This is no Hornet!

I think this is a fair time to recap Mom's car ownership history (dates and models are estimates. photos are renderings only, not the real McCoys).

First, the 70s: the famous, the slow, the stylish, the timeless, you know it folks: the 1973, pale yellow, two door, AMC Hornet. a/k/a God's gift to automotive craftsmanship and rounded styling. (for you Hornet junkies: go to http://www.amchornet.com/ to relive the golden days). If it wasn't for Sean's well-documented chainsaw massacre of the Hornet's roof, the little bug (I mean bee) would still be in Mom's driveway today. Remember those plaid covered, rough seats? Who could forget piling a family of six in there, all the gear, plus Fay and Grandma, and sometimes some friends and heading off to Cranford pool. God bless the state's lax safety laws of the 70s. Who was cooler than us?

Next up, the 80s: the powerful, the iron workhorse of Mom's collection. This grey on grey beast transported all of the kids to and from for all those neon, big hair years: Oldsmobile's Cutlass Sierra.

Lastly, the 90s: You know it well because it almost carried Mom into 2010: continuing with the grey, four door theme: the Chevy Lumina, faster than sin, exhaust sounded like something that should be on a Harley, red interior, and despite the long and gruelling commute to and from Union Hospital, it only had 12,000 miles on it! It's life and legend cut down too early and snuffed out by a gentleman not paying attention while trying to figure out what kind of car Mom was driving, and then SMACK! (no injuries). The kind gentleman was nice enough to pose in front of the car's undamaged side. He wanted the photo for Car and Driver's archive collection. Thank you sir and let the legend live on. No hard feelings.

Partnership Track Already?

The little guy is already in the hunt for the brass ring. Here is Connor with me at the office last Wednesday. Connor and Mindy visited for "family day." Connor is 6.5 weeks here.

Family Day at the Office. (7/11/07).

Here's Connor at 6.5 weeks. Mindy and Connor visited the office last Wednesday afternoon for "family day" at the office. Connor put in a few decent hours of billable time. He's a natural.

Connor Relaxing. (7/8/07).

6 1/2 weeks old.

It's Just a Hat!!!!

It's too early to lock Connor in to a particular affiliation, however, I am pushing for the Yanks, despite the above image. I realize it will be tough going in light of our residing in Massachusetts. OBSERVATION: He looks kind of gloomy in this hat, does he not? I will put a Yankee hat on him and see how he reacts! This could be a scientific experiment.

Connor Asleep at Lake Winnipesaukee, NH with Mindy.

(I know Mindy will make me yank this photo, but I just love images of Connor sleeping in Mindy's arms. He looks so damn cute! So does Mindy for that matter.)

Connor's First Trip to the Lake Winnipesaukee, NH. (7/7/07).

Mindy and Connor on the Boardwalk - Crane's Beach

The Three of Us in Front of the Castle on Our Two Year Anniversary!

(You can click on the image to see the larger/clearer image.)

Mindy Celebrating Our Anniversary (7/2/07) and the Astronomical Number of Blankets We Were Able to Pile On Top of Connor.

You can see Connor's arms/hands sticking straight up reflexively from the sheer weight of the all the wind-blocking protective blankets. Mindy is real proud. We had a picnic at Crane's Beach in celebration of our anniversary.

Connor Buried at the Beach.

This is Connor's first incursion to the beach. He is buried under close to 30 pounds of blankets. Mindy and I thought it was a little breezy for the little guy. The pediatrician advises us his intestinal track will begin to function normally in 3-4 weeks.

Connor, Mindy, and Patricia (Nana).

The three out to lunch last week. Connor, as usual, slept through it.

Alseep On The Phone.

Classic Connor, sleeping while holding the phone.

Bjorned®!

Here is Connor in his Baby Bjorn ® earlier this week. He loves to fall asleep in it.

Sleepy Time!!!!

The Cousins Are In Town!!!

Connor Snoozing on Grandma's Shoulder Last Weekend

Connor and Cousin Rachel

Breakfast Out for Father's Day: June 17, 2007

Connor's First Bath

He was a little apprehensive at first, but he settled in quick and loves it.

Connor Checking Out Grandma

Connor with the Family

Connor and Uncle Sean

Connor and Aunt Fay

Priceless, Precious, and Perfect

Connor with Grandma and Aunt Sue.

How Many Women Wearing White Does It Take to Change a Baby's Diaper?

That is precisely what Connor asked when the girls came up from New Jersey for a visit. Answer: four!

The Little Guy Hanging on Daddy's Shoulder

Here's the little guy hanging on my shoulder getting a good post-feed burping. He is 8 days old here. (He eats constantly). As of this past Monday (June 25, 2007) he was up to 10 pounds, 2 ounces. Check those legs out.

Connor's First Birthday Party: June 1, 2007

This is Connor (he's a little hard to make out in the stroller, sorry) and Mindy celebrating Connor's one week birthday party (ice cream at the beach). Connor had a blast, however, he was upset because Mindy ate all of the ice cream!!!

Quick flash back...

Here is Mindy, Mandy (local friend), and Connor (f/k/a Horhito) the evening before Connor was born.

This next photo is Mandy testing her baby extraction powers on Connor (it worked!).

Connor James "Horhito" Gyllenborg

This a photo is of Connor and Mindy moments after he was born.

Photo of the new family moments after Connor was born.

Connor being weighed in. (8.3 ounces).

Mindy and Connor a few minutes after his arrival! The delivery was very very eventful. Details to follow.

Connor getting ready to leave the hospital and go home.

Connor fitted snugly into his car seat for his trip home. Normal travel time from Boston to home without traffic... 30 minutes... with new baby... 2.5 hours. I never got above 16 MPH.

This is me bringing Connor into the house after the prolonged road trip home. He is two days old and it was a perfect afternoon.

This is Connor in Mindy's arms. This is his usual appearance throughout any given day.

This is Connor hang'n in his bassinet. As you can see, he is very, very relaxed at home. He even has some decent biceps for a little guy!

This is just a quick post with some photos. Everyone is happy and healthy. We are all home and Mindy and I are learning how Connor James works. Very challenging indeed. He was born 5/25/2007 at 1:37PM. He weighed in at 8 pounds and 3 ounces and was 20 3/4 inches. We are tired but loving every minute of it! I will post a more detailed narration soon. We can't wait to introduce him to everyone. Connor is next to me right now and says hello!

This could be it!!!

Good morning folks.

Mindy experienced minor contractions throughout yesterday (her due date). Come evening time yesterday, the contractions increased in number, severity, and duration. Mindy was experiencing contractions every 10-20 minutes from 11:30PM yesterday through 5:30AM today. Every time we were just about to fall asleep, another contraction would come and we would huff and puff through it and then try to fall asleep. I slept through most of the contractions that occurred from 2:30AM - 5:30AM.

ironically, we had a doctor's appointment this morning at 7:45AM and the doc reports everything looks great and in all probability, today will be the day!!!! The doc advised against driving home because it could take an hour (the doc's office is in downtown Boston), so she recommended we hang at my office (two blocks from doc's office) and check back in later in the day The contraction have been coming rather regular. Will keep you posted.

It’s that time of the year again… another birth date pool!

This month’s featured baby’s partial name is Mr. _____________ James “Horhito” Gyllenborg. (Horhito’s first name will be a game-time decision). Mindy and I are accepting name recommendations. So, feel free to include a first name proposal to your wager.

Interesting and relevant facts:

May 24, 2007 is Mindy’s due date. The majority of first-time births arrive after the due date (this is Mindy’s first child). Horhito is currently weighing in at approximately 6.0 pounds. He is confirmed by the experts to be in proper launch position, locked, and loaded. May 2, 2007 is a full moon. May 11th is Mindy’s grandmother’s birthday. May 13, 2007 is Mother’s Day. May 24th is Mindy’s grandfather’s birthday. June 1, 2007 is the next full moon. Mindy’s pregnancy has been uncomplicated. Mindy has not experienced any contractions or other telltale signs of an impending birth. Mindy’s belly button is 85% “popped.” (full belly button “popage” is an old wives’ indication that the baby is “done”). Past champions include Simon (for Rachel in 2002) and Sean (for Brian in 2006). Sean claims to have created a fool-proof, scientific system that is 98% accurate for birthday pool predictions (patent pending). Thus, you may want to pay attention to your fellow wage makers and past champions.

The same format controls: $5.00 per person, per guess. Multiple, unlimited bets by one person is allowed. Whoever chooses the closest date and time to Horhito’s actual birth wins the pot. Ties will be split evenly amongst the winners. Submit your guess by responding to this post by clicking on “comments” located at the lower right corner of this posting (tip: it is quicker and easier to post a comment by clicking “anonymous” versus logging in). Include your name, the predicted date and time of Horhito’s birth in your comment. The deadline for submitting guesses is May 10, 2007 at 11:59PM. Send an email to egyllenborg@netzero.net if you are unable to submit a comment or navigate this blog. Time is of the essence.

Forward checks to Mary Lou “Grandma” Gyllenborg, 205 Hillside Road, Elizabeth, New Jersey 07208. Make checks payable to Mary Lou Gyllenborg.

Good luck and I hope all is well with everyone.

NOTE: The accompanying photograph is of Mindy and Horhito taken last week in front of our new nest.

MESSAGE: Jill Andres, please send me an email (address above) with your stats so I can generate a birth date pool for your no. 2.

ANNOUNCEMENT: CGAS 2007 is cancelled due to weather (it’s raining babies out there!). CGAS 2008 will occur as normal, details to follow.

Almost Done...

The CGAS hosts are working night and day on the final preparations for CGAS. The finishing touches are being applied to CGAS' Worldwide Headquarters. CGAS representatives plan to use the cabin in the off season as an alternative medicinal spa & retreat operated by Potato Acres International Resorts, Inc. Reservations are now being accepted. CGAS participants will receive a 10% discount on future bookings! See below for additional sneak-peak images at CGAS.

Keep on Truckin'...

Sean's first pick-up. It is still being used for local jobs. Viewing and riding tours (yes it still runs) of this vinatge truck begin Friday morning.

The Legend Lives On....

Speaking of classics! An iconic image for the masses, a slice of British riding excellence stored at Potato Acres. Unfortunately, CGAS Safety Officials, Potato Acres, Inc.'s Board of Directors, and its Risk Management Team concurred with their insurance carrier through a unanimous vote to ban cousin Simon all rights of access and riding privileges in the name of historical preservation and to prevent Simon from physicaly injuring himself and others. (Anyone who witnessed Simon's display of motorcycle talents at CGAS past would second the motion).

The Shadow Government's Summer Retreat? No Sir, It's CGAS' Worldwide Headquarters!

That's right folks: Sean, Pam, Colby and Tucker have been laboring this past winter and spring constructing CGAS' Official Worldwide Headquarters. Home to future strategic planning, bunker protection from wayward fireworks, nature lookout (and hunting perch?), fishing platform, and sleeping quarters for overnight guests. The few photos you are about to witness on this blog are simply a small sampling of what is in store at this year's 3rd Annual CGAS Celebration! Be prepared. See additional posts below for more CGAS information.

This Year's Official CGAS Shuttle - Sponsored by BMW

Bring your helmets and racing gloves. Potato Acres, Inc., Gyllenborg Construction, and CGAS, LLP are proud to introduce this year’s Official CGAS Shuttle®. Advisory: Please wear your seatbelt. Permitted usage is on a first come first serve basis.

This Year's Official CGAS Golf Cart - Sponsored by Harley Davidson of Vermont

The hits just keep coming. Potato Acres, Inc., Gyllenborg Construction, and CGAS, LLP have out done themselves. Never to be upstaged by a foreign competitor, Harley Davidson of Vermont has partnered with the CGAS Syndication and allowed a limited time use of their vintage Harley Davidson Golf Cart® powered by way too many CCs to openly disclose on the internet. Do not be fooled by its tame appearance, this thing is a BEAST. Rarely seen but often discussed, CGAS participants are truly blessed to bare witness to one of America’s icons: High speed, high performance golf cruising. Special Advisory: Hide the women and children!

Oh Yeah! The Fireworks!

Sean has already started to test a few. This year is gearing up to beat all records. State and local officials are already cordoning off a five mile radius safety zone. See you in the CGAS Worldwide Headquarters / Fireworks Bunker. Till then…

… AND IN THIS CORNER, IN THE BLUE ROBE, TWO AND ONE HALF WEEKS OLD, WEIGHING IN AT 11 PLUS LBS., FROM THE ROUGH AND TUMBLE STREETS OF SOUTH JERSEY…

THE BRUISER!

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Hot off the press.

Here is the latest and greatest image of Brian Cooper. That is not a smile smeared across Rachel's face, it's a grimace from bearing such a heavy load. I am not sure of the recent numbers, but it appears as if this guy is close to 20 pounds. Christine and Victor are already screening telephone calls the Giants and Jets.

Victor: Be prepared to run your grill 24/7, that boy is going to be hungry!

Chris: Keep the photos coming.

AND THE WINNER IS...

Say hello to the latest addition to the family, BRIAN COOPER.

Christine enjoyed a long and eventful labor. Everyone is happy, healthy, and resting at home. Word is, Brian is sleeping and eating like a champ. Rachel is already having fun with her little brother.

Now, the brass tax: Sean won the pool. Only one person utilized the risky, and costly, multiple bet strategy. As we can all see, this strategy paid dividends. Sean will rake in a cool $80.00. Congratulations. Thank you to everybody who participated in the fun. (Sean thanks you too).

Please bring your checks/cash to Easter dinner in NJ so Sean may enjoy the fruits of his labor. If you are unable to make the trip for Easter, then please mail your check to me at 42 Eighth Street, No. 2319, Boston MA 02129.

Additional photos of Brian will be posted as they come in. So stay tuned!