Happy New Year!!! Lots of birthdays!!!

Heyyyy! Happy New Year. Once again it has been sooooo long! I pray everyone is well and had wonderful holidays. Ours were great, but extremely busy. I don't recover from from the holidays until after Jaden's birthday in February. Everyone in my family other than me celebrates their birthday between December 29th and February 1st!!

So I am sending out belated blogworld birthday wishes to my hubby and daughter. Love you soooo much! Tauri, Mommy's most wonderful ringing in of the new year will always be when I gave birth to you. Ain't no party like a Tauri T party.:) I cannot believe I have 15 year old!

Now on to why I, without question, had to post today (as I write this, it has officially become the 10th of January). The reason I am blogging from my itouch, which I NEVER do because it is easily one of the most annoying things in life. The reason I am at work doing this to make sure it gets done (yes I am back at work. More on that later). All because my baby, my sweet little boy Taj turned 1 today!!!!! I am NOT ready!:( This is hard. I have tried to make each stage last, but the kid will NOT cooperate. I never once said "I can't wait until you...(choose anything)", but he started walking at 9 and a half months. He has ten teeth, including 2 molars!! Whyyyyyyy? He is awesome and I am cherishing every moment, but I need more time. He was just born!!!! I know I sound irrational, but there it is. We are still happily nursing, so at least there is that. I just wish I could slow the passage of time. Once again, I can only describe it as bittersweet.

Tajimus Maximus (big nickname:)), my love, my angel, my dream come true, Taj Jair, Happy 1st birthday. I love you more than I could ever express! Even as I am saddened by the lightning speed passage of time, I do love watching you grow and develop. You are a wonder and I am honored to be your mommy. I love you.



Okay, moving on. I am now back at work singing 4 nights a week. It is a tough transition, being away from home and my family, but financially it is an answered prayer. I have to say God is good all the time. Wonderful things are happening for my family. I will share more soon.

Oh yes, I got to meet Kai, the newest Rockstar family member. So sweet. Congratulations to all the Rockstars. Loved seeing you!:)

Well, I will touch base soon. I will be trying to catch up with whay is going on with everyone. I do miss it. I guess it is time to go sing now.

Much love and blessings!

Still around!

I have not fallen off the face of the earth. It has been far too long. I am such a slacker!!

I have been technologically challenged aside from time challenged. I won't bore you with the details, but among other things, I only have access to these two pics for now. More to come.

Actually, the stars are in rare alignment (so to speak). I am currently blessed with a sleeping infant, my middle child is at his first flag football practice, I am not out running errands, there is nothing and no one that needs immediate attention, and I have a special motivation to post.

Most of you who may read my blog know me through Courtney, Wife to the Rockstar, but for those few of you who don't, please check this out. She and her amazing family are adopting another baby due in less than two weeks. This family is near and dear to my heart for many reasons. One reason is they started us on our adoption journey in a huge way, emotionally, physically and financially. I want to implore you to make a donation to this adoption. As most of you know, adoption is a tremendous 2 way blessing. I am sooooo excited for them and for the baby they will soon welcome into the family. Please give whatever you can. No amount is too small (or big :)). I know from personal experience, that every bit helps. So many of you blessed us by donating to a our adoption fund and I have a beautiful angel baby to show for it. In fact, don't even finish reading this post (come back later :))!!! GO, GO, GO make a donation, buy a shirt, just do it!!! Time is of the essence. Less than two weeks!!!:) 

Now, where were we? Oh yes, a little update. Summer was madness. The kids seem to grow more than usual over the summers. They are huge. We did a lot of traveling. Weddings :), funerals :(, family reunions, and miscellaneous stuff. 

I didn't work much, and while financially that makes things tough, as a mommy it was a huge blessing. Staying home with Taj has been unbelievably sweet. 

Tauri started high school this year (that just kills me). I can't believe my baby is 14. Jaden started a new school this year too, so lots of changes. He is in the 2nd grade now. Taj is 8 months old!!!! Shocking! He has 4 teeth and 2 more almost in. He is crawling (he has the funniest little crawl--I will try to post a video soon) and cruising furniture and "talking". He has big time "mommy-itis" (which I love, though I probably shouldn't) and is Mr. Personality. This kid is awesome and beautiful (I am not biased:)). Seriously, I can't go anywhere without a dozen strangers stopping us to tell me so. I know, I know it is probably just the "baby thing", but he is truly special. See for yourself in the pics.:)

I can't believe how long it has been since I posted. I am even way out of the loop with all of you. I miss keeping up with all of your lives. I am barely keeping up with Taj. He recently discovered the stairs and outlets. Babyproofing must be stepped up. He loves to eat...anything I feed him. So different from Jaden, who is the pickiest eater on earth. Taj has a huge baby appetite. We are having so much fun. I know I always say it but time is racing by! Way too fast.

Speaking of fast, I turned 40 this month. I am now an elite member of what I understand is a power club! My family threw me a great party. I had blast, and am thrilled to say 40 feels great!

I hope everyone is doing wonderfully. I want to say thanks to those of you who found me on Facebook and checked on me. It is nice to be missed. As I get more into the swing of being a new mommy again and a bit more organized, hopefully my posts won't be so few and far between. Gotta go pick up Jaden. Blessings!

Quick thank you

I just want to thank everyone for all the sweet comments and helpful fundraising ideas. Please keep 'em coming. Congratulations to everyone who has had success with their fundraising. It truly is yet another blessing from God to have others so generously help in bringing and keeping our angels home.

All is wonderful on this end. My sweet boy is asleep, but I am sure not for long, so I have to jet.

Blessings to you all,

Long time! plus request for fundraising ideas. Help, please!

It has been far too long. This will have to be quick as usual. I got a gentle nudge from the wonderful Stephanie. She actually misses me.:) So sweet. 

Life has just been moving along wonderfully. I am crazy busy and crazy in love. Taj is growing way to fast. He wil be 4 months old in about a week!!! Nursing is going great! I rarely have to supplement at all. Also, we had Taj dedicated at church last week! He was such a good boy, as always.

The older kids, T and J were in their very first talent show. T is on the dance team, and J did his Michael Jackson routine. He was a huge hit!!! T got straight A's once again, and is preparing to go to...HIGH SCHOOL. I am soooo not ready. 

Easter Sunday was wonderful. It was the first time I didn't spend it with my immediate family, but we did spend it with more recently acquired "family" and it was a blast.

I really hope someone is reading this, because on another note, I am hoping to get any and all fundraising ideas. We are quickly approaching the finalization of Taj's adoption (praise God!!), but we are still in need of much of the funds due at that time. We are trying to raise as  much of $5,000 as possible. If you have done a fundraiser, please tell me about it in detail. I want to know what you did, how you did it and how much you raised. If it is doable with an infant in tow, and anything else you would like to share. Thank you sooooo much in advance. We stepped out on faith, and I know God will provide, but I want to make sure we do our part.

I am slowly but surely trying to catch up with everyone. Some very exciting things are happening. God is awesome. I do miss the blog world, and look forward to getting back into the swing of things soon. Don't forget about me. Enjoy the pics!

xoxoxo

Little update

I miss being able to catch up with all of you, and I hope you are well. Hubby left town this morning to go play a few gigs in Costa Rica (LUCKY DUCK). I miss him like crazy, but having one less person in the house, somehow freed up a few minutes for me to post. My catnapper, Taj, Is already awake, so I still have to make it quick.

Taj is pure joy. He and I spend our days alone, and I am in awe of the miracle that is Taj Jair. He is smiling, laughing, babbling, can roll over one way, etc, etc...He makes me laugh out loud every single day. The whole family is wonderful and each of them are doing great. We are finally over the many colds in the house. I somehow escaped the illnesses (praise God), I guess so I could take care of everyone else. Taj actually had pneumonia. He is fine now, but we are still giving him breathing treatments for now. I think the pneumonia was harder on me than him. He was in great spirits through the whole thing, except for when he got a shot in his little tushie, (I cried:(, I am a mommy sap)

Anyway, here are some pics of my beautiful boy, Taj (his hair is growing back) and my beautiful J with his new 'do (this is how he used to wear his hair for years before he begged me to cut it)

Blessings,

Hey!

I have a few free moments. I actually put my little Taj in his seldom used crib. I guess we'll see how long he naps in there for the first time. I know many of you are laughing at me, but all my babies have had their very own bed which was hardly ever slept in.:)

Taj is wonderful. time is flying by. 6 weeks old as of yesterday!!! He weighed 10 lbs 6 and 1/2 pounds this past Monday. My milk supply is still about the same, maybe a little more. I do hope it gets better, but even if this if this is as good as it gets, it is so worth it. He is totally thriving, and our bond is unbelievable. 

J is doing well. He is enamored of Taj, and shows only a few subconscious signs of how the change in our dynamics might be affecting him. T is sick, poor baby. It hit her hard as we were leaving church. Still I have to mention that she is breaking out of her shell in big ways. I think timing  and age are a big part of it, but the pride she feels in how well she handles her new baby brother was just the push she needed. My hubby is just as wonderful father to 3 as he was to 2. He is stretched thin with work, but he is enjoying his first time as a father to a newborn immensely. It is very sweet.

On another note, even though we have a closed adoption, (at K's request), I get news about K from time to time through our lawyer. Those of you who have been praying for her will be glad to know she is well. She is working, and is very happy for my family. She is moving along with her life in positive ways. It does my heart good to know that. I don't know how long she will be in touch with our lawyer, but I like knowing she is okay.

This, once again, is the very condensed version of what is going on these days, but I tried to hit on some points of possible interest. I have to go, but I hope you all are well. I haven't been able to catch up with most of you. I find that I have to do everything I want and need to do in 15 minute increments, and this 15 are about up, and I am using the rest to post pics. I hope you enjoy them.

Blessings,

Lots going on

Deep in thought
A little sleepy smile

Nice to meet you, Grandma!:)

Our very own rockstar!!
Happy birthday J!!!

Hats off to all new mothers who can do more than a rare drive-by posting on their blog. Courtney comes to mind.:) You go, girl!

Anyhoo, real quick, lots has been going on. My first born son, J celebrated his 7th birthday on Feb. 1st. Happy birthday, my sweet baby. Since that was Super Bowl Sunday, we had his party this past Saturday. It was a great time. Jaden was very happy. His grandparents on my hubby's side were in the area for a conference (they live in Jersey), so they made it to the party. We haven't seen them in a while, do that was nice. Not to mention, they finally got to meet Taj for the first time.:) Taj also got to meet my baby brother, sisters-in-law, cousins, other "grandmas" and his other Godmother that day.

Speaking of Taj, he is doing just great. He is a champion nurser, and is filling out quite nicely, thank you. My milk supply is better, but not abundant yet. I am supposed to pump after each feeding, but since it he eats so often, and I have 2 other children, a husband and a household to take care of, I am lucky if I get to pump once a day. He is definitely getting more breastmilk as the days go by. I can tell by his poop. It is more "breastmilky" every day. There is more I can and will be doing to get a better supply. I will be taking herbs, drinking more water and eating more oatmeal. All of that should help. I am pleased so far, but not thrilled with my progress. If I am away from him for an extended time (about once a week) I get really engorged, which is good. I am able to nurse him to satisfaction without the supplementer about once or twice a day. I am trying to keep in mind that it has only been a week and a half since my milk officially should have started coming in. I will keep you posted.

As we all know, time flies!!! Tomorrow, my little Taj will officially be a month old!!! I can't believe it. He has got male pattern baldness going on, but he is so cute he pulls it off with style!:) So in love are we, I can't get enough of him. He is such a good baby. He only really cries if he is hungry. Sooooooo sweet!

My mom and sister-in-law threw us a baby shower, and Taj made everyone fall in love. He is so easy. By the way, thanks to my family and friends for everything. I truly have angels surrounding me. I am trying really hard to finish up the many thank you notes I need to write!

I have the best mom. I will never be able to thank her for all she does. She is the kind of mom I want to be. If I had time, I would go on about the amazing support system I have in my life. For now, suffice it to say, I love you guys!!!!

My wonderful church family, provided dinner for us all last week. Praise God! The Praise and Worship Team had a night out together bowling and eating. It was a lot of fun. Our church went from 2 to 3 services this past Sunday. God is amazing. It was an exciting day. We were a little tired after being there for almost 6 hours, but we will get used to it. We really love our church, and are thrilled to see what God is doing there.

I hope you enjoy the pics. I had better get a little sleep before my little hungry man wakes up.:) Hope I haven't come across as a babbler. I just have so much to touch on. More to come.

Blessings,