First Family Vacation!

We recently got back from our first vacation with Ross. We were able to take a whole week to escape to a cottage on the Black River in Southeast, MO. The house was located 2 miles in on a gravel road and nestled in a forest of trees... in other words, in the middle of nowhere. It was such a treat for Ross and I to have Jonathan to ourselves for the week, and especially in a location where there was no cell phone service! We had a fantastic time. Here are just a few pics from our adventure:

Johnson Shut-Ins

Elephant Rocks State Park

Go Wildcats!

We recently attended Ross' first football game. The AJ Wildcats (the local high school) had a fantastic season opener. We were able to walk from our house to the school, pushing Ross in his stroller. He was interested in taking in all the sights and sounds of a high school football game. Kids from our youth group make up part of the football team, cheerleaders, and marching band. So we saw a lot of friendly faces that were excited to see Ross out supporting them. The little guy almost made it to half-time before falling asleep, at which point we began the trek back home.

Cribin' it

We finally put the crib together! Ross has been sleeping in his Pack n Play until now because that's what fit in our bedroom. We planned on waiting to put up his crib until the upstairs of our house is finished and Ross has his own room. But with the Pack n Play starting to bow, we realized we needed to make room for the crib in our family bedroom downstairs so Ross could have a nice mattress to sleep on. Jonathan put it together in about an hour, then we got Ross acclimated. He likes the fact that his bed is the same height as ours so he can peek at us through the rails when he's ready to get up... and we enjoy seeing his smiling face as well! :)

The County Fair

Well, we just took Ross to his very first 4-H County Fair. The Union County Fair was held here in Anna and we were able to stroll Ross around and see everything in about an hour. Quite the opposite of the Elkhart County Fair to say the least, but still a fun experience. Plus we shared the best elephant ear I've ever eaten (or maybe I was just tasting the sweet memories of childhood). Either way, it was a good time!

Another Anniversary!

Jonathan and I celebrated 9 years of marriage on the 25th! In a way we can't believe it's been that long, yet at the same time it's as if we've always been married. It was fun sharing the celebration with Ross this year... pretty sure I've kissed Ross more in his 5 months of life than I've kissed his daddy in 9 years of marriage! :) We both agreed we are glad to be where we are now and not where we were 9 years ago (two 22-year-olds fresh out of college moving to Washington, D.C., trying to figure out how to be "The Whitleys" and not just Jonathan and Tara). We went to My Daddy's Cheese-cake in Cape and split a Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Cupcake. (The same flavor as the top layer of our wedding cake 9 years ago). Another fun August 25th!

5 Months!

Ross is 5 months old today! We got him a jumperoo for the occasion. Time is flying by per usual. Here is the list of new things we now experience with Ross:

1. Rolling over both directions all the way! It's so frequent now that often I turn my back just for a second and he's on the other side.

2. Ross helps us turn the pages of his board books when we read to him.

3. Mommy and Daddy's little helper likes to assist us in carrying whatever is in the hand opposite the one carrying him. When preparing meals, we take several trips to the refrigerator carrying one thing at a time with Ross' help. He even likes to help us open the refrigerator door.

4. Ross gave his first tithe to the church. We put 10% of some money he received in an envelope and gave him the envelope to put into the offering plate as it was passed. He did, however, require some encouragement in dropping the envelope into the plate. :)

5. Grabbing his feet with both hands. We're surprised how long Ross occupies himself investigating those feet and toes....

6. Teething! Ross has two little teeth starting to poke through his gums! He puts everything he can reach into his mouth lately.

7. He is more blonde than brunette.

Ross' First Swim

We took Ross out for his first swim yesterday and it was so much fun! He wasn't sure about the water at first, but before we knew it he was one-arm paddling around the pool. (He did use both arms but not at the same time)! He was so funny and cute in the water! Jonathan and I had an absolute blast with him and we can't wait to go again!

The first video is his introduction to the water and the second one shows the paddling. Enjoy!

Ross got baptized!

Ross was baptized by his daddy on Sunday! Welcome to the Covenant Family, little one! He sported a little white suit that Jonathan wore when he was a baby. We were so happy that Jonathan was able to do the baptism--Ross got a big kiss from Daddy before being handed back to Mommy. What an important event in our son's life! We sent out invitations to our out-of-town family members. Below is our statement of belief Jonathan wrote up for the back.

We believe that baptism is for those who profess faith in Jesus Christ and for their children. Acts 2:38-39 states, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins...the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." When God instituted the Covenant of Promise with Abraham (Gen 15) He also instituted a sign and seal for that Covenant, namely circumcision. All men, 8 days old and older were physically circumcised as a sign of cleansing and inauguration into the Covenant of Promise. By the shedding of Christ's blood, the ultimate circumcision, all the Old Testament Covenants find complete fulfillment--thus the New Covenant is instituted. Baptism signifies inauguration into this New Covenant and is a seal of "our ingrafting into Christ", our "partaking of the benefits of grace", and our "engagement to be the Lord's" (WSC 94). Just as the Israelite children were circumcised as a sign of being God's people, so today children of Christians are to be baptized as a public statement that they are dedicated and set apart unto the Lord. While we do not believe that the act of baptism grants salvation to Ross, or anyone for that matter, we do believe that God has called us to place the Sacramental sign and seal of baptism on Ross as he is part of our family, which is a Christian family, and to show our commitment to raise Ross in the "way in which he should go" (Proverbs 22:6).

July 28th!

Today marks the one year anniversary of our knowledge of Ross. After 3 years of waiting and wondering if we would ever have children, we decided that if we hadn't gotten pregnant by the time we bought a house, we would begin the adoption process. On July 28th, 2009, I awoke and took a pregnancy test. It was a dud--no answer. I didn't have time to take another one as we needed to head to the bank and close on our house. Once we returned home from the closing, I took another test and it said, "Pregnant." I slapped my cheeks like Kevin in "Home Alone" and exclaimed, "Oh, Lord Jesus!" We spent the next couple weeks in shock and near disbelief.

Today, exactly one year later, we celebrate the day we found out about God's precious miracle of Ross William Whitley and His mercy and grace on us in allowing us to be parents. We remember what a trial it was not knowing if we could have kids and are now so thankful that we were able to go through that trial that brought glory to God. I recall telling a friend of mine a couple years back that we were not taking fertility medication to get pregnant. She asked me how then, we were going to make it happen. I prayed then and there that God would let us conceive a child so that my friend would see and understand that He is the one who makes these things happen. What a gift it has been for us to have had the opportunity to be part of God revealing His Might, Power, and Glory! July 28th--oh happy day!

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

Psalm 139:13-14

Mullet Removal

Ross has had what could be called his first haircut. Really, all that happened was I removed an inch off the back of his hair and trimmed a little above his ears. With his hair falling out, there was just some touching up to be done. And the mullet he was born with was truly getting out of control. Ross William is a classy little guy and the mullet just didn't suit him.

Independence Day

We went to the local fireworks in Anna for the 4th of July and it was really fun! We had a picnic supper on a blanket on the golf course. We set it up just a few feet from our car in case the noise scared Ross and we needed to leave. Quite the contrary--he seemed mezmorized by the lights and watched in silence right along with us. We took a photo with the fireworks behind him to prove he was there. :) He looks scared but trust me, he wasn't. It was a fun first Independence Day as a family.

3 Months!

Our little boy is a 3-month-old and I still can't believe my eyes when I put him in clothing with tags that say "3-6 months." Those clothes seemed gargantuan when he was a newborn! Here's a few things we now experience with Ross at 3 months:

1) Rolling Over--for REAL! Tummy to back so far--he's only made it onto his side from back to date.

2) Bubble Blowing! I now understand what little bibs are for--catching all that drool! I really didn't know why we were owners of like 20 infant bibs when he only consumes breastmilk. The light has turned on!

3) Chattering up a storm! He loves making the "ooh" sound with his lips and his favorite "words" seem to be elpa, oy, ahoowah, aira, and all the "Ng's" (ngee, ngah, ngoo).

4) Outgrown Magnum P.I. shorts (note the pic). These were SOOO cute but were really starting to show quite a bit of thigh, so we retired them. Much like Tom Selleck and his 80's tv detective days.

5) Size 2 diapers! Ross weighs in at a hearty 15 pounds now...could it have anything to do with the DQ blizzard of the month?

6) Hair Loss. It's been hard to see those cute locks disappear! But we do see some precious little blonde hairs coming in underneath. Maybe he will be blonde for awhile like me when I was a kid. The hair and the eyes are the only thing I can claim with this daddy look-alike! (Well, maybe those chunky thighs). :)

Jonathan's Birthday

Jonathan finally caught up with me and turned 31. We talked about how old we feel because we're not just 30 anymore--we're in our 30's. Ross and I made Jonathan a cake, and dinner consisted of his mexican faves. We also discovered that Daddy's knuckle serves well as a suckling device when Mommy is otherwise occupied.

Father's Day!

Jonathan celebrated his first Father's Day on the 100th anniversary of Father's Day. Ross and I surprised him with a new wedding band--he had lost his backpacking a couple summers ago. We went to lunch at a crepe restaurant that was fantastic! I got to dress Ross like his daddy in plaid shorts. :) We were also able to be with Grandpa on Father's Day this year. Ross wore a shirt that said "My dad is king of the castle" and I have to say, we do think his dad is pretty spectacular!

More Wedding Fun

I think my favorite thing at the wedding was when Stephen and Kristen invited all fathers and daughters and mothers and sons to dance. I took my little man out on the floor and just praised God for putting that little boy in my life. What a treat to celebrate him in that way!

Ross at the Wedding

First Hotel Stay

Dancing with Grammie

Fun with Daddy

First cousin pic: Ross, Malachi, Layla, Idolie, Eloise

All tuckered out....

Mrs. Stephen Whitley!

Stephen got hitched! Welcome to the family, Kristen! We had a BLAST at the last Whitley Wedding and are so excited about our 4th and final sister-in-law.

It was a beautiful backyard wedding that Jonathan had the privilege of officiating. The reception began with a toast that brought tears to my eyes and ended with Stephen being tossed into the pool. I'm so pleased to have 4 fantastic sisters-in-law added to the family in the past 5 years. Hats off to Stephen and Kristen for re-planning an extraordinary wedding in 2 weeks due to the oil spill! What an amazing couple.

Tummy Time & More

The Everything Elephant

It's been fun seeing Ross start to take interest in his toys. So far he's punched the snail on his bouncy seat a few times and held the Pooh blankie once. But then I introduced the Everything Elephant.... We call it that because it has so many stimulating aspects--lots of activities for a little guy. Ross sat with the elephant on the couch and crinkled his ears, chewed on his rings, and stared A LOT, just taking it all in. It is our current "go to" toy and I'm glad to have one!