So as previously mentioned, I'm going to be an obi-san, or aunt. My sister-in-law has just crossed over into the second trimester of her pregnancy and will likely be having the first Fingerhut grandchild around my late Grandma Millie's birthday of February 13. Its very exciting for the entire family, probably especially for my parents who, like good Catholics, gave birth to 4 children relatively early in life likely expecting to also be grandparents relatively early in life. As the oldest, I have to apologize to them for not carrying out my end of the grandchild business. Fortunately, my brother has picked up the slack, married very well, and they'll be grandparents before they turn 60. That's great for them, and fun for the rest of us who get to spoil and hang with our new, half-Japanese, half-decendant of Nellie Fogarty, all Fingerhut neice or nephew. One interesting thing is that this child is destined to be 100% bilingual. That means the kid will always have a "secret language" with which to fool teachers, baby sitters, friends, and enemies growing up no matter on which continent they reside. Lucky little kids, that will only benefit them as they grow, apply for college, and seek a career path.

In Cardinal news, Rick Ankiel has returned to major league baseball in fine fashion. I don't think anyone could have predicted what he's accomplished in making it back, and no one every would have put money on his hitting a 3 run homer for the Cardinals in August of 2007.
Rob, Andrea, and I watched from Tanner B's. The entire place gave him a standing o, as did all the fans at Busch and probably people watching the game from all over the Midwest. Welcome back, Rick Ankiel. You've given us something to be excited about again.