In the beginning

This blog is for friends and family who want to check in on the Mandelaros and see how we're doing, but mostly it is for Matthew James Mandelaro, born Feb. 17, 2006 in Rochester, New York. We call him "Matty," and he is the greatest thing to ever happen to us.

First, I'll introduce "us":

My name is Jim, and I'm a sportswriter for the Democrat and Chronicle. I'm a graduate of Webster Schroeder High and St. John Fisher College, with roots in East Rochester. I'm a late bloomer of sorts: a first-time husband at 40, first-time dad at 43.

My wife, Kerri, is a native of Irondequoit and a graduate of Bishop Kearney High and SUNY Brockport. She spent about 15 years working at Kearney in the advancement/PR office and currently works as a grant writer for NeighborWorks. She also is co-owner of the event-planning firm Cosmopolitan Creative Events with her friend, Vienna McGrain. If you're looking for someone to plan your wedding, graduation party, company party or block party, these two ladies will do a great job. OK, end of shameless plug.

Kerri and I met in 2002 and were married on Oct. 4, 2003. We live in Fairport (technically Perinton, but that sounds sooo pretentious) with Matty and our cats, Marius and Cosette. In 2006, we had a 650-foot addition built that includes a spacious living room and a very spacious bedroom. This year, we had our kitchen completely remodeled and flipped.

Matty is 2 1/2. Enough said lol. He can be an angel one moment and a little devil the next. His favorite word is "no." But he loves his "mommy" and his "dada." Oh, and Elmo, too. Loves Elmo.

Matty knows his ABCs and can count to 20, but for some reason he forgets about 16 and 17 from time to time. He loves to sing and is a quick study: He knows all the words to "Do Re Mi, Farmer in the Dell, Clementine, Santa Claus is Comin' To Town, and many more oldies but goodies.

I expect that I'll post the most, but hopefully Kerri will chime in with her thoughts on parenthood, marriage and life in the 21st century.