon! He doesn't hate them so much!

The Easter bunny will visit on Sunday and we'll be in Peoria visiting Kevin's family. Since Harmon's not old enough to figure all this stuff out yet, he got a few "early" Easter presents. We filled his little Easter basket with teething apparatuses and 7-18 month binkies. He also got some summer clothing and an awesome new toy for the car--the Baby Einstein Move and Go Music Mirror. And, just to make this clear, I did not buy it from evil Wal-Mart but instead from Babies R' Us. This was just the best picture I could find.

OK, that is all! Happy Easter everyone!