The Lion Roars

Day 268:

It's been a rough couple of weeks, Conor... And for a million reasons I won't even get into.   Though when I'm ripped and torn from 50 or more hours in the office, time on the road, life's frustrations and and its petty trials, there's one thing I've grown to depend on and I'd bet you can guess what it is... It's you, Boy'O.  Always you.

When I came into the house this evening I was as low as I'd been in some time.  Just not myself...  Then, like beacon of light after weeks at sea, there you were... And when you saw me you lit up as only the Lion Heart can...  It's truly amazing what a smile from you can do for me, Son.  In an instant I was soaring!  My heart skipped a beat and I smiled back to you, and then and there you let out a huge squeal as if to say, "It's you!  My Dad!  My best friend and greatest admirer!" and my soul was cleansed, even if only for a moment...

When you eventually read this Conor, you won't get it.  You'll think you will!  But you won't... And I know that because I didn't.  I put stock into material things not worth putting stock in to.  I found that those things only existed for the moment but that in the end, they were only temporary.  Passing moments to mask remnants of a bad day...  And don't get me wrong, Boy'O...  There'll be plenty of things and plenty of people who'll make you happy in those times!  You'll always love them and you'll truly believe there's simply nothing better!  And for that reason it'll be real to you!  But when the day comes you meet your own son or daughter, you'll all the sudden realize there's no greater calling in one's life.  There's no higher honor.  No bigger task.  There's only love.

That's what you showed me tonight, Conor.  Pure innocence.  Pure love.  Lightning in a bottle, Boy'O.  And for me, it's you.  Conor Daniel Yerkes.  Conor the Lion Heart.  My son.  You mean more to me than I could ever show you, Conor.  And all I can say is thank you.

"I got my hands on a miracle, and there ain't no way that you'll take it away."
--Dave Grohl

I love you, Son.  Always.
-Dad

Giggle Box Boy

Day 267:

There are so many things changing about you, Boy'O, and all for the good...  Up and through the last few days your attempts to laugh weren't more than a raspy gasp ahead of a screeching, uncontrolled squeal!  No form, no chuckle, just a loud "screeeeeeeeeeeech!" with that heart stopping smile to follow...  Now though, those laughs are taking on a bit of shape!  A built up chuckle that turns into a hysterical laugh!  Depending on the reason why, of course.

Today your MeMeow and Grandpa K9 came back through on their way from New Jersey to South Carolina to spend some time with you and have dinner with your mother and me... We all went to our favorite little Italian restaurant, "Cantina de Italia" in Fair Lakes where they have the best Vitello Saltimbocca anywhere in Virginia!  Anyhow, while there, you and me, Son, we had a blast.  Mommy fed you your dinner, but then I got the bottle.  And when the bottle was done. and once we'd finished our dinner, all you wanted to do was laugh and play...   I would make a face, you would giggle.  I would spook you, you would giggle.  I would smile and laugh at you, you would giggle.  You get the picture.

Yes sir, you were giggle box McGoo tonight!  And I was having the time of my life.  And though I love hanging out with great people and having a wonderful dinner with great wine and fine conversation, when I'm laughing with you the World could crumble around me and I'd barely take notice.  Laser focus, I got your number, Son.  Or more, you've got mine...

I love you, Conor.
-Dad

Are You Ready??

Day 266:

Hey Conor, are you ready for some football?!  It's time for the NFL to kickoff their season with, quite frankly, two teams I cannot STAND!  You won't either once you get this whole Redskins thing down, Boy'O...  The defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants are squaring off against the most dreaded of them all, the Dallas Cowboys...

This time of year is the start of all I love, Conor.  Football season signifies the beginning of the Fall, the change of seasons which I so deeply covet living in one of the most seasonal areas of the country.  As a motorcyclist, football fan, whiskey enthusiast, and lover of the outdoors, dry, warm days and crisp clear nights make up the bounty of the year in my opinion.  And all that starts tonight.

As of this moment I'm heading out the door to your Uncle Justin and Aunt Marti's place to see Charlie-Girl, Gil, and the rest of the crew and take in a bit of the game I love so much.  And on motorcycle, no doubt!

Wish me safe travels, Son, and I'll see you in the morning.

I love you, Conor.
-Dad

Ahead of the Game

Day 265:

Given the seemingly endless trials of last week I took a liberty and decided to work from home today.  As well, today was another visit to your Developmental Specialist, Dr. Cris Wallin at Virginia Hospital Center.  While these visits are a great cause of consternation for your mother, for me they're exciting.  I look at these visits as way points.  That's to say, opportunities to get my bearings in so far as how you're developing amongst your peer group who, oh by the way, are full gestational.  It's kind of like running a race and giving your opponents a head start.  Of course, all it takes to win the race is the belief in yourself that you can... And if there's anybody who can give a head start and still chase down even the fastest of opponents, it's Conor the Lion Heart.

Dr. Wallin was more than impressed with you, Son.  And she definitely put you through your paces.  On a grading scale you scored an 'A'!  The only reason it wasn't an 'A+' was because of your unwillingness to turn over to your left side whilst on your belly; something we can work on.  Otherwise, she was overly impressed with your social skills, your hand eye coordination, your temperament, the fact you're responding to your own name, sitting up on your own, and standing with assistance.  

If any other parent is reading this, they're likely saying "Ho-hum...  We're all SOOO impressed with Conor's otherwise common developments!"  But for me this is again, the barometer, Son.  And like all parents who beam over their little one(s), I'm quite confident that you're going to grow up with every advantage and I'm going to make sure you take advantage of each and every one...  Great job, Conor.  I'm truly impressed...

In other news, I only have 100 more posts to go, Son!  In a candid conversation with your Grandpa K9 last week, he told me, pridefully mind you, that he didn't think I'd make it this far.  Not even close, in fact.  And you know, Son, it is hard.  Not the writing and not the thought, but the discipline to get it done.  This blog has required more discipline than anything I've ever done in my 39+ years, Boy'O.  But while I work through the daily efforts of this labor of love, I'm more than happy to do it!  Because I love you, Son.  I love you very much...

-Dad

The Labor Day Drive

Day 264:

Road tripping is something I live for, Son, but admittedly it's tough with a little guy like you.  And truly it's not your fault.  Asking you to sit in that car seat for hours on end is much to ask indeed.  After all, you're small, full of energy, cooped up with nothing to do, so all I can ask is that you sleep.  But how much sleep can we expect?  You're ordinarily good for a few hour-long naps throughout the day, but asking you to sleep for 3+ hours at a time?  Not gonna happen... This predictably extends the amount of    time we'll spend on the road as stopping is more frequent but hey, provides a chance to see more, right?

A stop at a produce stand, a stop in a diner... Just a few stops was all it took.  And all in all, you're a pretty excellent traveling partner, Boy'O!  Despite the extra time needed to get home you spent so little time fussing that it was just fine with me.  Yes sir, Son, there's a good number of things that are great to get started doing early... Swimming, reading, and road tripping.  Especially if you're gonna be my son, because there's no place I won't drive, ride, fly, or sail.

Beyond the road home though, a pretty uneventful day.  You were all kinds of fired up to get into your bouncy seat and stretch your legs when we got home!  And your dogs were as excited to see you as you were them.  And so now with you in bed, Mommy checked out, it's just me on the couch watching a bit of college football and enjoying a lazy holiday night.

And with that, we say goodbye to your first Summer, Boy'O.  A Summer of firsts, a Summer of worsts,  but more than anything, a Summer to remember, Son... Because it was my very first Summer with you.

I love you, Boy'O.
-Dad

The Family Stone

Day 263:

A wild weekend for you, Conor.  I think you've been passed around to, I dunno, maybe 50 people in two days?  It's been CRAZY!  And you've been nothing short of absolutely perfect.  A blessing to be sure.  No fuss, no muss, just Conor the Lion Heart tried and true.  All anyone can say is how happy you are, how handsome you are, how funny you are, and so of course I agree... I mean, I'm of course biassed while fighting my personal struggle to keep my feet on the ground.  Still, it's not hard to agree with your adoring public.

Yesterday would see a party of mostly all friends of your Mom-Mom's.  Today would be different - all family all the time.  The annual Labor Day party on Argo Lane in Cape May County, New Jersey has become what can only be described as a tradition.  Each and every year Mommy's parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and so many of their friends get together for the greatest barbecue South Jersey would see all year.

It's a whole lot of fun, Son.  Aside from an insanely amazing array of foods, close to any kind of picnic fare you could imagine, the great wide space is overrun dozens of children.  Each of the eager to run and play... And somehow, and I'm still not sure how, I was press-ganged into playing quarterback for all of them!  I so enjoyed throwing the football around, calling plays, directing the "players" in their assignments... It was GREAT!  But there was something missing.  You...  And I know, I know, you'e just not there yet!  But that doesn't mean I can't imagine playing ball with you.  And I know you'll be good.  I just know it.

So with that, we're back at Mom-Mom's and rocking you to sleep on your second night up WAY past your bed-time!  And that would be a problem if you were the least bit cantankerous but of course, you're not!  Just as happy when you're tired as you are when you're wide awake... Makes it hard to lay you down to sleep...

And off you go, Son.  Sweet dreams... I love you.
-Dad

Naked as a Jay Bird!

Day 262:

After what could only be described as a disastrous week, September is going off a lot better.  A good night's sleep (the first in a while) gave me what I needed to wake up and ready myself to get to you and the rest of the gang at the beach in South Jersey.  I was packed and rolling by 9:00am and fortunately, I only hit a spot or two of traffic on my way to your Mom-Mom's.

When I got to Ocean City I was BURSTING to see you and, not surprisingly, you were so happy to see me too!  I swear you got bigger over the course of the week and as soon as I could get my hands on you, you started laughing and smiling and giggling and I felt whole again...  With the chance to hang out with Mom Mom, MeMeow, and Grandpa K9, not to mention your mother and you, the day was suddenly perfect...

Mom-Mom brought us all out to a big party in Egg Harbor Township where so many of her local friends were all to happy to grab a hold of you... It was suddenly "pass the baby" and true to form, you didn't disappoint.   Hamming it up in traditional Conor fashion, you went from person to person lighting up the party.  The only problem was, you were so happily stilumated, you had aboslutely no interest in taking any kind of a nap.  Surely you would crash when we got home, right?  Uh, no...  No interest in sleep AT ALL...

It was finally around 9:30pm when we got you down, a full 2 and a half hours past bedtime...  And just before bed, it was my great joy to strip you down and take the above picture... Please don't resent me for it later in life, Boy'O!  But that is far and away the cutest little bottom I've ever seen!  And I just had to snap a shot...

That's all for tonight, Boy'O.  Time for a drink and a little football before heading off to the rack myself...

I love you-
Dad