JJ's first wedding Invitation...Uncle Travis and Aunt Lindsey Special Day!

It was such a great weekend for the Bell Family. JJ's Uncle T got married to a beautiful lady(inside and out) named Lindsey. We had so much fun dressing JJ in his first little suit and putting on his shiny black shoes. JJ jumped from arm to arm and family member to family member during the whole weekend.This meant that Mommy and Daddy got a whole lot of 1 on 1 time to enjoy eachother. It was a long day for JJ but he did excellent at the rehearsal dinner and wedding, but he was quite tired and fell asleep in Grandma's arms. The Wedding was one of the most beautiful weddings that Wes and I have ever attended and was so honored to be apart. Wes stood by his brother as a proud Best Man(I must add that he gave the best toast ever) and I was honored to be able share two scriptures during the ceremony. Congratulations Trav and Linds, we love you both so so much!
Oh yeah, JJ wants to give a special thanks to his Grandma Donna for gifting him with his cute attire for the wedding.

JJ and Momma's 1st Mother's Day together!

The first thing I have to say is Thank you Jesus! I felt so honored and special to hear the words"Happy 1st Mother's Day", receive the phone calls, texts, email, facebook messages, cards, and gifts this Mother's Day. As I laid in the bed on Mother's day morning I was consumed with joy to have the name Mother and really feel what it meant. It has been nothing but a great 9 1/2 months being the Mommy of this precious little boy. I feel like I get a gift everyday from God, every time JJ smiles, laughs, talks, hugs, and touches me. I have decided since I was pregnant to cherish all the special moments that the Lord gives us with our baby. This Mother's Day was no different, I cherished and enjoyed the entire day being a Mommy, to one of the biggest blessings the Lord has given me in my lifetime. Thank you to my Husband and my Best Friend who made it extra special by celebrating me and with me on my 1st Mother's Day.

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.