And the winner is....!!!

Today is the day to announce the winner of the "Most Awesome Parent" Award, as voted on by me. Before we do, however, I promised Jacob that I would make everyone aware of his trepidations and reservations regarding this laurel.

He's afraid that the loser may have his (or her) feelings hurt and he's concerned about how this may affect how he's parented.

What's more, he was concerned that, since I'm the judge, I may have a difficult time with inherent biases. I validated his concern and assured him that I would be as prudent, fair and decisive as possible; that I would not allow myself to consider my own strengths while only highlighting Brian's weaknesses during deliberation. Further, I told him that both Brian and I were good sports and that we enjoy friendly competition. This seemed to appease him and he gave me his blessing to proceed.

Now, let's meet the nominees. First up, me.I nominated myself for "The Most Awesome Parent" award for several reasons. I am smart, hilarious, talented and, most of all, self-deprecating. I have tremendous patience when it comes to fussy, demanding, high-needs babies named Jacob and because I have the ability to take a mirror that hasn't been cleaned in years and make it's dirt look like falling snow.

Next up, Brian.

Brian was nominated because he can read,

he sports hip sunglasses,

he smokes a mean rack of ribs, or so I'm told, while wearing hip sunglasses,

he's a good thinker (especially after having a beer),

because he wears cool shirts that don't detract from his hip sunglasses,

his uncanny ability to look cool sitting on a motorcycle,

he can steer a boat while wearing hip sunglasses,

because he is so photogenic,

and because he knows how to stand beside his brother while wearing hip sunglasses.

So, who wins? Me, the one who changes the most poopy diapers (take a guess as to what kind of leak is going on under this outfit. hint: it's not pee-pee)?

Or Brian, the one who allows Jacob to mouth his hip sunglasses (hey, he won't even let ME do that)?

I would like to say that it's tie, that we've both won the "Most Awesome Parent" award. After all, we both are enamored with our son.

There can be only one winner, though. Drum roll please.........The winner of the "Most Awesome Parent" award goes to...................................................................................................................................

ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow! Congratulations to me!!!! I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the judge and to ask her what it was about me and my parenting that she felt tipped the scale in my favor.

Well, Amanda, the answer can be summed up with one picture:

Despite Brian's hip sunglasses, the judge felt like you were the most deserving of the award because you allowed this to happen to your body for the sake of your child.

When reached for comment about the outcome of the judging, Jacob's response was pure glee.

He wants me to tell you, though, that he maintains that both parents are superb! Especially when they're both wearing hip sunglasses!