Family Visit

On Sunday my Uncle Rick, Aunt Jodi, and my grandma (the girls' great-grandma!) came over to visit. It was their first visit with Charlotte and Elise, and they loved every minute. Rick recently returned from a fishing trip to Alaska, and brought salmon and halibut to grill. It was delicious. It was a beautiful day and everyone had a great time catching up and passing the babies around!

Two months old today!

Elise and Charlotte are two months old today! It seems like an eternity ago that I wrote the last post. Life has changed in so many wonderful ways in the last 8 weeks. I love my girls - being a dad is the best! I'll be writing more now that school is out and I have more time.

From Charlotte & Elise 5/9 - 5/18

Allow Delivery in 6-8 Weeks

Whenever I subscribe to a magazine, they say it will begin to arrive in 6-8 weeks. This always feels like an eternity, but when it finally comes, it doesn't actually seem like it was very long.

Well, we're expecting our girls in 6-8 weeks! I know it is not very long at all.

I am starting to feel a little nervous, well, I guess just plain nervous. We have all the "stuff", like crib and car seats. Now, I just feel completely unprepared personally. It's not like I can go into training for sleep deprivation and diapers!

I am reading a book called "The Happiest Baby on the Block". It is all about soothing a crying baby. Lots of tips and how-to info. In the first part though, the author writes that the primary and most important job of any parent is to love their child (I knew that anyway!). I can certainly do that. In 6-8 weeks I'll begin to figure out the rest.

Madelyn

My brother Nick and his wife had their second baby last Tuesday - Madelyn. She was born a bit early, but is doing really well. We were finally able to go see them on Saturday evening. Madelyn is beautiful and perfect.

Some new stuff

In the spirit of getting ready for 2 babies, it was time to buy some stuff. Call it the "Darragh Economic Stimulus Package".

First, a stroller. I am one for quality, and refuse to buy garbage. Garbage is a waste of money, and eventually I buy the good one anyone. So, after much research, hands-on-testing, and deliberation, we settled on a stroller:

From new stuff

The seats are highly configurable. Both forward, back, or facing each other. They recline and the foot rests adjust. It is pretty maneuverable, and even has cup holders. This should last 2+ years.

The next purchase, new windows for the drafty house. Our house is over 50 years old and has terrible insulation. The old windows has a negative R factor I think. New windows, from Port Orchard Glass, really make a difference. Hopefully, the heating bill will show this too.

From new stuff

From new stuff

Life must be documented, right? We had a little point-and-shoot digital camera. Even before kids I was frustrated with it. So, a new camera was in the works. A Canon SX10 is. Not quite SLR, but not far off. It has great reviews, and I've enjoyed using it so far. Image stabilization, 20x optical zoom, and a complete set of manual settings, plus a great auto setting made this an easy choice.



Finally, the crib. Stephanie's dad, Rick, does amazing work. He made our bedroom set, dining room table, a cedar chest... just beautiful We now have an equally beautiful crib awaiting our precious daughters. Mom and grandma are so proud! Putting this in the room really brought it home. Tomorrow, Steph will be 24 weeks. In 3 months or less our little crib will have some long awaited occupants! I'll take their picture, we'll go for a walk, and enjoy the draft-free, cozy bedroom. I can't wait.

From new stuff

From new stuff

Creating Special Times

When I was a kid, one of my favorite things was spending time with just one of my parents - just me time. One particular memory is from 4th grade when my dad took me to breakfast at Denny's and gave me a Cub Scout pocket knife. These little, special memories are very important to me. Recently, watching Jon & Kate plus 8, we noticed they do a special day for each one of their kids. So, before I forget, here are some things I am looking forward to doing with my two girls.

- Dinner with dad at McDonalds (Happy Meal on me)
- Looking under rocks during low tide (maybe too yucky?).
- Something special, based on their interest - zoo, boat ride... we'll just have to see!
- Pancake breakfast, before mom gets up on a Saturday.
- Friday night movie night.
- "Camping" in the backyard
- "Camping" in the house
- Cooking together

Anyway, just a start. I guess after all the diapers and sleepless days/nights, eventually this stuff will start happening. I want to make sure I don't forget some of the things I've been thinking about.

Baby Stuff

Stephanie and I spent several hours at the oh-most-magnificent-and-venerable Babies 'R' Us in Tacoma today. It is time to start making that amazing baby registry list. We spent several hours there, and I actually learned quite a bit. I pinched my finger in a stroller pretty good trying to close the darn thing, but I eventually got it. Bottles, bibs, car seats, high chairs, play-pens (cages?), there is a lot. I looked at Steph at one point and said, "It is like we're climbing Mt. Everest in a couple of months, and we have to get a list of supplies, without really knowing what we need." Yeah, something like that. Anyway, we made a pretty comprehensive list by the time we left. When we got home, I ordered a great double stroller online, and expect it soon.

In the past week I have been able to feel the babies move on the outside. Mom has been able to feel them move for quite sometime, and it is really special for me to finally feel the two girls do flips and flops. Sometimes it is like a little dance party in there! Tonight, Stephanie actually saw someone move - their hand or elbow went right across her tummy! Wow! It is just amazing how quickly things are moving along.

Doublemint gum anyone?

Today we went in for a very thorough ultrasound at the UW Medical Center. It was for some follow up, just to make sure everything is progressing well with the babies. I am starting to understand to worry of being a parent - it just never seems to go totally away. The ultrasound went great and everyone is doing really well. The biggest piece of news is that we are expecting two girls, who will most likely be identical twins! I never, ever thought I would be a dad of twins. It really never crossed my mind, and now identical! The odds are about 1/285.

It is interesting to think about the future. Some twins develop their own language... that would be cool, to a point. I wonder how their relationship will be different than sisters who aren't twins? No one has twins in either family, so many questions will be answered in due time.

The ultrasound pictures are amazing this time. They look more and more like little people every time.

A True Blessing

In a few months my life will change forever, and I couldn't be more excited. I haven't written much, but feel that I need to start documenting our experience.

In early September, Stephanie surprised me with a small card. I had just come home from work and suspected something was up. She was busy in the office printing and cutting... making something crafty. A few minutes later she emerged with a goofy smile and handed me the small card. I had a hunch, and asked, "Are you pregnant?" "Open the card!" She says! I sat down, opened the card, and sure enough - it was wonderful news!

That whole evening was quite a roller coaster of emotions for me. Can I be a dad? Am I really prepared and responsible enough? Will I have enough patience? How will this affect our marriage.... On and on, my mind was reeling with questions and doubts... But at the foundation of it all is the faith Stephanie and I share, and our strong marriage. By the time I went to bed I was on cloud 9.

It wasn't long before we had our first ultrasound in Silverdale. This was in preparation for the first of many OB appointments. It took a little while, but soon the little bean appeared on the monitor. The tech pointed our little baby out, then got real quiet. I thought I saw something more on there, and just that moment he labeled the first bean "A", and then moved the cursor and labeled another little bean "B"! I asked, "Is there more than one?" He replied, "Congratulations, you're expecting twins!"

There was also a student in the room from the local college. I think this was the first time he'd seen this happen. I was standing up, and everyone asked me to sit down, I think I looked a little white!

That moment was probably the most surprising, shocking, and best moment of my life. Steph and I walked out, hand in hand to the parking lot. We just looked at each other with tears of happiness in our eyes. I said, "We can do this." From that moment on, I've known that it is going to be great. We can do it, it will be wonderful!

I called my mom, asked her to sit down, and told her the news. She didn't believe me at first! It took a few times repeating the news for it to sink in. She was thrilled. My dad was in Portland, and when I told him he was very excited! He is very proud will be a great grandpa for our babies.

Babies A and B have been growing steadily and mom is doing great. We are expecting them this spring, and I know time will pass very quickly. More to come!

What?!

When I got home from work, there was snow/slush on the deck (and on other stuff too). What?!

From New Album 10/9/08 7:10 PM

End of Summer, Start of School

I have taken a break from blogging for the last few months. Steph and I had a great end to the summer. I had some wonderful nights out back with the telescope, and have definitely caught "aperture fever". I've found most of the things I can with my telescope, and want something bigger, but it will have to wait... We went camping with my parents and reluctantly started the school year. Class is going well, and I think that my 7th year of teaching 6th grade is shaping up nicely. I have a very large class at 31, but the students are getting the hang of things. I am very busy at school. My old principal talked me into leading the safety patrol this year. It isn't too much work, but there seems to be a little thing every day. I was also talked into being the technology liaison for my school. basically, it is plugging in cords and helping people do things like check email. It comes with a very small stipend, but will be the first thing I drop when life gets busy. Steph and I recently got motivated to make sure we are healthy. We were able to get a wii this summer for cheap on craigslist, and picked up a wii fit last weekend. I've done it a few times, and it seems pretty cool. I will probably be blogging more often...

Golf, For real

Yesterday I went golfing with a buddy. We hit the links at Madrona Links, in Gig Harbor after 5:00 for the reduced price of only $15.00. This was my first time on a full size, 18 hole course. I had some really, really, terrible shots and lost 3 or 4 golf balls. Then I redeemed myself with 4 incredible drives in a row, all over 200 yards and on the fairway! You would think that those kind of shots would set me up for a good score on the hole... No... I blew it on the approach and short game. Golf has to be one of the toughest, most frustrating sports invented, but I enjoyed every minute of it!

Summer Stars...Finally

It is after 3 AM, and I have just wrapped up my first long evening out back under the stars. It has been awhile since I've been out, and I had to spend some time reacquainting myself with the summer night sky. I waited until Jupiter cleared some trees, then spent a fair amount of time watching. Every once in a while, there were crystal clear moments. I was able to make out the two main cloud bands, and also some of the lighter colored tan ones. The four largest moons were clear, and I watch Io orbit around and disappear behind the largest planet in the solar system. At the end of the evening I returned to Jupiter and caught a glimpse of the Great Red Spot! I also checked in with the two globular clusters in Hercules, M13 and M92. The Ring Nebula and Epilson Lyra, and Lyra were also on my list. I checked of the "coathanger cluster" (yes, it looks like a coathanger) and nearby M71. Then I was surprised when I went for the Wild Duck CLuster, and ran into the Eagle Nebula. I had never seen that before. This is the nebula that the famous photograph of the "Pillars of Creation" was taken by the Hubble Telescope. All in all, and great evening to get back into the astronomy. I'm looking forward to some more!

More Michigan

The training has continued through the week. It is an introductory math training for our curriculum, but the other teacher, Hilaree, and I are getting a few good tidbits here and there. Yesterday and Monday were very nice, with temps in the upper 70's-mid 80's. Today, we had showers, but it was still very warm out, and the rain was warm. It was a strange feeling. Yesterday I spotted a black squirrel, and took a picture. I thought it was very unique. Today walking across campus, I saw four more. Either that black squirrel is very fast, or they are not as unique as I thought. Maybe they are some grad student's project on genetics. After the conference today, we spotted one of the authors, Glenda Lappan. I had previously met her two years ago in Everett at another math conference. She actually remembered me from then! We had our picture taken with her to show our students in the Fall. Kind of corny, but also kind of cool. There are some beautiful botanical gardens on campus. The plants are all arranged taxonomically, and also are very beautiful.

Math Training in East Lansing

Yesterday I spent the entire day traveling from Seattle to Detroit, then Detroit to Lansing Michigan. Lansing is the state capital and home to Michigan State University (The Spartans). It is also home to the developers of our math curriculum, Connected Mathematics. I am here with another teacher, for a 5 day training which will give me an in-depth look at the program, and give me the official credential to be a trainer for the district.

Traveling was not too bad yesterday, just a bore. we spent 3 hours in Detroit waiting for the connecting flight to be ready. The Detroit airport is very cool. There is an elevated, indoor train which you can ride along the length of the main terminal. There is also an amazing light/sound tunnel. It is probably 300 yards long, and music plays while lights in the walls and ceiling give an impressive show. I took some photos, but then found this video which gives a better idea.



Today is the first day of training. I really hope it is worthwhile, and not just an introduction course.

Students' Choice Award

This morning I was honored to receive the Port Orchard Rotary Students' Choice Award, along with a good friend Peter Bulthuis. Each year 7th grade students at the local junior high vote for their favorite teachers in elementary school. The local Rotary club organizes this, and recognizes the recipients at a breakfast. There were about 20 teachers who were recognized, and it was great to see so many of my colleagues also get recognition for their hard work. So often in this profession, the rewards are intangible. Sure, there is the paycheck each month, but I seldom really know if I am having the kind of positive impact I want to have on kids. I've learned that 99% of this job is relational, the rest is stuff that was/wasn't taught in college. This award is probably one of the most important and meaningful awards to receive because it is based on the relationships I formed with students, chosen by the students, and based on the positive learning experience I gave them. It is a tangible award, representing so many intangibles, which are the reasons why I teach.

Peter Darragh, M.S. Education

Tonight I posted my final assignments for my masters program. I focused on K-8th grade science. It has taken two years of weekly assignments and science projects. Overall, the science content wasn't too challenging, but it did give me great perspective and some useful strategies for the classroom. I have fond memories of a rotting bottle full of compost decomposing in our spare room, grass seeds growing under grow lamps, and a water tower made out of coffee stirrers. Stephanie finished her master's degree a few weeks ago too! No more college for a long time for me...I've had enough!

Summer is Here!?

Warm weather, bbq's, and water skiing! Hopefully, we have some warm weather that might stick around for more than just a few days. Last night a coworker invited the staff over to her house on Long Lake. I got to go water skiing for the first time in 6 or 7 years! That was fun. I am definitely ready for the last day of school now!

Tim Darragh: B.A., Illustration

After four years at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Tim graduated last week! He now has a B.A. in Illustration, and is quite accomplished. The night before commencement, all the art students had a gallery opening. Tim had two wall to cover with his work, showing what he has accomplished. It was quite impressive! The personality of the drawings was really evident. It was impressive to see the evolution of a character from the first sketch, to a framed, finished piece. Great job - We're all proud of you Tim! Check out his website: theeyeinside.com



The next day was the commencement ceremony at Benaroya Hall, downtown. It was beautiful! There was a gamelon ensemble that played several unique compositions from Indonesia and Japan. A student speaker and some students who sang a tune called, "I Want to go Back to College" really helped show the unique personality of all the Cornish students. Gone were the cap and gown (except for one student), and in were gifts for their department chairs. It was a proud moment when Timothy Darragh was called, and he walked across the stage to receive his diploma! Great job Tim! Big things are in store for my brother, he is truly talented, and gifted with drawing.

Outdoor Education 2008

This week is outdoor education. This is our third year going to Olympic Park Institute on Lake Crescent. Check out our blog: http://sgopi.blogspot.com/