Capt. Mondo's World o' Mondo-ness

Some Cheery News: Annie is Growing
I heard from my wife, who just got back from the midwife. Am happy to report that both Mom and baby are doing well, and that Annie is now 2lbs heavier and 2 inches longer than at birth. Healthy baby!

She is now 9lbs 8oz and 22 1/2" inches long. At this same point in her development, Vanessa was 23 1/4" long but 8 lbs 7oz -- so she was off of the chart growth-wise. Annie is apparently at the high-end of the average for this.

My Uncle-in-Law is Okay
Just got an email from my Uncle-in-Law in NYC that he and his wife are okay. I think it worthwhile posting an extract from his email here:

dear keith and ericka --  we were home, actually at a voting place when we
heard the first news that a plane had 'crashed' into the wtc.  then we
watched the second plane hit the other tower in the security office of the
school where we voted.  then came home with ashes from the explosions
already starting to fall on us.  it went on all day, along with big pieces
of singed paper -- legal briefs, spread sheets, etc.  many friends were in
the city, near the towers, but no one we know was killed or injured.  but
friends and family of friends.  the city is very grim, very together for the
moment.  but there are ugly rumblings of anger, and the seikh cab drivers
(the ones who wear turbans) all stayed home out of fear.  we fear what our
idiot president will do.  someone said she thought it would be even worse
than this.  right now, we are still in a sort of shock state, trying to wrap
our minds around this.  we know it happened.  i can go up on the roof and
see nothing but smoke where the towers were this morning.  but it is still
all but impossible to believe this really happened.  everyone feels the
world really changed this morning, but we don't know how.

thanks for writing.  we have heard from family and friends all over the
world, and it means a lot. 

Am just glad to hear that he's okay. And his email conveys what many of us feel right now.