CJ's 1st Love

Today around the world people celebrated Valentine's Day. This is no exception in the Johnson household. The only difference was that because it was Sunday we had to celebrate our love for God before we could each other and that is what we did. Just so you all know, daddy really does not celebrate Valentines Day. he does honor it but he believes that you should not need a commercialized holiday to dictate when you show signs of affection towards the ones you love.

So when CJ was born I quickly realized that I would have to make sure she knew what love was. I had to make sure that I was the number one man in her life. That if anyone was to come after me they would have a tough act to follow. So of course CJ was given a card and a cute cuddly little monkey from her first valentine, Daddy. She has another part to her gift coming tomorrow. Due to the inclement weather this past week the shipping was altered. That is OK because like I mentioned earlier no matter what day of the year Daddy loves his Princess CJ.

I wanted to watch the NBA All-Star game with her but she had to go to sleep. So maybe next year we will be able to watch the game together. She did try to sneak a peek while I was taking her to the crib but a peek is not watching the game with her Daddy. So tonight was filled with worship and adoration for Daddy. The highlight of my day was when I prayed with CJ and she uttered something to God! I lit up because I know whatever it was, God understood.

I have to leave you with theses lyrics tonight. The choir at my second service song this as we left worship. This is what LOVE is all about. So as I go, use CJ as an example. Always remember to pray because prayer changes things, people and situations.

'Time In Praise (All Day Long)
(recorded by Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) Women of Worship)


All day long I've been with Jesus All day long my lips have uttered praise All day long my heart, my soul's been
lifted in worship
All day long I have been with Him
(Repeat as directed)
No way could I ever honor You enough
For all you have done for me
So I will offer up thanksgiving
from my heart
And praise continually
(Repeat as directed)
ALLELUIA Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia, Alleluia.
I will praise Him, ....
I will serve Him, ....
He's my Savior, ....
He is worthy, ....
Lord, we love you

Real Quick

Today I do not have much. I was on the go. I will let you know that C.J. and I watched the Dunk Contest for the All-Star game and it was really boring. So boring that C.J. even yawned once. Now I am fighting the want to go get her from her crib. Daddy hates when she whines but I have to be strong so she can learn that she does not get what she wants by whining.

So as I get ready to turn in, you all pray for me and pray for C.J. You all know that prayer changes things, and with prayer Daddy and C.J. will both learn their lessons.

Temper, Temper!

Today I had to leave home in the wee hours of the morning to get to work. The only thing different about today was that Daddy was the only person up and getting dressed. My girl C.J. got up with Daddy, but instead of getting dressed she remained in her crib with her thumb in her mouth as she watched Good Day New York through the bars. I hated that we could not have day three of Maury Povich and fun, but someone had to go out and earn some money.

So when I called home today to check in on my ladies, Mommy told me that C.J. had a rough morning. Her gums are beginning to hurt her as a tooth begins to press through. C.J. wanted to put everything in her mouth. From toes, to her thumb, to her blankets and teething rings. C.J. just wanted to get comfortable. So on the ride home, I decided to pick up some tablets Mommy had mentioned that could possibly help her a little.

Now to the little one's temper. When C.J. wants something she sets her mind to it and does not settle until she gets it. Tonight she was not interested in her toys, she wanted to play with the remote control for the television. You all know Daddy had an issue with that. She stretched and reach and wiggled to get that remote. When she realized she could not get it she tried another angle. If I can not get what I want then I will get feisty and act out. First she whined, then yelled, then screamed, then refused to sit, then wanted to be walked around. Now, of course Mommy does not deal with it and she puts C.J. in her place. Daddy, on the other hand, is a little more soft. He wants to cater to C.J. Why? She is his Princess. Now I believe in discipline but there comes a point when I would rather see her get her way versus hearing her shriek and whine. I just have to develop a longer threshold for her loudness. Mommy swears I let her get away with murder but it is simply a Dad loving his baby girl.

So as the evening turns to night and I try to get her back to sleep, I hope you have a great weekend. Please remember this, Valentine's Day is only a day. One created to make someone millions of dollars, tell those you love that you love them daily and you will not have to worry about running around looking for presents and chocolate. (OK, the chocolate is good, especially DARK!) Also remember to pray because prayer changes things, people and situations.

NOTE TO C.J.: I LOVE YOU 365 or 366 days of the year. Not just when the media has developed a day for me to say so.

Tazmanian C.J.

Well today was snow day number two but for Daddy, work is on the horizon. Today the streets were cleared and the sun shined brightly. C.J. and Daddy went for a ride and she slept and slept and slept some more. Well that was a good thing. I was able to get some things I needed to get done while she was asleep in the stroller. I still have to get the whole opening doors thing together...I hate asking for help.

Today Mommy was on vacation, as she calls it. This is a day when Daddy has to fend for himself and C.J. These vacations usually come when Daddy will be away from home for extended periods of time. Daddy actually enjoys Mommy's vacations because it gives him and C.J. time to hang out and do whatever we want.

This morning we woke up, watched some television, and then had our breakfast. C.J. had oatmeal and Daddy had cream of wheat. Then we turned to Maury...Daddy watched and C.J. was playing on her activity mat. There is no need for her to watch that madness. Daddy will not start his day when he is off from work until Maury goes off. We also viewed Governor Christie's budget speech today. Both Daddy and Mommy will be directly affected by the moves he is making. Maybe C.J. will be able to benefit from his plan in some way down the line. To round out the day we watched a few clips of Sid the Science Kid as we have slacked off a bit. We will get back on point.

I told Mommy that dressing C.J. is now becoming challenging. She is now so active and likes to twist and turn as you are trying to get an arm in here and a leg in there. She is a mess and a half but you have to love her. She even kissed, well slobbered, on my bald head today! Only C.J. would do such a thing. Well after staying up a little later than usual C.J. is now sleeping peacefully in her crib. She is some kind of kid and this is only the beginning! She is my little homey!

So as I get ready to rest to go to work tomorrow, (ok we all know I can operate on little sleep), you all remember to hit your knees tonight and communicate with the man upstairs. We all know that calling him up changes things, people and situations.

P.S. I usually tie the title in. The Tazmanian C.J. references how C.J. makes a lot of noise and moves all around while I try to dress or change her. I wonder where she gets her wild ways from? Hmmmm...must be her mother!

February Blizzard 2010

For Daddy the last time it snowed like this was the Blizzard of 1996, which I think acummalated more snow that this. I was a junior in high school and on the block we had so much fun. Between football, snowball fights and shoveling we probably stayed outside more than we were in. That was then and this is now. Today, other than racing to the post office to have something postmarked I stayed in the house all day long. No playing for Daddy. He did work and research (which for some odd reason he finds fun). Mommy did manage to bundle C.J. up and took her out on the balcony for a quick second. Other than that watching Maury was the highlight of the day, lol!

For C.J. she was a part of this blizzard and she will have pictures to see in the future. However the Blizzard of 2010 will not be the one she will remember when she is older. I guess it will snow like this again for her. So being in the house with C.J. all day did present a few highlights. Now she is mastering her crib. Mommy laid her down and when I looked over she was on her belly looked up and trying to move around a bit. She still is not crawling but the little princess is well on her way to getting in down packed. I just love the fact that she is so gosh darn funny too. Pretty soon we will fill the room with jokes and laughs together. I love this kid!

So tomorrow we have another snow day. Well Mommy has one officially and Daddy is just taking one. Mainly because my job made the dumbest decision ever. Instead of closing school they declared a delayed opening. All offices will open at 12:30pm. Now for Daddy that meant making a hour drive to work for roughly three hours. Daddy figures that makes no sense so he has decided to stay home with his Princess and Queen another day. They can have the castle to themselves on Friday and Monday, since the school calendar had already given them those days off anyway.

SO C.J. is sleeping now and Daddy and Mommy are still watching the snow fall as we reminisce our favorite Cosby Show memories since that is what we found on television to watch. So as we turn off the alarms for tomorrow and stay up late to sleep late (Mommy at least) before I leave one more thing. Always remember to pray for we all know that prayer changes things, people and situations! Be safe if you have to go out in this storm too! Be easy and be patient no need to rush and get hurt.

NOTE TO C.J.: When you get your career started always make decisions that are in your best interest. Sometimes people will not understand why you do what you do but once you pray and God directs your path you have nothing to worry about. Love you immensely.

#7

OK, I want to preface this blog by saying that I am not in the breeding business. Now you all remember that C.J.'s first present was a basketball. Now, I did not get her a basketball to train her young. Honestly it was the best gift in the gift shop. My options were limited. I am into sports and when I relax with C.J., I can not help the fact that basketball is on a lot. We enjoy our time together and we get excited from the action. The dribbling, the passing, the defense, the scoring and the electrifying dunks. You all should see C.J. get excited by the rapid moving colors across the screen. She really enjoys herself.

So today C.J. had a doctor's appointment. We all know that with a visit to the good old doctor, there comes vaccinations. Now in the past C.J. really did not take shots too well. She fussed a little bit afterward and the tears would develop in her "Pretty Brown Eyes". Today was totally different. She took two shots, one to each thigh and did not even whimper. Mommy asked if something was wrong. Daddy flexed his muscles and said C.J. is a tough cookie. Then, Mommy asked the doctor was that normal? He told her "impressive but could be normal". That just led me to believe she is developing her Clydesdale like thighs for stamina and jumping. He then let us know that C. J. is on the tall side. You know me..I immediately said, "Yes!" #7, C.J. Johnson is in full effect!

People, I am not going to force C.J. to do anything she does not want to. I fully understand that all the basketballs, attending games, watching games on television and buying her all the Kobe Bryant sneakers in the world will not lead her to be the starting small forward for the Lady Blue Devils, Lady Longhorns or Lady Volunteers. (She will never play for UCONN or RUTGERS, even though I love C. Vivian Stringer, TCNJ is where Daddy and Mommy met.) Basketball is something that we have in common right now and it continues to strengthen the bond we are forming.

So my little #7 is fast asleep now. Resting and growing all at the same time. C.J.'s daddy was proud of her today, she had a great visit with the doctor. Even he said that she is developing quite a personality. I am just thankful to God that C.J. is healthy and strong. God is good and worthy of all my praise. So as we watch the snow fall and stay up a little later tonight, since Daddy's job is closed tomorrow. C.J. and and I will have a fun filled day! You all know what to do. Continue to pray because prayer changes things! Stay warm and be safe on the roads if you must go out.

NOTE TO C.J.: Your Jersey and Warm-Up are coming!!!!!

The Car Ride Home

Usually I can recount an entire day for you. Today is very different. The period between 4:20pm and 4:45pm was the highlight of the day. Both Mommy and Daddy had decent days at work. Not even the little traffic that Daddy hit on the way home could put a damper on it. That would all change once we got in the truck to come home.

The ride home usually is filled with Mommy and Daddy recounting their days. Sometimes Michael Baisden is on the radio or Daddy is singing at the top of his lungs along with one of his many CD's. C.J. is usually asleep. Today that all changed.

About 5 minutes into the ride C.J. began to cry. Now normally we could give her a pacifier and she would be OK. Sometimes she will soothe herself with her thumb. However today nothing helped. The crying got louder and louder. She started to develop phlegm. Never have I had to pull over to see if we could calm her down but today I needed to make a pit stop into the Walmart parking lot to chill out and get her calm. After about 5 minutes we strapped her back in the car seat and then the crying continued. It seemed like the 2 mile drive would take forever but we finally arrived home. Mommy grabbed her up and carried C.J. inside. It seemed like the moment we entered the house, C.J. stopped crying. Whatever it was, Daddy was glad because the crying needed to go.

We did manage to end the evening with C.J. in her Daddy's arms as they watched the Duke versus North Carolina Women's Basketball game. Mommy came to see about C.J. and C.J. all but told her that she needed to move because she was in the way. Before you knew it C.J. was dozing off but she had to wake up because it was bath time.

Tonight we are trying a sippie cup with her. She has done well with holding the bottle so we are going to see how she does with a cup. You all pray for C.J. and her parents. We are still learning and we know that prayer changes things, people and situations. Enjoy the rest of your evening.