Lots More Photos

Okay, I managed to add quite a few photos with more on the way. Our trip to Sacramento and our recent trip to Los Angeles are largely featured. I still have to add Disneyland pics, though.

Here's the link.

Happy Birthday Tom

Uncle Tom is 33 today!

I called to wish him a happy birthday and he mentioned all was well and that they will likely be going to dinner tonight to celebrate. Sounds like a plan.

Below is a photo of (from right to left starting with Tom): Tom, Kate, Hayes, Jill and Gabriel from our trip a few weeks ago to Sacramento to visit.



And, of course, the following photo is too good not to post from that same trip:



Happy Birthday!

Happy Thanksgiving

At least there's going to be nice weather in Hillsboro for the rest of the week. We'll be spending Thanksgiving with Gramma and Grampa, the Sacramento Reids and four of the Gallup Proffitts. Gabriel's had a hoot playing with cousins. There is a Wachdorf gathering in Seattle this weekend that Jill and Gabriel might make for a day or two, but looks like he's beginning to feel kinda yucky.

So a Happy Turkey Day to everyone and their families. Oh, and on a related note, if you've lately been wondering how Rick is doing, there's actually a video of him to watch.

Cheers!

Happy Birthday To Us!

Blowing Out Candles, originally uploaded by korynasz.

Gabriel turned 3 and I turned 35 yesterday, capping a three-day birthday celebration for the both of us. Here we are blowing out the birthday candles on our family party birthday cake.

Gabriel is growing up to be a sweet, curious, determined, and very funny little boy and I couldn't be any happier or more proud. Happy birthday, little man.

Gabriel had a Saturday morning party at a local park for his friends Ian, Nolan, Vanessa, Zane, and Bryce. Sunday, we had a great family birthday party (I cooked my famous Hawaiian ribs and smoked salmon - eat your heart out, Tom). We were joined by Gramma, Grampa (photo?), Me-ma, Nana, Papa, and Aunty Sandy Nemeth who drove down from Mill Creek north of Seattle.

Thank you, everybody, for coming and for your generous birthday gifts. We hope you had good food and a good time. We sure did!

I have also updated our flickr.com photo page with MANY, many photos that have been taken since the last update. That includes our trip to Canada, our birthday parties, final play dates with Davon & Kaya, Toni & Teryn's visit, chickens, Thomas the Tank Engine in Hood River, Tom, Kate & Hayes' visit, and various other fun.

Another Kiss for Baby Hayes

Another Kiss for Baby Hayes, originally uploaded by korynasz.

It can't be said Gabriel didn't love on Baby Hayes. There's a fresh bunch of new photos, including more from the Sacramento trip, at our flickr.com site.

Much To Blog, Little Time

We returned from Sacramento yesterday after our visit with Tom, Kate and Baby Hayes. It was a great visit, Hayes was remarkably mellow and content, Gabriel couldn't kiss him enough, and we visited what must be one of the best choo-choo museums in the world.

Lots of photos, lots of info I hope to get to soon. Check back regularly.

Healthy Baby & Mom

Jill and I had the chance to visit with Kate & Tom on the phone yesterday. All are doing well and Kate should be home today (Friday).

Tom sent out a great photo of Hayes yesterday; he looked very healthy and content. I'll let them post photos of him over at Its A Reid! if and when they choose to.

Hayes Tyler Reid

The world welcomed Hayes Tyler Reid at 8:10pm, April 18, 2007 in Folsom, California.

Congratulations Kate & Tom!

We look forward to heading down to Sacramento ASAP, but Gabriel's nose started running last night. We'll have to monitor him - we don't want to drag a sick little boy down to expose the baby and recovering mommy.

The official first announcement at Kate's website It's A Reid!, posted by her friend Madeline, can be read here.

Update: Maybe Tonight

Apparently Kate's labor has taken a turn for the better and she may be able to deliver tonight or early tomorrow AM.

She's comfortable and doing well (she's not had any problems to report apparently), so things are looking good!

Update: Nope!

But they apparently have checked into the hospital and have begun the process of inducing labor.

We Might Now Be Aunt Jill & Uncle Bill

But I don't yet have any proof.

No News is Good News?

Nothing breaking on the Baby Reid front this morning. Kate even took the time to make a shrewd observational comment on one of my posts the other day, so things must be somewhat relaxed over there for now.

Word on the street, however, is that the birth will occur sometime early next week. We shall see; Gabriel is ready to go visit the baby.

Baby Reid Delivery Update

Kate has updated all sorts of information about the delivery hospital in Folsom, visiting hours, and everything else one needs to know if going to visit when Gabriel's cousin is born.

Check out the Its A Reid! website for all the details.

I told Tom this morning that April 15 was my bet, and I think Kate would be okay with that as long as the birth wasn't Friday April 13th.

Gabriel's Cousin Arriving Early?

Gabriel's Aunt Kate is reporting at her blog It's A Reid! that she may be delivering early because of blood pressure/Preeclampsia symptoms.

She's been prescribed lots of bed rest and will likely have to return to the hospital for more blood pressure/symptom monitoring. And, apparently, the baby's size is consistent with 40 weeks already! Looks like early delivery is growing more probable by the day.

Check her website frequently for updates!

Be Careful What You Ask For

Kate has issued a warning of eviction for a certain short-term tenant at her blog Its a Reid!

I have to warn her that a judge will order the eviction, but with some rather tough conditions: the tenant be granted a new, 18-year lease with option of a 4-year renewal after that. There is no reversion of the value of improvements when the leasehold is up.

The lease is full-service, not triple-net. Tenant improvement expense is substantial and recurring. The tenant will be very noisy with wildly varying hours of operation for the first two years of occupancy. The tenant will drive significant maintenance & operations expense, as well as overhead including substantial insurance expense. And beware the capital reserve requirement for "college education." Is there a stronger word than exorbitant? Extortion?

However, federal and state tax law does provide some relief for various provisions of the leasehold for the property owner(s).

But here's the ironic rub: the tenant may, eventually, become your landlord and/or make custodial decisions for you in a remarkable reversal of roles. So it is in your best interest to be a fair and wise landlord!

It Is Better to Remain Silent and Thought a Fool...

than to speak and remove all doubt. -Sam Clemens

Having said that, there are some major family and personal developments I haven't been documenting. Luckily, someone has: Kate Reid.

Kate and Tom are expecting their first child in April. Kate has admirably begun blogging about her experience at itsareid.blogspot.com. I strongly encourage a visit and a greeting to Kate and Tom at their site.

Beyond this announcement, way overdue on this blog, I honestly don't know how often I'll be updating in the future. I have much to say, some of it actually positive, but I'm not in a place where I feel so inclined or motivated to publish it. I would encourage family newshounds to instead follow Kate's blog. I mean really, there's nothing unlikeable about the pending arrival of a new baby.

So, thank you and until I feel like getting back in the saddle, please enjoy occasional Gabriel photo posts. Also, don't forget to check out our flickr photo album. I update that with new pics on a regular basis. Now featured: the Kauai vacation.