Books from Birth

When Caileb was born I immediately enrolled him in the Books from Birth program- books from birth is a TN program that falls under the Imagination Library umbrella.  This programs provides a new, age-appropriate, hardcover book every month to children from birth to age five at no cost to the family, regardless of income.  Today Caileb got his first book in the mail, "The Little Engine That Could."  I have been reading books to Caileb since birth but today as I read each page, Caileb was very aware of the pictures.  As I turned each page I could see his little eyes scan the pages taking in the various colors and images on the page.  I know he doesn't understand what is being read, but I talked with him and pointed out various things just as I will continue to do with the hope that one day (sooner rather than later) he will be pointing and asking questions of his own!!!

...Hello 2009

So we went to Chattanooga for our New Year's celebration and it was great!  Being in the atmosphere where we were really had me thinking and I have set goals for myself, I know that not all of these things will be complete by Decemer 31, 2009 but I will use this year to take steps towards completion of these things!

1.  Seek God and develop a more intimate relationship with Him.  This means regular Bible study, daily prayer, and fasting when needed.

2.  Be a better woman... I want to be like the Proverbs 31 woman!  I want to be a better wife to my husband, I want to be a better caretaker of our family and I want to be a great mother!

3.  Buy a house.

4. Get my Master's degree.

5.Be wiser about our finances.

6.  Loose a few pounds and become a healthier me- better eating and exercise habits.

7.  Take a vacation- I know this sounds odd, but Ricas and I  have never been on a real vacation with just us (we've always tagged along with his family at the last minute).  

8.  Date my husband (this really goes with #2).

9.  Help someone to be a better them!

Good Bye 2008...

As this year comes to a close I reflect on  the past 365 days, here is a list of the most memorable events/things:

1.  Teaching... although this was really a blessing of 2007 I will list it here because I stayed at the same place!  When we first moved to Murfreesboro I had no clue there were 2 school systems (county and city) and had practically given up the hope of getting a job in teaching.  2 weeks before the city schools were set to begin, I discovered that there were a few job openings and originally was hired as an interim- 3 weeks into the year I was offered a full time position at Northfield Elementary school where I still teach 1st grade, have a great team of teachers and work with the greatest staff!

2.  January 3rd- I had an emergecy surgery to have an ovarian cyst removed.  the cyst and my ovary were so intwined that the surgeon took my right ovary :( 

3.  March 28th- Ricas and I discovered we were expecting our first child.  (This makes #2 a blessing!)

4.  August 5th we celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary- we have been together for 5 years now and I am amazed that each day I love my husband more and more!

5.   My Aunt Lizzie passed away, she had dealt with illness for the past few years and is now resting with God and His angels!

6.  My grandmother had a bone marrow biopsy and everything came back negative! 

7.  November 18, 2008 @ 6:24 pm we celebrated the birth of our son!

8. Getting to see 2009

Merry Christmas

I can't believe that we are celebrating Christmas with our son! I couldn't ask for anything more as a gift... he is truly a daily blessing. Once again we traveled back home to Lexington, KY for our Christmas celebration. After turning a normal 3.5 hour trip into something closer to 6 hours we made it to my mother-in-laws house and it began- the "Caileb War." Over the duration of the trip it was a constant discussion of who was holding him next, or who had held him to long and it was time to pass him! To be honest I enjoyed watching this because I saw everyone's love for him, it was also easy for me to watch because he was so calm about everything- he didn't mind so I didn't mind. Caileb did fine with life outside the norm- being around so many people for extended periods of time didn't really bother him. He ate, slept and pretty much stuck to his regular routine, just in the arms of various family members throughout the day!

Christmas was great... this was the first year that both sides of the family (mine and Ricas') actually got together and did a joint Christmas dinner, typically we go from one side of town to the other visiting family, but not this year! It was so great to just relax and have fun and fellowship with the entire family! (Although there wasn't much relaxing after dinner because my mother discovered Wii and she just couldn't get enough... she was challenging everyone to a game)!

So check out the pictures below and see what our Christmas was all about!!!

"GG" my granny's first time seeing her Great Grandson:


Christmas Breakfast @ Ricas' cousins:







Christmas Dinner:
The family

Our mothers in a deep convo

My brother in laws girlfriend (and Kayden... in the belly) with her mother

Caileb and his GG

After dinner Wii action

On Saturday night after a day of rest on Friday we took Caileb to Applebee's and he got to meet all of his mommy and daddy's closest friends!
Justin

Kevin

Carrington

"Bob"

Sunday Dinner @ "Grand Dawn's" house (this is Ricas' Aunt):


Caileb with his grandfather (Ricas' dad)

Family picture... not the best

Caileb's Changing Face

I never knew how much babies changed from day to day! I have tried to capture daily pictures of Caileb so that we can look back and see his growth and change over time. Enjoy the video of his first 15 days!

It's Thursday and I'm Thankful...

I spend my days sitting and staring at my son and I am so amazed at God' creation. To know that 9 months were spent being a 24/7 haven to this child, preparing him for life in the world, all at the command of God. To actually, physically see his fingers flare, to see his hand/arm movements, to witness his little kicks, listening to him suck his fingers... it such a blessing and a true miracle- all of these things went on inside of me, I have been through the journey of feeling my sons fist movements from the inside! How can anyone not believe that God Is?! Just to look at this little baby and to know that it is all because of God, He knew when he created me that this moment would come, and He already has laid the path for Caileb's days!

On top of the blessing God gave us, He was gracious enough to answer my prayers. Throughout the entire pregnancy all I ever wanted was a healthy, happy baby... and that is what I've received! Caileb is a very healthy boy, and aside from an occasional fuss he is the most content baby, he sits and watches me just as much as I sit and watch him. He laughs and smiles, he occasionally coos, he sleeps through the night (typically 5 hour stretches).

I am just so blessed with my first born and am so thankful for God's blessings!

Caileb's 1st Bath

The day finally arrived... Caileb's first official dip in the tub! On Saturday during a routine diaper change Daddy found Caileb's circumcision ring in his diaper and then early this morning {Monday} I found his umbilical cord stump in his night gown! On TV they always make the first bath look so pleasant, but this evening while preparing Caileb for bed, I realized that TV is not reality- no matter what they say! Caileb cried the entire time, but hey what was I to expect from a babe who's used to being swaddled and warm, being suddenly emerged into water... what was Mommy thinking?!

Check out the video of Caileb's very first tub bath!