Tumult and excuses dot com, that should be the new URL for this blog. Long story short, VIRUSES, people! The 'puter was ravaged with spyware and insidiously replicating worms which eventually required a complete hard drive scrubbing. Couple that with a laughably busy real estate market, and preparing to assume the role of Mr. Mom (much to the chagrin of a few opinionated, albeit ill-informed relatives,) and you have the makings of a sleep-inducing website. Many apologies to those loyal enough to keep checking back, and I am now in a position to spew my rantings into cyberspace on a much more consistent basis.

Thursday was a dream sequence, as I co-operated with Roger Baumgartner to close the largest transaction of my real estate career. It came about like a tsunami, with parties agreeing to terms over a cell call in late March. The 98 acre tract will be developed into an upscale community of 260 homes. The jury is still out as to whether or not the project will be sold. If so, then our firms will be compensated for the transaction, which will yield far less than if we are hired to market the home sites to local builders. No matter, as the euphoria of the initial sale is still being savored. I have decided to commit the lion's share of my proceeds to a 600 lb. vat of pudding, and the purchase of Ted Williams cryogenically-frozen head.

This deal, in conjunction with several other dizzyingly large development scenarios, has rendered me speechless- a condition which friends and foes alike will concur is more rare than a Sasquatch sighting. We have truly been blessed, in so many respects. Our move here continues to be met with skepticism by some, but our burgeoning family has never been more joyous. Each day brings a new business adventure, a heightened appreciation of our marriage, and the constant God-shots from our young prince.

Ryan is approximately nine pounds, and over 21 inches long. I compose this inexcusably tardy entry as he sleeps off a hefty morning feeding. Our son slept through the night for the first time last night. He is figuring out the concept of a social smile, and those baby blues are soaking up anything that crosses their path. Last week he turned himself over (front to back) twice and is battling like a warrior poet to make it happen from back to front. Watching Ryans life flower before our eyes reminds me of the first time I stood in the sunshine. His bemused cooing wafts through our home like the aroma of freshly baked cookies and his gentle presence insists that we live entirely in the moment.

Heaven is all around.

After a hiatus of this length, I suppose you are all expecting pictures. So be it, and without a preponderance of narration. Ryan is becoming more aware of his surroundings with each passing day. You can imagine what those eyes are like in person, because I get goose bumps just looking at the pictures.

Posted by: Paul @ 2:24 PM

Here are the photos, in no particular order.

During a visit from the grandparents. My mother is smitten with this boy. She looks amazing, and Florida definitely agrees with her. Here's hoping those genes flow unimpeded through subsequent generations.

During a rather animated evening of feeding, medicating, crying, snoozing and staring wide-eyed at anything and everything.

Jeremiah joined in our afternoon snoozefest recently.

Our tennis team (which is going again this year to the regional finals... Go DeLand!) enjoyed the hospitality of Dr. Mac Steen and his lovely wife Kathy. They reside in what Mac likes to call "a li'l slice of heaven." By real estate standards it is a staggeringly large slice of approximately 12+ acres overlooking Lake Charles. Time literally stops at this beautiful villa, and it reinforces my notion that Mac is indeed our town's "Moonlight Graham." That's a reference from "Field of Dreams," and if you haven't seen the movie... shame on you.

Anyway, some photos from the party include a small group shot featuring the Doc (in back) with Paul and Charle' Holland (left) and Mike and Kathy Klipper. Kathy Steen became a wonderful perch for our son during the afternoon, and Mac mugged for my ever-intrusive lens with his doting wife. Kathy Klipper was next to gobble up the boy, and this is one of my favorite photos to date.

Others in attendance included Gary Tessero and his family (pictured at right with Jerry Cooper, who is the cagiest tennis player I've ever met and an Ohio State diehard who married Mary Jane, a Michigan fanatic... the arguments are priceless.) Gary's son, Gary Jr., attended with his girlfriend Lauren , and the Tessero daugher Elise is shown here vying for face time with Mike Barnes (at left, a tireless team captain and unrepentant pain in the butt... gotta love him for that!) and Troy Baumgartner, who like me is looking for that one killer real estate deal that will send him fishing for a long, long time.

Jim Zacharias was also present with his clan. Known affectionately as "Zack," Jim is a spectacular tennis player whose skills are eclipsed only by his legendary on-court tantrums. More racquets have met an untimely death in Jim's hands than Ille Nastase's.

Laura got to mug with Suzie Timko, one of our god parents. Their daugher Hannah was her usual cherubic self, and made for an excellent photo op on the Steen family swing.

Later in the day, Beth and Jerry Schnelker dropped by to enjoy the view. Jerry and I are tennis partners, and I must say he makes me look very good out there with his steady play and remarkable foot speed. Beth hammed it up with Laura and the boy, as Lake Charles shimmers in the background.

Finally, some more shots of the Bambino. This morning shot wasn't entirely in focus, but his face was priceless so up it goes!

Mommy was lovin' on the boy, whose outfit was too cute for colored TV. So adorable, what's a mommy and daddy to do?

He thinks he's got us fooled, but we're onto you Ryan Walker Long!

Here he is on an activity mat. So far, the only activity he's discovered is how to cry so that he can be removed from the activity mat.

What's not to love?

Okay, that'll do for now. More to follow... no, really!

Posted by: Paul @ 1:07 PM