Today was a different day for C.J. Usually I talk about her being bright eyed and bushy tailed. However from the outset of the morning C.J. had other plans. I should have known something was up because when I went over to pick her up to get her dressed, C.J. was sucking her thumb watching television through the bars on her crib. I picked her up and then she laid silently this morning as I made her look all cute.
What was odd about the morning was that C.J. tried very hard to go back to sleep. Normally around 6:10am she begins to get fussy. That helps Daddy to know that it is time to prepare her bottle. On this day C.J. was quiet. So I continued the routine...I put on her coat, her gloves, her hat and strapped her into the car seat. Before I could look away her eyes were shut and she was zoning off. As always I prayed before we left the house. On some days C.J. will give some kind of sign that she was listening, but today she just slept. C.J. was in so much of a zone that she slept while she devoured her morning bottle. Now I think she was just, as my great-grandmother used to say, "resting her eyes". Mommy, on the other hand, reminded me of my science background. She told me to remember that sucking is a natural reflex. Either way that bottle was handled easily by the Princess.
So when C.J. was picked up from the babysitter, I never thought I would hear that C.J. did not sleep at all during the day. I was sure she was tired. Mommy seems to think that C.J. is not getting enough sleep, and was fighting her sleep today instead, so we changed things up a bit and she is already in bed.
As an educator of first grade students, as well as those I work with at the collegiate level, I always stress the importance of sleep. One needs eight hours minimum to function at 100%. So I have to make sure I get that point across to my soon-to-be six month old child.
So we shall see what tomorrow shall bring. Hopefully C.J. will be back to her usual self in the morning. So as the evening fades to the night, and I go run to my Princess as she cries out for her Daddy, always remember to pray because prayer changes things, people and situations.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Country Gal
If Daddy had his way he would have been born in North Carolina. Whenever he is in the "Great Tarheel" state he is comfortable and has a lot of fun. So whenever he is out and about and sees anything that will make C.J. look like a little country girl he probably will buy it.
The one thing about a country girl is that she always will wear a hat. I am glad to report that all the hats that C.J. has worn, her dear ole dad is responsible for. Today the look was priceless. She looked so cute in her hat and she really wore it well. Now neither of C.J.'s grandmothers like hats at all. They will wear them when they have to for fashion, and that is on first Sundays at church. On the other hand her great-grandmothers love hats. So much so that they have closets and attics and basements full of them. They have winter hats, spring hats, summer hats and fall hats. They have big hats and little hats. Hats with ribbons, hats with bows and hats of many colors. Any hat you want to see, trust me, they own one. So Daddy is just starting C.J. off early to follow in her great-grandmothers' footsteps.
I will add that many folks did not like her hat today. They said she looked too much like a country girl. Well that is too bad for them. Daddy likes the country girl look and C.J. wears the look well so as long as Daddy is buying the gear, tough luck for them.
C.J. had a good day today. She ate way more than she usually does and that was new to us. C.J. is still such a happy baby. She enjoys life and she enjoys having fun. She even got her hands on a chicken bone today and sucked on it for a little while. By the slobber on her bib you could see that she enjoyed it. It was a great day of Worship and family today so I would say that C.J. is all GOOD!!! So I am done early tonight. Mommy said, when she saw me writing already, that I did not even let half of the day go by. I told her that I already had my thoughts for the day in order. God is a GREAT God and He is worthy of all my praise! You all continue to pray because prayer changes things, people and situations! Have a great evening.
NOTE TO C.J.: If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it is a DUCK! If we dress like we are country and we eat country food we have a right to claim the COUNTRY!
The one thing about a country girl is that she always will wear a hat. I am glad to report that all the hats that C.J. has worn, her dear ole dad is responsible for. Today the look was priceless. She looked so cute in her hat and she really wore it well. Now neither of C.J.'s grandmothers like hats at all. They will wear them when they have to for fashion, and that is on first Sundays at church. On the other hand her great-grandmothers love hats. So much so that they have closets and attics and basements full of them. They have winter hats, spring hats, summer hats and fall hats. They have big hats and little hats. Hats with ribbons, hats with bows and hats of many colors. Any hat you want to see, trust me, they own one. So Daddy is just starting C.J. off early to follow in her great-grandmothers' footsteps.
I will add that many folks did not like her hat today. They said she looked too much like a country girl. Well that is too bad for them. Daddy likes the country girl look and C.J. wears the look well so as long as Daddy is buying the gear, tough luck for them.
C.J. had a good day today. She ate way more than she usually does and that was new to us. C.J. is still such a happy baby. She enjoys life and she enjoys having fun. She even got her hands on a chicken bone today and sucked on it for a little while. By the slobber on her bib you could see that she enjoyed it. It was a great day of Worship and family today so I would say that C.J. is all GOOD!!! So I am done early tonight. Mommy said, when she saw me writing already, that I did not even let half of the day go by. I told her that I already had my thoughts for the day in order. God is a GREAT God and He is worthy of all my praise! You all continue to pray because prayer changes things, people and situations! Have a great evening.
NOTE TO C.J.: If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it is a DUCK! If we dress like we are country and we eat country food we have a right to claim the COUNTRY!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
College Tour
In the year 2027 when we are driving from state to state looking at different campuses and narrowing down the schools in which C.J. will choose to matriculate we will look back to this day. January 23, 2010 will serve as C.J.'s first college tour. Mommy and C.J. hung out with Daddy today and witnessed a great game by TCNJ! C.J. and I hung out last week, if you remember, but Mommy coming along was a special treat. Again, C.J. was focused on the game. However there were a few instances where I caught her checking out the cheerleaders. I kindly told her to pay attention to the game because that is where she will be, lol! I know, I know...no pressure.
So Mommy had the bright idea to go on a tour of the campus in 37 degree weather. Keep in mind Daddy's head is bald and he did not have a hat on. My bad I guess. So of course he obliges. Once we packed C.J. up and made sure she was at 90 degrees, the tour commenced. We went from building to building. I showed the Science Complex fountain, the brand new library and even the atrium of the Social Science Building. It was a quick tour but a tour nonetheless. The campus is beautiful but Daddy does not want C.J. to attend TCNJ at this point. Seventeen years from now he may have another story. TCNJ is a great school but Daddy is looking for a school with a more rich athletic focus to go along with the strong academics. Davidson, UNC, Duke or an Ivy will do. We have some time for that though.
So today was a great day! We hung out as a family. C.J. had fun at the game and slept through her first college tour. I can not make out if that is a good or a bad thing but that is what she did. Now she is getting all cleaned up to be bright eyed and bushy tailed tomorrow. As I go I remind you all to pray because prayer changes things, people and situations.
So Mommy had the bright idea to go on a tour of the campus in 37 degree weather. Keep in mind Daddy's head is bald and he did not have a hat on. My bad I guess. So of course he obliges. Once we packed C.J. up and made sure she was at 90 degrees, the tour commenced. We went from building to building. I showed the Science Complex fountain, the brand new library and even the atrium of the Social Science Building. It was a quick tour but a tour nonetheless. The campus is beautiful but Daddy does not want C.J. to attend TCNJ at this point. Seventeen years from now he may have another story. TCNJ is a great school but Daddy is looking for a school with a more rich athletic focus to go along with the strong academics. Davidson, UNC, Duke or an Ivy will do. We have some time for that though.
So today was a great day! We hung out as a family. C.J. had fun at the game and slept through her first college tour. I can not make out if that is a good or a bad thing but that is what she did. Now she is getting all cleaned up to be bright eyed and bushy tailed tomorrow. As I go I remind you all to pray because prayer changes things, people and situations.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Another Day in The Life of C.J.
So here we are, another day has gone by for C.J. As I type I listen to Mommy scold her for splashing a lot of water on her while she is being bathe. It is just what C.J. does. When she sees that water her eyes light up and we know what is about to happen.
A day is pretty long for C.J. She wakes up at 5:45am. She has to get dressed and fed. Then it is off to Ma Lucy's for the day. It seems like she makes up for her early rise by sleeping for long periods of time, which always alarms me because we want to make sure she sleeps at night too.
Another interesting part of her day is the car ride. When C.J. was born I lost my trusty co-pilot. Mommy would hold my juice, pass me the toll money and read signs so I could focus. These days Mommy rides in the back seat and it is pretty hard for her to do all she used to while holding a bottle. C.J. chooses when she wants to cooperate back there too. Most of the time she is sleeping but when she decides to ride while awake her presence is always felt.
So when her day comes to an end it is always with a bath, prayers and reading. Recently we have begun just to put her in her crib and she plays, laughs and scoots herself to sleep. What she does during the night I could not tell you because C.J. allows Daddy to get a full night of sleep. The one thing that is evident is that she does twist and turn because she never is found in the same position or area of the crib that she was laid. Hey, as long as she is comfortable, I am good!
As we head to bed, you all continue to pray. For we all know that prayer changes things and people!
A day is pretty long for C.J. She wakes up at 5:45am. She has to get dressed and fed. Then it is off to Ma Lucy's for the day. It seems like she makes up for her early rise by sleeping for long periods of time, which always alarms me because we want to make sure she sleeps at night too.
Another interesting part of her day is the car ride. When C.J. was born I lost my trusty co-pilot. Mommy would hold my juice, pass me the toll money and read signs so I could focus. These days Mommy rides in the back seat and it is pretty hard for her to do all she used to while holding a bottle. C.J. chooses when she wants to cooperate back there too. Most of the time she is sleeping but when she decides to ride while awake her presence is always felt.
So when her day comes to an end it is always with a bath, prayers and reading. Recently we have begun just to put her in her crib and she plays, laughs and scoots herself to sleep. What she does during the night I could not tell you because C.J. allows Daddy to get a full night of sleep. The one thing that is evident is that she does twist and turn because she never is found in the same position or area of the crib that she was laid. Hey, as long as she is comfortable, I am good!
As we head to bed, you all continue to pray. For we all know that prayer changes things and people!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Lazy, Lazy, Lazy!!!
During the day Mommy and Daddy both have the responsibility of motivating students...Mommy at the middle school level and Daddy, believe it or not, at the collegiate level. (Yes, they still need it!) So it would be safe to say that we are veterans in the field. So now that our little Princess needs motivation we are both searching our archives to see what will work best.
Now I know you are sitting there saying, "What are they doing to that poor little girl?" I will tell you. We are simply helping her become independent. The normal things that people want their babies to do. Roll from front to back, hold her bottle, and sit by themselves while Mommy and Daddy eat dinner. Now if she wants to excel she can start cleaning her own poop too, lol!
Daddy is trying not to push his Princess too hard. He would love to see her walking so they can go outside and run and shoot hoops when the weather breaks. Calm down folks he understands it all takes time. The one thing we do not not want is for C.J. to get lazy. At times she seems to know what she is doing when she drops her bottle or refuses to sit in her chair without whining or fussing. Daddy tries to be stern but when she drops that lip, all bets are off.
Daddy has vowed to be a little more persistent when it comes to making her hold her bottle. Also, when she needs tummy time he will make sure she is down there for a good amount of time, crying or not. I know that if I do not want her to be lazy I have to be a little more tough with her. She is a delicate Princess but if she ever is to be a Queen she needs some toughness.
So you all continue to pray for us. One that Daddy does not get too tough. Also that C.J. will begin to be more independent. Finally that together they will continue to be a great dynamic duo. Now we know that prayer changes things and people.
Now I know you are sitting there saying, "What are they doing to that poor little girl?" I will tell you. We are simply helping her become independent. The normal things that people want their babies to do. Roll from front to back, hold her bottle, and sit by themselves while Mommy and Daddy eat dinner. Now if she wants to excel she can start cleaning her own poop too, lol!
Daddy is trying not to push his Princess too hard. He would love to see her walking so they can go outside and run and shoot hoops when the weather breaks. Calm down folks he understands it all takes time. The one thing we do not not want is for C.J. to get lazy. At times she seems to know what she is doing when she drops her bottle or refuses to sit in her chair without whining or fussing. Daddy tries to be stern but when she drops that lip, all bets are off.
Daddy has vowed to be a little more persistent when it comes to making her hold her bottle. Also, when she needs tummy time he will make sure she is down there for a good amount of time, crying or not. I know that if I do not want her to be lazy I have to be a little more tough with her. She is a delicate Princess but if she ever is to be a Queen she needs some toughness.
So you all continue to pray for us. One that Daddy does not get too tough. Also that C.J. will begin to be more independent. Finally that together they will continue to be a great dynamic duo. Now we know that prayer changes things and people.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Sometimes You Make Me Smile
Please forgive me for missing last night. I was just not in the writing mood. Praise God I am here today though! So today I realized something that I should have known for a long time. I realized that C.J. loves to smile. It makes me happy to see her gums when she turns her head when she hears me walk in a room and gets giddy.
She also smiles at other times during the day. No matter what time she wakes up, whether it is 5:30am, 9:00am or in the middle of the afternoon after a nap, she smiles. She also smiles when I bathe her and when she splashes the water in her tub. Another time she smiles is when we play on her activity mat. She rolls, grabs at the objects and wiggles all around all while smiling from cheek to cheek.
Her smile carries me through the day. It does help that I have her smile plastered all over my office. Even when I am not in the office when I see that smile it gets me through the day. The funny thing is how C.J. can turn that smile into a drooped lip quickly. Daddy and Mommy have determined that she is faking when she does that. Daddy still falls for it, whereas Mommy is a lot more tough. Sometimes I have caught her look back at her Mommy when Daddy responds and gives her a sneaky grin of comfort.
As of right now C.J. is asleep so there is no smile. Just a thumb in her mouth I guess to soothe her as she sleeps. Three pacifiers and she chooses the thumb. I guess it is good and tasty. With it being 10:22pm I need to have my thumb in my mouth sleeping too. So you all remember to pray and keep me in your prayers too. We know that prayer changes things and it changes people.
She also smiles at other times during the day. No matter what time she wakes up, whether it is 5:30am, 9:00am or in the middle of the afternoon after a nap, she smiles. She also smiles when I bathe her and when she splashes the water in her tub. Another time she smiles is when we play on her activity mat. She rolls, grabs at the objects and wiggles all around all while smiling from cheek to cheek.
Her smile carries me through the day. It does help that I have her smile plastered all over my office. Even when I am not in the office when I see that smile it gets me through the day. The funny thing is how C.J. can turn that smile into a drooped lip quickly. Daddy and Mommy have determined that she is faking when she does that. Daddy still falls for it, whereas Mommy is a lot more tough. Sometimes I have caught her look back at her Mommy when Daddy responds and gives her a sneaky grin of comfort.
As of right now C.J. is asleep so there is no smile. Just a thumb in her mouth I guess to soothe her as she sleeps. Three pacifiers and she chooses the thumb. I guess it is good and tasty. With it being 10:22pm I need to have my thumb in my mouth sleeping too. So you all remember to pray and keep me in your prayers too. We know that prayer changes things and it changes people.
Monday, January 18, 2010
CJ's World
Some days I sit and have a bunch to say. Other times I leave advice for CJ to follow. Tonight I am empty. All I ca do is look to God. When I came home today I needed to see my Princess. I need to look into her eyes. I needed to deliver a message to her. I needed to hold her and I needed to kiss her. I needed to comfort her and I needed to make sure she felt her Daddy's touch.
I struggle today because today two of my students stopped by and once again thanked me for the opportunity I had given them to attend a quality college. They mentioned that they felt like they had a family and that I was awesome. One asked to see a picture of CJ, the only one I had was of my family. She uttered the words picture perfect. Inside I broke into pieces, I crashed and I felt empty. I managed to say thank you but i know it was faint.
Just yesterday a litany about a few good men and what I should be for CJ and I let stupidity get the best of me. Now all I can do is pray. God is in control and I always preach and teach people and I always say I end up teaching myself. Looking back on what I taught yesterday I should have sat down and listened to me.
So I am currently on a quest. A quest to rise from the ashes. A quest to return to the place where God would have me. A quest to restore the foundation and become the man that was preached about yesterday. Yo know its really crazy to me I just taught about how things happen when it seems that you are doing OK. You get on cruise control and then the devil seeps in Well I have been a fighter before and I have to fight again. This time however it is for family, marriage, my Princess CJ and God. I will leave these words for CJ today. So she can have them when as her daddy felt all day long like throwing up and defeated. She can pull them out and say them. My grandfather prayed this prayer daily and I believe he was as righteous as you would find. Today I understand why he did so because you need the Lords covering daily. So CJ, this is a note for you and a note for Daddy today. I made a promise to you today that I vow never ever to break.
Psalm 51
1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
As always remember to always pray because prayer changes things, people and situations.
I struggle today because today two of my students stopped by and once again thanked me for the opportunity I had given them to attend a quality college. They mentioned that they felt like they had a family and that I was awesome. One asked to see a picture of CJ, the only one I had was of my family. She uttered the words picture perfect. Inside I broke into pieces, I crashed and I felt empty. I managed to say thank you but i know it was faint.
Just yesterday a litany about a few good men and what I should be for CJ and I let stupidity get the best of me. Now all I can do is pray. God is in control and I always preach and teach people and I always say I end up teaching myself. Looking back on what I taught yesterday I should have sat down and listened to me.
So I am currently on a quest. A quest to rise from the ashes. A quest to return to the place where God would have me. A quest to restore the foundation and become the man that was preached about yesterday. Yo know its really crazy to me I just taught about how things happen when it seems that you are doing OK. You get on cruise control and then the devil seeps in Well I have been a fighter before and I have to fight again. This time however it is for family, marriage, my Princess CJ and God. I will leave these words for CJ today. So she can have them when as her daddy felt all day long like throwing up and defeated. She can pull them out and say them. My grandfather prayed this prayer daily and I believe he was as righteous as you would find. Today I understand why he did so because you need the Lords covering daily. So CJ, this is a note for you and a note for Daddy today. I made a promise to you today that I vow never ever to break.
Psalm 51
1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
As always remember to always pray because prayer changes things, people and situations.
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