Jayden's New Bedding and Picture

Since Jayden and his little sister will be sharing a room we decided to go ahead and buy matching crib sets. Hers will be pink and brown but it's the same pattern as his new one. I painted a canvas to go along with his bedding and it is hanging above his crib. We bought their bedding online for only $60 each! You know I love a great deal. Just thought I would share some pictures of the new and improve nursery....more to come once I finished hers.

Oh, and can you see how big the sandy brown afro is getting? I love it!

Thanks for the Bubble Bath Olivia!

Jayden took his first bubble bath tonight. He really loved it. This was one of his birthday gifts from his little girlfriend Olivia Brazier.

Tan Lines Already?

Our friend April took Jayden for a walk the other day and after I changed his diaper I immediately noticed that he has a major tan line on his legs. You can see it in both pictures. It is really crazy that it happened that fast. The bubble bath picture shows all of his little farmers tan. I guess I'm going to have to let him run around outside naked to even it out a little.

Growing a baby

I'm 21 weeks pregnant now...time is flying by. I haven't found a new doctor yet but I will attempt to do that next week sometime.

We are pretty sure her name is going to "Journey" but we are having trouble coming up with a middle name. We have thought about using my middle name which is Elizabeth or using Elise, which is another version of Elizabeth. I also found another middle name I kind of like, "Reese" which means journey in Afrikaans. We would welcome any middle name suggestions as well.

This baby is way less active than Jayden was in the womb...hope that will continue because I don't know what I would do with two busy babies! We will try to keep taking pictures to document her/my growth.

Journey-a passage or pilgrimage through life

One Year Checkup

We took Jayden to his one year appointment before we left Mobile. He weighed 23 lbs and 9 oz and was 30 inches long! We have a big boy on our hands. He is sleeping well and eating better than ever. He is repeating words on occasion (such as "a lot, backpack, jayden.") His most frequently used words are dada, mama, bye bye, thank you, no no and ball. He loves to climb on or into anything and he continues to be a daddy's boy. He has adjusted to our new house in Orlando and seems to like it pretty well. Although he definitely misses his gram, pop, gg and tt in Alabama!

Empty Spaces...

The cabinets are empty and Jayden took no time to find out and enjoy the empty cabinets, boxes and any other small space he could fit his body into. I think he knows something is just not right at home. I know he will adjust to our new home but it is pretty sad to think about the big move. We are very excited about everything that is to come....we just wish we could pack a few people up to take with us in the Uhaul.

Our Birthday Boy

Jayden celebrated his first birthday yesterday. He was so sweet when he woke up and heard us singing happy birthday to him. It was so crazy to recall the events of the previous year...the labor, delivery and beginning of parenthood reality. We are just so thankful that God has given us this precious gift. If you know him well, you know he is one of a kind. He's so funny and independent. He is so much a daddy's boy. Of course, he loves him mama too. He was almost 30 inches at his 1 year appointment (50th percentile) and was a whopping 23 lbs 9 oz (which is somewhere between 50th and 75th). We had his birthday party at the park last weekend and he played for two hours straight. He wanted nothing to do with eating the party food or the birthday cake...it was all play. His little cheeks were bright red and he loved every minute of it. Thanks to all who came, we hope to get the thank you notes out before he turns 2! Ha ha. Here are some pictures from the big day.

Boxes...oh the Boxes

Well it is that time...we are now living out of suitcases and overnight bags. Clothes are packed in boxes, toys in boxes, practically everything we own...in boxes. I'm not an emotional guy but it is starting to sink in now that we are moving. Can't wait to settle down and UNPACK already. I get on edge when stuff is not in its place...just call me Oscar le Grouch. The spirit of sadness has hit my heart while at the same time I am overjoyed by the upcoming adventure. In case you didn't notice it is Demetrius and I'll be on here posting updates here and there...get ready cause you will all receive free counseling sessions via my posts:0

Picture Update

This is a picture of our rental house...2736 Cypress Head Trail, Oviedo, FL 32765

Jayden loves Curious George...which will be his 1st Bday party theme!

Don't mess with me I'm workin' on my laptop...I mean DVD player!

A little bottled water anyone?

Jayden continues to believe Demetrius "hung the moon." I love it.

A Place to Call Home

Wanted to let everyone know that our house-hunting trip to Orlando went really well. Demetrius, Shane Black and I left on Wednesday night to drive down. We saw several houses but only a few would actually work for both families to live in together...that's right we are living with another couple! It's going to be quite a journey...four adults and four children (once our baby is born in October). The kids will be 16 months and younger...YIKES! We are getting really excited about the move.

Back to the house...it is really ideal for all of us. It was an answer to our prayers as we did not think we were going to be able to rent this particular one. After being invited over to the homeowners other home, he decided that he would allow two families to live there together. At first he gave an absolute "NO" and we really just prayed that God would change his heart...and He did! Our babies will share a bedroom and the Black twins will share a bedroom as well. That leaves a bedroom for each couple, a playroom, a multipurpose room (for a desk, couch, futon, etc), and a very large open kitchen, dining and living room area. We are thankful that we can put bouncers, swings, toys, etc in one room and keep the living room mostly toy free. We will have a two car garage and a screened in back porch. This house is beautiful and it's in a great neighborhood.

So, the plan is to move down on June 14th-ish. We have a lot to do before then and could of course use some help loading the UHAUL...hint hint. We also have a coffee table we are trying to get rid off. And we are selling our washer and dryer so if you know anyone who needs them let me know!

Please pray that our house would sell quickly and that Demetrius would receive a scholarship for school. We are also starting to raise monthly financial support and are looking to build our prayer team as well.

Keep you posted...

That's Whatz Up!

Five hundred million fun, exciting and challenging things are going down all at once. I'm gonna try to hit the high points, throw in a few pictures and call it an update. I wonder if people even check my blog anymore since I never keep up with it. So, here's to hoping someone's out there listening (looking?)!

We celebrated our 3rd anniversary...at my ob-gyn (by the way we were there last year on our anniversary when I was preggie with Jayden...tradition maybe?)

Took Jayden to the beach for the first time...he cried when we walked to the shoreline

We spent a week in Nashville with Demetrius...Jayden's first swim in the pool and he loved it

I celebrated my first Mother's Day...so thankful for the privilege to be a mother

We put our house on the market...praying we'll sell within a month

Began raising financial support and a prayer team for seminary...any takers?

Started my second trimester...10 more days til we know if baby is a boy or girl

I've been working on a couple adoptions with work...I love this

Jayden started walking a month ago...now he's running, climbing and hiding in small crevices

I started my Mary Kay business...Yaaayyy

I lost all of my numbers from my old cell phone....booooooo

Demetrius got a new guitar...now he just needs to learn how to play it

Here We Grow Again!

Here are two pictures of our newest addition! We were quite surprised (and happy) to find out that we are expecting another baby. I am about 10 1/2 weeks and due on October 31st! Yep...you do the math, that will make them about 16 months apart. So, we are obviously excited and a little nervous at the same time. But, we know the Giver of life and we rest in that. We will keep you posted!

Oh, and I have never been a fan of the 4D ultrasound because the baby's always look weird. But, they are pretty cool. These two pics were taken at the same visit...it is so neat to actually see what the baby looks like this early in the pregnancy.

Our Firstborn

Secretly you came-

Stealthily

By night

You crept into my rounded cove

And bedded down.

I didn't know

It was determined

That a seed

Dividing, multiplying,

Taking what was "mine"

Would rob selfishness

In order to enrich me.



-Janet Carlton

Nine Month Stats

Jayden just turned 9 months! He is cruising along the furniture and walks behind a push toy. He just got his first two teeth last week and is learning what "no, no" means. After I tell him no-no, he will go around singing, "na, na, na, na." He was 21lbs 3oz (50th percentile) and 29 inches long (75th percentile) at his appointment. He is so funny and entertaining. Oh, and best of all, he has begun sleeping 11-12 hours at night!

Things I Love About My Son

his amazing smile...the way it feels when he falls asleep in my arms...his soft skin...his belly button...the funny noises he makes...his eyelashes...the dimples in his hands...his excitement when he sees his daddy...the way his cheeks reach down to his chin to form a perfect square...his curls...his unconditional love for me...the way he smells after a bath...the way he still looks like a baby when he wears pjs...his laugh...seeing him accomplish a new milestone...knowing he is the Lord's creation...his naked bottom...his silly faces...his determination to never give up...the way he examines his own hands...the noises he makes when he is dreaming...the way he smiles at me when he is nursing...the significant meaning of his name, "God has heard"...the way he notices everything...his ability to make a complete strangers day by flashing a toothless grin...how he has increased my heart for the unborn...the way he has taught me to be unselfish...how he excitedly kicks and raises his hands when I enter his bedroom...his trusting eyes...