5 Months

What a special day! Jon David got to meet Gideon and Grace and their daughter Tabby. Grace has been praying for several years that the Lord would give us a baby. The last time she was here we had just found out we were expecting. She was so excited. She and Gideon kept saying "We have asked you from the Lord." "You are a miracle baby." "The Lord has sent you to us." I was one proud momma, but even more so thankful to the Lord for his faithfulness to us. Gideon and Grace were in for the Missions Conference. Jon David had is first babysitter, Tiffaney Wilhite Friday night so that Jonathan and I could go to service and out to eat. He did great for her. On Saturday night Jonathan had his first solo evening with him, so I could go to Wendi's for the Missions Dinner with Grace and Gideon.

On Sunday Jon David turned 5 months old, and I am so glad I waited a few days to blog it seems like over the past few days he has done so many new things. One of his new favorite things is the Johnny Jump Up my sweet friend Kristen got him. He doesn't really jump, but he loves to spin around in it.

Jonathan had a 3 day weekend and we LOVE when daddy is home. He loves to play with his daddy.

Yesterday morning, Jonathan said try to sit him up by the boppy. I thought he may stay a few seconds, five minutes later he was still up! I may have already mentioned this but it is my very favorite thing. Each morning Jonathan comes in our room to get ready for work and Jon David goes completly still and watches every move he makes for like 10 minutes. This is him watching him pick out his clothes (please disreguard the spit up) It is so precious!

We went back to the doctor this week and she said to go ahead and start veggies. It is a chore to give him cereal, but after his first bite of carrots he was opening wide for more! Tomorrow we start sweet potatoes.

This is his new thing. It's not the best picture of it but I think he might be trying to become a thumb sucker. I give him his passy before I swaddle him to lay him down for nap or bed time. If I give it to him while he is up he won't really keep it in, but multiple times while he is up he will slip in his thumb and suck it for less than a minute.

Here are a few pictures from his 5 month birthday. The first part of the month started out a little rocky, but since we started cereal my boy has been so sweet, content, and sleeping much better! He has been so happy we have started getting out almost every day. His Aunt Wendi let me use her baby bijorn, and now he loves to be on the go. We have ventured out to Target, the mall, my Nana's house, and yesterday we went to lunch with daddy and to meet baby Ezra.

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!