important safety tip

Always be sure to securely knot the end of the Diaper Genie before you close the contraption and fill it with diapers. Take it from someone who knows.

Dad

She's back from vacation...

Emily Grace is back from visiting her Grandma and Grandpa in beautiful Ashtabula, Ohio: the home of covered bridges and not much else. They are on Lake Erie, but you can't really get down to it. The Amish communities are interesting, but they don't watch The Daily Show so what is there to talk to them about.

What was, for me, most interesting is the fact that Ashtabula is trying so hard to attract tourist dollars. They're building these covered bridges, which have to be the least cost effective bridges, in the poorest county in the state of Ohio to attract tourists. Yet, the one thing they could do for free is completely neglected. Customer service. How much would it cost to have the employees of the hotels, restaurants and stores at least pretend that they're glad to see you. It was pretty clear that my arrival on their doorstep was a major annoyance for them. The three employees at Alamo Rent-A-Car could not have been any more un-happy/annoyed when I walked up to claim my reservation. It's not like there was a line. I was the only person there. When I went back in to ask a question they were downright hostile. That will be the last time I rent from them.

The Holiday Inn Express in Ashtabula is another good example. When I made the reservation I called the hotel directly. I asked for a non-smoking room, Emily Grace hasn't acquired the habit yet, although she would like to start so she can get some of that great tobacco money. Anyway, the young lady I spoke to said she would put us on the first floor, away from the smoke. When we checked in they gave us room 325. When we got off the elevator on the third floor and took one breath, we should have gotten right back on the elevator and returned to the lobby. A non-smoking room on the smoking floor is like having a window room on the Titanic, "Look I see fish."

Trying to change rooms was a nightmare. The staff and management could not have made it any more difficult or unpleasant. I highly recommend staying anywhere that's not the Holiday Inn Express.

Dad

terrible twos? already?

At 13 months it seems a little early to be trying tantrums, but kids grow up so fast these days. Emily Grace's problem is that both mom and I face the worst Emily Grace can dish out times ten everyday at school; so, when Emily throws a fit it's just funny for us. That must bug the heck out of Emily Grace. Too bad.

Love,
Dad

Car off the bridge!?? I didn't do it...

Today was the first day the Emily Grace went to "daycare" that wasn't grandma and grandpa. Even though Emily was with a mother whose daughter is in mom's class it was still traumatic for mom. I have to give mom credit, she didn't call once to check. I wish the same could be said for me.

Love,
Dad

nicknames...

Emily Grace at one year of age has had three nicknames, Boobers, Saintonge (pronounced "san-jay") and the latest Jub-Jub. All of these fine names have been given to Emily by her older sister Katie. Who, growing up, had the unfortunate nickname of "the Meatloaf" for her rectangular little body that really did look like a little meatloaf when she was born. Emily's oldest sister was known as the "stunt baby." When she was born I was working in TV and whenever we needed a baby for a commercial we would use her; she always did everything we asked, right on cue. Now-a-days, her nickname might be "call my agent" or "leave your number in the ashtray and I'll get back to you." They grow up so fast...

Love,
Dad

swingin' with the Amish

Emily Grace is back from another big vacation; this time it was to Northeast Ohio to visit my parents. Emily is getting the hang of traveling. She always gets a window seat on the airplane, even if it means sitting on her big sister's lap for the whole trip. Emily loves the extra cookies the stewardesses slip her on AirTran. She enjoyed looking at the horses and buggies as we drove around in the Amish country. But what was most impressive is when she found one of the key cards for the hotel room and was sliding it all over the door trying to figure out how to get out of the hotel room. What will she think of next?

Love,
Dad