It was coming down to the wire.  Over 20 straight years, and I had one chance left to keep it going.  Considering we are about to have a baby and we’ll be leaving the country in a couple of months, Monday was really my last chance.

I mentioned to Kristen a few weeks ago that I was kinda bummed that I wouldn’t see the Astros play this year, since we wouldn’t be in Houston during baseball season.  She asked me if they were playing in the D.C. area any time soon, and I said that sure enough, they were playing 4 days before Jackson was due.  I had known this for many months but had just assumed it wouldn’t be possible since it was so close to the due date.  But when Kristen found out they would be in town, she not only encouraged me to go but said I should get some other guys to go too.  So, on Monday, I went with a couple of my co-workers and saw the Astros play (and lose), which kept the tradition alive.  Of course, I had my phone on me and checked it constantly in case I had to head home and take her to the hospital.  That didn’t happen.   Which means we’re still waiting.  He’s due on Friday, but with her being induced on Monday, it’s hard for both of us to believe that by this time next week, Jackson could already be sleeping in our home and I could have changed one of my first diapers!