Our Little Man

I've decided that Jefferson has growing up so fast, I better take a break from the Oregon updates and post his recent pictures!

Jefferson is the world's easiest baby! He eats every 3 hours, sleeps between 7 and 8 hours at night, and takes a very long nap in the afternoon with a few morning cat naps. But that's not my favorite part. My favorite part of him is--he's an absolute chunk! You will soon see...

Jefferson is so different from Jewell. He already locks his knees and practices standing and sitting. He does pretty well with tummy time, and he can even scoot a bit on his tummy. And well really...he's just so yummy!

Happy 7 weeks little man!

First bath in Oregon!

See the pacifier? His mouth WAS next to the paci...until he scooted himself up!

Goodbye South Carolina

Saying goodbye to good friends and our family seemed to be the hardest part of leaving. Truth be told, we were kind of excited to leave the South :). It was our dream to go West, and we finally had the chance to follow that dream.

Before we finished packing Matt's good friend Jeremiah came to say goodbye and meet Jefferson.

Later, we said goodbye to our good friends and neighbors down the street, Matt, Katy, and Miles (and their dogs Piper and Peyton). I was only able to get a picture of the babes though :). They wore the same outfit in a different color! It was adorable.

The day we left was the hardest. We had to say goodbye to Matt's family. We held it together for the most part :). I think it's because we were so busy trying to get to the airport! We did get a family portrait, and Mom was able to get a few with the kids.

Mom then drove us to the airport, where we took off on the 21st century version of, The Oregon Trail. And boy was it an adventure :).

Helping Daddy

Before we left for Oregon we had one goal. That was, to get our house on the market. We painted, pulled out carpet, caulked, laid laminate flooring, patched holes, and did a lot of cleaning. Praise the Lord it's all finished. Thanks to wonderful friends and family :).

Jewell has come to be a little Daddy's girl. Matt would be working on something with the house and she would copy him. It was so cute. Here are a few pictures.

Please continue to pray that we sell our house. We know that it's all in the Lord's timing.

We Made It!

I just wanted to let everyone know that we DID make it to Oregon. I finally got internet today :). I've been without it since the 23rd. That was tough. But not near as tough as the journey out here. Let's just say, I'm so glad I live in the 21st century and not during trail times! We just got our stuff this past weekend. Give me a few days to unpack, and I'll be sure to post tons of pics of this great journey.

Oh, and Happy Birthday to Jewell and Jefferson. Today marks the 18 month and 6 week milestones!

Goodbye...The Hardest Part

Today we said goodbye to our church family. We love our church. There is just something special about a group of believers that strive to minister to a community in Greenville that doesn't have many good churches. We've worked, prayed, ministered, served, laughed, and cried with our church family, and we will miss them very much.

This past week has had its share fair of its trials. I've cried a lot. Moving across the country, leaving all my friends, and family has not been easy. Having our rental home fall through, having to move our loading date to after we leave Greenville, leaving Daisy here for a month now...not easy. But today at church I was reminded of Christ's love for us, and how we must depend on Him. I close this post with a song that was sung on our very last Sunday with Palmetto Baptist. How true it is.

"Jesus, Draw Me Ever Nearer"

Jesus, draw me ever nearer
As I labor through the storm.
You have called me to this passage,
And I'll follow though I'm worn.

May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart's testing,
With Your likeness let me wake.

Jesus, guide me through the tempest,
Keep my spirit staid and sure.
When the midnight meets the morning,
Let me love You even more.

Happy 17 Months!!!

Dear Jewell,

You are now 17 months old. A lot has happened for you this past month. You now have a baby brother! He's pretty much turned your world upside down. You've had a hard time adjusting to Mommy holding another baby so much. But you are still as sweet as ever.

Not only do you have a new brother, but we're moving to Oregon. Your house is filled with boxes, and stuff is everywhere. You are learning to adapt to many changes all at once.

We love you so much Jewell. You have been a true trooper these past 2 weeks. Thank you for staying so sweet.

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Jefferson Matthew

On February 1, 2010, I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Jefferson Matthew. He weighed 7 lbs 2 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long.

I was induced again with this pregnancy. I was already dilated to a 4 on Monday. When my doctor heard I was moving in 3 weeks she said, "I'm inducing you tomorrow." So they induced me. I fully expected it to be just like Jewell's induction. However, I had a horrible cough. By the last hour I was so miserable with my cough and the shaking from the pain meds I was convinced I'd never giver birth again. But after 12 pushes, and a hour off the meds, I was feeling so much better.

I delivered Jefferson at Greenville Memorial Hospital. I love that hospital. We had great care. My night nurse was my favorite. She kept offering to take Jefferson to the nursery at night so I could sleep since I was so sick. She encouraged me to keep breastfeeding and not supplement (which was a problem last time).

We are home now and trying to adjust to our new life. However, we aren't getting too comfortable just yet. I think the "adjusting" won't really be happening until after we move :). For now, we will enjoy just adapting to the chaos :).

Here is a picture of Jefferson in the hospital. I have quite a few more! I'll save those for my next post.