Week 8

Dear Ransom,

This weekend you and I crossed an important milestone. We traveled. From Fort Benning Ga to Toccoa Ga ( its about a 3 and a half hour drive...if you don't have a baby...for us it was 4 and half).
But, this trip caused me to fall in love with you even more. ( If that's possible). The love was brought on by how incredibly wonderfully you behaved.

I mean sure, we had to pack practically everything including the kitchen sink to insure that you had all that you would need on this trip-and I found myself wishing that we own a pack mule or donkey or something once we got to Toccoa so that we might get all your stuff up to our room, but all in all traveling with you was a joy. For one thing...you slept. I timed our travel so that you ate before we left and then had about twenty minutes to enjoy life and then I piled you into the car, stuck your bear by your head ( yup! I did!), tucked your blanket around you and you were OUT...for a good two hours. Bless you, child.
This was perfect, because we stopped for an early lunch, you ate and then spent the time that *I* ate getting all your energy out so that once we got back in the car you were ready for another nap.
Bless you, child.

And so it was that we arrived to and fro the Navigator conference with much delight....

As for the conference, I learned that you have changed my life-for now anyway- and while that means I don't get to do normal conferenc-y things...I do get to have the joy of raising you! And so while the Navigators have the habit of asking "Who's your man/woman?" ( meaning, who is it that you're pouring your life into and helping in their walk with Christ...) I would have to answer that question now with..."You mean who's my Baby?!"
And believe me son, there is no one else I'd rather put my time and energy into!

All my love,
Your Mommy

In this picture, we had just driven almost two hours and you had woken up from your nap...I stopped and was getting you out of your car seat and instead of fussing because I wasn't doing it fast enough, you SMILED. So to reward you're good attitude I made the process EVEN LONGER by stopping to take this picture. You'll thank me later, promise.

Two Months

Dear Ransom,
You are two months old today! How can that be possible!? Time has flown by and its hard to believe you've been on this earth for eight whole weeks!

This last month has been full of all kinds of firsts for both of us! You moved into your very own room and you learned how to sleep through the night ( maybe not consistently but you've done it enough that you CAN'T FOOL ME!!! I know you can do it more!) and you've learned how to put yourself to sleep at nap time...this was a BIG LESSON that required a lot of crying on your part and a lot of crying on your Mommy's party. Boy howdy! But, we both knew it was worth it because when you WEREN'T complaining about going to sleep, you were the smileiest, happiest baby on the block! You have really found your smile and you use it all the time to make my heart swoon. You've also found your hands which you like to stick in your mouth while still in a fist. Nice.
You also found your voice which you use to babble and have very engaging conversations with those around you. This came in VERY useful when your Daddy got to call us for 5 whole minutes when he finished the Mountain Phase of Ranger School....Luckily you were in one of your babble moods at the time and he got to hear you talking! I know that meant a lot to him. He misses you terribly.

We had more guests this month, starting with Mommy's dear friend Carmi. She loved you even though she wasn't a "baby person"-so we'll take that as a very high compliment! It was also a special visit because Mommy got to have several long prayer times with Carmi and you got to listen in....one of your Mommy's earliest memories from her childhood is listening to her Parents  ( Spicy and Papa) and Grand Billie and Great Steve talk about Jesus...so now that is my wish for you too. May your earliest memories be about Christ's love for you!

We also had fun visits from Aunt Donnave and then Chuck and Bethany! It was fun getting to share you with all of them and continue to watch you grow. Its amazing how much you are looking like your Daddy and I can't wait for him to see you in about two weeks!! We continue to pray that he will make it straight through Ranger School!

We've had quite a lot of Autumn weather the last few weeks and I've enjoyed taking you for walks in the afternoon. Its fun to see how wide your eyes get as you take in the big world around you! I hope that you'll learn to love this world and to live your life to serve those around you!
Today we are going on your VERY FIRST trip! So, I'll have some stories to share from that very soon...
until then, know that you are much loved!

Your Mommy

7 Weeks

Dear Ransom,

One of our feeding rituals is not what you would expect! You see, as much as you are becoming more mobile and enjoying flailing your arms and legs about when your on your play mat or in your bouncy chair, your little hands always stay in very tight little fists ( usually with your thumbs tucked inside)....So, you are SUCH a fan of the fist, I must pry them open one finger at a time. And why do I pry them open? Because youve developed hand lint!!
Much like belly button lint just tucked into the little folds of your hands!
I pray one day you hold on to the Gospel with that same tight grip!
Love,
Your Mommy