My first trip to Kranyak's

Well mom and Dad finally got off their lazy butts and took me to Kranyak's this cool place that they have been telling me about for a while. It was filled with all kinds of cool toys and things for me to play with...which by the way they never let mew touch any of them....didn't really understand that. All I heard was Camey look at this , Camey look at that, and when I reached out to play with it, off we went to look at something else. But the really neat part was the trees, we stopped and lookead at all the neat decorations, I really liked the place and hope to go back soon, but next time they better let me play with a few of those things.

I don't know if you have heard, but I am going to get a new brother this Friday! I don't really know what that means, but mom and dad have been telling me about it for some time now, and all they do is show me my mom's belly...which looks like a big ball to me??? I guess I will find out what he is and what that means to me this weekend... I will fill you in more on that later.

I can't wait to see you all next week. Christmas look like a lot of fun. I like all the bows and presents under my tree!!! See you soon

McCamey

One week to go!

Well as I sit here getting ready to go to school, I realize that 1 week from right now we will be in the hospital getting ready for Baby X. We are scheduled for Friday morning at 7:00 for a C-Section. That is unless he decides to come early, which could still happen. We are anxious to say the least. Today is Emily's last day of work until after spring break, when I will take a few weeks off to stay home and play Mr. Mom. We look forward to being home with him for Christmas, but you all need to stay healthy and wash your hands or no touch!!!! :)

The basketball season is under way and so far so good. My team is 4-1...no undefeated year this year. We have played ok so far, and we look for a 17 + win season, so things are not that bad.

Camey is getting big and more and more daring with where she goes and what she does. It is a blast to see her at this age. It has gone so fast. We are trying to soak up every minute, because we know that it will all change next week.

Cant wait to see you all in two weeks!!!

Camey update

McCamey and I are spending the day together. It is Wednesday and she needed her 2nd dose of the regular flu shot, so daddy took the day off to hang out with the little girl. We have our first scrimmage tonight, so I will be home well after bedtime, so hanging out all day is nice for me.

We got our shot and headed off to Wal-mart to get some new tires for Em's car. $300 later for 2 tires we are all set and ready for the winter months. Camey had a blast in wally-world, where all the blow up Santa's and snowmen are all ready out for the Christmas season. She loved them, and we kept going back over and over so she could see them.

Lately we have really enjoyed the weather outside, Camey loves the leaves on the ground. She will walk with Em around the yard squealing with delight as they kick the leaves. We have a whole forest full of squirrels in the yard, and that is one of her favorite things - watching for the squirrels.

Camers is a much mare stable walker now, she can get around, when she wants to up and down the driveway and around the house. We have everything baby proof, and look forward to all those bumps and bruises that will come soon.

We have had a few people over to look at our house. We want to get the basement finished, with an additional bathroom, bedroom and family room. We hope to have some progress made in that department by Christmas.

Em starts her once a week visits to the OB next week. We are 37 days till the scheduled date for her c-section. December 18th. We are looking forward to welcoming baby boy to the family!!!

My little walker

I hope that you all have seen the video. I believe that I sent it to you all. My little girl is mobile....lookout world! Grandma Compan has been working with Camey tirelessly and so have we. Last weeken Camers just up and left the comfort of the couch and ventured off on her own for a very few, very wobbly steps. Em was on the phone and didn't see, but the look on my face must have been priceless, because she shot off that couch to see what I was grining about. So for the next hour or so, McCamey gleefully strolled back and forth from parent to parent walking like Frankenstein. Arms out wobbling back and forth. We loved it and she would make it over and clap for herself. We have had a few fall and go boom moments, but we also understand that it will only get worse. But it was really fun to see those first few steps.

As far as the rest of us goes, we are staying healthy and making it day by day. Em has started to tire and get to thst really sore stage in the pregnancy. I know how tough things are for her, I have started practice and have odd hours, so I really appreciate Em and all that she does. It is amazing to me how women are so tough. I have a tough wife and I love her!!!

We are down to six weeks until the arrival af baby boy Compan. We have the room almost done and the name is picked out. We will let you in on it Dec. 18th. Cant wait to see you all in a couple of weeks. We play our first game the Saturday of thanksgiving. So if yuo are home, you can all come!! We should be fun to watch again this year!

H1N1 is for the birds

Em and I have had a stressful couple of weeks. We have had our first confirmed cases of the H1N1 flu at school. We believe that he was in Emily's class. She has been hand washing and disinfecting her room like crazy, but we have been stressed out beyond belief anyway.

Yesterday our school nurse came in and told us that Ashtabula County had in fact finally received the vaccine. Off we went taking a half day off work. We had mom bring Camey up to school and the 4 of us trudged off to the clinic.

Emily had called and they said that only her and Camey could get the vaccine. Well, my wife was bound and determined to have all 4 of us get stuck in the arm with the vaccine. We discussed with our school nurse our options, she said to tell them that mom cared for a newborn, and that I had asthma. Well, we used the fib for mom but Em pursuaded them to stick me anyway. So finally we are vaccinated and feel a little better about our chances to avoid the flu.

We have confirmed the due date of Baby X. We will deliver God willing on the 18th of December. Hope anybody whose name we get in the Christmas drawing would like gift cards. Might be a little difficult otherwise!!!

Basketball conditioning has started. We are looking good nd hoping to have another very successful season. We will keep you posted on that. Today we are going to the YMCA to join for a cuple of months. The doctor said that it would be good for Emily to get into the pool. Take a little pressure off the pelvis. Hopefully we will have a few pictures soon of Camey's first YMCA trip.

UPDATES!

Ok...her are the updates on the wacky world of the Compan's

Emily - since last reported, my wife has finished all classowrk at YSU with A's in all 3 classes. She successfully passed her praxis test. Was called back to her 4th grade position, where she currently has 26 little kids including the next great hoop player. She is moving right along with the pregnancy only 11 weeks left! No name picked out yet? Living the dream - married to the wonderful me!

Me - back to work! Just finished another successful golf season 16-1 conference champs for the 3rd straight year. Taking a week or so off before starting basketball. Doing all the great things dad's get to do. Living the dream. Great job, great wife, great house great kid etc, etc etc.

Camers- turned 1!!! swam all summer long went to Pumpkin patch this weekend. Living the good life. Had a great birthday party (wish you could have been there Auntie Jen) two teeth, close to walking, getting to be a big girl.

We are status quo here and hope you got to enjoy the pictures, a hodge podge of what we have been doing. Can't wait to get together soon. Thanksgiving is not far away.
Jeff - out!

A letter to my daughter as she turns one!

McCamey,

I don't know where to begin... It seems like I waited for a lifetime for you to arrive and now you are 1 year old. I cannot begin to describe the joy that you have brought to my life. I was a bit of a wild child, and your mom tamed me. Then I was given this wonderful gift of a beautiful baby girl and nothing has been the same since.

The sleepless nights seem like a distant memory as I watch you know sleep for 11 hours a night. I do however remember those few nights when I would take you out to the living room to sleep on my chest. I know that I can't get those nights back, but I am sure that the memory will last a lifetime for me. What a big girl you are now.

We soon discovered your love for the water. Any kind of water...tubs, pools, puddles sinks it doesn't matter you seems to love it all. I smile at the thought of the cheesy face you make while in the tub. Now all mommy has to do is mention tubbers time and you joyfully crawl your way to the bathroom with no prodding. Such a big girl!

I can't believe how fast you are growing up. Some of my favorite memories are being outside with you. Our special little walk to look at the grass and trees, mowing the grass with you or stroller walks through the neighborhood. I love to watch your eyes wander with amazement at all you see.

Now you are up and moving. It seemed like forever before I could get you to sit up, and now we crawl and couch walk. Grandma bought you that walker for your birthday and look at you go now. An independent woman!

McCamey Rose Compan you are just about the best thing that has ever happened to me (beside your mom!) and I want you to know how much I love you. You mean the world to me. Happy 1st birthday. It has been great watching you grow. Looking forward to all that will come.

I love you
Daddy

Ok... so it has been a good month since I have been on the blog. I was starting to feel like Tommy. We have been extremely busy squeezing as much into the end of the summer as we could. Camey's favorite thing to do this summer was swim. Here we are at Grandma Mary's pool enjoying a relaxing splash.
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Our little girl is getting so big. She is almost one year old, and has gotten her first three teeth, although two are just sreeping through. She is able to stand for short periods without help, although she doesn't really know it. She loves being outside, especially in that grass.


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Wednesday, July 29, 2009

It's a BOY!

I know that I have been slacking a little bit in my blogging, but it seems like these past few weeks have been crazy in our house. Emily is taking praxis tests and studying for class, and I have been in charge of little miss McCamey, and I have been away from the computer.


We wanted to update everyone on our lives, Emily and I found out today that we are having a Boy. I guess for those of you who didn't know we are pregnant, and having a baby. The doctor today gave us December 20th as a due date, and we are absolutely thrilled.






McCamey is now 10 months old and becomming such a big girl. Here she is in the lawnmower box, having a blast. She appears to be skipping crawling and going right to walking. We couch walk and love to pull ourself up in the crib and anywhere else we can find. Today we also saw a peek of our first tooth. We have been patiently waiting, and it looks like we are on our way.

Camey and Emily and I enjoyed a little time in the pool the other day, finally getting a little warm weather.
A chip off the old block!

Our family also recently took a trip to Kentucky with Em's dad to see her Aunt Rhoda and Uncle Carl who were house sitting for their daughter. It was a great trip, one that we usually take at Christmas (can't this year I think we will be a little busy). We gat to hang out and enjoy a few peaceful days and I got to play Valhalla Country Club which is where they played the ryder cup last year. It was a tough course, I shot 43-38 for an 81. Tom and I had a great day, and I appreciate him pulling a few strings to get us on there. Below is us in the 18th fairway with the clubhouse in the background.

We have settled into our new house and our lives together and we couldn't be happier. We have all we have ever wanted, and with our December addition we will be the "traditional" family. We are excited to have our family over to the house next week and look forward to seeing you all.

ps gp to the titus round robin to see the photos, can't get them up here for some reason

Happy birthday Grandma! / a great trip

We wish to start out this blog with a happy 30th birthday to Grandma von Philp. We love you very much and appreciate all the things that you have done for us. Your granddaughter loves you and really enjoys spending her weekly time with you, and we appreciate the time it gives us together.

We wanted to let you know how much we love you and we hope that you had a great day, hopefully the male dancers were nice to look at!!!

Emily, McCamey and I recently got back from our yearly 4th of July outing with the Compan family. We really enjoyed our limited time with everyone, and mom and dad we appreciate you bringing us together every year. McCamey loved being around the boys and swimming in the pool!

This month has reminded Emily and I how lucky we are. We are both blessed with great families who love us and who we love dearly. We have learned to treasure all the little moments that we share. I loved sitting around having a few beers, telling old war stories, comparing notes with my siblings. We had a storybook childhood, and it is fun to be creating memories still with the ever growing family of ours.

So happy birthday grandma, and thanks to the Compan side for a great 4th weekend.

Chariots ON Fire!

Being the great parents that we are, Emily and I decided to go one a walk the other night with McCamey in tow, as well as Lady. I was pushing Camey and Em had the pooch. We came upon one of our turn around spots, where we decided to continue on further down the road. Well as we made our way back home, the clouds rolled in and it began to sprinkle... no problem, walk a little faster.... sprinkle turns to rain..... no problem we decide to jog. Camey starts to cry a little...... rain turns into a downpour... we take off like a bat out of hades. Camey is now screaming, I am hauling ass in front of Emily who is practically dragging Lady who now looks like a rat. Full sprint for a quarter mile or so, make it all the way to the driveway.........rain stops dead. We then head in sweating profusely and Camey and I take a shower.

We also enjoyed our first Fathers day. We had a nice day and enjoyed some golf with mom and Em's dad. After we went to brother Adam's girlfriends house for a cookout, which was very nice.

Today with the warm weather coming we went out and purchased a pool for miss McCamey. She playfully splashed around with her mom for a good hour. I am sure we will get a lot of enjoyment out of that this summer.

A bunch of firsts!

I know that you have all been there and done that, but it is so exciting to recant the stories of the past week. McCamey has accomplished a couple of firsts.

We went on our first bike ride... Emily and I hit a garage sale in our neighborhood and found a bike trailer, where McCamey can sit and ride with us. We took a nice long bike ride through Cortland and she was a gem, never a peep. She loved it, and we will get a picture in here soon to let you see her in her trailer.

We pulled ourself up for the first time. McCamey has no desire to crawl. The Dr. even said the other day that she may skip that phase all together. She wants to walk...holding you hands of course, but forget crawling, get me to the good stuff. But we are now pulling ourselves up a lot better.

Finally we have started eating some real food. I was so proud tonight when my little peanut picked those puffs up off the table and put them into her mouth. Actually brought a little tear to me eye. It is exciting to watch her grow and develop that personality. I am enjoying every moment and cherishing her every day.

Finally we continue our frantic summer pace. Em is taking classes, tests and being a great mom, while I do basketball, play a little golf and try to get my new grass to grow. I think that we might get to spend a little time together sometime in July, and we are looking forward to it!!!

SUMMER!!!

Thank goodness it is summertime!! The school years go by so quickly...I have taught now for 15 years! But this is becomming the best part of the year. I am so excited to spend some time with McCamey and Emily in our new home. It is starting to become more like a home, rather than some house we moved into. we still have plaenty of things in boxes, but it is close to being "our home".

This was a crazy week, with little kids basketball camp, open gyms and Emily taking her classes. Sometime it seems like summer can be a little more crazy than being in school. Emily and McCamey made a trip into basketball camp to suprise. Camey loves to be in the gym, with all the activity, and of course all the girls poo poo over her. Of course dad wants to have a little gym rat that he can take with him, so hopefully she feels the same way in a couple of years.

We are looking forward to our trip to Maumee this summer. We are excited to see everybody, and have Camey spend a little time hanging out with her cousins.

Camy is getting so big, so fast. I plan to enjoy this time with her. She is developing that personality... a lot like her mom!!! It truly is a great time in our lives and the summer will be a great one for us!

She picked me!

One year ago tomorrow, my life changed...completely for the better. It was one year ago today that I married the love of my life. I remember the day like it was yestarday. It was about 900 degrees and I was sweating my tail off. But it was all worth it.

I remember straining to see Emily walk down the grass. When I caught the first glimpse of her I couldn't believe how beautiful she looked and I thought to myself, "I can't believe how lucky I am, she picked me!"

Our wedding was beautiful, and the reception was great, I wouldn't have changed a thing...well maybe 10 degrees or so colder would have been nice! It was everything I had dreamed of. I can't believe how fortunate I was...she picked me.

We were already 6 months pregnant at our wedding, so things have moved relatively fast. We had a short vacation, not really a honeymoon (That is planned for next summer....get ready all you babysitters!), and we settled in to our new life. Soon McCamey arrived and our lives have never been the same. They are now better than ever.

So now here we are 1 year after you completed my life. We have just moved into the home of our dreams.... on a golf course no less!!! I couldn't have imagined my life would ever have been this good. I have found the person who completes me, she has given me a wonderful extended family, fit perfectly into our own little "cleaverish" family, given me the most precious gift you could ever imagined, supports me through thick and thin, she loves me and is my best friend....

Emily it has been a great year. Thank you for being more than I ever dreamed of, my partner and my confidant. I will love you forever..... "I can't believe how lucky I am. She picked me!"

Daddy Days!

For years Tuesday and Thursday meant one thing and one thing only for me... golf league. Whic consisted of 9 moderatley drunken holes of golf followed by 2 hours of getting smashed and retelling each and every one of my 30+ shots on the course. That was usually followed by a long Friday at work where I wondered why I continued to do that to myself!

Wuth Emily taking courses at YSU every Tuesday and Thursday night, those nights are now Camey time for me, and I love it. I am really enjoying my time with Camey... as she sits here crying trying to figure out what Dad is doing and why she can't help...almost bathtime!!! This has been a great opportunity for me, because it's just us. When Emily is home, camey usually prefers her over me, so this is awesome. I have miss my golf once in a while, but wouldn't change a thing!!!

What a week!!

It has been a whirlwind week for the Compan Family. Starting last Friday when we started to move into the new house. As you know we are in, but the hectic pace of our life has not slowed down at all. I have been making trips back and forth to the old house to pick up odds and ends, still with several trips left to make. Emily started some Graduate courses at YSU this past week. This will allow her to be certified k-5 instead of k-3.

With all that has been going on Camey has had her share of babysitters this week. Both Grandma's have been here as well as Constance on Thursday, and Olivia and Brooke allowed us to go out to dinner Saturday by volunteering to babysit. So thanks to you all that has made this crazy week easier

Friday night we had a nice visit from Em's friend from h.s. Leigh and her husband Cahrlie. They live in Wisconsin, not too far from my sister Jen. We drank and laughed and told stories for hours. It was good to catch up and hang out with them, we have not seen them for almost a year. Here is a picture of McCamey with mommy and Leigh

Our big Sunday couples golf league was dominated by the Compan's this week. Both Em ans Im Mom and Dad tied with 2 under par 34's. Mom and Dad won the tie breaker on a scorecard playoff much to Dad's delight. Mom carried his ass that day, draining both birdie putts for their team, so well done mom.

Finally we hosted our first big shindig at our new home. We had Mary, Adam, his baby Zoe, Kelly and her son Zach, mom and dad and the Crostons from school with their two boys. All was well and my first grilling experience on my new grill (which took me two days to put together) was a success. We survived and had a great day. Hope you all did wherever you were as well

A big Friday!

As I casually strolled into schol on Friday, I was greeted by a nice suprise. The teachers had gotten together and declared it Mr. Compan Day at school. All teachers and students were told to dress like me and to keep it a secret. The teachers all brought in a little breakfast item and we enjoyed it together. Mrs. Beckwith wrote me a nice poem which was rerad over the loud speaker, and the art teacher made a huge wall decoration that all students in the school signed. The teachers also made me a nice card that they all signed. This was done in honor of my "coach of the year award" and our great season. It was a great morning and I really appreciated it.

After school my assistant coach Joe (Drunk guy in the red shirt at our wedding), Constance, Brooke and former player Grace came over to help me and Em's brother Adam start our move to the new house. They were a great help, and Em and Mary were here sorting out the stuff already here. We will get to more of that later, but I appreciate my helpers, we would have never gotten in here without their help! We will talk about the house next blog, but we are here now!!!

A great mothers day

We had a great 1st mothers day today. Emily and McCamey both were baptized at church today and we were blessed to have a lot of family there with us. Above is a picture of McCamey in her beautiful dress. We had a great turnout at church. Em's mom and brother joined us as well as many from my side of the family.

After dinner, Tiff, Noah, Adam and Grandma Mary joined us at the Grandma Compans for dinner. we all shared good laughs and good food and even played a little rock band. Emily may tell you that she was the best, but I am here to tell you I rocked the house on drums!!!

I also wanted to take a minute to pay tribute to the mothers in my life. First my mom, what an outstanding example she has been . My mom has been there through thick and thin for me, giving me more help and love than I could ever ask for. Especially now as she watches McCamey while Em and I are at school. Thank you mom for being you. I love you and couldn't ask for more.

Grandma Mary has been a blessing in my life as well. She is always there to help when we need it, our ace babysitter on the weekends for our "us" time, my green thumb go to person, a trusting ear and loving mother in law who I am so glad to have in my life. Thank you Mary I love you too!!

My wife! I am such a better person and better man than I was before. Emily has completed me. She is more than I could have ever asked for and all that I ever dreamed of. She has made all my dreams come true. I have discovered the meaning of love and commitment and as I watch her with our daughter I know what a great mother she is. Em, I love you more than you will ever know. Thanks for being a great mom and for being my wife!

Hour of power!

On Thursday night, I fought my first battle with my little daughter.....and lost!













Emily was feeling really ill that night, so I told her to go to bed around 7:15. No problem said dear ol dad. I can do the bath, feeding and bed! I am a pro, don't yoo know. Well McCamey had other plans. She loves dad up until the 7:00 time, usually from then on it is mom or scream. But I had no fear, I could do it.

Bath time is usually the best time, we made it through without a problem....that is until I tried to dress her. Screamed bloody murder, woke up mom and probably anybody else within a 2 mile square radius.

On to dinner. Took her bottle without a problem. Dad is feeling a lot better....until he goes for the cereal. Screamed bloody murder again. We didn't finish the cereal. And then she got on the floor to play with me, looked up at me and laughed!

We played happily for close to an hour, now it's 9:00...time for bed. We enter the nursery attempt 1 to go to bed....unsuccessful. SCREAM! Out to play, 15 min later ditto. 15 more minutes of play, attempt #3 ....failure. Then dear ol dad gets smart. We watch a 30 minute baby einstein video. Finally at 10:00 we get to bed. I was exausted and McCamey was too.

McCamey 1, Dad 0.

A visit from an old friend!

Yesterday Emily and I had a nice visit with one of her oldest friends. Allyson Senk and her mom Aunt Gwen came over with Allyson's baby Lyla. Lyla was born in July last year so she is a few months ahead of Camey. Here is a picture from October of the 4 girls.

We had a nice visit, and it was great to see where McCamey would be in a couple of months. Lyla was crawling around and saying a few words. I am excited to hear those first words, as long as they are "da da"! Aunt Gwen also saves coke points for me, whic is great, she brought me over 30 box tops, which will keep me going for a motnth or so.

Here is a couple of pictures of the girls from yesterday!

Today is a big day for us, our realtor is having our first and hopefully last open house. We have worked hard the last couple days dusting (Thank you Mary!) sweeping, pulling weeds, mowing, mopping etc to get ready. We hope that somebody falls in love with this old house today, so we can move to the new locations with very little to worry about. So keep your fingers crossed!