Firsts

He's had a lot of firsts: first tooth, first word, first birthday, and even his first roll down the stairs. The other day, after Angie got tired of him looking like Doc Brown from "Back to the Future", he got his first haircut.

Normally, I only get emotional at really moving things: Papi hugging Johnny Pesky, Manny launching a moon shot over the Monster, and Mike Lowell robbing a double from some poor soul. As I get older however, things tend to get to me more than they used to. I guess the cold realization that I'm not some punk kid anymore is finally sinking in.

I look at Ciera and I don't see my little baby girl anymore: I see a young lady on the verge of breaking her Dad's heart with that first boyfriend. It seems like yesterday I was rocking Rakes to sleep, and he'll turn 4 this year. The only positive about Rakes getting older is I can get him T Ball where he can burn off some of his endless energy: you should have seen the shadow boxing he was doing with the neighbors Dalmatian today. Funniest Home Video's could run a whole hour on his antics alone.

Finally, Baby Trot: 1 year old and the life of the party. A more loving, sweet natured little ruffian you'd have a hard time finding. I want to make time stop and speed it up all at once, if that makes any sense. My brother in law, after we all ate Easter dinner yesterday, told Angie that he was going to go home and take a 3 hour nap.( Obviously, they don't have any kid's of their own yet). I told Angie last night I felt envious of him and sorry for him at the same time. Envious for the freedom, but sorry for what he's missing out on.

Last but not least, I've got to give a BIG thank you to the beautiful lady holding my boy: she is a stay at home Mom who for the last month or so has had to live with a husband teetering between insanity and a nervous breakdown, a daughter who seemingly is already 15 mentally, a 1 year old with an oral fixation, and a 3 year old who is apparently going to be in the terrible two's for the rest of his life. And she has handled it with grace and dignity, only calling me a tool 3 times. I figure she's doing pretty good.

A man can say some really stupid things to his wife, and I have to believe I'm leading the pack: how this woman puts up with me I'll never know.

Oh yeah: after attempting to give me a heart attack last night, the boys pulled it out in Arlington. Pap came in for 1 2/3 innings and slammed the door, and they head home at 3-3 with Ichiro and the Mariners waiting. Beckett goes tomorrow, and Matsuzaka and Ichiro meet for the first time in MLB on Wednesday night.

Wonder if THAT will get any play back in the land of the rising sun?