THE THOMASMA'S

Happy 4th Birthday Ella!

2009-03-02T22:00:00.029-05:00

Ella turned 4 on Friday, can you believe it?! Unfortunately the Farm Bureau Marketing Convention fell on her birthday this year, so we weren't home to celebrate with her. I felt guilty, but Teresa threw her a wonderful birthday party complete with yellow cupcakes and yellow frosting! When we got back from Traverse City we saw Disney on Ice with Ella's best friends - Maddy, Keegan, Mason and Kennedy - and then went bowling. Everyone had a great time!

The Cinderella Barbie birthday cake

Blowing out the candle

The kids bowling

Mason, Keegan, Ella, Maddy, Vaneesha (Mason's cousin), and Kennedy

Ella bowling

Catching Up

2009-03-02T21:53:00.024-05:00

Time has gotten away from me and I cannot believe that we are already two months into 2009! I'm going to try and do a better job keeping this blog updated with stories and pictures. For now, here are some pictures of us enjoying the holidays. I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday season and are enjoying the new year (think spring)!

Thanksgiving - we liked this picture so much it became our Christmas card.

The girls at Frederik Meijer Gardens.

Ella sitting on Santa's lap at the daycare Christmas party.

Claire didn't really like Santa this year (sorry Carl).

Ella and our gingerbread house.

Ella opening her Cinderella castle from Santa Clause.

Claire opening gifts with Grandpa.

Ella sledding with Grandpa.

Iceman 2008

2008-11-09T23:02:00.003-05:00

The guys lucked out....the weather wasn't nearly as bad as we thought it was going to be on race day. Both Mike V and Mike T finished strong this year, 2:11 and 2:13 respectively, coming in 27th and 32nd out of the 83 riders in their class. Congratulations guys!!!

Looking good at the half-way point.

Going across the finish line.

Trick or Treat

2008-11-05T23:15:00.004-05:00

I forgot my camera on Halloween, so I put the girls back in their costumes Monday evening and we went out on the deck for a photo shoot. It's almost impossible to get both girls to look at the camera at the same time, but after about a dozen tries we finally got one!

Our Little Flower Girl

2008-10-26T15:18:00.012-04:00

After over a year of waiting, the big day finally arrived. Ella was soooo excited to be a flower girl. She had her hair and nails done and wore a yellow dress (her favorite color)....she looked just like a little princess. The ceremony and reception were absolutely beautiful - congratulations Holly and Ken!

Ella walking down the aisle

Ella with the bride and groom

Ella and Holly

Ella on her first limo ride

Ella danced....

and danced....

and danced (at least until 11:00).

A Day at the Farm

2008-10-19T22:23:00.006-04:00

We took the girls to a local farm today for a hayride, pumpkins, apples and fresh doughnuts. Ella loved the cow train, slide and corn sandbox. Claire just wanted to eat the corn and hay.

Ella on the cow train

Ella on the slide

Claire in the wagon

Claire in the hay

Hayride

Refusing to Sleep

2008-10-06T07:45:00.003-04:00

Ella did not want to go to bed last night - no nap and overly tired. After almost a half hour, Mike finally got her to settle down....so we thought. At 10:45 I was headed to the bathroom to brush my teeth and this is what I found:

First Steps

2008-09-14T23:10:00.004-04:00

Claire finally seems interested in walking and began taking her first steps this weekend. She wouldn't even walk with a push walker until two weeks ago, now she is excited to let go of the couch and dive into mommy's waiting arms! It won't be long and she'll be chasing her sister all over the house.

Ella's 1st Dance Class

2008-09-10T10:31:00.007-04:00

So these aren't the best pictures (I forgot my camera and had to take them with my cell phone), but Ella had her first dance class last night and absolutely loved it!

I was so proud of the way she listened to her teachers and waited patiently for her turn.

Here she is doing the crab walk - could use some practice.

1 Year Check-Up

2008-09-08T22:52:00.007-04:00

Does this look like a little girl who just had 4 shots?

Claire went to the doctor today for her 1 year check-up. She didn't gain any weight in the last 3 months, but grew 1 inch - she is now 20 lbs 6 oz (35 th percentile) and 28 1/2 inches (25th percentile) - we knew she would slow down eventually. She was so traumatized by her immunizations and long morning without a nap, that she slept 4 hours this afternoon! As you can see above, everything was back to normal by evening.

Happy 1st Birthday Claire Bear!!!

2008-09-03T22:36:00.005-04:00

I cannot believe that it has already been a whole year since Claire joined our family. Here are a few pictures of her first birthday party at the cottage on Saturday, August 30:

Mom, get this hat off of me

Less than thrilled

Mmmm, cake

The loot (we'll have to add on to our house to store all these toys)

Labor Day Weekend

2008-09-01T22:57:00.008-04:00

Besides celebrating Claire's first birthday, this is how we spent our weekend:

Chillin' Out

Claire's new favorite funny face

Ella trying to copy Claire

Bathing Beauty

Claire's 1st Bike Ride

2008-08-18T23:12:00.002-04:00

It only took us all summer, but we finally took Claire on a bike ride in the trailer. I think Ella enjoyed it more than Claire. I was just glad Mike was pulling the trailer....

Busy Summer Days

2008-07-23T22:46:00.008-04:00

I hope everyone is having a great summer. We have been very busy, but having a lot of fun. On the weekends we don't have plans, we've been enjoying my parents cottage.

The girls at the cottage

Ella loves the water and is learning to swim (with swimmies or a life jacket). She can recognize almost every letter in the alphabet and spell her name. She still wants to be a princess and can't wait to be a flower girl in October.

Ella in the lake

Claire is all over the place and getting into everything. She is pulling herself up and starting to walk along the furniture. She has learned to wave and say "Bye-Bye". She has replaced the fishy face with a surprise face, which is just as funny. She also seems to love the water.

Claire on the slide

Gerber Baby?

2008-06-25T11:57:00.003-04:00

My mom keeps saying Claire looks like the Gerber Baby. I didn't really see it until I took this picture (this is also her 1st hairdo).

Big Girl

2008-06-19T10:32:00.003-04:00

Claire is now mobile! She has a very interesting way of crawling - frog kicks as she pulls herself forward with her arms - but definitely gets around. She can also push herself back into a sitting position and pull up to her knees. The gate has gone back up and the shoes will need to be put back in the closet (they're her favorite thing to chew on). She went to the doctor on Tuesday for her 9 month check up - she weighed 20.6 pounds and was 27 1/2 inches long (about the same size as Ella at 18 months). She also has two teeth on the bottom.

Ella went to the dentist yesterday for the first time and had no cavities! She still doesn't have all her teeth - waiting for one more molar - but the ones she has look great!

9 Months

2008-06-06T10:33:00.003-04:00

Can you believe we're already 1 week into June? Where did the last couple months go? It seems summer has arrived - it's supposed to be 90 degrees today!

Claire turned 9 months old this week. We think she weighs about 20 lbs (we'll know for sure in a couple weeks) and she has one tooth on the bottom. She still isn't crawling, but has found other ways to get around - rolling, scooting and lunging. She does now pick her stomach off the floor, so I'm sure it won't be long. Here are some pictures of what we've been up to the last couple weeks:

Claire in the swing at Frog Hollow.

Ella pushing Claire in the swing.

Claire sitting in Grandma Sue's chair like a big girl.

Mike and Ella feeding the Budgies at John Ball Zoo.

Memorial Day 2008

2008-05-27T08:52:00.007-04:00

I hope everyone enjoyed the "unofficial" beginning of summer - we sure did! Too bad it was back to jackets and long pants today....

We spent two very relaxing days at Cobb Lake this weekend. Here are a couple pictures of our bathing beauties.

Claire with grandma on the pontoon boat.

We couldn't keep Ella out of the water regardless of how cold it was.

Ella fishing with grandpa and her new princess fishing pole.

8 Months

2008-05-04T21:36:00.010-04:00

Claire was 8 months old on Saturday....time goes by so quickly when they are little! She is now in a big girl car seat (facing backwards, of course) - I couldn't lug her around in the infant carrier any longer.

She is starting to stand for longer periods of time by herself, and is getting closer to being able to crawl (just needs to figure out how to be on her hands and knees at the same time).

Our weeekend fun....

One of Claire's favorite things to do is make fishy faces, so Ella decided she needed to do it too. Hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful spring weather - Happy May!

We Survived Disney!

2008-04-27T08:02:00.033-04:00

However, haven't fared so well since returning home. Claire, Ella and Mike all came down with the flu this week (the reason why it has taken me so long to post this blog entry). So much for spring sunshine and fresh air!

Here's the boat

We had a great time on our first family vacation aboard the Disney Wonder, despite a few temper tantrums and tears. The food was fabulous and the shows were spectacular. The weather wasn't the best while we were on the cruise - temperatures in the 60's and very windy - so we were unable to dock at Castaway Cay (Disney's private island) on Tuesday. We did stop at Nassau on Monday and went to the Atlantis Resort and Acquarium.

Ella at the acquarium

Ella and Alivia with a huge fish

Since we had two days at sea there was lots of time to visit with the characters (Ella was in heaven when she met Cinderella)...

Ella and Micky

Ella and Minnie

Ella, Belle, and baby Cinderella

Ella, Cinderella and baby Cinderella

All of us with Pluto

....and play in the pool.

Mike and Ella in Micky's pool - freezing

On Thursday we arrived back at Port Canaveral and checked into the Carribean Beach Resort at Disney World. The weather was much better, so we spent the afternoon at the beach area and pool. Thursday night we ate dinner and hung out at Downtown Disney.

Ella at the beach in Barbados

Ella on the train at Downtown Disney

On Friday it was off to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot (because MK closed at 7:00 for a Senior Grad Night Party and we wanted to see the fireworks). We rode every ride that Ella was tall enough for, including her very first roller coaster - the Barnstormer in Mickey's Toontown - she loved it!

All of us in front of Cinderella's Castle

Ella in Bruce's (Finding Nemo) mouth

Saturday was bitter-sweet, we weren't ready to leave the warm weather and sunshine (luckily there was more of that back home), but couldn't wait to see Claire Bear (who had a wonderful time bonding time with her grandparents).

Our next vacation, if there is one, will be adults only!

Spring is (Finally) Here!

2008-04-07T10:31:00.014-04:00

The girl's and I spent Sunday afternoon playing on the swingset in the backyard - Claire loved the swing and Ella just loved being able to play outside again.

Claire was 7 months old last Thursday. She loves to eat and is clapping, blowing razberries and making kissing sounds. She is rolling both ways and I don't think it will be long before she is crawling and pulling herself up to stand.

Ella continues to try our patience on a regular basis - a note to all the new parents out there: you thought the "terrible two's" were bad, just wait until they turn three! We've been asking her what she wants to be when she grows up - Mike wants her to be a professional golfer and I was thinking a doctor - she says she is going to be a princess.

We leave for Florida next weekend! We will be on the Disney Wonder cruise ship Sunday through Thursday, at the Magic Kingdom on Friday, and then back home on Saturday. It's been a long time since we've been on a vacation, so we're really looking forward to it. This will be Ella's first "real" vacation and plane ride. It will also be the longest we've been away from Claire. Stay tuned - the next blog entry will be all about our trip!

Sisters

2008-03-12T09:32:00.014-04:00

On Tuesday we visited the doctors office (seems like the billionth time this winter) for Ella's 3 year and Claire's 6 month check-up. Both girls are healthy and developing on schedule. Ella weighed 29 pounds and was 35 inches tall, still between the 5th and 10th percentile for both weight and height (hence her nickname - Peanut). Claire weighed 16 pounds, 12 ounces and was 26 1/2 inches long, which is the 75th percentile for both weight and length - she continues to be much bigger than her sister and is now wearing 9 month clothes.

Other news: Claire started sitting this past weekend and is very proud of herself. It happened quite suddenly, one day she couldn't and the next she was a pro. She has also started eating solid food and loves sweet potatoes, squash and bananas.

Ella started a pre-school tumbling class at Alpine Gymnastics with Keegan last week called Tumble Bees. She really enjoys it, but isn't as physically adept as the other kids - I'm sure she will improve by the end of the 8 weeks. We are also hoping (praying) it will help with her listening skills and direction following. She looks so darn cute in her leotard!

JJ Ranch

2008-03-03T11:58:00.014-05:00

We went to JJ Ranch this weekend to celebrate Ella's 3rd Birthday. Saturday afternoon was spent at the Gold Rush Indoor Water Park. Then everyone, 13 in all, headed back to the Thomasma Suite after dinner. The kids had a ball running around screaming - we're lucky we didn't get kicked out! Some of us couldn't get enough of the water, so we headed back for more after breakfast Sunday morning. Unfortunately, we didn't get any pictures inside the water park (water and a digital camera don't mix). It was a great time - thank you to everyone who was able to enjoy this special weekend with us!

The 3 Musketeers (Mason, Maddy & Ella) - don't let them fool you...they're not going to sleep!

Ella blowing out the candles on her Cinderella Birthday cake (this one is a lot prettier than mine).

3 Years Ago...

2008-02-27T10:58:00.012-05:00

...today, at 7:42 p.m., Ella Catherine Thomasma was born. She was a surprise, not due to arrive until St. Patrick's Day, and has been surprising us ever since.

We celebrated with family on Sunday (this is my pathetic attempt at making a birthday cake).

Surprise Visitor

2008-02-19T11:21:00.010-05:00

Uncle Kyle surprised us with a visit from Chicago this weekend. He didn't have to work on Monday (the benefits of being employed at a bank), so he rode the train home Friday.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-14T19:29:00.008-05:00

With Love,

Ella Bella & Claire Bear

5 Months

2008-02-06T10:28:00.002-05:00

Claire was 5 months old on Sunday - she's getting so big!

Let's Roll...

2008-01-29T10:00:00.001-05:00

Claire Bear rolled over for the first time last night! She rolled from back to front two times while I was putting on her pajamas before bed. Now the real fun begins - no more leaving her unattended on the couch, kitchen counter or changing table!

Congratulations Mike!

2008-01-28T11:02:00.000-05:00

At his work awards dinner on Saturday night, Mike received the "Fab 5" award in 10 categories, was named Rookie of the Year, and All American (which means we will be going on a Disney Cruise in April). I guess all those long hours in the office paid off - he'll have to keep up the good work so we can go to Hawaii next year.

Congratulations also to baby Claire - she has been sleeping in her crib for a week now (most of the time through the night)!

And let's not forget Ella, who has been wearing underpants since New Year's Eve with only two accidents!

HOORAY!!!

2008-01-16T14:08:00.000-05:00

Claire finally slept through the night! She fell asleep about 8:45 p.m., I changed and fed her at 10:45 p.m., and she slept in her bed (well, the pack 'n play in our room - her crib is the next step) until just after 6:00 a.m. This is a big feat considering a typical night consists of me putting her pacifier in her mouth several times starting around 4:00 a.m., and eventually giving up and bringing her to bed with me (something I swore I would never do - until sleep deprivation kicked in). You go girl - keep up the good work!

Winter Blues

2008-01-15T10:34:00.000-05:00

Germs, germs and more germs. I usually love winter (everyone thinks I'm crazy), but this year I cannot wait until spring. At least one person has been sick in our house since October, and we're really looking forward to the end of cold and flu season! Claire was hospitalized with a fever at 7 weeks old (the weekend before halloween) and it seems like she's been sick ever since. Ella is just getting over pink eye and an ear infection, and I am finally feeling better after battling a stomach virus and a cold. Even Mike has been unable to escape the stuffy nose and coughing. Will it ever end?

Mike and Ella did get outside on Saturday for some much needed fresh air and built snowmen in the backyard - aren't they cute?!

4 Months

2008-01-08T13:06:00.001-05:00

Clarie went to the doctor today for her 4 month check-up. She weighed in at 13 lbs 13 oz and was 23 1/2 inches long, which is about the 10th percentile for height and 50th percentile for weight. She is a lot bigger than her sister was at this age (in fact she is wearing clothes and shoes Ella wore at 7, 8 and 9 months)! Everything was perfect and she loved smiling at everyone in the office, until they gave her 4 shots....

Ella had a rough night last night....against my better judgement, Mike converted her crib to a toddler bed over the weekend. She was doing great until she fell out, crying so hard she threw up. This morning we found her laying on the floor in front of her bed - still not sure whether she fell, or layed down on the pillow and blanket Mike had put there "just in case"....