Lisa n Tom (n James n Joseph)

Lisa writes: James says, "Thank you, Aunt Christi and kids for my new outfit." It's a size 12 months and it fits perfectly on this 8 1/2 month old.

Lisa writes: Mom got everybody into the photo -- even some people who weren't actually there -- thanks to some tricky Photoshop. In the train: Lisa, Tom, and 7 week old baby James Kellen holding Esmeralda, Deb, Grandpa Roy holding Quetzalli, Grandma Rexene, Madison, Donny, Christian, Christi, Cameron, Evelyn with pink bow, Ava with scarf, Dave, Benjamin, Lori

Dear Friends of James, Eight months. The Good: Scooting, as of today. It's fun for him and, as soon as we get the baby gate, not too stressful for us. Bad: Teething. Oh my word. The non-sleeping. Incredible. The Ugly: Boog-tusks, as my brother in law calls them. We cleaned him up for the video, but he has a running nose and doesn't seem to mind the streaming mucus on his upper lip. (Tom pointed out it makes a convenient snack for the baby on-the-go.) Love, Lisa

Lisa writes: He loves looking out the window. We don't have a TV. Squirrels are his cable.

Lisa writes: James is teething, and it's awful. The runny nose and drooling aren't too bad. He's done that before. It's the no-sleep / all-screaming nights that are killer. Blessed Betsy, Tom's sister who is was visiting over the weekend, voluntarily ended up sleeping on the floor of James' room all night on Sunday after revoking our baby privileges at midnight after he had screamed for something like 4 1/2 hours straight. He woke up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

Lisa writes: Behold! Santa Duck!

Lisa writes: We found this sitting on the stage at church the morning after the Ward Christmas party. Santa has a sense of humor.  

Lisa writes: Met Santa. Unfazed.  

Lisa writes: We all went to my work Christmas party in Georgetown on Monday. We ate, bowled, and played bocce ball. James came dressed in his Santa-best and partied cheerfully waaaay past his bedtime. He especially liked loved the balloons. With Anna: With Michael:

Lisa writes; He hates being put into the car seat, but once he's in he's a very good little car buddy. He likes looking out the window and talking to himself as we drive along. His current game is to make a sound and have us repeat it back to him. He will happily keep this up for quite a long time. I'm guessing it's the baby precursor to counting cows and spotting state license plates. ("South Dakota, where ARE you?")

Lisa writes: I have a coworker, about 26 years old, who only just recently found out that reindeer are "real." She thought they were imaginary, like unicorns or the abominable snowman. I would laugh at her, but then I remember that I thought Canada was a state until I was in junior high school.  

Lisa writes: I'm still in Wisconsin. Tom and James are at ECHO, doing our regular Thursday night shift. Tom emailed me, "Here's what you missed." That's Diana, president of James' fan club at ECHO. We get clothing donations, including the occasional funny hat, and it's just too tempting when you have a big baby doll available not to dress him up.

Lisa writes: It was Tom's day to stay home with James. Costco selfies ensued.  

Lisa writes: We've been putting him into this thing for two months and, honestly, he never really cared. Played around with the toys a little bit, then screamed to be let out. But today -- TODAY -- boy, he figured it out.