Well, James has started learning some new tricks. Like every time I leave him in a room so that I can do anything, even if it for just a second, he is gone when I come back. For example, the other day I was unloading the groceries from the car and I put James in the family room and walked out to the garage and got a load of groceries and came back in and put them on the counter and in that 30 seconds James was gone. This is where I found him.
He was quite irritated that I didn't "save" him immediately but instead went and got the camera to take a picture. I almost considered leaving him there because I knew he couldn't get out. It had not occured to him to just back up. No, I didn't leave him there. Please, I'm not that mean of a mommy.
We are also teaching him to stand up. Well, at least to lean up against things while standing. It is coming along. I just started doing this a few days ago. I guess I am a bit behind the times. Doesn't he look so cute? And big? 
We are also learing how to "pull up" on things. I started this on the slide at the park the other day but he caught on really quick and I caught him trying to pull up on the brick fireplace this morning. Here he is at the park with Brian and I on Sunday evening. We only stayed out for a few minutes cuz it was BLAZING HOT! Check out those muscles! 
As you can tell. He still really likes to swing. We do it every morning after our walk. 
I am only sharing this photo cuz I think it is so cute! This is just one of his many "faces" that he makes. He sucks his upper lip into his mouth and then his cheeks puff out so squeezably round.
And here is a picture of my two favorite people ever! Also at the park.
Stay tuned for more tricks from James.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
New tricks!
Back to school!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
8 Months
Today James is 8 months old. Lots has happened in the last month. He has learned to sit up really, really well. He has perfected the scoot. He got his first tooth (It is visible in the picture above if you look really close. Yes, it is that tiny speck of white on his bottom gum.) and he got his first "solid" food (mushed up, organic avocado)
He is continuing to grow as well but not nearly as fast and today he weighed 21 lb. 2 oz. and was 28 1/4 inches long.James aka Bimmy (short for Baby Jimmy) is getting into everything. If there is a room full of toys and 1 speck of dirt he will go directly to the dirt and try to eat it. He likes to chew on anything and everything. Probably because of his teething but I have to admit he hasn't been grumpy just a little sleepier than usual. See him here getting "caught" with his hand about to poke a fat finger into the electrical outlet. Naughty little Bimmy! He actually looks a little shocked that I caught him.
Bimmy loves to play games on mommy and daddy's bed like "Ima gonna get you" and "Peek-a-boo". He loves to get nakie and take baths and to play in the water. He loves to play with his reflection in the mirror. He loves to jump and scoot and he especially loves it when daddy comes home! I think Brian is more fun than me. I think this is a curse that many mothers have. The not-as-cool-as-daddy curse that is. Oh, and he still loves to suck on this two fingers. We are working on such things as pulling up, standing, and clapping. I will let you know when we have them mastered.Bimmy says, "da da", "ba ba" and grunts regularly and he says, "ma ma" when he is upset which is not very often.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Trip to Utah...Finally
Well, I did finally get all unpacked last week but I haven't had a chance to post. We have had lots going on here. I will post about that later. I must warn you now. This will be a long post with lots of pictures. I have lots to share. We just love going on vacation. And we love getting back home again. So without further ado... This is a picture of James on his 7 month birthday. He just loved this toy at my parents house. He thought it was so fun to try and move (and taste) those little wooden beads.
Here is James in the tire swing at the cabin in Alpine, WY. My family makes a trip there every year. This time we went from June 18-26. I think we have been going for over 15 years. We always have lots of fun. We usually go in August but that wasn't going to work this year with us moving so we went in June and it was so pretty! The first few days were spent just chilling around the cabin. Everyone else in my family went rafting but me. I HATE rafting so James and I just played at the cabin.
Here is a picture of James with Uncle "Boy" and cousin Alex. I'm not sure who is more uncomfortable, James or Uncle Boy. He hasn't been around too many kids. We played a few games of Settlers of Catan at night when James was in bed. Unfortunately, I have yet to win that game. 
Here is the beginning of my proof of how beautiful it was. This is me and James right across the street from the cabin. The wildflowers were in full bloom. And the mountains were totally green. Apparently it had snowed the week before we arrived but it was beautiful weather the whole time for us.
More proof that it was beautiful. A picture with some of my one of my nephews. James didn't like wearing a hat even though I tried.
Even more proof. This is Brian while we were four wheeling on Saturday. We took the Gray's River Road all the way up to a beautiful lake. It was so fun! And when we got to the lake we...
met some people with kayaks who said we could take them for a spin on the lake. So we did. It was great fun! The water was beautiful and so was the weather. My sister and her husband and their two kids also were there with us. It was a great outing. 
My sister, Brittany, "Wu" as we call her, and her husband, Mike, arrived on Sunday. Here is a picture of her with James. He is just so darn happy all the time. Unfortunately, Brian could only stay for a couple of days because he had to fly to L.A. for some trainings. This is a picture of us right before he had to leave. Aren't we the cutest family? It kinda helps to have the cutest baby ever! (Just our unbiased opinion.)
On Monday, we went to the Tetons and to String Lake. If you have never been to the Tetons then you are totally missing out. They are beautiful and full of fun things to do. The lake was by far the highest we have ever seen it. Remember we usually come in August when all the major run off has ended. This is Wu with James at the lake. He liked dipping his feet in even though it was quite cold.
This is my parents and Wu and her husband, Mike, with James. Check out those mountains in the background. Could it be any prettier? Only if it were fall and the leaves were changing colors.
Here is me, my parents, Mike and James on the bridge over the stream that goes from String Lake to Jenny's Lake. Again, notice the beautiful mountains. It was such a nice day.
On Thursday, after we got home, my dad's dad, Edward Fila Sr. came down to visit from Great Falls, MT. It was great to see him. I wish it were easier to get up there but it is way expensive to fly there. Here he is with me, James and my dad. He will be 79 in September.And here he is with my dad and all my siblings from left, Karen, Wu, Pink (kneeling) and Boy. The picture with me turned out blurry so this is the next best thing.
But this one turned out. Here is me with James. He loves to suck these two fingers. It is how he lets me know when it is nap time or bedtime. Isn't it too cute?
The next day, Friday, Brian flew back to Utah and we went to stay for the rest of the time at his mom's house. This is James with his cousin, Zoe. They are both so happy!
This is James in Gramma Shelley's backyard. Utah was his first experience with grass. Texas has biting ants in the grass so I am way to scared to let him sit on it here. But Utah has such nice, green, soft grass. James was very fascinated by it.Here he couldn't decide what to make of the grass. He wasn't sure if he wanted to touch it or not.
Here he is with Gramma Shelley. By now he had decided that the grass was okay and he was going to give us a little smile.
On Monday, I went and played with my parents while Gramma Shelley worked and Brian took his Grandma Curtis to Wendover for some good old fashioned gambling fun. So, here is my dad, Edpa as he likes to be called by the grandkids, "teaching" James how to play the piano. James really liked pounding on the piano.
Another picture of James with Edpa.
James with his Gramma Sharon and his cousin Lexy. She didn't like James trying to touch her blankie. It was very vexing to her. I just love two year olds! Look at her clutching her blankie as tight as she can.
Here is James and Gramma Shelley having a lazy morning. It was great to lounge about! And check out that double chin. Oh, and yes, those are reindeer jammies but they were like $3 at and Osh Kosh sale so I got them anyway. I love the way the fit him like a sausage skin!
On Wednesday, July 2nd, we had a little family "reunion" with my Engstrom cousins at Mueller Park in Bountiful. It was a beautiful day! Here is me and my CIL, Jennalyn, from NJ. She is such a hottie!
And here is James and Brian looking so handsome together.
My mom and her younger sister, Jo. My mom is in the pink. Isn't she a babe? Not to mention she is the super smartest person I know.
Here I am with my siblings. I had a picture taken with my cousins as well but that one was blurry as well. You can check it out on my cousin Val's blog in the left column under Jon & Val. So here it goes left to right: Me (Beany) (29), Pink or Nettie (Jeanette) (28), Wu (Brittany) (21), Michelle (Karen) (31) and Boy (Jason) (26). And Pink's daughter Lexy. Aren't we an attractive lot? Now if I could just be as skinny as them all then I would really fit in. Notice we all have nicknames that we use regularly. We are a nickname family and yes, we really do call my brother "Boy". He is the only one after all.
One of the highlights of our trip were 3 visits to Cherry Hill water park in Fruit Heights. It was totally fun and after 4 pm it is half price. We went once with the Fila family and twice with the Gillespie family. It was lots of fun. James really likes the water and it tuckered him out nicely for bed. Here he is with his daddy smiley as ever.
And here he is after we got home. Isn't that cute? He hardly ever falls asleep in the car seat so this was quite an event. I just love the way his cheeks rest on his chest. Too cute!
Well, somehow I managed to get lots of James pictures with my family and lots of video with Brian's family so as soon as I figure out how to post that I will. I got some great video of the kids singing and dancing. All in all, it was a great trip! Filled with fun, family and friends. We miss everyone already.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Sneak Post
Well, this is just a sneak post to let you all know that we are back in Texas after 3 weeks and 2 days in Utah. I will post all about it later but I am not "allowed" to post till I have finished my "chores" that Brian has requested of me. He doesn't ask much but I need motivation sometimes. Basically I have to unpack my stuff and James' stuff and I have to go shopping for food (done) and I have to pick up Brian's laundry from the cleaners today after 5 pm but before 7 pm. Then when all that is done I can post about our trip to Utah. So maybe in a few days I will get around to unpacking (I hate it!) and then I will post. Or maybe I will get around to it today....
Watch Me As I Grow!
Me Too!!
Marriage Rocks!
Enjoy the music. Requests welcome.
