Christmas

We had a low-key Christmas this year down in Austin. We spent Christmas eve with some neighbors stuffing our faces and playing some intense games on the Wii (which we used as justification for eating more). We also had our second checkup today, and the doc says everything looks great. They were able to find Chewie's heartbeat very quickly using the hand-held ultrasound device so that was very exciting. This was the first time we could actually hear the heartbeat and it sounds like the little guy is on a treadmill! For anyone who has yet to experience this, I assure you it is pretty cool. Seeing the ultrasound was amazing but actually hearing the heartbeat was equally exciting.

Kelly was also excited because I've gained more weight than she has... not exactly sure how that happened but I'm blaming it on the holidays. I guess that gives me a resolution for 2009.

Tater was just excited for a new place to hide...

A Day With the Dogs

Today was the annual "pictures with Santa" event for Blue Dog Rescue. Kelly has been volunteering for them since she moved here and I've been helping them out with this event for the past few years. Both of our pooches were rescued by this great group and it's always a fun event to work. My job is pretty easy, but very, very hot... I throw on the full Santa garb, stuff my shirt to make a good belly, and let dogs sit in my lap, lick my beard, and pee on my boots for 3 hours... and I can honestly say I love it. We also had kittens...


This year was a great turn out at a new venue and many of our friends showed up to support the cause. Kelly had not been feeling well thanks to Chewie and a recent bout with the flu, but she came out anyway to show her support and sit on Santa's lap (always my favorite part of the day). Of course, Bella and Tater also joined in the fun and we had our first family Christmas pictures as husband and wife. The change of venue meant that there were a lot more kids present this year, so Santa got a lot of requests for various toys, including one request for a ballerina with a radio and toothbrush... an interesting combination. Maybe it was being surrounded by kids and puppies or maybe it was the fact that the Bears beat up on the Jaguars so I was on an emotional high, but I started thinking a lot about this time next year and a big smile hit my face. Papa Noel...

Little Chewie

A couple months ago I made a small and seemingly insignificant wager. Insignificant because I was sure I was going to win. The wager involved a fantasy football match up between me and Ryan Rogers. Somehow both of our bets involved our significant others and to make a long story short, if I lost then we had to name our first born Chewbacca. Obviously this was completely ridiculous, but I did feel the need to honor the bet. So when Kelly asked what we should call our little lima bean sized dude or dudette, I seized the opportunity to nickname the child Chewie.

Now I understand that this is a growing child and not a Wookie with incredible strength, limited vocabulary, and advanced technological weaponry, but I think the nickname is kinda cute. Besides, it's ambiguous enough to work for a boy or girl, and Kelly, being the awesome wife that she is, graciously accepted it without any rebuttal. I was as surprised as you are.

So if you hear us refer to Chewie in conversation or writing, now you know why. I hope this doesn't offend the Wookie community- I can handle a few Ewoks but Wookies are no joke :)