Phyllis and Jim's 2004

2004

Phyllis and Jim's family photos - Main Page

Phyllis and Jim's family photos 2004

Jamie arrived on March 13, 8 pounds, 7 ounces, 20-1/2 inches long, two weeks early. Phyllis was pretty tired of being pregnant when Jamie arrived. And he arrived fast! We were watching a movie at 8pm, when Phyllis said I think we better go soon. She couldn’t walk or talk during the contractions any more by about 8:30. She had several during the 20-minute drive to the hospital. We checked in with security at 9:12. We got into a birthing room about 9:40. Jamie was born at 11:03. We were all grateful for a quick delivery! (See the time-series of Jamie photos on the second page.)

Jamie has been a real joy for us. He started out pretty difficult: he needed ultraviolet lights for the first week at home. Then, he got colic. He cried most of the time he was awake for the first 2-1/2 months. It’s one of those things that you just get through — somehow. Since then, he’s been a pretty easy baby. He slept through the night after about 5 months. He goes to sleep pretty easily on his own. He has a nice schedule of two long naps each day. He is sleeping about 10 hours a night, which is great. He’s now crawling — fast! — and just today pulled himself up to standing on his own. He is very curious and very alert. He reacts to every sight and sound around him and looks people in the eye and engages with them. We were very fortunate to find a wonderful day-care provider, Rosalie, who’s place is very close to Phyllis’s school. Rosalie really enjoys Jamie too. She has a bunch of young kids for him to play with and he seems to enjoy it very much.

Phyllis was very fortunate to be able to take 6 months off work after Jamie was born. Jim was also able to take off 6 weeks in May and June to spend with Jamie, Phyllis and Joe. This was a wonderful time, a once-in-a-lifetime chance for time as a family. During that time, we spent 3 weeks in White Salmon. We got to see so many friends: Ben and Gaye and Cara, Jeanne and Steve of course, Eric, Allison, Gretchen, and Kirk, Mark and Liz, Kevin and Anna. These were the coldest, wettest weeks in May and June Jim has yet experienced in White Salmon. In spite of that, we had a great time. We — finally! — got rid of the junk pile in the farm yard. In addition, a great deal of old wood and trees got burned.

Joe is now in seventh grade and he is doing great. Joe continues to enjoy playing his violin in the Chippewa Middle School orchestra. This summer, when we were in White Salmon, our friend Mark Peter had a softball and gloves and he played catch and hit with Joe for many hours. Since then, Joe has really enjoyed playing catch with the softball. We got gloves and bats this summer. We’ll play more softball in 2005. We got Joe a basketball and basketball hoop for his birthday in August. He has really enjoyed shooting baskets. Jim and Joe have played many games of “horse,” and it won’t be long before Joe wins them all. Joe has made dramatic improvement in his fitness. We hiked at Afton State Park in November and Joe easily beat us up the hills. This from a boy who, two years ago, would barely drag himself around the block with us. Wow, has he grown! Joe is now taller than his Mom and his voice dropped. Sometimes Jim finds himself wondering what strange man is in the house (it’s Joe). Joe is really enjoying his new baby brother. Jamie really loves Joe too. He just lights up when he sees Joe. We asked Joe what he most enjoyed about his time in White Salmon this summer: he said it was cutting down the trees around the place and burning them on a bonfire.

Phyllis continues to teach primary students at EXPO Elementary in St. Paul; but this year she is teaching first and second graders. Teaching new reading learners has been interesting for her. She has a really great (and cute) bunch of kids this year.

Jim is still working at Northwest Airlines, in the Structures group of DC9 Project Engineering. The work is going well and he feels like he is hitting his stride. At his job review this Fall, his boss had some really nice things to say about Jim. Jim’s job changed a little with a new assignment looking at Aging Aircraft issues, which will likely become a cross-fleet job (not just DC9).

Jim’s Mom had her prosthetic hip refurbished (3 days before Jamie was born) and her children helped look after Dad while Mom was recovering (she’s doing great now). This convinced all that moving was a good idea. Mom and Dad moved to Boutwell’s Landing in Stillwater in August. They are now in a one-level townhouse and they have all kinds of services and recreation available with Boutwell’s. They are happy there and Jim is more relaxed about them now.

Phyllis’s Mom and George bought a trailer in Florida and spent the winter there last year. They have already left for Florida this year. George had bypass surgery, and he seems to be doing well.

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Phyllis and Jim's family photos - Main Page

Phyllis and Jim's family photos 2004

Last updated: 13-Jan-2010