We finally got to visit Esmae and her parents

Grandma doesn't mind if here thumbs are in the picture, but not the rest of her!
Is this a sneeze or a yawn? Vote now!
Joe looks like a Dad. Pat looks like a little brother. All is well in the world.
I really like this "Mom and Baby" portrait. I wasn't going for any special look when I took the shot, but the result is very nice, I think.

We enjoyed our visit, and already miss little Esmae. She is going to be a real source of joy and stress for her parents, who seem to be slowly de-analing as the days go by. We are really looking forward to February and her blessing.

Here are some early pictures of Joe for Ashley. Can you see Esmae in Joe anywhere?

I don't know how old Joe is in these shots,s but I think he was around two or three.

My surgery

Ashley's account of her labor and delivery inspired me to give an account of my recent knee surgery for all to read. Basically, it happened like this: (By the way, I'm not responsible for any negative reactions to blood and gore.)

I went into the hospital at about 0600 and got put in a pre-op room. The nurse told me to take off all my clothes and get on the bed. Luckily, I had one of the fashionable hospital gowns that they give you. I got some meds and after a while the anesthesiologist came in and asked if I had any allergies. I said no and he said that now we were just waiting for the doctor. A little after 0700 the doc came in and took out a magic marker and put a big X on the knee to go under the knife. Right after that they wheeled me into the operating room and slid me over onto a cold table and draped me with cloths and stuff.

Then I woke up in the recovery room and my left leg was wrapped and padded from my groin to my ankle. A little while later I went home.

I hope you weren't too grossed out by the graphic portrayal of my surgery. It was nothing compared to Ashley's delivery. My knee continues to improve and we are such proud grandparents.