I have decided that it is time to bring my blog back to life. Although the funny part is that South Philly Dad no longer lives in the hood but now has two children and is living in Switzerland. Who ever woud have thought?

This evening after my improv show (of course), I was reading through old posts from over six years. While much as changed over those past six years, I can truly say that fatherhood has been quite the adventure.

It is time to bring South Philly Dad back to life and live the adventures of being an American raising two kids abroad.....http://www.facebook.com/jeff.snyder.184

Almost 2

Wow, it has been quite some time since South Philly Dad has updated his blog. I think I need to get better at this.

I can't believe that Zach is turning two this month, time has truly flown by, and from age one to two, much has changed for him. I would say that Zach has had a good year. He took a few plane trips, started a new school, went to the Domincan Republic, and is starting to talk more. He loves sports or so it seems. He is also a fan of music and is starting to get into riding his bike.

We are still in Philadelphia, it is good for the most part, but we would also welcome a change.

Baby Snyder is here!

Finally! Last Friday, at 8:44 a.m. baby Snyder was born -- Zachary Allen Snyder. The whole morning went by very fast. Melanie and I left our house at 5:45 and got to the hospital where the staff prepared for the c-section. We walked in without a baby and out with a newborn. The c-section, was amazing, and I picked over the curtain a few times to see what was happening. I actually had the chance to see some of Melanie's organs and was the first to hold the kid after he got out of the warmers.

We got home on Monday and have been doing well. We are trying to get him on a schedule and Melanie is breast feeding. Although I have been doing some bottle feeding at the wee hours of the morning. I will have an updated website with pictures by tomorrow....stay tuned.

One week from yesterday!

In 6 more days baby Snyder will be here! Melanie's last day of work is on Tuesday, and my last day will be Wednesday. The c-section is scheduled for 8 am on Friday the 25th. Hard to believe that I will have this animal for the rest of my life.

He's Alive!

Yes, folks, it has been awhile since I have updated my blog, and people have been asking. It seems as though the past couple of weeks have flown by! Melanie is getting more and more tired and I am ready do things as the weather has just gotten better in Philly. I think we both of pregnancy brain as we just can't deal with like cleaning the house -- we actually hired a cleaning lady to take care of which was the best investment I have ever made.

We have learned that the kid is in the breeched position, although the doctor says that everything else is healthy. I don't blame him/her I would not want to come out of a small hold either. They have scheduled a c-section, but we are also waiting to see what happens.

One question people keep on asking is if the "room is ready" I guess it is read, what is one suppose to have done? We are picking up some mats for some artwork this weekend. Three more weekends until I have something that is with me the rest of my life!

Hippity Hop Hop....

This Saturday Melanie and I will be hosting our Fifth Annual Easter Pinata Party. What started as a brunch for around 30 people five years ago in Center City has turned into a block party for over 100 people. Yes, this year we are blocking Greenwich Street and a friend's band is going to play. Back in Wisconsin I remember going to Easter Egg hunts in the park and going to Sunrise Service at the Methodist church. I always consider Easter to be the start of spring.

The pinata is ready to be busted again this year. Hopefully the pinata will break before Melanie's water! I wonder what sort of pinata the kid will want to construct next year.

Oh the stuff starts coming in and the church is singing

We are heading to New Hampshire this weekend. Melanie's family is hosting a shower for her. This time we are driving up, and we rented a mini van! Yes, amigos, a mini van. I remember growing up we had a red mini van with wooden panel sides. I must admit that the van drives nicely. We have it loaded up with a dresser, skis, and ice skates, as we are returning these items to New Hampshire. Although on the way back it will be filled with baby gear. I have already had to put together a shelving unit and the crib is in the room just waiting to be assembled.

On a sadder note a former of mine from Penn passed away last week, and the funeral was yesterday. He was 34 and had complications from a gastric bypass surgery. The whole thing is sad. It was my first time attending an African American funeral. It was actually pretty amazing how the church came together and the music was uplifting and very spiritual. Carlos always cracked me up. There was this woman in our office who use to dress in bright colors and crazy skirts -- she would do this in the middle of winter, and it never did fit her personality. Carlos use to say to me, "Jeffrey, it is like a blind Puertoriccan dresses her everyday." Perhaps the Puertoriccan angles will get the advice from Carlos and help this woman out.