Horse Manure Park

Many people say history does not repeat itself.  I have proof it does. Exactly one year ago today and this very hour, a severe thunderstorm with high winds and torrential rain plowed through the Brainerd Lakes Area. It happened again today, at the very same hour: Don't worry, we are okay.  A tree missed our camper by eight feet and our backyard and driveway is flooded, but it is nothing our fine, sandy soil can't take care of in a matter of a few hours. Anyway, the reason I know there was an identical storm exactly one year ago at this hour is because my dear wife informed me at about this very same moment one year ago (after the storm blew through), "Sam, I think I peed my pants!!" Long story short, mt theory is thunder from the mighty storm broke her water and a few hours later we found ourselves in the hospital for an all night/all morning labor party. Neil was born at 1:32 PM the next afternoon.

I am proud to introduce to you: Neil Walker Branstner Born: July 15, 2009 at 1:32 PM Length: 20 inches Weight: 7 pounds, 7 ounces Favorite NFL Team: Minnesota Vikings Hair: Blonde.... what?!?! (Yep, he's blonde. Beth swears the boy is mine, though!)

It's time to go back to work already. Crap. We had a fun weekend. Beth did her glucose tolerance test on Friday and as far as I know all went well. We are just three months away and counting. I've said it before, I just can't believe how fast this pregnancy has gone... at least that's my perception. I'm sure my wife would have a little something different to say. We went to grandma and grandpa's on Saturday afternoon, bought a bunch of beef from Scott and had a delicious lunch at the Dau's. The Budahn's came up on Saturday afternoon and stayed at one of the water parks in town, so when we got back to Brainerd, we met them for dinner at El Tequila, and Brian and I had one of their bigger-than-your-head margaritas. We then went back to the water park and enjoyed a few beverages and had a very nice, long-overdue visit. The evening ended far too early, but it was a good time. We had a very lazy Sunday yesterday (but some times you just gotta do that)...

I met with the Scottish computer guy today. He had my computer fixed in no time. I will get it back tomorrow and I'll be out just a hair over $60. I can live with that. Mr. Brigadoon seems to know what he's doing, although I will know more tomorrow when I have my laptop back in my lap and see for myself. Interestingly, he said I don't necessarily need to pay him tomorrow. He said he'll send an invoice in a few days, but wants me to take the computer home and make sure I'm happy with his work first. That's impressive. I must say I am a little proud of myself for putting aside my total distrust of people and let this complete stranger take my computer away. That's very unlike me, folks! I have to confess, though, I jotted down my computer's serial number and took a picture of it before I turned it over to him. You know, just in case . Okay, so maybe I didn't completely put aside my distrust in people. Hey, I don't have to get burned twi...

Just another lazy evening at home. Beth was on-call and just got called in, so I am contemplating what my munchkin will eat for supper. Some times she eats like a horse, some times she's not interested at all. The only rule we have is if you don't eat when the meal is served, your not allowed to snack later. Of course, we've gone through a couple of dramas in the late evening of "I'm hungry" after refusing supper. The answer's always the same: "I'm sorry, but you should have eaten when we had supper." Which always summons the same response: "BBBBOOOOORRRRAAAHHHH!!!!" It is hard to tell your child no when they say they are hungry, but my personal belief is that a child needs structure. I simply don't think it's right to allow a kid to eat at 9:00 p.m. after refusing to eat at 6:00 p.m. It's all about learning to make choices and learning that there are consequences (positive and negative) to your actions. It...

Yes, folks, it is true. We can now make the big announcement: Baby Branstner #2 is packaged, sealed and ready for delivery some time in mid-July, 2009!! It goes without saying we are totally overjoyed! We meant to have a spring baby, but God had other plans... and that's just fine with us. Unfortunately, Beth doesn't handle the whole early pregnancy thing too well and she's been puking like a drunk sailor for the past week. I came home from work at 7:30 a.m. today and she was yacking in the bathroom, and had been there since 4:00 a.m. On Tuesday, she hurled every 20-30 minutes for the entire day. She hadn't eaten since Monday and I finally told her to stop toughing it out and get something for the relentless ralphing, otherwise she would end up in the hospital (it's called "hyperemesis," a very real medical condition). So she called her doctor today and got some good drugs. I am happy to report she actually made a hot dish for supper and the s...