Goodbye Dj

I can't believe we have sent away our baby girl. We have had Dj since she was a tiny puppy, and it feels so funny to have a home without her under our feet everywhere we go. It is sinking in and becoming natural, but I have to admit I spend at least a couple of minutes a day looking for her. It is a bitter sweet thing. She was such a precious part of our lives for so long, but since we moved to New Orleans, bought our home (with wood floors) and had our son, she has just not gotten the attention and play time she used to get. I truly believe it is what's best for her.
We gave her to Susan Balsom, a friend (sister) that we met through HOPE Worldwide. She is going to be such a fun mom for Dj...I know she will have more friends and play time than she's had in a LONG time with us!
Goodbye Dj.

Thankful for Friends

I am so thankful to God for my precious friendships! My heart aches when I think of the distance that is and will soon be between us.

Today, I had the honor of hanging out with a sister that encourages my heart like no other, Emanda. I think we are kindred spirits. We struggle with many of the same challenges in this life, selfishness, worldly sorrow... Noone I know relates to me like Emanda. I love when she comes to me with the same thing I went through just a few months back, and I can give her the same advice that helped me through that time...and yet she is wise beyond her years...when I bring something to her, she is always ready to pray and go to God and will always find a scripture to challenge and change my heart.

My other New Orleans friend that has forever made an impression on my heart is Nannozi. I am so blessed to have had her through my entire time here. She is so faithful...Sticking with me through the good and the bad (and the bad has been pretty bad!). She is such a faithful sister! I know through good and bad, happy and sad, she will stay faithful, and God is so blessing her for hanging in there for so long! I can't wait to see what's in store!

Another woman who inspires my heart is Laura (our most beautiful member...or at least in the top 5). She fought to become a disciple for so long and now she won't let go of what she has for anything. She dreams of reaching heights for God that only she can. She has such a moldable heart and I am so moved by her love for God and for me!

I can't leave out Tammica while I'm rambling on and on. She is truly my best friend in this life. Noone can see my heart like she does. She is the only person in the world who can challenge me and it feels like love. I don't know how to do it...You'll have to ask her! But I know God blessed my life the day she was born.

I hate to go on forever...I feel like I need to say Cherria has been such a bright point in my life...Like walking past a field of tulips on a warm summer day. I am so inspired by the change God has made in her and how she has fought tooth and nail to survive the last few years! And Melody...I feel like it goes without saying that she inspires every life she touches. She is truly worth more to me than gold and silver! My dear friend and mom-away-from-mom, Miss Tracy, has been my strong tower during some unbearable circumstances. She was there to carry me through losing my first son and there to see the birth of my second. She serves us like NOONE EVER has! I am blown away and will give God all the glory for all she has done for me! And last, but certainly not least, I am so thankful for Stef. She lived in our back house for a while and has helped out more than ANYONE wit Eli. She is such a giving friend and sister. Her example of love and sacrafice inspires me!

I am sure I missed so many...These are the few on the tip of my tongue. More to come.

My Birthday Gift

Matt, Tammica, Frank and I went to the Rascal Flatts' concert on Friday night. Matt was able to get tickets for all of us for my birthday gift this year. It was so good to have our best friends there with us. Tammica was not feeling super great because she is in her first trimester of pregnancy (with twins), but she really enjoyed the concert anyway. It was extra special because her last day at her super stressful job was on Thursday...So, she was able to just enjoy her time with us with no worries in the world...Other than the pregnancy ones. The concert was so much fun! I knew every song! I loved it! Thanks, Matt!!!

Clap and High 5

Eli has started clapping and giving high 5's. Here's a video of him enjoying this new skills.

ticklish

Eli's ticklish! Here's his daddy tickle time!

9 Months Old

I am trying to keep a monthly update on Eli to make sure my friends who are far away will see many up to date pictures of him and enjoy his newest adventures. This month he said his first word - "Dada". Matt was thrilled! I have a video I'll include so you can hear his precious first word. I'm working on mama, but I doubt it's coming any time soon. His new "toy" is his binky. He pulls it out and puts it back in. He swings it around and chews on it. He's gettin big enough for a big boy bath. In spite of the fact that his bathtub relcines, he HAS TO sit up. It's kind of a funny site to see. We are seeing the beginnings of teeth breaking through on the bottom. He doesn't appear to be too miserable with it for now, but who knows with him being sick he is just miserable sometimes! He's a slow bloomer on crawling and cruising. He'll stand with support, but doesn't do it on his own. I know these things will come and have no concerns about his development. We enjoyed our Mardi Gras celebration this month and a nice visit from Matt's Grandma Lois. Eli doesn't get to see his grandparents regularly, so, it's always a treat to have one come stay for a bit and be with him in his environment. The sad part was, while she was here he started coming down with this bug that's got him now...pink eye, ear infections, cough and misery. :o( SORRY, Grandma!

Sick Baby Part 4

And the story continues. Matt, Eli and I made our way to the big hospital today for an ultrasound on Eli's head. His head is a bit bigger than average and with a premature baby that can mean many things so we just wanted to make sure none of them were true. He passed his scan and is totally fine. His awful cough and ear infections are continuing to be a problem, but I'm certain with time and the meds we are using he will be back to his old self eventually. It just feels like forever! I am so thankful to say he is still sleeping through the night in spite of all that's going on. I say that to say for some reason I'm not getting the sleep I need. I'm finding myself falling asleep in the afternoon and not wanting to get out of bed in the morning. I assure you I'm not pregnant!! But I have no idea what it is. I am going to the dr tomorrow myself to talk about what is going on and hoping for a solution that will help me to feel rested again.

Sick Baby Part 3

We had to go back to the dr again today. Eli is really sick in his lungs and may have asthma. We are administering breathing treatments every 4-6 hours for a week. Also, he has 2 ear infections. So, he will also be taking antibiotics for 10 days.
On another note, we have an appointment for an ultrasound on Wed to look at another little concern the dr had. I'll be sure to post more information as I have it.

My First Ebay Auction

I put my first diaper cake on ebay today. I decided I would try one and be done. If it sells, I'll make a store, and if not, I'll let it go and find something else I love to do!