Michelle and I always go to be together at the same time, but usually she falls asleep fast and I stay up another hour or so watching TV in bed. Actually, late night is a good time to catch cool History channel shows like Battles B.C. or Ancient Weapons. Cool stuff. Anyway, as we were laying in bed, (Michelle asleep and I watching TV) I had my hand on Michelle's belly and felt Miller kick. Now, I've felt him kick before, but this was so different and much cooler. Let me explain. Most of the time Miller is kicking, Michelle grabs my hand for me to feel him kick. It's cool, and he's had some really strong ones, but it still kind of seems like part of Michelle, if you get me. I know it's Miller kicking, but it still seemed tied to Michelle's reaction. But, when he started kicking with Michelle asleep, it's like I realized, this is all Miller. Michelle is asleep but Miller is awake and kicking. It just really made me realize that it is two seperate people, and their bodies aren't as synched as I once thought. It was really awesome.

In other news, Michelle and I received a package from my Mom today. Inside was a onesie and the tiniest pair of denim pants I have ever seen. Here are the pictures:

Those pants almost fit in my hand, and anyone that knows me knows that is a something. Also, when I was a kid, I was a big dinosaur fan, so the onesie is pretty fitting for me and Miller.

Things are starting to come together

It seems like since we've found out the sex of the baby, everything has started flying by. Since the 12th, we've finished getting all the stuff out of Miller's room, ordered and received baby bedding, wall border, and a crib mobile. We've also started receiving boy clothes already. Michelle's parents bought Miller a couple of onesies, footed pajamas, and some overalls with a picture of a crawfish when they were out of town this weekend, and we received a package today from my Mom that had two onesies, and two pair of cotton pants. It's all so cute and so small. I can tell this kid is going to be spoiled, not even in the world yet and receiving gifts on a weekly basis. This weekend we are going to purchase the baby furniture we have picked out, as well as getting the room ready for painting (put plastic on the floor, find paint, etc.) When I was up in the attic, I found like 6 half cans of white paint that they used at some point or another for this house. I think we're gonna try and use that paint for the white in the room before we go buy any. We're gonna test it on the walls this weekend. So, yeah, thinkgs are starting to come together. I can't wait till we have the room done. It will be the coolest kid's room in the world. If you didn't know, we're doing the room in A&M colors, maroon and white, with a little chalkboard paint on one wall (the kind of paint that they can actually use just like a chalkboard) and metallic paint on another part of the wall. With metallic paint, you can put magnets on the wall, and they'll just stick to the wall. Cool huh? It'll be awesome.

I'm lame.

On a different note, I just read Michelle's other blogs, and feel like such a dummy for writing a whole blog about comic books, when she is writing about cute stuff for the baby.

Random Nerdness

Ok, so if you don't know, I have been a hardcore comic book collector since I was in the 3rd grade. That's about 18 years or so. Seriously, name any given Marvell or DC story line from the 80's-90's and I probably read it. Earlier than that, I probably didn't read the actual comics, but I read enough that I could tell you all about it. Growing up, my 3 favorite comic book heros were Wolverine, Punisher, and Spiderman. I loved Wolverine for his pure beastial aspects. A man who lived on his animal insticts, with no reserve. Kill at will. A pure hunter. Awesomeness. The Punisher for similar reasons. A hunter. A killer. If you were a bad person, you were a dead person. Spiderman, well, he was a different story. Witty, nerdy, a nerd's hero. The type of hero a normal person would be if they found themselves with super powers. But I digress. The main purpose of this blog is to give due to a comic book character that I always found lame as I was growing up, but have found great enjoyment in as an adult. That character is the Flash from DC comics. His powers...super speed. Ok, sounds cool, but at the same time kinda, eh... So he, can run fast...cool I guess. What I've learned to love about this character is how far the writers/creators have taken the idea of super speed. For instance, some of the cool things the Flash can do....
He can control his speed at the molecular level...meaning he can move his body/molecules so fast, he can phase through solid objects. In one comic, when he learned he could do this, he was imprisoned in a cage, and moved his body (vibrated his body) so fast, he went through the metal bars. Awesome? I think so.
His speed is actually part of something called the "Speed Force" There have been four different Flashes (father, son, brother, and nephew) all gifted with the "speed force" This is the only power in all comic books that is hereditary.
Flash can move so fast, that he can actually run/move outside of our dimension. If our dimension is the third dimension, the Flash can move so fast that he actually moves into another dimension that is outside the confines of time/space. It's not the fourth dimension or anything like that. It's kinda in between dimensions. The only name ever given to it is "the speed dimension". There is only three accounts of the Flash going into the speed dimension. The second Flash was able to go there on his own by accident. The other two times took two or more Flashes combining their speed to accomplish this goal.
I could go on and on about the other cool aspects of this character, but I'll end for now. I just wrote this because whenever I want to tell Michelle a story about comic books, she won't let me. So I figured I'd share it with you.

Taylor Swift: the next Juliet.

Ok, are Michelle and I the only ones in the world who think Taylor Swift's song, "Love Story", is the most ridiculous and moronic song in the world? Seriously, you should take a look at the lyrics...none of it makes since. Basically, she likes a guy, he likes her, but her dad doesn't like the guy...so, of course the first place I would jump to would be to compare this "love" to the story of "Romeo and Juliet". There's more to it than that. At the end of the song, her dad finally approves, and gives his blessing for Romeo to propose to Juliet. That's not really the way I remember Romeo and Juliet ending. I read some posts and heard people say things like, "it's just a song, don't take it so seriously." Or, "if Romeo and Juliet would have had a happy ending, this song would be it." Ok, I can get that. She was playing up to a bunch of young girls to sell her albums, I get it. What I don't like about it is the way she is using "Romeo and Juliet" to sell her albums. You want to play up to young love, and write corny songs to sell albums, cool. Write another "Our Song". The teenage girls will eat it up. Don't leech off of a masterpiece like "Romeo and Juliet" just to make a buck. It's sickening. And if the whole, "Romeo and Juliet" comparison doesn't get you, let's make an obscure reference to another great work of literature. In the lyrics, at one point Juliet calls herself the Scarlet Letter. Seriously, no lie. She basically just called herself an adulterous woman, who is punished by the Puritan church. Yeah, that fits in really well with the song. Even if you tried to take a high road, and try to justify the Scarlet Letter reference by saying she was using it for some off limits, repentance, outcast type purpose, it just doesn't make since. There was no point in adding that reference except for pure dollar signs. I will the entire lyrics here so you can judge for yourself how completely empty, and worthless this song really is.

We were both young when I first saw you.
I close my eyes and the flashback starts:
I'm standing there on a balcony in summer air.
See the lights, see the party, the ball gowns.
See you make your way through the crowdand say hello;
Little did I knowThat you were Romeo; you were throwing pebbles,
And my daddy said, "Stay away from Juliet."
And I was crying on the staircase,begging you, 'Please, don't go.'
And I said,"Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone.
I'll be waiting; all there's left to do is run.
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess
It's a love story - baby just say 'Yes.'
So I sneak out to the garden to see you.
We keep quiet 'cause we're dead if they knew.
So close your eyes; escape this town for a little while.'
Cause you were Romeo, I was a scarlet letter,
And my daddy said "Stay away from Juliet,"
But you were everything to me; I was begging you, 'Please, don't go,'
And I said,"Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone.
I'll be waiting; all there's left to do is run.
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess
It's a love story - baby just say 'Yes.'
Romeo save me; they're tryin' to tell me how to feel.
This love is difficult, but it's real.
Don't be afraid; we'll make it out of this mess.
It's a love story - baby just say 'Yes.'
Oh.I got tired of waiting,Wondering if you were ever comin' around.
My faith in you was fadingWhen I met you on the outskirts of town.
And I said,"Romeo save me - I've been feeling so alone.
I keep waiting for you but you never come.
Is this in my head? I don't know what to think-"
He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring and said,
"Marry me, Juliet. you'll never have to be alone.
I love you and that's all I really know.
I talked to your dad, go pick out a white dress;
It's a love story - baby just say 'Yes.'
Oh, oh.We were both young when I first saw you...

Ridiculous

Rant Off

Our kids are already fighting over toys

I already know we are going to have our hands full when it comes to keeping our kids toys separated. Let me explain. Friends have already started giving us some gifts for Baby Vrana. We've gotten some clothes, books, and toys. This one toy in particular, a peek-a-boo-rattle has already attracted the attention of our first kid, Lexi, our Siberian husky. The peek-a-boo-rattle is sitting in a box in a chair in my office, and whenever I am on the computer, Lexi is allowed to be in the room with me. Well, Lexi has noticed the toy and decided that it is for her. Every time she comes in this room, she tries to nonchalantly nip the toy out of the box. In fact, she's doing it right now. So, this leads me to future visions of coming home to a pile of stuffing that Lexi has ripped out of a stuffed animal she stole from our baby, and our baby teething on Lexi's left out rubber Kong. Ah...good times ahead.

I wouldn't tell the Librarian how many books I've read

Why is it that every time I'm on a job, fixing someone's broken computer, people feel the need to tell me how much they know about computers. I was at a job today, removing spyware from a very infected computer, and the whole time this guy is sitting there telling me about this about how he doesn't like Vista, but he can do anything you ask him to with XP. I wanted to say, "well how about you fix your XP machine here and quit wasting my time?" I get stuff like that all the time. People asking me what I think about such and such software, or what I think about the new blah blah blah. Then, they are shocked when I don't know how some random program links to their Iphone. I'm sorry, I won't know every answer right off the top of my head. It amazes me how they also think because I work on computers, I must know about their home theater system, Iphone (this one happens alot), digital camera, or some other odd gadget. Yes I fix computers. Yes, I can do some coding with different computer languages, and yes I could probably figure out how that random program links to your Iphone. No, I am not a walking encyclopedia of all new gadgets, software, and computers. Do ENT's have people ask them about a cavity in their tooth? The throat and teeth are pretty close...so ENT's must know how to fix a cavity. Ridiculous. Could you imagine someone going to the doctor and giving the doctor their own diagnosis of their illness. Here's a skit for you:

Patient: Doctor, I have the flu. Give me a prescription for the flu.
Doctor: Well, let me take a look, well, your throat is swollen. You having difficulty swallowing?
Patient: Yes, it's the flu, give me a prescription for the flu.
Doctor: Let me listen to your chest. It sounds like you are having trouble breathing?
Patient: Yes, it's the flu, I need something for the flu.
Doctor: Your eyelids are kind of drooping, are you having blurred or double vision?
Patient: Yes, look here, I have seen other people sick with the flu, and have taken care of my kids when they have had colds. I know the flu when I see it. Give me some meds for the flu.
Doctor: I'm sorry to say you have Botulism.
Patient: You are wrong. I know what I'm talking about. I'm taking my body and going to another doctor.

And this is my world. :)


On a different note, you know the best tool any computer tech will ever use? Google. Simple as that. I would say 90% of all problems that I don't know off the top of my head, I just google it and get the answer. There are very few problems where I have to say, "ok, this error is pointing to this file, and this file is part of this process tree, which leads me to....."
Seriously, have a problem? Just google it. You'll find the fix.

Meet Me Where I Am

One of the gifts I got for my birthday back in October was a $25 dollar gift card for Itunes. Up until tonight I haven't spent any of it, just for the simple fact that I couldn't really think of any songs that I really wanted to download. I got on the computer tonight and figured I would spend finally spend some of it on Christmas music, as our digital music library was seriously short in that department. I downloaded a few good songs, including my all time favorite Christmas song, "We Three Kings" It took so long to find songs though. For every Christmas song, there are about 2 million versions. Some good, some bad, and some way out there. I'm very picky with my Christmas music. For instance, "What Child is This" and "Carol of the Bells" have to be sung by a choir, preferably the the Vienna Boys Choir. "White Christmas" has to be sung by Bing Crosby. "We Three Kings" has to have string instruments playing and male voices, or it just doesn't work for me. So, being so picky, it took me an hour to download 3 Christmas songs. However, looking for Christmas songs, I came across some older Christian songs that I used to listen to in high school, which is what this blog is really about.
You see, my first two years of high school, I was definitely what alot of people would call a "Jesus Freak." There's nothing wrong with that, but I was that kind of person. I listened to nothing but Christian music, went to Christian concerts, at one point I even shaved the Christian fish symbol in the back of my head. My last two years of high school, I thought I was becoming a more rounded individual. I still went to church every Sunday and Wednesday night, went to church camp every summer, but I also went to some high school parties, started drinking, and let's just say Jesus wasn't my only passion.
In college, I was very much pulled away from my "Jesus Freak" days. The only time I went to church is when visited my parents, and sometimes not even then. I was "living the college life" as they say. Parties and clubs every weekend, and let's just say it, a very sinful life. I still had convictions during this time. In fact, as my roommates at the time could probably tell you, some of the most heated arguments/fights we had were centered on me and feeling ashamed of the way I was living my life. Anyway, I've since calmed down or grown up or whatever you want to call it, and I guess you could say I'm back to my more rounded self, going to church more, praying daily again, etc.
Now, why write all this on a blog that is mostly centered on the fact that Michelle and I are having a baby? Well, the answer is this. I'm worried. Hearing old Christian songs that used to stir up such emotion, and make me feel like I could reach out and touch God, makes me feel like I'm not living as close to God as I should right now. I know I want our child to grow up in a strong Christian family, with regular attendance in church, and to learn and believe in God. I grew up in a very strong Christian family with very strong Christian parents, and I'm worried that I am not going to be that strong Christian role model for my child. I'm also worried that I won't find a good balance I guess.
My childhood church was a small southern-Baptist church. During my years there, I listened to many different preachers with different beliefs, from the "fire and brimstone" types to those who preached about God, the loving father. What I'm trying to say is, with some of the things I believe, and knowing how I was my early high school years, I'm afraid I could get in too deep (kind weird to say that you can go in too deep into Christianity), and go that unbending, uncompromising Christian type. You know, where there is right and wrong, and no grey area. No drinking, no cussing, no dancing southern-baptist. On the other hand, I don't want to be the other guy. The Sunday morning church goer, who doesn't strive to live a Godlike life the rest of the week. As Michelle could tell you, I feel very strongly towards my beliefs and convictions. Michelle would also probably tell you that I am my own worst critic. She say's that I am hard on myself for things I shouldn't be. Like, this whole rant for instance, I can just hear Michelle saying, "John, you know where your heart is. You know your beliefs and you love God. Everything else will work itself out. No one is the perfect Christian, so you shouldn't expect yourself to be one."
I know she's right. Everything will work itself out. It's just hard not to worry about doing things the wrong way. But, I guess with a new baby on the way, I should get used to it. I'm sure there are going to be alot of things that come up where I am worry about doing things the wrong way. Anyway, it's getting late, so this rant is coming to an end. I'm just going to listen to this song that came on, and go to bed. It's one of my favorites. It's called "Meet Me Where I Am". It's by Ross King. You should check it out if you haven't heard it before.

'Nuff Said

So, you know how when you are trying to get pregnant, or you are thinking about having a baby, it seems everyone you know is pregnant? At first it is such a odd mix of feelings during that time. You are happy for your friends that are pregnant, but a little resentful/jealous that you aren't pregnant yet. You feel like, what am I doing wrong.
I brought that subject up to bring you to the real topic of my post. Now that Michelle and I are expecting, I couldn't be happier for all those people we know who are also pregnant. No more jealousy or resenftulness. In fact, it just makes me think more happy thoughts for our future child. I can't wait to see our baby meeting and playing with all our friend's kids. Our baby isn't even born yet, and already has more friends than his/her father. Baby Vrana will have Seth Jr. in Maryland, Abby in Humble, TX, Baby Casas in Bryan, TX, two third cousins in Kennard, TX, and Logan in Dallas, TX, all of these kids being within 2 years of age difference from Baby Vrana. In fact, all of these with the exception of Abby are within a year's age difference from Baby Vrana. Heck, with all these kids it doesn't matter if we have a boy or a girl, Baby Vrana will still have plenty of suitable options (besides the third cousins of course) for future dates/husbands/wives. :)

June 24th

Well, Michelle and I went to the doctor today. We found out that, yes, she definitely is pregnant, and that she is about 7 weeks pregnant. 7 weeks!!! We thought maybe 4, but 7!! That's almost two months. In another 10 weeks we can find out the sex of the baby. I know that it's like forever still until the baby is born, but knowing that she is already almost two months along definitely makes it feel real, and like it does't seem so far away...like, if 2 months have already passed, the other 7 will just fly by as well. Also, knowing that she is already 7 weeks along mean that she is just one week behind a friend of her's that is also pregnant. Wouldn't it be cool if we and our friend's had our babies on the same day? I think it would. We also got a little gift basket from the doctor's that has like 5 different type of vitamins, and like 3 books. With the books Michelle has already bought, I think I have more to read than I ever did for school. It's already all worth it though.