Jack Henry Harper

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 01:25:06 -0500

Been a busy few days. Jack Henry Harper was born on Saturday April 18th.

Time 1:09 AM
Weight 7 lbs 3 oz
Length 19.5 inches

We were released form the hospital on Monday. More posts are forthcoming, but first......sleep!

- The New Dad

Here we go

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:39:44 -0500

Quick update to anyone that reads the blog but hasn’t already heard. We are at the hospital and just waiting for the arrival. Most likely Friday afternoon. Next post will have pics. Wish us well.

- The New Dad

Casey

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:07:20 -0500

Growing up I remember reading a book titled The Best Loved Poems of the American People This green covered book contained a collection of poems that contained what is considered to be one of if not the quintessential baseball poem, "Casey at the Bat." I must have read the story of described in verse hundreds of times if not more. In addition to this classic original, there were two sequels by two different authors included in this collection as well. My wife and I recently packed up a large portion of our library to make room for our first child and ran across this book. After rediscovering the tomb, I immediately started looking for the pages that had provided so much entertainment. I eventually found the poem complete with one page that had pulled away from the binding and with a large piece of tape holding it together. I think it is only now that I am able to fully appreciate the poem and what it represented to me. Written during baseball's golden age in 1888, the ballad describes an awe inspiring superman of a baseball player that is destined to save the day for his home team. Before going further, Here is The narrative.

Casey at the Bat
by Ernest Lawrence Thayer

The Outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day:
The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play.
And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same,
A sickly silence fell upon the patrons of the game.

A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, if only Casey could get but a whack at that -
We'd put up even money, now, with Casey at the bat.

But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake,
And the former was a lulu and the latter was a cake;
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat,
For there seemed but little chance of Casey's getting to the bat.

But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,
And Blake, the much despis-ed, tore the cover off the ball;
And when the dust had lifted, and the men saw what had occurred,
There was Jimmy safe at second and Flynn a-hugging third.

Then from 5,000 throats and more there rose a lusty yell;
It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;
It knocked upon the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,
For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.

There was ease in Casey's manner as he stepped into his place;
There was pride in Casey's bearing and a smile on Casey's face.
And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Casey at the bat.

Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt;
Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt.
Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,
Defiance gleamed in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip.

And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped-
"That ain't my style," said Casey. "Strike one," the umpire said.

From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar,
Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore.
"Kill him! Kill the umpire!" shouted someone on the stand;
And its likely they'd a-killed him had not Casey raised his hand.

With a smile of Christian charity great Casey's visage shone;
He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;
He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the spheroid flew;
But Casey still ignored it, and the umpire said, "Strike two."

"Fraud!" cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered fraud;
But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed.
They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,
And they knew that Casey wouldn't let that ball go by again.

The sneer is gone from Casey's lip, his teeth are clenched in hate;
He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate.
And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow.

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;
But there is no joy in Mudville - mighty Casey has struck out.

"Phin"

After re-reading this poem as an adult, I can't help but think that I subconsciously learned a valuable lesson from the original series of poetry. In the verses of "Casey at the Bat," one can't help but get caught up in the grander that Casey embodies. By the time you get to the end and realize what just happened, it is almost unbelievable. In my current station in life, I can't help but see the lesson that no matter how powerful one gets, no one is perfect and everyone strikes out every now and then. With a kid on the way, I can't wait to start reading to him / her and this will undoubtedly be one of the first things I read.
- The New Dad

Baby Shower

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 17:58:49 -0500

After several weeks of various medical maladies accompanied by several trips to the hospital and/or doctor’s office, we were able to settle down to a good ole baby shower yesterday. Thanks to everyone who hosted, contributed, or just showed up. It was good to see everyone and know that we aren’t the only ones looking forward to little baby Harper. There are quite a few pictures and a video of the event for those who are interested.

Enjoy the pictures & Video!!!
- The New Dad

And now in 3D

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:00:44 -0600

OK, I realize that there has been a long pause in the posts, again. And again, not that much baby related news. There will be pictures to follow, but here is the video of our 3D sonogram. It is a bit long and makes for a large file, so I apologize in advance for a long loading time. For proper playback, you will probably need to install QuickTime from Apple if you haven’t already.

http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/