James Family Blog Space

2008-05-08T18:54:00.000-07:00

Well there it is- the update is finally done. The pictures are arranged from the most recent to later dates. It was fun to see how much Ella has grown even in the last couple of months. I'll try to update sooner but no promises. It is not often I get a night to mess around on the computer- but it sure was fun! Now I'm pooped and an Oreo blizzard is calling my name followed by a shower. I'm pregnant do you really think I can leave that thing in the freezer til tomorrow. NO WAY!

Here's to growing bellies and babies!

Introducing Samuel Thomas James

2008-05-08T18:50:00.001-07:00

Here's looking at you kid!

He is having a big yawn! Must be boring in there with nothing to look at and only being able to hear the madness around.

The Antics of the Last Two Weeks

2008-05-08T18:37:00.000-07:00

Such a big girl!

Smart girl! Stick by mommy let daddy do the hard work!

Driving the "zamboni" with daddy. Look at their expressions. They could be twins!

A nakey hockey player! Equiped with the helmet and stick. She wants to play just like daddy.

More Recent Stuff

2008-05-08T18:04:00.000-07:00

At the playground.

Tub paint fun!

A family picture the morning after our wedding.

It was March before she wanted to put on her Halloween costume. Then she refused to take it off.

Love to paint but only when daddy is at work. As you can tell it is far messier than he would be able to sanely handle.

Trying to make friends at the mall. That little boy was not into her which only fueled her to try harder.

At Sesame Street Live. She loved it! Look at the face, completely fixated.

In case you ever pull out your wallet in front of Ella, be warned she LOVES money. She is also a true cheese as this picture will display.

Begining of the Year

2008-05-08T17:47:00.000-07:00

Playing in the PajamaGram box daddy sent to his two favorite Valentines.

Ella is wearing a lot of drool and my very old Punky Brewster slippers. They're about 5 sizes too big.

We love to bake. Well I bake and she likes to frost.

A true fasionista! Did I mention she loves to play dress up in my stuff.

The Christmas dress.

If I had to pick one picture to sum up Ella's personality this would be it.

Five Months is Long Enough

2008-05-08T17:25:00.000-07:00

Since the last update a lot has been going on in our family. It's been five months since my last post. Here you go Tam!

The most exciting news is we are going to add one more! Yes, it is a boy! Much to Todd's excitement; I think Ella and I are all the estrogen he can handle. Samuel Thomas James is scheduled to arrive on July 31. Unless he plans to show up earlier, which would be ok too. Ella is very excited to be a big sister. I'm just not so sure she understands what that means. Early estimates are he will be a big baby, likely between 8 and 10 pounds. Todd and I are not sure how we produce such large children. I blame it on all the vaccinations he recieved in the military, he blames it on the paper boy.

Ella is growing like a weed. She is tall and lean. Much stronger than I think any almost 2 -year -old should be. She has begun to make simple sentences and has mastered commands. She can count to eight but forgets four and five. Hey, I know kindergartners who struggle to do that much. She knows her whole name, Ella Grace James, and will tell anyone who asks. She also loves to fill in the missing parts when you call her. Miss Ella has entered the "terrible two's" everyday there is a new antic. Thankfully her tantrums last about 30 seconds and then she moves on. Praise the Lord for a short attention span!!! Her favorite activities include running around the house naked, playing peoples, play kitchen or in the real kitchen, baby dolls, books, playing outside, sand table, and talking on the phone. Aunt Michelle gets called a lot.

Todd and I are happy to be married. Really nothing much has changed, except for my last name. It feels so good to finally match! I love to look at his hand and see his wedding ring. It gives me such a sense of pride in us. There have been many challenges but we have overcome them and become stronger together. I often look at this big, bad Marine and chuckle as he gives all the "buddies" kisses goodnight. Who would of ever guessed?!?!

So life is good. We are happy, healthy, and living each day to the fullest. Well enough with the essay lets get on to some pics. I'll post some old ones and a lot more recent. My child has clothes, I swear, she just often opts not to wear any!

Here's to the nudist in all of us. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!

Happy New Year and Updates

2008-01-18T07:51:00.000-08:00

Happy 2008 from the James Family! We hope this year brings everyone health and happiness.

We have been busy since the holidays. A quick re-cap.

The house on 331 Austin was torn down! We are ready to build the "Barbie Dream House" Look for pictures of the destruction to be posted soon.

Santa or (hohoho as Ella thinks his name is) came to visit a very good girl and brought plenty of goodies! Pictures will go up this weekend- I promise Tami!

We have officially entered toddlerhood (God help us!) I have lots of stories to post but they will have to wait til my little buddy goes down for a nap.

The wedding countdown has begun. I feel like such a grown up! But still no dress!

Here's to a new year and new beginnings!

Oh Christmas Tree

2007-12-09T19:49:00.000-08:00

Ella's first time hanging an ornament!

Much more fun to take off running with the candy canes!

Originally she tried to eat the candy cane ornament. But upon investigation she decided to hang it on the tree, then immediately take it off and taste it again.

Helping to hang an ornament and not knock over the tree. She is like a bull in a china shop!

After five minutes of helping Mom she was all done. I guess she wasn't too found of having to leave the ornament on the tree.

Along with Ella having enough of decorating, apparently everyone else did too. Michelle is working on the computer, Ella is playing at the house, Todd is watching TV, and Ter is sipping a soda staring at Ella's pants. I'm still decorating.

Me: "Todd, do we really have to add this ornament?" Todd: "Yes! I love that one." Whatever floats your boat! Don't worry its on the back!

Ter looks on as I continue to decorate.

I'm adding a little ambiance to the affair, while Ter inspects an ornament and its placement. I'm not sure if she liked it or moved it.

The completed project. I love my Martha Stewart tree skirt.

A Christmas Photo Attempt

2007-12-09T19:37:00.000-08:00

Our first attempt. I was not satisfied so I pushed the issue. BIG MISTAKE! Looks like this is our winner.

An attempt to get an action shot. Look at that Buddha belly! I love it!

Begining of a meltdown. An early introduction to the "Terrible Two's".

Aunt Shell steps in for reinforcement. Notice Ella reaching for the camera. Sidenote: I think Michelle looks so pretty in this picture.

Her infamous "O" face.

On our last attempt she became attached to this random teddy bear. She's one what do you want.

An Angry Ella

2007-12-09T19:28:00.001-08:00

Attempting to open the fridge herself. Notice the shopping cart, I think she was playing grocery store.

So she came to me crying to get her way. What did she want you ask? Nothing! She just wanted to fridge to be open.

Long Time No Blog

2007-12-03T12:23:00.000-08:00

Its been almost a month since my last post....yikes! Well to all those who do not know Ella's surgery went very well. Just last week she had her follow up and she is doing wonderfully. As a matter of fact she is rolling a ball across the floor and chasing after it as we speak. I guess little things entertain toddlers. Oh no she is approaching the computer. This might be short! Anyways, she will have to go to the cardiologist every year til 5, then after that ever 3 to 5 years depending on her health. Thank you to all for your prayers and concern!

Sorry I can't post pictures. Michelle has my camera since she dropped and broke hers. She reassures me that by Thursday I will have it back. I'm not sure why this day. I will have lots to post from Thanksgiving, putting up our tree and other random fun. No one could of ever made me believe having my little girl could bring so much joy and fun to my life. I always say to my mom that she never liked me as much as I like Ella. No joking she agrees!

Liah a special message to you- Ella would like to tell you she LOVES your new pictures on the blog. Everytime she sees you she giggles. Are you two secretly plotting something?

Look for pictures soon. I'll be sure to capture Todd assembling the tree!

Here's to Happy Holidays!

A quick word

2007-11-06T19:10:00.001-08:00

Well tomorrow is Ella's big surgery day. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. It's a very scary situation putting your childs care into someone elses hands. If you know my mothering style this rarely happens and when it does I call at least 3 times. To not have any control or say so in that operating room completely puts me in a state of high anxiety. So far no tears but it is early. I keep telling myself to be strong and that it will all be ok. I somehow sense Aunt Deb's spirit with me. Whenever I really need to be strong and not cry I think of her. She's always been the one thing in life that makes me hold my chin high up. Maybe thats why God gave her to me as a godmother. She once said to me whenever I need her look up at the sky and know she's looking at the same stars. Then hold out your arms and she will hug me from far away.

Here's to looking up at those stars and getting a hug from far away.

P.S. Thank you to Mom and Michelle for being there for all of us. And especially for being the best grandma and aunt any child could have. Thank you God for blessing me with these two very special women.

Random Fun

2007-11-06T18:40:00.000-08:00

Ella's personality summed up all in one photo.

Ella's flower costume. Well the head part.

Mommy and Ella

It was 46 degrees out and Ella decided to dress herself in this outfit. Complete with my very old Punky Brewster slippers. Needless to say we didn't leave the house.

My favorite place to play- the pantry!

This picture just makes me smile.

Making dinner. Yes she wears pants! She just prefers to go without.

The proud parents. Todd was caught mid-yawn!

Grandma Gives Me Gum...Yum!

2007-11-06T18:29:00.000-08:00

Helping herself to a piece of grandma's gum.

To quote Ter,"Ella, I don't think you are going to like that. It's hot." Ella: "ot?!"

This stuff is delicious. How come Mom never lets me have this.

OK it's a bit hot, here you try.

Halloween

2007-11-06T18:22:00.001-08:00

Ella was suppossed to be a flower for Halloween but refused to put the costume on. So instead she got all wet in the dogs bowls. I guess it was more fun than trick or treat. Oh well, there's always next year.

Does anyone read this?

2007-10-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

I keep wondering does anyone besides Tami and my mom and occasionally my sister read this blog. Or am I writing to cyber-space? I was really hoping we would get a strong following. This would be the perfect thing for Jess, Uncle Tom, Meg (Gavin stories are great), Dolatowski clan in Florida. Come on people!Blog all ready- I know you want to!

Here's to more people jumping on the bandwagon!

Pumpkin Carving Fun!

2007-10-21T19:12:00.000-07:00

Helping Daddy clean out the pumpkin seeds so we can bake them.

Not so in to getting my hands icky.

I'm really allowed on the table?!

Pumpkin in the toes!

After 4 minutes of carving she was all done.

Todds's intense concentration pumpkin carving.

My pumpkin- it's a monster/dragon!

Todd's pumpkin

A clinch seemed like such a cinch...

2007-10-19T19:42:00.000-07:00

Arriving to the game I thought I would be a part of Indians history. A clinch and a trip to the World Series. Followed by fireworks going off and someone streaking across the field. Boy, oh boy, was I wrong. I should of known better when Boston hit a lead off homer. C.C. just wasn't playing like this was a championship game. Maybe he is making bets. Someone please tell me why we just let Manny stand comfortably in the box? So that when he gets a pitch he likes he clobbers it to right center. I'm not saying hit him with the ball, I am saying force him to move. I can see these things and I don't like sports. Where was Eric Wedge or the pitching coaches?! It was a poorly played and poorly coached game. I think we got a little cocky and it kicked us in the balls. Hopefully we can win it tomorrow in Boston.

In other news Ella had her 15 month check-up today. Everything looks great and she is in the 90th percentile for weight and height. She's stayed right on track so I must be doing something right. November 7th is surgery day for her. She will have her PDA fixed. If you go on to webmd you can type in PDA (its a pediatric heart condition) and read all about it and the procedure. So far she should be able to come home that night. I just pray that everything goes well and the doctors treat her like she is there own. It's a very scary thing to put your childs life in someone else's hands. I told the cardiologist to make sure I don't hate him- because I will if something goes wrong. Please keep Ella in your prayers.

Here's to celebrating Sweetest Day with a trip to the World Series and with someone you love.

Don't let a 15 month old play with your keys

2007-10-17T19:09:00.000-07:00

Mom was over tonight to visit, eat some dinner (sloppy Joe's if you care to know) and watch Ella for an hour while Todd and I met with the architect. Well, while Mom was babysitting, Ella got into her purse and was playing with her keys. Naturally she manages to set the anti-theft lock. A feature no one knew the HHR had. As Ter goes to leave she can't get the key to turn in the ignition. I go over to give it a try (sidenote: my weird neighbor Tom also joins in for backup. I'm not even sure how or when or where or why. I guess its just true Tom fashion.) After busting out the owners manual and a good 10 minutes of trying finally the key turns. Lesson learned do not give your keys to a 15 month old. She will inevitably figure out how to set a feature off in your car you did not know you had or know how to turn off.

In other news the meeting with the architect went well. We had to switch a couple things but the house plans are coming along nicely. If you want to check out the floor plan go to www.mascord.com enter in number 22142A. We made some things bigger and added a screen porch and double doors to the front enterance. We also switched some rooms around and added a basement, but you will get the general idea. Looks like the current house that stands on Austin will be knocked down in the next month. You can be sure I will post some pictures.

Tomorrow night Todd and I will be going to the Indians game. Lets hope for a victory! Here's to something going good for the city of Cleveland!

Since I'm Anti-MySpace....

2007-10-16T19:01:00.000-07:00

Since I refuse to have a MySpace account (and that makes Tami mad) we decided to start these blogs. I'm actually kind of into this because I can update everyone on a regular basis without sending out an e-mail. I always feel so dumb writing an e-mail. Then people tend to get caught in the vicious cycle of e-mailing back and forth about nothing because no one wants to be the guy who randomly ended the corespondence. So now your asking yourself, what can I expect on this blog? Well for starters updates on the family life, Ella stories and pictures, personal reflections, and wedding updates. When you need to look like you are busy at work or school drop on by and see whats going on. I hope this page brings a smile to your face and chuckle out of your mouth. Here's to keeping in touch no matter where you live!