Baby Drake: August 2009

Jonathan came back to Charlotte on Saturday morning. His flight got delayed; which put him back in at 2am, instead of 1. Joey was a total trooper, getting up with me and going to pick up his Daddy!!!! Got home and we all went immediately to sleep- only to wake up a few hours later (literally) for Joey's morning feeding. Joey was very attentive to his Daddy's voice and recognized him right away. One of the sweetest moments for me as a mom was listening to my son talk to his Dad. They continue to talk every night when Jonathan is off from school. And I know Jonathan loves it too. Anyway. The three of us spent all day together on Saturday. While Joey napped, Jonathan and I played some of our new Wii!!!!! That thing is so much fun! We were really able to relax and have some very much needed family time.

Sunday morning we went to our church and then up to Winston. Jonathan's brother, Adam, was being ordained and it was such a special time, since we were all there together. Mom and Dad Drake and all the boys were together. Jon's grandparents, aunts, uncles, and several cousins were able to be there. The ceremony was great- hardly a dry eye in the place. We came back to Charlotte that night, hoping for a good nights rest, but morning came too quickly. We had to get up at 3:50, in order for Jonathan to be ready for the cab to pick him up to head to the airport.

All of our friends and familly have been a great encouragement to us. Got word today that my boss is ok with me leaving 2 Fridays a month a little bit early in order for Joey and I to get down to Tampa at a decent time (we will be meeting Jonathan at his parents' house in Tampa!!). This is such a blessing. We decided that 5 weeks is just too long to go without seeing each other, so our goal is just about every other weekend! God has been blessing us left and right- my boss was able to work it out so it is feasable from a work stand point to be able to head down!

Major prayer requests for this week: I'm still trying to study to take my boards hopefully in November!!! Jon is working hard down and studying some intense info in Florida. And a praise is that Joey growing like a WEED. He is just under 17lbs!!!

My boys

my buddy

chilling with Daddy

blue eyes

playing with daddy

cool dude

Me and my boys

We are well into our new living situations for about 3 weeks now. Jonathan is knee deep in school work and is doing extremely well. He goes to classes from 1:30-8pm and studies just about all morning. Being apart has been a slow adjustment, but we are getting there. Jon is able to go to his parents' new house (it's about an 1hr 45 mins away from school) every weekend. We're thankful that he's able to see them a lot, not only for company, but for some good cooking too!! While he's there, we're able to Skype and that has been a blast. Joey loves seeing his Daddy up close. He's starting to get used to it; he's been smiling quite a bit at the computer. He is so captivated by it!

I started back to work July 31st. It was a very rough day for me, but my Mom was here to help! She watched Joey for me on Friday. It was quite a relief knowing that he was in great hands and it really helped me not to worry. That night, Evan, Joy, Sam, and Matt were on their way up to WS, and they were able to stop in for dinner and some cuddle time with Jo-Jo. Mom and I had a great time together, cooking, watching FRIENDS and relaxing together. She went with me to Joey's day care (we call it school) on Monday morning and was my moral support! I could not have done that weekend without her. She was such an encouragement to me, when I needed it most. The teachers at school have been wearing Joey OUT!!!! This kid could hardly stay awake to eat. We feel so comfortable with the school and they take such good care of him! Last week, he did his first two pieces of artwork and I can't wait to bring it home and put it on the fridge.

Both Jonathan and I are thankful that we've started into our respective roles because it is helping the time pass by more quickly. We are so excited and we are anxiously awaiting August 21st, when Jonathan will be able to come home for the weekend.

Joey of course is awesome, and changing a lot and quickly. He is so very close to rolling over, but maybe's he's holding out until Daddy comes home!!!! He's smiling a ton and starting to chat now. He's very responsive when you say his name or smile at him. He doesn't have any doctor's visits this month, so I'm not sure how much he weighs, but we're thinking about 14-15 lbs. And he is so LONG!!! About 28 inches already. He is beautiful and such a joy to have around. Pray for his eye- he has a clogged tear duct. He keeps rubbing it a lot and I'm not sure if it's hurting him or if he's just finding his hands. He also keeps rubbing his hair, which I think is hysterical!!!

A few praises/answers to prayer requests. My boss was able to help out with my hours 3 days a week, allowing me more time with Joey at night! We were able to pay off one of our cars, which is allowing either Jon or Joey and I to fly to see each other almost every other week! And Joey and I are able to fly to Florida for Labor Day! We are very excited, and I'm terrified of flying with a baby.

Here are some new photos of our little man. Please continue to pray for all three of us as we're each making huge adjustments in our every day lives.