My new trick...Smiling

WATCH OUT LADIES.....Jamis Griner is out to make you melt.
Jamis has been working really hard and has perfected the smile (though mom has yet to truly capture the whole effect with the camera). It is so fun watching him discover new things and skills. Memories of sleepless nights, smelly diapers, and throw up on the clean shirt I just put on, melt away with one of those smiles. Now I just need to teach him to only use his powers for good!

SNOW at the BEACH !?!?!?!?!!!

For the past few days now the weather man said it was going to snow. Now we all know that the weather man is wrong more times than he is right, but Wilmington wasn't taking any chances and canceled school with the impending snow threat. I have yet to break out my winter coat this year, so I had serious doubts. Well.....I was wrong (I know it is hard to believe I could actually be wrong, but there is a first for everything). At around 10 am I noticed some white stuff falling from the sky. Now I have lived in snow country nearly my whole life, but the first snow fall never looses its magic. Devan was lucky enough to be post call, so we were able to spend the day as a family running, playing, and having snowball fights with the neighbor kids. We got a full inch and it actually last nearly 2 days before melting into a memory.

Shopping Spree at Lori's House

Jamis and I went to my friend Lori's house today thinking we were going to pick up a few hand me downs from her son, Euen. Well, it turned out to be WAY more than that. Lori, who has excellent taste in fashion, was so sweet to pass on all of the clothes her son had out grown (some still with price tags on them). Jamis doesn't have to worry about clothes now until he is nearly 3 years old!!! He is going to be one styling kid. Thank you so much Lori!!!

Baby Shower

Jamis is one lucky little boy. Lots of moms have baby showers, but not all babies are lucky enough to attend the party given in their honor. Jamis missed his first baby shower, but this past Thursday he was the guest of honor. My good friend Jennifer hosted the shindig and it was wonderful. Thanks Jennifer! Lots of tasty treats, tons of friends, and hours of loving on Jamis. We are so very blessed to have so many wonderful friends.

Since Jamis was born (and even before that) he has received so many sweet gifts. Thank you so much to everyone for all their thoughtful presents and for helping us welcome in our first son.

As a first child, Jamis has to put up with my endless picture taking. He is getting used to our daily photo shoot as I remind him how much he will treasure these pictures when he is older (or at least his wife and I will). Here is some of my recent favorites.

My first toy.

Trying to find Jamis something that would fit him besides PJs, I came across the perfect solution...the Build-A-Bear work shop. We had our choice of any character we wanted and the best part was, they all fit him. His favorite is the Motorcycle Dude, just like Daddy.

Father/Son bonding time is spent in the office learning about Gallbladders and what not.

Since Jamis has studied so hard and accelerate so quickly, he was allowed to go with Devan on "Bring your son to Work" Day at the hospital. Jamis was so excited to finally be just like Daddy, until.....

He realized there was actual "work" involved.

Blue Steel

The first thing Devan ever bought Jamis.

WOW! I'm 6 weeks old.

It's amazing how fast time flies. Jamis is already 6 weeks old and growing like crazy. Already 10 lbs, he is starting to get the cutest little fat rolls now. I love how fat rolls, farting, burping, puking, and pooping your pants is so cute when your a baby and not so much when your older. Wouldn't it be nice if baby habits were always considered so cute (at least the fat roll part). I really wish I could freeze time and keep him like this forever. I say that, but I'm also so excited for him to start playing more and of course sleep through the night. I'm learning to savor every moment though and just enjoy every part of the journey.

Grandma Trotter comes for a Visit

We were lucky and Grandma Trotter (I love saying that) was able to come and help out with Jamis. The pictures say it all.....

Jamis is the first grandson for my parents, the first great grandson on the Trotter side, the tenth great grandchild on the Ball side (my mothers side), and the fourth grandchild on the Griner side. My sister Rachael has a 15 month old little girl, Kaylyn. We named him Jamis Calvin after Devan's Great grandfather, Richard Calvin Watkins. Grandpa Watkins is one of Devan's hero's and someone we hope Jamis will aspire to be like. We were sad to see Grandma leave, but are so excited for her return in the summer.

Christmas 2008

Christmas was so much fun this year. Devan was on call Christmas Day so we celebrated on Christmas Eve. We had several friends over for dinner and the annual viewing of "Elf" (if you've been living under a rock and have not seen the movie yet, I highly suggest you do). Later that night we opened presents. Devan finally got his prized Racquetball racket and I scored with a wheat grinder and frame for a picture I bought while in Thailand (I'll tell you all about that in a minute).
Christmas Day Jamis dressed up in his Santa suit and we went and visited Daddy and coworkers at the hospital. I'd be lying if I didn't admit to loving showing him off. He gets cuter everyday. Jamis and I then were able to spend Christmas evening with some great friends. The holiday is so much for fun when you have a child to spend it with.

The Wonders of 2008

The Wonders of 2008
2008 was a year to remember. Devan and I started the year off with a 15 year old "daughter" and ended it with a 1 month old son, with many adventures in between. Here's the recap.

Devan's little sister, Danza, moved in with us Thanksgiving Day 2007. She was with us for 3 months before moving back home to Utah. Living with a teenager is definitely a challenge and something we learned a lot from.

In May Devan and I returned to the Home Land for a little R&R. It was so great to visit all our favorite places and visit with friends and family as we made a week long trip around the state of Utah. It was our first time back since moving to North Carolina and it just made the homesickness worse. Hate to admit it, but I really miss Utah. You never know what you have until it is gone. We were able to bike in Moab, camp out in the place were we got engaged (and had our first kiss), hike the Subway in Zion National Park, rock climb in St. George, drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon, and eat at Cafe Rio. It was hard to leave.



In June the fun really begun. Through a wonderful series of events we came into contact with Chrissy and our lives were forever changed. Devan and I have been struggling to start our family for three years and had been working with LDS Family Services for awhile with the hopes to adopt. Chrissy had just started working with the agency as well and picked us to be the parents to her baby boy. Baby G was due on Dec 12, making it the longest 7 months of my life. Luckily she was able to come out to NC for several visits prior to Baby G's birth and we had a wonderful time getting to know each other.

On Wednesday November 26 at 1:47 am Jamis Calvin made his grand entrance into the world, 3 weeks early. 6 lbs 3 oz 20.5 inches long and the cutest thing I've ever seen. Both Devan and I were able to be in the delivery room for the party. Words cannot describe how amazing it is to see your child born. Chrissy is the strongest woman I know and was able to go through the entire delivery med free. She recovered remarkably well and amazed all the Doctors and Nurses and was the envy of all the other mothers. Jamis spent 2 days in the Newborn ICU for antibiotics and observation and was D/C home with Chrissy on Friday. Saturday he came home with us.

Adoption is the most amazing process in the world. Devan and I, as well as our families, will eternally be grateful to Jamis's birthparents and the sacrifice they made to bring this special spirit into our home and hearts. I know every parent loves their children, but I honestly think that Jamis is the most loved child in the world (OK maybe I'm a little bias). Parenthood has already be such an adventure and the most amazing thing Devan and I have ever done. It is everything I hoped it to be and more.













Jamis is such an amazing kid. It literally took him about three weeks to realize he had the ability to cry. He sleeps well, eats even better, and has only peed on me once. He has remarkably long, skinny fingers, huge feet, and the biggest mouth ever. He only gets upset when he gets the hiccups, which unfortunately for him is several times a day. He is a month old now and has already gained over 2 lbs (I told you he is a good eater). He is the light of our life and definitely the center of our universe.

To back up a little.....

Devan and I went on a romantic 7 night Cruise to the Caribbean. We had stops in Cozumel, Belize, Honduras, and the Bahamas. It was amazing to get away together, to not have to cook, clean, study, answer the phone, or do anything that didn't involve scuba diving, eating, jeeping, snorkeling, and laying on the beach.

Two days after returning I headed out for Thailand for my 5th Operation Smile mission. I was there for nearly 3 weeks and totally fell in love with the country. Beautiful mountains, beaches, food, and people. I assisted 108 children in getting new smiles, rode an elephant, took a Thai cooking class, snorkeled, fed wild monkeys, visited several Buddist temples, and of course shopped at the countless markets. Thailand definitly has not seen the last of me.

Devan, being the amazing husband that he is, held down the fort at home while I traveled the world. He is now in his third year of General Surgery Residency and continues to love his chosen profession. Nine days after returning home Baby Jamis came into the world.