The Blackburns

Cute stories about our sweet and smart boy!

2010-07-06T14:55:00.000-07:00

Life has been a whirlwind lately, family vacation, my trip to Mexico, our week in the dorm at ACU and visiting my sister while Jay did camp, a wknd trip to Dallas for my friend's wedding reception, VBS, the fourth of July and Bandina and Honduras coming up! I don't have time to upload pics and tell about all that right now but I wanted to share some cute Josiah stories.

He is such a sweet boy, he is becoming so affectionate with us...offering kisses, hugs, pats on the back, etc. Two of my favorite things he does lately are that as I am rocking him before nap or bedtime he rubs my arm over and over starting at the top of my shoulder and running his hand all the way down to my hand...so precious. The other really sweet thing is that he loves to blow kisses to us as we leave his room at naptime and he makes a loud "muah" noise everytime he does it!

We've been working with him lately on saying "sorry" and giving hugs after getting in trouble for something. He complies with us, but I often feel like it was just that...compliance and not true remorse yet. The other day at church Josiah shoved another little girl and immediately looked at Jay with shame on his face. Jay told him to say "sorry" to the little girl. He turned to her and said and then tried to give her a hug...it was really sweet, we were so proud of him.

Speaking of church, used to and still sometimes, when we drive up to the building Josiah would say "dada." We eventually taught him to say "church" and recently we asked him as we pulled in to say it, but instead he started saying, "Jejus (Jesus), Goad (God)." He's been able to say those words for some time but it was neat to see that he made the association between the church building being about Jesus without our prompting.

Jay did the welcome on Sunday and the whole time he was up there Josiah was shouting "daddy, dada!" It was really cute but I couldn't keep him quiet...oops! Then during a video they played at the beginning of service the guy on the video said the word "again" and Josiah shouts out repeatedly "again, again, again!" He is normally in the nursery so we haven't trained him to play/sit quietly during church, I guess we have some work to do!

I'd been hearing Josiah going around the house saying "I-B-I-B-I-B" and it took me a while to figure it out but I realized he was singing "The B-I-B-L-E, yes that's the book for me!" He "sings" along when I sing "Jesus Loves Me" but it isn't at all recognizable.

A few wks ago he overheard Jay and his coworkers discussing prayer. And just at the mention of the word "prayer" he shouted out "amen!" Smart little cookie!

The first night of our family vacation he decided to boycott sleep (he does this our 1st night somewhere new). After several attempts unsuccessful attempts at rocking him back to sleep I decided to let him cry it out. I had been back in our room only a few minutes when Jay and I hear the crying stop, followed by a loud crash, screaming, then the pitter patter of little feet running through the Jack and Jill bathroom into our room. We probably put him back in that bed 10 times before out of desparation we strapped him into the car seat and drove around until he fell asleep and then we slept in the car with him until daylight. Thankfully, he stayed in his bed the rest of the week and we've only had this issue one other time when we were visiting my sister and I think he realized he wasn't going to win the battle hasn't tried it again since.

He also recently discovered how to take his diaper off. He woke up from a nap fussing in kind of an odd way so I decided to go check on him. I open the door and he is standing at the foot of his bed pointing to the floor and whining, I expected to see his lovey or puppy when I looked down but nope, it was his diaper. He now sleeps with pj pants on so it's not easy access to the tabs on the diaper. But he's taken his pj's off before too so we will see how long this works.

Yesterday he was standing on the ottoman in our living room reaching for the chain for the light and looking at Jay saying "light" which meant he wanted Jay to lift him up to reach it (he's fascinated with anything electronic). Jay told him "not right now" and so Josiah hopped off the ottoman and disappeared to his playroom for a second. Then he came running back out with his toy golf club and stood up on the ottoman batting at the chain to the light. Of course this didn't help him turn the light on, but he was giving it his best effort to try! I've said before he is strong willed but in that story I can see how his little tenacious spirit is going to help him be resourceful and driven in life!

He is really into tickling lately. So much so that the other night at dinner I hear him going "tick-a-tick-a-tick-a" and look over to see him tickling his chicken fry! Lol!

And he is all boy...lately when he toots or burps...he looks at you and laughs! Oh my!

Josiah's 1st Haircut

2010-05-20T20:33:00.000-07:00

Josiah had his first hair cut yesterday at Snipits! I didn't really want to cut it yet but the rat tail and the random long bangs that were growing unevenly had to go!

He did so well the whole time. He was a little uncertain as to what she was doing spraying water on his head at first...but he warmed up quickly and started having fun!

After he was done he got to put his card in this machine and reach in and grab a prize! He got a little orange lizard...he looked at it and tried to put it back in the machine! Lol!

Catch up post!

2010-05-18T19:25:00.001-07:00

Our precious boy is 19 months old now! Can't believe how fast he's growing up on us! He is such a delight, he makes me laugh all day long with his cute little personality. He is a super busy, very curious, strong willed, but sweet spirited little boy! We are crazy about him, he melts my heart about 100 times a day!

Lately he is really big into imitating us, he says lots of words and a few two or three word little sentences every once in a while. My favorite new thing he has been doing lately is reaching out to hold our hands at dinner time as soon as we are all at the table cause he knows we pray at the start of each meal. He will hold our hands through the whole prayer, bow his head sometimes, and when it is over she shouts "AMEN!" and throws his fist in the air! Precious! Little Jay in the making!

This pic is why I love having a DSLR! Jay and I celebrated our 6yr wedding anniversary last month! It's been a wonderful six years, the longer I am married to this man, the more I respect him and his integrity of character...so blessed!

We met my friend Becky and her daughter Emrey at Herman Park a few wks ago for a picnic. It was a blast! I'd never been to that park before and it is so cool for little ones! We rode the train over the park area, played, had a picnic in a toddler sized little covered picnic table, and fed the ducks! It was so good seeing our friends from Clear Lake too, we miss them!

Josiah loved the train! And he also really liked seeing his friend Emrey, as you can see in the pic!

Giant Swings!Josiah's first experience feeding the ducks! At first he was just curious but once the ducks came up close enough to eat what he was throwing out he had a ball, he was throwing furiously and cackling the whole time. It was a sad moment for him when there were no more cheerios and goldfish in his snacktrap to share with the ducks!

Us celebrating mother's day with Jay's parents at Market Street!

Jay and his mom! I am blessed to have her as my mother-in-law! Josiah being silly with Grandpa Jack!

My sweet mama...I am so thankful for her, don't know what I'd do without her!
We met my parents at Star Pizza then to Amy's Ice Cream for mothers day!

Josiah sharing his spaghetti with Papa Bear!

I have lots of vacationing coming up. First we are going to the beach with my parents, Jason, Lindsey and Ava for a week! Then I head to Mexico for my precious friend Hilary's wedding. This is her and her fiance, Drew! I am so excited for them and super pumped about spending 5 days relaxing in Mexico with my girlfriends and getting to be a part of Hil's wedding festivities!

Blogging is really becoming difficult for me since we got our new computer. I don't know what I keep doing but I accidently hit something that deletes everything I've done whether it's a blog or a long email I've written. This is my 2nd attempt at writing this blog, cause just as I was about to publish earlier it deleted the whole thing. So ANNOYING! I wish I could figure out what I am doing, it's driving me crazy!

Fousins and Mud Puddles, pics galore!

2010-04-22T12:53:00.000-07:00

We've had LOTS going on the last couple wks....to highlight a couple of the bigger "happenings" I'll start with Jay and I's unforgettable 6 yr anniversary on Saturday! Jay had gone to get Josiah up from his nap so we could take him to our friends house for the evening, I had just put on my dress and was finishing curling my hair when Jay came around the corner with Josiah in a towel and announced "I don't think we can go tonight." He had walked into Josiah's room to get him and he was standing in his crib screaming and covered head to toe in puke (we still don't know how it got on his head, in hair, and eyes?!) He had come down with an untimely and aweful I might add 24 hr stomach bug! So our fun anniversary date we had planned was replaced by taking care of a vomiting child, debating on going to the ER cause it was so bad there for a while, and squeezing in bites of Pei Wei take out (that somehow lost its appeal under the circumstances) and watching a Direct TV Cinema movie called Everybody's Fine (which actually was a really good movie just not very date night-ish). Then Monday night Jay and I both came down with the dreaded bug and Josiah seemed to have a relapse of it on Tuesday...it was a rough start to the week but we were all better by Wednesday, praise the Lord!

Now...onto more happy "happenings"...last week Lindsey and Ava came for a visit and we had SO much fun being together with our kiddos! It was crazy busy with the two of them and their different schedules, but we got to enjoy some good sister time at night once the babes were asleep!I am slightly obsessed with this baby girl!
The "fousins!"

Josiah was so good with her!

I love his little hand wrapped around her in this pic and the way he is looking at her with such intrigue!

He LOVED playing in her gym with her! Once when she'd had enough, Lindsey picked her up and took her back to their room to put her down. Josiah heard her crying and grabbed the activity gym by the top and dragged it all the way to her room...he also would take the burp cloth to her anytime she cried, I think he thought it was her lovey!
My sweet niece!

I forgot to rotate this one, but I love her little flirty face here!

Ya Ya came out one of the afternoons to hang out and steal Linds and Ava back...Josiah was so happy to see her!

Ya Ya and her grandbabies!

Um....are there words for such preciousness?! I just want to eat her up!

We went to my cousin Shelley's house for a playdate with all the cousins with kiddos and my aunts! This is Benjamin (Bret and Jen's oldest) and Kate (Tim and Shelley's youngest) lovin' on miss Ava!

Everyone... except Jen and Mia (Jen left to go get her when we took this). This was the day before Josiah got the bug (you can tell from the pics he wasn't himself this day either...poor baby!)

Aunt Vicki stealing cuddles from Josiah!

The kiddos eating lunch together!

Just a random pic of my handsome boy!

Wednesday morning we played outside for a long time while Daddy did yard work. Josiah was so happy to get out of the house since he'd been couped up all day on Tues while we were sick. He's so all boy...it took him about .2 seconds to discover this mud puddle on the side of our neighbors house! He was covered so quickly I decided not to mess with stopping him and to grab the camera instead!

Once he got muddy I guess he decided he should help daddy with the yard...make it look like he worked for that dirt! =) And after all that work a boy has got to kick back and relax...some cold juice in his sippy and he was a happy little camper! =)

We are LOVING our new camera...can you tell?!

Easter

2010-04-08T19:20:00.001-07:00

We had a packed, fun-filled Easter weekend! Jay went to LTC Friday night to support the youth in their events and all three of us went for a while on Saturday morning.

Saturday afternoon we went to Eggapalooza for easter egg hunt #1! (This was a super cool event our church hosted as an outreach to the community at a park nearby, there were easter egg hunts, train rides, moonwalks, face-painting, snow cones, etc. ) Unfortunately, Josiah wasn't feeling real well most of the weekend. But somehow he managed to perk up anytime there was an easter egg hunt! We had a blast!

Note the bib...yes he is still Mr. Drooly!

Mmmm....wrapper and all!

Sunday he got up and discovered his basket from the easter bunny and then Yaya and Papa gave him a basket(they went to Eggapalooza and spent the night with us)!

Before church...we couldn't get a pic of all 3 of us cause Jay was already there, then things got so hectic that we forgot to get one while at church or once we were home! Oh well! We headed to church, where he participated in egg hunt #2 with the rest of the pre-school aged kiddos. He had the most fun at this hunt, he was going after eggs and throwing them in his basket like a wild man...when his basket was overflowing he started helping his friend Grace fill hers up!

(Grace is right behind him in the white dress!)

Josiah sat through most of service pretty quietly, entertained by Yaya putting stickers all over him, but towards the end he'd had enough so he and Yaya went out to visit the Easter Bunny in the lobby. He wasn't sure what to think at first...

But I guess after checking him out good he cooperated for a quick picture!

After church we grilled out with my parents and after Josiah's nap his Freckles and Grandpa got here for egg hunt #3 and to give him an easter basket! We may overdone it a little with all the egg hunts...but the first two were events we had to be at so it wasn't like we were not going to let him participate...and the 3rd was cause I wanted us to create our own family tradition. But by the 3rd time around he lost interest after picking up about 3 eggs...he just wanted to play outside with his new bubbles!

Later that evening enjoying all his easter goodies!

We had lots of fun doing egg hunts and easter bunnies, etc. but the most important part of the wknd was celebrating and reflecting on Christ's victory over the grave, and that we who are in Christ now share in the resurrected life! Thank you Lord!

side note: we are anxiously awaiting a new camera...we are getting our first DSLR and I am so excited that I will actually be able to capture the moment instead of missing it while waiting for the flash to go off...

ALSO....Linds and Ava are coming to stay with us next wk and I CAN'T WAIT!!! Rest assured I will be using my new camera to capture the "fousins" together! If you didn't know a fousin is a cousin who is also a friend, and Josiah and Ava are sure to be great buds!

Lately...

2010-03-14T19:34:00.000-07:00

Our computer died on us a few wks ago and I actually really enjoyed not having one...the only thing I truly missed was being able to check weather and look up directions and phone numbers real quickly. Other than that I loved spending time doing other things non-computer related. Plus it takes me forever to write a blog and I hate giving up time to blog when there is so much else I could and need to be doing...so once we got a new computer I just was not in a hurry to do a catch up blog. I've decided I will be blogging much less now.

Pics at end of post! Sorry some of the pics are sideways...I can't figure out my new computer pic program...I rotated them but they still uploaded sideways?!

We have been spending lots of time outdoors lately. Josiah loves it outside and has started bringing his shoes to us and saying "side?" He loves to explore the yard, pull bark off the trees, find muddy spots to get messy in, examine bushes, pine cones, grass, chase the squirrels (who let him get surprisingly close before they run away). And he got a sandbox/picnic table(pictured below) that he is having a blast with. We are hoping to build a swing set very soon also!

He is starting to say a lot of words and even string a few together from time to time. He is so much fun!

A few funny stories:

A few wks ago at church Josiah heard one of the youth kids say "dang" and what do you know...he immediately repeats it...which the youth kids standing around laughed hysterically at and so Josiah continued to repeat it over and over again...we were so thrilled! The next morning he fell and hit his head on the sofa and I thought he said "done" and I thought it was wierd that he said that in that moment...then a few minutes later he fell down several more times and each time he did he said "dang"...I couldn't believe it...thankfully he has quit saying that word because we gave no reaction to it and we don't say it. But we have definitely entered into the stage of having to watch closely everything we say cause he is really starting to be a little parrot.

One afternoon Josiah had been asking Jay to take him outside and Jay was busy doing something so he put him off a few minutes. When he finally opened the back door Josiah ran out and stood on the deck and with arms outstretched and face to the sky he took a deep breath through his nose and as he let it out said "yay!"

One morning we got him up and he was poopy, normally when we change his diaper in the mornings he has a huge fit, but this morning when we changed him, he layed there calmly and then when we finished he said "yay!" Poor baby...probably slept in poop all night!

He has a new "inspector" walk. He clasps his hands behind his back and bends forward slightly and walks around inspecting things. We have no idea where this came from but it's pretty comical.

Other recents:

He has one molar in and another pushing through...they've been rough!

So far it looks like we aren't going to have to put tubes in his ears after all!

He has discovered his belly button and he is constantly lifting his shirt to find it and then he wants to lift your shirt too and find yours...and he doesn't mind doing this to anyone he gets the urge to do it to...we are working on teaching him boundaries! ha

Here are some pics...

One afternoon I heard the guitar coming from the play room and it was just us to at home...so I went back there and found him on the couch like this just strumming away. He loves the guitar!

He LOVES wearing his daddy's hat lately...won't wear his own but Daddy's anytime! He even will put it on and go look in the mirror...too cute!

My sweet Niece...Miss Ava Reese!

2010-01-26T14:37:00.000-08:00

My sister had her beautiful baby girl on Saturday night and I was able to be there for the birth and a couple days afterwards! She called us Saturday morning saying she thought she might be in labor and once her contractions started coming five minutes apart and causing some discomfort we decided it was probably the real deal my mom and I took off in a hurry with dad following close behind. We were worried we wouldn't make it in time cause her labor was progressing pretty quickly but after 6 eternal hrs of driving with only two potty breaks and one short stop when my mom got pulled over and given a warning for speeding....we made it in plenty of time to hang out with Linds a couple of hrs before Ava was here! And we were so glad we made it!!!

Here is the beautiful Ava Reese, 8 lbs 14 oz and 21 1/2 inches

She is a cuddly little chunk!

She sleeps so well independently, I hope for Linds she stays like this!

The new mommy with her girl....she is such a natural!

Pretty Ava, we love you!

Last Weekend in Pics and 15 mos update!

2010-01-20T17:53:00.000-08:00

We spent some time at Jay's parents last wknd! Friday Jay's parents took us to Rainforest Cafe and Saturday Jay took Jack to the boat show for his birthday and Debbie and I hung out with Josiah till the guys got home. We had a great time with them!

Grandpa Jack showing Josiah the fish in the aquarium!

Love that face!
He was pretty intrigued by "the volcano"!

Checking out the elephants! When we first got there he was a little freaked out by the thundering and all the loud animals, but he quickly warmed up to it and got really excited each time it happened by the end!

We took a ride on a river through the rainforest! It was very foggy...hence the cloudy pics.

He was so mesmerized by the whole experience!

And before we left Josiah got to build an orangutan! As soon as Debbie handed it Josiah to see if it was the one he wanted to build he grabbed it and cuddled up!

After he watched the process of it being stuffed he decided to see which one he wanted to do next...lol!

He loves his orangutan monkey...it was a fun night!

Josiah is very interested in using utensils now and does not want to be fed at all...Mr. Independent...makes for some messy eating!
Debbie (Freckles) and I took Josiah to Chic Fil A for playtime and lunch while the guys were gone. The toddler section of the playground wasn't real captivating to Josiah...he really wanted to climb in the big kid part = mommy squeezed her 5' 8 1/2 self into the playground with him and got a work out maneuvering through such tight spaces while trying to keep him from nose diving out of it.
But despite my efforts, nose dive he did, down the slide spinning around and looking terrified until I caught his hand and slowed him down a little.
All ended well and he wanted to do it again...but mommy diverted him to the toddler area for a little while and when it wasn't working anymore we ate lunch!
Monday Josiah had his 15 month well-visit...only he wasn't well, double ear infections! Bummer! He is being such a trooper as always and is only mildly fussy, he's been pretty happy most of the time. He has lost a little weight since his last visit (which was last week, two wks before that, and two or three before that....all for what I thought were ear infections but weren't...fluid on his ears but no infections). Anyways, all that to say the doc thinks his ears are bothering him enough to mess with his appetite so we are going to an ENT in a few wks and in the meantime we will be working on beefing this boy up!

He is talking up a storm and singing all the time....

Mama, Daddy, hot, please (sounds like tease), uh-oh, done, down, dance, home are the most common but we've heard him say dog, duck, up, more, trees, stick, YaYa on occasion.

He is RUNNING all over and starting to climb on things. He discovered today that he can clasp his hands behind his back and he walked around all day like that as if he was inspecting something.

He blows kisses and waves bye bye...when its his idea...but it happens more frequently now.

He signs all done, please, thank you, and more.

He still drools volumous amounts constantly...back gums are swollen but no sign of any teeth cutting through just yet.

He is almost always happy and loves to laugh, people ask me often if he ever cries...I assure them he does just usually not in social settings cause he gets so happy around people!

He is also very strong willed and independent we are going to have to be the most consistent-on top of it- disciplining parents with that will of his!

He is a rough and tough little boy...the other day at the mall playground a little girl fell hard off a the top of a tunnel he was crawling through right on his head...he just got up and kept on playing!

He is napping once a day now...usually for about 2 hrs and sleeping about 12 hrs at night.

He loves bath time, reading, building blocks, balls, brooms, instruments, dancing, peek a boo and chase, pulling out all my tupperware and climbing in the cabinet, his blanket, puppy and lovey, and cereal bars, milk, squash, peas, sweet potatoes, hot dogs, yogurt melts and lots and lots of fruit!

He is 31 1/2 inches tall and weighs 22 lbs 12 oz (a few wks ago it was 23 lbs 7 oz) so we are working on gaining it back with some added butter on veggies and one Pediasure a day.

He is a cuddle bug at nap and bed times.

He is very affectionate, he gives kisses to us, his animals, his books, and he has started playing with my hair when I hold him...so sweet!

He is such a little angel...we love him sooooo much!

Please be praying for NO TUBES! Keep ya posted!

A story and a blessing!

2010-01-13T10:39:00.000-08:00

So I just discovered our first crayon on the furniture incident! I bought Josiah his first crayons on Monday(previously he just used markers, pencils, etc. cause that's what we had around). I always put him in his highchair to color in order to keep the coloring contained and except for a few colored pencil markings on the tile from when he drops the pencils this has been a successful feat ...until Monday apparently! After he finished coloring and I got him out of his highchair unbeknownst to me he somehow managed to hold onto the black crayon. I found him still clutching it a just few short minutes later and at a quick sweeping glance determined no creative coloring had been done anywhere. Today as I was on my knees getting a ball out from under the end table I found his lovely artwork...two large black crayon scribbles on the side of the sofa! Thankfully a little incredible and a rag did the trick and it came out easily! I had to chuckle a little knowing this little first won't be the last, especially since Jay and I both had some infamous coloring on walls and furniture incidents as children.

I wanna brag on the leadership in our church for a minute now! Last night Jay and I attended an elder appreciation dinner, it was mainly staff and elders and spouses in attendance. It was such a neat evening. The purpose of the evening was to honor our elders for their Christlike leadership in our church. The staff members had all written some words of appreciation for each elder and named a fruit of the Spirit that they most thought of when thinking about that particular elder. All the words written by each staff member were compiled into one letter and our preacher read them over each elder one by one. Being somewhat new to the church it was so neat to hear more about each elders character and the fruit they were most known for. I was moved to tears just listening to it all...partly because our preacher was choked up and seeing someone else cry is about all it takes for me to start blubbering, but mainly because I was overwhelmed and humbled to be a part of such a loving, encouraging, and unified group of leaders. At the end of the night, Carl (our preacher) described our group as having "miraculous unity even with all our diversity" and one the way home we discussed how this is how God intended it to be in His church. I wish so much this is how it always was in every church body...can you imagine how the gates of hell would be pushed back as a completely unified church made a powerful difference in our communities? That they (the world) would know us by our love...that's my prayer today! I am so very thankful and totally humbled God has allowed us to be a part of His church and that He has faithfully guided us to where we are!

New Years Day at the ZOO!

2010-01-05T12:44:00.000-08:00

We had a great New Years Eve and Day this year!

New Years Eve ...

my parents were kind enough to keep Josiah for us so we could go on a date. We had dinner at Outback thanks to my in-laws who gave me a gift card for there at Christmas...it was delish! Then we went to the movies to try and see The Blind Side. We bought our tickets and when we got into the theatre there were no two seats available together in the whole theatre...except for way down in the front...boo! So we got our money back and went to Marble Slab, I got my favorite...sweet cream with strawberries mixed in, in a chocolate and nut dipped cone....mmmm! Then we went to see The Blind Side at a different theatre and it was AWESOME! I definitely want to own that one!

New Years Day was a blast too...we took Josiah to the ZOO!

He was totally into the big animals that were easy to spot... he stared and laughed and talked about them, not that we could understand what he was saying, but as always he sure did have a lot to say.

There were two baby giraffes...one was only 10 months old. Did you know that a newborn giraffe is 6ft tall and weighs 135 lbs?! Crazy!Josiah watched the giraffes very intensely!

He was also quite captivated by this Baboon! This thing was kind of tempramental...he kept coming right up to the fence, staring us in the eyes and bowing up a little!

The zoo had some new lady lions, the male and all the females were out and in plain view so Josiah was pretty intrigued!

His little face looks so curious and excited in this pic, I feel like it says "Dad! Did you see those things?"

The elephants were a big hit too...one of them was getting pretty rough trying to move a large tree branch with his trunk...entertaining!

We asked this guy to take a family picture of us right before we left and just as he tried to take the pic our camera died...turns out he was a big photography guy and he offered to take the pic for us and email it to us...he went above and beyond and enhanced and cropped some of them for us! So kind!

Last but certainly not least...be sure to check out the video below of the monkeys! This was the highlight of the day. I forgot what these monkeys were called Siamung or something...I dunno...but when we were watching the baboon from above we kept hearing these really loud monkey noises and couldn't figure out what it was coming from. We rounded the corner and saw a huge crowd of people standing around this one cage and staring up at these three monkeys and everyone was cracking up. These little monkeys stole the show, they were like egging eachother on it seemed like! Apparantely they are the loudest primates in the world...their call can be heard over a mile away and can last for 20 minutes...and we witnessed the truth behind that fact! The males call out over and over followed by a cry from the female that sounds different. And their throats blow up huge when they make the noise...which is what amplifies the sound so much. Josiah sat in his stroller for about 10 minutes mesmerized by the show...that is a LONG time for him to sit and be interested in something! So if you wanna go see them...supposedly they do this every morning at dawn and then again just before lunch.
Anyways, the video doesn't do it justice cause you can't hear one of the low pitched calls very well or tell how loud it really was but check it out...pretty funny!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Christmas All Around!

2010-01-03T16:58:00.000-08:00

We celebrated Christmas for a good solid month this year! Every weekend we had some sort of Christmas celebration, we had a progressive dinner at church one weekend, a staff Christmas party another, a Christmas dinner with our lifegroup...one for us and one where we took food to the homeless in our area, a friends Christmas party, family Christmas with Jay's side of the fam followed by their annual big family Christmas party/reunion and finally the Christmas Eve candlelight service at our church followed by Christmas Eve and Day at my parents house! On top of all that we also celebrated 4 family members birthdays in the month of December! It was a very busy but very fun month!

You might not feel this way after looking at all these pictures...but I didn't really do a great job of capturing it all on film! =( I have lots of certain events and none of others. I have learned I am not the best photographer when I am crazy busy and trying to juggle lots at one time...I guess this is an area of multitasking in which I score an NI (Needs Improvement)!

This was just before we headed out to the Progressive Dinner with church peeps!

This is Josiah's Christmas gift to his grandma's in the making....stationary with his handprints on the front...I made an assembly line in the bathtub for this messy project. He was surprisingly cooperative! Must be cause he loves his YaYa and Freckles so much! INSERT HERE:pics of our family Christmas with Jay's family at Brandon and Brittnie's. All the pics we took are on other people's cameras...we did the videoing. Send me some pics everyone so I can add them!

Josiah's rocking horse...cleverly named "rocket" by Jay...from his Grandpa and Freckles. He is so cute with it...he pets it and kisses it just about as much as he rides it, he also has a fascination with flipping it over!

Josiah and Keller at the family reunion...Keller is a distant cousin of some sort, he and Josiah had a blast playing together at the party. Keller is a little older and had the sharing thing down better than Josiah, he let Josiah draw with him and was very patient when Josiah repeatedly tried to take the pen Keller had even though he had his own...we are working on sharing!

Christmas Eve at my parents

YaYa gave Josiah PJ's...they read "What Santa doesn't bring me Grandma will" This proved very true the next morning! =)

Linds (my preger sis...far right) and cousins Bethany and Kayla! Love these girls!

Christmas PJ's... This pic has been a tradition in our fam for many years now!

Christmas morning...Josiah got things started bright and early!

Discovering some of his gifts! He was super excited about the bubble mower! He later tried to get in his cozy coupe while holding still holding onto the mower.

He pretty much stayed excited all morning!

All the men took him to the park later that day...he looks so proud to be hanging out with the big guys in this pic!

Josiah likes to try and climb back up the slide in order to go down it again!

Jay has been off since Christmas so we've been spending a lot of time playing outside with all of Josiah's new toys!

Stay tuned for the next post: New Years Day at the ZOO!

Belated Post-Thanksgiving at the Beach!

2009-12-16T13:24:00.000-08:00

This is a very belated post considering we are now a week away from Christmas...but better late than never, right?!

Jay's family has had the tradition for years of renting a beach house in Galveston at Thanksgiving. It is something we look forward to every year that we spend Thanksgiving with his side of the family. We fish, eat, work puzzles, play games, kayak, surf sometimes, and eat some more! It's so relaxing and so much fun to be all together for a few days.

The house we stayed in this year was shaped like a boat- Burch's Ark!

The georgeous view from the front of the boat/house!

I caught the first fish this year! Woo Hoo! Except it was a Sheephead and we didn't keep it.

Jay kayaking.

Jay's catch...red fish...he always catches the big ones!

CORRECTION: Jay's mom's catch...

she always catches big ones too,

I guess we didn't get a pic of the one Jay caught!
Jay and his dad.

Grandpa Jack teaching Josiah how to reel on his first fishing pole!

Out in the boat with Grandpa Jack and Freckles

Jay lovin life on the water!

Driving the boat with Grandpa Jack

Riding with Freckles

Swinging with daddy on the dock!

On the boat and ready to go!

Bye-bye...we are going out to sea!

We had such a good time and can't wait until Josiah can really fish next time!

Josiah's 1yr pics and family shots too!

2009-11-18T12:57:00.000-08:00

Check out our recent pics....Wendy and CeCe with Eternity Pics did a fantastic job! I don't how we are ever going to choose which ones to order!

http://eternitypics.com/Blackburn

Josiah's vocabulary and fun in the fountains!

2009-11-16T16:18:00.000-08:00

Josiah's vocabularly is expanding so fast it seems like and we are having so much fun trying to make out the new words he is trying to say and getting him to copy words we say.

Here is the run down of his vocab at 13 months!

So far he says:

Uh-oh

(he says this anytime he drops something, falls down, etc. The funniest time though was once when he had gotten into the bathroom and was pulling out all the toilet paper...Jay walked in the bathroom to get him and Josiah looked up and saw him he was initially excited to see him but quickly realized he was busted and said "Daddy!...uh-oh"

Hot

(he calls everything hot...hot and cold alike)

Done

(he says this anytime we are doing something he wants to stop...changing diaper, clothes, etc.)

Mama

Dada and Daddy

(mostly daddy)

YaYa

(yayayayaya)

Papa

(only once when I was getting him to repeat it)

Home

(ome sounds more like um, everytime we pull into the driveway)

More

Eei Eei Oh

(ay i ay i ay)

Last week we took full advantage of the beautiful weather and went to the fountains at our town center twice, a park one day, and played out on the deck in the backyard everyday. Here are some pics of the little man loving his playtime in the water.

Halloween and Papa

2009-11-04T05:32:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pics from Halloween! Josiah was the cutest lobster I've ever seen! We went to our church and watched a band, Christian Illusionist, and then did Trunk or Treat. Josiah got called Sebastian all night long and people kept asking me why I didn't dress up as Ariel?! He clearly looks like a lobster to me, but I see how people mistook him for a crab.

Jay got to church before we did and had to dress up as a Ninja along with the rest of the youth group...Josiah was pretty unsure about Jay's costume. He was freaked out by him for a while, even when Jay took off his mask!

Little Lobster man on the go!

The cuddliest little sea critter I ever held!

We had a long weekend and by the end of the night Josiah was ready to go! Next year will be so much fun when he can run around with his little pumpkin and trick or treat! We opted out on candy this year.

To those of you who prayed for Jay's Papa, thank you for your prayers, he went home to the Lord last Monday, surrounded by almost all of his family. We will miss him dearly and are so thankful for the legacy of faith and servant heartedness he left.

Here are a few recent pics of Papa with Jay and Josiah.

We love and miss you Papa...for now we say goodnight and we will see you in the morning!

Josiah's 1st Birthday Party!

2009-10-21T12:32:00.001-07:00

Saturday night we had Josiah's 1st Birthday Party! It was so much fun! Josiah loves animals so we did a safari/jungle animal theme and I think it turned out adorable!

My mom and I decorated the lion cupcakes and had so much fun doing it!
And my sweet mom made his cake too! She did an awesome job...so cute!
Family pic with the birthday man himself! He was so enthralled by all the hype we couldn't get him to look at the camera!We played a game where some of the kids at the party got to choose an adult to chug a baby bottle full of coke. Whoever chugged the bottle and burped the fastest was the winner. Problem was I used slow flow nipples and we could hardly even get an ounce out...it was pretty funny! Cake Time!Jay's encouraging him to dig in and I am in the process of trying to show him how it's done! I may have eaten more of his cake then he did! He wasn't real sure what to do with it at first...

Then he realized it was real fun to play with... As you can tell by the super messy tray and relatively clean face...he preferred playing with it over eating it! Opening presents! New wagon from Yaya and Pappa Bear! Josiah loves this! Playing with his Kiddijamz music studio/mixing table, one of the gifts from Grandma and Grandpa Blackburn...this gift was a really big hit with the kids at the party!

(side note: I don't have a pic of Jay's parents b/c they are on his mom's camera and she has been dealing with her dad being in the hospital this week. Please say a prayer for Jay's Papa to recover fully and quickly.) Playing with more new toys!

These were his favorite things to play with...he opened these as part of an instrument set towards the beginning of gifts and carried them around for the rest of the party...and since the party he still carries them around banging on any surface that he can find! Future drummer in the making?!

After watching us sweep up the deck after cake, Josiah decided to bring the broom inside and sweep in there too!
Such a big helper...wants to help even on his big day!

We had such a blast celebrating our little man's 1st year of life! He had fun too and was his usual happy and charming self making the event all the more fun!

Our baby boy is 1 today!

2009-10-16T05:05:00.000-07:00

Our sweet Josiah turns ONE today...actually tonight at 11:30pm! One year ago today...at this time of 7:23 am we were on our way to the hospital so excited our sweet boy was about to be in our arms. And after 14 hrs of labor...he was! We were immediately in love with the most perfect little angel we'd ever laid eyes on and today I can say assuredly that our overwhelming love for him one yr ago today has only multiplied by thousands each day since! We thank and praise you God for the precious gift of Josiah! This morning I made him a special birthday breakfast...his first french toast and I even put a little powdered sugar on it...his first small taste of sugar. I was sure he was going to devour it!
Instead he looked at it strangely...I broke it into bite size pieces and coaxed him to take a bite...he spit it out and looked at it...put it back in his mouth and ate maybe one or two more bites and decided it was not what he wanted! I even tried putting a little syrup on it...still a no go. It was some GOOD french toast too...Jay and I ate it up! We then tried oatmeal...nope! So cheerios it was...and our boy was happy. Seriously what can cheerios not fix for this boy?! Lately it is so hard to get him to eat anything besides cheerios at breakfast...I think he has learned that if he will hold out and boycott the other food offered first (even when he normally likes that food)...cheerios will come!

Oh...did I mention that Josiah was so excited about his birthday that he decided to start celebrating it about 2 hrs early this morning?! =)

Can't wait till his 1st bday party tomorrow...pics to come!

Happy 1st Birthday Josiah!

Mommy and Daddy love you SO much!

Quick Trip to Abilene

2009-10-12T07:27:00.001-07:00

This weekend we made a quick trip to Abilene to see my sister and watch her team play. She is the assistant v-ball coach at ACU and we have never seen her in action as a coach so we decided a visit was in order! Plus I needed to see that cute baby bump in person! She is such a cute pregers! I got to feel little Ava moving around and it made me so excited for her to get here...my first neice! Linds doesn't get to see Josiah much and can't make it to his 1st bday part cause of her v-ball schedule so it was much needed bonding time for him and his aunt Linds! I didn't get a picture of Josiah and his Uncle JJ unfortunately but Josiah was so partial to him the whole wknd...he followed him around the house and cried when Jason left for work. Linds was a little jealous!
As you can see in the following pictures...the snack trap is back! We gave in and gave it to him while we were traveling because it makes him happy in the car and when he is off his schedule...cheerios can almost always do the trick when he is fussy but cheerios in the snack trap is a sure bet!

Playing in the colosseum after the match was over!

He was running all over the court and having a ball!

The UT jacket was a result of going unprepared to freezing Abilene! I checked the weather before I packed but an unexpected cold front came through after so I didn't pack any jackets for him and no long sleeves and only sandals for me. You'd think after living in Abilene for 4 yrs I would have known better! I was able to borrow Lindsey's clothes but we had to make a quick run and get Josiah something warmer!

We had a great time!

Once again....blogger won't let me upload my video! GRRRR!

11 and a half months and so much fun!

2009-10-05T19:52:00.000-07:00

Our big boy actually turned 11 months while we were on our cruise. He turns one in less than two wks...I can't believe it! I've got his party pretty much planned and can't wait to see him covered in cake!

He is just so much fun now...every new stage just keeps getting better and better! He started really walking just before our cruise at about 10 1/2 months...and now he is running! He is like the tazmanian devil whirling through the house now. I can't believe how the area of mess I have to pick up has exploded now that can walk and carry items all over the house. I find stuff in every room and corner he can squeeze into!

He has learned to clap and stomp to "If you're happy and you know it" and if you ad lib high fives he will do those too! Blowing kisses and waving bye bye is definitely in his repertoire of skills now but he will only do those when he feels like it. He is a little boy with a mind of his own! He has 7 teeth and is working on 8 and 9 I think. He plays the drop it and watch you pick it up game with anyone who he can pull it off on and says "uh-oh" when he drops something!

He is still busy busy! One day I was in the kitchen and I turned around and found this...I have no idea how he got up there and he has since done it a few times but I have yet to see him do it! He also has this weird fascination with NASA, seriously anytime Jay has the NASA channel on...Josiah is glued to it...future astronaut?!

He is an all or nothing kind of guy...he doesn't just play with his toys he has to be IN his toys!

We tried the snack trap for about a week. But as you can see in picture below instead of reaching in and pulling one cheerio out at a time he would stick his whole hand in there and walk around for hours if we'd allow it with his snack trap on one hand and his lovey(blanky) on the other. Cheerios would fall out everywhere and a meltdown would ensue when we tried to take it off his hand...bye bye snack trap!

Josiah loves the park! I've taken him to one by our house a few times but it's hard to get pics when I'm by myself and chasing him around. YaYa and I took him to the park across the street from her house the other night, it had rained earlier that day so it was kind of wet and muddy...but he had a blast and we got some cute pics!
Peek-a-boo!

Hilarious expression on his face!

Loves the slide!

Inside a little tunnel...it was full of wet bark and mud...that was the dirtiest he'd ever gotten and he was a little unsure of it for a minute but he then decided it was great fun!

Well, I tried to upload a cute video of him but it has been "uploading" for over 30 min. So I am thinking it's not gonna work!

Cruisin'...Josiah's 1st vacation!

2009-09-23T20:21:00.000-07:00

Last week we went on a cruise to New England and Canada that flew out of NY. We went with a group of 22 friends and family of the Blackburns. Jay's parents generously treated us to this wonderful family vacation! Jay's mom organized the whole trip and did a fabulous job. Thanks to Jack and Debbie for taking us and to Debbie for all the months of hard work planning the trip! We left our house at 3:30am Saturday morning to make our flight to NY...Josiah flew so well on all our flights, sleeping most of time on 3 of the 4 flights there and back.

When he was awake he was happy reading or watching his dvd player...we were so thankful!
By the time we boarded the ship around 4pm he was pooped out!

But when he woke up he had a blast exploring our cabin, he especially loved the balcony.

This was on a Duck Tour in Boston. I didn't do a good job of taking pics in Boston, I think I was still recovering from our day of travel.

Josiah ate lots of table food this week and especially loved the rolls. The first night the waitor came by with the bread basket he grabbed the basket and pulled it down to his eye level and picked one right off the top...this became a nightly tradition.

Riding Uncle B's shoulders in Portland ME. He is wearing a t-shirt Jack and Debbie got him from Kennebunkport, the location of George and Barbara Bush's summer home. Very quaint little town outside of Portland.

Eating lunch with the fam at a little cafe in Portland.

More Portland.

The Portland Lighthouse. BEAUTIFUL!!!

This is in St.Martins, New Brunswick CANADA...a little fishing village outside of St. John

Jay and Josiah are actually walking on the ocean floor of the Bay of Fundy at low tide, earlier that day during hight tide that sea cave would have been almost completely under water!

Handsome boy!

He was so happy to get down for a minute...out of a bus, stroller, high chair, or someone's arms!

Park in St. John, the flowers were breathtaking here!

Public Gardens in Halifax

That was a little gardener girl tending to the flowers, whose blooms I might add were so big they were like the size of my face!

still in Public Gardens

The Public Gardens was by far my favorite part of Halifax...although we did some other really neat things that day. We visited the Citadel which was an old fort that overlooked and gaurded the harbour at one point. We also went to the Maritime Museum and saw lots of artifacts from the Titanic which was really neat! We also visited a beautiful Basillica.

One of the days at sea my sister in law, Brittnie, and I got fake tattoos...chinese symbols, mine meant love and hers compassion...we are dorks. The funny part is mine washed off real quick and Britt's is still hanging on...we are wondering if they accidently gave her permanent ink?! We then spent the afternoon in the hot tub, the only warm place to be outside that day, and had great girl time!

We found out that Josiah was an awesome traveler! He was famous on the ship...crew members we never met before would come up and say "oh you must be the baby we've been hearing about!" As always...he was quiet the charmer!

These are just a few of the 695 pics we took and only a few details of the action packed adventure we had...but as you can tell it was a wonderful trip!

Thanks again Jack and Debbie!

Trip to the ER and Curious Jo

2009-08-31T06:12:00.000-07:00

Saturday night Josiah had his first Emergency Room visit. After crying for over 3 hrs (from about 12am to 3:30am)and being completely inconsolable we called our pediatrician and the on-call doctor recommended the ER. So we loaded up and drove to the hospital, on the way he fell asleep and once we got there he of course started acting like he was feeling a lot better (according to the ER nurses/dr. this is a normal phenomenon with kids). Nonetheless, just as we suspected, he had his first ear infection. They gave him some numbing ear drops, antibiotics, and motrin and we were discharged and home by a mere 7am!

Of course...we had to document his trip to the Er...

Digging through the diaper bag kept him briefly entertained...

or maybe he was just trying to get at that formula?!

This was after the numbing drops...but still...a charmer even at the ER! By the time we left all the nurses were making sure to get their goodbyes in.
Yesterday was rough but he slept like a champ last night...about 13.5 hrs and mommy and daddy were so grateful!

I've mentioned before how busy are boy is...did I mention curious too?! He is into everything these days and he is quick...I am talking it takes him .2 seconds to open the dishwasher (if it's unlatched) and crawl in! We have to watch him like a hawk and safety proof like maniacs...cause he finds anything we miss.

Can't leave the fridge open for a split second either...

This is in our bathroom, he has my necklace in his hand that he grabbed out of my jewelry drawer...he likes to drop my necklaces down into the tub.

I was trying to get a pic of him in his new convertible car seat but getting a pic of him when he is in arm's reach of the camera is almost impossible! So is trying to video him at all...he will stop what he is doing and attack the camera so that all that I end up getting on video is his mouth and grabbing hands!

At bathtime he is so ready to get in that he starts climbing up the step stool and side of tub...he'd dive in head first if we didn't stop him!

This is the bottom part of our ottoman...aka...Josiah's new hideout!

He keeps us on our toes! We love his zeal for life!

I almost forgot....he is pretty much walking now! He takes up to 8 steps at a time on his own without coaxing just playing by himself. It's going to be any day now that he is walking all over the place!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

2009-08-23T18:14:00.000-07:00

Last night we took Josiah to his first Astros game! Jay's brother Brandon got tickets from work and so he took the whole Blackburn clan...thanks Brandon! Josiah had a blast taking it all in. Here are just a "few" pics of our fun night out!
Oops...he blinked! Would have been such a precious pic.

I think we watched Josiah more than we watched the game!

Grandpa Jack

Taking it all in!

with his Uncle B and Aunt Britt

He learned to clap this week and had a blast showing off his new skill all throughout the game!

Lovin' on Grandma Freckles

Such fun!

Trying his first pickle and loving it!

Thanks Uncle B for the tickets!

Healing Rain

2009-08-18T05:59:00.000-07:00

I named this post "Healing Rain" because ever since I woke up this morning that song has been playing in my head, I don't remember the last time I actually heard it so I feel like it is kind of one of those cool Spirit things.

Jay and I are still grieving a lot, we have good and bad days, and moments that are easier and those that are still very tough. We've been fairly busy since we lost the baby which makes for a helpful distraction, the only downside is that when things slow down a little it can hit like a ton of bricks. I guess I shouldn't say that it is a downside to slow down though; that time is hard but it is what draws us to our knees in the presence of the Lord and those tender moments with Him are so incredibly healing for us.

I mentioned before how I felt the Lord embracing me during prayer time before our appt the morning we learned that we lost the baby. After the initial shock of everything had calmed down I remembered that the Sunday before that appt I received a letter from my secret sister at church. It was the first time she had written to me and she noted in the letter that she had spent a lot of time in prayer over how to write to me and what I needed to hear from her. Here are some of her words,

"...you need to know that more people than you may realize are praying for you, hoping the best for you, knowing God has a plan for you, for your husband, and for your children...I think you may need to be reminded that God will never place a burden on you greater than you can handle, he knows your limits, and may test you, but he will never break you if you just trust in him. He also reminds us many times, no, he commands us repeatedly not to worry, do not be concerned, do not fear. God has a plan, and he is in control, and though you do need to act and not sit idly by watching life pass, God is in control and will guide you, sometimes even carry you the way you should go. And then when life seems darkest, when the situation seems hopless, that is when God is able to work his greatest miracles. Because without hardship, we would not recognize the blessings we have, so very abundantly."

This letter was just another way that God proved His faithfulness to us in this trial. I got this before we knew anything and remember thinking..."what hardship I am about to face?" It is funny how before our loss I read this with a little trepidation and afterwards I am able to read it and take comfort knowing that God knew what was happening and cared enough about us to speak through another believer to give us encouragement before we even knew about our loss.

Thank you so much to everyone who has posted comments, sent cards, emails, and called us. It really helps when people acknowledge our pain...we need to talk about it...it's part of our healing process. So many people have shared their stories of losing a baby with us and talking with people who have gone through this really helps because they understand the gravity of the loss and can really validate what we are going through. We have a few friends who have been so faithful to continue following up with us and let us know that they haven't forgotten...that means the world to us. So thank you.

Last but certainly not least....Josiah has been a huge help in our healing...he keeps us busy and laughing constantly. He is such a source of joy to us...he is getting more and more fun with each new stage! He turned 10 months on Sunday and is busier than ever! He literally NEVER stops moving unless he is asleep...other moms watch him in amazement at how busy he is...he is definitely going to keep us on our toes! We love it though, he has so much personality, everyone who sees him or knows him comments on how happy and personable he is all the time. And it's true...he is such a happy baby and LOVES people! He also loves to laugh, if someone will laugh with him he will carry it on for five minutes at a time...just cackling as hard as he can. He has started taking 2 or 3 steps at a time on his own but so far doesn't seem interested in doing much more than that. He plays catch with us now and still is an outdoor maniac. One way to elicit a meltdown from this happy boy is to walk up to a door and then walk away without taking him outside. He pays no mind to the outrageous Houston summer heat!

Here are a few recent pics of the handsome boy! All out of order b/c Blogger won't cooperate!

Pulling his Grandpa Jack's hair and thinking it's so funny! (a couple wks ago)This morning in his big boy PJ's...he loves to pose for pictures! Check out all his teeth! Playing in YaYa and Papa's flower beds...so much to explore! (couple wks ago)
Papa put him in the tree and now he wants to climb trees all the time!
(couple wks ago) One of the youth kids put him in this box at church last week...he got the biggest kick out of playing peek-a-boo in it.

After writing this post, I think the title "Healing Rain" is even more fitting...God is truly pouring out His healing blessings on us through intimate moments with Him, conversations with those who have been through this, love and support shown to us from other people, and our sweet Josiah. Glory to His Name!

Heartbroken

2009-08-06T06:27:00.000-07:00

It has been a deeply sad and diffifcult week for us. Tuesday morning at my OB appt Jay and I were faced with the heartbreaking news that our baby did not have a heart beat and that I would have to have a D and C (which I had yesterday). I was supposed to be 10 wks 3 days and the baby had stopped growing at 7 wks 4days, just one week after my last OB appt when everything seemed to be perfect. I had not had any signs of miscarriage other than a nagging unexplained feeling from the very beginning of the pregnancy that something wasn't right. We are heartbroken and filled with so much sadness over the loss of our precious baby. Jay and I talked after coming home from the hospital about how both of our hearts literally felt like they weighed a thousand pounds.

Yet in the midst of our grief we have been so blanketed in God's peace and comfort. We know God is good and faithful and though we don't understand His plan in this we are trusting and resting in Him.

God is so sweet to us. Tuesday morning before my appt I was having quiet time. Jay came in and asked if we could pray together. As we were praying about all kinds of things in our life including the baby in my womb I had this overwhelming sense of God's enormous presence around us. It is hard to describe but after we finished praying I told Jay that I literally felt like God's huge and mighty arms were wrapped around me embracing me. I had actually been holding Jay's arm with one hand and mine with the other but it felt like I was touching these giant arms that my hands couldn't even begin to curl around. I felt so small in the presence of His mighty presence but so comforted. It was awesome! As I was showering getting ready for my appt I was pondering what had just happened and the thought crossed my mind that maybe God allowed me that experience because He was preparing me for bad news at my appt. It was just a passing thought though. But looking back we know God was preparing me for what was ahead and we are very comforted knowing that He was there embracing us wanting to comfort us in our grief. We know our sweet baby is with the Lord and believe whole heartedly that he or she is enjoying the company of our grandparents and getting to know the babies of other friends and family members who went home before they were born. We are comforted by this as well.

I know it will take time for our hearts to heal. But we are confident that they will because our Lord is a Healer. We are at peace but still facing deep waves of sadness as we grieve the loss of our child, and have to let go of the hopes and dreams we had for this baby as an individual and as a sibling so close in age to Josiah. We covet your prayers for us during this time.

The LORD gives and takes away, but our hearts will choose to say

BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD.

9 Months old and busy busy busy!

2009-07-20T07:17:00.000-07:00

Our little man is 9 months old now and is one busy little boy!

I am not kidding the boy is NEVER still unless he is sleeping! The movement is non-stop and he is FAST! We can't take our eyes off of him for two seconds or he is in to some kind of mischief. We are having so much fun with our little explorer. Yesterday he stood himself up without pulling up on something twice and one time he took a step towards the couch! I was shocked!!! I have a feeling walking is just around the corner...time will tell! Lately he has been imitating sounds and words a lot. He clicks his tongue constantly and when we read one of his books to him and make a spitting noise for a camel he clicks his tongue to copy! He roars for a lion sometimes and laughs when we make monkey noises. The other day my mom and dad were telling him their drinks were "hot!" and he said "hot!" He imitated me saying "yum, yum, yum" yesterday...and he says "dada" constantly now and occasionally "mama" when he wants something. He is really getting his pincher grasp down and loves cheerios and is still a great eater all around. He has two bottom teeth and I can see two top ones starting to push through and one more bottom one. He is just growing up so fast! He is such a joy!
Crawling through his box tunnel daddy made him when we were unpacking a few things last weekend...he loved it but yesterday he had so much fun playing with it he demolished it!
All this exploring must be hard work...he fell asleep mid meal last night!

Is this not all boy? This is how he was napping this morning!

We are so in love with our little Josiah!

As for us...Jay just got back from a week at Bandina, his first Bandina experience and he really liked it. We really missed him though and are glad he is home for a few days before he goes on another trip. I am feeling pretty good, I am a little over 8 wks now and very very tired and have had some mild queasiness but nothing to complain about really. Just when we've adjusted to the idea that we are about to have #2 something happens that makes reality set in and it is still kind of shocking! But nonethless we are so excited to have another baby and feel so very blessed!

The 4th!

2009-07-11T07:53:00.000-07:00

We had a great Fourth of July! My parents and Mandy, the other youth minister at our church, came over and we just grilled hamburgers, ate my mom's yummy potato salad that I requested to satisfy a serious craving, and made homemade ice cream. Josiah and my dad went swimming in Josiah's little pool and after Josiah went to bed we played washers. We skipped out on fireworks this year cause with Josiah normally going to bed at 6pm he would have been so overtired by the time 9pm rolled around that the firework experience may have been less than pleasant!

He was at times more interested in the grass than swimming! He is such an outdoor boy!

Papa Bear teaching him how to float!

Just having a ball!

I can play washers too!

Early Prego

2009-07-07T10:57:00.000-07:00

I had an ultrasound today that confirmed I am 6 wks 3 days pregnant...due Feb 27, 2010! I thought I was really early but that was even earlier than I had expected. That means I found out I was prego at like 3 wks. Crazy! Anyways, all is good...we heard the heartbeat and saw the baby. And I am excited about my new OB she reminds me a lot of my OB that delivered Josiah...who I am so sad to not get to use again but the drive is just too far now.

Praise God for healthy babies for both Linds and I! I am due almost exactly 1 month after her. Please continue praying for us and both of our babies!

I have pics to post of the 4th...later. Right now I am going to sleep while Josiah is napping!

Josiah vs. the Vacuum Cleaner

2009-07-01T12:27:00.000-07:00

This morning Josiah had his first run-in with the vacuum cleaner. (Clarifying--Not his first meeting with the vacuum...I do clean my house regularly--just his first unpleasant encounter). So Josiah was happily watching his Baby Neptune video and playing in the living room floor. I came out of my room with the vacuum and started working on the living room. Upon my entry into the room Josiah pulled himself up on the ottoman to get a better look at what was going on and his eyes were glued to the vacuum cleaner from that point on. At first it was a look of curious uncertainty on his face but as I rounded the sofa towards where he was observing his eyes continued to grow wider and wider. As I started pushing the vacuum towards his toys a look of utter determination came over his face and he started charging the vacuum in the fastest crawl I have ever seen until he came to an abrupt halt just before he reached it. I stopped to see what he was going to do...the brave little man was shaking like a leaf from head to toe reaching his hand slowly towards the vacuum...he touched it and jumped back still staring wide eyed at it and shaking. He was clearly scared to death but was trying to be brave and protect his toys! I started to move around him and that's when the tears came and his arms flew up for me to pick him up. I ended up vacuuming the rest of the house with him in one arm and the vacuum in the other...never knew I could accomplish such a feat! Maybe handling two babies come February won't be so challenging after all! One can hope right?!

Josiah's Big News!

2009-06-27T15:48:00.000-07:00

Due sometime towards the end of February we think! I go to the doctor on July 7th and should find out the exact due date then. We had difficulty getting pregnant with Josiah so we were shocked how quickly this one came. Jay and I were quite surprised but couldn't be more excited, although it was a little sooner than we expected we know this baby was PLANNED by God to arrive in His perfect timing and we can't wait to meet this new precious one!

February will be a big month for our family...with Lindsey having her baby just weeks before ours! Neither of us know our exact due date yet so it will be interesting to find out just how close together we will be having these babies! Linds and I always talked about how it would be cool to be pregnant at the same time...I never dreamed it would be this time around and so close together...so fun! Our kiddos will all be so close in age, they will have such a blast growing up together. Josiah will only be 16 months when baby #2 comes along, it is going to be quite the adventure for us!

Please keep both of our pregnancies and babies in your prayers!

Happy Father's Day!

2009-06-21T15:13:00.000-07:00

Jay and Josiah's 1st Father's Day pic!

(I love my handsome boys!)

Jay is an AMAZING daddy! I am so blessed to have him as my partner in raising children. He is such a natural with Josiah, makes things so fun, is so affectionate, is crazy about his boy, and is a HUGE help to me when it comes to all the daily "taking care" stuff like making/feeding bottles, diaper changing, bathing, feeding, dressing, entertaining Josiah so I can have a break....even getting up in the night sometimes with him!

Here is proof from this morning!

Josiah wasn't feeling well last night and was up a lot...so Jay took the early morning shift...this is how I found them when I woke up...too precious not to capture it...unfortunately I woke them up with the flash!Is that not also evidence of how much Josiah loves his daddy? That arm wrapped around his neck is a signature sleep position when Daddy is holding him! He loves to cuddle with him and when Jay walks into the room Josiah is grinning ear to ear and jirating with excitement!

Buddies for life...I love it!

World of Wonders

2009-06-20T07:44:00.001-07:00

Josiah has been so much fun lately! He is curious about everything and getting into everything too now that he is crawling and pulling up on things. My mom, sis, and I went to the mall on Thursday and Josiah got to have his first ride on a carousel! I started off with him in my lap on one of the ponies but the attendant told me I couldn't ride on it with him. So I ended up just standing next to him holding him...this was no easy task...the thing was spinning pretty fast for a carousel...so I was trying to hold on so I didn't fall off and hold him as the pony went up and down and he was wobbling every direction...it was pretty intense! And he wasn't real sure what he thought of it. He didn't act excited, happy, or scared, just kind of stared and looked around the whole time. What does get him excited these days though is getting into anything he is not supposed to be into...lamp cords, wood blinds, fireplace screen, toilet paper.....

And he loves the outdoors. He will go to our back door and try and pull up on it like he is trying to get out. And as soon as we open the door he starts jirating with excitement in our arms or if he is on the floor he is out on the deck in a split second discovering leaves, bugs and pine needles, etc. And don't even think about taking him away from his outdoor haven without at least a minor meltdown!

New House and trip to Abilene

2009-06-17T11:34:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pics of our new house. We still have lots of projects, unpacking, and decorating to do...but we are loving it! It is so peaceful and quiet out here. Behind our house is a protected wooded area and we see deer behind our fence all the time. Last night one ran out in front of my car (but i saw it in time to slow down thankfully) into the neighborhood...not sure where he was going?! I have been exploring all the jogging trails in the neighborhood and loving the serenity of it all!Last week Josiah and I rode up with Jay and the youth group to Abilene....I have such a fond place in my heart for that old town! Anyways, they were going to Kadesh and we went to stay with Jason and Lindsey. We had so much fun...unfortunately Linds and I did not get one pic together...horrible! If you haven't been to ACU recently you need to go see it sometime! They have made the campus so beautiful with a nice jogging trail with scriptures engraved in the ground...a sculpture of Jacob's Dream, a meditation/prayer garden, a pond thingy. They totally redid the Bean and library and added a few new buildings! It looks awesome...totally beautified! Linds took us on a tour of everything one day. I went to some of the Kadesh devos, but mainly we just hung out with Linds, it was great sister time! Too bad we have no pics together! =(

Jacob's Dream...so cool!

One day I decided to walk up to Canjun Cones to meet Jay and his group...it wasn't far but it was sooo hot. Josiah's little cheeks were bright red by the time we got there. He loved his Canjun Cone...although it was just ice...I think he was so happy to have something to cool him down!We went out to the farm to see my Grandma at the beginning of the week. It was so good to see her, Lindsey got to tell her she is pregnant and Grandma had so much fun with Josiah. She is almost 91 yrs old and was crawling around chasing Josiah! She cooked us quite the feast, she amazes us...it was a day well spent!
Josiah loved her dog Trixie...they played together the whole time, I was a little nervous they might have an unpleasant encounter but Trixie just loved on Josiah even when Josiah grabbed her face like in the picture below!

While we were in Abilene....

Josiah got a 2nd tooth!

Learned to pull up to standing!

And started throwing all out temper tantrums...

Apparantely Jay did this as a baby too...but if you tell him no or take away a toy, he throws his head back onto the ground and screams while scooting backwards with his legs....I have had to turn away so he didn't see me laughing...but it is so ridiculous! I think Jay and I will be earning our stripes with this little man!

Back in the Game!

2009-06-05T20:03:00.000-07:00

Hello all! It's been a crazy and eventful month but we are starting to get settled finally and just got our internet hooked up again yesterday! So much has happened this past month, here is a brief summary of the main events:

First, here is a pic to tide you over until you get to the end of the post!

Us on Mother's Day!

back to the recent happenings....

1) My sister Lindsey is PREGNANT!!! We are so excited for her and Jason and can't wait to meet our neice or nephew...Josiah will have his 1st cousin!

2)We've been in our house 2 wks now and are loving it...still have lots of projects going on here and there but are settled for the most part.

3)We are getting plugged in at the church and continue to just feel so blessed to be part of such a loving congregation that truly seeks the heart of God. The youth kids and parents are awesome and everyone LOVES Josiah!

4)Josiah is on his way to 8 mos old and had many firsts this month!

Sat himself up from lying down on Mothers Day!
Pulls himself to knees and can stand alone holding on to something
Crawling for a couple of weeks now and getting into EVERYTHING...we have been baby proofing like crazy and changing his diaper or clothes makes me wish I was an octopus!
First Tooth...felt it popping through yesterday!
First time swimming! He loved it!
First night away from mommy and daddy =( We had tile torn up and new tile put in the house before we moved in but we moved in in such a rush that we didn't have time to clean thoroughly prior to moving in...Josiah got so sick and we thought it was from all the dust in the house so we took him to my parents for one night and a day so that we could clean like crazy and make the air more breathable...but then Jay and I both got sick too so I really think it was a cold we passed around.
Started going all night without eating and sometimes sleeps 10-12 hrs with no waking!
I weened him completely this week, he is on Soy formula now... it was kind of sad...but I am super excited to be able to eat dairy and nuts again!
Waved bye-bye...only a few times and never on command, it's only when it's his idea!
Started giving lots of voluntary hugs and kisses...so sweet!

Now for more pics...

Papa Bear letting Josiah play his guitar! Josiah LOVES his Papa and is fascinated by his guitar!My good friend from college is now one neighborhood away from me! She and her baby girl came to play yesterday, it was so much fun!

Today we went to a play group at Market Street in the Woodlands and the kids played in the fountains. Josiah kept crawling right on top of the fountain just as it would shoot up and he wasn't sure what to think about that!
Going to the play group today made me think of my girlfriends back on Mabry Mill...I miss our playdates and miss you girls!

Josiah is so much fun and everyday my heart swells with even more love for him...it's crazy how much you can love a person and yet it keeps growing...there are no bounds!

Whirlwinds and Beach Winds!

2009-05-06T17:59:00.000-07:00

Oh my! The last few weeks have been so crazy...everything has happened so fast...and it's not over yet! We have been busy packing, moving out, dealing with a minor scare that Jay had the swine flu (he's ok...more on that later), trying to get settled in our temporary home, Jay started his new job Sunday(yay!), wrapping things up to make sure we close on time at the new house, etc. We closed on our house in Clear Lake yesterday and haven't closed yet in Spring so we are temporarily homeless...sort of...we are staying with my parents for a little while until we get moved in to our new house. We are set to close next Thursday and then we are having some tile put in to replace the forest green tile that is currently there, so we are hoping to be able to actually move in about a week after closing. WE CAN'T WAIT to get settled and back in to some form of routine and normalcy and we are so excited to really immerse ourselves in our new community up there.

So Wednesday of last week Jay got really sick...sore throat, fever, vomiting, etc....flu like symptoms. He went to the doc who diagnosed an upper respiratory infection but said Jay's symptoms were flu like so he was sending his flu swabs off to the healthcare department and that it would take 48 hrs to get the results. Meanwhile we were a bit concerned about Josiah being exposed if it were the swine flu so I furiously packed Josiah and I up and moved us out to my parents a couple days ahead of schedule to get Josiah away from Jay (sounds dramatic now but we wanted to play it safe). I felt so bad leaving my sick husband to fend for himself but Josiah isn't weaned yet so what do you do?! The next day the healthcare department called Jay and interviewed him and decided he needed more testing and it would be an additional 5 days before we knew anything...are you serious?! And it has now been longer than that and we have yet to hear back...but he is fine. After 24 hrs of being on antibiotics he was feeling back to himself and has not had a fever since that first day. We lifted the quarantine we imposed by Thursday afternoon but he kept his distance from us until it had been 48 hrs since his fever. All of this was going on while trying to move out...crazy!

Anyways...here are some pics of the precious little man during the packing frenzy!

Aunt Britt was entertaining so we could be productive!

He loves his Johnny Jump Up (thanks Mandy!)Nothing like a laundry basket or box when a confined play area is necessary!

Saturday we took Josiah down to the beach for a surf contest. It was fun but it was so windy...he was a little overwhelmed at first and we didn't last that long out there. He didn't seem to mind the sand a bit but the water and waves he wasn't too crazy about just yet! He spent most of the time inside his pack n play just because it blocked the spraying sand, he didn't mind being covered in it or eating it but it was blowing in his eyes.If you blow this one up you can see how caked in sand he was...so cute!

So much stimulation...he conked out within 1 minute of being in the car!I had to wash the sand off of all his toys when we got back and he had a blast helping!

The last few days he has started shaking his head "no" at different things. It is so cute and I am amazed that he knows how to express himself like that already...I guess we shake our heads "no" more than we realized! It's so funny when he does it. We are trying to teach him "yes" now...it doesn't seem to come as naturally! =) We are going to try and start teaching him basic signs now...I can't wait until he picks some up and starts using them...it will be so awesome to communicate with him that way in this preverbal stage.

A New Chapter Begins

2009-04-20T18:43:00.000-07:00

Finally...the word is out and I can write about what has been going on in the Blackburn life that has been keeping us so crazy busy!

To make a long story short... after lots of prayer and unmistakable leading from the Lord...Jay decided to return to full time ministry and has accepted a youth ministry position at Grace Crossing in the Woodlands...so we are moving! It has all happened really fast. We put our house on the market a couple of weeks ago and within four days we had 4 offers on the table one of which was for $5K over our list price! Needless to say that was a no brainer...we went with that one...God is so faithful! We have a contract on a really cute house in nice neighborhood in Spring near the Woodlands and not far from the church. It is beautiful there...tons of trees and pretty wildflowers, doesn't even look like Houston. It is going to be a fun place to live. We are set to close on our current house on April 30th and on the new one May 14 so we will be staying with family for a few weeks during the interim. We are so excited about the our new church family, they are a people truly seeking after God's own heart, we can't wait to get there and join them in their pursuit of the Kingdom! And we are super excited about working with teens again...Jay has such a passion for that age group and he fits right in with them...crazy man! I have a feeling Josiah will be immediately embraced by lots of tons of teenagers...it should give him plenty of stimulation for sure!

We are also sad to leave our friends and family, neighborhood, and house down here. So it is a bittersweet thing. But God has just opened so many doors and given us such solid confirmations that this is where He wants us...and there is no better place to be than in His will...we are eager to watch and see what all He has in store. One thing we know for sure...it is gonna be good! "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Please keep us in your prayers for a smooth transition as we move...especially for Josiah that it won't create a feeling of instability for him.

There are apparantely a lot of baby boys right around his age at the church right now...so he will have buddies when we get there. Today we stopped by the office and one of the other ministers and his wife had their almost 4 mos old baby boy, Eliam, up there and we put the boys on the floor together and they just stared at eachother for a while, then Josiah rolled towards Eliam and reached out and touched his face...so precious, they were instant buds!

Pics of the new house to come...eventually!

Half a Year!

2009-04-18T07:14:00.000-07:00

We have been crazy busy and I have been seriously slacking when it comes to blog writing. But I thought Josiah's 6 month birthday deemed a break from the craziness so that I could share some pics and updates on him!

As you can see...Josiah is officially sitting up now without support! It has been slowly coming but Thursday he just started being able to sit for long periods of time while playing with his toys without falling over. He still topples every now and then and sometimes purposely lunges forward like he knows how to crawl...but he doesn't yet. He did start rocking a little on his knees yesterday though...except he pushes himself backwards instead of forwards. He he!

He is still such a happy little boy. He just goes with the flow. I am thankful that although he is not a great sleeper he is a happy little camper! So on a whole for the sleep situation...I thought we were making slight progress when a few wks ago he had a couple of 5-6 hrs stretches at night with no waking. Then this week it has been rough every night...until last night...and he surprised us with 9 hrs of sleep no waking! Jay and I had gone out for our 5 yr anniversary (yes, and it has been a WONDERFUL 5 YEARS...I have been blessed with an amazing selfless and servant hearted husband who keeps me on my toes with his passion for the Lord and life!)...anyways, Jay's parents kept Josiah, gave him a bottle of formula at 7:30 and put him to bed. Normally he wakes up to eat again between 10:30-11 but he didn't wake up until 4:30am! Jay and each woke up once to go check on him b/c it is so unlike him to not make a peep...but he was just sleeping like a little rock. He had shots yesterday so I don't know if that had something to do with it or if maybe...just maybe...he is gonna start sleeping longer at night....I hope and pray! And I think he will be getting a bottle of formula in the evening from now on if it continues to help the sleep situation!

He has been saying "hey!" lately. At first it was just an interactive little noise he would do back and forth with us. But now we are starting to think he actually might know it is a way to greet people. When he hasn't seen Jay or I for a while and he spots us he will say "hey", it is really cute.

We still think he might be teething due to all the drool and constant gumming of anything he can get into his mouth...but no teeth in sight yet.

We took him on his first camping trip Easter weekend. It is a tradition of my families to go camping every Easter...it was a whole new experience with a baby but such a blast. He loved being outdoors. Here are the TWO pics I took the whole weekend...pathetic I know. My mom and sister took a bunch so when I get a chance to download their pics I will post some more.

Hiking at the falls...so beautiful!

Josiah with his Easter presents!

....more camping pics to come!

Josiah 5 Months!

2009-03-19T18:15:00.000-07:00

Our sweet boy turned 5 months on Monday! He is rolling all over the place now, can sit up without support for about 30 seconds or so, is getting really antsy to be crawling...he gets so frustrated when he can't get to a toy, he initiates peek-a-boo by holding something over his face until we say "where's josiah?" and then he pulls it down cackles when we say "peek-a-boo!" He is still a drool machine and constantly gumming whatever he can get into his mouth but no visible sign of any teeth yet. He is such a joy and when we don't think it's possible to love him anymore than we already do...he captures our hearts by surprise and we are completely overwhelmed with an even deeper love for him!

We have been taking advantage of the beautiful weather this week and going for lots of walks and spending time outdoors...he LOVES being outside!

Note the look on his face...

"enough pictures mom put me down and let me play!"And so I did...

"Look mommy's not holding me up!"Jay misses Josiah so much during the week, as soon as he gets home he takes over for a while so I can have a break and he can have a little time with him before he goes to bed at 7. Josiah lights up when his daddy walks through the door! This is tonight after Jay gave him his bath. Doesn't Josiah look so proud to be sitting on his daddy's shoulder?! Love it!

We love our little man!

The Sweetest Sound!

2009-03-09T06:57:00.000-07:00

Saturday night I was feeding Josiah before bed and when I stopped to burp him and switch sides he started fussing...and amidst the fuss I heard the sweetest sound to a mother's ear..."mamamama!" I couldn't believe it...but my mom was my witness...she heard it too! Since then he has said it a few other times and Jay has heard it now also...all when fussing, he is one smart boy...he has figured out how to melt my heart and get his way...at least a few times anyways! I am surprised it came before "dada" since I hear that usually comes first. He can make the "d" sound but has never said "dada." It has been a few weeks coming that I was thinking he was trying to say "mama"...all when crying, and he finally did it. I was just reading the other day that between 4-6 months you may hear those precious syllables but that the baby can't actually connect us with them yet...maybe that's true. But I find it interesting that he only says it when fussing like he is pulling out all the tricks to get his way?! Whether he knows he is saying my name yet or not...I don't care...I am so excited he can say it, I can't wait till he says it when he is happy to see me, like when I go get him out of bed in the morning...that will be the best! I think it won't be long before Jay gets to hear "dada" either...he's so close!

Another sound we've been hearing from him lately that is sad rather than sweet is an aweful cough! =( Poor baby! At the beginning of last week he was just feeling rotten, he was coughing, clingy, fussy, and sleepless. But towards the end of the week after a few days of a humidifier, steamy bathroom treatments and baby tylenol he started acting himself again, his cough is lingering though...along with old sleep habits of waking up ALL NIGHT LONG! Super bummed about that...we had been making such headway, before he got sick he gave us one 9 hr and one 7 hr night admist many 5 1/2 to 6 hr stretches with minimal crying. Last night he was awake crying on and off from 1:30 to 4am...we are tired today.

On a more fun note...my birthday was Friday and Jay's is this Thursday so we have been having lots of fun birthday celebrations! Friday my sweet in-laws sent me a really pretty arrangement of pink, green, and white flowers. Then a few hours later I heard another knock on the door and it was another delivery of beautiful roses from my precious husband...2 fire and ice and 8 red = 28 yrs old! I felt so loved. Friday night Jay cooked dinner for me and rented a movie for us to watch. Saturday we went out to my parents house and my mom took me shopping while the guys watched sports all afternoon and kept Josiah. Then my parents made Jay and I an awesome steak dinner for our birthdays and gave us gifts, we sat around the table talking until late...it was great! We will be celebrating our birthdays with Jay's family this weekend...I will have to write about that later as some plans are still in the works.

Well...much more is going on in the life of the Blackburn family but that is a brief snapshot for ya!

Speaking of snapshots...here are some from the past few weeks!

He loves this!

Grandma Freckles and Old DudeUncle B and Aunt BrittAt Jay's parents lakehouse last weekend...

Today...this was too cute I had to capture it on camera...he loves to play with his feet!

Have a good one!

Josiah 4 Months!

2009-02-19T11:05:00.000-08:00

Josiah turned 4 months old on Monday and he is Mr. Personality!

At his Dr. visit Monday he weighed 13 lbs 13 oz and was 26 inches long!

4 New Things he is doing:

1. Rolling over all the time from tummy to back!

That one time he rolled before was a fluke he started on Tuesday to really roll over. He sleeps on his tummy and I started finding him after nap time awake and happy on his back! Now the only problem is that he can't get back over to his tummy and doesn't like to sleep on his back so in the night when he rolls over we have to go in there and roll him back so he will go back to sleep!

2. Started cereal on Monday

...he is loving it and is doing surprisingly well being spoon fed, the first couple feedings were pretty messy but he is getting to where most of it actually stays in his mouth now!

3. Waking up happy from naps!

4. He gets very distracted while I am nursing him now if there is anything social going on or American Idol is on!

....that is right he LOVES American Idol, it is too funny! I don't ever plop him in front of the TV (except for an occasional Baby Einstein dvd) but whether I am feeding him or he is playing somewhere in the living room, if American Idol is on...he is glued to the TV!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2009-02-14T09:24:00.000-08:00

It has been a great start to our Valentine's Day today! This morning Josiah woke up at 7:30...his usual time...but was so tired still after eating that I put him back down at 8 and he slept until 10:20...which meant...Jay and I SLEPT IN! Then we woke up and cooked breakfast for eachother, watched Josiah play in his Excersaucer and Jay just took Josiah for a walk! Later we are heading to SL and my parents are going to watch Josiah while we go on our first date since he was born. We are going to Outback and then to see Benjamin Button! So excited!

Josiah loves mirrors!

Before his walk with daddy!

As I was reading my sister's blog this morning she was talking about reflecting today on how God romances us and I was reminded of one year ago today when God lavished His romance upon Jay and I and we found out after a long time of trying that we were pregnant! It was the best Valentine's gift ever....God is so sweet in the way He works things out like that in such impeccable timing to let us know how much He loves us! Now we are sitting in daily amazement just marveling at the gift He has given us in our perfect, precious, bundle of joy...Josiah. When I recall His faithfulness to me in those ways my heart swells with love for Him...I am wooed and won over by the Lover of my soul! Thanks Lindsey for reminding me to reflect on HIM today.

Happy Valentines Day everyone!

McDrooly!

2009-02-11T12:51:00.001-08:00

We found the perfect pacifier for Josiah and a perfectly suited new nickname too...McDrooly!

Do you see that little wet chin?

(this pics a little blurry, he was swinging)
I definitely get pelted with drool everytime we do airplane!
Note the drool spot on Mr. Handsome's shirt...it's small compared to usual and has become a constant spot on mine too!
With all the drooling and him constantly putting his hands and anything else he can get in his mouth, you would think he was teething already! I've read some babies start this early but I don't think he is.

Now...for some random pics of the past week or so...

This morning he tried out his excersaucer for the first time! He was pretty wide eyed the whole time he was in there! It was fun watching him discover he could turn himself around in there.

"Oooh...this is so fun...wish I could get these toys in my mouth somehow!"

He thinks his daddy is SO COOL!

(and he is... truly such a fun dad)

Jay gives him baby mohawks after bathtime every night!

(he is a very helpful dad too...de does bathtime just about every night)

So happy!

He will be four months old on Monday! I can't believe how fast the time is passing! He is such a joy!

Changing subjects....

SHEETS!?!

Does anyone know of some SUPER soft cotton sheets that you just love? What kind? Where can you get them, etc.?

We are on the hunt for some new sheets and I was greatly disappointed by the last ones I got...they were scratchy and have already started balling up after just one wash...unacceptable, if I had the receipt I would try and take them back...but I don't!

Rasberries-video up!

2009-02-02T12:45:00.000-08:00

Josiah started making rasberries back at us yesterday! It is his new favorite noise! Today after I videoed him doing it I held the video camera in front of him so he could watch and he got so excited and started making the noise over and over again while he watched himself...cracked me up!

Just some random pics I took today...he looks like he is posing G Q style in this pic! He he!

Beautiful boy! At lunch with YaYa last week before some shopping! Isn't he just the cutest little bundle!?!

Sportin' his shades! Everytime I take him outside he squints his eyes and starts squirming from the bright light...so I thought we would try out the shades on our walk this weekend. He loved them! In fact when I took them off at one point he fussed a little until I put them back on!

The boys just chillin' on the floor in front of the TV watching football!
Look at those beautiful blues! Hope he keeps them!I love my handsome boys!My best friend Hilary came to meet Josiah...finally! We tried many times to make it work before and it just never worked out. It was so good to see her and have some needed laughs and girl time. Our other two besties Sarah and Mere couldn't make it this time...we missed you Sarah and Mere!

They loved eachother!

So today we are tackling the sad task of finding a new type of paci for Josiah. We LOVED the Nuk's he has been using since he was born...they looked boyish and weren't huge on his face and didn't have that ring on them that annoys us...more importantly though...HE loved them...and we can't find them anywhere anymore. He had two of them and we lost one so I went to buy another and after a few weeks of checking back at Babies R Us, Wal Mart, and Target several times for them I found out that what may have happened is that they may not be BPA free and were pulled. But I couldn't find any info on a recall though. Anyways...to be on the safe side we are going to quit giving him the beloved Nuk we still have, so I bought two different kinds today and we are trying them out. I think he likes the Avent ones. They are monstrosities though! Who knew paci's could be such an ordeal?!

Question for all you blog gurus!?!

2009-01-22T15:15:00.000-08:00

1)How do I get my pics to upload so that when someone wants to click on the pic to blow it up they can? I have some fam members requesting I fix this and I don't know how!

2)How do I get that thing on my sidebar that tells me when my blog friends have written a new post?...Robin and I think Ambre....I noticed you have them...share your knowledge and hook a woman up with your blog skills!

Thanks friends! =)

Tummy time adventures and more!

2009-01-22T14:14:00.000-08:00

Josiah rolled over this morning and I missed it! We were doing tummy time and I was taking his picture and realized the tv cabinet was open in the background and it looked tacky so I jumped up for 2 seconds to close the cabinets and when I turned back around...Josiah was on his back! I can't believe it! I have tried several times the rest of the day to get him to do it again but of course he hasn't...he's tried though!

Yesterday I realized I have some 3 mos clothes that Josiah can wear now that I forgot about. I have been putting him in sleepers constantly...one cause they are comfortable for him but also because I didn't think he had anything else to wear! Here he is in one of his big boy 3 mos outfits! So adorable...this is most reflective of Jay and I's style preference for our little man!

Tuesday my friend Becky came over with her 4 wk old little girl, Emry Grace! We just spent the day chatting and doing our mom thing together...it was fun to have company and Josiah liked hanging out with Emry. They live down the street and go to church with us so they will be good buddies!

Having such fun together! Josiah is like "yay... someone my size!"

Or maybe not exactly his size....what a chunker he looks like next to her! This picture of him cracks me up!

Awww...little sweeties holding hands!

Last Friday night we went to dinner and then to Main Event to go bowling for my father-in-law's birthday...which also happened to be Josiah's 3 month birthday! It was a lot of fun. Here are some pics at Main Event.

The birthday boys!

The whole fam! We were about to leave and it was cold so we put Josiah's hoodie up...he looks so funny!

So...Josiah has decided to revert back to waking up every 2-2.5 hours during the night for the past two nights...WHAT IS THIS?! Let's hope this is short lived cause I am one tired mama today!

Catch-Up Marathon Post!

2009-01-15T13:01:00.000-08:00

I figured out the reason it takes me SOOO long to write a post! I am always playing catch up and have a thousand things I want to write about and post pics of. Then I spend forever looking through my gazillion pictures of Josiah trying to decide which ones to post cause they are all so darn cute that I want to post all of them but know nobody else probably is quite as taken by hundreds of pictures of him as I am...except for maybe his grandparents! So because that is all such a long process I never feel like I have time to blog. My new solution...if I actually will follow through on it...is to blog short quick posts often instead of marathon posts like this one is going to be.

Christmas was so much fun with Josiah this year. Even though he didn't get what was going on it was just such a blast to share him with everyone and to give him his first Christmas gifts! For a kid that didn't know what was going on...he sure did pick up on the fact that Christmas is fun...check out all these smiles!!!

He is such cuddle bug!

Here he is with his gifts from us...a rattle and a silky blanky!

He got a bunch of books for Christmas from both sets of grandparents and some cousins...and he LOVES to read them! He looks so intently at each page and has started reaching out to touch the book and attempt to turn the pages...except he ends up closing the book instead of turning the page! Ha! He has also started reading out loud with us...as soon as we start to read he starts babbling like he knows the books by heart!

For all you moms out there...you MUST know about SANDRA BOYNTON! She is a fabulous children's book author...her books are so witty and catchy with adorable illustrations! They are great teaching books too! My favorite that he got of hers is called "Let's Dance Little Pookie!" TOO CUTE!But the best gift of all this year was Josiah himself! What a joyous blessing!!! The birth of our own son really gave us new insights into the birth of our Savior, what a beautiful gift of love!

Here are a few pics just cause they are cute of our little man during month 2 of his precious life!

And the 16th was his 3 month birthday!

It's amazing how fast he is changing and developing! He is sitting in his bumbo some, really reaching for things, finding his feet, wanting to put everything he gets his hands on into his mouth, he is making vowel-consonant sounds some, and he is still working so hard to roll over but hasn't quite figured it out yet!

This is on his 3 month birthday, I couldn't get him to look at the camera because he was too fascinated by his feet!

Chilling in his bumbo!!!

Showing off how well he can reach and grasp things now!

He apparantely already knows how to rock out...I thought this was so funny especially since he is wearing that sleeper!

He loves bath time it puts him in the best mood!

My cousin Bethany got married on the 10th to Mr. Cody Girod! I was in the wedding and so the whole weekend we were busy having wedding fun! Thursday we went out for her Bachelorette Party to Escalantes for dinner and then out to sing Karaoke and we all had to wear some type of "flare" as you see in the picture below! Friday was the bridesmaid luncheon and rehearsal dinner that night, and then Saturday starting at breakfast was wedding prep and then the wedding that night! Thursday was my first time to go out for an evening without Josiah! It was a fun break! And the whole weekend was my first experience of doing something so big with a baby! He was a trooper the whole weekend, he had to take a lot of bottles over the weekend, and he missed several naps and stayed up late partying at the reception and he did great! I have such a little angel!

Just before Karaoke...some of the gals in our "flare!" Linds and I hanging out!The beautiful bride and handsome groom! We are so happy for them, they are perfect for each other! Welcome to the fam Cody!Our fam at the reception!

Finally...this is from today while we were out walking, he loved the beautiful weather! I love that big smile with his hand shoved in his mouth...he talks like that a lot too...it's pretty cute!

Victory!!!

2008-12-30T18:11:00.000-08:00

I have SOOO much updating to do on here but right now I only have time to share our recent VICTORY in Josiah's sleep situation....he is finally SLEEPING INDEPENDENTLY! woo hoo! That's right, he is sleeping in his crib for naps and at nighttime and we aren't having to hold him anymore. He has been doing this for about a week and half now! It is such a wonderful break for us...you can't even imagine. He has gone back to eating twice in the night instead of just once, but that is okay...we actually get to sleep without holding him now! We are so happy! We feel like we kind of have our life back! You would think that now that he is napping without being held that would mean I'd have more time to blog...but I am actually busier in a different way...now I am busy showering, cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, etc. when he is down for naps...it's wonderful! It's crazy how much you can appreciate doing those things when you haven't been able to for a while. Anyways...just wanted to share the news...gotta go feed the little man now!

Birthday Tributes and Christmas fun!

2008-12-16T07:17:00.000-08:00

Happy 26th Birthday Lindsey!

I have the most amazing sister in the world, she is my best friend, biggest prayer warrior, loyal thru and thru confidant! It is so indescribably precious to have someone who shares your every joy, every concern, every excitement, and every sorrow at almost the exact same level that you do just because they love you so much. That is how my Lindser loves! She is one of a kind...a precious jewel! I am so thankful for you Linds! Jay, Josiah, and I adore you!

Today is our sweet boy's 2 month birthday!

He is just growing and changing so fast! We are having so much fun with him, he has so much personality already, we think he is going to be outgoing just like his daddy! He also doesn't want to miss a thing, he will just sit quietly gazing intently around the room and really locking in on things and people's faces...you can tell he is studying and just taking things in. Jay and I fall more and more in love with him everyday and find so much joy and laughter in just watching him.

Josiah's first Christmas Tree!

We had fun taking him with us to pick out the tree for his first Christmas. He slept the whole time we were there until I turned him around to take this picture and he woke up briefly. It will be even better when he is older and actually helps us pick the tree!

Snow!!!

This was our backyard last Wednesday night! We didn't take the little man out in it though cause it had been a rough day and he was finally sleeping and we did not want to wake him getting all bundled up! Surprising for Houston, huh?!

Picture Tag

2008-12-15T15:02:00.000-08:00

I was picture tagged by Roxanne...you have to open your pics folder...go to the fourth folder...then to the fourth pic in that folder...post it and explain it and then tag four more people to do the same. No cheating on the folder or the pic. Below is my pic! Yikes!
So...for the explanation. This was in 2006, I had read in some magazine that you could achieve big glam curls by twisting your hair up while wet in small buns all over your head and sleeping on it. So as you can see I tried it out. I don't remember what prompted us taking pictures like this... we are just weird...Jay fro'd (sp?!) out his hair and we spent like 30 minutes putting the camera on a timer taking weird pics like this and cracking up hysterically after each one...oh the fun of digital photography! Then we went like that over to his parents house to watch movies.

So....

Lindsey, Meredith West, Jill, and Robin... TAG, YOU'RE IT!

Follow the instructions I mentioned above the pic...can't wait to see yours!

Good things...

2008-12-08T12:35:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all who have been praying for us. For a quick update...despite pumping off foremilk before feeding Josiah is still having some green diapers and seems to have tummy upset, we will see what the pedi says at the 2 month visit next week. I am nervous he is going to put me on a dairy elimination diet to rule out an allergy to dairy...no fun! But if it helps my boy I will do it of course. BUT...this post is to share the positives and the GOOD stuff...so here goes!

1) Josiah slept for about 5 1/2 hrs last night (being held but nonetheless it was a long stretch) he skipped a feeding for the first time! Then I got him to sleep in his bassinet for 40 minutes during a nap this morning! I was able to wash my face, brush my teeth, get dressed, cook breakfast, and unload the dishwasher...it was AWESOME...amazing the small things we take for granted! Progress!

2)Josiah has gotten to be so much fun to interact with during his awake time. He is becoming so happy...especially when his tummy is full...he laughs out loud, talks and coos a lot whether it's to himself, the nearest toy in sight, or to us...which is his favorite! He also has started making the cutest sad face I've ever seen...once I can capture it on camera I will definitely share...he pouts out his bottom lip just before he starts to fuss and it just melts my heart.

3)Developmentally he has learned to push himself up during tummy time and is even trying to roll over to the left side, he holds his head steady when sitting up or on our shoulder, he bats at things with his hands, follows us with his eyes even turning his head to keep us in sight when we walk by or move in front of him, he can bear a good amount of his weight on his legs in a standing position, and although he hasn't yet grasped a rattle, he definitely gets a good grasp on my hair and shirt...no dangly earrings for me for a while! He is loving his play time!

4)Last night he met his first little buddy close to the same age...Rowen Stone Murphy...born last week to our church friends and neighbors, Bryan and Lindsay. Lindsay is one strong woman...she delivered that 8lb 11oz baby with no drugs! We live on the same street and Josiah and Rowen are 6 wks apart so it will be really fun watching them become playmates! Another couple friend of ours from church is due on Christmas, they are having a little girl and also live right down the street from us. We can't wait for her to get here!

5)Thanksgiving was a blast! We went to Abilene and celebrated with Lindsey and Jason. Then Friday went to Seymour and celebrated my grandma's 90th birthday! She so does not seem 90...she showed up to her party in heels with a flower on them, hot pink nail polish, and a sassy skirt suit...too cute! Josiah met lots of family for the first time on this trip, it was really fun! Then Saturday we went to see ACU's football team play in the playoffs! It was the furthest they have ever gone in a season...National Quarter Final game and was really exciting...sadly they didn't bring their best game and they lost, but it was still a really fun experience...and Josiah's first football game!

Josiah finally met his Uncle JJ and he loves him!

It was so special getting to share Josiah with Grandma Martin...my only living grandma!

Josiah has on a football sleeper for the occasion...and sleep he did...right through the whole game! Go figure...doesn't want to sleep at home but at a noisy football game...out like a light!

6) And biased as I may be...we just have a BEAUTIFUL and HANDSOME baby boy...just look at him! =)

Of course...we have to have a surfer outfit for our little man!

Quick prayer request...

2008-12-03T20:36:00.000-08:00

Please pray for Josiah and I. We are having a really rough time with breastfeeding issues. He started having some green diapers last week and acting really fussy and gasy. This often indicates an oversupply of milk where the baby gets full on foremilk and doesn't get enough hindmilk. It can also indicate that he has a virus...and Jay and I both had some kind of weird stomach stuff going on last week. I am having a difficult time discerning which it is. And if it's the oversupply issue trying to decide which method to use to address it. I don't want to give up on breast feeding at all...and don't plan on it, but I am VERY weary and discouraged at the constant battle we seem to be having with it. Please pray that things will level out, that I will have discernment as to what exactly is going on, and that I will have the strength emotionally to persevere and that Josiah starts feeling better. Also...please pray he starts sleeping on his own some. Or at least that he will sleep next to us in bed versus us having to hold him all night and all day when he needs to sleep. We LOVE cuddling him and love that he wants to cuddle so often...yet we are desperate for more rest. Books I've read on sleep lend me to think he may be four months before we see much of a change since he has been colicky and has reflux...but we serve a God who can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine...so please join us in praying for relief sooner as we aren't even halfway to four months yet.

Pray for our strength and for us to maintain a joyful, hopeful, and thankful spirit for our precious and most amazing little gift!

Pics from Thanksgiving to come...not sure when...but as soon as I get a chance!

Happy 1 Month Birthday Josiah!

2008-11-16T19:44:00.000-08:00

Our sweet boy is one month old today! I can't believe how fast this first month went. In some ways I am thankful because it has been somewhat of a rough go for us the past couple weeks...but I am also sad because time is passing so quickly already, he is growing up so fast!

Don't ya just wanna kiss that face?!

He is really working on finding that thumb...I hope he does so when he loses his paci at night or during naptime he can pop that thumb in there to self soothe!

So...I mentioned that we have had a rough go lately...to sum it up as quickly as possible...poor little guy has reflux, my milk supply was low for a while, and sweet little love wasn't sleeping hardly at all for a couple of weeks and was so overtired and strung out. BUT...he is now on medicine for the reflux and it has helped a lot, my milk supply is back up and plentiful, and we are working on the sleep thing. I have him on an eat, play, sleep schedule feeding him about every 3 hours. He is sleeping a lot now...it is just that he isn't sleeping well on his own, he sleeps like an angel as long as we are holding him, or I am wearing him in the sling. We can sometimes get about 45 minutes out of him laying down on his own...but for our own sanity we have given in to constant wearing or holding so we can get some sleep. I am hoping that once he gets caught back up on sleep he will start sleeping hard enough that we can put him down for longer periods of time. He is sleeping in his swing right now...we will see how long it lasts...well, there he is...less than 30 minutes.

Here are some sweet pics from when we gave him his first bottle

And I love this he always puts his hands over his face.
I just love him and love being a mom!

Newborn Portraits and Sweet First Moments with Family!

2008-11-05T17:26:00.000-08:00

Last week we took Josiah to have some newborn portraits taken. We were at the studio from 9:30 to 1pm and he cried almost the whole time so we weren't sure how the pictures were going to turn out. But she actually managed to get some really precious ones in those few moments he wasn't crying! I thought some of you might want to see...click the link below and it will take you directly to the slideshow of the pictures. Enjoy!

http://studioainsley.com/?slideshow=blackburn

Here are some pics of family with the little man!

YaYa (my mom)

Josiah loves talking to YaYa! He is really starting to interact...it is so fun! He had his first interactive smiles this week too!

Lovin' from Papa Bear (my dad)

Snuggled up with Aunt Lindsey!

Out like a light in Grandma Freckles arms! (Jay's mom)

So relaxed!

Old Dude (Jay's dad) working his charm on a screaming baby!

So happy to meet Uncle B and Aunt Brittnie! (jay's brother and his wife)

Nanny and PaPa (jay's grandparents)

Jay's Uncle David

My Aunt Cheryl

My Aunt Vicki and cousins Kayla and Bethany

Mia, Grace, and Benjamin (my cousin Bret and Jen's kiddos)

One of my best friends...sweet Meredith!

And more pics of our little mister!Play time with mommy! He was such a happy boy that day!

Yes Robin...Jay is wearing dress clothes! His new job requires it! =) Ha!

My new favorite thing to look at...my handsome boys together!

Had to document pics of us sleeping...it happens so rarely that it is a big deal to note when it does! =) Notice Jay holding him in one pic and he's in bed with me in the other...until the past day or so that is the only way Josiah will sleep. But we may have discovered that the bouncer works wonders...we will see!

Okay...hope you aren't so pictured out by now that you don't visit the newborn portrait website...they are just to precious to miss!

Yay! I finally finished a blog...thanks to my little love being so happy and willing to let me put him down to play and sleep today!

In Love with Our Little Man!

2008-10-29T16:05:00.000-07:00

I've been itching to get some new pictures up but just can't find the time to do it...imagine that!? :) It has been so busy, Josiah eats every two to three hours...mainly every two, so finding time to do anything between feedings have been difficult. But we are both doing well. He is nursing like a champ, it has come realy easily which is a huge blessing! Now if he could just start sleeping in a little longer stretches at night so mommy wouldn't be so sleep deprived we would be good to go! There are so many pictures I want to share, but here are a few of my favorites from our first week! Haven't had a chance to download pics from the second week yet.

Announcing Josiah Andrew Blackburn

2008-10-18T08:33:00.001-07:00

Our precious angel boy is finally here!

10/16/08 at 11:30pm.

7 lbs 4 oz

19 1/2 inches long

Perfect in everyway...our hearts are exploding with love!

Here are a few pics of his first 24 hours!

Finally...reconnected to the universe!

2008-10-15T15:30:00.000-07:00

Last weekend our computer was maliciously attacked with 222 viruses...yes that is right, tragic and terrible timing I know! We had to take it to the Geek Squad at Best Buy and get it fixed, so for past 5 days we have been without internet. I have felt so disconnected from the world! But...we are back in the game again. So...for an update...unless I go into labor between now and 7am tomorrow spontaneously I will be induced at 7 in the morning. I am currently 2cm and about 80% effaced, so my doctor thinks I will respond well and quickly to the induction. Contractions are coming more and more everyday, some consistent...some not. Today I have had contractions mainly around 10 minutes apart consistently almost all day, with a few spreading 15 to 20 min apart and some as close as 6 or 7 min apart. We will see if they keep coming and getting closer together. We still are praying that I will go into labor on my own before the induction and would love for you to join us in that prayer. But we are resting in whatever God has for us, and welcome your prayers for a safe, complication free delivery of a perfectly healthy baby boy! Oh and the doc said today he felt like he could possibly be 8 to 8 1/2 lbs...so we will see soon just how accurate all these guestimates are! We are so excited and can't wait to meet our precious son! We will post an update on his arrival and pics of our baby boy as soon as we are able too!

Ultrasound pics and update!

2008-10-09T13:35:00.000-07:00

He is just so precious! He is so scrunched up in there now, it's hard to get real clear pics, but here are a few good ones. He definitely has got him some chubster cheeks...can't wait to kiss them! The ultrasound measurements have him at 7 lbs 13 oz. But the measurements can be off a pound one way or the other. So we will see when he is born how accurate they were. As of today I am between 1.5 cm and 2cm dilated and between 70 and 80% effaced. She said she was giving ball park #'s b/c it is subjective. She still thinks I am on track to deliver before the induction date, I hope she is right and I hope it's this weekend sometime while Linds is here!

Jay and I chose not to do the 3D ultrasound thing, but today the tech asked if I would indulge her and let her get a quick 3D shot because he was in good position for one. Pretty sweet to see those chubby cheeks and him sticking his little tongue out. I just can't wait to see the real thing!!!
This is a video of his sweet little face while he is squirming around, he has his hands up under his chin kind of. At the end of the video you can see he kind of turns his face away, I wonder if we were disturbing his nap with all the picture taking!

Yoga at 3 am?!

2008-10-08T21:09:00.000-07:00

So...last night (Tues) was an interesting one. I finally got out of bed at 2:30 because I was uncomfortable and couldn't sleep. After about an hour of reading every blog I could, reading and responding to about 12 emails, etc. I was at a loss at what to do. So I decided to do my prenatal Yoga videa at 3:30am. That's right...I worked out in the middle of the night. For those of you who do Yoga, you know it's not much of a workout as it is just a lot of stretching mainly, and it felt great! I forced myself to go back to bed afterwards despite being wide awake and finally fell asleep. Tonight is already off to an interesting start. It is 11:15 and I layed in bed for an hour already unable to fall asleep, so now I am up...blogging again. Anyone have any ideas of things I can do in the middle of the night? I was having contractions about 10 minutes apart for about 2 hours earlier so I think it got me all excited at the possibility that I could be going into labor sometime soon. We will see I guess. I have another ultrasound and doc appt in the morning. We are going to see just how big this sweet boy is getting! And I am hoping to hear I've made a lot more progress since last week. I should have an update sometime tomorrow afternoon. I just ate some cheese and crackers...got hungry right when I got in bed and couldn't quit thinking about cheese and crackers. So now that I've had a snack maybe sleepiness will set in soon...otherwise it may be another night for Yoga.

10 more days at the most!

2008-10-06T15:00:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update...I am scheduled to be induced due to his size on the 16th if I haven't had him yet by then. But our hearts desire is still that I go into labor spontaneously before that time, and my doctor feels like I will. Please keep us in your prayers that I will go into labor sometime before then, more specifically sometime this week so my sister can come see him this weekend. If I go past this weekend it will be more complicated for her to get here. Thanks for your prayers...the waiting is SOOOOOOOOOOOO hard! We are just so excited to meet him! At least I know it will be in ten days at the most...still praying for sooner though!

38wks belly pics and update

2008-10-03T14:16:00.000-07:00

I don't know if you can tell how much I've dropped or not by the pics...but trust me I have, I can feel the pressure! Jay can tell by looking at me too but he is well acquainted with my belly. Unfortunately I don't have any exciting news of more progress to share. I am still 1cm dilated and 70% effaced. I told my doctor of the prelabor signs I was having and she said, "those are all good signs!" I knew she wouldn't say much else than that cause she can't predict the future down to a date, but I was wishing she would say...well, then this baby will be here in the next few days. She did however decide we will induce at my due date because of his size if I haven't already delivered by then. And she told me she doesn't think I will make it to my due date, she expects I will go into labor sometime before then. So I was somewhat encouraged by that!

For now I am staying busy resting and nesting!

Baby...come out!

2008-10-02T02:43:00.000-07:00

Okay. So seriously I am ready to get this show on the road. It is currently 4:45am and I have been awake and sneezing continuously with a burning esophagus since about 1:30am. I have successfully gone through half a roll of toilet paper blowing my nose and still no relief. Anybody know why I might be having massive allergy attacks only at night?! It is the most bizarre thing ever. I mean my allergies occasionally will bother me a little early in the mornings but then I am fine all day until 1:30 am when without fail I am woken up by reflux and sneezing...is there a connection between to the two? The reflux has been going on a while, the allergy thing started not long after but continues to worsen. I started thinking maybe in pregnancy I developed an allergy to our laundry detergent...but then wouldn't I be sneezing all day because of my clothes? I keep our room very dusted and clean just to make sure it's not dust...I just don't know what the deal is. So...I have decided it's just pregnancy...and that it is time for this pregnancy to be over...so baby come out! I am soooo ready. Besides the reflux and allergies, there is the discomfort from the immense amount of pressure I've been feeling in my pelvis that continues to increase and the crampiness I've been having...feels kind of like menstrual cramps, the increasing fatigue (probably from no sleep at night), and of course....the unbelievable excitement and anticipation of meeting our little love and finally having him in our arms. I told Jay tonight though that I am not sure which I am more eager for....having Josiah in my arms or just an end to pregnancy discomfort. I feel guilty that the anticipation for the two even compare...but it is just time! Until this last trimester pregnancy has been a wonderful, amazingly easy experience for me...and regardless of the recent discomforts, it has been such a blessing and marvelous experience that I wouldn't trade for anything! That being said...bring on the labor and delivery already!!!

p.s. Happy Birthday to my awesome brother-in-law Jason...soon to be Uncle J-J!

oh....and say a little prayer for us, our refrigerator isn't cooling and is making a weird hmm...click noise. we are having someone come look at it. pray it is easily and cheaply fixable! thanks!

Half days begin!

2008-09-29T12:40:00.001-07:00

So I was planning on working full time as long as I could or until I go into labor...BUT as of today I am beginning to work half days. I know plenty of people work full time right up until they deliver...but I don't know how they do it. I am soooo tired. I do get random spurts of the "nesting" energy but then when I expend any amount of energy I am just completely drained. Like most women in their last month of pregnancy sleep isn't coming easily to me...for me it's mainly cause of reflux or allergy attacks that happen only at night for some reason. But even when I try to nap during the day, I am having a hard time shutting my mind off. It's the excitement and anticipation and wondering....when is this going to happen?! I have been reading all my books that list signs of impending labor to see if I am having any. I have had some of them, but one of my books says those signs happen 1 to 7 days before delivery and the other says anywhere from days to 3 weeks. So...still just have to wait and see! Well, I am off to try and take a nap. Trying to rest up while I still can!

Yay Progress!

2008-09-26T10:09:00.000-07:00

I just got back from my OB appt...I am 70% effaced and 1 cm dilated! I realize that some people walk around for weeks like that and don't go into labor. BUT...since he is big my doc and I are both thinking he could come early. She said I should probably plan on being pregnant still by next Friday when I see her in the office again, but she qualified that with..."it could happen anytime though!" Last week when I went in there was no progress...so I am encouraged by the change over the past week. We will keep ya posted! =)

Oh! And I forgot to mention....as of Tues when they did another ultrasound to check on his growth....they are estimating he is already 7lbs 2oz. He's gonna be a big boy! Doc doesn't think we need to induce early if I don't go into spontaneous labor soon but doesn't want me going much past my due date because of his size. I am hoping for early spontaneous labor, I don't want to be induced at anytime if it can be avoided!

Hallelujah we have power!!!

2008-09-26T05:26:00.000-07:00

We got to come home Wednesday night! It has been so wonderful sleeping in our own bed and just being home. We still aren't back to normal. Gotta get to the store to restock the fridge, finish unpacking from our adventure, etc. But we are praising God and so very very thankful we are back home with such little damage to worry about. A friend of mine who lives in Seabrook...not far from me, lost her home completely...all that is left is a slab. And she is managing to maintain peace and joy through it all...what a testimony, and reminder to me of just how blessed we are.

Thank you for all your prayers. Please keep praying for those who lost so much. Ike's devastation is so much farther spread than most realize. I'll update on what's going on with me soon...have another weekly appt today!

Belly Pics at 36 weeks and update!

2008-09-19T06:19:00.001-07:00

I had my first weekly appt yesterday. It was quite the experience. My doctor offices at two different locations. One in Pearland, one in Clear Lake. I was supposed to see her in Pearland and even called ahead of time to make sure she would be seeing patients due to the hurricane and was told she would be there. I drove all the way out there from Sugar Land and there was a sign on the door that they had lost power again and all OB patients should go to the Clear Lake location and would be seen by whatever doctor was available. What?! My first weekly visit and I was going to see some doc I never met before?! It sent me over the edge a little, I called my mom and cried on my way over there. It ended up being fine though. I saw my docs labor and delivery nurse instead of a different doc. She was really sweet and I felt comfortable. I am not progessed at all yet but she said his head is very low already. So....the waiting game begins.

Please, please, pray for us that we will get power back in our house before he is born. We just moved from my parents in Sugar Land to Jay's parents house in Friendswood so we can be closer to home, work, etc. But we REALLY want to be back in our own home when we bring our little guy HOME from the hospital in a few weeks or so. We have been displaced for over a week now and they are still projecting it could be this Thursday or later before our area has power restored. The only thing is, they can't restore ours remotely like most people. They have to send someone out to get our transformer off the ground and repaired. We are hoping we won't be an exception to the projected date because of that. Please pray!!!

Here are some pics at 36 wks...9 mos belly!!!

I have had several people, including a stranger at Target tell me I look like I am about to pop! =)

Surviving Ike

2008-09-16T15:58:00.000-07:00

It has been an emotionally and physically draining past week. Last Thursday we got up to go to work to hear on the news that we were in a mandatory evacuation zone for Hurricane Ike and they expected our area to have a storm surge of up to 25ft and they wanted us to start evacuating by noon that day. Needless to say we didn't go into work that day but instead worked tirelessly preparing our house for the storm. Jay worked outside all day boarding up the windows, putting up patio furniture, and securing anything loose that could become a projectile. I worked inside all day getting everything up off of the ground and somewhere higher in case of flooding, went to the grocery store, packed our bags and packed the car. We pretty much took our house apart trying to protect what we could. I probably way over did it and lifted heavier things than I should have. I was aching all the next two days but am better now. Finally about 4pm we were on the road...evacuating to Sugar Land. We knew the storm would hit hard there too but at least we were out of the storm surge. Friday morning we woke up and the media was saying that if you were in a mandatory evacuation zone they didn't expect you to have a home to return to. I guess they were just trying to prepare people for worst case scenario and get people to leave for their safety. But it freaked me out! So....my parents and Jay and I went back to our house as fast as we could and packed up all the baby stuff that we could and got my car that we had originally left at home. Then we just kept praying...hard! We "hunkered down" at my parents during the storm that night and I thought it was pretty creepy, I was a little hypervigilant at different points. I think it was cause I am pregnant and extra protective right now. We lost power at my parents early in the night but thankfully it came back on by 5pm the next evening. We are so blessed! I was beginning to wonder how I was going to handle weeks of no air conditioning while being 9 mos pregnant! And the mosquitos were already attacking me...if you know me well you know how allergic I am...it's an issue. When we could go outside after the storm it was crazy looking. Fences down everywhere, tree limbs everywhere, huge trees snapped in half lying across streets and ripping up sidewalks because of being pulled out by their roots, lots of roof damage, just more destruction than I would have imagined would happen out in Sugar Land. We were eventually able to get through to some neighbors of ours in Clear Lake who told us the blessed news that our street didn't even flood, our roof had no damage, and all the boards on our windows stayed on. Then Sunday we drove down there to check it out for ourselves. The house was completely unscathed...God is so merciful! Our fence is down in several places and will probably just need to be totally replaced, it was really old. Our transformer is on the ground in our back yard. We had a Martin bird house in the back that was knocked down, the metal pole was completely bent over at the ground. And our pine tree in the front was basically stripped down to a pole, the limbs are pretty much no more. Many houses in our neighborhood had windows blown out, water in their houses front leakage where shingles were ripped off the roof etc. We feel so blessed and once again are truly humbled by God's mercy and faithfulness to us. We are still staying in SugarLand with my parents because we have no idea when we will get our power back. Being that the transformer is on the ground, they can't just fix our power remotely and will have to actually send a truck out to repair the damage. Who knows when that will happen?! Hopefully before Josiah is born! Pray for us please! =) I have not been able to return to work yet and we don't know when we will be able to either, still no power at our building. Jay went in for a few hours today but can't really do anything until businesses in his territory are back up and running. So we are just in limbo for now. We are praising God for a place to stay with power and for sparing our house from damage and keeping us safe. We are devastated at the loss and destruction in Galveston. It was kind of a sanctuary place for Jay and an escape for both of us. And we really grieve for the people down there. They are all in our prayers and heavy on our hearts.

Nursery Pics

2008-09-09T07:02:00.000-07:00

The nursery is almost complete! The only thing really left to do is put pictures in the frames above the changing table. I am going to put a maternity pic in one of them but am waiting for our sweet boy to get here so I can put some pics of him in the other ones. After we hung the last thing on the wall the other day I told Jay, something is missing, it just doesn't feel complete...to which he answered, "it's Josiah, it's cause he isn't in here yet." I think he hit it right on! We are so anxious for him to get here!

Doesn't that pic just look cozy?! Can't wait to snuggle up in that chair and rock him to sleep!

Ultrasound pics and video

2008-09-02T07:58:00.000-07:00

We went for a final ultrasound this morning. Really we just wanted to see him again, so we were checking to see how he was growing. I am 33 wks and 4 days today, but he is measuring 35 wks and 4 days...so even though they aren't changing my due date....maybe that means he will be early!!! Either that or I am gonna be having me a big baby! He weighs about 5lbs 7oz according to the ultrasound measurements!

I also found out it IS his little feet jammed up in my ribs on the right side, he is positioned just like I thought he was, head down, laying on the left side, feet up in my right ribs!

Oh, and he has a little cap of hair it looks like!

Here are some pics of our sweet little love:

Profile

Toes
Hands (I only know that cause she told me)
sweet little chubby cheek face!

And here is a video of our precious one making little sucking movements with his mouth....just wanna kiss him! Oh...I can't wait to hold that little angel in my arms!!!

Belly pics...32 weeks!

2008-08-25T19:48:00.000-07:00

Here ya go Linds!

My sis has been wanting to see my belly and asking for pics for a few weeks now. It is hard having her live so far away during this ever changing and growing...exciting time! Can't wait to see you Linds when Josiah is born!

Getting really big! I had to use a hair band today to close my MATERNITY pants...it's pretty bad when your maternity clothes quit fitting, I am so close to being done that I don't want to buy anymore either...so I am going to see how long my expanders and belly band will last me...hopefully I can make it work! Eeek!

We worked on the nursery this past weekend...it is getting so close to being done! I will post some pics when I get it finished. Just have to add a few final touches and it will be complete. All our preparations seem to be wrapping up and close to being finished, I even talked to one of my sweet girlfriends today about her plans to come see Josiah when he is born...it's all getting so close! 8 wks until D-date! Maybe he will come a few days sooner rather than later?! =) One can hope right? I am going for an ultrasound next week just cause we are wanting to see him again, but we should be able to tell if we are still on target for the due date. I'll keep ya posted...but right now, I am off to my nightly longed for bath and bed!

Baby Shower Numero Dos!

2008-08-16T15:18:00.000-07:00

Last weekend some sweet friends of mine from the Christian Surfers group through me a baby shower! It was precious and I had so much fun...again!

Sweet Hostesses:

Susie (she is pregers too), Kat, Laura, and Lara!

Laura made a beautiful prego cake and it was delicious too!

Susie made a picture board of Jay and I when we were babies so we could imagine what Josiah might look like! There is a glare so it may be hard to see....

Cute little candy favors they made!

Emily's decorative contribution! So sweet!

I got several handcrafted especially for Josiah gifts...everyone was so thoughtful!

Sweet friends from Vineyard church...some of the crafty gift givers right here!Ashly and Blayne, Ashly was a coworker of mine before Blayne came along, she gave me the gift I am holding above...basket full of toys!My sister in law, a coworker of mine, and then some girlfriends from Calvary Chapel....and sweet little Caelan! It was so fun having people from a bunch of different areas of my life all together at once!At home after the shower going through all the loot! We thought we needed to try on some of Josiah's hooded towels, he will get a kick out of these pics some day...goofy parents! Thank you everyone that came! I was overwhelmed with everyone's thoughtfulness and love!

As for an update on me....belly is still growing. I plan on taking more pics to post soon. I am feeling pretty good, got the heartburn under control with Tums and avoiding spicy foods, and fatigue is there for sure but I am sleeping better lately now that the heartburn in under control. Josiah is super active and starting to do the stretch thing that can kind of hurt sometimes! I can feel his little hand, elbow, heel, whatever it might be pushing out so I gently rub it until he draws it back in. It is pretty sweet, I don't think I'll ever cease to be amazed by his precious little movements...even when it's a stout kick to the ribs...I just love the experience of his little activity inside of me. Jay and I are enjoying our childbirthing classes and got to tour the hospital Thursday night... it seems surreal that we will be there in just 2 months or so. We can't wait, it is getting so close! I am having lots of fun washing Josiah's clothes, blankets, etc., putting shower gifts up and decorating the nursery...I am busy nesting! Life is good, we are so blessed, and our God is so faithful! We constantly are humbled and amazed by His faithful provision for us. Now if I could just learn to REST in Him more, it's a work in progress but I am growing!

Girls weekend, Baby Shower, and Belly Pics -28 wks!

2008-07-24T15:35:00.000-07:00

So...I have lots of updates and pics to share! First off, here are some pics from my weekend with my girls in Dallas. We had such an awesome time as always and managed to pack in live music at a coffee bar Friday night, a trip to the farmer's market Saturday morning, followed by a baby shower luncheon for me and Josiah, and a relaxed evening grilling out by the pool at Hilary's apartment...oh and... two movies a game of Cranium, and of course lots of soul talk and laughing until we cried! Me, Mere, Hilary, and Sarah
It was the first time they had seen my prego belly in person and they all got to feel him move! Hil was my roomie for 2 yrs in college!Good times...Mere making us laugh!Sarah and I at the restaurant for my baby shower!

After a swim!

I love my girls...thanks besties for an awesome weekend!

Next....this past weekend I had my first baby shower! A group of precious ladies from my home church hosted the shower and it was surfer baby themed! They went all out and it was SO cute! My cousin's wife Jen gave a blessing to Jay, Josiah, and I...there couldn't have been a more perfect person to give it. I have always looked up to her and Bret and admired what wonderful parents they are, needless to say hearing words of wisdom and exhortation from her was very dear to me. Then my sweet sister prayed a powerful prayer over us, it was precious and moved me tears! (Surprise surprise...I asked for tissue before she even started!) I was overwhelmed and humbled by the whole day, so many people came and sent gifts...we were blessed beyond measure and showered with so much love! Thank you everyone for sharing in my joy and blessing us with such generosity! Here are some pics from the shower....

Before the shower

Pics of some of the hostesses...the ones wearing lays!

If you blow this up you can see it is magnets of Jay and I and a laughing baby!

A few pics of gifts

All of my family gathered around me while Lindsey prayed! Check out the J.A. B. intials framed on the mantel...they made them for us to match his bedding! I love them!What a fun and sweet day! Later that evening we also had a lingerie party for my cousin Bethany...it was lots of fun and we all got to wear PJ's!

Finally, here are the updated belly pics...28 wks (and four days to be exact)!

As for an update on how I am feeling...still pretty good, the 3rd trimester fatigue has definitely set in and I am needing lots more sleep like I did in the first trimester again. It could have something to do with how busy I have been lately too! I now carry TUMS with me at all times because heartburn has become a frequent companion of mine. And still having some difficulty sleeping at night. In spite of all that, I still feel like I don't have much to complain about...I have really had a great pregnancy...this is just the normal stuff so I hear! =) We started our childbirthing classes last week and got to watch some very graphic videos of births...yikes! The nursery is almost complete minus hanging shelves and pics on the walls, clothes are washed in the closet, there is a bassinet in my bedroom and a pack n play in our living room... it's all starting to get so real!

4:38 am

2008-07-18T02:37:00.000-07:00

Yes...it's true...and I've been awake since about 3:30am or so. The past two nights I just can't seem to sleep all through the night. I am not uncomfortable, just can't sleep. It may be partially due to hunger, last night I didn't feel hungry so I just tried to lay there and go back to sleep, but tonight I did so I just ate a snack and now feel wired. God's way of preparing me for nighttime feedings maybe?! Josiah seems to be getting more active at night now too, although I think maybe I am just noticing it more b/c I am laying there awake whereas normally I am sleeping through his little movements.

FYI- I passed the gestational diabetes test and am not anemic! Woo hoo!

Tomorrow I am off to Dallas to see my precious girlfriends, Hilary, Sarah, and Meredith! I can't wait to see them, we are going to have so much fun. I am sure there will be lots of pics to come from this weekend. I guess I am going to head back to bed and see if I can go back to sleep for an hour or so. Good morning to any of you mommies who are up reading this already! =) Just a short time until I join you!

Only 99 days to go!

2008-07-10T16:28:00.000-07:00

Wow! I can't believe the count down is under 100 days now...I think it is going to fly by from here on out. Or at least I hope it does, I always hear pregnant mom's talking about how the last few wks seem to just drag on forever, I can see how that could happen too. You are big, uncomfortable, and anxiously awaiting the arrival of the most precious little gift of life you've been waiting so long to meet! I have been trying to pass the time quickly in mind by thinking through all the fun stuff I have to look forward to over the next month or so. Next weekend I go to Dallas to see my precious girls from college. The week after that is a big one, I get my shot of Rho Gam on Tuesday, start our Cradle Club (childbirth and preparation classes) on Thursday, my First Colony shower is Saturday morning, and Saturday evening is my cousin Bethany's lingerie shower. I will probably spend the next week recooping from all the activity, and then August 9th is another shower that the sweet gals from Christian Surfers are throwing me. August will be busy with finishing up the nursery, finishing my cradle club classes, finding a pediatrician, etc. By then I will be seeing my OB twice a month!Come mid September I will be seeing her once a wk! So...it's all getting close!

I took the 1 hr Gestational Diabetes test yesterday and will find out tomorrow if I passed or not. Since I am hypoglycemic I am interested to see the outcome. I'll let ya know! Belly pics to come soon from those who have been asking! I can tell I've grown, mainly my belly has moved up as my uterus has grown, it takes up almost my whole torso now. In fact, as I am writing Josiah is kicking me in the ribs....not painful but kind of awkward feeling. He is constantly moving these days, I am aware of him all day long. He gave the doctor quite a show yesterday. She was starting to ask if he was moving a lot while she was putting the dop tone on my belly. As soon as the words left her lips he started bouncing my whole belly, the doc said, "Wow, I could see, feel, and hear that! That is one happy baby!" I just love my little guy!

2nd piece of nursery furniture!

2008-06-27T18:55:00.000-07:00

Jay's parents surprised us this evening and brought over their baby gift to us...our changing table! Yay! It is so pretty and looks GREAT in the nursery. Debbie even brought the changing pad and cover and some diapers to start stocking the table with. We are so excited! Here are some pics of the table...
we forgot to get a pic of the gift givers...Debbie, that means yall have to come back over and take one! It is so fun having furniture in there now, can't wait to get it all done and ready for our little man!

Fam time and the "Best Chair!"

2008-06-23T17:01:00.001-07:00

This weekend was lots of fun! Friday we went to dinner with my parents and Lindsey and Jason to Joes BBQ in Alvin...if you've never been there you are missing out! The guys really enjoyed the ribs...Linds and I did too, it was kind of sick how much carnage was left on the table after the five of us finished our full of all you can eat ribs! You can kind of see the pile in the pic below, but it was just beginning here!

Saturday the guys played golf while us girls shopped and had lunch, we had a blast! Then my parents brought over their baby gift to us...our first piece of furniture for the nursery....our rocker and ottoman! YAY!!! It is the "best chair" ever...super comfy and glides so smoothly, and coincidently that is actually the name of the chair. We are really excited about it and love the way it looks in the nursery. We can't wait to rock Josiah in it. Actually, I got up Sunday morning and rocked in it for about an hour...so technically...he is already reaping the benefits of this magnificent piece of furniture...and so am I!

Saturday night Kayla, Lance, Betho, Linds, and Jason all came over and we grilled out in between shower storms, played games, watched a video of Josiah and caught up on much needed cousin time! The pic below is of my twin cousins, Kayla(top left) and Bethany (bottom left), sister Lindsey (top right) and me. I miss the four of us spending time together so much and hope we all end up living in Houston again someday. We all talk of how much fun it would be to all live on a cul de sac and raise our kiddos together!
Jay and I didn't plan it...but look how color coordinated we are! Well, that's all!

New do's and news!

2008-06-20T06:28:00.000-07:00

It has been a super busy last week or so! Last weekend was packed full with seeing a good friend and new baby for the first time, getting a new do, an all day beach adventure (which left me with one fried foot that is still slightly purple almost a week later!), and Father's Day celebrations with Jay's dad on Sunday. I have been trying to recoop from all the go, go, go all week, but it was worth it!
This is my friend Robin with her little butterball Wade...it was so fun to see them, they don't live here anymore and I hadn't seen Wade since he was born. He is so precious...makes me excited for my little guy to get here!

My new do! I got bangs!

Jay and I on his first Father's Day! I think he has the daddy glow! =)

So, for some interesting updates....as you can probably see in the first pic of Jay and I on Father's Day, my cheeks are looking a little fuller these days. That would be due to the 16lbs I've gained so far in the pregnancy! Yup you heard me...yikes huh?! I apparantely went a little crazy the past 5 wks and am going to have to slow it down a little. So this week I have been really good on restraining from sweets that I crave morning, noon, and night...my motivation has been that tonight we are going to this wonderful BBQ place to celebrate Father's Day with my dad and they have an incredible cobbler there that I must have! All is good in moderation, right?!

Jay and I are continuing to fall more and more in love with our little guy. The more we are able to feel and see him move, the more we bond with him. A sweet friend of ours gave us our first baby books...Goodnight Moon and Dear Zoo...Jay has started reading to Josiah at night and every time Jay starts reading, Josiah starts kicking! It is so sweet. I have been able to see my belly moving when Josiah moves for a few weeks now. But the other night was the first time Jay and I sat on the couch together with my shirt pulled up just laughing as we watched our little guy bumping and kicking around in my belly. So fun!

On a sad note...I got the for sure thumbs down from my doc on going to one of my bestest friend's, Sarah's, wedding in Iowa at the end of September. I will be 36 wks prego on her big day and doc says no traveling anymore at that point! Not only have none of us girls ever missed a wedding of each other's...we are always in the wedding. I am so sad. =( She will be a beautiful bride, we are trying to get creative on how I can somehow watch the wedding via telecast or something as it is happening.

On a happy note...Jay's new job is going well, he is getting great training! My case load at work is picking up and relieving some of my boredom with paperwork...praise God! I talked with my boss this week about my plan to stay home as long as possible after the baby is born before I come back on contract basis only, it went over very well. Josiah is healthy....life is good!

Picture Time!

2008-06-09T15:26:00.000-07:00

I've been getting lots of requests for more pics...so here ya go!

Pics from Shelley's shower!

Mom, Linds, Shelley, Me
All the pregos at the shower!
Shel and I are so happy to be pregers together!

Belly Pics at 21 wks!

Taken after a day at the beach!

Belly Pics- also 21 wks...

Linds took after we had Pasta and Ice Cream!

So I look extra big!

This is what I see when I look down!

Clothed belly!

Naked belly!

Sassy belly!

This past weekend was so much fun...my sis was here! It was such awesome girl time with my long lost sis from Abilene. I am ready for her to move back home! She was here waiting for me when I got home from work on Thursday night and stayed through Sunday lunch. Thursday we grilled hot dogs and she joined me in my Prenatal Yoga workout...which by the way kicked my athletic run 4 miles a day little sister's butt! Friday we started the day with coffee and prayer time together, it was so precious. Then we painted the nursery and mom came over to hang out with us while we were at it. I love the paint color, it's called Hepplewhite Ivory, it's a yummy totally baby looking butter creamy ivory color! I have a lot of cute ideas for the room and can't wait to start putting stuff in there. Friday night when Jay got home the three of us headed out for Mexican food and then came home and watched a movie. Saturday we got up worked out together, went to Babies R Us, relaxed in the afternoon, cooked dinner together, and headed out for an ice cream treat (recommended by MaryBeth...don't have to tell me twice to go get ice cream)! Then Sunday Linds and I went to church at First Colony...my beloved church home that I miss dearly and then Jay joined a bunch of us for lunch at Orient Cafe with fam and friends. No...he wasn't playing church hookie, he went to another church where one of our surfing buddies was sharing his testimony that morning. Jay and I came home and went straight to the beach to hang together and met up with several of our friends. The guys surfed and us ladies got some sun! It was a great weekend...and now I am exhausted!

Josiah is kicking stronger and stronger all the time, he now kicks even when I am standing and moving around, he also likes to kick my bladder and other organs! He is a busy little boy!

Well, that's all folks! Here is the weekly update:

Your baby measures about 7.6 inches and weighs about 12.3 ounces. His muscles are getting stronger, and his eyelids and eyebrows have developed. Your baby's acrobatics are pretty constant, and since he responds to sound, rhythm and melody, you can try singing and talking to him. After he's born, the same sounds may soothe him. Your uterus is continuing to grow, but you're probably feeling pretty good -- no more morning sickness, and your abdomen isn't so large that it's getting in the way very much. But many women experience leg and foot cramps, as well as mild swelling of ankles and feet, around this time.

Wiggly little love bug!

2008-05-30T06:43:00.000-07:00

Read the ticker at the top for this week...it's right on!

My little love has become quite an active little fellow the past week. Well, I guess he has probably been that active for a while, I just feel the activity a LOT now! It is so fun! I feel him on and off all day long, seems like everytime I sit down after I have been moving, he gets active for a few minutes. And I have woken up a few times during the night to him kicking away. His little kicks are turning into big kicks! If I watch closely I can see my belly pop when he kicks, punches or wriggles. I think I felt something like a somersault a few days ago! The other night Jay hadn't been able to feel him move in a few days, everytime he was active Jay wasn't around or if he was around, as soon as he would get his hand to my belly it seemed like Josiah went to sleep or something. So we sat on the couch with Jay's hand on my belly for about 30 minutes and all of the sudden Josiah kicked HARD like 6 times right into the palm of Jay's hand! I think he was showing off his strength for his daddy cause it was crazy how hard those kicks were compared to usual. It is such a sweet thing for Jay and I to share together, we both just get these giddy grins on our face and talk about how we can't wait till he gets here. Jay is so cute, ever since I've been pregnant he has been pointing out other pregnant women or other babies when we are in public. Now he points out all the baby boys, after we admire them, he says with anticipation and wonder in his voice..."We are having a boy." I can not wait to watch him with our little guy, he is seriously going to be such an awesome dad, it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it!

Something else that has brought tears to my eyes this last week:

Thinking of my little love having to endure the pain of circumcision. It just breaks my heart thinking of how traumatic all of it is going to be for his little self. Being born is probably traumatic enough. Think about it, all babies know prior to birth is the safe haven of their mother's womb where virtually no pain or discomfort is felt. Then they get squeezed through a birth canal, lay there naked in the nursery while nurses poke and prod and test their reflexes (being naked is probably cold compared to what they are used to and they probably feel insecure not being wrapped up snuggly) then poor little boys have to endure a circumcision. Seems like a harsh entrance into the world, don't ya think?! I can't stand the thought! I just want him to feel safe and loved! Everyone keeps assuring me he will anyways, I am so glad babies can't remember such trauma.

On a different note:

We bought a car, a preowned Jeep Patriot! I love it and think Josiah does too! As soon as we sat down at the dealership to talk #'s with the sales associate Josiah started kicking. =) I think it's going to be a great family vehicle.

That's all people...if you made it this far through my novel I am impressed! I am 20 wks....half way through! Woo Hoo!

You’re 20 Weeks Pregnant. You're at about the midpoint of your pregnancy. Your baby measures about 5.6 to 6.4 inches from crown to rump and weighs about 9 ounces. He can hear sounds by now – so talk to your baby often. Baby will even cover his ears with his hands if a loud sound is made near you, and he may even become startled and "jump." Your baby is moving often, too -- twisting, turning, wiggling, punching and kicking. Can you feel him? Your uterus is just about even with your navel and your waistline has pretty much disappeared. But don't worry, it is only temporary!

Nesting!

2008-05-23T09:07:00.000-07:00

This past week or so has been busy with nesting activities! First, last Friday after we found out we were having a boy, I went with my mom on a hunt for baby boy bedding. It was actually a rather hard task to find something I liked. I finally settled on this adorable but very boyish (still getting used to things not being cutsy and girly) bedding at Baby's 1st called Boxers or Briefs. I love the name! It also lends itself nicely to a surfer baby theme...which was a selling point for us! I had been telling Jay that we were not going to do any themes because I just wasn't into them, most that I saw kind of cheesed me out. But this one is really subtle. In fact there is nothing surfer in the bedding, just some surfer wall art that matches the colors in the bedding. I found an overstuffed glider I am obsessed with and picked the fabric for it, and picked the paint color for his room. I can't wait to get it all set up!!! Then Saturday Jay and I worked all day cleaning out and organizing our garage...and it looks awesome if I do say so myself. Sunday we washed and detailed both of our cars inside and out. We were just going to do mine since we are trying to sell it and get me something more baby friendly but decided to do them both while we were at it. It is time to say goodbye to my pretty red Acura Integra! Two door and standard just wouldn't be very convenient with a little one. All week we have been working on getting the car ready to sell and looking and test driving cars we are interested in buying. So far we are leaning towards a pre-owned Jeep Patriot. It is a little higher off the ground than a car, roomy like a small SUV and has the gas mileage of a car! And with gas prices rising like they are...that is very important to us! We will see what happens.

Josiah has been kicking more and more these days, I love it every time I feel him. We have been talking to him a lot and can't wait till he gets here.

Speaking of nesting though...I have got to go clean my house!

Here is what took place this week:

You're 19 Weeks Pregnant. Your baby measures about 5.2 to 6 inches from crown to rump and weighs about 7 ounces. (Our baby was 9 oz already last week though!!! Big boy!) The baby's skin is developing and is transparent, appearing red because of the visible blood vessels. A creamy white protective coating, called vernix, is also developing. As your baby continues to grow, you may be feeling some mid-pregnancy aches and pains -- lower abdominal achiness, dizziness, heartburn, constipation, leg cramps, mild swelling of ankles and feet, and a backache are all normal. Dilated blood vessels might cause tiny, temporary red marks (called spider nevi) on your face, shoulders and arms.

Seeing Josiah

2008-05-15T18:51:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was an amazing day! The experience of that ultrasound was seriously so cool. It was so special finding out that we were having a boy...and it was fun that both Jay and I were right on our gut feelings about it too. But the whole ultrasound was awesome! We got to see Josiah's brain in detail, four chambers of his heart, ventricles, major blood vessels, kidneys, bladder, stomach, spine, eye lenses, bones, knuckles, etc. It is unbelievable how much you can see on ultrasounds. And it was such a reassuring experience because as the tech and then later the doctor showed us each organ they would say, "looks good, looks normal, looks perfect, looks beautiful..." I was whispering praises to my King with each good report! Isn't God amazing, with all the things that have to develop perfectly in a baby, it is such evidence of miraculous creation when babies are healthy. God is in the business of fearfully and wonderfully making babies! And it is so precious to see Josiah as he is being knit together in my womb.

It was also a really fun experience, the doctor was quite the comedian and had us rolling about Josiah's "manhood." He had a few other names for Josiah too but I don't want to embarrass him before he is even born so I won't say what they were! Lets just say I learned a lot about baby boys that I was clueless about until yesterday. =)

Oh and start praying for me at delivery now because most babies at this stage of development are 7oz and Josiah is 9oz already, he is a big boy! They said there is a chance that I could be about 6 days further along than they thought but that it also could just be that he is gonna be a big baby. I love chunky babies! I can't wait to see what he looks like and really hope he looks just like Jay!

It was so sweet watching him squirm around, touch his nose, scratch his head, and kick at the tech when he got agitated at the prodding! I wanted to kiss him and am all the more eager to hold him in my arms!

It's a Boy!!!

2008-05-14T17:11:00.000-07:00

We are having a son!!!!

Josiah Andrew

We are so excited!

I will write more later...trying to eat dinner before all the grandparents come over to see the video of the ultrasound.

And the blog is under construction. I had a disaster trying to update the template to be more boyish and lost all my customizations! =(

Belly pics- 17wks

2008-05-12T16:05:00.000-07:00

Just a few more weeks and that belly button is popping out for sure!

Can't wait!

2008-05-11T16:07:00.000-07:00

I had a doctor's appt on Friday and got to hear the heartbeat again! It's so amazing and so joyous each time I hear that perfect little healthy heartbeat! I love the reassurance that everything seems to be just right. My belly is continuing to grow and I am in some maternity clothes now and still rubberbanding many of my own pants too. My appetite has really increased again, my 3 am snack attacks are back. I have gained 8 lbs total in the pregnancy, my doc said this was good, cause the baby is growing but I am not really gaining much anywhere else. I still feel great and consider myself so blessed to be having such an good pregnancy!

We find out the sex of the baby on WEDNESDAY!!! I can hardly handle the anticipation! We will see if my gut feeling that it is a boy is right or not. CAN'T WAIT!!!

My mom came over this weekend and helped me clean out the study which is now going to be the baby's room....I am so thankful for an organized mother....organization is not my gift! I am in the nesting mode now, I have all kinds of cleaning out/organization projects in mind and as soon as we find out the sex I am going to get busy picking out bedding, paint colors, finishing my registry, etc. I am so anxious to start decorating the nursery!

Today was my first Mother's Day! My sis, mom and dad, mother-in-law, sweet hubby all gave me cards and gifts and many precious friends sent me "Happy Mother's Day" texts! It was so fun....next year I will have my little bambino in my arms on Mother's Day! Crazy to think about!

Well, I will be posting in just a few days who it is that is growing in my belly! Depending on the sex we might have a name to announce too!

Here is what went on with development this last week:

Your baby measures about 4.4 to 4.8 inches from crown to rump and has doubled its weight in the last two weeks to about 3.5 ounces. Fat begins to form aiding heat production and metabolism, the lungs are beginning to exhale amniotic fluid, and the circulatory and urinary systems are working. Hair continues to grow on baby's head and his eyebrows and eyelashes are filling in. You're showing more, with an obvious swelling in your lower abdomen. A five- to 10-pound weight gain is typical by now. You also may be noticing an increase in appetite.

3am kicks

2008-05-05T06:31:00.000-07:00

Last night was an eventful night for the Blackburn family, especially for little Ras around 3am! I had gotten up to go to the bathroom and when I got back in bed Ras started moving incessantly for about 10 minutes and kicking like crazy! Some of the kicks were strong enough that I could put my hand where I was feeling them and feel it on my hand! So awesome! Of course, Jay had to experience this so I woke him up and put his hand where I was feeling kicks. He felt the first one, but after that they weren't as strong and he didn't feel anymore. I kept saying "Did ya feel that? Feel that?" I guess cause I can feel it inside my body it's easier for me to sense the slightest sensation in my hand too. That was the first time either of us felt the baby move with our hands! Jay went back to sleep after that but I was wired, Ras quit kicking but was still moving around, it was such a sweet bonding time to just lay there feeling the baby move all over. But then Ras quit moving and I couldn't go back to sleep, I decided it was cause I was hungry so I got up and ate cheese and crackers, downed a glass of water and went back to bed. Ras gave one more strong kick right when I laid back down but then the activity stopped and I finally fell asleep around 4ish...the alarm went off it seemed like 2 seconds later at 6am. I was tired but kept telling myself to enjoy what sleep I get now b/c I am going to be getting much less here in a few months! And actually I still got about 7hrs...are you new moms out there hating me right now?! Anyways, just wanted to share my 3am kicks with ya! I wonder if this is going to become a nightly pattern?!

Happy Cinco De Mayo!

"Popping!"

2008-05-01T15:20:00.000-07:00

So the word this week seemed to be that my belly is popping! I started saying that to Jay and my mom starting last Saturday. It was like sometime during the day I looked down and was like woah...it looks like more than bloating all of the sudden...hence the belly pic on the last post! Then when I got back to work on Monday after being gone a week that is what several of my co-workers said almost immediately..."ahh, you are starting to pop out!" All very exciting, but then I am thinking all these people know I am pregnant so they are looking for it. However, at Subway today this woman stopped me to ask where I got my shirt...I told her Forever 21 (where else?!) and she said she was asking b/c her daughter is pregnant too and she thought it was a cute maternity top! Yay! A complete stranger noticed my bump and obviously felt certain enough I that it was a prego belly and not chub to say something!

The clothes situation is still interesting, every time I put on a pair of pants they fit less than they did last time I put them on! Shelley is going to go maternity clothes shopping with me on Saturday! Fun! She is also going to help me start registering...like I told her...I am new at this and don't know what's hot and what's not in baby world, I need someone who has done it to give me the low down! Shelley is my cousins wife for those of you that don't know...and a very good friend of mine. I don't get to see her very often and I miss her lots so I am super pumped about getting to spend time with her!

I am still feeling Ras move some here and there and am getting so anxious to start feeling the baby move all the time! I want that constant reminder that Ras is okay, active, and healthy! One of the pregnancy newsletters for this week said that although the baby's eyes are still fused shut, it can sense light and if I were to shine a flashlight on my belly the baby would move away from the light! Pretty cool huh? I haven't tried it though...since I can't feel what the baby is doing at every move I wouldn't know if it was happening or not.

By the way...my shower date changed from July 27th to July 26th...it is now on a Saturday. Maybe this will make it easier for all of you out of towners to come! =)

Here is the scoop on us for this week:

Your baby now measures about 4.3 to 4.6 inches from crown to rump and weighs about 2.8 ounces. Fingernails are well-formed and the fine hair, called lanugo, continues to grow on the head. Arms and legs are moving, the nervous system is functioning and muscles are responding to stimulation from your baby's brain. You may be able to hear the baby's heartbeat in the doctor's office. Your uterus has grown significantly by now and weighs about 8.75 ounces. Within the next few weeks you may start to feel your baby move, called "quickening." It's often described as a gas bubble or subtle fluttering movement. As it happens more regularly, you'll know it's your baby. There are other physiological changes happening in your body. Increased blood volume to support your growing fetus may cause nosebleeds, and veins may become more apparent. Because your uterus is shifting, you may not have to urinate as much.