What Was New?
Gwen was starting her new job so she could work from home and I was still working at Active Voice. We mentioned we were pregnant and started preparing for what you cannot be prepared for. Everything was just 'peachy' (I think that means good, but I never really understood that saying—kinda corny).
What's New Now?
We entered this year with no damage from the Y2K scare so I returned my high-powered rifle, powdered eggs and 73 yards of felt (I’m not sure about the felt, I think they took me on that item). Gwen is doing great at her new job and is able to work from home doing medical billing. I continue to work for Active Voice (now Cisco Systems) and they continue to pay me, it works well that way. The boy was born and we named him Odin (unwrinkle your faces, see Appendix A on the back). Our dogs handled the boy’s arrival pretty well—it took a few beatings and Skipper struggles with facial twitches now, but Gilligan plays as hard as ever on his three good legs.
I guess the big news is that Odin Michael Myers (relax, the name sorta grows on ya. Did you see Appendix A?) was born on July 8th this year. He's cute, has a flat head and smells funny. I must admit that a year ago I thought the child-making part was the most fun, but when I look at that head with no profile and he catches my eye and smiles…well, let’s just say I figured out what ‘peachy’ means. He’s 21 pounds at 5 months old, but isn’t shaped like a pumpkin. He is proportionate in length, weight, head circumference and joy. He’s big, we’re proud, Gwen’s cute, I’m fatter, the dogs are scared and everybody seems happy---except the dogs of course (I’m kidding about the dogs—we love them more than ever for what they bring to our little family… Oh and here’s something new, did you know dogs had anal glands? Yeah, I made the same face you are making right now when I found them).
I think I mentioned in a Christmas letter past that there is a direct correlation to the happiness I enjoy and the fat I gain. I continue to gain weight every year and that is wonderful! Gwen is a fantastic mother and I know what I’m talking about because I’ve seen a good mother in action (that’s you, mom. Hi!). Gwen also learned how to mother from someone that I respect and love so she has a lot of strength behind her. I’m excited to be a daddy and I have this feeling of wanting to teach him everything I know—I’ll be finished Thursday (I know, that one was easy). So by Thursday he’ll know how to be a bully, how to be sarcastic, what stall to use in the bathroom when another one is occupied, that shorts can be worn year round and the effects that age, food, lack of exercise and love have on your overall health.
So, that about covers everything. To sum up: Gwen and I are fantastic, the dogs are healing, Odin is our reason and nothing says Christmas like mentioning your dog’s anal glands in the family Christmas newsletter.
We hope you have a happy holiday season we love our pups!