I.look.like.my.daddy

Seriously, could they look more alike??? I LOVE it! My husband's pretty darn good looking, so Emrick is in good shape if I say so myself!

Is it too late for a Christmas post?

I sure hope not! But, beware, there are many pictures, and lots of talk about good times!!! I really feel like this was one of my favorite Christmases that I've had in a long, long time! I missed my family in Louisiana, and I cherish our Christmases together, but there is an undeniable restoration when no travel is necessary. My last day at work was the 18th, and we dismissed two hours early due to weather (snow, ice, and sleet). The next morning we went to Jonathan's family's in Florence and had Christmas with the Becker clan. It was a lot of fun, and nice to have everyone celebrating together. We then followed Poppy and Grammie Sue to Lancaster so that we could head to Bear Bottom the next morning! On Sunday, we got here.....

Isn't it beautiful???? It was an amazingly spectacular sight! There was only one problem - 12-14 inches of snow up hill isn't that easy to navigate. We parked the car here, and were going to attempt to use Poppy's Bulldog (4x4 utility vehicle) to get up the hill. However, the snow was too deep even for it, and about 1/2 way up, maybe 3/4 of the way up we got completely bottomed out and stuck! Therefore, we were hiking, up that hill, in twelve inches of snow, barefoot; okay, not barefoot, but carrying a baby. Jonathan actually made this trek down and back up 2 more times to get necessities out of the car. Usually in tense situations like this, one of us will try to be funny and the other will not really be in the mood, but we managed to be nice to one another, and got settled in quickly. On Monday, Jonathan got the Bulldog out of the snow, and we used it to get to the car, and ride around a bit the next couple of days. There was no leaving to go anywhere else, however; which, was actually really nice, and we spent a couple of days just focusing on the three of us (okay, 4 if you count Bristol, who by the way absolutely LOVED the fluffy, white stuff). Here's Emrick making his first snow angel:

Jonathan's parents joined us on Wednesday, and spent the rest of the week with us. It was nice once they got there, because Poppy would wake up with E in the middle of the night. Such a precious gift for this mommy since E didn't sleep as well in his pack n play. I made Shrimp and Grits Christmas Eve for dinner, and Poppy made some delicious rib roast Christmas day. So, just because we couldn't get out and about much didn't mean we didn't eat well. Christmas day was "sleety," but still very pretty looking! We did venture out to Galax, VA one day and gaze at many very pretty, snowy sights. When we got back, I felt so refreshed, and just valued the time that I got to spend with my boys, having NO agenda. Day to day, I am usually to caught up and tired to cherish precious time with them like I did the week of Christmas. There wasn't much to take my attention away from them, and it was such a valuable time for me. When we got home the following Sunday, my mom came to visit us for a couple of days, and that time was precious as well. I missed my dad, brother, sister, and all of their families. I wish that we could spend more time together. But, this Christmas was truly great and a time that I will not quickly forget. Some other sweet moments (sorry about the small pictures I stole them from facebook):

Christmas Eve Bathtime

Opening presents, and eating the tissue paper

Emrick laying on his new bear mat...I think he likes it!

Daddy playing with our new toy - CAMERA (that works) - thanks Grammie and Poppy!

E playing in his exersaucer and wearing Daddy's hat - I still think he looks just like him!

P.S. Coming soon: Very convincing evidence that Emrick looks JUST like his daddy!

Exersaucers, Eleven Ounces and Ear Infections

Well our little one is growing up fast.....5 months old on December 12th...the week leading up to the 12th was full of firsts.....as well as that weekend!

First off we brought out a new toy for him to play around with: the Exersaucer....dont know if that is how you spell it....but we are going with it! He loves it....well almost all of it (check the video). When he is in a good mood he will sit in it for up to an hour and just reach and try to get all of the goodies.....he even tries to get the little yellow handle thingy (check the pic) into his mouth. Bailey even helped him learn to turn the spiny thing around himself (check video as well). He is also almost big enough to stand flat footed in it, and after only a day, he was able to rotate himself in it.....here are some pics:

STYLEIN!!!..Yeah Stylein...

How do you like my new ride?

And here is the video:

The weekend brought about some new experiences as well. Emrick woke up alot Friday night and Saturday morning.....I mean pretty much at some point within every hour!! While this alone was unusual, the other thing that was unusual was that he was EXTREMELY fussy. I mean nothing would console him....so at about 7 am we checked and he had a little fever. No Problem. A little later we checked and t had gone up (with Tylenol)...still ok. E fell asleep with Bailey on the couch and then at about 10 we checked again and it was like 104.....ok, guess we are going to the doctor. This in of itself was not a new experience, as we are pros at this whole goin to the doctor thing! Everything was the same ol same ol when we were there....then the following took place:

Doc - We are gonna check his ears to see if there is an infection

Me (in my head)- you always check his ears and there is nev..

Doc (before I finish my thought) - Oh here is why we have a fever....we have an ear infection...rolls him over.....oh we have two ear infections...poor guy..

Me (still in my head)- Oh....that sucks....

We had gone through five months without the dreaded ear infection which everyone says is common in kids......well in one day we got two.....so I guess they catch up with you! So now we are on more drugs.....but according to E's faces, these taste better than the reflux medicine...

Oh but there was good news out of the visit.....Emrick was 12 pounds and 11 oz! He had gained an ounce a day since his scheduled visit on Dec 1st. That is the first time that he had gained what our doctors says is around the norm (1 oz a day). We have had him on different cereals, rice...which he likes..oatmeal...which he is not a fan of...and barley (just tried it tonight) which he seems to like. We also have bought him some baby food (on a side note, I can not believe all the different combinations...seriously turkey dinner?). We tried yams first and today was the first day he ate most of it without gaggin....dont think he likes it....but I think we will try bananas next.....we will let you know how it goes....

Have a very merry Christmas and remember what Christmas is all about....hint: Its not shopping or getting gifts.......love you guys............Jonathan

Four Months and Baby Dedication

We recently went back to the doctor for our four month well check-and boy are we getting LONG!! Emrick is 25 3/4 inches long (63%). Now, notice, I didn't say he was getting big, because he only weighs 12 pounds (we won't discuss the percentile there). Although there are days when I worry we aren't doing something right, my instinct is that we are, and his body has super high metabolism. The hardest part is when others tell us there must be something wrong since he isn't gaining weight. We don't think so, because he is growing a ton...just not getting very heavy. We also trust our doctor, and he always is good to listen to us and check Emrick out thoroughly. Emrick is getting so big - He is...
-loving to check out his feet
-beginning to learn to occupy himself more and more
-grabbing for toys and placing them promptly in his mouth
-a definite drooler
-rolling over (back to tummy is going very well, but tummy to back is a bigger challenge)
-eating rice cereal, and liking it!!!
-on full formula - while the price is high, and I miss our sweet times nursing, pumping was not functional for me
-taking soy formula, and is on reflux medicine (the reflux was worse with regular formula)
-beginning to laugh
-cooing and talking up a storm
-loving his mommy and daddy (I might be wrong, but I think he knows us, at least he always smiles at us)

We also had Emrick's baby dedication at Grace Church this past weekend. We shared this time with our dear friends, the Spanns, and Emrick's best friend, Eli. Not everything went exactly as we had planned, but it was so special. Jonathan and I were challenged as parents, and our friends and family were challenged to pray for us as well. Jonathan's parents, and my mom were here for the ceremony, and then we headed to the Spann house to watch the SEC & ACC Championships. It was such a great time that we didn't get a single picture. I know that our family got some though, and I will post them later. I'll leave you with one of the boys...please continue to pray for these two boys, and our two families as they grow. Our greatest desire is to see the boys grow to love the Lord, and His people. May the Lord be glorified in all they do!

So where do I start

Hi all....Jonathan here. It has been such a long time since Ive put anything on here....not that there hasnt been anything going on....Ive just had excuses to not blog! Bailey, Emrick, Bristol and I are all doing well. Some of you know that Emrick had been sick, well we treated him for a sinus infection and things still didnt go away, so now we are treating for reflux. Its one of those things that you treat and see if treatment helps....the tests to actually find out if you have it seem painful at best. His symptoms seem to all have a common denominator in the reflux arena (very House[TV show] like). Those symptoms are the girgling when he eats, sometimes fussiness when he eats (mostly at daycare) and the the slow or no weight gain! This has been the biggest thing for Bailey and I....last doctors app on Wed he was 11 lbs and 2 oz.....yeah and he was 8-1 when he was born! While that may not sound astonishing, the fact is that when he went to the doc 2-3 weeks ago, he was 11 lbs even! So hopefully the reflux thing helps. We arent majorly concerned as he seems great other wise....but it is hard sometimes when you think to yourself "am I doing something wrong". I think its just another thing that God is teaching us to let go of....

We are enjoying being parents...we are getting to a stage that I am enjoying now, more so than the others. Emrick is starting to react and laugh and giggle alot more, which is fun for me. I just cant help but smile and laugh when he does....its great. It is also neat to hear bailey talking to him in his room in the mornings and hearing him laugh. She has done a great job with him and just being a mother in general. She has also done a great job at keeping me involved (even though I bet she wants me more involved, especially at 4 in the morning...Ill work on that) by having me hold him as soon as I get home, and just talking to him about me. That may not sound like much, but when I feel that I am away from him so much....it is nice to know that she reminds him about me! She has been a trooper though, it is pretty amazing and I am really lucky to have a wife like her......cause man I dont think I could do it. Hopefully we will get some pics up here soon.....and be more active on the blog!! Talk to yall later!!

One Magnificent Monday!

There were a couple of things that really made yesterday a terrific day! First, we had Emrick's 2 month check-up. Guess what -10lbs 4oz!!! For us that is huge...more than an ounce a day since our last check. The doctor said, he's not a very big guy, but he's growing and that's what matters!!!!!!!! He moved up to the 16th percentile! And, he is 23 inches long which places him in the 52nd percentile. The worse part of the visit was his 2 month shots. He did fairly well, and I was a big girl (thought I would cry, but was able to hold it together). It is such a relief that he is finally gaining weight at a more normal weight, whatever normal means.
The second part of yesterday is that Emrick got news that he would grow up with a wingman...Elijah Barton Spann, aka Eli was born. The Spanns are special friends, and we are so excited that our boys will be so close in age. Donald and Mary Beth chose to be surprised by the sex of this baby, so Emrick has been wondering, girlfriend or wingman? I think at this point, he's very excited to have a best bud! We are excited for you, Spanns, and can't wait to journey through this stage of life with you!
I'll leave you with some recent (and not so recent) pictures of the little guy:

4 weeks (his daddy plays with his hair when he's tired, too!)

Relaxing in the Tub at 7 Weeks

Almost 8 Weeks

Sleepy Heads

Happy 9 Week Old

These are a tad bit older (around 1-2 weeks old):


And ready to "Play Ball" at almost 6 weeks

Birth Announcements and Stats

Just a quick update before our next feeding! I recently finished thank you notes and sent out birth announcements - if we didn't have your address, or yours hadn't gotten to you yet, here is the finished product:
Front:

Back:

A friend of a friend, Shilo helped us with them...and I love them, they really came out terrific!
We recently went to a weight check on August 24...Emrick weighed 8 lbs and 13 ozs at 6 weeks. While I think that is still tiny, it was almost an ounce a day since his previous check, so we are on the right track!!!!! When I see other babies his age, he looks about the same length, just a little skinny! We are getting into a routine, and for that I am thankful! Oh...he's crying...time to eat! Be back soon - we have a check up September 14, I'll post more recent photos and new stats!