If you have a Facebook account, there is no doubt you have seen the creative and crazy methods that couples will use to announce that they are expecting a baby. I like to think we used more creativity than craziness when we announced that we were expecting Sloan.

But before a couple can make the big public announcement, there is the task of delivering the news to your loved ones. It was an emotional Skype call when we let my parents in on the big news.

I created a video of the reaction of my parents after Sidney and I told them we are expecting.

However, even before you let your parents and siblings know, there is an even greater disclosure that must be made.

Spouse to spouse.

I have never revealed how Sidney delivered me the beautiful news. But because I was recently reminded of it via Timehop, I thought it would make for a good, brief blog post.

As a child, I loved Curious George books. In fact, they were some of the first books I was ever able to read myself. My admiration for this troublesome but good-intentioned monkey has always stayed with me. Sidney used to work at a baby store filled with furniture, accessories, toys, and stuffed animals. One day when I was paying her a visit at work, she noticed that I was looking at a stuffed Curious George. I told her my connection to the popular children’s book character.

A week or so later, Sid was over at my apartment. I went to use the bathroom. When I walked out, the stuffed Curious George was sitting on my little dining room table. It was a thoughtful and silly surprise that immediately put a huge grin on my face.

Some photos of us with George. The one on the left is of me with George inside the store prior to Sidney “adopting” him.

From that point on, we kind of designated George as the “mascot” of our relationship. He would travel with us, sit with us, and appear in photos with us. Ya, it was a little bit creepy.

During a late July morning at work in 2016, my iPhone indicated I had a message from Sid. I swiped and this is what was waiting for me…

Sidney told me the good news with this photo.

I was in shock. I immediately called Sid and asked her if she went out and bought a dog. She told me no.

“Is it true?…” I remember saying, using every ounce of energy to get out the words.

Sidney confirmed that it was. I remember the rest of that day being a blur. I was so surprised! But the feeling of surprise was trumped by the feeling of happiness that God had blessed us with Sid’s pregnancy so soon after we had tied the knot.

It was a selfless act of George to deliver the news. From that moment on, he would never hold the prominence he once did in our relationship. For him to be a good sport about it says a lot about his character, even if he is just an inanimate object full of stuffing.

I will never forget that day. The feeling I had when I opened up that text message will always be with me. Well played, Sid. Don’t Blink.

It has been a long time since I wrote an update on Sloan. As she approaches 17 months, it is plainly obvious that she is no longer a baby – rather, she is a full functioning toddler. But I look at her as more than just a toddler. I see Sloan as a miniature human with actual thoughts, ideas, emotions, and wants. It is incredible how she can understand us and grasp concepts.

Sloan isn’t a baby anymore.

For tonight’s blog post, I want to quickly list 10 ways in which Sloan connects and engages with us on a daily basis.

Our daughter is showing no signs of slowing down.

Puts on our shoes – If Sloan wants to go somewhere, she will go to the closet and bring us our shoes. She might bring me non-matching sneakers or two left foot shoes, but she knows that in order to leave the house, we can’t go out barefoot. She will even try to put them on for us.

Sloan loves to be outside and will let her intention be known by bringing us our shoes.

Covers us in a blanket – Sloan knows how comforting it is to snuggle under a blanket. If Sid is watching TV on the couch, our daughter will use all her might to haul over a cozy blanket and drape it on her.

Expresses when she is finished eating – When Sloan has had her fill at lunch or dinner, she will rub her hands together and say “all done!” Sure, it is a little irritating when she says it after just taking a couple bites but it is meaningful communication at the very least. “All done” has actually now extended past the dining room table. If she is tired of a toy or gets impatient while we change her diaper, she will make the motion with her hands and say the two magic words.

If Sloan is finished with dinner or a bottle, she will clasp her hands together and say “all done.”

The actual two magic words – It warms our hearts every time Sloan says “thank you.” She overuses it a bit because she will say it when she gives us something, but our thinking is that saying it too much is better than not saying it at all. We are happy that Sloan has learned how to express gratitude and we hope she continues to do so.

Sloan is very gracious…to humans and animals.

Father, Son, Holy Spirit – Taking Sloan to church and praying with her daily has paid off. She can now do the Sign of the Cross. It might not be as pronounced as when the Pope does it, but she has the general idea. Additionally, when we take her to mass, she points to the baptismal fountain and makes sure that we bless her with holy water.

Throwback photo to Sloan with her rosary. She is now able to start and finish the prayer because she knows the Sign of the Cross.

Showing Affection – Nothing is better than receiving love from your little girl. Sloan has blown kisses for several months but she will now give real hugs and kisses. Talk about sweet!

Sloan is very affectionate and happy.

Tech Baby – We have to develop a plan to limit Sloan’s use of our devices but for the time being she has figured out how to use an iPhone. She is skilled at swiping and has taken several selfies. If she is not engaging with the screen of the phone, then she is holding it up to her ear and saying “hello.”

No, No – There is never a doubt if Sloan doesn’t like something or if she wants to change the behavior of someone else. With a piercing look, Sloan will make eye contact and say “no, no” (as if the first “no” wasn’t enough). She says it so much that Sid and I now say it to each other!

Sloan likes to be in charge and if she sees something she doesn’t like, be prepared for “no, no.”

This little piggy went to… – Did you ever play the this little piggy went to market, this little piggy stayed home, etc. game with your toes? We play it with Sloan all the time and now she plays it with us! Last night, Sid and I were in our night time clothes watching a movie and our daughter went from one foot to the other, pulling our toes and saying the rhyme the best way that she could. It was 100% cuteness.

Fashion diva – Sloan loves to brush her hair! She used to carry around the brush we got for her at the hospital when she was born but she has since graduated to more sophisticated beauty tools. She will walk around the house carrying one of those hand mirrors while using either Sid’s brush or my brush to make sure her hair looks just right. Hey, her curly mane is tough to handle!

That is enough on Sloan for now, she has to go to bed. Thanks for reading!

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Watching your child transition from a baby to a toddler is sad in some ways but very joyful in others. We enjoy watching Sloan develop and hope she continues to grow at a healthy pace. Don’t Blink.

I personally am content with my first name. I feel Brent is not overly common (think John or Matt) nor outrageously bizarre (think Blue Ivy or Prince Michael). Sure, it isn’t the most flashy identifier and it won’t get you many points in Scrabble, but it does the job. My first name is unique enough that when paired with my last name it makes me the only Brent Reser in the world.

However, there is one thing about my first name that always causes some confusion. It happened again today…

I was talking to someone I recently met. We had corresponded via text message a couple times. While in mid conversation, this particular person suddenly looked alarmed.

“I am so sorry! I have been referring to you by the wrong name.”

Her eyes were fixated on my name tag, the pesky “n” between the “e” and the “t” standing out like a sore thumb. Very apologetic about writing my name as “Bret” instead of Brent, I told her it happens.

A lot.

Being called “Brett” is second nature to me.

It happens at least on a weekly basis that someone will call me “Brett” or type “Bret”/”Brett” when addressing me in electronic communication. But how can I get mad? Brent and Brett are very closely related, probably cousins, if not brothers. I concede that “Brett” is a more popular name in society but I like it that way.

Two personal side stories about my first name…

Side Story #1: When I was a little kid, probably 3 or 4, a contractor came over to look at the house next door. Word got to me that his name was also Brent. I was mortified that someone had the exact same name as me. My parents told me that I cried and cried.

Side Story #2: In 5th grade, things got a little confusing. In my class we had a Brent, a Brett, and a Brenton. It took a few weeks for our teacher to get things straight. Currently, in the department I work for at Coastal, there is a friend of mine named Brentley. Emails intended for him are sometimes sent to me (and vice versa).

Back to the main blog post…

So if you call me “Brett,” don’t worry about it. As I told the person today, it is second nature to me. Just as long as my name is spelled correctly on my passport, I never take the “n” too seriously. Don’t Blink.

Exactly three weeks ago, I sat here writing about a particular stretch of fun I was about to embark on. It was a much anticipated half month of vacation, a period of time that would see me travel cross country to see my family and also travel to a cozy lake spot in South Carolina to spend several days with Sid’s family. In between those two trips, I did a couple of other things as well.

But we are now well into August and my whirlwind of a summer vacation extravaganza is now over. To be honest, it is probably for the best.

Think about doughnuts or those really good frosted sugar cookies. The first couple you eat are delicious. You keep eating them and they still taste pretty good. Once you have finished off a box, however, you start to feel a little guilty.

It is in my nature to want to work. If I am not in the office (when there is work to be done) or sticking to my regimen in the gym, I get very antsy. Although I can convince myself to take breaks every now and then while thoroughly enjoying the time I away, there is a limit to this bliss.

Although I worked a couple days in between vacations, I was basically out of the office for a span of three weeks. When I returned to Myrtle Beach for good last Thursday night, I was ready to get back at it.

Come the next day, I was given that opportunity. Friday was summer commencement at CCU so I had a 12 hour day that culminated with a graduation ceremony that evening. It was the perfect week to get my feet wet again.

But today was the start of the first full week of work for me in what seemed like ages. I am back on a normal schedule and ready to rock again. Vacations are meant to re-charge and my late July odyssey did just the trick.

With so much to look forward to, my refreshed self is ready to take on this busy time that comes each year when classes start back up at Coastal and Sid’s school year begins. All I have to say is bring it on. Don’t Blink.