Baby Drake

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.