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.

#2 on your scorecards

For Park's hospital photo shoot we bucked the traditional "babe swaddled in cotton blankets" look for something a little more "rock star." For Reef's shoot we opted for something else that was near and dear to our hearts. Shocker basketball.

During the shoot, we were lucky enough to have a big brother that was so overjoyed about the new arrival that he was uncharacteristically cooperative for a couple of shots including him. I'm sure the hormones had something to do with it, but when Carrie saw this shot for the first time on the video monitor she broke into tears. At that point the mobile photo studio lady could have told us it was going to cost us $10,000 and it wouldn't have mattered, we were taking it home.

Pencils down.

OK, so there have been a lot of good guesses on our little "Which Baby is Which" photo contest and it's now time to finally reveal who's right and who's wrong.

Ready?










Are you sure?










Are you sure, you're sure?










Want to put some money on it?










When I asked if you want to put some money on it, I was talking about the quiz, not whether you're ready or not.










OK.











Here … we … go.

So who got it right?

And if you based your guess on what the kid was wearing or weather it looked like it was spring or winter, you cheated and are required to change one dirty diaper.

"Pop" Quiz

I've been experiencing some major deja vu over the past week and a half. Every time I look at Reef I feel like I'm being magically transported back in time to when Park was a baby.

For proof of what I'm talking about, one of the pictures below is of Park, and one if of Reef. Can you tell which one is which?

Introducing Reef Presley Lindeman

A week has come and gone since we welcomed little Reef into the world. I'm not sure where the time went but I think it was consumed with lots of smiles, little sleep and a whole lot of diaper changes. This kid, who we affectionately called "No name" for his first 22 hours of life, looks just like Park as a baby (proof to come soon) but is definitely the better sleeper of the two (so far at least).

As far as big brothers go, Park could not take his job more seriously. He sings when Reef needs soothing, he stands guard when anyone even looks his brother's way and he insists on Reef being the first thing he sees in the morning and the last thing he kisses goodnight. We realize this brotherly love might not last forever (or even into next week), but we're enjoying watching these two together every waking moment (and there are a lot of those right now).

We've appreciated all the comments, support and love shown on Facebook, Twitter, through text messages, emails and visits. For those who haven't met Reef yet, we look forward to introducing you.

Birth date: January 29, 2013
Weight: 7 lbs. 9 oz.
Length: 21 in.