So, I swear this isn't related to the last post about fewer baby posts, but boy am I excited for the last season of FX's Nip/Tuck!.

I didn't realize it was the last season until a friend mentioned it. What will I do without my beloved Dr. Troy?!

Luscious Dr. Troy!

It's been brought to my attention that all I blog about is Soren and that this is regrettably a waste of my creativity.

So, for the 2 of the 3 of you who ever read this blog, are either of you disgusted with my baby blogarrhea?

That said, here's a picture of Soren yawning...

endless holiday fun

Yesterday, Soren got his first (of many) visits from his Uncle Phil.

It was a tasty experience. For Phil, anyway...

Yummy Soren!

is Diet Coke consumption...

Ok, no. It's having a jailbird baby...

jailbird

Ok, no. It's having an ASLEEP jailbird baby...

sleepy jailbird

Hi y'all.
Christian added more photos from this year's Christmas in Ohio Extravaganza here.

I think I just ate my weight in almonds. That is unrelated to Christmas or photos of Soren. I will shoot for one non-Soren-related item per week or per month, depending on the frequency of my posts.

Are you ready for more horrendously cute Soren antics from Christian's new camera?

Soren's Bear Suit from Christian Yates on Vimeo.

Sure you do!
Luckily, Christian posted it on his site here.

Also, here's a cell phone pic of Soren at Babies-r-US today where we *finally* purchased a swing:

Rock 'n ROLL y'all!

Admittedly, we giggled a bit at Soren's Oma's insistence that he have a rattle immediately for development purposes. She was so sure of this fact that she kindly mailed him an assortment of stimulating rattles (wrist rattles, crinkly ring rattles). Well...looks like Oma was right!

Wait, what's that?

Hey! Gimme that!

MINE!

MENSA, here we come!

Soren's Granddaddy, a regular columnist for Southeastern Ohio's Marietta Times, where I got my start in newspapers (before it was revealed that I suck as a reporter), made the little guy the subject of his latest article, which you can read here. Or you can read it now as I shamelessly post it on my blog, acknowledging that it belongs to The Marietta Times...

Everyday leadership: Good leaders know value of ‘thanks’
POSTED: December 5, 2008 at www.mariettatimes.com

My wife, Carol, and I met Soren Ray Yates, our first grandchild, on Nov. 19th. He lives in Phoenix and it was one of those moments you never forget. I had seen a hundred or more pictures on his dad's Web site but the in-person meeting created a swell in my chest.

He was just barely a month old and didn't seem to relish the moment as I did. Two years ago I resigned myself to the fact that no grandchildren were in my future. Then came Soren and another, thanks to my son and his beautiful wife, is due in April.

Soren's mother, Betsy, asked me if I felt old being a grandfather. To tell the truth I didn't. However, I did feel a sense of amazement. It was almost as though I was watching a movie of the events. The generations were being propelled into the future while the branches of my tree were growing. As I held Soren and looked into his dark blue eyes, I wondered what successes he would achieve and what loves he would experience. His potential is endless. My telling him about his potential meant little to him. However, the sound of my voice and the warmth of my touch comforted him.

This was one of those events that shake you from the complacencies of everyday life and re-emphasize what is important. So often, we find ourselves plowing through tasks before us, work on Monday through Friday, chores on Saturday, and football on Sunday. Some of us begin to take those important people around us for granted. When I once again saw the beginning of life, I was reminded that work, chores, or football are actually far back on my priority list. People head the list, my family, my neighbors, and my clients.

The same is true at work. We take for granted the report will be on time as it is every month or the smile we receive as we walk into the office each morning. We realize that the value-added things people around us do everyday are not acknowledged as regularly as they should be.

Some people tell me they don't need that "Thank you" or "I appreciate that" but I don't buy it. Now maybe I am projecting on others, but I believe people want and need positive feedback. The best leaders I have known understood this need and want. Tomorrow when you go to work, find that person who has helped you the most and that person who has shown potential and tell them how you feel. I guarantee you the motivation of that person will grow proportionally with the feedback.

R. Glenn Ray is the president of RayCom Learning, which helps leaders who want to create an environment where people communicate clearly and choose to commit to organizational goals. He can be reached at 1-888-574-5370, by e-mail rayray@raycomlearning.com, or online www.raycomlearning.com. Everyday Leadership usually appears each Wednesday on the Business page.

Soren, Grandma Carol, Granddaddy and diaper pail in the background

I swear this wasn't staged. We were just lucky.

Take THAT, "Black Friday"

We were thinking of using that picture for the Christmas card. What do y'all think?

Soren got to meet his third of four sets of grandparents this week. Grammy D and Stu made the trip from Colorado to meet their first grandson.

Grammy D and Soren on Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving was delicious, fun and 100 percent stress-free (for us!) thanks to our wonderful friends The Kaelbers. Thanks Randy, Anne and Nick!

Here's one of Soren and his Aunt Anne:

Soren and Aunt Anne

Look at that belly! Mr. Soren weighed in at 8 pds., 12 oz. at this morning's doc's appointment. We're beefing the boy up nicely.