Someday We Will Tell Him...

Someday we will tell him why this day is important. We will tell him about the people who went to work one day and died just because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. We will tell him about the police officers and firefighters who went running in while everyone else was running out. We will tell him about the heroes who gave their lives to help strangers.

Someday we will tell him that Mama worked in t.v. back then and talked to congressmen as they were being evacuated from the capitol. We will tell him that there was a lot of work to do in the newsroom and no time for tears even though we were all scared. We will tell him that Mama's coworkers will always be some of her closest friends because of what happened on that day. We will tell him that his Grandpa Mark was in the hospital that night and Mama talked to him on the phone for a long time when she couldn't sleep. We will tell him how quiet it was for a few days when no planes were allowed to fly.

Someday we will tell him how the world was different in the days after 9/11. We will tell him how people from different faiths all came together for candlelight prayer vigils. We will tell him about the flag pins, and the fundraisers, and how the people of East Tennessee raised enough money to buy the Freedom Engine, to replace a ladder truck that was crushed by debris.

Someday we will tell him that a few weeks later our country went to war. We will tell him that brave men and women left their families to go protect our freedom. We will tell him that some of those brave soldiers didn't get to come home. We will tell him that the ones who did come home were thanked and hugged by strangers in the airport. We will tell him about the yellow ribbons and the care packages and the parades.

Someday we will tell him all of these things, but not today. Today we will cuddle him a little closer, and give him a few more kisses. Today we will be thankful for his smile and his laughter. Today we will pray for the wisdom to raise our little boy in this scary world.

Someday we will tell him to never forget.

My First Labor Day Weekend!

Hey everyone! A.J. here...

Being an almost three month old, I didn't really know what Labor Day weekend was all about. Here are a few things I can now tell you about holiday weekends.

It means:

• An extra day at home with Daddy.
• A smaller crowd at the Farmers Market (and no Auntie Barb...so sad)
• Lots of editing for Mama since Daddy was around to hang out with me.

Here are some pictures from my first three day weekend:

Saturday, we went to the Farmers Market without Auntie Barb (SAD!) The market was pretty quiet since a lot of people were out of town for the holiday. I was also bummed that Daddy refused to share his fresh hot donuts with me. They smelled really yummy!

Sunday I had a fun date with my Auntie Trish. Mama and Daddy had an engagement session to shoot, so I spent the morning with Auntie Trish and Lauren. I had so much fun that when I got home I had something to eat and then slept for almost three hours!
Monday was my extra day with Daddy (it came at a good time, since he's going to be on a business trip for most of this week!). Since I'm getting to be such a big boy, we all went to Babies R Us to buy me a special chair so I can learn to sit up! Mama took some pictures while I tried it out:
I'm still a little wobbly, but I'm really excited about looking at the world from the upright position!
Mama also took some other pictures of Daddy and I playing together. Mama says please excuse the piles of laundry on the couch. There was lots of cleaning going on this weekend too!

I bet you didn't know I was SUPER BABY!!!

That's about all I have to share today. Auntie Barb is coming over for dinner since Daddy is out of town. I hear the girls are having stuffed chicken breasts and Greek Salad. I have a feeling they are not planning to share with me. It's rough being the baby!

Love,
A.J.

It's Great to be...

A FLORIDA GATOR!!

Hi Guys, AJ here!

I'm very excited to be wearing my orange and blue on this college color day. Mom says we wil send these pictures in with my college application to be a part of the University of Florida class of 2031. We're hoping this improves my chance of getting a scholarship to help with out of state tuition.

Hey, maybe Tim Tebow will read this blog and send me an autographed football. How cool would that be??

Happy Labor Day weekend. And remember, if you're not a Gator you're.....

GATOR BAIT!!!!
(P.S.- I'm still working on my game face. Mama says I have plenty of time!)

Trying Video

Just a test to see if this works

Thirteen Thursdays

At one week old:


At 12 weeks:

He's a keeper :)

September 2nd: Another Then and Now

Hey guys! AJ here!

Did you like yesterday's pictures? Wasn't it cool to see how much I'm growing? How about another comparison?

Here I am chilling in my playmat when I was just about 6 weeks old:

That was the first smile Mama ever caught with the camera. Six weeks later I am smiling every day...


As you can see, I still love my playmat!

September is here!

Hi guys, AJ here!

Mama says she can't believe it's already September. This is the month I turn three months old! It's also the month of my daddy's birthday AND my first plane trip to Colorado. We are all very excited about the month ahead.

Our first day of September was pretty boring. I spent a lot of time in my swing while Mama tried to get some editing done. While I was swinging, Mama decided to take a picture so everyone can see how much I am growing and changing every day.

Here I am in the swing when I was just about 2 weeks old:

Now, here's what I looked like swinging this afternoon at almost 12 weeks old:

Pretty crazy, huh? I'm really getting to be a big boy. Ignore those scratches on my face please. My fingernails grow quickly and sometimes I scratch myself before Mama gets a chance to trim them!

Okay, time for a quick snack before bed!
Night!