Every where we go, “How are you feeling, girl?” “Are you getting sick?” “I hope you’re eating well.”

What about how I’m feeling? Maybe I could get sick from nervousness? And suppose I’ve been living off of Subway the last few months? Does that matter to anybody round here?

Of course, I’m just joking. It’s about to be a rough couple of months for my favorite girl. But I do find it interesting that in a culture where the father seems to be missing far more often than he’s present, there sure are a lot of folks subconsciously eager to forget he’s standing there as they coo and comfort the mother-to-be.

I won’t say it takes a lot to be a father-to-be, there’s very little I’ve had to do outside of the process of making the baby. But I am the one that runs to the store at a moment’s notice, and has tried to take up the mantle of domestic survival in the house. Yeah, that’s what I’m supposed to do, and no, I shouldn’t be seeking any credit for it.

But if she’s getting credit for incubating the baby, then doggone it, at least I should get some love for making it as easy on her as humanly possible.

Even from my guys, the first question out of most of their mouths is, “How’s mommy doing?” Dawg, you think I would be calling you if I wasn’t on the verge of tears? She’s fine, eating up everything in the house and then falling asleep.

Maybe that’s what I should do. Eat up everything and then fall asleep. Then my wife will have quite the story to tell, and I’ll no longer be the silent partner in child bearing.

Or, I could just stick to writing to you all.

To that end, the wife and I are headed west to Las Vegas. Sun, shows, shopping and slots are ahead, worries can stay here in Baltimore. I’m too lazy to write posts ahead of time, so I will see you all when I get back.

Regular activities will resume on July 3.

Peace.

I’ve never felt like such a kid and such an adult at the same time. For some reason, I was particularly excited about this birthday. Mostly because it was my first as a married man, but also because I feel so excited about the continuing process of growing up and maturing. As it turned out, the planned activities would mirror this sentiment.

After a modest lunch, I was offered several options for a midday activity. One was to hear a lecture at nearby Temple University on the modern day effects resulting from slavery, another was to go to the aquarium in nearby Camden, NJ., and the other was to go shopping. While I normally jump at the chance to learn any history, and was in desperate need of some new jeans, I settled for the aquarium. What can I say? I’m a Pisces.

The trip to the aquarium was much more fun than I could’ve imagined having at an aquarium on my 27th birthday. I haven’t been to something like that since my childhood, and while the screaming and running children did test my patience, I did enjoy seeing many species of crabs, fish, and other marine life. Did you know that only two species of penguins live above the equator? Shocked the heck out of me too.

A couple of hours later, and after a great visit with my adopted family in Camden by way of my former college roommate, we ventured back to downtown Philly for a late evening dinner reservation at Le Bec Fin restaurant. Swanky doesn’t even begin to describe it. Now, we do pretty good for our age in terms of making money, (and you can ensure that by faithfully clicking the advertisements to your right) but this place was off the chain. Chandeliers, silverware that was actual silver, just like something on a television show. I hate to sound like I’ve never been anywhere, but I’ve never been in a place like this.

Three hours and seven courses later, we were finally done. The food was excellent, if you like the French exotic type of deal. A couple of things to note: 1) It took all three hours just to serve everything. They make sure you don’t look like a greedy pig in their spot. 2) I would have much rather eaten at Golden Corral. 3) My girl really went all out for my birthday, and it was the most incredible time I’ve had since our honeymoon.

I don’t know how I’m going to top this for her birthday this summer. It might just involve an actual trip to France.

• Were both in school and can’t afford an extended vacation early in the semester.
• We don’t want to spend 15 hours driving somewhere nice (Translation: I don’t want to spend the 15 hours driving)
• The pre-wedding surprise trip to Jacksonville has soured her on flying. You would think meeting Cedric the Entertainer unexpectedly would have had an opposite effect, but no.

We’re kind of vacillating between Ohio and Tennessee these days. Our goal is to visit all 50 states, and all seven continents if possible, so that’s why we’re so hung up on travel early into the marriage. We’ve heard the grumblings about trying to pack up kids for trips far too often in these last six months. I’ve been to Nashville before when I was in college, and loved it. I would like to go back just to see the sights, but I’m not sure that it’s the most romantic destination in the world, despite Travelocity’s best attempts to convince me otherwise.

Ohio may be much of the same, unless we are going to catch LeBron James and the Cavs, I don’t see it being a very eventful getaway. Islands don’t really fit into the plans, as we aren’t far removed from beautiful shores and beaches. It would be a shame to fall into clear waters on Friday and Saturday, just to dread the return to work and school on Monday.

Any ideas?

Her regional conference in Philadelphia happens to be the same weekend of my birthday in March. Now while I am cool with visiting Philadelphia, I will admit that I’m a little selfish when it comes to my birthday, as it will be another first on the list of “First _________ as a married man.” In addition to that, the MEAC basketball tournament is the following week, and it’s a favorite past time of mine to attend, particularly since I haven’t been the last two years.

That’s March. In July, I have a conference in Houston that overlaps her conference in Washington D.C. That’s not so much of a big deal, as theoretically we can accompany each other to both. On the other hand, July is a special month as it will be our one-year anniversary and her birthday is in July. We both would like not to celebrate those two important dates within the frame of a fraternity or sorority conference.

Oh, and we don’t want to spend the money on all of it, either.

So what’s an engaged young couple to do? Pick one? Attend both separately? It’s proving to be confusing all the way around. None of it has led to an argument, and I don’t think either of us see it going that route. However, it’s an interesting scenario. In an effort to maintain individualistic affiliations and interests, how does it impact our relationship?

Either way, the clock is ticking on spring, and cheap airline deals.