California Dreaming

T-Minus one day and counting...


Just 24 hours from now we'll be Westward bound, taking baby on his/her first vacation. Granted, amniotic fluid looks pretty much the same wherever you are, but hey...it took me till my teens to fly for the first time. I'm excited for the little guy.

It's time to see Momma and Poppa Thomas in California. They haven't seen Rachel's belly yet, so we're super excited. She's growing so quickly and looking as beautiful as ever.

Note: Artist rendering of Rachel's new belly. James as Model.

With moving less than a month away, this vacation couldn't come at a better time. Although we can't wait to get into our new Clintonville digs, we really need to pre-unwind before the packing. Work has been hectic, lives scatterbrained....Beach-time is just what the doctor ordered.

Rachel, the prepared person she is, has already made a checklist. Not for packing or luggage, but places she needs to eat at when we get out there (it's hard to have a food craving when it's on the other side of the country). I think it goes something like this:

1. Wahoo's Fish Tacos

2. In & Out Burger

3. Jack in the Box

4. TK Burger

As for me, I could live at Wahoo's or In & Out, but Jack in the Box scares the &*%# out of me because of E-Coli scares in Ohio (got most of the Midwest J&B's shut down in the 80's). Fortunately, they've never had those problems out west. And TK Burger is all but a blur in the memory of my last visit to Cali. We had a few drinks before eating there. Might have to skip the cocktails this time!

We haven't eaten in a week in order to prepare for the gorging to come (just joking, moms. Leafy greens, fruits, protein and veggies every day).

In other news, Rachel's Jeep is offically sold. Many tears have been shed over our loss. Rachel asks that in lieu of flowers you please make a donation to the "Green Jeep Memorial Fund." Joking, of course.

She was sad to see it go, but it's in good hands now. Cindy's son is taking it to college, where I'm sure it will be turned off and tucked in by 9:00 pm every night. It's just never easy to send your firstborn off to college. They grow up so fast.

Have no fear. It's not time for the momwagon yet! There's been a ruling by the High Court of Racheltown that soccer mom vehicles are illegal!!!

Official Ruling: Under no circumstances shall the Thornburg Family, namely Rachel and James [parents] plus kin, ever utilize seats that stow and/or go. As a result any and all vans, minivans, and station wagons are off limits. This ruling is also limited to any vehicles, regardless of size, manufactured by the following companies: Suzuki, Daewoo, or Suburu.

There are always exceptions, of course....

Like this. Or maybe this. Or what about this special Railroad Model.? And last but not least, my personal favorite.

BABY UPDATE:

Food Size - Baby is about the size of a large mango, small canteloupe.

News - Baby is also a black belt in Judo and Tae Kwon Do. Practice is daily from 9:00 to 11:00 pm. Baby specializes in kicks and punches to the midsection. Kicks and punches increase if baby likes music Mom is playing for him/her. Movement is beginning to be visible on the outside of Mom's tummy.

Music - Miles Davis (Some Kind of Blue), Thicker Than Water Soundtrack (Thanks Steven and Ashley), Jack Johnson (Some Live Songs), Ravi Shankar (Mantram Chant of India), The Beatles (Mix), Sigur Ros (Saeglpur), and a Sounds of Nature disc.