Jo Jo Rocks

Between her Mom & Dad, Ransom and me, I think Josie has not been held for a total of 4 hours. She is super doper cute. Even when she spits up she is precious. Karen likes to sing to her, I like to kiss her soft widdle head. I did sing along to some Foo Fighters and she was diggin that - the girl takes after her parents and already has good taste in music.

Of course we have taken TONS of pictures - the slide show is below - but here are a few highlights.
Josie has two signature expressions. Her Oh face:

And the Wonk Eye. This is my favorite of the Popeye poses 'cause she looks like she is sorta smiling.

Sup

She is lifting her head like a pro so Shannon wanted to see how she did on her belly. She excelled - of course. Didn't fuss and even tried out a few yoga poses.

A picture of the happy family (sans Stevie cause that dog sits still never)

So Fresh and So Clean

All dressed up to enjoy a beautiful day in Boston.

Josie isn't the only adorable little one in the Enos house. I finally met their puppy Stevie. Shannon and Danny got Stevie from a rescue facility and your guess is as good as any as to the many breeds that make up this mutt, but the combination adds up to awesome. I am trying to not encourage Stevie to misbehave, but she is so flippin’ cute it's difficult. But since I want to be invited back, so I am doing my best.

Just look at this face and tell me you wouldn't let her walk all over you.

She LOVES Danny, when Danny is in the room I could be wearing an outfit made out of food and she would totally ignore me. Danny was proud to show off some of her tricks.

Being the only male in a house with 5 females (including Steve) cannot be easy, especially when two of them are Karen and me. Luckily Danny is pretty easy going. He even calls us the Two ’Rens. Even cuter, this was up on the door to our guest room.

MANY, MANY more pics in the slideshow.

Enough Pictures Already!

Today we headed to the park to enjoy the lovely day with The Enos Family. I think Josie has had it with all the pictures we are taking of her. I got a big kick outta it and forwarded to Greg and Tim

Not to be outdone - her is the picture I got from Tim 2 minutes later

Yes, Tim is going for best parent in the world.

Tater's New Do

Tim and Jenel broke down and got a few inches of The Tot's hair cut.

Of course she still looks adorible!

Lunch with Pops

FW :IMG00112.jpg

In Bean Town with the Enos'

Ransom and I are in Boston visiting Shannon, Danny & Josie. She was sound asleep and we did all we could not to wake her up. Luckily Shannon's a mellow Mom. She had to wake her to feed her because Josie will sleep right through a feeding and wake up famished.

Foolishly Shannon let me feed the kid. Try as I might, Josie didn't want to burp for me so back to Mom she went.

Here's a shot with Stevie in the background - who might be the greatest dog ever! But I am usually around Diva, so it might be a comparison thing. Stevie is a little hyper, and takes some healthily poops, but so flippin' cute with her cocked ear.

Shannon did a much better job feeding Josie and in no time at all she was in a food coma.

I am sure there will be a few more pictures over the weekend. And since I am with Karen I will just steal her camera and upload her China pictures myself so I will FINALLY get all the China pictures and post those bad boys soon.

I Can Admit When I Am Wrong

I may have been wrong when I said FloRida is terrible and the world would be a better place without his crappy music.

While the music is still crap, without it this little gem would never have made it's way up on the world wide web.



Almost makes it worth it. I wonder if someone out there can make My Chemical Crap tolerable too. Doubt it.

I know, I Am Surprised Too

I couldn't believe it when I checked my email tonight and found a picture of the new baby from Shannon!

I know! Shannon! Timely! I almost fell outta my chair!

Please meet Helen Josephine Enos (known as Josie)!
Born: May 9, 2009 at 9:42 am via c-section
Weight: 6 lb. 10 oz.Length: 19.5 inches

What a CUTIE!



The happy family!

Congratulations Shannon & Danny! I cannot wait to meet her.

It's A.................

Pussycat!

Shannon & Danny had their baby - Finally - only 3 days overdue. They had a Girl named Helen Josephine Enos - and they are going to call her Josie.

I love it! She was 6 pounds ?oz and they had her around 10am this morning. She was born C-Section so Shannon's gonna be in the hospital a few more days.

I will hound her for a photo - but knowing Shannon, it will take a little while. So this picture of Josie will have to do for now.

Congratulations to Shannanigans and Danny!!

Pictures Of You

Over at Mom's the other day Greg cleared her camera of about a years worth of photos. This gem of Dad was in there.

When I think of Dad - this is what I see in my head. At his happiest, on vacation, with his family. As he would say -
Shit Hot.

A quick slideshow is below of some of the better pictures. Had to pull this out out of Dad with his two proteges.

Dad

I just want to make it past the first year. I have heard it and I have said it. Like something magical happens that makes living without Dad easier. Like the second, third or God forbid tenth Christmas, Fathers Day, or day without him will somehow hurt less. I think that actually hurts more. The thought that I will have to go that long without seeing him, at times, seems too much to bear.

This anniversary I always knew would be the one year mark for me. A year ago yesterday I got a call from Dad and sat on my stairs and knew from his voice that what he was telling me was a life sentence. Greg said, have some hope, you don't know. But I did. In a way that is truly Dad, he got across what needed to be heard but couldn't be said.

The next three months were a blur and yet my memories of it could fill years. In the middle of feeling bad for myself, for Mom, for my family, for his friends, I would look at Dad and be amazed. Not one time did he falter from being Jerry Beck. Lord only knows what must have been going on in his head. A lesser person would have martyred, lapsed into self pity, or struck out in anger. But Dad died as he lived, and in doing so, taught us yet another life lesson. The man above all, could lead by example.

So we take that example and try to do him proud by doing the hardest thing there is to do, go on without him. Thankfully he was not the only awesome one in our universe of family and friends. And with everyone helping each other, we got through the unimaginable and will continue to do so, day by day. We are very lucky to have the family we have, and the friend who are as close as family.

I still can close my eyes and see his face and hear his voice. Heck, I can look at my nephews and see him live on. Mike and Chris make an Aunt (and Uncle) proud at how they have handled everything. And at an age where kids could use it as an excuse to act out and make it all about themselves. For crying out loud, I watch adults let life get the better of them and then rationalize their actions. But not my boys. Then Mike goes and proves my point in this beautiful post about Dad in the Guest Book. I think Michele might be paying to keep the guest book open another year now. :) If that doesn't do the trick - the post from Aunt Irene immediately following should seal the deal.

While I am lying here morning the lost of Dad, I am also anxiously waiting to hear word from Shannon and Danny as they are in the hospital today, hopefully - finally - poppin' out the kid. I guess that about sums it up. The give and take that is life.

I hope they have a boy.

That's QUACKTASTIC!

Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul. OK, a simple wrong woulda done just fine...

Guess who's turning 5?

 

Miss Sizophi to the Tizophi this Saturday

The Tot Has Landed

The world traveling Beck's are home safe and sound from Amsterdam! They had fun seeing the beautiful sights of the Netherlands and enjoyed celebrating Queen's Day. Luckily they were not celebrating in Apeldoorn where the crazy driver tried to kill the Royal Family instead killed 6 people.

Tim REALLY enjoyed celebrating and trying to keep up with the Dutch who can put some beers away.

They stayed with Jenel's dad and his family where Tatum got to play with her Aunt Melissa who is one year older than her. I will have to grab a picture or two from Jenel cause she is a little cutie.

I may be bias but not as cute as the Tot - she was so funny as they were getting ready to take off. I clipped Tatum into her car seat and she was walking around like a turtle.

See - totally cute! Welcome home!

Kittie

 

RAWR!

 

She's always 'Causing Trouble, Her Hair is Like a Bubble

Too bad I didn't record Tim's snort laugh during the video.

Tatum is the best toy ever.

Here is the inspiration.

We really need to teach Soph to do this skit - since it's based on Sophia and all.

The real trick will be if we can teach one of the kids to do the dance.

Revolution Now!

Best line ever - They don't know f all about tyranny.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	M - Th 11p / 10c
Tea Party Tyranny
thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Economic Crisis Political Humor

Greatest Tot On Earth (yes, it's a trademark infringement, but I know people).

I took the day off of work Friday to spend it at the Circus with Taters Tot. We had the best time because I was able to get circus celebrity seats. We sat front row and entered floats that took us around the arena floor to become a part of the show and to see the acts up close. I was a little worried that Tatum would freeze up being that close but I had nothing to worry about. Tatum was even high-fiving the performers.

We were so close to the action and Tatum was mesmerized by it all.


Our seats for the show were so close too! I have never sat front row to the circus before - it was so much fun to see everything up close and personal.


The lady next to us was terrified being this close to the tigers. What a weirdo, Tatum and I loved it.

The only thing about being this close to the elephants....

is you are this much closer to the smell of their baby sized poops.

I could take the poop no problem, but I was a bit too close to this for my liking.

Bet they smell the poop too. (Sorry, couldn't resist)

Tatum was excited to get back home to play Blokus some more.

I think it might be possible to prove she is really my kid in a court of law. This game could occupy hours of my time and never even play the game. It's the same with Taters.

To top it off Daddy came over to pick up Tatum so I got to spend a few quality hours with my bro. We had a great time playing with the Tot and even taught her the best new trick EVER. As soon as Greg feels better he is putting that video up on the blog. Here's a quick teaser.....

TAAATTTUUUUMMMMM, was that you?
Sorry!
Until then - here's a slideshow of the fun at The Greatest Show On Earth.

The Show Is End (that's for you K)

FL Trip to see my girls