2005 in retrospect: Part 1 of a 2 part series

Early in 2005, when I was still working, and Kathleen as well, I received a great promotion to a position at Tech Data that almost fit my skills. Kathleen had struck a deal with her new boss at Brooks/Eckerd to let her go upon the birth of our child -- only known as Nemo at this point. She was a shrewd negotiator and made the wise decision to break ties with a company that is now in fiscal and logistical trouble. She also took a very cold trip to Minneapolis in January, 32 weeks pregnant, to interview with Target Corporation. She worked up to the day she was admitted into the hospital for delivery.

The nursery was not quite ready in January, because the furniture was not completed, walls painted and trimed work installed. Every day and night had us working on the nursey; a pace that made it all come together. Stollers had to be put together, hospital bag readied and car seats installed. The many generous gifts that we received needed organizing and our birthing classes were preparing us every week.

Kathleen had her usual weekly appointment on Monday the 14th and I went into work as well. The doctor had noticed that the amniotic fluid levels were low during the previous weekly appointment and it had not recovered, only decresed. I was busy learning a new job when I received Kathleen's phone call that she was going to be induced that day and was heading home for the hospital bag. Nathaniel was born on February 15th, shortly after 11:00 p.m., with the ambilical cord wrapped twice around his neck and both hands were clutching it while he emerged. The doctors hands and arms whirled him around to alleviate the stress he was causing, which I hope is not an indication of years to come. Kathleen, now Mom, was a champ. She made it through hours of Pitocin induced labor and over an hour of pushing. Michael, now Pa Pa, cut the ambilical cord to make the whole procedure official. Nathaniel weighed 6 lbs. 7 oz. and received an APGAR score of 8 - 9. His blood sugar tested low and he was jaundiced. Our stay in the hospital was not abbreviated. I went home each night to take care of the dogs and get the house ready for our baby. The crib needed to be assembled, Pack-n-play assembled, nursery and master bedroom cleaned and readied and the dogs received a good sniff of a baby blanket.



The next three weeks were difficult. Nathaniel was not a strong eater and the process of breastfeeding was nothing like those glamours instructional films they showed us in our breastfeeding class. He lost almost, but not quite 10% of his birth weight in the first week. Our sleep was forever set aside for this tiny boy and his cries of hunger, fear and confusion during the day and through the night.

Then, I went back to work for a week and then off a week. Every lunch I came home to help in any way I could, whether it was just to hold or feed him or give Mom a nap (which was rare). Nathaniel figured out how to eat and was gaining weight at a pace that made us and our doctor happy. Kathleen was getting into a routine and was truly enjoying her time with the "Little Man".

By the time I was full-time back at work, Tech Data decided that the program managers needed a change and new found opportunity. Once again, my job title was changed right about the time I finally learned it, the third time in 8 months and third cube move. Confusion, chaos, frustration came with the change, but all the while you have to think like Dory in "Finding Nemo" and just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. The work was fun, but there were people around us that made it much more difficult than it needed to be. I had several great accounts to work with, where the people made all the difference, and a couple technologies that were fun and interesting, even for a partial Luddite.

We had some great visits from our family and friends until hurricane season began. They all came to welcome Nathaniel and give us a hand around the house or with the little guy. He was introduced to all of his cousins and they were able to hold him and let him know that he is loved.

The last person able and eligible person in our combined families, Jennifer Strunc, was married to her long time "Bo", Aaron Lambrecht, in April on Captiva Island in Florida. We were able to see family and make new friends. Then, Nat had his first airplane ride for the wedding reception in New Ulm, Minnesota. It was cold and fun. Congratulations Aunt Jenny and Aaron!

Back to the hurricanes. The true start of hurricane season is when the first plywood goes up over the windows and that was for Denis. We were in the mountains when Katrina hit Mississippi and Louisianna and Florida. This was a year that we most certainly don't want repeated.

Summer in Florida is a fun time. The Gulf waters are warm and the beaches are half full. Fishing is even better on the beaches. Nathaniel experienced the sun, sea and surf this summer and is a true cracker. We celebrated Memorial Day on the beach at Ft. Desoto. It was truly memorable to spend such a great day with such great friends. Thank you team Tinnaro, the Mesas, Gary and Sunny and Rachel (Ace was there too)!

We took a family trip to Washington D.C. at the end of June, which piggy-backed on a business seminar I was giving for Tech Data. The Smithsonian museums were great to see and we had a special treat of taking in the Capitol tour. Nathaniel was exposed to, or I should say, slept through the National Gallery of Art. There is an amazing permanent collection there that every art enthusiast should see. The monuments were easily accessible for our stroller and, for the most part, so was the city. It was a fun and educational family trip.

Here's the recipe Rachel:
Teriyaki Chicken
1/2 Cup Soy Sauce
3 Tblsp. Sugar
1 Tsp. fresh grated ginger
3 Tblsp. sesame seeds
1 1/2 - 2 lbs. chichen (cut up or legs and wings)

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Combine soy sauce, sugar, ginger and sesame seeds in a bowl.
3. Place chicken in a baking dish and pour sauce over it.
4. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Brush on more sauce as chicken bakes (every 15 minutes). The original recipe says 45 minutes, but "I" think definitely more.

Happy New Year!!!