Welcome Fairen Nicole!

My daughter was born today at 1:30! Her name is Fairen Nicole, she weighed in at 10 pounds, 1 ounce, was 23 inches long and looks like a cross between her big sister and sumo-wrestling super phenomonon Akebono! She totally rocks and has already survived her first natural disaster, as a line of tornados ripped through the area seven hours after she was born. We spent an hour and a half in the hospital hallway while the carnage unfolded. Luckily, none touched down in our immediate vicinity, though there were a lot of BIG downed branches I had to drive around on the way home. Now everyone is doing great and there have been no complications.

Me, Fairen and her big sister

My oldest daughter is particularly tickled. She's wanted a sister forever and finally got one. My oldest son seemed more concerned about trying to get my wife in the room with the lazer beam. My youngest son still has no idea what's going on. He just knows that there are Bob the Builder trucks at the hospital.

And Sacto Ritch, send me an e-mail. Once again, I forgot to program your number into my cell phone last time I talked to you!