Trick or Treat

Since we only had 9 trick or treaters come to our house, we had tons of left over candy, therefore it was as if we went trick-or-treating for hours! If we even make a meager attempt to eat all the leftovers, we'll lose our teeth and no longer fit into our pants. But there is nothing like leftover halloween candy to undo whatever good we've accomplished at the gym.

This year has been fun, we went to Justin and Julie Anderson's Halloween party and Aaron, as Sherrif Aaron on his horse, took home a prize for his costume.

Aaron was a champion trick-or-treater saying "Happy Halloween" "Trick or Treet" and "Boo" in his adorable little voice, and we imagine his skill will only improve as the years add on.

And we had two choices with Brian... we could dress him up as you see him above and he was a pumpkin, or we could have just removed all his clothes and painted our little rotund baby orange. What a belly! He does look a little bit like the Jack-o-latern that we carved.

Happy Halloween.

A few more Brian pictures

We just got back from Brian's doctor's appointment (2 month check-up). Here are his latest statistics.
Height: 23 3/4 in (75%)
Weight: 15 lbs 1.5 oz (>97%)
Head: 41 cm (75%)
He's doing great and got all his shots today. He was a total champ and fell right asleep as soon as I held him again. Aaron got his flu shot too and was very brave.

Here's some recent pictures we took of Brian for everyone to enjoy.

I gave my Grammy some great smiles while she was here. I'm getting really good at smiling!

I usually like my bath, but sometimes...

I really concentrate on my Tummy Time!

Just chilling on my mat. Life is good!

Brian's Baby Blessing

Brian was blessed in church on October 8, 2006. In the circle for the blessing were his father, both grandfathers, the bishopric, Todd Teeples (one of our home teachers), and Dan Ison and Justin Anderson (family friends). The blessing was beautiful and we are so grateful for the wonderful family we have.

Brian in the blessing outfit both he and Aaron used.

Here's the family picture we took after the blessing. We wish everyone could have been here to make the picture bigger!

Brian and Grandpa Thomas

Brian and Grammy Thomas

Brian and Grandma Fuller

Brian and Grandpa Fuller

Jen and Aaron had a great time hanging out in the backyard after the blessing.

Grammy & Grandpa Thomas come to visit

Grandpa and Grammy Thomas came to visit us in Houston for Brian's baby blessing and for Paul's birthday. October is such a nice time of year in Houston. We had a great time and are so glad that they were able to spend as much time with us as they did. We miss you.

We went to the Houston Zoo and enjoyed seeing the Elephants, Giraffes, Monkeys and LOTS LOTS more. What a nice day.

Grandpa and Aaron relaxing in the shade.

We went to the birthplace of Texas. The San Jacinto monument sure is tall.

We went to the park and played on the playground. Daddy and Aaron rode a purple dinosaur.

We had fun swimming at the Fullers.

I really should learn how to golf.Disclaimer: Although you don't see Brian in these pictures, we can assure you that he ate and slept his way through all our fun activities.

New haircut

How do you get a toddler to sit still so you can cut his hair? I put on his favorite movie, which these days is "The Sound of Music" and I went to town on his hair. I'm not very good, but hopefully every 2 months when I cut his hair I get a little better. By the time he cares what he looks like I hope I know what I'm doing. Of course by then he may want to go to the barber shop with his dad, but this is definitly cheaper.

Oh, and if you wondered what the sore on his nose is, he got a rug burn when he was playing with his Dad on Monday night. It breaks our hearts to see it, but it doesn't seem to bother him at all!

Ready for Church

Brothers! (twins?)I'm ready for my close up!

Cute Church Family

Shower invitation

A friend of ours who is a photographer took several pictures of Brian (and the rest of us) this past Saturday. She put together this invitation for Jen's baby shower which is Thursday.

Who does Brian look like?

Who does this look like?

We have someone in mind, but we'd love to hear who you think smiles like this!

Aaron is a great brother! He mostly ignores Brian, and so far, he doesn't mind sharing the attention. Let's hope that continues.

Brian is really handsome! It doesn't matter if he is yawning...

or sneering at us, we love trying to capture these cute moments on camera.

Brian has had several "awake" periods lately. We love watching him look around and we wonder what he could be thinking!

Brian comes home!

We don't see ourselves actually writing that much. Nobody really wants to read our ramblings. We'll put up pictures - that's what we know you all want.

What is there to say? Brian is home. He sleeps. He eats. He burps. He looks around for a little bit. He falls asleep. He wakes up while making a diaper. Then he eats again. It's the cycle of baby life!

We are adjusting well to life as a family of four. Jen seems to handle things like it's old hat. She is relaxed as she nurses, and as Brian spits-up back on her. After spending a few days with his Grandparents here in Houston, Aaron is happy to be home. (His Grandma told him that his Mommy and Daddy are getting your little brother!) Aaron's life goes on as normal. He plays, and whines, and sings, and cries, and sleeps, and runs, and jumps, and occasionally will go over and look at Brian. When Brian starts to fuss he says "Baby Brian again!"

Paul will be going back to work on Wednesday. He loves being at home during this time, and Jen loves having him. Today he treasured sitting in the morning sun with his two boys while Jen caught up on her sleep.

More Pictures of Brian

The Upgraded Thomas Family

Welcome Brian

Proud Daddy
Aaron is excited to be the big brother
Handsom little man!
Beautiful Mother

New Baby

Brian Richard Thomas

Born: August 16, 2006

12:40 PM

8lbs 1oz
20 inches

Relatively speaking, we had a great day at the hospital. We arrived at 6:00 AM and Brian came at 12:40PM. He came without complications and screamed his beautiful, hair filled, head off. Jen was a champ! She labored by-the-book. The second time is "much better" than the first.

We had a short list of names that we liked and were leaning strongly towards naming him Samuel. But after seeing him for the first time... we changed our minds. (Actually, naming Brian was mostly my responsibility. I earned that privilege through mine and Jen’s “March Madness” family pool. The winner got final say in naming our next child. It was close, but I did end up winning.) I changed my mind. Choosing another from our short list of names that we both liked. (Even though I did have omnipotent naming rights – I do realize that he had to live with the name for the rest of his life, and I plan on living with Jen for the rest of… forever!) Just before the delivery, I had announced to everyone in the delivery room that the baby’s name was going to be Samuel. Just after he came out I was still set on Samuel. But I spent a few moments just talking to him and looking at him and Samuel just didn’t fit.

It’s wonderful to have Brian with us now. Our family has been very blessed and all of our prayers have been answered. Thank you so much for all of your thoughts and prayers as well.

Marc and Kayleen's Wedding

These pictures were taken right after Jen's brother Marc got married in the Bountiful Temple on July 7, 2006. We are so excited that our family has grown!

Aaron and his cousins!

Aaron had a lot of fun with his cousins in Utah. Kate, Abe, Charlie and Lucy.

Alamo

This picture was taken when evacuated to San Antonio during Hurricaine Rita. We ended up having a great time and it was almost a mini vacation!