Trick or Treat

Halloween has come and gone. Hillary was quite busy handing out candy. We estimated over 100 kids stopped by. Here are a couple of my favorite photos from Halloween.

Hillary and Brooks waiting for the trick or treaters.

Our Nephew Luke ready to go.

Even Brooks got dressed up.

This kid walked by our tailgate the week before, Great Costume!

Little Boys Like Trucks

Today is officially one month to our due date. Are we ready? Great question. We have done just about everything we can to prepare. Read books, organized the room, practiced with family and friends kids...just kidding, kind of. Our nephew has helped somewhat. At least, my Mom and Dad are re-broken in. This weekend, I spent some time with my parents and nephew. Grandma and Grandpa Lobe love having Luke over. It was neat to watch them with him. He is like a little parrot right now. I compared him to a broken tape recorder. You never knew what he would repeat or when he would repeat it. Note to self, stop swearing now. Mom was driving him out to the house and some guy pulled out in front of her. "Dumb ass," she muttered. Well, guess what Luke said for the next couple of minutes? I had him say Lobenstein. It came out Stu-pi-stein. L's are tough for him. Here is a little video of him playing with a fire truck. It reminds me of the scene in Tommy Boy when Chris Farley was trying to make a sale and wrecked the guys model car.

Luke and Grandpa Lobe playing with their trucks, while Grandma Lobe picks up. Notice what is on TV?

Luke says Cheese!

Grandpa Lobe shares his toy work truck with Luke.

Luke puts a toy worker in the bucket.

A Small Miracle

I slept for six hours and eleven minutes straight last night. I didn't wake up once!

Getting Closer....

A close up of my bulging belly!


Sometimes, I can't see my toes anymore when I'm standing up. That means we're getting closer to meeting him. According to the due date of November 19th, we have less than six weeks until we get to meet Baby Lobe.

My American Literature students were asking some questions today about the baby. Most of these students are 17 years old. Here is a sampling of their questions:

Student: When is your due date?
Me: November 19th

Student: What happens if you go into labor here? Will you have the baby in the classroom?
Me: It takes 12-24 hours typically. I won't have the baby in the classroom.

Student: If you go into labor, can I drive you to the hospital?
Me: No.

Student: Can we come visit you in the hospital?
Me: No.

Student: Can we send you flowers?
Me: Yes!

Thank You

Hillary and I are getting very excited for the baby's arrival. A couple weekends ago our friends here in Madison were kind enough to throw a shower. We are both so very thankful to have such great friends. This coming weekend our family's are each hosting showers. Again we can't express enough gratitude. On Saturday, Hillary's sister Ashley and her Mom are hosting one for her relatives and friends from Watertown. Then on Sunday, my sister Michelle and Mom are going to be doing one with my Aunts. Thanks so much to everyone! Her co-workers at WHS are even throwing her a shower. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

The little guy's room is filling up fast!

I have been keeping busy after each of the showers. Who knew how much time it would take to put all of these toys and swings together? Oh, and we have already started stocking up on the batteries. Thanks again to everyone for all the wonderful gifts. But just you wait, as soon as the little guy is old enough to write, a thank you card will be in the mail.

Now What?

It was quite the sports weekend for me. Thank you to Hillary for being cool with me doing so much. It started on Friday night when I videotaped a couple high school football games for work, WMTV NBC 15. The past couple years I have started shooting sports again to help out at work.

Saturday I went to Miller Park, saw the Crew win their first playoff game in 26 yrs.

Pre-game outside Miller Park, Me, My cousin Dave Lobenstein, Chandre's Friend, Dave Perkins, Chris Chandre, Eric and Amy Lord

MLB's NLDS Logo on the Jumbo TV in Miller Park

The Brewers Dugout

The Brewers would score early and hold the lead for a 4-1 win

The view from our seats in section 408

Eric, Amy and Dave post-game

Sunday I went to Lambeau Field and watched the Packers lose to the Falcons.Jason VanRite took this of me pre-game outside the Lambeau Atrium

Our seats were in the 10th row of the South end-zone

Brandon Jackson catches a screen pass from Aaron Rodgers

Greg Jenning catches a TD from Aaron Rogers with two Falcon defenders draped on him

Before the game I visited my best friend from high school Neil Oelklaus and his wife Michelle and their son Henry

This afternoon I was talking to Hillary's Dad, Randy. He asked me what I was going to do now that Brewers were done and the Packers and Badgers both were stinking it up. Well, I am going to get ready to be a Daddy! Of course, I am going to squeeze in one more Badger football game next weekend. Now that I think about it...Badger Hockey gets underway next weekend, and Badger hoops starts in November...

Lucky Pumpkin?

Seriously, I had to try something!