Let's Get This Party Started

I'm like a little boy on Christmas Eve! The sooner I go to bed, the sooner the World Cup will come tomorrow. I just finished watching ESPN's special World Cup preview show and I must say that I'm impressed with the level of coverage they are giving this tournament so far. This sport has come so far in this country just in my lifetime. I remember growing up when our regional Fox Sports channel started showing games. Usually it was a game every other week and usually it was about a week or two old. Now I can see pretty much any game I want, live. ESPN appears to have committed serious resources and are going to give this tournament their best shot.

Here's my prediction/observation: this sport will be accepted by my generation and future generations in this country. Whenever I meet someone who is really outspoken against the sport, they are from an older generation. My generation has given the sport a chance, and now it's available for viewing at its highest level. An open mind and in-depth exposure will only grow the sport here...maybe not to the levels of other sports, but at least to the point of acceptance and respect.

So it begins tomorrow. I feel slightly behind in all the build up since I haven't been able to watch much TV. However, that stuff is all talk and speculation so I'll be able to hop in now that games are starting and probably won't miss a beat. I'm really excited...but with the combo of ESPN, HD, football, and U2, how could I NOT be excited? This is really the only global sporting event in the entire world, and, because of that, it's not just about the sport. The world is watching (literally)...so don't miss out on the party.

What Julia Did Yesterday...

...while we were waiting to be discharged from the hospital.

We're Home

We made it home today at about 3 in the afternoon. Everything's going well - we're just glad to be out of the hospital and back home. So far, Jonathan has been a very quiet baby. He's hardly cried at all. Here are some of my favorite pictures from my parent's camera.

Julia Says Jonathan

Welcome Jonathan David Sudduth

Born June 6th, 2010. 6 pounds, 9 ounces, 18.5 inches long...

Mommy and baby are doing well. Stacey popped out another baby "au naturel" with relative grace. Although this labor was slightly longer (6 hours) and more intense, Stacey was once again an all-star. A few pushes and JD came right out.

We had them induce Stacey (start Pitocin) at about 8:45 a.m. The doctor perforated her water at about 12:15. Two and a half hours later he was born. Because Stacey was GBS positive, we have to stay in the hospital for 48 hours after giving birth. So, we won't be able to leave until Tuesday afternoon at the earliest.

We think he already looks like a Johnson. As with any little boy, it was hard to hide his boy parts in the pictures - so, fair warning. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

Big Birthday Tomorrow

We're heading to the hospital tomorrow morning. Stacey is scheduled to be induced at 7:30 a.m. and if all goes well, JD (hey, I just made that up - what do you think?) will see Momma and Dadda for the first time. We are excited but, of course, a little nervous since it's not the most pleasant of things Stacey will have done this week.

We prepped for tomorrow by helping a neighbor plant a tree. I'll take a picture sometime since it was planted at essentially the same time he will be born. Then, we took a little walk over to Jess and Lanny's house for his 30th birthday BBQ. Throw in a little USA soccer and Starbucks and it was a pretty nice summer Saturday.

I probably won't get pictures up until Monday though, since I'll only be bringing my iPad to the hospital. Wish us luck and say a few prayers.

World Cup Predictions

We're only a week away from the start of World Cup 2010! So, I've made my predictions for each group and the knockout phase. Brazil and Spain are clearly the best teams in the world right now and I have them meeting in the final...with Brazil winning it all.

Group A

A really tough group to call. Three good teams and one poor team. I think France will beat Mexico and that's enough to send them through.

Group B

One good team and three mediocre teams. Korea, with their relentless energy will find a way to beat one of the other two teams.

Group C

England to win the group. I did not advance the USA mainly due to the order in which the games are played. It's very important. Unless the USA beats Slovenia in the second round, I don't think we'll advance. In the final game between England and Slovenia they will both probably only need a draw to advance...and that's what will happen.

Group D

Superduper sveinistager. I've dropped Ghana down a bit after their recent friendly results. So, Serbia is the better of the rest and will advance in second place.

Group E

The Dutch will destroy this group. Denmark will find a way to win a match and lowly Cameroon and Japan will be left scratching their heads.

Group F

By far the most interesting group for me. Three really good teams and one whipping boy. Italy are notoriously slow starters, Paraguay led the South American qualifying group for most of the tournament and Slovakia won their qualifying group that included Slovenia and the Czech Republic. I see a lot of draw and this thing coming down to goal difference.

Group G

Brazil and take your pick. I have Portugal advancing with a draw against the Ivory Coast and Brazil. We'll see. Tough call for second. North Korea, minus twelve goal difference

Group H

Although it'll end close, the group should be a runaway with Spain and Chile (Swiss will enter the last game against Honduras with one point).

Knockout Stage

The winner of the USA's group (group C, most likely England) will have the easiest run to the semifinals. A Netherlands Brazil matchup could be epic. The bottom half of the bracket is stacked. No matter what the order, I think Spain should have enough to come out of it. If not, you could take Germany, Argentina, or Italy.

Final

I would love to see a Brazil Spain final. They are the two best teams right now in the world.

Can't Smile Without You

Watch while Julia and I sing our song. I downloaded this song (even if it's 30 years old) since it's part of the Spurs "culture". Well, Julia took a liking to it since it's interactive (we point to each other when we hear the word "you"). This day Julia requested the song multiple times. We danced to and sang this song probably 5 times before she went to bed. If you listen closely you'll be able to hear her sing the words.

Park Slide

Got Belt?

One of the many reasons Stacey and I laughed a lot at the park yesterday...plus one of me and Jules.