The start of a new adventure

I’m putting this out into the public ether because I need your help.

The time is now. It is time for a change. It is time to get back to being more myself. I turn 30 this year, and it is time to reclaim my life. It’s time to change my life.

The journey

All my life I have been the “big kid.” It is my identity, both online and off. I’ve never been able to wear the cool style of clothes (I missed the whole “ironic T-shirt” trend. Not sure if that’s good or bad.), I always finished last in PE runs, I had to wear different shoes than my groomsmen at my wedding and I even almost got thrown off a recent flight. But I’ve embraced my size and have learned how to buy size 18 shoes and where to buy camo clothes for hunting.

But it’s always been an adjustment. There’s so much I can’t do in my life because of my size.

A new path

This was me back in 2000. It was my first year of college and right before I moved to Seattle.

Eric on a Hawaiian beach near Waikiki

Yeah, that's me on the beach in Hawaii. I was a freshman in college and got to go to class and workout/go to the beach. Glory days indeed.

I was 295 lbs then and was in the best shape of my life. That was 150 lbs ago. The path to get back to that place isn’t really clear. I do a lot that is unhealthy and the first step is cutting that out. That means no more daily trips to the drive through. No more sneaking cookies when I go grocery shopping. No more sugary coffee creamer. No more seconds.

It means more exercise and a 30-day sobriety kick.

From there it will be a lot of hiking, working in the yard and generally not being a lazy slob. It’s a new path for me. There’s tons of reasons why this is a good idea, starting with the reason behind this domain name.

The goal

The goal of all this? Well, in six months I turn 30. Six months to bust my ass and get in shape. So if I put a goal of 30 pounds out there, that seems reasonable. Five measly pounds per month. Maybe it’s not enough. I don’t know. I just know I want to hike a deer out of the woods next fall. Or, you know, climb my stairs without getting winded.

Offers to be my personal chef will be taken in the order they are submitted. And thank you for your support, expressed or implied.

Sunny days

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Today marks four weeks since Kylah joined us.

So many lessons have been learned by all three of us. I am constantly seeing new traits of her personality and also learning more of what it means to be a dad.

Little things like how to properly put on a onesie or how to quickly console her have been lessons that books, classes or grandmas simply can’t teach you.

The last four weeks have flown by. I hope it slows down a bit. Kylah’s too cute to be older.

Place your bets!

39 weeks.

That’s where we’re at today. Kylah’s getting ready to join this crazy world and I can’t wait to meet her. I know you all have been sharing our joy and our fun and learnings with us as we’ve gotten closer to the date.

So, now I want to share something with you. I am putting together a fun little pool. So, here’s the details:

In the comments, place your guess for the following details:

  • Date
  • Time
  • Weight
  • Length

Once she’s born, I’ll determine a winner and offer them an applicable prize. It might be beer. It might be a book. It might be Seahawks tickets. It might be something from work (did I mention I do PR for Microsoft?) We’ll see what I can pull together.

Oh, and for the record, my guesses are:

  • Date: Aug. 22
  • Time: 11:34 am
  • Weight: 9lbs 6oz
  • Length: 20.75 inches

Kelci’s guesses are:

  • Date: Aug. 22
  • Time: 2:22am
  • Weight: 9lbs 2oz
  • Length: 22.2 inches

My cheeks hurt…

…from smiling so much! We had our first baby shower on Sunday. Both of our families were there, and it was an amazing time. Eric and I are not used to being the center of attention, we were probably both blushing as we opened a mountain of gifts.

We received many of the basics needed to bring Baby Berto home, including diapers, a Diaper Genie, bathtub, tons of adorable clothes, receiving blankets, baby monitor, Pack N Play, etc.

More importantly, we received so much overwhelming support from our families. It means the world to us. We love you guys!

Here are some pictures for you to enjoy with us. And the rest of the set is on Flickr:

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Notes from the Baby Class Trenches Part 2

We watched that video.

You know the one I mean, the one meant to scare the living shtuff out of you. The one with the yelling, screaming, crying, blood and joy.

We watched the birth video.

Was I ready for it? Maybe. Although it was Game 7 of the NBA Finals, so I wasn’t expecting to look up and see a baby emerging from the “birth canal.” But there it was. A crying little girl covered in all the stuff that comes with the birth process. And for the first time, it didn’t gross me out. The concept of going from womb to Kelci’s arms wasn’t unnerving. It was exciting.

When I found out we were having a baby, the hospital part of it was amongst the most unsettling. I’m not like Kelci. I’m not the special kind of person that can look at an open wound calmly and then be OK with what I am seeing. But, after last night, I’m ready for that. Cutting the cord is not gross, wiping away the new baby slime won’t bother me and being next to my wife during all of this makes me happy.