Crib Notes: 8 weeks

The past 8 weeks since we welcomed Reef into the world have been nothing how we planned.

During the entire pregnancy, we worried about Park being jealous of all the attention the newborn would require from mom and dad. We haven't seen an ounce of jealously from the big guy, just a whole lot of kisses, hugs and smothering. I'm not sure Park truly gets what it means to have Reef just yet either -- he still asks if the baby is coming with us when we go somewhere.

While we were worried about a jealous big brother, we were also worried about a sleep-deprived big brother. We even set up the basement guest room just so Park could have an extra place to sleep when the baby was crying at night. But Reef didn't get the memo about newborns having their days and nights confused. It just took him a week or two to figure out the routine. Today, he's a rock star sleeper ...

... and eater. "Beefy Reefy," as we lovingly call him, loves to eat and has packed on the pounds much faster than Park did at this age. For the last couple of weeks Reef has been wearing 6 month clothing. If he hasn't already, he is close to doubling his birth weight. He's a chunk, and I'm getting the back and arm muscles to prove it.

While Reef and Park shared a lot of physical similarities at birth (which were more like Craig), the "little" guy is starting to look a wee bit more like his mom. Now I know what Craig meant when he would look at Park as an infant and say it was a weird feeling to be looking at someone that looked like him. Unfortunately, Reef is quickly losing his long, dark hair. Like his brother,  it appears to be coming in a little lighter.

Time will tell what characteristics and features Reef will take on that make him Reef. For now we are just loving the little guy and the new things he's starting to do each day. Like smiling! (except when his brother turns his pillow into a parking lot)

Driving Freedom: eGreenCars

I'm passionate about a lot of things in life, my family, my music, my photography, the protection of the environment, virtually every animal on God's green earth and Shocker basketball (more on that one to come)—just to name a few. On their own, each of these topics can get me more geeked up than Double Rainbow Guy on meth. So just imagine what happens when they collide.

That was the case this week when my brother and a friend launched eGreenCars.com.

In its essence, eGreenCars is an educational resource, a website that helps anyone looking to buy a new, used or certified pre-owned fuel-efficent car navigate through a mountain of sometimes confusing technical information (and sometimes even mis-information). Through the site, shoppers can compare different green options—everything from hybrids and electrics to clean diesel vehicles and even traditional gasoline options—to determine which one is right for them with tools including an online monthly fuel savings calculator.

Once a buyer has widdled down all of the choices, the site can then help them find the exact car that best suites their needs (right now that option only includes cars located in the San Diego area, but that's soon to expand). Every car featured on the site has been given the EPA's official SmartWay certification—placing it among the top 20% of green cars within a given model year.

To put it simply, eGreenCars is your one-stop, learn-everything-you-need-to-know and-then-get-the-car-you-need green car solution.

So whether you're like me and want to make sure you're making the most responsible decision possible for future generations or just want a little extra cash to place on the Shockers in the Sweet Sixteen, watch the video below and then visit eGreenCars.com.



To keep up to date on eGreenCars and get the inside scoop on the green car industry, follow them on Twitter, Instragram, Pinterest like them on Facebook or connect with them on Google+.

Tell 'em the Zonkey sent ya!

The first month of Reef Presley Lindeman, in pictures

We've finally come up for air long enough to start thinking about blogging again regularly. Today's post is a sampling of some of the photos I've taken during Reef's first month on the planet. Carrie will provide a more in-depth account of that life-changing first month in a future post. Until then, enjoy.