Guy's weekend

Spent the weekend with five of my closest guy friends from Carolina. It's a tradition that we just started last year, but has its roots in a New Years trip that we've taken (with our better halves and a select few others) since early in our college years.

There were a few moments this weekend when I couldn't help but chuckle at how much our lives -- and as a result, our relationships -- have changed over the years. Instead of talking about beer and basketball (which would usually dominate our conversations, and did at points on this trip), I found us talking about breast-feeding and boppys.

These are some of the best friends a guy could ask for -- the kind of guys I know I'll be able to call on when questions come up; the kind who will offer carefully-considered (and honest) words of support, even when I'm royally screwing up my duties as a father.

Thankfully, we've all grown up a lot since college.

Amazing show of support

We had our first baby shower earlier this month. (Yes, I've been a bit tardy in updating posts. Hopefully that's a trend I can break once Jackson arrives.)

Our next shower is scheduled for this coming weekend.

I knew all along how blessed we were with wonderful friends and family -- but those blessings have been multiplied since news of Jackson's arrival. Family and friends have all expressed support in so many wonderful -- and unexpected -- ways. From kind words of encouragement to hand-me-down gifts of clothes, toys and accessories, we've been overwhelmed with support. And it's been great.