Century Club

This week, SulliDad surpassed the 100 post mark on the blog.

It really has been fun. I love writing, sharing thoughts, giving my opinion and talking about my family. And, I appreciate all the great feedback on the blog, via text, on Facebook and through e-mail. That’s the best part–hearing from people on a variety of subjects. Since the inception, the site has received nearly 10,000 views! Thanks for reading and sharing.

SulliMom and Liam in the City Mini/Graco SnugRide on the first walk. There was a pit stop made at our pals' Reno and Zoe's place in our old building.

The Marathon Man passed along a really interesting story from the NY Times mag on the moral life of babies. It’s a bit of a long read so give yourself 15 minutes or so. Trust me, your brain will spin while your reading it.

Then, I keep encountering the story about chocolate baby formula. We’ve been fortunate to be successful with Liam and breastfeeding. In fact, I was able to give Liam his first bottle today. That was very cool.

But the outrage from parents on chocolate formula is intriguing to me. It’s like anything else–and more so when it comes to infants–if you don’t like it, don’t use it and stick to what works. I say the more options, the better. It may help some children and in turn some parents. I know if it helped our lives, we’d try it.

Other firsts today include: our first walk in the stroller (new pix in the SulliAlbum on the right column of the home page), the inaugural meeting for Liam with his cousin Tess and Aunt Sarah and a visit from our very good friends Smitty and Tina. I’ve missed Tess-she is so cute and getting so old! Seeing her helps me try to enjoy every second of Liam because I can see how they grow up so fast. I also emptied the Diaper Genie for the first time today. Holy defecation. It was crappy.

Lastly, our great realtor Scott Curcio stopped over and dropped off some sweet UIC and Butler onesies to go along with a really great historical shot of our early 1900’s building that I’ve been craving. It is sweet.

Speaking of great shots, thanks to local photographer Brian Palm who also provided a really great photo of our building when it lied in disrepair. It really captures the demise of the South Water Market and to see it today is amazing.

One Day Left, No. One Draft Picks

With one day left in the 26 Days of Awesome and to celebrate tomorrow being SulliMom’s due date, I thought it would be fun to ponder naming our child after one of the Chicago Bears‘ first round draft picks throughout history. This, on a night when the Bears did not have a first round draft choice and Tim Tebow goes before Jimmy Clausen and Colt McCoy.

This is all assuming SulliBaby is a boy. We have no idea if it is a boy.

Here are some of the potential names based on Bear first round draft picks as told by NFL.com. This partial list below also provides a decent amount of depression when thinking about the production of some of these players. But the full list also features no less than 20 All-Pros and at least six Hall of Famers (I think, just by sight). Some quick thoughts on this list:

-Three derivatives of Walter (Walter Payton, Walt Harris & Wally Chambers)
–SulliMom would prefer Chicago’s 1940 pick, Bulldog Turner, to go along with Butler.
-My Top Five (Cade, Stan, Otis, Lionel, Rufus)

Chris (Williams)
Greg (Olsen)
Cedric (Benson)
Tommie (Harris)
Michael (Haynes)
Rex (Grossman)
Marc (Colombo)
David (Terrell)
Brian (Urlacher)
Cade (McNown)
Curtis (Enis)
Walt (Harris)
Rashaan (Salaam)
John (Thierry)
Alonzo (Spellman)
Stan (Thomas)
Donnell (Woolford)
Trace (Armstrong)
Brad (Muster)
Wendell (Davis)
Jim (Harbaugh)
Neal (Anderson)
William (Perry)
Wilber (Marshall)
Willie (Gault)
Otis (Wilson)
Walter (Duh)
Wally (Chambers)
Lionel (Antoine)
Rufus (Mayes)
Dick (don’t call me Espinoza, Butkus. Only UIC Athletics readers will get this)
Gale (Sayers)
Bulldog (Turner)
Sid (Luckman)

DEFCON 1 & Awesome Boppy

After another exciting encounter with Vagina Doctor #37, SulliMom was informed she has reached the one centimeter mark in dilation after some gentle investigation which I witnessed first hand…pretty interesting.

She’s 37 weeks now and has been feeling a few braxton hicks contractions. So we’re on our way toward birth…not Indy for the championship tilt. This was a little disappointing for SulliMom but she is managing. (After nailing the national semifinal predictions, here is the SulliPrediction for the title game: Butler 51, Duke 46.)

To celebrate the one centimeter point we traveled to Buy Buy Baby to pick-up a few items. One of those items was the Boppy which is pretty awesome. I have experience using the Boppy with our niece Tess. The Man-Zike-Uhs (Sarah and Tom Mazeika) have one and it was pretty sweet. It allows you to hold the little one with a little more comfort giving your arms a comfortable rest. I can see myself Boppying quite often.

We’ve had a huge past few days to recap. More to come. Until then, it’s Oberweis time. I need to make-up my chocolate intake after about 40 days without for Lent and to celebrate the White Sox and Mark Buehrle‘s Opening Day shutout. Check out his amazing between the legs, backhand play to get an out.

SulliPredict, Final Four Crystal Ball

Four teams remain: WVU, BU, Duke and MSU.

I think my favorite comparison of the teams this week came from ESPN’s Pat Forde. Quality stuff.

But here are my simple Saturday predictions. Let’s see how I do.

National Semi #1
Butler 63
Michigan St 57

Butler has scored 63 points the last two games. Both wins. Syracuse had 59, K-State 56.

Michigan St. falls in the middle. I’ve watched a lot of both teams this season. This is hard to believe but Butler has better players–even if they had Lucas. I’m not sure Stevens can out-coach Izzo, but it won’t come down to that. Butler will play the game they are capable of but haven’t played yet in the tournament.

National Semi #2
Duke 72
West Virginia 70

I like both of these teams but haven’t watched a lot of either. What I have watched I’ve seen WVU play hard and with passion. Butler is very clutch. But as I’ve heard Huggins say on radio and TV, his team isn’t good enough to win at this level without playing a perfect game. That won’t happen tomorrow and Duke’s guards will make sure Coach K advances to another championship game. (That is a must-watch link)

I’ll be there; I’ll be sure to provide exclusive coverage.

LASTLY: In conclusion, the great Jim Furner passed an e-mail along that made me laugh out loud. It hit home because I just received one that almost made me forward it to the required 20 people before reality set in and my lack of hitting send wouldn’t destroy my family.

Humorous stuff from a humorous guy. Thanks Gym (Jim)

April Madness On Demand – Awesome

SulliDad and K3-SulliGrandpa Game Two of 2005 World Series. We'll forge more awesome memories Saturday.

Classifying a chance to attend a Final Four awesome might be an understatement.

So, the fact that SulliMom and Dad are going to be inside Lucas Oil Stadium come Saturday evening is, let’s say, awesome-squared. We’re officially on the Road to the Final Four.

Thanks to former Butler hurler and fellow Bishop McNamara graduate Eric Yates—and to Vagina Doctor #37 for providing approval—we are on our way.

It wasn’t cheap. But we decided that for the rest of our lives we’d be spending on kids first so this might be the grand finale for us. I can check off Final Four on my bucket list and Molly will get to see something she probably didn’t think she’d ever see.

How could we not go?

In 2005, the White Sox advanced to the World Series and I was fortunate enough to purchase tickets thanks to a gentleman who knew how much it meant to me. To this day, attending Game Two of the World Series with my Dad is a Sulli-Top-Five Moment. This has to compare for Molly.

This will be something we’ll never forget and through photographic evidence we’ll be able to tell our child that they were there, too. I think participating in memorable activities with our soon-to-be growing family is something to which I really look forward.

This little trip also gives us a chance to spend the evening in BEARbonnais with K3-SulliGrandma and SulliAunt Kelly and attend mass at St. Pat’s on Easter Sunday before a trek to St. Charles to hang will SulliMom’s family.

All of these travels come on the heels of Molly’s Baby Shower Saturday in Elgin. I mean, bring your umbrellas—it’s a shower!

This decision also has bearing on Push Gift status. I will say it again—SulliMom has not pressured or requested said gift. But, this trip now becomes the inaugural Push Gift. And speaking of Push Gift, it is amazing how divided people are on knowledge of this tradition. It seems like it is 50/50 whether people have heard of the term Push Gift.

Just for poops and laughter, provide us with what you would like Molly’s pregnant belly to be inscribed with for the national television audience. (Disclaimer: SulliMom, I’m pretty sure, wouldn’t take part in such activity) I would put something on my chest, but I’m deceptively hairy in that region thus rendering any expression worthless. Reply below. Okay, I’ll start:

Bellys For Bulldogs
Breeding Ground
My Kid Looks Older Than Our Coach (Yes, I agree, that storyline is getting old)

Children Picking Sides

SulliMom has filed the paperwork to change her last name to Hinkle after her Butler Bulldogs have accomplished the unthinkable: Advance to a Final Four.

Not just any Final Four. A Final Four in Marion County. Congratulations to Butler Nation…and all those people I mentioned Thursday.

But all this has me a little concerned. For what teams will SulliChild root? Mom’s or Dad’s teams?

I guess that remains to be seen. And at this point, I can’t say I have a lot of research to support a child rooting for UIC. But I feel good about the youngster following my lead in the end. (maybe I should I just worry about changing diapers, sleep deprivation and onesies)

I was searching for an article on kids picking teams and I came across Fred Bowen and his column for the Washington Post–KidsPost. This guy has some good stuff. I kind of want his job. What a great gig.

To travel to Indy, or not? That is a question being contemplated at this point. SulliMom will consult with SulliOBGYN Monday to see what she (I say she, but there are like 43 Vagina Doctors at her office) has to say about it.

Official merchandise may have to suffice.

SulliMom Is Elite Like ‘Dawgs And Wins Pampers Too

SulliMom ignoring prenatal education to check on her Bulldogs. I didn't blame her.

We swaddled that baby so good it rained diapers

Much was discussed about the Childbirth class-BU hoops game conflict.

In the end, the correct decision was made. SulliParents attended class, learned a few things with fingers close to PDAs at all times and took home some winnings of their own while Butler took care of business in Salt Lake City, advancing to its first Elite 8.

SulliDad’s predicted final of 60-59 nearly came to fruition despite the Bulldogs not needing OT to evacuate the Orange from the dance floor, 63-59. (Cascada reference)

As we watch the replay on DVR, I have a ton of feelings:

-I’m very happy for Molly. I know how much she loves her alma mater.
-I’m also ecstatic for SulliCousin Erin and her husband Paul–both BU grads–who were big-time runners for the ‘Dawgs distance crew.
-I’m happy for my HS pal Eric Yates who pitched for BU when the Bulldogs were excelling in the MCC/HL during the late ’90’s.
-How about Maureen Cassidy–beloved wife of my guy Mike Cassidy–who is a very proud Butler grad.
-And, even someone I don’t know, Dave Juday, ESPN Radio 1000 personality who attended BU and introduced the Cassidy’s. Very happy.
-I can’t imagine how great it must feel to be the BU staff–a ton of great people who reside in Hinkle.
-All of Molly’s BU pals (many of whom have blogs; links to the right) who are fervent Butler fans. I’m humming the Butler War Song for you.
-Last but not least–SulliBrother-in-Law Patrick Stearns who knows the game and respects the Butler Way.
-Pure jealousy. I’m jealous.
-I feel a little bad for Marathon Man Adam Levinson, but since his Yankees have won 27 championships and he’s witnessed a ‘Cuse title, not too bad. But I applaud his sportsmanship.

This is an awfully big deal and I can’t say I’m surprised. What’s scary is that BU hasn’t played its best ball yet during the tournament. I think there’s a very good chance they return to Indy as part of the Final Four. This also makes Butler an automatic preseason Top 5 team in the fall. Do you think it’s good karma that the actual floor to be used at the Final Four next weekend was at Hinkle Fieldhouse today?

Plus, each win means a ton of $$ for the Horizon League and in turn, UIC and our student athletes. So yes, I’m pulling for them.

Lost in the hoopla of the Butler win was our win during a swaddle and diaper changing contest that coincided with halftime of the BU-SU tilt. We used the SulliWay as members of our team to do our part. We won 20 diapers for our efforts.

IRONIC STORY: We learned why some babies enter the world with a cone-shaped melon tonight. This reminded of a story I read about Scoop Jardine, the exciting Syracuse guard from Philly. He became Scoop because when he exited the womb his head resembled an ice cream scoop according to his grandmother.

Basketball Or Birth?…Birth With Basketball

As was posed in a previous post, Basketball or Birth?, a decision has been made.

The answer, despite an overwhelming 95% of poll participants voting for Basketball, is an option not provided in the poll: Birth with Basketball.

We will have iPhone and Blackberry on gametracker as we follow Butler-Syracuse in the Sweet 16 live from birthing class. The contest also will be recorded via DVR and if the game possesses highlights wanted by SulliMom it will be watched.

It’s important for us to be present at this class. It’s also important that Molly’s heart rate remain at a comfortable level. Over the weekend that was not the case. Hopefully the inability to watch the action will result in calmer heart activity for mother and child.

Thank God for technology. Wish us luck. To Adam Levinson, the Syracuse Marathon Man, best of luck to your Orange.

Final prediction from SulliDad: Butler 60, Syracuse 59 (OT)

Basketball Or Birth?

That is the question for Thursday evening.

The NCAA men’s basketball Sweet 16 gets underway just a few days from now, including an intriguing clash between Syracuse and Butler from Salt Lake City March 25.

Also tipping off is the fourth and final birth prep class. Now, we may have accidentally missed the class last Thursday as basketball and burgers reared their ferocious and tasty heads.

What to do this week…