Absence; Making the Heart Grow Fonder?

Yes, I've been a bad biped, and haven't posted or moderated in a while. I do have a few excuses, and will make up for my absence later, but a few things:

I bought a house (OK, we bought a house, same difference when you're married).

I found out I'm having a daughter, and she doesn't appear to be genetically defective, at least so far as an amniocentesis can tell. I'm sure she'll act like a dork, but at least we'll know it's not the result of a genetic defect, just plain old genetics. Betting has now opened as to whether she's going to take after her father and be a chemist/scientist, or take after her mother and, well, not. To me, this is the best news ever. I wanted a daughter; at least now I'll a) stand a chance of being her favorite; and b) always be "daddy," at least to someone. Freaking awesome. I'm off to buy a shotgun. Boys, you've been warned.

I've become a federal employee. Technically, it isn't concrete; I haven't received the letter from HR, but it looks like I'm joining the ranks of patent examiners down at the USPTO in Alexandria, VA. Yes, I'll be taking Amtrak every morning, at least until I can start working from home. Rock on.

More to come, including greater detail. Best of all, it looks like Karma has begun to recognize my friends; Congrats, WW!