Last year, my wife was very pregnant in early February. I think any dad-to-be secretly hopes that his baby isn’t born on Superbowl Sunday. Our daughter, Babs, did indeed wait a few more weeks, and arrived the weekend of the Academy Awards.
This means that Sunday was Babs’ first Superbowl. For that reason, I’ll always remember Superbowl XLV as the one I couldn’t really pay attention to, because my baby was on the move.
Here is a running journal of some highlights from the game, as well as what Babs was doing at that exact moment.
3:40 PM PST
Christina Aguilera sings the national anthem.
Babs is sound asleep for her afternoon nap, humming “Genie in a Bottle.”
3:44 PM PST
Green Bay wins coin toss, elects to defer.
Babs rolls over in her sleep, and dreams of eating quarters, nickels, and dimes. She’ll eat anything…except for fruits, vegetables, and chicken cordon-bleu.
4:10 PM PST
Nick Collins intercepts Ben Roethlisberger’s pass and returns it for a touchdown. Green Bay opens up a 14-0 lead.
Babs begins to cry, is ready to come downstairs and join the party.
4:25 PM PST
There seem to be some clever commercials on TV.
Babs and her cousins are active and loud, so the adults don’t see any of the above mentioned commercials.
4:38 PM PST
Shaun Sushiam kicks a 33 yard field goal to put Pittsburgh on the scoreboard.
Babs tastes crab cake for the first time. After just a few baby bites, she has had more seafood than both of her parents combined over the past decade.
4:39 PM PST
Something happens during the game, I’m not sure what…
Babs cries and decides she doesn’t like seafood. Pizza, please.
5:05 PM PST
Roethlisberger to Hines Ward for an 8 yard touchdown. Green Bay leads 21-10.
Babs begins to eat a plastic lemon. She loves fake fruit.
5:22 PM PST
The Black Eyed Peas rock out Cowboy Stadium.
Babs dances while watching the performance and lighting. She comments on how cool Slash’s hair is.
5:48 PM PST
The Steelers score a rushing touchdown, move within four points.
The lemon is back. Back again. My nephew Owen turns the TV off.
6:11 PM PST
Aaron Rodgers throws for his third touchdown, he’s looking like he’ll win the MVP if Green Bay can hold on.
Babs is invited to a photo shoot with her cousins, all wearing Bears gear. Jay Cutler is at the Grove.
6:25 PM PST
Pittsburgh moves within three after a touchdown and two point conversion.
Babs’ high chair is moved into the TV room, as she tastes corn bread for the first time in her young life. She likes it. Owen turns off the TV again.
6:37 PM PST
Green Bay kicks a field goal, up by six points.
Babs poops (We don’t discover this until after the game). It was messy. Kind of like Pittsburgh.
7:02 PM PST
Roethlisberger throws an incomplete pass on 4th and 5. Green Bay wins the Superbowl.
Babs’ parents do a diaper change, pack up, and go home.
*Babs’ dad, for the first time in his life, did not watch the Superbowl trophy and MVP presentation.