At 2:42 A.M. Friday, September 10, 2010 Renee and Neil Tice welcomed sweet little Mathilda Starr Tice into the family. Judy and I were caring for Georgia Ann who is just one day short of her 4^th birthday. We spent most of Friday at the birthing center in Portland.

When we left the center at seven p.m. everyone was doing just fine and Georgia elected to sleep in with Mommy, Daddy and Mathilda. You will find a photo of this precious little bundle on our website:

Neil and Renee have shared freely that the baby was going to be another girl, in fact we were invited to view the ultrasound session with Renee and Georgia. Again, however, they were very secretive about the name they had chosen for her. We did have a clew, they liked having a name that involved a song. Of course we started helping with names like Peggy Sue, Darling Clementine and Katy Daley.

Here are the statistics:

• Mathilda Starr Tice

• Born: 2:42 A.M.

• Date: September 10, 2010

• Weight: 8 lb. 3.5 oz.

• Length: 20  inches

• Hair: Dark brown, lots of it.

Mother Renee just fine. The birth was in a large bathtub with Mathilda born under water. (Like in a billibong, right?)

Dad Neil just beaming.

Georgia is very proud of her little sister.

Grandmother Judy is doing just fine.

Grandfather Gary humming “Waltzing Mathilda”

Today Judy and I spent the morning baking cup cakes for Georgia’s birthday party later today. I was predicting that Mathilda was to be born at 3 am on Georgia’s birthday, the 11^th. I was off by almost exactly one day. At least they each have their own birthday. Do you suppose they will always have to share the same birthday party?

Love Gary and Judy

P.S. Photo credit to Neil Tice