Parent-Child Dedication

On May 17 we were able to participate in the Parent-Child dedication service at Spring Hill Baptist Church, JP's home church in Mobile. Since the church we are a member of here in New Orleans doesn't have a pastor right now, we decided to do it there. We've known since we found out I was pregnant that a child was a gift from God and only a loan to us for a few years, so it was special for us to be able to participate in this service and symbolize that to the church body. Jonathan did so well in the service and we had a terrific afternoon with his parents, my parents, my grandmother and my aunt. We are so happy and blessed to have so many family members that love us and our son!
Our new adventure has been teaching him to sleep. I know it sounds a little out there, but I read a book called "The Baby Whisperer" and it has worked like a charm. No, it wasn't an overnight fix, but we've been doing it for 2 weeks now and he takes two, 2 hour naps during the day and sleeps most of the night (he usually stirs twice around 4-6 but we just go in and settle him). Compared to the 1 1/2 hour stretches we had before, this is wonderful! He has slept completely through the night once so we know there is hope! People tease me for reading a book for parenting tips, but as my mom says, "you love books, that's who you are" - She's so right!
Anyway, as we've been learning this new sleep method I've had lots of time to shhh and pat his little back. There's not a whole lot to do while shhh-ing and patting, so I've gradually begun to pray more and more during these sometimes stressful and tiring times. I pray for Jonathan and our families, of course, but I also find myself praying for all sorts of stuff (friends traveling, coworkers, and even Jon and Kate's marriage)! :-) These 2 weeks have been hard on all 3 of us, but I thank God for using this time to reteach me about praying continually. I hope that long after Jonathan is sleeping through the night I still have this wonderful, continual dialogue with my Saviour!

My first Mother's Day

This past Sunday we got to celebrate my first Mother's Day and it couldn't have been any more perfect! We had a great time in church watching our new friend, Mitchell Claire Olvey, and her parents do parent-baby dedication. Jonathan did so great and was so quiet except for one super cute baby squeal at a quiet moment! We got looks but they were "oh how cute!" looks and not "why is that baby in here?" looks! :) I'm still not ready to take him to the nursery...I know it will have to happen one day, but he's still good so I don't see the point right now! I love him being with me all the time! After church we went on a picnic to the park with the Olveys. It was such a beautiful day and Jonathan LOVES being outside, and also apparently watching ducks and geese!
All day I couldn't help but think back to Mother's Day last year. We had been trying to get pregnant for a little over a year at that time and I was just super depressed, thinking we would never be blessed with a child. After talking with JP and a sweet friend of mine who had been through the same difficult situation, I decided I wouldn't even go to church on Mother's Day because it hurt too bad. This year was exact opposite of the dark, bleak, sadness of last year. It was a day filled with joy, light and happiness! All week long I had been singing "Great is Thy Faithfulness" to Jonathan while I fed him. For some reason God had put it on my heart. Guess what we sang at church on Sunday...you got it, that very song! Coincidence? I don't think so! I've always known that God is loving and faithful, but I've experienced that more this week than I have in a long time! Thank you Lord for all your blessings!

Pictures after church

I love my little man!

Getting tired trying to get another picture at our picnic

What a cutie!