A Bath: Time for Solitude

The poor, neglected third child just doesn't get any attention from the rest of the family.

Jelly Belly -- Two Months

Jelly Belly is two months and weighing in at 9 lb. 2 oz. There was surprise and cheers from the Thomas household as Jelly Belly has now surpassed her brothers' birthweights.


It is hard to capture the smile on film, but Jelly Belly is so alert and engaged.

My dad was able to come out and meet his first granddaughter. To say he was smitten is putting it mildly and it appears the feeling is mutual.

Jelly Belly had her first adventure to the ocean. Yes, it is February, but hard to tell without the typical fog and wind of the Northern California coast.

It's time for some mutton busting. Uncle Peter and Aunt Kim amused us all with a stuffed animal much bigger than Jelly Belly. I think they hold the belief that every little girl should own a life sized stuffed animal. I am thankful they gave her one now instead of waiting until she is eight and giving her an animal that takes up the entire third of the room that is Jelly Belly's.

Future Air Force Cadet?

Both Moose and BiggiE are enthralled with jets these days. As you can see, they are trying to pass on the love to their little sister. I am pretty much a pacifist, but maybe these early influences will lead Jelly Belly into the Air Force.

Mini Marine Corp Reunion

Os's parents were in town to meet their newest grandchild and give a break to her mom and dad. While they were visiting some good friends from the Marine Corp game to visit. The four couples the composed the original Marine Corp group dubbed their children the "Marine Corp Posse".

Now that Os and his generation are all having children we have the Posse Minis. This group is like extended family and we haven't seen any of them since I was pregnant with Moose. We are hoping to catch up with more of the Posse and Posse Minis in the coming year.


Moose and Charlotte (part of the Wuetrich contingent) initially butted head figuratively and almost literally, but by the next morning they were fast friends. Moose keeps asking when he can see her again. He is developing a pattern of liking strong women -- they say boys marry someone like their mom. wink. wink.

Nothing like the adoration of grandparents.

The Milk of Human Kindness

The boys received a book called "Froggy's Little Sister" in which the big brother frog loves to help his tadpole sister. Moose started asking me when he would be able to feed Jelly Belly and was thrilled when I finally had a bottle pumped and he got the opportunity. BiggiE finally decided it would be okay to hold Jelly Belly because the bottle feeding looked like so much fun.

"I stand here today humbled by the task before us..."

I am very apolitical by nature and usually vote only because I feel I should. I must confess that my response on hearing Obama had won the presidential election was nearly identical to the one I had when I saw who won "Dancing With The Stars." I calmly, dare I say, nonchalantly, murmured, "Oh. Good."

I realize this means I either care way too much about celebrities learning to ballroom dance or not nearly enough about who governs one of the most powerful countries in the world. (Though, who knows, maybe the foxtrot is the answer to world hunger.)

With all my casual indifference to my civic duty aside, I was incredibly moved to watch the inauguration today. I felt like the boys and I were interconnected with people around the world as we witnessed this historical moment in the life of our nation.

Wordless Wednesday