James and Michele Wheeler

Are we Dutch? Or are we Danish?

2009-04-26T15:15:00.000-07:00

Thunderstorms aside, Michele and I took advantage of the only two hours on Saturday in which there was not torrential downpours. We ended up getting a little bit wet towards the end, but Kellyn remained dry and content as ever. Saturday was Dutch Day at the Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival which meant lots of food and merchandise vendors on hand ( not to mention world class accordion players and not a single one playing Grandpa Cook's favorite, Beer Barrel Polka). As soon as we entered the vendor area, a crazy Dutch woman came up to me and started blabbering to us in Dutch. I tried telling her that I don't speak Hollandese but she was convinced I was from the land of tulips, windmills, wooden shoes, and dikes ( I love stereotyping and no I am not using a vulgar word). Finally she asked where I hailed from and I told her I was a descendant of King Gorm of Denmark himself. She told me to prove it and I did the haka for her which she believed to be a viking war dance and everything was settled. As a side note, its amazing how similar Michele found Dutch hot chocolate to be to Starbucks hot chocolate.

Michele and Kellyn off the beaten path ( which was okay unlike some of the visitors who were doing tulip angels)

Lunch time- best part of the day

Michele and Kellyn going over the worlds largest man made waterfall ( largest because no one had tried to build a large one before)

Kellyn in front of worlds largest man made waterfall (Michele excused herself from walking down the hill because of high heels)

Dad and daughter planning out flowers for a future wedding which dad will never allow to take place

Looks oddly similar to the Russian palaces in St. Petersburg

Who says Utah is a desert? Maybe they meant dessert.

Ducks in a pond quack a happy song. I wonder what Canadian geese and goslings quack. These geese were actually from the Bow River in Canada and said that my dad needs to bike harder to get in shape for the Whistler trip.

Michele enjoying some fine views and some fine Dutch hot chocolate.

La Risa

2009-04-05T13:55:00.000-07:00

They say laughter is the best medicine. Since there are no direct head-to-head studies comparing laughter to Lipitor or Viagra, legally I can't say which is better or worse, but baby laughter sure does a parent good!
I love watching the puppy dance!

I'm bored of the puppy dancing. Show me the boobies!

Four generations. Michele's mom and grandma were kind enough to come to Utah while I was in NYC.

Our money train has come...

2009-02-22T11:47:00.000-08:00

Maybe it's just me, but I'm always looking for quick ways to earn a buck. What better way than to exploit your child in modeling. I think we might be able to sell the following photos for a buck to grandparents. I guess all we need is a few million kids and we'll be set for life.

The photos were done by our neighbor Emmie Coggins and her webpage is photographybyemmie.blogspot.com ( Kellyn currently has some photos featured on her blog). If you want some great photos your kid, give her a ring. And if anybody wants copies of Kellyn photos from this page , let me know, give me a buck ( or one share of Pfizer stock as its about the same value right now), and I'll hook you up ( We might even be having a sale with all photos $1 off).

Well worth a dollar.

Crying because daddy isn't there!

I always wanted my child to follow my footsteps and play football at BYU. Let's pray that it isn't Kellyn!

I think breast milk has the same effect on Kellyn as turkey does on me.

Viva Las Vegas....and Southern Utah

2009-01-30T09:46:00.000-08:00

One of the duties of my job is to travel to St. George once a month and check to make sure doctors are doing what they are supposed to be doing ( writing lots of prescriptions for Pfizer drugs). I don't mind as Pfizer allows me to take my family down with me and we can have a mini-vacation. I do have to mention that in the three years I have worked for Pfizer, this past week was the first time Michele actually accompanied me on such a voyage ( something about a career of her own in Salt Lake City). The concierge at the hotel was thus suprised to see my traveling party go from one to three in a matter of a couple of months ( I haven't been down to St. George in a couple of months due to Pfizer's awesome paternity leave policy which finally came to an end because Michele was sick of me hanging around the house even though I still contest I was doing nothing but helping). Fortunately I was able to see all of my doctors fairly quickly and we were able to take in some of the sights, sounds... and smells of southern Utah and Las Vegas.

Michele always wondered what I did for work so I thought I would show her. Now I think she is confused as ever.

To put an end to all speculation, babies still have bowel movements in national parks and require changing while on vacation.

Take your daughter to work day. I can't complain about my job.

Growing up, we would always moan when we would watch family slides ( affectionately known as Pictures on the Wall) as there would inevitably be dozens if not hundreds of "rock" pictures. I think my dad was on to something. Now I have something to bore Kellyn with in a few years.

Nothing like a family portrait in Las Vegas. ( taken by a friendly southern couple who were convinced we were on our honeymoon)

Michele in Italy...wait, thats just faux Italy at The Venetian

Chillin with my pal Nicholas Cage. Michele was weired out that he didn't move and kept staring straight ahead. I tried to tell her that he hasn't been in any good movies for a long time and was just trying to make a buck or two as a street performer in Vegas.

I could be in France or Vegas, but probably Vegas. We probably wouldn't have gotten the 18 comments on our stroller had we been in France.

But the sign does say that Michele is in Paris...

-James, why aren't we staying at the Bellagio? -Michele, I think it might raise some red flags on my corporate amex.

Thankfully, this was the extent of the lewdness we saw at Vegas. What is it with Italians and naked statues?

Ending things off on the right note by drinking our worries away.

Meet the Doctor: Round 2

2009-01-18T16:27:00.000-08:00

Approximately six weeks ago, the first person Kellyn saw was Dr. Bryan Watabe. In the hooplah of everything, we forgot to get a picture of baby Kellyn and the good doctor. Kellyn told us the other night she would like to have one for memories sake, so we did nothing but remedy that situation. You can see how excited she was to meet him for the second time.

Kellyn also attended the full block of church meetings for the first time today. Three hours is a long time for anybody, but even more so for a baby. But in addition to being the cutest baby in attendance, she was also the most well-behaved. I always get dirty looks when I fall asleep, but Kellyn got nothing but praises as she dozed through most of it, only letting off an occasional grunt to pass some turbulent air ( another thing I am sure I would get dirty looks for doing at church).

I remember you...

Kellyn dressed up for church

Photo of Kellyn and Grandma Lattimer belonging to an older post

Meet the Grandparents

2009-01-08T10:48:00.000-08:00

We figured we would go ahead and jumpstart the inevitable rite of passage for any baby and have both sets of grandparents come to Utah to meet the newest addition to our family. Kellyn seemed oblivious as she does to anyone that can't offer her milk. She only acknowledges me as I get to feed her a bottle every now and then. Lots of good times were had by both sides of the family and Kellyn says she might like to meet them again even if they can't provide sustenence.

.Who has more hair? ( Grandpa Wheeler)

Come on Mike, lets have another! ( Grandma Wheeler)

The Ohio roots ( Grandma and Grandpa Lattimer)

Grandpa in training( 30 years from now!)

Happy Parents!

Wheeler Grandkids

Kitters playing with her favorite Christmas present!

Maybe if I dress like a bear they won't eat me!

Training Kellyn for Sunday afternoons.

Where we going dad?

No Paternity Test Needed

2008-12-10T23:17:00.000-08:00

The following photos (thanks Grandma W) should put to rest any doubts that I couldn't be the father. Not that there were doubts to begin with. Thankfully she has some of Michele's beautiful features as well. As I sit here at midnight watching Michele feed baby Kellyn, I couldn't be happier!

Baby James 26 years ago

Kellyn 26 hours ago (notice any similarities?)

Michele assures me that it is completely natural for babies not to be able to crawl at 5 days

I guess we could have a future in baby modeling

Either she is really small or I am really big ( maybe its both)

Bed, Bath, and Beyond

2008-12-09T09:06:00.000-08:00

We are now into our third day home with Kellyn. I've already changed more diapers than I have in my entire life. I guess the first diaper I changed was more than I changed in my entire life. Michele is turning into an awesome mom! I always knew she had it in her. We've gone through bed time, bath time, and even took her to the hospital to get her Bilirubin levels checked again. They say getting rechecked is fairly common, happening in about 50% of newborns. I haven't even had to cook anything for Michele as friends from church have brought meals to us. To sum it all up, I would have to say that life is beautiful!

Now I look so pretty!

Good old fashioned sponge bath.

This photo reminds me of someone else in our house who doesn't like baths.

Speak of the devil! I think she smells a dirty diaper.

Yay! No more baths for three days!

Home Alone

2008-12-07T18:12:00.000-08:00

There's nothing like the feeling of driving home from the hospital and realizing, "We are on our own!" There are no nurses or doctors at home to hand the baby over to if something happens. We are home alone. So far, Kellyn and mom are doing great and Kitters is adjusting well. We even decided on a middle name. Her full name is Kellyn Ailise Wheeler. And as promised, here are some more photos.

Daddy! Be my chauffeur! Home please!

Less posing, more boobie mommy!

Do I really get to go home?

Who would of thought? ( excuse my disheveled appearance)

Stop kissing me!

Kellyn's Big Day

2008-12-06T08:55:00.001-08:00

To the relief of Michele and her doctor ( and me as well), Michele had an amazing birth. The doctors were impressed with how quickly and calmly Michele had baby Kellyn. It was over in about 7 hours which is about half the normal time for first time moms. Mom and baby are doing great and dad was able to change his first diaper ever! Hopefully all of her bowel movements are not like the meconium! Kellyn was born at 6:01 PM on December 5, 2008. She was 7 lbs 3 oz and 19 inches long. I'm just glad she wasn't as big as I was when I was born( for Michele's sake). Here are some photos and more are sure to come! Gotta love the hair!

Doing what babies do best!

Where am I? This doesn't look like the womb.

Two gorgeous girls!!

So sleepy!

I'm a Christmas present! Give me some milk!

Beware of Cat

2008-11-15T09:28:00.000-08:00

Hopefully they teach a baby boxing class at the hospital for newborns. She is going to need a mean left hook because I don't think Kitters is leaving the stroller without a fight!

You want some of me?

That other American state...maybe

2008-11-14T07:44:00.000-08:00

In two weeks, our lives will be changed drastically and from the whisperings I hear, it will be for the better. Everything is ready and all the showers done, and now we play the waiting game. If it were up to me I would pop some Pitocin into Michele's drink and be on our merry way. My company even makes the stuff. But then again, I may be a little biased towards pharmaceutical intervention. Until the big day, and to tide over impatient blog watchers, I have decided to start a series of blogs that will commemorate our time together as DINKs (Dual income no kids). Sit back and enjoy your journey through the best two and one-half years of my life thus far.

First up on our trip through memory land is our journey to that crazy American territory known as Puerto Rico. Our guides swore that 90% of the territory is bilingual in Spanish and English. We found that to hold true, but it could be that we weren't traveling too far from the resorts to get a true feeling of the language skills of the natives.

Our ride- flying in a gulfstream meant that an all day trip to the island was accomplished in a mere 4.5 hours. Best part is we didn't have to check our luggage or wait in lines.

Beats a bag of peanuts-I don't think I can ever fly commericial again. ( Don't think we are super loaded as the only reason we flew like celebrities was because Pfizer's CEO was kind enough to lend us his corporate jet)

El Yunque rainforest

The only rainforest in the US National Forest system

The swim up cantina at the hotel where Michele drank all the diet cokes she could handle

I held true to my word and stayed out of the casino and chilled in the lobby of the hotel instead.

Was Puerto Rico cool? Yes. Would I choose Puerto Rico or Hawaii? Aloha!

The only thing I am confused about is if Puerto Rico is American, why were there public cock fights going on in front of the hotel?

Busy in the Buckeye State

2008-11-13T08:50:00.000-08:00

After counseling with our doctors and hours researching the rules of flying when pregnant, we deemed it prudent to make a trip to Michele's hometown of Cleveland ( our doctors looked at us funny as if to ask, "Why would that be a concern?" and Michele actually grew up just outside Cleveland in Tallmadge). True to Bud Lattimer's character (now I know where Michele gets it from), most of the trip was planned to a tee. We were kept on a busy schedule going to football and baseball games as well as to high school reunions. I hope my high school has lost track of me. But the culminating and climatic event of the trip was not the train ride through a national park, but the baby shower thrown by Michele's mom. Here are some highlights of the trip in September.

Michele embarrassed opening up gifts ( something about generosity makes her blush)

Beautiful nursery themed cake

Michele's grandmas + new baby girl = 4 generations

My question is why babies need so much stuff?

All aboard the Cuyahoga Express- one of the only trains that goes through a national park

Summer of Kitters

2008-11-10T14:02:00.000-08:00

After a long summer ( and fall for that matter) break, we have decided to be more vigilant in updating our blog so that the whole world may know our comings and goings, as well as our doings and not doings. Michele is more than ready to have the baby as she has been the recipient of three baby showers ( not to mention she is about 8 1/2 months prego). We have some very generous and loving friends, family, and coworkers who have no greater joy than to embarrass Michele with their altruistic nature. I don't want to leave anybody out in our expression of thanks and gratitude, but I have only included pictures from the latest baby shower thrown by Michele's company. ( I hope our family and neighbors are not offended because we truly enjoyed their showers as well.)

Cold beverages...check!

Cake made by famous pastry chef...check!

World famous chef and staff...check!

Baby loot...Check!

Pulling off the suprise...priceless!

I just want to make it clear that my only job with this crazy party was to make sure Michele didn't make it to the office until 12:00 PM.

New Addition to the Triumvirate

2008-06-06T16:15:00.000-07:00

Yes I know triumvirate means "of three men", but I am already outnumbered 2 to 1 so I do what I can. I figure this is a great way to start our blog. We will have a little bundle of joy ( it actually might be quite large, although I hope not for Michele's sake) coming on December 1.