Exercise via C.J.!

So the season of spring is only a few days away. The good thing is that after God blessed us with all that rain and wind this weekend, he flipped the script and today was sunny and bright. A while back, because he noticed he put on a few pounds that needed to be shed, Daddy mentioned to Mommy that once the weather broke that they should begin walking once they got home from work daily. So today the weather broke and walk Daddy, Mommy, and C.J. did.

Now once they get a whiff of that good old fresh air, most babies usually doze off and enter la la land. However, my darling C.J. always has to be different. This girl was up and vibrant for the duration of the trip. She was looking all around at her surroundings. She was playing with her blanket. She also was making sounds which were quite interesting. It was such a joy to watch her as she investigated her surroundings. That is that inquiry based education already at work. Go girl!

So the daily exercise is on. We had fun today. Mommy and Daddy chatting...C.J. learning about the sounds of nature. But of course the goal being accomplished is a good thing, now we have to work on the follow through. Prayerfully we can work around our schedules. We will not be able to walk as a family daily but it will be priority when we can.

So now we have put C.J. to bed and I'm watching Mommy prepare the bags for tomorrow. We have another long day but at least we will all be together. God takes us through all we have to endure and we are blessed with good health and stamina. We will get our worship on tomorrow night, Amen! So as we chill out for the rest of the night and feast on some Cold Stone for dinner, you all make sure you pray. I have and I will tell you this, prayer still changes things, people and situations.

NOTE TO C.J.: Daily exercise is a must. Set it as a daily priority and pray for follow through!

All 4 "CJ"

If you could see C.J., you would see that she is growing rather rapidly. A long time ago the time came where we could not dress her in sleepers and onesies all the time. We had to go buy her clothes. Now the season has changed and we really were not thinking so now we are stuck with having to pay full price for all the spring clothes we get. Nevertheless, we headed out after work to make sure that C.J. has all she needs.

Now Daddy is obsessed with strolling the carriage. It all goes back to when he was a little boy. Daddy would tell his Mommy that he hated to see mothers carrying newborns. He would ask, "Why do they not have strollers?" From that point on, he always vowed that whenever he had a child that the first thing he would make sure of was that that child had a stroller. He held true to his word too. Now whenever the stroller needs to be pushed it is Daddy who is at the helm. He lets no one get a turn, not even Mommy. She can hold the bags.

So C.J. did allow Daddy and Mommy to get a bite to eat. She had already had her dinner as we strolled the mall. Mommy made mention to the fact that we could remember a time where we had to stop in the mall to feed C.J. However, now that she is able to feed herself, we can give her the bottle and keep moving along. It is so mind boggling to see how C.J. advances on a daily basis but it is a joy to witness.

She is all snuggled in now and Daddy has handled some evening business. Now it is time for him to kick back and relax. So as I go, remember to stay in prayer. We all know that prayer changes things, people and situations! Be blessed!

So today her wardrobe became extended a little bit and the highlight of the day was a red blazer and white country girl hat. Daddy loves to see his Princess with hats on. Also contrary to what everyone believes, (Mommy has people not liking that Daddy buys his girl boy sneakers. I can not help it, I want her to be athletic) Daddy picked up all dresses for his baby girl today. Even though he loves watching basketball and other sports with her he loves the fact that he has a little baby girl to get all cutesy.

Rainy Days and Sundays

Today was not the usual Sunday morning. Time advanced one hour and I should have felt like I lost an hour of sleep. That was not the case. I was excited and full of happiness. I guess because it was a Sunday and that meant I would be able to go to the House of Worship and get my worship on. After yesterday's traveling ordeal I had some lifting of Jesus to get on. I have learned here recently that calling on the name of Jesus is all you need to do sometimes. Life's circumstances will force you to get your act together and lay prostrate and call on his name. As I continue to grow and fix my foundation nothing can separate me from giving God my all! Worship was so great today...you felt the Spirit move all over the place.

Now I had to drive alone today because Mommy and C.J. remained home today. I prayed with them before I left and prayed for them when I got to church and all the way down the road as I prepared myself for worship. Driving alone through the pouring rain and wild winds, and getting to and from my destinations without incident or accident again, just showed God's grace and mercy. God reminded me that I need not worry because he created all of what was occurring.

Today was also different because I came home immediately after church really. I stopped and made some plates to go and I came home directly to my ladies. When I got home C.J. received a good report from Mommy, which is also rare, lol! We played a bit and relaxed, and it is almost nine o'clock and we are all ready for bed. C.J. is whining (no tears) and Daddy is twitching from wanting to go get her but we have to help her understand that when it is bedtime she must lay down without episodes.

So now is the second attempt to put her down. As Mommy took her away C.J. actually kissed me on her own. You all know a huge smile came upon my face. She has also been dadadadadadada-ing it up lately too. Soon she will look me in the face and say Daddy! So as we get ready to call it a night, Daddy is still in Worship asking the Spirit to Fall Down on me. This was the song that we ended church with today. We had to have a praise break! So make sure you pray because prayer changes things, people, and situations.

Rainy Days and Sundays always get me up! Contrary to what the Carpenters sing about rainy days and Mondays.

NOTE TO C.J.: Here are the two links to the songs mentioned today. They both can get you through a day.

Spirit Fall Down - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rel2jMeLuDs
Rainy Days and Mondays - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPmbT5XC-q0

Love you much, be blessed!

IS IT A HURRICANE?

First let me apologize for yesterday. I do not even have a respectable reason for not posting. I had the page up, I planned to post but when I woke up this morning the computer was sitting idle.

Now on to today. When it rains it pours. All morning, all day, and all night the rain poured upon everywhere I went today. To my meeting, my training, my casing out of a joint and all the way home. My truck swayed from side to side as the winds became more and more ferocious. I was alone because I had to leave my Princess and Queen earlier in the day. I do not think they knew the severity of the weather until I arrived home because they usually would call to check on me. I know they love me anyway.

So when I was home, out of my wet clothes and rested I realized that C.J. needed water for her bottles. (Now I will admit that Mommy told me not to do it.) So Daddy put his clothes back on and trudged through the high waters and the howling winds to make sure that his Princess had everything she needed to make it through the night and the next few days. I got soaked but it was for my baby girl. While I was out I heard a mother tell her son that this was a hurricane. Actually it has been labeled as a Nor' Easter to be correct, meteorology wise. Luckily C.J. and Mommy did not have to go out in this messy weather. She stayed at home with Mommy and and the only thing that got wet on her was her pamper.

We lose an hour of sleep tonight so that should be interesting. I wonder how C.J. will react? Will her sleeping change? Will she have a difficult time adjusting to the longer days? We shall see very soon and as usual I guess Daddy will have to make adjustments to her patterns. So as I get settled a little early to make my adjustment smooth you all remember to pray. Even as lights go out, the wind blows, and the rain continues to pour, prayer changes things, people, and situations.

What Is The Problem?

Ok people we have to talk tonight. Recently C.J. has been undoing everything she has done so well since birth. I have talked with people and they say she is in a stage now where she is trying to manipulate every situation to fit what she wants. So when for seven months Daddy could lay her in her crib, turn out the lights and call it a night, C.J. now has figured she wants to do things differently, and begins to yell and scream harshly as soon as a hair touches the crib.

Folks, this is a problem. One, because Daddy or Mommy, after a long day at work, does not want to hear her screaming like she does. We also had become accustomed to her routine. Now I understand that she is a baby and will break plenty routines. This one, however, we wanted her to keep because it allowed Mommy and Daddy to get the proper rest they both needed.

Another problem this causes is between Daddy and Mommy. Mommy wants to teach C.J. a lesson and break her out of this pronto. Now Daddy agrees with Mommy that she needs to be broken, however, his method would be a little different. Now you all know that C.J. is Daddy's girl, his Princess, his Baby girl, and his partner in crime against Mommy. So he naturally would want to comfort his baby whenever she calls. I mean who cares if she is crying wolf or not? Who cares if she stops when I pick her up? Who cares if she cracks a smile at Mommy when I am holding her? Daddy does not care, lol! I understand all the psychological and behavioral issues it may cause. I think I got an "A" in that class. I understand all of the technical stuff but when it gets right down to it, Daddy loves his baby girl and that is no problem for him.

So the jury is still out on what we will do. Tonight has been easy thus far. She is actually asleep now. We had a great Daddy bath night and she cooperated while getting dressed. Since I bathed her a little early we watched some ball games tonight too, the Big East and ACC tournament are in full swing. Let's Go Duke! Oh yeah I almost forgot to mention, she sat in her high chair today and tomorrow will be her first feeding in it. She likes sitting in it so let the messes begin.

So as I get ready to catch a movie with the Mrs. you all remember to pray tonight. Prayer changes things, people and situation. Also pray for Haiti and Chile tonight, we must never stop the efforts.

NOTE TO C.J.: Always work to develop solutions to problems. Before you try to work it out, seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and you will be alright!

Let The Church Say Amen!

Tonight C.J. went to Lenten Service with Daddy and Mommy. Usually Mommy keeps C.J. home because it is a long day for her. You have to remember C.J. is up at quarter to six in the morning. Today was different because there was a dynamic preacher that Mommy wanted to hear.

Once we arrived at the church Daddy went in the study like he usually does and CJ and Mommy went towards their usual area. They sit close to the door so if CJ needs to be fed or changes they can make their exit quickly without fuss. Tonight Daddy helped the Worship Team lead Praise and Worship. CJ is use to Daddy talking from up front bu this was her first time hearing him sing some of his favorite songs. She is familiar with these songs because we listen to them all the time at home.

Now the Amen's come in here. I was sitting in the front row of the church feasting off of the word. Suddenly I started to hear a baby. The first sound was not mine because I can recognize her voice from miles away so I did not even turn around I stayed in tune with the preacher. The second time the sound I heard came from someone familiar that was CJ, so I shifted a little. Then I heard it again and had to turn around and low and behold it was my Princess making noise in church. I figure she was saying AMEN in her own way. Everyone else was because the word was good and CJ who is use to good preaching decided to join in! All I could do was shake my head and turn around.

So my baby girl loves church and good preaching. What more could a preaching Daddy ask for? I am going to be sure to listen to the tape from when Daddy preaches next to see if she lets out as many Amen's as she did tonight! We all enjoyed Worship tonight, CJ is sleep and Daddy and Mommy are headed that way. We prayed in church but as always pray some more because prayer changes things, people and situations.

What Shots? No Problem!

Tonight I will be brief. We had the quickest doctor's appointment ever, literally 10 minutes. The doctor came in, he administered two shots and we were out of there. We then went to IHOP on the wrong night. It was Senior night complete with an air tank on the table. Then we came home and C.J.'s high chair met us at the door. Tonight she is being a little difficult with going to bed so I have to go rescue her from Mommy who is not pleased with her bed behavior. So she started off well tonight but she is not ending in a positive way.

So as you pray keep her in prayer because she might need it a lot. Besides we know that prayer changes things, people and situations so your prayers can change her bedtime behavior!