Hello darlings. Merry Christmas. This year Marika and I made our own gift for ourselves and our families – a baby boy.

He alternates between being wrapped and unwrapped like a hand-me-down present. He also occasionally leaves a little surprise behind in his nappy for us. We wouldn’t change anything for the world.

My gift to Marika this morning was letting her catch up on some sleep while I held the little fellow. Job done.

So we’re doing Christmas at our place for the first time. Only my parents and Elina & Meelis will be attending. That’s 7, not too bad for a small flat such as ours. I’m hoping the weather stays moderate so we can enjoy the balcony and our shade umbrella. I’m also hoping the barbecue doesn’t run out of gas, since I actually haven’t started it after the first week of January this year. Keep your fingers crossed for yet another Christmas miracle.

Still working where I’ve always worked, but now I’ve transferred roles to become a project manager. Did a certification and everything. Going alright so far. No one wants to read about work though, right?

I’m currently signed up to about 4 online courses for further certification. I have no idea how I’ll get through them, as I find it quite difficult to study with videos. Having live teachers and courses has spoiled me. Having also developed a short attention span over the years doesn’t make it any easier. Still, if I get through them I’ll be pretty chuffed with myself… Although they have very little to do with project work. Maybe 25% of it. Yep.

Marika is on maternity leave until sometime next year. I’m partly jealous but also sympathetic. Child-rearing housewives are effectively single mothers for half the day or more, and it’s tough. I’d probably still take that deal if I could produce my own milk.

So yeah, I’ve now got a few decades of kid stuff to go through now. Already started playing Christmas songs through the flat even though they’re painful and sonny boy is too young to realise what’s going on. Sacrifices, right?

See you all soon.