yeah, ugly face. that’s a problem that just won’t go away.

you whine on blogs, i troll them. we are both filling the roles god has laid out before us.

oh yeah, look on the bright side about all of this, you have a kitchen. take note of this – when you buy a house, do not tear out the kitchen before you move in. a month later it will still be nothing. well, we did the electric, walls and floor, but it’s still about 3-4 weeks off of being done. my meals vary from toasting french bread pizzas to bowls of cereal. you and your problems… i can’t even make my wife cook for me.

I think part of your problem is that while you know the baby exists, it’s not yet a tangible…thing. It’s still a magical gummy bear growing inside Ash, and it won’t seem real until he’s actually here.

And it’s frustrating to be in a position where you know everything will sort itself out, you’re just still in the midst of the messy in-between part.

I have nothing but faith that you will be fine. Why I’m so sure about this, I couldn’t tell you. Maybe it’s because you’re Derek, because you’re a smart cookie, or, if nothing else, because you have Ash.

Oh PS I’m unhealthily excited about the baby gift I’ve sent you and Ash.

I liked it better when you were blogging on wine.

C’mon, fall off the wagon! Alcohol is a perfectly natural way to deal with stress. (As natural as intoxicating yourself on a waste product of yeast can be.)

Also, I second Auntie Tater. Right now, Smack is not a person, just a big ole can of worms. When that can of worms becomes a squirmy little person, you will fall absolutely in love with it, which probably wouldn’t happen if it was still a container of worm. That’s the miracle of life.

You’ll get through it. It’s human nature to worry and stress. It’s normal. And despite this being the most cliched thing that can be said…once your gummy bear is born something just kicks in. You’ll be a fine dad. Don’t worry. Your gut is a good thermometer.

Derek – could be worse … I picked up Lyme Disease this past week… I’m now on the doxy, and I have a huge gnarly, super itchy rash behind my right knee. I can scratch it, but that just makes it worse.

Don’t worry – Jaime and I are feeling much the same way. I’m always convincing her that we are going to be OK.

And seriously, you live in Reno for crissakes… any time you get in baby panic mode, you drop the kid off at daycare, run to the casino, and start working for the college fund at the craps table.

Of all the people I know, Derek, you’re one of the best at being able to adjust to a situation without losing who you are and what you’re about. One of the greatest things to happen in your life is coming soon, and you can’t totally be prepared for it. But when it comes, wow. It’s just the calm before the storm, like your body is resting up for the excitement that comes. Kinda like how I feel about the baseball playoffs.

We all believe in you and know you’ll be just fine. What you’re feeling is very common.

Thanks for the encouragement, guys.

And Aaron, you’re a douche.

One day you’lll look back and be speechless.
Derek? Who are you kidding? Wow, Im talking
to myself. Kidding aside, I believe you and
Ashley are going to be Terrific Parents.
And, most babies say DaDa before Mama.
Proof that dad makes the first and good
impression:o) Really, I didn’t make that up.
Steve

douche i may be, but who’s the only person on here being rational? ed lover, and you know it!

anyways, *generic you’re going to be a good father comment.* come on, let’s face it, as long as nobody lets derek dress this kid for school, he should be ok.

No worry about baby blues…I came out blue, and look how I turned out???
Ok, be very, very worried.

Some funsies to cheer you up: I’ve had students tell me Hawaii isn’t a state, that a nor’easter storm is a storm that happens on Easter, and Jerry’s student told him that if Martians landed on Earth and discovered coins that they’d probably assume we had good presidents like Lincoln, Bush and Thomas Edison.

Go get the Bill Cosby Himself video if the Baby Blues last. That cures all.