Stand Up!

Ludacris wrote a rap where he said the words, "STAND UP!" a whole lot of times. Well tonight when I put C.J. to sleep, it happened. She has been inching closer and closer each day. Tonight she did it perfectly. When I responded to her whining and crying, I looked in the room and C.J. was standing up in her crib peacock proud. Mommy was very excited, but Daddy was a little upset. Only because if she had leaned just an inch, she would have fallen out. Mommy celebrated the milestone, and C.J. too, with her cunning smile. Daddy, on the other hand, was too worried about the mishap that was just missed to enjoy the moment.

Afterward Daddy decided to rock C.J. to sleep. So against the doctor's and Mommy's desire, Daddy took her out of the crib and laid with her on the couch. She continued to fight her sleep. As per the babysitter's report, C.J. did not sleep all day long. Daddy thought she would fall right asleep, but C.J. had other plans. She squirmed and fussed before she could no longer throw jabs at the Sleepyman. He had knocked her out and she settled right on her Daddy's rib cage.

So tonight C.J. finally stood up! Now Daddy really has to figure out how to lower the crib, and we have to be a lot more careful when she is left to sleep. We do not want her to get so crafty and get out somehow. So pray for Daddy and C.J. that they can enjoy milestones together. We know that prayer can make that happen because prayer changes things, people, and situations!

All For Nothing

We knew today would be a long one, and it was. Last night C.J.'s bag was packed for tonight. I let Mommy know that I needed her to travel up north with me, and I prepared myself for the back and forth driving. The upsetting thing about the entire situation was that it was all for nothing. The reason we had to get ready a day early is because Wednesday nights are supposed to be Bible Study at the church. Tonight, however, when Daddy arrived, he found only the Pastor. That means the two preachers in the church were present and no one else. We both could have been doing something else. Daddy had been off of work since noon, and could have picked C.J. and Mommy up and headed directly home. We did some quick church planning and headed home.

Daddy felt bad for dragging Mommy and C.J. out. C.J. will soon realize that when you are a servant of the Lord, Daddy will do some things which will make C.J. have to sacrifice time on different occasions. It's a tedious job but I was chosen to do it. So today, our interaction, as with many days, was spent traveling and in that case, C.J. was asleep. No time to get into much trouble, lol. So continue to keep us in prayer as we will do the same for you. We all know that prayer changes things, people, and situations.

Simplicity

Today was normal but abnormal for C.J. and I. It started with the morning routine. Daddy decided to stay home from work today. He simply needed a day without a commute, without the office, and without what reminds him daily to get motivated. All he wanted to do was sleep late and watch Maury and that he did. So instead of bathing C.J. and getting her prepared, Mommy did all of that this morning and Daddy appreciated it.

Since Daddy was home he asked Mommy to get off work a little early. he decided that he wanted to cook dinner tonight so he went and picked up the groceries. Once he was done he swung by Mommy's job, picked her up, and then it was off to get C.J. C.J. was finishing up her food when we arrived, and as usual stared me down. We came home without incident and then hung out for the rest of the evening.

That is about it tonight. She still is moving all over the place. She gets loud and she genuinely likes to have a good time. I thank God for her presence daily! You all keep praying because whatever you may be going through, prayer changes things, people, and situations!

Step By Step, Day By Day!

Today I am a bit confused. I think it is because I am about to include a weird phrase to help explain C.J.'s day. The main reason is that tonight Buzz Aldrin will be the guest host on Monday night RAW. I know it is a shame but the more I try to pry myself away from wrestling, I still find myself glued to the tube more often than not on a Monday night. As soon as football season or I get my butt back in grad classes, that will end. So let me set the stage for you as I listen to my Princess whine in dramatic fashion.

OK, so now that she is done, I will get back to business. Today I arrived at the babysitter to pick up C.J. and noticed Mommy was not there. So the babysitter's daughter had C.J., and as soon as I walked in, as always, C.J. looked up and her eyes lit up. She began to bounce (as she does a lot) as if she wanted to get down so she was let down. I looked down upon her said, "What are you going to do, walk over here?" Low and behold still holding onto the hands of the sitter's daughter she began to take a step. So I knelt down and took hold of her hands and assisted her as she completed her trek to Daddy. It was, "One small step for C.J., one giant leap for mankind." (Borrowed from Astronaut Neil Armstrong's first words from the surface of the moon on July 20, 1969) Lately it seems like she is more and more focused on taking steps or pulling herself up. Now we all know that once C.J. sets her mind to something, much like her Daddy, she lets nothing stand in her way. OK, it may sound cheesy but I have to add the Perfect Strangers theme song lyrics here. They are so necessary.

Perfect Strangers Theme Lyrics

("Nothing's Gonna Stop Me Now" by Jesse Frederocl and Bennett Salvay

Sometimes the world looks perfect,
Nothing to rearrange.
Sometimes you get a feeling
Like you need some kind of change.
No matter what the odds are this time,
Nothing's going to stand in my way.
This flame in my heart,
And a long lost friend
Gives every dark street a light at the end.

Standing tall, on the wings of my dream.
Rise and fall, on the wings of my dream.

The rain and thunder
The wind and haze
I'm bound for better days.
It's my life and my dream,
Nothing's going to stop me now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdFhmRdBtno (view it at your leisure)

I am glad that C.J. has already embedded self-determination into her mental set. Once you have that, you are building a solid foundation for yourself. So there is my "Walk on the Moon" moment for the day. C.J. is asleep and now I will get ready to watch the "Lake Show" (Lakers) beat up on the Suns. C.J. will miss Game One, but I will have her ready for Game Two. Before I go, let me remind you to always pray. We all know that prayer changes things, people, and situations.

I Thought I Hid It

Determined is the one word that describes my daughter, C.J. Johnson. It is a trait that she has received honestly straight from her Daddy and Mommy. Sometimes when I see her intending to do something and how she will let nothing get in her way, I just pause and watch because I know it came from my genes directly into her being. Today Daddy accompanied C.J.'s Uncle Big Duke to an Open House. He will be going to college in a year and has begun to look for which institution he will attend. As we traveled down the New Jersey Turnpike I received a text. When I was able to reach my phone, it was a text from Mommy. The words were clear and I knew that C.J. was doing something she had no business doing. Next there was a picture...the picture was of C.J. under her walker. Not in it folks, but under it. Now the irony of that would come later in the day. Daddy had returned home, laid down for a bit, and then enjoyed a great feast prepared by Mommy. (I worked with C.J. to urge Mommy to cook more because the meal was delicious and C.J. enjoyed her portion as well.) As Daddy lounged around he noticed some papers that he had hid from C.J. yesterday. Actually the papers were the direction to the Wii System. Yesterday while crawling she went on the entertainment center and removed them. I caught her so I took them from her and put them under her walker. I asked how they found their way to the couch and Mommy said C.J. I put two and two together and remembered the picture from earlier.

This girl sure is reminding me daily that I must change some things around in the house. One reason is because she finds everything I think I hide, and it is to make sure she is safe. The more she explores and gets into things the more and more I have to stay on top of my game and one step ahead of her. She also is a pretty strong girl so I never want her to get hurt simply because she is very aggressive. So I will begin to do what Daddy needs to do so he does not have to hide things C.J. will find, anyway.

So now as she sleeps, of course after whining and fussing for a few minutes, Daddy watches television and prepares for the work week. Continue to pray for us. Daddy and C.J. are doing well. (That was, up until I realized that she left scars on my ear from her Tyson moment the other day. I had to talk with her about that.) The bond is strengthening and we are learning each other. OK, I am still trying to figure her out and she does whatever she wants and laughs and smiles when I scold her. I am working on that. Tough love will have to come sooner or later. Daddy knows, and you should to, that prayer changes things, people, and situations, especially little Princesses who think they have their King figured out!

Johnson Leisure Day

Today was a day long overdue. Daddy did not have to work, had no meetings, and had not planned anything. Mommy did not have to get her hair done, or do laundry, nor any parties or baby showers to attend. C.J. did not have anything scheduled, either. This all means that we could turn the alarms off and sleep in. I am proud to say that is exactly what happened. We slept until C.J. decided to wake up and wanted breakfast. She was fed, but instead of getting up and starting the day, we lounged around, watched television, read, and surfed the Internet. It felt good. One thing would have made it great and that would be if Daddy was feeling 100%. Instead he is operating at about 80%. He had a headache and his sinuses were still a bit blocked up.

Halfway through the day, Daddy decided it was time for the family to go get some of the items C.J. needed for the week. We went out, shopped, picked up some food to cook for dinner, and then came home. We also picked up a movie for Daddy and Mommy to watch once C.J. is put to bed.

Today also lent itself to some time for Daddy and C.J. to bond. When Daddy was in 7-11 today, he heard a familiar tune. When he came out he asked Mommy if she knew it, and while she did not recognize it at first, when he hit the second verse she knew it. So of course Daddy sat with C.J. as she finished up her squash and introduced her to Mr. Billy Joel. (He is a fantastic musician with longevity.) She heard the song "She's Always A Woman"...the words are actually inspiring in a quirky way. Then, we danced to "Uptown Girl"! She clapped and smiled, then giggled and cracked herself up. Daddy was right there with her, laughing and smiling ear to ear.

It was a great day and a great moment to share with her. I wish all Saturdays could be this way. Too bad already in the works are two straight Saturdays where we have to be on. Next week is a program at the church and a baby dedication, and the following Saturday is Ma's birthday celebration. Then in June you know Daddy kicks off every month with meetings on the first Saturday, then we get an off week, followed by Father's Day weekend. At least we both get to look forward to that! OK, Daddy may be the only one looking forward to it, lol!

So now it is time for Mommy and Daddy's late dinner. C.J. is fussing, but we are doing our best to ignore her and watch television. Mommy is gawking over Mr. Lance Sullivan (Morris Chestnut, whom no one gawked at when he was Ricky in "Boys in the Hood") in the movie, "The Best Man". So pray for her, pray for Daddy as he tries not to throw up, lol, and pray for C.J. as she continues to deal with having to go to sleep without her parents running to her every beck and call. We know that prayer changes things, people, and situations!

CJ=Evander Holyfield

Ok, I will give you the gist of this entry. If you remember the boxing match between Holyfield and Tyson you automatically know what happened. Today I was a victim and can Identify with the pain Holyfield felt. CJ felt the need to bite my ear today and it really hurt. TBC