As you know, January is not my favorite month. It's not even in the top twelve, usually, but this was an unusual January. For one thing, I got all of the year-end and quarterly tax forms done, including all the W-2s and 1099s, with a week to spare. More importantly, we added a valuable new member to the family on January 11, with the birth of Alexander William.

And this was a pretty good weekend, as well. On Friday David brought Aiden and Kylie by for a visit. While he borrowed my computer, I played with the kids. We tossed the football around the living room and they noodled around on my electronic keyboard. The keyboard had to be dusted off and plugged in; that's how long it's been since I used it. I didn't see an available plug, but Aiden suggested that I unplug the lamp, since this was the middle of the day. That one always has an answer.

They were both equally into the football playing, but Kylie was the more musical of the two. She insisted that we notice how enthusiastic she was about it, so I told her she sounded like Thelonius Monk. She was satisfied with the compliment. Aiden was amused. Those were pretty much the two reactions I was going for.

Aiden said he didn't think he wanted to be a keyboard player, so I asked him what instrument he might like to play. He allowed as how playing drums might be fun. With so many front teeth missing, I thought he already looked more or less like a drummer. "Unless we come over, Uncle Mike," Aiden pointed out when they left, "you don't usually have anybody to play with." Well, right. That's true.

On Saturday I went with a dear friend (who will be moving away soon) to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I, a movie almost as long and dark as its title. As fans of the book series, we enjoyed the film, but I think you have to have already fallen in love with the characters to appreciate it fully. I might be wrong, but I don't think I'd recommend this particular episode as your entry point into the Potter universe.

And then on Sunday I had a call from Eric inviting me to come over and hang out with him and Kat and Alex for awhile. He didn't have to ask me twice. I stayed for a couple of hours, held the baby with very little fussiness whatsoever, and left before anyone had to ask me to. And a more beautiful baby you are unlikely to discover anywhere.

Eric and Kat are devoted parents keenly attuned to every breath their son takes and every crinkle of his brow, so no one need worry about his happiness. He seemed comfortable and content, even when I was holding him, which makes me deliriously happy. I hope to have many more such encounters over the coming years.