Happy 4th of July

I'm so cute.
Happy 4th of July say Mommy and Helen.
Happy 4th of July say Mommy and Miles.
Ta dah, I'm so pretty in my 4th of July outfit says Helen.
Aren't I beautiful?
This is how Helen spent most of her 1st 4th of July.
Auntie Laurel and Uncle Joe help Helen celebrate the 4th of July.

We hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July. Tom was able to be home just for the day and then was back fighting the fire crusades on Saturday the 5th. Stay safe and cool everyone. Happy 4th of July!!!

Helen's first 4th of July

Yesterday 6/30/08 we started getting ready for the 4th of July by decorating our front lawn with flags and patriotic pin wheels. Helen just watching the pinwheels blowing in the wind. Friday will mark her first official holiday. Here's to the great USA, and a big thank you goes out to all of our troops here in the states and abroad getting the job done to keep us free. Happy 4th everyone!!

Helen's first colonial outfit made by Daddy

This past weekend we were supposed to go camping with some of our Morgan's Rifles group, but Tom unfortunately was mandated to work on Sunday, so there went our plans. Anyway this is what Helen would have worn had we been able to go. Tom slaved away at this shift so she would look colonial like us. However, I think by the time we reach the middle of July for our next Morgan's event, Helen will have out grown this shift. She is growing like a weed.

Head holding

Look at me holding my head up.
I trying to get my head up off of Daddy's shoulder
Oh, this is hard work!!!!
Still trying

Yeah, I did it!!!!!!!!!

Just a beautiful sleeping and awake beauty

Helen rests peacefully in her swing
Thanks Stephanie for this beautiful outfit, aren't I pretty?
Oh, Aunt Paulette, I could sleep on your shoulder for hours.
A very happy Aunt Paulette and a very sleepy Helen.

Just hanging out.

Super-secret ultra-special project

So Where Oh Where has Tom been gone? Why has poor Sara had to do all the posts? You would think it was because of the 200+ new fire starts in California in the last 3 days, but no, it is something else.

A Super-Secret, Ultra-Special Project!! That's Right! Notice The Capitalization! Notice the multiple Exclamation Points!!! This is BIG! But what is it?

Tom has been heavily involved in a surprise for one of our faithful readers. That's right, one of you perusing this blog right now could be a winner and not yet know it! Laura in Des Moines? Nope. We don't like Des Moines. Or Laura. But it could be any of you other 3 faithful readers...

Here's a few hints. The SSUSP involves the following:



Well, that gives it away, doesn't it? By the end of the week, the mystery will be revealed.

Stay tuned......

Heat Wave

Miles catching a wave at the beach
Helen enjoys her first sunset on the beach
I just love the beach Daddy!
Nothing like morning coffee on the beach
Enjoying the sunset.
Nothing beats a pretty outfit from my Nana on a very hot day.
Helen's first trip to the beach
Boy the heat sure takes it out of me, I'm beat.
Enjoying the cool weather at the beach. Anything beats 109.


Yes folks summer has arrived in Southern CA and it arrived bringing triple digit temps. so, to beat the heat and to celebrate Helen being 1 month old, we took off for the beach. It's amazing how much cooler you feel when the temp is only 89 instead of 109.

Breast or Thumb I don't care

Thanks big brother for the use of your thumb
Caroline sent this bib to Miles when he was a baby. Miles took this picture.

Hello little tree frog
Beautiful 1 month old Helen.

While Mommy was in the shower today, Helen decided she was getting very hungry, so big brother went to see what he could do to help. The result, Helen decided Miles' thumb was pretty tasty and proceeded to suck it until Mommy was out of the shower and dressed.

Happy Father's Day

Helen and Miles visit Daddy at the fire station on Father's day.
Ho hum, I need a nap.

I'm so pretty

Pretty in Pink
I just look so precious in my butterfly outfit from Daddy's boss.

Pink is my color

Auntie Fiona has great taste in clothes


I'm just a fashion diva in all of my pretty outfits.

Big brother

Okay, so I was already in bed. I had to drag myself out to post this. Last night Helen was cranky and spit up most everything she ate. I sat with her in the living room until she fell asleep, letting Momma get a long night's sleep. Momma slept, Baby slept, even Miles slept. Not Daddy.

It was worth it, Momma and baby had a good day today. Daddy, on the other hand, was one cranky S.O.B.

Mid afternoon, we went to the drug store to find something to help cut down Helen's upset stomach. Stay tuned for the results tonight. But while we were there, we found a cheapo, sub-5$ submarine toy for Miles.

Well, he thought it was the cutest thing since Elmo. Miles and that toy were inseparable from that moment on. During dinner it sat next to his plate. We went in the hot tub and it sank innumerable foes. Until bedtime...

As he was going to bed, Miles brought the sub into my room. "Here Daddy,", he said, "I want YOU to sleep with it tonight. I'll get it tomorrow while you're at work."

Now how many 5-year olds would give up a brand new toy?

You bet your A$$ I'm sleeping with the submarine tonight!

Observing the baby

Last night I found Tom standing over Helen's crib. Silently I watched him. As he stood looking down at the sleeping infant, I saw on his face a mixture of emotions: disbelief, doubt, delight, amazement, enchantment, skepticism.

Touched by this unusual display and the deep emotions it aroused, with eyes glistening I slipped my arm around my husband. "A penny for your thoughts," I said.

"It's amazing!" he replied. "I just can't see how anybody can make a crib like that for only $46.50."

Hang time and I'm in love

Hang time on the floor with big brother.
Miles said last night that he was going to wait for Helen to grow up so he can marry her. Sorry, Miles but I think you lose to Daddy.
Helen has found her first love. Daddy and Helen just staring intently into each other's eyes.
Daddy better watch out, as this little girl will surely break his heart.

A Miles story

Miles met me at the door this morning.

"Daddy, I was having a great dream this morning and my dream was leaving and I really liked it so I chased after it, but then I fell out of bed."