I’m several hours past my bedtime on early Christmas morning.

I shaved Tuesday at 4:45 a.m. This picture was taken at 9:15 p.m. (Note eye bags.)

I had a 12-day vacation at the end of 2008.   That’s the longest I’d been on vacation in years.

I’ve decided to make this gift of freedom count. I did not to shave for 12 days. It was my longest period of being unshaven. I think my previous record was around five days.

I took a picture of myself each day to track the beard’s progress.

Click here to see a slideshow of the daily growth!