What A Week

What a week! Last Saturday, October 23 Jon David stayed with my dad while I went to a baby shower in Townsend for one of my sweet friends. Since I was away most of the day on Sunday Jonathan and I took the dogs and Jon David to the park. He LOVES being outside! The dogs were way past due for an outing!

The leaves were beautiful, not that you can tell.

Jon David is getting much more alert and aware. It is so fun to watch him as he takes things in!

On pretty afternoons I sit his saucer on the deck and he loves to watch the leaves as the wind blows them. We have a ton of trees in our backyard, and they are so pretty right now!

This week we also got to visit with Jonathan's Aunt Jane who came in from Florida. She was able to love on Jon David on Wednesday. My Aunt Terry came in from Nashville, and she came to visit him on Thursday!

Friday morning my dad had the morning off so he and mom came over bright and early to play with Jon David. Later that day we had Jon David's 4 month Dr. appointment. He weighed 14 pounds. The doctor gave us the go ahead to start cereal...

and boy did he LOVE it! He was in a daze after he ate it. He has been having some nap problems the past few weeks, but had been sleeping great through the night. He took the best nap he has taken all month. I had to go wake him after 2 1/2 hours. Hopfully the cereal will do the trick, and get him back on track!

Sweet messy boy!
Friday night Annissa babysat Jon David so Jonathan and I could go to Bravo with his Aunt Jane, Uncle Clyde, Art and Wendi. We had the best time!

On Saturday Jonathan and I took him to Target and Belk and he did great.

Today was Halloween so he dressed up in his first costume. Jonathan really wanted him to be a tiger. As Lil' Art says an Auburn Tiger!

It was a little bitter sweet we took him to see my Nana and Juju. The same thing Annissa and I used to do when we were little before we went trick-or-treating

Nana loves Jon David

Needless to say everyone thought he looked adorable, which of course he did!

Our next stop was Aunt Wendi and Uncle Art's. Lil Art was the first one to greet us. He was so excited to get his picture made with Jon David.

Next was Ruthies turn.

And then Tinsley

and lastly the Birthday girl who LOVES Jon "Dabit" or something to that affect. She always wants to hold him!

As a side note...Adie Rose I cannot believe you are three. I remember holding you almost every day when you were Jon David's size. I have loved watching you grow through the years. You are one very special little girl, not only because you are my namesake or my cousin but because of how God made your unique little slef, from your sweet giggles at Jonathan to your little spunk. We love you sweet girl and always will!

Ok sorry, last but not least we stopped by Honey and Grandaddy's so they could see Jon David and so he could get a much needed nap!

Jon David,

What a special day! Not just because you dressed up in your first costume, but because you have so many people who love you! I am so thankful for this week with you! It has been extra busy, but I have loved spending every minute with you by my side! You are getting to be so much fun. Your daddy and I love you so much and can't wait for many more years of "dress up."

Ordinary Miracle

My dad made this video for me. As soon as it popped up I said I'm not going to cry and about 3 seconds in it took all I could do to not let my crying turn into sobbing! *Before watching make sure to turn the sound off of my playlist at the bottom!

Road Trip and 4 Months

On Friday, October 1 we loaded up when Jonathan got off of work and took Jon David on his first trip to Valley, Alabama. We stayed at Jonathan's parents, and they watched him while we went to the Auburn/Louisiana Monroe game. Can I just say we are LOVING Cam Newton! Dad told Jon David the other day if he was born just a few months later his name may be Cam or Newton.

Jon David got a ton of lovin from his Pop and NeNe. We are so thankful Jon David has 2 sets of grandparents who love him so much. Jonathan's dad always tells him, "you don't have a clue how much love is in store for you." It really is so true!

While we were at the game Jon David had a few visitors. I am so glad Jonathan's mom was able to show him off!

After we got home from the game, we cooked out with Jonathan's brother and his wife Amy. They fixed some of the fish they caught on their deep sea fishing trip last month! We were so glad they got to meet him.

Jon David loved meeting Brandon too!

I loved this blanket. It was Jonathan's when he was little. When Jon David was born, I finally gave up my Sesame Street pillow that I've had since I was 3. I figured now that I'm a mom I should probably grow up and get a grown up pillow case...but I still have my blanky!

He loved playing in the excersaucer while we were there! Seeing him in it makes me realize how stinkin big he is getting!

When we got home I brought up his jumperoo that his sweet cousin Asher is letting him borrow, and he LOVES LOVES LOVES it. He is content for 20-30 minutes at a time in it. It is so helpful for me at dinner time, but sometimes I just sit and watch him in it.

He has also started wearing a bib everyday. He has some major drool. Jon's mom said he got his first tooth at 3 months, but I'm hoping he holds off a little longer!

He is also starting to hold his toys and they go straight to his mouth!

Yesterday was his Aunt Sissa's birthday and Jon David's 4 month birthday. I really hope that's what he will call her. That is what mom dad and I have always called her. He has just gotten back on schedule since his trip and momma was ready to get out of the house. After his first nap we packed up and took Sissa lunch and a slice of coconut cream pie that I made.

I try to get pictures on his month birthday so here are a few of my sweet, sweet baby at 4 months. He has changed so much this month and is doing more. My favorite thing is to lay him flat and he will pull up to sitting and then to standing. He could not be more precious!

Recipes

When Jonathan and I got married I discovered I love to cook! Since I have been staying home I have started trying all kinds of new recipes. I don't think I have made the same thing twice in months. I have even tried to make things recently that I have been intimidated to make like pot roast and lasagna. I found this lasagna recipe in this months Southern Living, and it is AMAZING. It was too good not to share!

Ingredients
12 uncooked lasagna noodles
1 (24-oz.) container 4% small-curd smooth-and-creamy cottage cheese
1 (16-oz.) container ricotta cheese
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup refrigerated pesto
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups (10 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 (24-oz.) jars tomato-and-basil pasta sauce
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 375°. Prepare noodles according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, stir together cottage cheese and next 4 ingredients. Stir in 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
3. Cook ground beef and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring often, 6 to 7 minutes or until meat crumbles and is no longer pink; drain. Stir in pasta sauce.
4. Layer 1 cup beef mixture, 3 noodles, and 2 1/2 cups cottage cheese mixture in a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Top with 3 noodles, 2 cups beef mixture, and 3 more noodles. Top with remaining cottage cheese mixture, 3 noodles, and beef mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese.
5. Bake, covered, at 375° for 40 to 45 minutes. Uncover and bake 20 minutes or until cheese is browned. Let stand 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

For dessert I made Almond Joy brownies. I just started liking coconut when I was pregnant with Jon David. Now I can't get enough! I found this easy recipe online. It was a bake off recipe in the 50s

Ingredients

4 ounces almond joy candy bars (4 whole regular sized candy bars or 8 miniature candy bars)
1/2 cup butter or shortening (I prefer butter, but original recipe called for shortening)
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped almonds

Preparation

Heat oven to 350°F.
Grease 9-inch square pan.
In medium saucepan over low heat, melt candy bars and shortening, stirring occasionally until chocolate and shortening are melted.
Add sugar and vanilla; blend well.
Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
Stir in flour, salt and chopped almonds; mix well.
Spread in greased pan.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until top springs back when touched lightly in center.
Cool completely; cut into bars.

3 months

Every evening before Jon David's last nap and before his daddy gets home, we go outside and swing on the porch swing. The dogs come up, sniff him, and flop down at my feet. It is my favorite time of day! I am dreading it getting colder, because I adore this time so much. It was such a beautiful day the other day the wind was blowing, the trees were moving, and Jon David was memorized and I thought this is the life. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else doing anything else!

Our 3 month old sweetie pie is getting such a personality. He doesn't laugh but has giggled a few times lately. He has dropped his 11 pm feeding. He sleeps from 8 pm to 8 am. It is great, but I do miss feeding him at 11. He never opened his eyes, but he was so peaceful and sweet. I loved holding him one more time before he went to bed for the night. The bright side is it has helped his daytime naps. It is so hard to believe he is 3 months!

I think he was a little scared of the basket.

His new favorite thing to do is suck on his fist and blow bubbles.

He also loves to lay on his boppy and look and laugh at himself in the mirror.

I know Jonathan has been looking forward to watch the first Auburn game with his son. It was very sweet. Please disreguard the boxes to the left waiting on an entertainment center.

Since Jon David is staying awake for longer periods we took him for our first walk around the subdivision. I honestly wasn't sure if I could do it by myself. Our driveway is so steep. I knew I could get down with him, but I wasn't sure if I could make it back up, so we took daddy and the dogs along with us. He LOVED the walk. I just knew he would go to sleep, but he stayed awake the whole time. He loves being outside and looking at the trees. When we got home, I was determined to push him up the hill. Thankfully I was able to. I see many more walks in our future!

Oh sweet boy, how we love you. You just keep getting better and better. You have captured our hearts. We can't get enough of you! We are so thankful God chose us to be your parents!

Wonderful Weekend

This weekend Jonathan's parents came in. We took Jon David to a restaurant for the first time. We went to Bravo with his parents, Art, Wendi, Tinsley, and Ruthie, and had the best meal. He did so great! He slept half of the time, and then he woke up and just looked around. It was so great to get dressed up and go out. He wore my favorite outfit that says Mommy's Little Peanut. I think it's my favorite since I love shoes, and these are the cutest I have ever seen!

On Sunday morning we dedicated Jon David to the Lord. It was so special that my daddy was the one to do it and pray over us! We are trusting the Lord for the strenghth and wisdom to raise this precious gift to come to know Him and become a man after God's own heart! I got a little emotional during the dedication, after praying for him for so long, it was surreal to be standing up there holding him...to God be the glory!

I can't wait to put this in Jon David's scrapbook. The stage is decorated like a slum. Our church is doing a series called The Kingdom Challenge. It is about living selflessly, reprioritizing our lifestyles, reallocating our time, and giving radically in order to obey Christ and expand his Kingdom. The focus is on...

Taking the gospel to those who have little or no access to it (Acts 1:8)
Meeting the physical and spiritual needs of the poor, orphaned, and widowed (James 1:27)
Providing medical care for children in poverty stricken areas who are susceptible to deadly diseases (Matthew 25:36, 40)
Praying daily for the world’s unreached people groups (Luke 10:2)
Discipling others in developing a biblical worldview (Matthew 28:19)

We are so blessed to be a part of First Baptist Powell!

Wendi bought Jon David is 1st Rita's cake. The first of many I am sure. We LOVE Rita's. I asked her to put Micah 6:8 on it. Soon after we found out we were having a boy this verse came to mind. I have prayed it over him countless times. "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

What a busy busy but very blessed weekend. My sweet boy is 11 weeks old today! The weeks are flying by. I can't wait to see what he will be like when he is a little bigger, but I don't want to wish one minute of his life away. I know it will all happen soon enough! On a lighter note the Siggers' house is counting down the days until Auburn kick off! 5 days 4 hours and 7 minutes to be exact.

WAR EAGLE!!!

2 Months

Our Sweet baby boy turned 2 months yesterday. He is the sweetest thing. He smiles the whole time he is awake, and it is just about more than my heart can take. He has started talking a cooing. He lights up every time he sees his daddy, and it could not be more precious. He has also been sleeping through the night for about a week now. I am so thankful I am able to stay home with him. He is changing so much everyday. We could not love him more!