Well, we checked into the hospital yesterday (Wed) at 4:00. On the drive, we took a few phone calls about the rental property. That tells you something about the type of woman Wendy is…On her way to the hospital, and still thinking about our lives. She’s great, and I think my respect for her will grow exponentially over the next few hours.

Anyway, we got all checked in over at the prenatal unit about 4:30 or so. We watched a little TV and my parents showed up around 7:00. They brought us chocolate covered pretzels, and my Mom also brought with her a couple of stuffed animals and a plaque that hung in my room when I was a kid. That will be neat to have that in Cooper’s room.
Kristen showed up after Ky and Kade’s (Cotton Candy’s j/k) baseball game, around 9:00. She brought me a Swenson’s cheeseburger and an onion ring. Not just one, but a whole order. (That was a joke).
At about 12:00 we turned the light off and tried to get some sleep. I did fall asleep in a recliner, and Kristen pushed three chairs together to form her bed. I think I finally fell asleep about 1:30 or so, and by the time I woke up my neck and back and legs were killing me. I was hurting. I gathered a sheet and made a little bed on the floor. Wasn’t comfortable at all, but it certainly was better than that crappy plastic recliner. I think somehow between Wendy, Kristen, and I we managed to get a full night’s sleep.
On to today…
This morning, they woke us up about 6:30. Wendy got right in the shower, and soon after they moved us to the delivery unit. We have been hanging out all day (it’s now 3:15 PM) waiting for Wendy’s cervix to dilate. I got to do a little dance in the shower, and when I got out, they wanted to get the epidural put in. Sandy and I went down to the cafeteria, where I got some chicken tenders. When we came back, Wendy was sleeping and Kristen had straightened up the room. Not too long after (about ½ hour or so) the team came in and broke Wendy’s water. The doctor said that she is now about 2 cm dilated. That is good news.
And so, that is where we stand. We are all nervous, anxious, and excited. Above all, we are excited. Well, I guess I shouldn’t speak for everyone, but I sure am excited.

What a crazy world. Gas prices are out of control ($3.59 a gallon or more), rice and food costs are up (scary buying a restaurant right now), everything is out of control. Basically, it’s too expensive to be alive! Even when you are dead, someone is paying for you to have a funeral and commit you to the Earth. Amazing! They have already figured out how to get rich by selling bottled water, I am predicting that oxygen bars are the next big thing to explode. I hear they are already huge out west…they are heading this way. We will be paying to drink clean water, and breathe clean air. Sad.

Anyway, I have set my goal of retirement to be at 45 years old. That gives me 15 years to earn a massive amount of money. I can do it, I know I can. Everyone keeps laughing at me when I tell them this. They say, “That’s what we thought too!” Well that’s fine, but mark me down as saying that I am going to do it. It has now been documented.

Wendy and I have been very busy with charity type events lately. We both made it up to the Blues Brother’s Brigade spaghetti dinner last week (April 24th) at ST. John’s social hall. It was a fun night, although we were a little disappointed with the amount of money we raised (about $5,000). I know, I know, you’re thinking that’s good! And it is, just compared to the $11,000 we raised last year, it was a bit disappointing. Still, it is something to be proud of.

We also held our 2nd Annual poker tournament on the 26th of April. Only had about 38 players compared to the 60+ the first couple of years. (This is the 2nd Annual, but the 3rd overall-if that makes any sense?) Wendy finished 4th and I was very proud of her.

Anyway, I think the bottom line is that people are struggling right now. Prices of just about everything are inflated, and people are living frugally. That’s ok, and smart, but it doesn’t help when you are trying to raise money for charity.

Finally, we are so super excited to be having our baby within the next 3 weeks. I have not written much about him (yet). I say that because I'm sure that I will want to write about the "Coop" everyday. I can't wait to hold you.

...By the way, you will be a Brown's fan.

...Smile, today could be your last.