Greetings from Door County, WI

I'd like to start this entry on a serious note. A few days ago, one of dad's closest friends was diagnosed with testicular cancer. This hits very close to home for team Beck on many levels. This friend got some wonderful news today, the testicle was removed, and there doesn't seem to be signs of cancer in the lympth nodes. While he is not out of the woods yet, as they need to biopsy the testicle, there has been from what I hear, nothing but good news since being diagnosed. If you would like to read a little more on testicular cancer, I have attached at link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testicular_cancer
This leads me to make a couple of points that hopefully hit home to some of you. First and foremost, life is precious. Cherish your friends and family, let them know you love them, hug them, call them, don't email. Pick up the phone and let them know directly how much you love them. Secondly don't wait to look after yourself, I know your probably thinking what the guy writing this blog is overweight and hasn't been to the dentist or eye doctor in for ever. Well if I can change, so can you. I'm not saying go out and run a marathon, but do something to get your heart rate up. Lastly if you have a pain in your side, you have chest pains, or something just seems amiss, go to a doctor. If you aren't covered under insurance please let me know and I can help out.

Wow. I haven't written in a while, and I drop this type of bombshell on all of you. Well I can share some good news with everyone. Madeline got to work on her backstroke today in the pool. She has great technique, and it doesn't hurt that she is quite buoyant. She did such an amazing job in the pool today, she didn't cry at all. She just did laps for 20 minutes and that was that. After hearing all the news about peoples health as of late, I wasn't about to let her not exercise today. Mom got some great photos of the two of us in the pool, but unfortunately Dad forgot the cords to connect the camera to the computer, so everyone will have to wait til we get back to Chicago to see the swimming photos. In addition to going to the pool today, we also went to Al Johnsons. mmmmmmmmm. This place has some of the best breakfast I know of. Mom had her favorite french toast and dad had the famous Swedish pancakes. This restaurant is great, it looks like it's been transported directly from Sweden. The restaurant looks like a log cabin with grass on the roof that have goats grazing on it. This is the truth, Cindy I understand if you would like to question me like I sometimes do to you, but look it up. The staff also dresses in traditional Swedish attire. They have on clogs, dresses with the white poufy blouse underneath. Instead of butchering the description of the restaurant, I have attached another link: http://www.aljohnsons.com/swedish_family_restaurant/welcome.asp It was great there was no line today, normally when you come up to door county, you are looking at a good 45 minute wait. There really is much to do, they have a store connected to the restaurant, but that store is painful to even enter. They sell a bunch of sweaters that if you see your grandma wear, you want to question her if that was ever in style. They also sell a bunch of other things that would be of no use to anyone. If I were in charge, I would turn that part of the restaurant into another dinning room. The have been around for 60 years though, so I don't think they need my advice.
I'm sitting in the lobby right now in front of a real fireplace listening to the new Hope For Haiti Now cd. It's great music, plus part of the proceeds from itunes go directly to the Haiti. Mom and Madeline are napping together on the couch. I wonder sometimes why we drove 5 hours to do what Mom and Madeline can and do daily at home. I guess we would do this drive just for Al Johnsons. Another staple of our trip up here is going to the Greenwood Supper Club, but unfortunately like everything else up here, it's closed for the season. If you aren't familiar with Door County, its a huge vacation place for Chicago, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan folks during the summer time. If your not sure where Door County is, hold out your left hand palm away from you, and the top knuckle of your left thumb is Door County if your whole hand is Wisconsin. If that doesn't make sense look it up on the computer or better yet on a map, if you can still find one. Our drive up here we used garmin, I don't remember even a few years ago when the navigation devices weren't staples in most peoples cars. They are wonderful, if you don't have one, get one.

Anyways I'm sorry I have digressed yet again. Madeline is so close to laughing out loud, we can't wait to hear here. Dad also got a new camcorder, so shortly after she laughs for us, I promise to share her with the rest of you. We also recently got a new toy for Madeline. Here is the link for it: http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=2341&e=detail&pcat=buocean&pid=43203 This is the greatest thing. It's a seahorse that is about a foot long and has a light up stomach that also plays music. The great thing about this is, the music plays with ocean sounds in the background, and it plays for about five minutes before it turns off. The music gradually gets slower and more quiet. It is a must own for all parents. If you know someone that is expecting or someone who recently had a child this is what you want. Madeline absolutely loves her Horsey, what she would call it if she could articulate her noises a little better.

Shortly before we left for Georgia, dad took mom out on a nice date night. We had a nice dinner at the Italian Village and followed that up with the Broadway show Jersey Boys. While I and most guys aren't big fans of Musicals, this one was different. And by different, I mean good and entertaining, I didn't even come close to falling asleep. While mom and dad were at Jersey Boys, Grandma Beck babysat Madeline. One of Madeline's favorite things to do with dad is try and pee in the twenty seconds between taking the dirty diaper off and putting the clean diaper on, well Madeline wanted to show off this trick with Grandma and Madeline was successful. Our daughter is so talented.

That is all for today, Mom and Madeline just came out and found me in the lobby. Please, please pick up the phone and call someone and tell them you love them.

The picture above is Uncle Paul (Mom's Brother) visiting with Maddie for his first time.

Til I write again Team Beck Out and Please put my friend in your prayers tonight!

The Team is back together

Maddie, Mom are back in town! I missed you baby girl. We would like to thank Aunt Lois and Aunt Susie for picking my girls up from the Airport. It's Monday night and we are doing laundry and watching the bachelor. Life is back to normal and it doesn't get any better. Last week Dad was living the "real" bachelor life. He was ordering out, drinking a few libations nightly and not picking up after himself. Well, that all came to a screeching halt Saturday morning when dad had to pick up after a week of zero responsibilities. So I threw the clothes under the bed, stacked the dishes neatly in the sink and threw out the beer bottles. Mom didn't think this was such a great cleaning job, I even got a call during Cubs convention asking about my cleaning techniques.

Maddie is going to thank me for the picture of her taking a bath, Don't worry we will all see this again at her wedding during that photo montage thing they do. Your welcome baby girl.

Just before we left Maddie had her two month check-up. She is coming in at the 50th percentile in both weight 10lb 7oz and height something around 22in. Madeline came in a little small with the diameter of her head, that was at the 25th percentile. This is very strange, because Madeline being so smart we would have figured her head would be a little larger. Also at this check-up maddie had to get her two month shots. Before the shots the doctor wanted to talk about furburizing (sp?). For those of you who aren't sure what this is, it has to deal with allowing your baby to cry a little and not always try to comfort her when she does. Many times this has to deal with when you put her down to sleep, sometimes she starts crying. The point of furburizing is to allow her to be able to comfort herself. Well this is easier said then done. The night before our appointment, Modern Family was on TV. If you aren't currently watching this show, you need to catch it. This is the funniest show currently on TV. Anyways part of this episode had to deal with furburizing as well. One of the parents kept wanting to comfort his child anytime that they cried. Well as our Dr. was explaining this technique, all I could think of was this show, and how I can't just let my baby cry. I had to bring up the show, and next thing we know, we are all talking about Modern Family. Anyways, the furburizing is hard to say the least. After talking about TV for a little while came the hard part. My palms were sweating, I had butterflies in my stomach, and I didn't have anything to do. The nurse prepped Madeline, mom had a bottle ready, I had to sit down so I didn't get to queasy, the shots count em, 3, were on there way. The first needle entered and was out just as quick. Madeline laid there content, and I thought "Wow this is a lot easier then I thoug"....... and that is where the thought ended and horror began. Madeline's face showed complete horror as the next two shots were given. I had yet to see her cry like this and I felt so helpless. Thank goodness mom was prepared with the bottle. We had to spoil Madeline for the rest of the day, this was the scariest thing that had happened to her so far.

The following day we flew to Georgia to meet Madeline's southern heritage. And with that I'd like to give you all a preview of the rest of the week's entries:

Who is frissie and how was that Boston Butt, not directly related by the way?

Maddies two new friends Olivia and Amelia.

The Cubs convention

Dad's review

Maddies' non-biased urination and Grandmas night of Babysitting

Lastly I would like to say Happy Birthday to Emily Rodman, Eric Parker and to my God-Son Andrew Vanoverbeke. We love you all.

Until tomorrow have wonderful night, and make sure you tell someone that you love them. Call your mom, dad, sister, brother, aunt, uncle or whoever else.

'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.' Terri - age 4

Team Beck Out!

The calm before the Storm

It's Wednesday evening and a big storm is a brewing. Chicago is supposed to get six to twelve inches of snow over the next couple of days. This could cause some major issues, as Team Beck is schuduled to fly out on Friday morning to visit Maddie's family in Newnan GA. For those of you who aren't familiar with this booming town, shame on you. Newnan GA, is known for a couple of major things: Number 1, October Road, the hit show on ABC for two seasons was filmed in Newnan, large portions of Fried Green tomatoes was filmed there, as well as the hit movie ZombieLand. Number 2, Newnan is not only the Hollywood of the east, but it's home to many major Celebrities, such as Alan Jackson and football star Keith Brooking. And if you still didn't know where the name of the Hollywood of the east came from, get this history buffs, Newnan is named after North Carolina General Daniel Newnan. So everyone keep your fingers crossed that the snow holds off enough that we are able to fly out on Friday.

While we thought we were going to be escaping the nasty weather, we are going to be seeing unseasonably cold weather in Georgia. This alone makes me want to cancel our trip to the Hollywood of the east. If it weren't for the greatest meal on earth, Frissi's Boston Butt and cheese straws, we might have to wait for the weather to warm up. For those people who have never had Boston Butt, get on the train. This cut of pork is so tender and delicious, and they smoke the Boston Butt as well. I cannot concentrate right now, as I'm drooling all over the keyboard as I try to type. Mmmmmmmmmm.

On the house front news, although we haven't sold this wonderful home of ours, we did get the Closet door officially rehung. This is quite the achievement for Dad as he is not really the handiest of people. Dad had rehung the last closet door twice before to little to no success. I would also like to credit Ryan Campbell or better known as Chip for helping me hang the door.

On the Maddie front, get this everyone, she is rolling over! And by rolling over she has done it once while no one was actually watching. Mom had put her on her stomach and ran to quickly grab a rattle for her. Upon returning seconds later Maddie was on her back smiling. According to most research, most babies don't start rolling over til between 3 and 5 months. Maddie did it less then two months, ranking her in the 97th percentile for babies rolling over. Our baby genius keeps showing off.

Lastly, Maddie has a check-up tomorrow. Her last weight was 8 lbs 12 oz, so the first person that emails Dad or calls with her current weight within 2 oz will get a special prize. Dad's early line is going off at 9 lbs 8 oz. Other then that we have to get some paperwork filled out for the day care. Mom goes back to work in just over a month. Wow it's been two months already! We have chosen to send Maddie to day care at Child Time next to St. Francis Hospital. We think they have a great arts program that she will excel in. We would also like to thank Grandma Beck for helping grease the palms of admissions. This is the best day care that we came across, and Madeline got in without any issues.

Team Beck would like to say thank you for everyone in Maddies life, she is surrounded by so much love.

"Children will not remember you for the material things you provided but for the feeling that you cherished them."

-Richard L. Evans-

Quick Update

Happy New Years everyone. Sorry for the lack of updates lately, but just wanted to include a few pictures. We are going to see Jersey Boys tomorrow night, so look forward to a long update on Wednesday. Sorry followers, but stay tuned! If you would like I can give you my works email address, so I'm able to write during work. For some reason this website is blocked at work, and I'm really not doing anything else! Disclaimer.....if any of my bosses read this or the evil emperor (lady at work who tries to poison the kool aid) I'm really very busy at work and I'm barely able to stay afloat.

Attached are a few pictures of Mom and Maddie at Zoo lights in the snow. Going to be great when Maddie can really appreciate the beauty.

team beck out, but back soon.

Happy Birthday Uncle Brian

Maddie would like to wish her Uncle Brian a Happy Birthday today. The picture of the good looking gentleman holding Maddie is Uncle Brian.

SPOILER ALERT!!!!

If you don't like football or don't want to hear Dad rant, please skip this next paragraph.

On other news I would like to take a moment to talk about the Bears, ESPN's love of Brett Farve and the thrilling win on Monday Night Football. Dad and Maddie are thrilled that the Bears have finally got a legitimate receiver on their team, and allow him to play. Since the preseason, Devin Aromashadou has been making big plays and Jay Cutler has been lobbying for him to get more playing time. Well he has the last few weeks while they have had their illiterate receiver/kick returner Devin Hester on the bench injured. Mr. Aromashadou didn't disappoint in the big win over the Vikings. Dad and Maddie would also like to say they are big fans of football and Maddie is learning a lot of the nuances already. One thing we noticed was the Head Ref, who lines up behind the quarterback, help Brett Farve up. Officials are supposed to be neutral, it is not their job to help aging superstars like Brett Farve up. If it wasn't bad enough or showing enough bias, the same head ref also helped Brett Farve get his Jersey back on. Sometimes when a player is tackled his jersey comes off his shoulder pads and has to be put on by another player, usually a lineman, never the Head Ref. All in all John Gruden, Ron Jaworski ESPN commentators were stroking Brett Farve on everything he did, it was so annoying I began yelling at the TV, causing Maddie to start crying. Sorry baby girl. The Bears not only beat the Vikings, but they could have knocked them out of a first round bye, but they beat the refs and ESPN. Go Bears, Maddie will continue to cheer you on!!!

Back to Maddie news. If you didn't already know, Team beck are also zoo keepers. In our tiny one bedroom condo, with amazing sunset views and an updated kitchen if you are in the market, we also have a cat Bailey and a Dog Pepper. We have to do a few creative things to allow everyone to coexist without overstepping their boundaries. First the cat has to eat on top of the fridge, yes that's right, the top of the fridge. Normal right? We do this because the dog can otherwise eat all her food. Dog's also, precious and much better then cats, eat cat liter/pooh. Big negative for why dogs are better then cats. So for the most part we have to keep the door to the bathroom closed, because that's where the cat liter has to go. So our cat doesn't always have free reign to use the restroom because we are worried the dog is trying to eat the very same gravel she wants to pooh on. Nothing is better then sitting on the toilet and having a liter box right there, or what's even better is stepping out of a shower right onto cat liter. fun! Sometimes Dad would like to close the zoo down. Other fun stuff is the cat wanting to be allowed to go wherever she wants, this includes hanging out in Maddies Crib. After constantly having to remove her, we decided to get a crib tent. Yes, they really make these and that is the picture above. It also serves another purpose, when Maddie is old enough to start trying to escape her crib, this will allegedly keep her safely locked up. What will they think of next.

Tomorrow night Team Beck will be going to the Fords. It is a big change from many of the past New Years Eve. Instead of seeing if I can really drink the $85 worth of booze I just paid for in three to four hours, we will be with four kids 2.5 years and under. That doesn't even include Tim, aka lil guy's presence. He is a slightly over sized kid who just so happens to be a grown adult too. It should be pretty fun though, we might even try to setup some midnight magic between Maddie and Eathan. Anyways we will be sure to include some New Years pictures next time.

To everyone in Maddie's life Happy New Years. Be thankful for another year and many more wonderful memories. Be safe out there everyone, and use public transportation tomorrow night.

Team Beck Out!

Lastly I had to include a picture of Maddie in her fancy new kicks. These are the new Pumas from Eddie and Sara. Thanks!

Christmas Miracle

Yes that is right, Maddie is our Christmas Miracle. She has also given us the greatest gift of all, the last 5 nights she has slept for about six to seven consecutive hours. Last night she even slept in her bed and not the pack and play right next to mom and dads bed. If Frissi happens to read this or hear about this, Mom and Dad sleep in separate beds with a divider between us. Those of you who don't know who frissi is, she is Madeline's Great Grandmother. This was a wonderful Christmas for our family, and we will get to continue the Christmas spirit in a week and a half when Maddie meets all her family in GA, or as Frissi puts it, God's Country. Please be patient, as there will be pictures of the infamous Frissi as well as Maddie with the rest of her Southern heritage.

Other interesting news about Maddie, she has outgrown her newborn diapers. After the third movement that the newborn diapers couldn't hold, we realized it was time to get some more fabric....she is now in size 1 for the diapers. This also means that she has outgrown much of her newborn clothing, pretty soon I'm going to have to be fighting her not to wear makeup. Time just flies, she is already over six weeks old. Madeline also got some wonderful other Christmas gifts this year, one of which she is already playing with. This toy from Grandparents Yeagers, is a foot musical thing that hangs on the side of her bed. With this toy she is able to kick her feet against this padded mat and it makes noise like a piano as well as animal sounds. She so talented, she is already composing her own music. If she is able to be such a musical talent with her feet, I can't imagine when is a little older and able to control her fingers.

This past Saturday Dad and Maddie had their first day out without her Mom. To say Dad was a little nervous was quite the understatement, but then I quickly realized how much of a natural I am as a father. We had a great day of at Grandma Beck's. There Aunt Amanda barely relinquished her hold on Maddie. I'm told by Aunt Amanda, that they had some wonderful conversations.

Another thing Dad did this weekend was play Risk for the first time. Well we played for about 4 hours total, and really didn't get anywhere. We wound up calling world peace and quiting. To say that this was an absolute waste of time doesn't do justice. The solace I can find in playing a game that long without conclusion was playing with my genius Nephew Danny. He obviously takes after his Uncle Alex, aka Dad, except he might be smarter at 8 then dad is at 30. One day he is going to really change/impact the world. I also spent some great time with my other Nephew Andrew. Andrew age 5, is one of the coolest kids I know. He is every bit as smart as Danny, but just applies himself differently. I'm excited to share a beer with him in about 12 years. The picture above is Maddie in Andrews arms, thanks for being such a great big cousin.

I was also told I couldn't write about the Bears in this post, so tomorrow I will recap our thrilling win. Tomorrow will also include some more great pics. Til then find someone to hug and make sure to tell them you love them even if you have told them 1000 times before.

Team Beck

kool Aid and The Holiday Spirit

For those of you who don't know Dad very well, he used to drink the Kool Aid at work very often. I used to be the rah rah guy, and someone, who's name will remain nameless sucked all the Kool Aid out of my soul. The only thing I've been drinking lately has been biter Aid, doesn't really exist, but I'm sure I could find a glass for you. Well today at work our construction workers were going to have their holiday party, and they typically use our club environment for their gathering. It is quite a scene seeing these guys all bring in there favorite dishes. While many of them brought them in Tupperware and were made by their better haves, some of the more proud guys brought in "their specialties". Well it turns out that the club wasn't available for them to use this year because no one would be around. I got wind of this and volunteered my time, no way should these group of guys who help us out so much have to eat on the concourse. This seemed like such a no-brainer, but to those guys it couldn't have been a nicer gesture. They forced me to eat with them and they even did the vast majority of the cleaning. While being thanked for doing something so simple, I realized, I didn't drink the Kool Aid because work provided it, I drank the Kool Aid because it feels good to drink it. While this sounds kinda of cheesy, and while I write this, I want to delete it, it's true.

"Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves"

James Barrie

I will no longer let work or my specific job define the type of person I am, I will define the type of work I perform. The Kool Aid is back, and Madeline is going to get a big helping of it tonight.

I would also like to pass a link on to everyone. I hope if nothing else, you go to the website and read a little about it. It is one of the better causes I have come across in a long time. I challenge each and everyone of you to be another Keith Taylor Giddy. Please check out this story:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/12/22/pennies.from.heaven/index.html

or you can go directly to the home page:

http://www.modestneeds.org/

Each morning when you wake up and kiss the one's you love, think about what you can do to make the world a little better.

I would also like to thank Tommy Kaiser for giving me inspiration and guidance on changing the headlight on our car. I thought this could be quite the daunting task, but alas I'm a dad and I can do anything know. Really though, this was actually very easy to do, but Mom and Maddie were very proud of dad, even if it was just for five minutes.

In Maddie news, she and Mom got out to run a few errands today. Everything went great, except for the fact she didn't wear her new puma's. I know world, I wanted to see her in them, but it was snowing and my baby girl shouldn't be out with gym shoes in the snow. Maddie also had her second diaper blow out today. It's wild diapers can do such a great job most of the time, but other times it appears as though she isn't wearing a diaper at all. Maybe Maddie was just upset she couldn't wear her new pumas, or maybe she just had to blow it up.

Maddie is getting so big so quick, I already feel like I'm losing my baby girl. She has already gained almost three pounds. She is such a squirmer also, I'm positive she will be crawling at an early age. Most research says most babies start crawling by 7 months (thank you google), I'm predicting 5.5 months. After all, dad is a natural athlete. So if she is not crawling by then, we know who she takes after.

I'm not sure if I will have a time to write before Christmas, so if not Merry Christmas to everyone. Give some cheer, love and happiness this holiday season......and drink some Kool Aid! For those of you who don't like Kool Aid, booze will suffice.

Team Beck