The Fifth Time's A Charm

Rob's gene dominance is a running joke in our family. Whenever we welcome a new family member, we often hear, "well, he/she looks just like the others. You can always tell a HomeFront baby!"

That's because they all look like Rob. Especially Francie and Bun. In fact, if I hadn't gestated and birthed him, I would swear Bun sprang fully formed from Rob's head, a la Athena and Zeus.

Looking at Bun is like taking a ride in a time machine to Rob's childhood -- especially for my mother-in-law. The only concession I seem to have gotten from genetics is Bun's eye color. Once blue like his father's, they have been steadily changing to green. Fingers crossed they keep on going.

Since I tend to be partial to Rob, I've never had any problem with the children looking like his side of the family. I just figured that was the genetic default setting for our kids.

So imagine my delight when we realized that Mopsy was actually looking a little bit like me. Whee, how novel and fun!!

There are definite differences to be sure. He build is slighter than mine as a baby--she's far more delicate. And her hair is totally different. She has lovely, fine reddish gold hair that is straight as a pin. At her age, mine was dark brown, curly, and I'd already had a few haircuts.

She is not my mini-me, as Bun is for Rob, but she's the closest I've gotten so far. And luckily my mom brought me some old pictures for comparison. At least she looks like I had a hand in more than just being her room and board for nine months.

Right?

(And be sure to enjoy the awesome late '70s pattern on my parents bedspread in the first picture. One of my favorite things about old photos is seeing how all the clothes and decor have changed over the years.)