you & i have a better time than most can dream

Introducing Eric Russell Kirk Picketts. The greatest anniversary present anyone could ever imagine. Now my research says that the fifth year is traditionally wood but just like Jeff and Debbie to redefine the status quo.

April gets the little brother she has been dreaming of for nine months. I know she will be a wonderful and loving big sister! Time magazine did a whole piece this summer about the influence that siblings have upon our lives and although i haven't had the chance to talk to her about this new development in her life it seems to be one of those instances where a picture truly does say a thousand words.

Are those two incredible or what?

Debbie was the rockstar we all know her to be and Eric was delivered without too much trouble, and in record time. Oliver, Karli and i will be living through the pictures that you send us until we get to meet Eric in person at Christmas so please send lots!

Speaking of pictures, i have been thinking a lot about the pictures that i take. Ever since i got my first SLR i have taken a tonne of photos. It has been therapeutic and something i have always really enjoyed. I still love taking pictures, but i noticed that my subject matter significantly narrowed on February 16th. It is almost funny the way that all of the pictures became him. As a perfect example consider last weekend's trip to the zoo (at left).

It is kinda funny the way that your world just seems to spin a little differently after having a child. Everything is just altered enough for you to know it. I have heard the difference between having one and two is equally world-altering - J&D we are waiting for your vote?

Well, i found out about Eric while getting in to a taxi to get my wisdom teeth pulled. So it was great to go into such a horrible experience with some incredibly good news. I don't think getting them pulled here in the DR was any better or worse than getting it done at home, i just don't think there are too many stories re-told about the wonder of getting your wisdom teeth removed. That said it has been a really slow weekend, filled with tomato soup, jello, yogurt and cream of wheat (thanks to my wonderfully loving and beautiful wife). As if missing two days of kitesurfing wasn't enough, in a couple of hours we are off to celebrate Canadian Thanksgivinig....oh the humanity, do you think i can make a turkey, gravy, mashed potato, squash, and cranberry smoothie? You never know unless you try. Oliver seriously has more variety in what he can eat then i do right now!

I can not imagine the guy who did the "work" on me (more like "went to work on me" - with similar tools to the ones used by street gangs in the north west - brass knuckles, hammers, screwdrivers, a pry bar...). He is an extraction specialist. That is what he does all day, every day. Different strokes, for different folks. However, considering the pain i was in at the beginning of last week i am certainly glad that someone is an extraction specialist!

Well our little guy continues to move forward at a pace that is wonderfully exciting and terrifyingly fast at the same time. I am always worried that i am committing every stage into permanent memory - hence the digital camera. This week's new stunt is officially pulling himself to standing whenever he wants. Now trying to put him down before he is ready is officially hopeless, if you aren’t right on top of getting to him when he wakes up it can also mean that he is stuck in the net, which he seems to think is hilarious (i have to agree with him on this one).