JJ on the move at 7 months...sorry Daddy it took so long to post:)

Where does time go?

It just seems like yesterday that I held Joshua in my arms for the first time. He has grown so so much over the last 8 months. I truly cannot believe it! That is what I will say is the most surprising thing about parenthood. Life seems like it has been on fast-forward since we have become Proud Parents. I decided to share with you all 30 seconds of JJ taking a bath. I was so glad I got this on video(as you can hear in the video) because it was the first time he sat up all by himself, with no help during bath time. I touched him to place him in the tub and scrub him down, and the next time I touched him was to pick him up to dry off. He was in the bath for about 15 minutes, having a grand dependent time.
Today Wes and I also realized that he not only has 1 but 2 front lower teeth growing strong. All I can say is "Thank you Lord for allowing us to see a healthy and precious baby boy grow..even if there are times when I want to hit the pause button!"

JJ's contagious laugh!

Mommy trying to get JJ to crawl for the 2nd time in his life:)

JJ met his Texas family for the first time...it was a surprise for Papa John!

JJ had many "1st time" experiences this last week:
1. He had his first airplane ride: Mommy and JJ flew all the way to
Dallas,Texas. The flight attendents and other passengers said that he was the perfect and cutest little passenger. Mommy would have to agree.
2. He met his Texas family: The whole family was in on surprising Papa John(Jonnique's Dad). Papa John was just about to dose off around 11:00pm when NaNa Briggs showed him a picture of JJ on the phone and said "JJ looks so much like Wes,look at this picture". Then about ten minutes later(when we arrived from the airport) Nana Frances brought JJ in their bedroom and said"John who does this baby look like?" Papa John looked so confused and then behind them came Jonnique, into the room. Papa Briggs screamed like a little boy and covered his mouth. With all the excitement from everybody screaming JJ got startled and cried really loud. It took a while for JJ to calm down, but it was all worth the special moment the whole family shared together.
3. JJ played in his new swing and highchair: Papa John and Nana Frances was so excited to have JJ that they bought him a brand new swing and highchair. Papa John woke up the next morning and picked them both out all by himself.
4. JJ attended a Texas Country Western Banquet: The whole family(Papa John, NaNa Frances, Franiesha(JJ's Aunt), James(JJ's Uncle), Johnathan(JJ's Uncle), and DJ(JJ's cousin)) took JJ to this Banquet while Mommy rested from being jet lagged. Mommy was told later that Papa John let JJ suck on a chicken bone and that JJ really enjoyed it.
5. JJ went to church with Nana Frances: Nana Frances and Auntie Franiesha really wanted to show off JJ to their church family, so he attended a morning service with them last Sunday. They said he was a good baby and only wined when they changed his diaper!
6. JJ celebrated with his Uncle James for his 12th Birthday: JJ shared the whole day with his Uncle James as he turned the big 12. JJ fell asleep as the family sang the 2 versions of the Happy Birthday song and Uncle James blew out his candles.
7. JJ got a little taste of Papa John's farm animals: Papa John's mama chicken had birthed baby chicks so Papa John brought some in the house for JJ to see and pet. JJ also got to see Papa John's horses, goats, and rabbits from the house window.
8. JJ got to see Mommy relax Texas style: Nana Frances and Auntie Franisha was so excited to have JJ in the house, so they held, played, fed, changed, and rocked JJ to sleep for Mommy.

JJ at 6 months!

We can not believe it, but it is true. JJ is 1/2 a year old! He is keeping us busy and we are having so much fun seeing him grow. Here is one day in the shoes(or I should say socks) of our 6 month year old that I recorded this week:
0630- Wakes up cooing and talking in his crib. Mommy and Daddy smile at eachother and continue to sleep until he wines.
0730am- JJ has his first bottle
0800am- JJ goes for a walk with Mommy around Lake Murray
1000am- JJ has his first baby food feeding(peas,pears, rice cereal mixed together) followed by a bottle
1100am- JJ takes his first nap
0100pm- JJ wakes up to another bottle and then is placed in his swing
0200pm- JJ has tummy time and plays with his toys
0300pm- JJ is read a book by Mommy and then placed in his pack n play, where he takes his 2nd short nap
0400pm- JJ has another solid feeding
0500pm- JJ is placed in his walker and watches Mommy cook in the kitchen
0600pm- JJ is placed in his bouncer to watch Momma and Daddy eat dinner
0630pm- JJ has playing time with Daddy
0730pm- JJ is given his last bottle and falls asleep in Daddy's arm. JJ is then placed in his crib and prayed over to have a good night rest!
*JJ is not actually eating the pear in the picture above...he loves to suck the juices from apples and pears...no teeth yet to eat:)

My First Christmas by JJ

My Christmas week was very eventful. Two days before Christmas Grandma and Grandpa Bell came and picked me up and drove me all the way to the Bay Area. Grandpa and Grandma said that I was a very good boy and very close to perfect for the whole 8 hour ride. Mommy and Daddy got 1.5 days to themselves. They missed me but enjoyed the time alone.
On Christmas Eve I spent the evening at Great Aunt-Kits' and Uncle Dennis' house where a wonderful dinner was prepared and a great family photo was taken. On Christmas morning I helped open my presents at Grandpa and Grandma Bell's, but got pretty tired after the first few. Mommy and Daddy had to open the rest up by themselves. I then traveled over to Nana T's house for lunch and to open more presents. My milk suited me well, but I will be excited to eat some of the great food Nana T prepared next year. My last stop was over at Titi Mariya's house where dinner was prepared and my big cousins were running around playing with their brand new toys!
I stayed in the Bay Area for 5 extra days after Christmas with Daddy and Mommy. It was very relaxing and fun spending time with family 24/7! I even got to meet Uncle T's new puppy, Manny. Another highlight was celebrating Aunt Kits birthday! What a great 1st Christmas!