This Abled Mom

Check out my new blog www.thisabledmom.blogspot.com. It is an experiment in conversation about being a disabled parent. Please refer it to anyone you know that might be interested.

I will maintain this blog still as my family blog.

Thanks!

California Coast -- February 2010

Pismo Beach Pier

Pismo Beach

San Simeon -- Elephant Seals (I can't post the seal pics -- they're X-rated -- it was mating season)

Claire's 1st Hotel Bed

Queen size for our little Queen. She was quite pleased with herself.

Last weekend we had an amazing 2 day vacation with Steve's family. We drove up the coast to Pismo Beach. We were going to see the monarch butterlies, but because of the rainy weather, we missed them. But, we did do a lot more: Solvang, San Simeon to see the elephant seals, very entertaining animals, Pismo Beach pier, drove through Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo, ate lunch in Cambria at a delicious restaurant called "Linns" -- would recommend it to anyone. The food was amazing and Cambria is a cute little town to drive through.

And most of all, we got to spend time with our family. Claire was a perfect little traveler on her first real road trip. She slept fine in the hotel, well, let's face it -- those beds are a lot nicer than the pack 'n play :)

Not nearly enough....

Claire -- 4 months old (January 2010)

Hanging out with old friends at Christmas. It was so fun to meet Marshall's wife Amber.

Claire & Grandma & Grandpa T.

November -- Standing in line for New Moon, of course. Midnight showing. Steve was a trooper, saving our place in line while my friends and I ran back to our place for dinner and warming up. It was very cold that night. (Claire & Steve didn't go to the movie that night, but they did later)

Not nearly enough time to post all the pictures that would describe the last 3 months. But worth a try.

Blessing Day -- November 1, 2009

Claire's blessing dress was very special -- we borrowed if from her cousin Ellie. It was just too beautiful to pass up. And they share the same birthday, so it's extra special! Ellie was very proud that Claire was wearing her blessing dress. Thanks Angie!


I'm too lazy to get the red-eye out of these pictures, but I will someday. Really.

The blessing was beautiful. Steve is a wonderful dad. It was a beautiful day spent with family and friends. Little Claire sure is loved!

Was that a compliment or an insult???

When speaking to a new mom about her appearance, it can be kind of tricky. You never know how emotionally stable she is (hormones all crazy & stuff). Do you say she looks "great", "thin", or "healthy" or "you don't look like you just had a baby", (Hey! Thanks a lot! I went through all that for 9 months -- don't take away my credit!) or "you can't even see the tummy" (It doesn't matter, I know it's there.)

But for the first time last week I got this comment: "Um, Aunt Jackie, you are so, like, FLAT".

--Paige Jaclyn Thompson


To which, I of course responded, "WHICH PART????" Crossing my fingers that she says "your tummy" and not...well... you know..

"Like, this part.." (As she caresses my arm).

I sigh in relief.

6 Weeks

This is the best!

Most of the time, I think she looks more like Steve. But this picture really looks like me when I was a baby.

She's such a poised sleeper.

Daddy's little monchhichi. "monchhichi monchhichi, oh so soft and cuddly". This is what I wake up singing in my head in the middle of the night. Thanks Steve.

Fall Stuff

John & Angie's family came up for the annual Lombardi Ranch trip. It's always a fun time. Steve especially loves playing on the haystack pyramid.


Emma Jane love the horse ride. She's getting so big!

We love spending time with these girls.

Steve's "new" toy. New meaning it was someone else's trash. I can't watch him ride it. I had a bad experience on one of these in Mexico.