God Knew...

Those two words have been playing in my head over the past 12 months. Time Hop is a great app but it also brings up memories that are hard. Last year we opened our home and hearts to three children but as we have shared our family was not a match. As I have looked at the posts and comments from last year my heart has been full of joy but my eyes of tear too because GOD KNEW!!! What do I mean by that you might be asking? Well God Knew that we needed to go through a valley to get to where he wanted us. God knew that we needed to take those ten days to learn and we did. God knew that we were not ready but He let us try. God knew that when the door closed after the children left that in less than a month our doors would open again. God Knew---YES, HE KNEW and we were in for the best surprise ever!!! God has been busy over the past nine months. While we had been preparing our home for our future children…

God knew 10 tiny fingers were formed…

God knew 10 tiny toes were formed…

God knew the rhythm of our baby boys active heartbeat…

God knew our little boy was ready…..

God knew....and now God wanted to share with us the greatest blessing we could ever receive. 

I am still in awe every day of the sweet, chunky 21 pound, 27.5 inches long ten month old (in a few hours) baby boy that we get to wrap our arms around and love on forever. I will never understand how God chose us but we are oh so thankful to be Jonathan's parents. God knew we needed our sweet miracle and He knew when we were ready. Gods plan is soooo much more awesome than I can ever imagine. Some days I sit and stare at his monitor to watch him breathe, move, and play. He loves to kick the sides of his crib and move his little aquarium up and down—let’s just say our alarm clock is pretty cute.

 

Our promise to God and Jonathan is that we will be the best parents we can possibly be. We will pray with you and for you, teach you about our Lord, play with your every day, read you books, take you to explore the world, and give you the moon. We will teach you of the amazing journey we have been on to have you. We will share with you how God continues to use you to inspire others. We will always love you our sweet boy to the end of time. You are the brightness of the sun and the glow of the moon. Mommy and Daddy love you sweet boy.

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What has the Duke been up to?

He loves to eat potatoes, black eyed peas, green beans, yogurt, applesauce and more. He will say Dada all the time and Mama every so often—he has full conversations with himself but we need an interpreter. He loves to roll everywhere, sit up, read books, watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and play with his toys and his dog, Roddy. He plays patty cake too. Bath time is the best time of the day.

It has been a while.....

but man oh man does life get busy with a little one! Life has been absolutely wonderful since #theduke joined our little family. We have had lots of fun and of course less sleep too. He is now EIGHT months old---whoa, time slow time!! He is not crawling yet but boy oh boy are we close. He likes to be a little lazy and of course is HELD all the time. He had his first trip to the beach and LOVED every moment of it. He likes to swim and kick his feet. He loves Popsicles too. His favorite part though of the trip was riding on the golf cart with his Ne Ne and Paw Paw--can you say wrapped around his little finger!!!!

So I think it is time to share the story of how his name came to be....

On our ride home from the hospital, Robert and I decided to name our little boy Jonathan Dewayne. Jonathan is Roberts middle name and Dewayne is my daddy's (PawPaw) middle name. We had lots of potential names picked our for our future children but when naming our sweet boy we chose these two names because they are the names of two of the most amazing men I know.  Jonathan means "God has Given"--now if that does not give you chill bumps I don't know what will!!! When we got home that wonderful evening my parents came over and loved on our sweet boy. While sitting around we wanted to come up with a sweet nickname to use on social media too. So Daddy and Robert were talking and my daddy said John Wayne--by the way this is one of his favorite actors--and then he said THE DUKE in unison with Robert I believe. We are said that is perfect and the name has stuck ever since.

We had fun family pictures at the beach too with Anna Johnson---they are amazing!!!! Here are a few.....

Four, Five, & almost 6 month update!!

Well first I want to say that I know I have been extremely slack about updating our blog but we have been a tiny bit busy with our bundle of joy. I am going to try to give you a run down of all the fun stuff that has happened in #thedukes life over the past few months.

February:
Oh this month was LOTS of doctor visits but overall we ended with good reports. We had a few fevers and that also meant we got to stay home from daycare with grandma's---he knows he can get away with anything with his NeNe and Grandma Barbara. We also visited with a specialist to check on our liver enzyme levels but we haven't heard any news from that appointment so we are saying all is well in that realm of the world. We also had our four month shots---YUCK! Ran a little fever for about a day but we also went shopping and got our new car seat--a cool convertible one. No only did #theduke venture out to shop this month but he also went to a jewelry party where he was loved on by one of his favorite people, MaryAnn Baird--yes, that boy loves her to pieces and gives her the best kisses too. Oh and we had a great valentines day--NeNe kept #theduke while mommy & daddy ventured to Charleston for the day. We had a great time but were ready to see our little man when we returned. Oh we went to church as a family too for the first time!! YAY!!

March:
Wow, time is flying by and he is growing up too fast. We have mastered the rolling from belly to back but cannot seem to get the other way yet. He loves tummy time for about 5 minutes and then will roll on over. This month was a fun but busy one too with lots of parties and meeting new people. We attended a baby shower for our cousin Robin---cannot wait to meet this precious boy!! #theduke also attended his first birthday party for his cousin Abigail--so much fun meeting the Chickfila Cow and yes, he tried a little blue frosting too. Not only did he meet a cow but he also met the Easter Bunny---no smile was given during the pictures but he is still as cute as could be. This month was very special for us as this month we had #thedukes dedication at PGBC. We cannot wait to see what our son will do for our Lord in the years to come.

and now to the present month....

April:
So far this month we have had one doctor appointment, been out of daycare 5 days due to yucky diapers and spring break for NeNe. He is still fighting his bronchitis but we are thinking it will be cleared up fully soon. We celebrated his first Easter with dying eggs and making an Easter Bunny cake with my parents and my mother in love. We have also started baby food and we are sleeping thru the night--hallelujah!! Bananas are his favorite so far but we are still working on those peas.

Our lives have been so fun and crazy over the past five and a half months but we would not trade this amazing journey for anything in this world. Currently we are in court limbo and are waiting on a new date for the hearing that was continued from January. We are excited for the next couple of months though as we are praying all will be finalized soon--my wish is by July so pray with me that this will happen :)


Fun things #theduke LOVES:

• squeal and scream
• laugh
• roll over from belly to back--one day we will get the other way too
• climb up whoever is holding me
• bath time
• snuggle time

Currently his is a good 17 lbs and 25 inches long--he is solid as a rock!!

Thank you for continuing to go on this journey with us....

Jill 

By the Book

Are you a “By the Book” mom? That question has been asked many, many times over the past few weeks and my simple answer is “YES”.  I am a first time mommy and I am going to do everything that I think is the right thing to do for our child and if it is “by the book” standards then so be it. I have told a few people that maybe I will be more lenient with our second (if that is in God’s plan and I can get Rob to agree to it!). I love being a mommy and I love getting mommy advice too. I may not use it all but I will listen and say thank you. (feel free to laugh at me for being the overprotective, making sure things are just right mom...I sometimes laugh at myself too)

So what are my “by the book” standards right now?:

• Only sleeps on back (and in our room in his rock n play)—this should be a given! 
• Only gets formula—trust me, if I could breast feed I would
• No foods or cereal until 4 to 6 months old depending on doctor recommendation
• Swaddled each night for bedtime 
• Tummy time—when we remember, ha ha!
• Hand sanitizer bath for all who hold him—too many yucky germs around right now!!
• No public outings until first shots were received

Now that I read over them, I don’t think I am that bad. Honestly, everyone who wants to hold #theduke has as long as they were not sick.  I have left him alone with NeNe and Grandma Barbara for dates with hubby and random times they have kicked us out of the house. For now we are not taking him to church because of all the potential flu/icky germs but Rob and I are going to alternate attending so that we can both be fed—plus we have online worship too which is awesome! 

Being a mommy is the best job in the world. I love when that little man just looks at me and smiles. He melts my heart. He knows that he has Rob and I wrapped around every little one of his fingers and toes. He will be spoiled rotten and we are ok with that too. 

Adoption Update:

We are now in the waiting period. There is a certain amount of time that we have to wait before we can file our adoption petition with the family court. Once that time comes we will be jumping on it to get it completed. Our hope is that all will be finalized before his first birthday--Oh what a celebration we will have!

Keep praying!!

Busy Bee Mommy & Daddy

By now you probably have realized that my blogs have been very minimal since the duke joined our little world. I never realized how much time and energy it takes to take care of an infant--so HATS OFF to all those mommies out there. I am loving every minute of being home with the duke (and my waistline/stomach is too--eating ALL DAY LONG and it is expanding--this must stop) because he changes every day and I am eating it up. He is cooing more and the laughs/smiles make you melt. Robert gets a kick out of all the sounds he makes and during the day I try to send him videos so he doesn't miss a beat. The duke is getting more active and he is staying up more during the day too so that means not much work time for this mommy. Its ok though because when Robert comes home he instantly turns into "Super Daddy/Hubby" to take care of things around the home and to watch the duke when I need a moment to do a few things--he really is the best!  We are very appreciative of his grandparents too as they come over to give lots of loving and to give us a good nights sleep.

The duke went on his first and very quick outing to meet Santa. He was dressed in his sweet little Santa outfit and had his pacifier in the whole time. I placed him on Santa's lap and asked Santa if he minded if the pacifier stayed in and Santa said "he looks to be enjoying it so we can keep it in". It was so sweet. NeNe and Grandma Barbara attended the photo session and got some more cuddles once we were home.

On Monday, December 8 our little one went in for his first medical procedure. He was circumcised (he will hate me for posting this when he is 16 but oh well!). Now, I know that some people do not agree with this procedure but we felt this was best for our son so please keep all negative comments to yourself--thank you! The doctors and nurses were so sweet and gave us a good talking to before we agreed to go forward. The doctor was his doctor at birth and he was so happy to see our little duke again. The doctor was bantering back and forth with Robert and they were laughing while I was sitting there thinking "you better just make sure my boy is ok". So once we agreed the doctor went on back and completed the procedure. It was super short and he came in praising our little boy. We went on into the room and my boy was not happy at all--this was to be expected. He was given a little Tylenol and passed to daddy because mommy could not  handle the crying and was upset herself---my anxiety was passed on to the duke which was not good. Once handed to daddy he was good to go. We headed home an hour after the procedure and we have been doing well since. He is healing well and is back to our happy go lucky baby boy.

Ready or not here is my next list of things I have learned....

• there is a minimum of three clothes changes a day for the duke(sometimes mommy)
• when he wants to eat, HE WANTS TO EAT
• he loves music and his mobiles--yes he has two
• he enjoys riding in the car
• he is ticklish on his belly
• he loves to be talked to--reading books is a good way to do this!
• he doesn't mind peeing(or pooping) on you
• at times he likes to be naked
• burping is a rough subject
• he loves his pacifier

Life continues to be fantastic and we love the duke so much. He has brought so much joy into our lives and we think to everyone he meets. Please continue to pray with us as we navigate the world of adoption. We do not know of the date of finalization as there are a few things that need to be handled legally but we know that God has a plan and we just need to buckle up and enjoy the ride. Keep the prayers going!!

Just in case I do not get a moment to blog before Christmas, we hope you all have a wonderful holiday season....MERRY CHRISTMAS from Robert, Jill, The Duke and Roddy.

Has It Really Been a Month?

Wow, it has been exactly one month since our precious little boy has been in our home(and hearts!). It has gone by soooo fast and I want time to stand still. I know now when mommies say to soak it up because they are right, time just slips away.  Every day I look at him I see something different. He has pudged(is that even a word?) up so much from his birth and he is becoming so much more alert. He will look at me in the eyes now and I just fall more and more in love with this sweet boy every day. He has us (and everyone he meets) wrapped around his little fingers.

 Since I love list, here are a few of the Dukes favorite things:

• I love to eat but on my own terms....I will eat 2.5 to 4 ounces each feeding but don't make me eat more than I want or I will clench my lips tight!
• I love listening to music
• I enjoy watching my mobile go around and around while laying in my crib
• I love when people sing to me or him right close to my head--it is so soothing
• I love to be swaddled and this is when I sleep the best
• I enjoy waking up mom and dad every three to four hours at night
• I sleep best in mommy or daddy's arms but I like my rock and play too--as long as it is in their room (no crib sleeping for me yet)
• Tummy time is becoming more fun but only for a few minutes at a time
• Mam pacifiers are the only ones I will use--I might be a little stubborn
• I love snuggles (especially with my mommy)

Our sweet boy keeps us on our toes but we love every minute of it. We love our sweet boy and are so thankful for our little gift from God.

1 Sam 1:27

Ten Things The Duke Has Taught Me

1- Sleep is something I love but it is now a thing of the past
2- Zipper Sleepers are the best outfits in the world
3- Soy Formula makes for a gassy (and stinky at times) baby
4- Snuggles are amazing (I will do this all day, every day)
5- Boys pee like water fountains (he has peed on me, nene, and a nurse at the doctors office)
6- 3:30am feedings are fun (ok, not really but when his wide eyes look at me and he smiles, I melt)
7- we will never eat at regular meal hours again
8- grunts and coos are music to my ears
9- laundry/bottle washing never ends
10- He is loved by so many.  The gifts and hand me downs have filled our home and we are extremely grateful. 

Everyone I talk to about the duke tells me they have been praying for us and him. I get chills every time I talk about the phone call. My God has orchestrated this entire union and we know He is continuing to compose a beautiful story for our family.

We love our boy and ask that you keep praying with us.