"E"

Ok, I forgot to tell you yesterday about CJ's alphabet lesson. So Daddy wants to begin the educational process with his Princess, so he purchased some beginner level flashcards. For all of you who think I am nuts to think this will sink in, do some research. Toddlers are impressionable so what ever they see they begin to remember. So Daddy wants his baby to see letters, number, colors, and anything else that will help in her cognitive development. So yesterday we began the sessions and they went well. Daddy would say the letter and the word that was associated with the letter on the card. CJ paid attention up until about the letter "K". She would point and look so Daddy was satisfied. She had particular success with the letter "E". She kept saying it for the rest of the evening. Tonight we did not get a chance to follow up but I do not want to put to much on her.

So I need you to pray as we enter into this endeavor. Prayer changes things, people, and situations! Have a great night.

September 29th, 2010

Will scribe tomorrow.

Missing Car Seat

So today I broke the law big time. I switched cars and forgot to bring CJ's car seat with me when I picked her up. That meant that Mommy had to sit in the back with her. I prayed that I did not get stopped or have an accident, and as usual God held me down. We arrived home safely and now I have her car seat with me as I should.

So I need you to pray for me, that I do not ever forget her car seat again. I know if you do, prayer changes things, people, and situations.

S.C.R.E.A.M.

Michael Jackson wrote a song about it and said, "It makes me want to scream!." There was a series of movies directed by Wes Craven, written by Kevin Williamson and Ehren Kruger that focused on it, Scream 1, 2,3, and 4 I believe. It is the year 2010 and I believe that CJ is providing Daddy and Mommy with trailers of Scream 5. Recently she has been screaming for no reason. It could be in the morning or during the ride home from work. Screams come from out of nowhere. So of course Mommy researched this phenomena a little bit and reported that it was completely normal. Well I say, normal or not all this screaming will have to go some place else.

Whether she is screaming, dancing, walking, or finding the smallest specs of anything on the floor, CJ is really coming into her own. I enjoy watching her to see what it is she will do next. She really takes the load off of me form the long arduous days spent at the office.

I pray she continues to develop a keen interest in seeking out her own knowledge. She already loves to investigate her surroundings and like to be in the company of literary material. I pray I can continue to grow her library and encourage her to always challenge herself to know more. We know that prayer changes things, people, and situations and this one is no exception.

Hips Don't Lie!

OK folks today was a bit interesting. Daddy accompanied Big Duke on a college visit but was home by three. We do not accomplish that when we go to church. Daddy came home immediately after he returned to East Orange so he could enjoy the company of his Princess before the hustle and bustle of work consumes his week. So he came home and played with CJ a bit. Then used the remainder of her time awake to say, "Come here CJ, get off of that CJ, don't do that CJ, you know better than that CJ." Since she is walking she has become a real life, full speed ahead hurricane. She can cause damage in several places in record time. Also because we do not have carpet you always worry she will fall in haste and hurt herself. She is a very determined little girl and sometimes does not know her own strength.

So now the hips. As a family we sat and watched the Cosby Show. As the episode showed a set of twins performing a drill CJ decided to rise and clap her hands with them. Completely on point and in rhythm with the actors. She then continued once they were done and she added a little hip action. All I could do was laugh! She loves to shake her hips to any music that comes on. Now I know she does not have hips but if she did she would be an expert hula dancer already.

So today was full of laughs, smiles and lounging. It is what a weekend always should be. I really enjoyed my afternoon and evening today and pray for many more. We know that prayer changes things, people, and situations.

Not Much Today

Today was one of those days where CJ and Daddy did not have much interaction. This morning after hanging out as a family last night, Daddy had to wake up early to get to work. The fall is Daddy's busy time and duty calls on several weekends. Daddy really does not like it but he has to do what he has to do in order for CJ to have her basic necessities.

CJ did manage to wake up up before Daddy left so he prepared a cup of milk for her, kissed her and made hie way to the door. So now we must fast forward the entire day to the point where Daddy arrives home. CJ and Mommy are hanging out and he gives both his ladies a kiss. Then the little interaction we had today turned out to be an argument. CJ, now that she is walking likes to get into things she should not get into. Daddy uses the computer a lot. CJ being the inquisitive child she has become to be likes to shut the PC off, flip the surge protector off, grab the mouse off the table, and press keys on the keyboard. She knows her Daddy does not like it but she does it anyway. So today she kept grabbing the keyboard even though I asked her too. I needed to get more stern and she then looked before she continued being disobedient. Both Mommy and I are really discovering that she has a line of her own she teeters about and we are trying to gauge when she understand what she is doing and when what she does is harmless and innocent. Many people would say to let her be and that kids are kids. Daddy feels that she knows right from wrong with more than some people give babies credit for.

So that was it for today. An argument between Daddy and CJ. It was harmless though (for all you DYFS sensitive people). So do pray that we find balance and understand each others limits as we continue to grow together. We know prayer changes things, people, and situations!

CJ and CJ

it is always fun to watch CJ interact with other children. To be continued.

Off Night

CJ is getting better and better with walking. Tonight was different because Daddy had to work. So Mommy bathed CJ and she would not go to sleep. Mommy figured it was because her Daddy usually lets her. OH well! That's all maybe she should pray, we all know prayer changes things, people, and situations!

9/22/10

To be continued

A Simple Night

Tonight Mommy had to stay at work to meet all of her students' parents. That meant that Daddy and CJ were left to their own devices until she arrived home. All she asked was that CJ be on her way to sleep when she came in. I thought that might be a problem especially since CJ was dozing off in the car and when we came upstairs she found a comfortable space on the floor and drifted to sleep. After I got settled and checked a few things I turned on the television for CJ to get some educational viewing on.

I prepared us pancakes for dinner and then bathed CJ. She actually went to sleep without much fuss tonight so I am very happy. Other than that she tried feeding herself and she is coming along quite well. Hopefully this is the beginning to her independence with regard to meal times.

I hope you all enjoyed this blessed day! Remember that prayer changes things, people, and situations so remember to engage in it.

Loud and Louder

For some reason CJ loves to be loud. She is loud in the morning, loud in the car, loud at the sitter, and loud in the stores. No matter where CJ is she will make her presence known. We went food shopping tonight and the trip would not have been complete without CJ carrying on a conversation with the cashier. Before that she called for the attention of a little girl who looked about five but I guess CJ was too advanced for her and she chose not to respond. That did not matter to CJ she continued being loud and doing her as Fantasia's new song says.

When we arrived home and Mommy and Daddy needed to do things to prepare for tomorrow. Mommy prepared CJ's bag, Daddy made dinner, Mommy bathed CJ, and Daddy made lunch. CJ preferred all eyes be upon her so she just got loud. She did not say anything but you heard her. Today even though it pained him deep down on the inside, Daddy had to let her be so he could focus on what needed to be done. She has to learn that being loud does not mean you will get your way.

That is it for tonight. CJ is gaining more and more confidence as she walks around. Soon and very soon she will be making strides with the best of them. Remember to start the day like you end it, in prayer. Prayer changes things, people, and situations.

Great Weekend

Ok, I know I blogged Friday night but I do not know what happened. So let me catch you up on the events of the weekend. For starters when we arrived home Friday night CJ's Justin Tuck #91 Giants jersey was waiting for us on the stoop. This meant that CJ would be able to watch her first football games in uniform. Daddy was very excited because what he wanted came to be.

So we had to get up really early to begin our tour Saturday. We left the house around 8am. we needed to get Mommy where she needed to be first. Then we headed to East Orange to see Jihad play. We needed to leave at the half because Daddy had a meeting at church he was obligated to attend. The game was under control so we felt confident in making our way out. We traveled four minutes to the church and Daddy obeyed all traffic laws. We arrived at the church to find that not many people were out. Daddy thought to himself we could have stayed at the game but we went inside and learned about the upcoming year of ministry for the church.

After the church meeting we had a break before it was time to go see Brooks play in his first official game...he did well too. CJ, as always, was very social in the stands. One mother said that CJ could sit next to her anytime because she was so well behaved. She also felt the need to bother her uncle Jihad by pulling his ear and laughing when he reacted. The good thing was that Brooks' team won the game!

So then we needed to wait for Mommy so we could go home and get to bed. It was a little longer than expected but she finally called us to let us know she was ready. As soon as she hit the car, CJ fell asleep. If I had to assess the day I would say we earned an A+. CJ learned when and when not to cheer. Mommy did not call every five minutes. Daddy and CJ did not strangle each other, and we supported everyone who needed it yesterday. We arrived home too late for CJ and Mommy to make it to church so Daddy raced home as soon as he could today. I almost forgot to mention that CJ is walking more and more. Pretty soon she will be running behind the other children, and they all are given notice to watch out.

CJ is asleep now, without much fuss today. I enjoyed our time together. Once she gains even more confidence, she and I will be a duo to be reckoned with. So pray for our strength and nurturing. We are not perfect but we allow God's will to be done in our lives and we know we can not go wrong with that. So keep praying, prayer continues to change things, people, and situations!

Daddy Bath Night Reinstated

Well I have to admit, Mommy was right. It seems like I have not had Daddy Bath Night in a long time. So tonight we got back to business. I bathed CJ, dressed her for bed, taught her the Lords Prayer, and I had a conversation about my day with her. It may seem weird but when I sit and hold CJ and talk to her all the nonsense and bullcrap from the day fades away. I am in another world where only she and I reside. I get

Defending Herself

When I arrived to the sitter after a two hour commute home I was told that CJ hit one of the little boys because he invaded her space. Of course Mommy was a little bothered but told everyone that I would be OK with it. She was 100% correct. I have already let CJ know that people are to be dealt with if they come to close. (More tomorrow)

I Missed It!

After staying home with CJ all day because she had a fever she goes and does this to Daddy. I am driving up the parkway on my way to Bible Study when the phone rings. NO hello, the words were simply this, "CJ just walked across the room!" Now I wanted to pull over and turn back and wait until she did it in front of me but I had to keep going north and take Mommy's word for it. This is definitely a moment in time I wanted to witness but for some reason I was not there. I just pray I am there the next time she decides to strut her stuff at home.

Today CJ played Jeckle and Hyde. She was home because she had a fever, now most children with a fever would try to sleep all day, barely eat, and be a nag until it hurt them. My Princess though, played, and played, ate all she wanted too, and roamed the house as if she it was a regular business day for her. Not that I was trying to get anything accomplished, but I could have used a few moments of silence. I was overjoyed when she decided to take a nap. I was at least able to take a shower.

She is much better now and sleeping soundly. I am glad she was active though, I would have been a lot more worried had she been lethargic and gloomy. So now I am anxious to see her walk. I probably will ask her to walk for me in the morning and on site when I pick her up from the sitter. Her strutting means the days of she and I running around and playing outside are near. WATCH OUT neighbors, here we come. So for now continue to lift her health up in prayer. CJ and I believe and pray you do to, that prayer changes things, people, and situations.

NOTE TO CJ: Understand that sometime you have to celebrate accomplishments alone. Mommy told me after you walked across the room you clapped your hands. Always know that Daddy is there with you even if he is not physically present. Being a servant of the Lord you sometimes have to be away from the house tending to others. Always know you are #1 in Daddy's life and I will try to be there when you have those milestones in life!

CJ Makes Daddy Stay Home

I will be brief, CJ is not feeling well so Daddy has to stay home with her tomorrow. I told her she is costing me money. Also, I told her that there will be some rules to be obeyed tomorrow. I do hope she feels better. She is not the same girl when she is sick.

So keep her in your prayers. Prayer changes things, people, and situations.

Bad Report

Well, all children have a bad day once in a while. The Princess can not be well behaved every day, can she? Today when Mommy brought CJ out she handed her to me and said she had a bad day, complete with hitting and all. So the first thing I asked CJ was if she had hit the boys. If she did that then I would have turned my head to the behavior. However, Mommy said, she believed it was the adults. So I had to change my thoughts and get a little more direct with her.

CJ seemed a bit tired though so her bad day could stem from that. Whatever the reason we will have to monitor her behavior so it does not get out of hand. Daddy wants his Princess to be tough but not disrespectful or mean. So Daddy has to teach her when to be tough and when to be the dainty Princess she is.

Hopefully the bad reports will be limited to the one today. I would move to incentives but I know that is not the healthy and effective way to go. So I will pray first. I know and believe that prayer changes things, people, and situations, even CJ's behavior.

Up All Night!

It is the one topic of discussion in the Johnson household that remains at-large. If CJ had her way, she would stay up until her little body could no longer support her weak frame from exhaustion. Mommy, on the other hand, will not have any of that. She feels that she needs to be in bed at a certain time and will fight with CJ for sometimes a good hour or more to make sure her goal is accomplished. Now Daddy looks at things a bit differently. He agrees that she should sleep. Daddy just believes that when CJ falls asleep, then she is sleep. He hates to hear her whine and cry and scream so he would just let her tire herself out. Two theories both get practiced, but both Mommy and Daddy interrupt the other's process from time to time. Who will win? I think if CJ could speak clearly Daddy would be the victor because he takes the path of least resistance.

I believe this issue will be revisited a lot and Daddy and Mommy will grumble. It seems as if this is a King and Princess versus the Queen situation that will haunt the castle. So after staying up as long as Mommy could take it, as Daddy thought, as soon as she laid down she went to sleep. Now folks you be the judge on whose theory worked. For now, head to bed so you can be well rested and productive tomorrow. Do not forget to pray either, prayer changes things, people, and situations.

Rendevouz Changes

Well today was a good day folks. Daddy started the day and spent much of the duration of it studying for his sermon for tomorrow. So there was no television and no music for a while. CJ spent the morning with Mommy. That was nice of both the girls giving Daddy the silence that he needed. So after the morning past, along came the football games. The game of the day for Daddy and CJ was Notre Dame vs. Michigan. Both teams played well but our team lost for the second year straight. Daddy did not keep his hat on for too long, either.

So on today's agenda was to simply go out and find CJ a hoodie to wear in the mornings. When Daddy took her out Friday, he noticed it was a bit chilly so he wanted to make sure CJ is prepared accordingly. We found her a cute one and kept it moving. The next stop was for dinner. CJ had the chicken fingers and fries. She ate those well on her own, but the funny thing was when she decided to go on Mommy's plate to grab her food. Each time Mommy would pull her plate back, CJ would reach out and grab her plate closer to her. I have to admit it was quite hilarious too. Once we left, Daddy realized that our bill is becoming a little bit high when we go out. Then, he realized that CJ is now eating her own plate, and if she eats, the food must be paid for. I thought in my mind she is going to have to start working for her keep. Daddy told Mommy that their rendevouz has changed now.

Daddy is blessed and gives all the praise to God for allowing the family to have the means to go out and eat from time to time. He does not take it lightly what God has given The Johnsons of Old Bridge. So, as for Daddy and his house, we will SERVE the Lord, echoing Joshua from the bible. So I pray that you all recognize and proclaim whom you will serve as well. If you do not know, pray about it! Prayer changes things, people, and situations.

The Ride Home

I will be brief, today CJ and Daddy had to ride by themselves. This morning when I dropped her off she whimpered a little bit when I dropped her off. I have to admit I was a hurting on the inside, but I had to leave quickly to get to work and to ease her emotions. Then when I came to pick her up she fixed her eyes on me and did not want to have anything to do with anyone else.

I thought she would be loud and cranky during the ride home but we made it home without a peep. We stopped to look for her a hoodie but she was tired and I decided to go home. When I arrived back to the car I noticed she lost her blanket, oh well!

Welp she is asleep and I have a long day ahead of me. So I am going to cal it a night. Remember to pray though, for we know prayer changes things, people, and situations.

The Dual

So I am online at work chatting with Mommy and I ask how CJ is doing. She responds to me that she may not be home when you get here. I said, "What's wrong?" Mommy tells me that she thinks CJ got a hold of some coo-coo pills because she is around being funny. I asked Mommy to spare her until I got home and to let her be. The good thing is that she was still at our residence when Daddy arrived home from work. So Mommy and CJ were at it again but they made peace as the day progressed. That is pretty much all I have to share tonight so you know what is next.

Be sure to communicate with God, you know, pray. Prayer changes things, people, and situations!

SHOUT!!!

Daddy has been changing his atmosphere lately. He is allowing the Lord to occupy every aspect of his life. Moving out of the way to get placed where I ought to be. This means things change and everyone around me might get affected and that includes Princess CJ.

So today when we arrived home, I had to get my War Cry on, so on came the music and the Praise began. Now I was doing me as the young people say but my little CJ figured she would join me. She came to where I was and was attentive and then started to clap, smile, move to the beat and make her own praise. So I just said, "Come on baby!" and kept giving God the Praise. If CJ wants to get hers in I will encourage her from now to whenever. One never knows how the Lord is moving and Daddy has learned, and learned the hard way, that you better not block God.

Other than our Praise party tonight the day was normal. We went to work and the sitter and came home, our usual daily routine. Now CJ and Daddy have a new addition to our day, we start it off in prayer that has always been what we do, but now we will get our "Praise On" when we get home for the day! Hallelujah!

So I encourage you to get your praise on too, in the car, on the job, at home, during a walk, wherever! I will be praying for you, and we all know that prayer changes things, people, and situations! Go ahead and change your atmosphere.

NOTE TO CJ: Baby girl never be ashamed to give God the Praise. It is because of Him that you have life and are able to do all you do! Romans 1:16 says; "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek".

CJ The Bully

OK, I guess I need to talk with CJ again. A while back I preached to her about defending herself and personal space. It also does not help that she is a girl that is surrounded by boys. Boy cousins, boy play pals, and boys at the babysitter. She has no choice but to be rough, and rough she is. When we arrived to pick her up today the sitter's daughter said, "Boy, CJ is a rough one!" Daddy chuckled because that is what he wants his girl to be, but not too rough. She can be dainty but know how to pounce a joker out when need be. So I will sit down with her and give her some new parameters so that she takes it easy on the guys around her.

So hopefully I am not raising a bully but an heir to Laila Ali's title would be OK. Beauty, brains, and fists is a great combo platter. So I will pray she balances it all out. You all pray she does not hurt someone's child. We know that prayer changes things, people, and situations. Have a blessed night!

Labor Day? LOL!

Well today was Labor Day, and on this day, you are not supposed to work. Well I guess the definition changed once CJ came into the world. I did more work today than I do on my regular nine to five. This girl is really coming into her own, and when you are around her, you have to be on your p's and q's or risk some major L's for the day. I guess it is a good thing that she is all over the place. She gets into everything, though. Her vision must be twenty-twenty because she will see the smallest spec of dust on the floor and get to it with record speed.

Today CJ and Daddy had a chorus line going. We asked Mommy to find us a song but she refused to. I guess she did not like our singing. We also have this praise chant that we do now, as well. There is no harm in showing the little Princess how to praise the Lord. So we sung for a while until CJ did not want to join in anymore.

Tomorrow CJ will dine on lunch made especially for her by her Daddy. Instead of buying stuff full of salt and freeze dried, Daddy used his hands to create food for CJ. He hopes she enjoys it. So the day is done for now and CJ, after a long fought battle with Mommy, is sleeping. She may be a handful but I am glad she is full of spunk and determination.

So as you get ready for bed, remember to pray. We all know that prayer changes things, people, and situations!

In The Nick of Time

This will be more like a tweet. CJis really developing her vocabulary. She continues to talk to anyone who will listen. She even is remembering names. This will be remembered as the day she decided to do number two on the floor and Daddy had to get it up. That's all for tonight. Keep praying, we all know that prayer changes things, people, and situations.

What A Shame

So today I will pick up a bit of information that just became fresh. Tonight, since we had not been in a long time, and because of my work schedule, we might not get back there for a while, Daddy decided to take the family to IHOP. On the way out the door it came to me. CJ is now able to eat from the kids menu, which at IHOP is supposed to be free as long as you purchase an adult entree. So we get to IHOP and place our order. For CJ we ordered one pancake and one scrambled egg. When the bill came we saw that we were charged for it and I tried to figure out why. So Mommy read some materials and noticed that you had to order a bigger kid's meal to get it free.

I was not irate but felt that the waitress should have told us that. I mean come on now, one egg and one pancake you pay for and you could have got fruit, sausage, eggs, and pancakes for free. You tell me what you would have selected. So when I arrived home I did what any other normal citizen would do. I sent an email to corporate for them to explain to me why they charge for less food. It just makes no sense to me. In a past life I would have made a big scene and demanded justice right there in the restaurant but since I have matured I just paid the bill and voiced my opinion in another manner.

Will anything get done, I do not know. What I do know is that CJ will be ordering from the "Just For Kids Menu" as it is called and not charged for from this point on. If she wastes food then so what since IHOP does not seem to mind. With that said, we all enjoyed the food we had. CJ has to learn not to chew with her mouth open though. She had a good day at the sitter and Daddy and CJ hung out this evening when Mommy took a nap. I must add that CJ tired her old man out and he even dozed off for a minute. We did have fun and I even read a book to her. It was all about simple food items with pictures to help with her visual recognition of things.

So now CJ sleeps and Daddy is finishing up his blog so that he can sit back and kick it with Mommy. So you all continue to pray, if you recall the bible says the prayers of the righteous availeth much. As always prayers continue to change things, people, and situations!

NOTE TO CJ: Hey Princess, if I ever to forget to order from the right menu at IHOP make sure you do not. That is until you are 13 and you have to order from the real menu.

Football Season Has Begun

Daddy bounced on CJ tonight. Football season is here.

The Preliminary Run

Today marked CJ's official first day back at the sitter. If all days go like today then we are in for a GREAT year! Daddy woke up late but made up for time with CJ, who while she was getting dressed, decided she would continue to sleep. This meant no fight from her. Even Mommy contributed to us getting out the door on time which lead to Daddy arriving at work at his desired start time.

So when Daddy arrived to pick CJ up she was almost at the curb. Mommy had told the sitter she would be there by a specific time but did not quite make it. So Daddy found out about CJ's day and made his way back to the car to strap CJ in. And off we went to find Mommy, who almost got left because she can not tell time.

We came home and CJ picked up where she left off. She was wide awake so she chose to mess up any and everything in sight. Where ever I asked her not to go she went. What I asked her not to do, she did. It was a game I did not really want to play tonight so I put her in her playpen for a few minutes.

Daddy realized that food shopping is a must if he wants to get home and have bonding time with his Princess. If not it will be 7:00pm everyday before we get in. So that is a rap folks. CJ is sleeping and Daddy and Mommy are preparing for tomorrow. It was a great start to the school year and Daddy prays that we can keep the momentum going. We all know that prayer changes things, people, and situations so I will keep offering it up!