I’ve got about half of the Twizzler drool off of my screen.

Easter has come and gone, and it went well. The Easter Bunny brought baskets for all three boys, there was an egg hunt in Howell with Nikki’s sisters and our families, and there was Dinner in the TWP with my parents and brother and the Nitsches. Wow, how Reader’s Digest of me.

If you’re wondering, Cian is in his car seat, falling asleep, and I’m writing this while I wait to make sure he’s not faking out. Again. :) ‘s TKO’ed on the bed next to me and NCIS is on the TV. This show is growing on me like a fungus.

Aidan and Hunter were both good today, though they definitely had their moments where their likelihood of survival plummeted. I know that I’m making progress as a parent, though, because I was able to finally let it go today, when it was all over. It was an incredible relief, as well as a badge of pride.

Looks like Cian’s crashed. Time for me to try and get some shut-eye. Yay!

How does one reprogram a newborn’s internal clock? I’m pretty sure NTP (network time protocol) is broken. Awake at night and sleeping during the day.

Wait. That sounds like me.

He eats too fast, and gives himself gas all the time. Totally makes him cranky and his stomach upset.

Wait. That sounds like me.

Half the time, he seems like he has no idea what he wants to make him happy.

Wait. That sounds like…

These mini-me comments are getting way too accurate. ;)

First trip to the doctor for Cian today. He’s got conjunctivitis in one of his eyes, otherwise he’s fine. His growth is normal and healthy, and he’s gained all of the weight back that he lost at the hospital, plus some. I’m not naturally distrustful of doctors, but I have to admit that this pediatrician put me at ease as soon as he came into the room. I kind of wish that he was in Lansing. Since he’s not, I need to find one that will take both Medicaid and military insurance.

My welcome back to eBay has been interesting, to say the least. Now, when accepting payment via PayPal, and your auction is classified as “risky”, they will hold the payment until:

21 days have passed
Positive feedback has been received
Delivery of the item has been confirmed by PayPal

Risky means that your auction has ended for more than $100, or it’s in one of the “risky” categories, such as computer parts.

I think 90% of my positive feedback has been from selling computer parts. Needless to say, this is beyond irritating. That, and one of the winners of my auctions has already decided not to pay, and is not responding to attempts at communication. My first group of auctions back, and I’ve filed an Unpaid Item case. CraigsList has its own share of dumb, or I’d already be using it. 5/6 successfully completed auctions isn’t that bad, is it? *headdesk*
—
Random Cooking with Dave
—
Four pieces of Tilapia that has been frozen so long, they’re almost guaranteed to have freezer burn
Olive oil
Water
Garlic Garni purchased at the RenFest
Eight slices of Pepper Jack cheese left over from a Walmart lunch meat tray
Tortilla chips left over from Los Tres Amigos and El Azteco

Preheat oven to somewhere between 350 and 450 degrees.
Place water, olive oil, and Tilapia in a glass baking dish. Frozen fish is floating. Hee!
Sprinkle liberally with Garlic Garni.
Bake at around 350 for 7 minutes, grumble about the water not boiling away yet, and raise oven temp to 450.
Bake for five more minutes.
Pull out of oven and drain almost all of the fishy, oily water.
Lay two pieces of pepper jack cheese on each piece of fish.
Crumble tortilla chips and sprinkle over everything. Liberally. No, really. Don’t be shy.
Bake at around 450 for 10 to 12 more minutes. Or, really, however long until the water has evaporated and the grease from the cheese is boiling.
Let cool until cheese can be cut with a spatula.
Enjoy!

and I have a brand new baby boy, named Cian Michael Crampton. Obligatory pics? Heck yes, obligatory pics!

http://www.our365.com/NewbornPortraits/BabyDetail.aspx?birthid=ad1038b6-ce73-4c09-8e8b-131dbc89348c
http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidmcrampton/3325061074/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidmcrampton/3325071764/

He was born at 7:34 AM on Monday, March 2. He was 9 lbs, 1.4 oz. He’s lost some, since then, as babies do. He’ll begin gaining soon, as ‘s milk is coming in. He’s definitely nocturnal, and his hands get in the way of -everything- he’s trying to do, including feeding. Nikki says that he’s already leading with his left hand. I’m internally squeeing about that, but I think it’s really too soon to tell.

Aidan’s definitely a righty, so I’m holding out a special hope for Cian. ;)

When I’m laying him on my shoulder or on my stomach to burp him or just to hold him while he falls asleep… I’d swear to anyone that would listen that I am in heaven. I’ve told people that being a family man has added an entirely new dimension to my life. This baby that has come into my life… another entirely unexpected and amazing dimension to my life. It wasn’t empty before, but it’s so very, very full now.

I am a happy father, a happy husband, and a happy man.

Monday’s the day.

As long as he doesn’t boot his way out through ‘s uterus, Monday will be the day.

Monday morning. Early morning. It’ll still be dark when we get to the hospital.

Did I mention early?

I had better brew some of the holy bean the night before, or I’ll be even more out of it. More than, you know, the out-of-it generated by welcoming my son into the world.

Monday. :)

Mammals make the strangest stuff inside their bodies.

I am now familiar with, and used to, cleaning up human waste and cat vomit. I no longer gag when confronted with soiled diapers. I only sigh when I hear the cat horking. Neither really turns my stomach any more.

Desensitized? Absolutely. I’m deciding whether to shake my head at myself or wear it as a badge of courage.