Happy Days Are Here Again..................

Well after another sinus infection Charlie is on his way back to being himself. We still can't get rid of the congestion but it's not in his nose so what are we to do.....makes it a little hard for him to eat but this too shall pass. These days he's all over the place - I was in the kitchen the other night and Charles was in his office when I looked over and not only was Charlie off the blanket - he had managed to carry the activity gym with him and had it lifted OVER his head while half of him was under the recliner. When I looked at him, he had amazed himself as well and had that mischevious look on his face....it only lasted a second so there was no time to get a snapshot of it. I'm sure he'll do it again soon. Diaper changing is another opportunity for him to show he is in control. He will not stay still for a second and you have to make a game out of it with him when holding him down to get him changed....talk about a strong willed little boy!!!!! Next week it's back to our normal routine of work after a few weeks of not having to wake him up in the morning to get him ready to go to Ms. Kandice's. He's still sleeping 11-12 hours every night so this will be another change and hopefully it won't disturb his napping routine very much. He's such an easy going baby and adding SO much love and laughter to our lives. I never thought I could love this way again but God has opened me up to a new world and for that I am grateful. Here are a few more snapshots of our precious Charlie....growing up so fast and teaching us the wonders of little children.

Take care and love to all!

Charles, Julie and Charlie

Here They Are..................

I'm a little frustrated with the blog - have attempted to upload these all morning with no text in post. Let's see if this is the key...................................Now they will probably post 6 times.................

Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda

It should have worked and could have worked and it would have worked - but it didn't. Here are the pics that shoulda been with the Saturday posting that was lost in the air until today. He's such a little boy now - no more baby............sniff, sniff. As Renee says, not mad about it, just sad he's growing up SO fast!
Love to all! Charles, Julie and Charlie

Me In My Pool....................

Here a few pics of Charlie as he explored his pool for the first time. He loved it!

Love to all!

Charles, Julie and Charlie

Slow Down - You Move To Fast............................

We have to make this moment last. So, kickin' off your cobble shoes, skippin' around and feeling groovy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You know how the lyrics go. These days Charlie is all over the place.....wanting so much to sit on his own and explore the world he sees in front of him. We've seemed to work out all the kinks with the reflux and allergies.................thank goodness for Prevacid and Zyrtec. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not really an advocate of meds unless absolutely necessary. In Charlie's case, I'm perfectly fine with something that makes him feel better. Since our last visit with Dr. S., Charlie weighs 16 pounds and is 26 inches long. Yes that's right, 6 inches growth since he was born. Growing in leaps and bounds and bringing much love, laughter, joy and giggles to the Crump household.

Here's the deal - Charlie is at the in between stage where he can't quit sit on his on for long periods of time by himself and DOES NOT want to be confined to a swing or bouncy set. Our family room looks like an isle out of Babies R' Us with all the bright-colored activity centers lined around the room and the basket full of toys. It won't be long before he's getting into all of it by himself. He found his feet and tongue in the last 2 weeks and loves to talk loudly to you. Putting his feet in his mouth while rocking back and forth is one of his favorite things to do and most of all he loves it when you are in the floor with him.

The next thing on our agenda in a couple of weeks is to finalize here in Mississippi - all documents are in order and we are waiting for the Bar Convention to be over so a judge is in town to give his "stamp of approval" and we are home free. This is a little quicker than most but persistence has been my main priority. We look forward to establishing a "Family Day" on this day with each year bringing something fun and exciting to do.....just for the 3 of us. Something incredible to celebrate the life of Charles Jackson and to relish in the glory of God's wondrous works! So church is another thing - can't quit get in a routine of going unless it disturbs Charlie's schedule so I opt not to throw him off and we have church at home. I think within the next month his naps will level out and 8AM service will be the best for us. Not an excuse - just a fact of life at this present time.

Thanks to the wonderful gift from my dear friends, Charlie will be having his pictures made at Marion Silber in early August. They do such an incredible job and we are fortunate to have such a meaningful relationship with them - looking forward to watching them make Charlie laugh. "Laughter is like a good medicine". Proverbs

Here are some pics from the past 2 weeks - no pictures showing the back side because he's bald as an Eagle - Aunt LeLe commented about his "comb over" the other night when they were here. Thanks Matt for getting me a new computer, up and running - don't know what we'd do without friends.

Enjoy his smiles and when looking at them imagine his sweet, little laughter. He is a love and truly a Gracious Gift From God! Love to all!

Charles, Julie and Charlie

Not Feeling So Spunky................

There are "first times" for lots of wonderful things in the development and growth of our precious Charlie. Not this one though - I woke up sick on Friday and ended up seeing the doctor that afternoon - sinus infection, ear infections and all around feeling crummy. After a Rocephin shot and an oral antibiotic for 10 days, I am well on my way to recovery. But, as I drove up to the the doctor's office for my appointment, daddy called to say Charlie had awakened from his nap with a nose full of green goop. While I was at Dr. S's office, I told her about it - she said to call her if I thought he needed to come in for her to see. Got home - sure enough he had 102.4 temp and wasn't feeling so spunky himself. I could hear the congestion although daddy had already cleaned out his nose. So, I called Dr. S and she said to bring him in on Saturday morning. I told Charlie I figured out his little scheme - you see, since he had just seen her the week before for his reflux issues, he decided her really likes her and wanted to see her again and not have to wait til his June 30th, 4-month check-up. Bet after that visit he won't be so anxious to go back after 3 shots. Now we are back home on 10 days of the "pink" medicine, fortunately no ear infections for him, just allergies and sinus. He's had no fever since Saturday but I can still hear the congestion so you can bet at least one bottle a day is going to come up as he coughs and gags. Godmother Jennifer felt so bad for me since Charlie was not feeling well and I quickly remided her I had been through alot worse than this before. So as Charlie I snuggled Saturday and Sunday trying to make each other feel better, I found comfort in popsicles daddy brought home and so did Charlie.......I'm not sure whether he liked the coldness or the flavor but he loved it and here are some pics to show you just how much. Reminds me of the day my great niece Hannah, who is now 11 years old, was running around in her diaper and had eaten a red popsicle - stains all over her from chin to belly to the top of her diaper and what a cute sight to see. The other photos are of Charlie trying to tell me just how hungry he is - so hungry he could eat his play gym. Father's Day was wonderful - just having reason to celebrate it made it extra special - since we felt bad, daddy just allowed us to "hang out" and have a lazy day at home. I did "country cookin'" on Sunday - a treat we don't have too much anymore. Our final post place adoption visit was Friday and we are glad to be able to move forward with finalization in Mississippi. Just a few more "items" to take care of and prayerfully we will have a court date the first of July....likely after the 4th. Thanks for checking in on us and please keep Godmother Jen's Aunt Julie in your prayers for strength and comfort as she recovers from a broken hip, surgery on Monday and some complications. Keep Jen close in prayer too for sanity - she's got a lot on her right now and needs prayers for guidance.

Love to all!

Charles, Julie and Charlie

I Am Richly Blessed - Are You?????

It's been busy around the Crump Household! Charlie has his first unplanned visit to the pediatrician last week...........................reflux!!!!! I know what you are saying, it's no big deal and I realize it is easily remedied, however; my mind continues to play tricks on me when I see an unfinished bottle. Those are unused calories and Nelson HAD to have every calorie. I suppose it's just my subconscious not ever letting me forget Nelson - that's the way I like to think of it. Zantac and a little cereal seem to be helping Charlie but after a weekend of still throwing up some - we have backed down his bottle to 5 ounces. You'd never know he had it because he is not screaming like lil miss Landry used to do - he's just a happy go lucky kinda guy! He has now determined the most comfortable way to eat is looking to the far left side so I let him lead the way. Good news is when we saw Dr. S last week he weighted 14 pounds 8 ounces and she said he's growing beautifully - sweet music to my ears! He's literally all over the place - put him on the floor and walk in the next room, come back and he's kicking on the frech doors. Something Charles and I had not experienced with Nelson and boy howdy is it different! When I told her he sleeps on his stomach because everytime you turn him on his back, he flips right over again, she walked from the room with a smile on her face, holding her hand in the air saying, "I don't hear you. I'm not listening to you." Thanks for making me laugh Dr. S.

Renee reminded me the other day when I was taking Charlie to spend the night at GranJan's, just how lucky I am to have family here to do things for me - he spent the night and mom watched him so I could get some much needed therapy and my yard could get some TLC. Mission accomplished and he was the perfect angel for her - although at 4:30AM he wound up in her bed and from what I have been told, GranJan and Charlie then slept chest to chest for another hour. I am so thankful he feels safe and comforted with others. Another gracious soul is my mother-in-law, MeeMaw, who arrived promptly at 6:15AM on Sunday morning to watch Charlie while I did a couple of presentations for work. Another someone special who rescued me from the anxiety of having to think about awaking at 4AM with Charles out of town and dealing with getting myself dressed and then Charlie dressed, fed and packed up to go with me to work. Done it before and will have to do it again I know but this time I was rescued. Thanks Renee for reminding me about the little things in life really being the biggest.

So Friday the 13th is the magic day - we have our FINAL post placement adoption visit and I can't wait. We are fortunate to have become friends with our initial social worker, Kathy Burk, who because of MS. law changes last year, was not able to continue as our social worker simply for the fact that she does not work for an adoption agency - never mind the fact that she heads up the Women and Infant's program for the State Health Dept. and she LOVES placing children with families because she knows the love it brings to all involved and she enjoys seeing the Lord at work and assisting him. Our new social worker, Angela Griffin, is just as much a delight and we have enjoyed getting to know her and her getting to know Charlie - you can see in her eyes too the fulfillment she gets from seeing families placed with precious children. After this visit, the next step is to get "termination" from A Act of Love in Utah and then proceed to the Rankin County courts for FINALIZATION! Once again, Charles and I are so fortunate to have someone who cares so much about us as our liason here through this process. She has listened to countless rambling voicemails, much crying and emotional upset throughout the 2 year process, and most importantly, she has guided me with a knowledge and understanding of so much I am a better person having gone through it with her. Thanks Jenny!

All to say, our lives are fulfilled in a way no one will ever be able to fathom unless you have been through exeactly what we have experienced. We are becoming whole again and it feels so good!

Love to all and thanks for making us richly blessed in ways you don't even know.

Charles, Julie and Charlie