Thaddeus Joshua

I got the most amazing gift for Mother's Day this year. Instead of the usual breakfast in bed and homemade cards from the boys, I got to meet our new little Thaddeus (2 weeks early). He was born on Sunday, May 10th at 2:21 pm. He weighed 8 pounds 2 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long.

As most of you remember from the first two boys, my labor was very fast. I was in labor with Brand for 5 1/2 hours and Max for 2 1/2 hours. This time around I was very concerned about getting to the hospital in time for an epidural and a doctor to catch the baby. Well, turns out I had nothing to worry about. Thad decided to be totally different than his brothers and put me through 21 hours of labor (I did have an epidural for most of it) ending in a C-section. My water broke on its own during the first hour, but my body never advanced to active labor (even with the help of Pitocin). The C-section was a lot rougher that I thought it would be. Lets just say that I felt way more than I wanted to feel. Thad had a little difficulty breathing right after he was born, so he spent his first 7 hours of life in the NICU. Since then he has done great. He is such a good baby. He is a good mix and Brand and Max. Brand's eyes, hair and coloring, Max's head shape and features.

Proud big brothers!

I love how tiny babies look in their carseat on the way home from the hospital.

I love how much help I am getting - I hope it lasts :)

Our little "old man" Thaddeus (4 days old)

A Trip To The Dentist

I love how a trip to the dentist is actually a visit to Dad's work. The boys had a great time, definitely not your typical visit to the dentist. No cavities, which isn't a surprise considering they live with the tooth Nazi :)

Looking like Dad.

Brand's Basketball Season

Today was the last game of the season for Brand's basketball team. Brand had a great season, but today's game was by far his best. Basketball is Josh and my favorite sport to play so we have so much fun watching Brand score baskets, get rebounds, and block shots.

Brand making a basket.


His team had cheerleaders this season, which we found pretty funny.

We're Having Another Boy!!!

Josh and I haven't quit laughing yet! I guess after growing up with only sisters, I am destined to be surrounded by boys! We are really excited, especially the boys. They both wanted a little brother. Now we just need to think of another cool boy name!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! Despite being far from family, we had a nice second Christmas in Okinawa (yeah, only one more to go). We spent the day in our PJ's playing new Wii and DS games and eating way too much yummy food.

Brand and his new skateboard.

Max and his new Transformer gun.

Zoey in her new bed from Santa.

Max's preschool put on a small Christmas concert for all the parents. Max is as crazy as always making faces at the camera before the concert started.

USS Essex and the Philippines

During the month of October and some of November, Josh went on a 5 week deployment aboard the USS Essex and headed to the Philippines. The ship was at sea for 3 weeks and docked in the Philippines for 2 weeks. While on the ship he and another dentist treated the marines. Once the ship arrived in the Philippines he spent 2 weeks traveling to remote towns doing dentistry. While there he extracted over 300 teeth.

The USS Essex is the lead ship of the only Marine forward-deployed expeditionary strike group in the Pacific.

You can see the LCAC (landing craft air cushion) pulling into the well deck of the USS Essex. This is how Josh landed on the beach in the Philippines.

The USS Essex is a Harrier Carrier. Josh took this picture of the Harriers below deck.

This is where Josh and 5 other officers slept on the ship. It is hard to tell from the picture how tiny the room is. It was just big enough for 2 bunks, stacked 3 high, and a small desk.

Josh flew in a helicopter from the USS Essex to Harpers Ferry (another ship in the unit) just before arriving in the Philippines.

This is a view of the Essex from the helicopter.

The LCAC Josh rode on from the ship to the shore of the Philippines. The bottom of the LCAC inflates with air and can travel on water and land.

This is where Josh slept his first night in the Philippines, definitely not a 5 star hotel! Pieces of the ceiling fell on them all through the night.

They would set up make-shift clinics at schools and locals from the surrounding towns would travel miles to get dental work done (mostly have bad teeth pulled).

Notice the assistant holding a flashlight.

The local kids loved the Marines.

A traditional Filipino feast (rice and chicken). Everyone stands around and eats with their hands.

Josh's group flew to 3 different sights to work. A view of the beautiful countryside from the helicopter.

The winner of the "Ugliest Dog in the World" contest.

This is the ship's Wardroom, where the officers eat, have meetings, and watch sports and movies. Smaller than the enlisted's cafeteria, it is one of the only rooms aboard larger that a bedroom.

Josh's Parents Visit

Before we get to our trip to the States and Josh's deployment, Josh's parents came to visit the week of Thanksgiving. We miss them a ton and loved having them come see us. We had a great time showing them around the island, eating lots of yummy Japanese food, and of course playing Bridge and Hearts (our favorite thing to do together). Here are a few highlights from their visit:

Mormor and Far,

Thank you so much for coming to see us!

We love you!