Answers and revelations

He's here! Deacon Jack Bartee, born @ 12:47am this morning, the 20th of June. The numbers: 8 lbs. 2 ozs., 20 1/2 inches long. Momma is running on fumes for sleep, but we're blessed and happy as can be...look forward to seeing many of you soon, and at the least getting to talk/text/message those of you further away. I will say this: 8 hours into this world, Deacon appears to have a much more "mellow" demeanor than our 1st kiddo, Shiloh. He's sweet, attentive, a vocal delight, calm, snuggly, and I'm just gonna say--intelligent and good-looking. I know, I know...those traits are from his momma. Now for the last hurrah of our mayhem on the blog:

This is it...the explanation to how all these clues fit together to provide hints/clues at Deacon's name. Let me break it down for you:

June 3rd Clue #1
Our son’s name was used in 3 actions movies in the ‘90s. One was comedic, one was an action flick, and one was more on the sci-fi side of the things. I wish he'd been a good guy.

The 3 movies:

Blue Streak - 1999 - comedy
Waterworld - 1995 - action/disaster
Blade - 1998 - sci-fi/comic-book

Villain from Blue Streak = Deacon, played by Peter Greene
Villain from Waterworld = Deacon, played by Dennis Hopper
Villain from Blade = Deacon Frost, played by Stephen Dorff

*Surprisingly, this first clue seemed to attract the most interest and guesses. In fact, 2 people actually guessed correctly, and my brother Payton had Deacon in his final four options. Perhaps he should have read up on the Fearsome Foursome...

June 7th Clue #2
A sports player known for his defense.

*I won't spoil it before Clue #6, but the sport I tried to mask was FOOTBALL.

June 11th Clue #3
Beatty & Rock.

*Chris Rock starred in Down to Earth (2001), which was a remake of Heaven Can Wait (1978), starring Warren Beatty. The football stud from Clues #2 and #6 appeared in the movie as Gorman.

June 14th Clue #4
William Forsythe, Jack Black, Donal Logue.

Forsythe = Detective Hardcastle in Blue Streak
Black = A Pilot in Waterworld
Logue = Quinn in Blade

*My goal here was to help you figure out the movies specifically, and maybe then you'd be able to connect the villains.

June 19th Clue #5 (one day after his projected due date!)
Clues #1 and #4 are related & complimentary.
Clue #3 is stand-alone, but provides overall help.
Clue #2 and Clue #6 will have direct connection.

*These should be self-explanatory now that I've revealed the details of the clues.

June 19th (part 2) Clue #6
Pam Beesley, Head Slap, 1st Timothy, & Sack.

Jenna Fischer plays Pam Beesley, the lone SECRETARY of The Office.
1st Timothy chapter 3 is dedicated to instructions on overseers and DEACONS.
David "Deacon" Jones invented the head slap when he would slap the helmets of offensive lineman as he rushed from his defensive end position. It has since been made illegal. Deacon Jones also coined the phrase "sack" which was the designated action of tackling the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage. His nickname? "The Secretary of Defense."

For the last time

We're here...we're at the hospital...we're in the room...I'm awaiting my daddy bracelet. Carly has received her epidural and the doc just broke her water--we're on our way, friends. And just as promised, here are the final clues. Enjoy, and if you would, please offer a prayer on my family's behalf for success and blessing in this birth. I look forward to celebrating our son's arrival with you, and the moments of laughter/awe which are promised to follow.

Oh, and when you figure it all out, please just share it with each other. Wait for my texts, calls, and Facebook messages...the last thing we need is the Hospital Equipment malfunctioning because my phone is "blowing up" with guesses. Thanks and Blessings!

June 3rd Clue #1
Our son’s name was used in 3 actions movies in the ‘90s. One was comedic, one was an action flick, and one was more on the sci-fi side of the things. I wish he'd been a good guy.

June 7th Clue #2
A sports player known for his defense.

June 11th Clue #3
Beatty & Rock.

June 14th Clue #4
William Forsythe, Jack Black, Donal Logue.

June 19th Clue #5 (one day after his projected due date!)
Clues #1 and #4 are related & complimentary.
Clue #3 is stand-alone, but provides overall help.
Clue #2 and Clue #6 will have direct connection.

June 19th (part 2) Clue #6
Pam Beesley, Head Slap, 1st Timothy, & Sack.

A Slight Hiccup

So friends, it's officially one day PAST this little fella's due date. In fact, today is also Juneteenth, a Texas holiday celebrating the abolition of slavery of Texas. Additionally it's referred to as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, and just recently the Governator of California declared it a holiday for his state as well. We've been in and out of home today, awaiting 1 opening from the 36 rooms @ Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Woodlands. Our doc said we've got until 5pm today to make the cut and be induced, and we're hovered over our phones.

Now, I realize that I passed on the clue that was due to be released yesterday, but I'd like to do something to sort of make it up to everyone. Today I'll give you some extra help with the already stated clues, and I'll type 2 additional posts that will be revealed very quickly after we get our phone call. The first post will be the final clue(s) for the entire puzzle, and will be given when we're admitted to our hospital room. (we have Internet there for all any skeptics) The second post will contain the entire thought process and explanation of all the clues...sort of the walk-through of all this fun we've been having! So there, we're on.

On the movie front, let me say that The Incredible Hulk was solid. It wasn't Ironman by any means, but it certainly more than made up for Ang Lee's artsy disaster. I do, however, prefer Eric Bana over Ed Norton, and I'll tell you why. I sat there watching Norton on the screen, and while he certainly has the scientific geekiness to be Bruce Banner, he just didn't seem like someone conflicted with turning into the Big Green Beast we know as Hulk. I kept waiting for him to pull out a deck of cards and slip me 2 Aces so we can run the table and repay our debts to the bookies. As far as the ladies, Liv Tyler and Jennifer Connelly are about the same--brown haired, blue-eyed beauties who each have excellent acting chops. I do like William Hurt over Sam Elliot as well. When you see it, please promise you'll sit through the end of the movie (just before the credits)...and you'll be in for the same treat as those of you who sat through the end of the Ironman credits for that little surprise comic book nugget. Nice work, Marvel.

June 3rd Clue #1
Our son’s name was used in 3 actions movies in the ‘90s. One was comedic, one was an action flick, and one was more on the sci-fi side of the things. I wish he'd been a good guy.

June 7th Clue #2
A sports player known for his defense.

June 11th Clue #3
Beatty & Rock.

June 14th Clue #4
William Forsythe, Jack Black, Donal Logue.

June 19th Clue #5 (one day after his projected due date!)
Clues #1 and #4 are related & complimentary.
Clue #3 is stand-alone, but provides overall help.
Clue #2 and Clue #6 will have direct connection.

June ?? Clue #6 & Explanation
~~Final, ultimate clues revealed~~

Same 'ole song & dance...

Good grief! If this little fella doesn't come before Wednesday, his projected due-date, we're gonna run out of clues and you all are gonna guess his name. Just an update, Carly has secured an inducement appointment for Thursday, the 19th, if he's not here by then.

The guesses have been pouring in, mostly on the text message format. Let me encourage you to embrace all forms of media to submit your nominees--Facebook & e-mail work just as good! In the meantime, I've been watching a lot of movies lately, just trying to current and down with the times, ya know. I rather enjoy my experiences in the Santikos Silverado Theatre (unlimited ICEE refills!), as well as the late-night laptop in my lap as I snuggle next to my precious preg-o wife in bed moments as well. So, I thought I'd share my favorite 12 movies that I've seen recently (like the last 2-3 months), and remember, this includes theater and video:

12. The Happening
11. Dark City
10. Leatherheads
9. The Invasion
8. No Country for Old Men
7. Kung Fu Panda
6. Speed Racer
5. Sweeney Todd
4. Cloverfield
3. Iron Man
2. Indiana Jones 4 (you know the title)
1. Michael Clayton

Next up for my viewing pleasure: The Incredible Hulk (tonight!), There will be blood, Be Kind Rewind, The Other Boleyn Girl, and In Bruges. (Stay tuned, as this list might get altered.)

Of course, you don't have to like this list or several movies on this list...certainly many of the "experts" and critics didn't. But, it's what I've been up to in during the waiting game for junior to get here. All I can say is don't watch Semi-Pro...at all...EVER...I'm not kidding. I cannot believe Will Ferrell attached his name to it. Happy hunting, my friends!

June 3rd Clue #1
Our son’s name was used in 3 actions movies in the ‘90s. One was comedic, one was an action flick, and one was more on the sci-fi side of the things. I wish he'd been a good guy.

June 7th Clue #2
A sports player known for his defense.

June 11th Clue #3
Beatty & Rock.

June 14th Clue #4
William Forsythe, Jack Black, Donal Logue.

June 18th Clue #5 (this is his projected due date!)
~~Final, ultimate clues revealed~~

More fun and games...

So I tweaked a few of the dates to match up with my slackerness...we're current, now, friends.

Let me remind you, you are welcome to send either of us as many guesses as you like (via text, Facebook, or e-mail), but please know that for the sake of this little contest you'll have to wait until this fella scoots on out before you'll know if you are correct. We never promised this to be some baby-version of Mafia where the storyteller tells the sheriff in the night if their guess of the mafia is correct!

And for the sake of secrecy, keep your guesses to us private--anyone caught running up to any member of the Bartee family (Shiloh included) and trying to submit their ideas could result in the remainder of these clues being forfeited and the reveal being shut down. On a related note: all you sweet folk out there who enjoy my daughter so much...it'd just be peachy if you'd refrain from stressing her out by asking her what her baby brother's name is...I mean, it's stressing her mother and me out, too, but, seriously...let's have fun playing the game, checking the new clues on the assigned days. Stay tuned for more mayhem.

June 3rd Clue #1
Our son’s name was used in 3 actions movies in the ‘90s. One was comedic, one was an action flick, and one was more on the sci-fi side of the things. I wish he'd been a good guy.

June 7th Clue #2
A sports player known for his defense.

June 11th Clue #3
Beatty & Rock.

June 14th Clue #4
~~Additional movie(s) information~~

June 18th Clue #5 (this is his projected due date!)
~~Final, ultimate clues revealed~~

Keep going, my friends...

There's been a solid response so far to our little game of clues...the Bartee baby boy name reveal. Thanks to all who are having as much fun with this as we are. Below is the 2nd clue, as well as a little bit of a tweak/edit on clue #1 which I think will help some of you who are scratching your head.

Let me remind you, you are welcome to send either of us as many guesses as you like (via text, Facebook, or e-mail), but please know that for the sake of this little contest you'll have to wait until this fella scoots on out before you'll know if you are correct. We never promised this to be some baby-version of Mafia where the storyteller tells the sheriff in the night if their guess of the mafia is correct!

And for the sake of secrecy, keep your guesses to us private--anyone caught running up to any member of the Bartee family (Shiloh included) and trying to submit their ideas could result in the remainder of these clues being forfeited and the reveal being shut down. On a related note: all you sweet folk out there who enjoy my daughter so much...it'd just be peachy if you'd refrain from stressing her out by asking her what her baby brother's name is...I mean, it's stressing her mother and me out, too, but, seriously...let's have fun playing the game, checking the new clues on the assigned days. Cool beans?

June 3rd Clue #1
Our son’s name was used in 3 actions movies in the ‘90s. One was comedic, one was an action flick, and one was more on the sci-fi side of the things. I wish he'd been a good guy.

June 7th Clue #2
A sports player known for his defense.

June 10th Clue #3
~~Random movie hint~~

June 13th Clue #4
~~Additional movie(s) information~~

June 18th Clue #5 (this is his projected due date!)
~~Final, ultimate clues revealed~~

The moment you've been waiting for...

Here we go, people. The time has finally arrived...the Bartee's are ready to drop some clues/hints about the name of our little baby boy who's expected arrival is in the next 2.5 weeks. I must admit I was a bit loopy on meds after passing a kidney stone late Monday night when I created this list Tuesday afternoon, but I think it will strike your curiosity and awaken the little adventurer/discoverer within you. So, glance below at the schedule of clues, and have a blast!

If you have a legitimate guess...I mean, this is something you truly think we'd name our son, not something silly or cute or you just trying to be amusing...then send me a private message on Facebook, an e-mail, or a text (for those of you out there with my cell). Carly and might tell you if you're correct...hey, it's worth a shot, yes?

June 3rd Clue #1
Our son’s name was used in 3 actions movies in the late ‘90s. One was a comedy, one was comic-book related, and one was a disaster. Sadly, each time the character was on the villainous side.

June 7th Clue #2
~~Sports-related clue~~

June 10th Clue #3
~~Random movie hint~~

June 13th Clue #4
~~Additional movie(s) information~~

June 18th Clue #5 (this is his projected due date!)
~~Final, ultimate clues revealed~~