Bugs Palace!

Only 3 more weeks (less a day) until Christmas.  I hope you are done your shopping. I’m not, but I never am until the week off.  I can’t wait for turkey time! For those of you looking for gift ideas for me HERE is my yearly list.

Another fun thing about Christmas this year, is that it will be our daughter Abby’s first Christmas. She is still too young (will be two months on the 8th), but it’s still gonna be fun. My family has bought some adorable little Christmas outfits. Stay tuned for pics of her in each of them 😉

I completed my stereo shopping last month. Thats right. The stereo for the vehicle which I will not even own till next summer already has a complete stereo system waiting to go in. Next summer better come quick, cause i’m getting impatient to install this stuff.

Lastly, Shannon, Grant, Donna and I went to Copps Coliseum in Hamilton a couple weeks ago to see the Trans Siberian Orchestra. Oh-My-God. Yes, its Christmas music, but the music is actually pretty awesome. That, and the seizure inducing light show that goes with it is beyond words. I will certainly be repeating this concert next year, and the year after …..

My house has been invaded by more pink things then I ever knew even existed. My beautiful little girl has been more then a little bit spoiled this month. (Yes, shes a month old now!). Shannon and Abigail attended two baby showers in their honor this month. One for Shannons Dads side of the family , and one from my side of the family. We’d both like to thank all of you for having the showers, and also, everyone who has graciously have given gifts both at the showers and at the house. We’re a little overwhelmed by all the love/generosity/help, but we truly do appreciate everything that everyone has done for us.

I have spent 100% of this month on an Apple computer. And the last few days found me migrating from OSX10.4 -> 10.5. And I love it. The one or two quirky little things that bothered me after the ‘switch’ from Winblows seem to have been not only taken care of in Apples latest OS, but have actually taken the things I missed about Windows and made them sooo much better, and useful. If you haven’t had the chance to use the preview mode in Apples finder to view images/documents, I highly recommend you do. Also, now that Shannon and I have both became very familiar with OS, its looking like she will be inheriting my Macbook next year and I will be upgrading to either a Macbook Pro, or a possibly an iMac (or heck, both!)

I’ve also learned two very valuable lessons this month.

1. Don’t go ‘looking at stereo stuff’ with Kevin on your lunch. Impulse buys are sure to happen. I didn’t intend on buying subwoofers, but 2for1 deals, and a gentle nudge from Kev found me with two new subs in my hands.
2. Don’t bid on stereo parts on ebay, unless you are ready to buy them, because sometimes, the first, low, opening bid, actually wins the item. In my case, 2 items: a 4 channel Clarion amp, and a 7band Clarion EQ.

Yes, I’ve been not-so-slowly aquiring stereo components for a vehicle I do not even own yet. At this point, I have everything I need for a full out, stereo system, bigger then any I have ever owned. The only things I have left to get are : rear speakers (4″ or 4×6″), some more wiring, more sound deadening material and a box to put my subs into. I was looking at just building like I always do, until I came across THESE babies. 200$ to my door, instead of 50$ in wood, 30$ in carpet, 20$ in glue, and hours and hours of figuring stuff out. Essentially 100$ goes to someone who can build it so I don’t have to. And this way, its been designed, and fitted exactly for my vehicle.

After 41 weeks, and 3 days, Shannon and I are the proud parents of a beautiful baby girl. Abigail Francis, was born Monday October 8th, at 18:45, weighing in at 7lbs, 14ounces. I’m pretty sure a pound of that is hair 🙂

It was a very long and trying day, as little Abby was not fond of the contractions. Because of this, Shannon had to under go an emergency c-section to get the baby out safely. As per our prayers, she came out healthy, happy, and screaming 🙂

Words can not express the love we feel for our little bundle of joy. It’s amazing how you can fall in love with someone within the very first second you lay eyes on her. Its also amazing just how strong my wife is. For someone who normally gets weepy from stubbing her toe, she was an absolute super hero. I couldn’t have been more proud of her, or in awe of how she handled everything, including about 8 hours, of 1.5-2 minute contractions.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us, came and seen us, and graciously sent/delivered gifts. We appreciate everyone and everything you have done. We truely could not get through this without the love and help of our family and friends.

For those interested in baby pictures, HERE is where they will be from now on. There is several albums, and things will be sorted out into events, etc. Bookmark this link, as it will change over the years to come.