LOTS of Pictures

So, I'm going to combine two posts into one. It's a doosy. Judah Pictures and then Jaclyn's awesome visit. Don't forget you can click on the pictures to enlarge them.

JUDAH PICTURES

First, we've got random pictures of Judah living his daily life. He's adorable. I'm not just biased either. My favorite comment people have made lately (other than what a good baby he is): "His eyes just sparkle!" I think they do, too.

In my opinion, he is no longer "newborn" looking. His tummy is thinning out but his legs and arms are chunkin' up. We're still trying to get rid of the cradle cap, and he has new patches of eczema on his arms (like his Mommy). Thankfully, they are very mild. He is still sneezing and the runny nose has picked up quite a bit. He even dry coughs at times...again, just like his Mommy. I'm pretty sure Mommy's allergist is going to end up being Judah's allergist as well...if anything can be done for such a young guy. Here are some things he has done lately:

~Regularly talks up a storm
~Stares at his feet when he's in his bouncy seat
~Reaches for things, especially our faces and hands
~Sticks out his tongue when you do the same or when he wants you to imitate him
~Found himself in mirrors and talks to the other baby
~Turns completely horizontal in his pack-n-play during the night
~Sucks his thumb...still a new thing as he only does it occasionally
~Is almost rolling over...he can get perpendicular to the ground up on his side but can't seem to swing that leg over to go all the way
~Reacts mostly to the color pink...Jaclyn gave him a toy with lots of colors on it and he always talks the most when pink is shown...maybe because his Mommy wears alot of pink?
~Sucks on Mommy's shoulder...occasionally producing real hickies
~Raises his head/chest to a 90 degree angle when on his tummy
~Knows when Mommy & Daddy leave his presence and lets it be known with talking/crying

A sweet Little Champ baseball outfit. "What are you looking at?" expression.



Eating Crunches ear (it's got that rattly paper in it....the companion elephant is Tinkles because he's got a bell inside him). Self-taken picture with Daddy.



An extremely happy baby...we get those smiles alot every day. A new sleeping position he has assumed...little booty in the air and sucking on his hand.



Remember that famous sleeping position I posted about a while ago? Yep. He still likes it. At least it's a "cross" position. Perhaps we can use it as a tool to teach him about Jesus when he's older. :-) I let him nap in bed with me the other morning...woke up to find him in the exact middle of the bed with arms spread wide...



JACLYN'S VISIT

Two girls. Similar life stories. Their moms even have similar life stories. States apart. Introduced online by a mutual guy-friend. Talked for years through a computer screen, sharing struggles and joys, heartache and triumph. Many a deep secret was told. Holding each others hand through personal growth on all fronts. One married the guy who introduced them. The other hardly talks to him anymore because she talks to his wife all the time.

Six years this went on. Only pictures were seen and voices heard by phone and IM screen.

Until now.

We finally met. Praise the LORD! We both were nervous, we don't know why. We figured it was because we knew each other's life inside out and had never stared into each other's eyes. Six blessed days with my sweet friend Jaclyn.

It was an unspeakable joy to have her in my home, sitting beside me as I fed my son, smiling at me as we talked, cooking in my kitchen with me, sleeping in the room next to me. To see that Bible laying open on her bed each day. To watch her move with realistic grace. To hear her drawing out laughter from my baby boy. To hold her in my arms and kiss her sweet cheek. To smell her spicy lotion. Sounds like I'm stalking her...but you just can't understand. I waited six years to be in her presence. I had to take it all in, for who knows when the next opportunity will be!

Beautiful. That is the one word that describes Jaclyn. Her spirit shines through her eyes and shouts through her voice. She is kind, helpful, and thoughtful. She is modestly stylish. She spends time with her Lord daily. She creates meaningful conversation. And yes, her eyes are to die for and her hair so silky and shiny. Her skin is naturally dark (I was shocked!...she didn't even have a "tan.") Inside and out. Just beautiful.

She left little notes in secret places before she left. I still don't know if I've found them all. They mean so much to me...to hear what she thinks of me after being with me in person. God's grace covers both of us because we both felt a little "off" the whole time. Allergies hit us pretty hard right before she arrived and got worse as the week wore on. And the nerves of meeting for the first time didn't help either. It was kind of like, hmm...beign betrothed to someone you've never met but knowing you are destined to be together forever and then meeting them for the first time. You know you love the real person, but what of mannerisms and habits? This time put a physical body to my ethereal friend.

Angels can have physical bodies when they choose to, right? I still sometimes wonder if she's an angel unaware. ;-)

Jaclyn and Judah...she loved him and boy did he love her! At Carmel...God blessed us with the CLEAREST day Matt and I have yet seen here. The wind was strong and brisk, the waves huge, and the sand toasty warm.



We took these on the way from Carmel Beach to Monterey (Cannery Row). He was being so cute...as always!



The last picture and the ones below were taken at Cannery Row. I think this will end up being the "let's take our visitors here" official photos. This little cove is where all the sea otters hang out. If you look closely, you can see them sunning on the beach. The water was gorgeous as well...I've never seen it blue and GREEN.



A California dad. Our shadows in the clear water below an observation deck.



A sea otter. Jaclyn...Judah's very first baby sitter. Matt and I got to go buy a new couch and comfy chair (woo hoo!) and then go see X-Men III. It was so great to get out with my hubby! Judah did just fine...and who wouldn't with such a lovely lady?



Judah's cutie outfit on Sunday. A great picture of Jaclyn and I. Side by side. No more computer generated "together" photos. :-) (She makes me look so white and round! LOL)



Matching overalls...I think it's adorable. Family photo. Just before we took Jaclyn to the airport. :-( And just before we went to a Memorial Day cookout in Hollister with some church folks....where my allergies ramped up even more. ::sigh:: Gonna go see an allergist on the 21st.



What do I take with me the most from Jaclyn's visit? Two things. Seeing that Bible laying on her bed every day. She is what she says she is. There's meat behind all she tells me about her life. She is an inspiration. And her eyes. I can see them when I think about them. I didn't look at them TOO often because I was shy for some stupid reason. Usually I make others uncomfortable with eye contact. Apparently, she's more powerful than me. But I drank them in on Monday. I was tired of not looking!

Thank you, Jaclyn, for spending the money, time, and effort to come visit. I praise God He provided all of it for you to spend! Maybe, just MAYBE, God will honor our desires to make a summer vacation to Colorado next year.........

You are a treasure to me. You always were. You are more so now. And you always will be!

I Promise...

...I'm working on uploading pictures and posting. It'll be a big'un since I have random Judah pictures as well as Jaclyn's visit--which was AWESOME by the way!

Another Time-Waster

But I've cleaned the bathrooms and straightened the house today, all the while caring for Judah when he wasn't napping. Can a girl get a brain break now and then? :-)

1. My roommate once: left her washed but still wet clothes in her car for 3 days then hung them all over her side of the room to dry. Took my breath away...in a bad way! :-P
2. Never in my life have I: eaten liver.
3. The one person who can drive me nuts, but then can always manage to make me smile: Paul
4. High School was: a blast...I miss it sometimes. So chock full of great people and good memories.
5. When I'm nervous: I pick at my lips if there are not alot of people. My heart palpates and my breath speads up if there are lots of people.
6. The last time I cried was: Last week probably.
7. If I were to get married right now my bridesmaids/groomsmen would be: Been married almost 2 years...my sister was my matron, Thea my maid of honor, Joy, Janet, and Lucinda; Jensen best man, D-Rob, Jason, and Cliffton (would have had Peter if we had been thinking straight!)
9. My hair: is brown, has volume, and loves to be air dried because it's owner doesn't care much during the week.
10. When I was 6: my mom and dad got married and I was a flower girl with Autumn.
12. When I turn my head left, I see: our printer with Judah's baby book and some insurance papers on top.
13. I should be: dusting, windexing, vacuuming, mopping, sleeping...after all, Jaclyn is coming tomorrow!
14. When I look down I see: a big blue cup with a little water in it and our keyboard.
15. The craziest recent event was: depends on how crazy. I had a kid about 2 months ago. :-)
16. If I were a character on Friends I would be: I wouldn't. I'd be Deborah off of Everybody Loves Raymond.
17. By this time next year: Judah will be 1 and we'll be looking for a house in Maryland.
18. My favorite Aunt is: Janet. She was God's instrument to change my heart about going to Master's and being a home ec major.
19. I have a hard time understanding: how some people can be so inefficient at housework.
20. One time at a family gathering: my now-husband proposed to me.
21. You know I "like" you if: I am not reserved around you.
22. If I won an award, the first person (people) I'd thank: I think it depends on what for. But I do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
23. Take my advice: Don't expect to continue being a stickler about housework once you have a kid.
24. My ideal breakfast is: biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, ginger-lemon tea. No wait. banana nut pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon. No wait. a belgian waffle with strawberries and whipped cream and hazelnut coffee. No wait. Ok, do you get my drift? Breakfast is my favorite food genre.
25. If you visit my hometown: please take me with you.
26. Where do you plan to visit anytime soon: Um. Indiana at Christmas.
27. If you spend the night at my house: you'll be on an air mattress in Judah's room.
29. The world could do without: sin.
30. I'd rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: lick the belly of a tarantula?? sick.
31. Most recent thing you've bought yourself: 4 shirts and a bathing suit...Mother's Day and weight loss money.
32. Something someone else bought for you: Pampered Chef stuff (thanks, Momma!)
33. My favorite blonde is: Denise.
35. And by the way: my legs have weird tiny red spots on them where I got that sunburn last week.
36. The last time I was high: in this dream I had where someone made me smoke a cigar.
37. The animals I would like to see flying besides birds: tigers.
38. I should have been: napping.
39. Once, at a bar: Thea and I got to taste a grasshopper drink and a sip of red wine. Yes to grasshopper. Very tasty. Gross to wine -- needs to be cold.
40. Last night I: watched King of Queens with Matt.
41. There's this girl I know who: is coming to visit me tomorrow! I've never seen her in person before, but she knows more about me than anyone else!
42: I dont know: when Matt will be back...he took the car for an oil change.
43. A better name for me would be: the one God will give me when I see Him face to face.
44. If I ever go back to school I'll: learn more about interior design.
45. how many days til your b-day: 210 I think.

I'm a "Tender Loving Care" Mother

Copying Jaclyn in taking this quiz: http://www.motherstyles.com/quiz.asp

My results:

“I want my children to feel they have an ally, someone who knows them completely. I want to be a haven for them.”

Gentle and kind, the ISFJ mother provides her children with generous amounts of tenderness, affection, and the comfort of daily routine. Her aim is to “be there” for her children, physically and emotionally. She is sensitive to their feelings, offering closeness, understanding, and quiet support.

Loyal and devoted, the ISFJ mother has a strong sense of duty and consistently puts her children’s needs first. She delights in taking care of the little things that matter to a child, making each one feel loved and special.

To provide her family with security and warmth, the ISFJ mother tends to the practical and domestic, aiming for a smooth-running household and an attractive home. She also observes and conveys the value and importance of family traditions.

I'll post some Judah pics when I find the fresh batteries for our camera...

Guess who's coming tomorrow!

JACLYN!

6 years of friendship through a computer screen. Now, we meet in person for the first time.

Happy Birthday, Matt!

24 Reasons to Praise God for
Matthew Wayne Esparza

1) I can see the Lord working in his life, moving him ever closer to holiness.
2) I can see that he is not perfect which is a comfort because I am certainly not perfect. That means together we can strive for Christ-likeness.
3) He loves to serve others.
4) When he studies Scripture, he has wonderful insights and shares/teaches them to me. If he has questions, he will search for the answer.
5) He has awesome retention of knowledge, both adademic and Scriptural.
6) He always directs those who praise him to God and often does not want public recognition for what he has done.
7) He can teach in such a way that I can fully grasp the subject at hand whether computers or a tough passage of Scripture.
8) He is a man of integrity at home, at church, and at school.
9) He always remembers what people have asked prayer for...and remembers to ask them later on how things are going.
10) He loves giving to the church and to missionaries that are our personal friends.
11) He is content with where God has placed us right now.
12) He is excited about what God has given him to do for a job.
13) He's an adorable geek -- he faithfully checks Trekweb and Lost websites.
14) His love for things is contagious -- he makes it easy to be "interested in what my spouse is interested in." (read: Star Trek, football)
15) He loves my cooking and tells me so but is honest when something doesn't quite make the A list.
16) He tries to be better about eating healthy when I want to. (Especially drinking more water lately.)
17) He wants me to continue using the skills I have for our home, to bless others, and maybe earn some money -- always reminding me if I want a sewing machine, we can get one.
18) He constantly makes sure the house is secure from anything that might happen to it by person or element. I've learned to stop rolling my eyes at it. He is protecting us because he loves us.
19) He is quite humorous and a joy to live with. He even sometimes laughs at my jokes, though they are usually duds.
20) He loves to get together with other people and have a good meal and a fun time.
21) He adores our son and plays with him so well.
22) He is an excellent father and has all the nitty gritties of caring for a baby under his belt.
23) He's quite handsome...American looking with gorgeous Spanish eyes.

24) Because God first loved him, he loves Judah and I and has given us himself for life. I don't know where I'd be if I wasn't his wife, and Judah of course would not be here.

I love you, Husband. And Judah loves his Daddy. Here's to all the years left God will choose to give you to us!

I Know...I Know...

It's been a while and a lot has happened. AKA no recent update or pictures. So here goes! It'll be a whirlwind...Lost is on and I'm doing this during commercials. Count yourselves loved -- not everyone would divide their attention with Lost and something else. (And Jaclyn, hope you don't mind watching the 2 hour finale next week...or go find something else to do while WE watch it!) ;-)

RANDOM PICS

Just like Nini...one leg out of the covers, one leg in. ~~ Proof he is moving around alot now...I had placed him with his head to the right, came back later, and he was turned about. ~~ I love him in orange. I think Karlyn gave us that little two fish outfit...he wore it to the beach today (before it got too cold). ~~ He loves to play with his rattle. He can actually hang onto it for quite a while and he just wacks it all around!





FIRST ROAD TRIP We went to Santa Clarita Mother's Day weekend for The Master's College graduation. We went for four students...and found out that a whole lot of other students we were good friends with were graduating. Praise the Lord for that blessing! We saw so many people...some with shocked expressions because they didn't even know we were expecting a child. :-) A couple friend of our also surprised us by holding their 3 month old baby boy. It was Judah's first time around THAT many people, but he was so good through it all. He is such the happy, content baby. Even Jeff and Linda remarked about how little he cries...because he only really cried when they were not home. :-P

We had fun taking pictures on Mother's Day. Only one picture to prove it was a road trip. :-) And I LOVE LOVE LOVE the picture of Matt and I. Talk about a great one! And Judah says thank you, Nini, for the little man outfit! And we heard today that Grandma is making a new outfit!



FIRST BEACH TRIP Today was Judah's first trip to the beach. I have a new friend from church named Monicca and she and her husband have a 5 month old girl named Ava. Wednesday is a short day for both our husbands in Monterey, so we planned a lunch time at Carmel. Monicca's husband ended up not being able to join us (this time!), but we had a blast anyway. And got blasted with cold air! But it was still beautiful. Come to find out, it is not recommended to put sunscreen (even baby sunscreen) on babies before 6 months because of sensitive skin. We didn't know that until Dr. Cantor told us at the appt today (which was after the beach)...but we had thankfully decided not to do the sunscreen anyway. We just kept him covered with a blanket. However...Mommy was stupid...




TWO MONTH APPOINTMENT Yep, today was shots day. I think I've mentioned it before, but oh my WORD do we love Dr. Cantor! I lament that he will not get to see Judah grow up. Perhaps we can have him transfer to Maryland? All is well with little man. Little. Not sure that's the right word. :-) Judah is 13 lbs 14 oz...90% for weight meaning 90% of boys are lighter than he is! Ava is 3 months older and just now weighs 15 lbs. I knew he was big for a two month old (which is why the outfit Grandma is making will come in handy!). He is 23.25 inches (50%) and his head is 41 cm (75%). And Dr. Cantor remarked at how he definitely has hazel in his eyes now. Not that they will stay hazel, but we're hoping for it! It's different and pays tribute to both grandmothers and one great grandmother. The shots? Yeah, never heard him scream that loud or that high pitched. I even lightly put my hand over his mouth to muffle the sound. Matt held him down while I carressed his face and belly. He calmed quickly when I was able to pick him up...and oh the elephant sized tears that rolled out of his precious eyes. But he's good now. :-) Sleeping peacefully which is what I will be doing very soon...



By the way...pictures take alot less time to load if you size them down. Duh. Hope you enjoyed them all! I'm gonna post about BBQ on Savary Sensations soon. And hopefully get another post up on Sanctifying Truth. Only 4 more chapters to go before I finish Ecclesiastes! It'll be the first time ever I've started and finished a personal book of the Bible study. :-)

Blogging about Blogs

First, I've started posting to Sanctifying Truth again.

Second, I've started a new blog! But it's not just me posting though...I've gotten some other women in my family involved. It's called Savary Sensations. Some of the women in my family will be posting great recipes and food preparation tips. There's already 4 recipes up there (because my sister posted before I could even get to it!) This should be great because we've got an experienced mom of 25 years, a nutritionally minded and thrifty young mom, and a new young mom with a home ec degree. Perhaps soon we'll have a few more women of the family join! I hope you all enjoy and make use of it!

Third, don't try to eat a grapefruit like an orange. Eat a grapefruit as it is meant to be eaten - cut in half and spooned out.

Tips, Trips, and Pics

If you ever make baking powder biscuits, do not accidentally use baking soda...unless you want flatish biscuits with a very strange consistency and funky flavor.

Do not ever make a cake that you are going to pour gelatin into in a bundt pan even though you think it might turn out prettier. If it says 9x13, then make it in a 9x13. It holds the gelatin in the cake much better.

We went to Sunnyvale last night to visit with Bobby & Christa and Derek & Amy. And the most fun part? Seeing baby Tyler! It was so adorable to watch him and Judah "talk" and "play." And for the record, Tyler is JUST as cute in person as he is in pictures...if not more so! It was so nice to see friends from college again. I told Christa it was weird to think that we were once friends on a wing in Hotchkiss...and now we are both married and have sons. It was so comforting to talk to her one on one. She unknowingly offered me a sense of security as we spoke about various aspects of motherhood. To see Tyler in action, to hear some of Christa's struggles, and things like that let me know that my own experience is not out of the ordinary. Not that I thought something was wrong with how our family is operating...I just love the reassurance from watching the same life in a friend. Here are some cute pictures!



This weekend we are driving the opposite way (south) to go to The Master's College graduation. We've got several friends walking the plank and are so excited to see them, professors, and friends we went to church with. And of course MOST excited to show our little J.G. off! I can not WAIT to see the Jensens again. It's been too long! I think we might get spoiled living so "close" to them...

Next week is Judah's 2 month appointment. He gets shots. But more interestingly, he gets weighed and measured. I am SO interested to know what percentile he is in now. He was in the 70th last time. He's a big boy! Bobby kept joking that Judah could take Tyler any day! Judah may have chunk, but Tyler's got the drool weapon. It was so cute when he'd suck on his arm and blow bubbles! I bet we'll be ther someday soon...Judah has recently started drooling a tiny bit when he's hungry.

Here's a few random pictures of Judah. We had a photo/video shoot on our relaxing Sunday afternoon. I think Judah really likes our bed (he is currently napping smack in the middle of it right now...a 2 month old reigning in a king size bed). ~~ We have officially taken Judah out of his basinet. He is just too big for comfort. So we moved him to his pack n play...and yes it is a regular sized one. He is just that big now! I think he likes it much better than the basinet. He does not fuss near as much when he goes down or wakes up. Why not the crib, you ask? Because we still have two sets of visitors to go, and 1) We don't want guests and Judah to sleep in the same room for everyone's sake, 2) We don't want to get Judah used to one then switch back and forth four times as people come and go. Come July, we will begin the switch to the crib. ~~ A cute little outfit we received from our downstairs neighbors (dad, mom, and two cute kids). And don't forget Humphrey! He makes a good prop-up! ~~ We went to Savers on Saturday to look for some new (and bigger) clothes for Judah. It's amazing what you can find! Nice onesies at Target can run you anywhere from $4 to $7. We got 6 nice non-onsie outfits at Savers for less than $20! Woo hoo! So we'll have more outfit pictures to come...hope you all don't get bored of them! ;-)

The Pics that Wouldn't Post Yesterday

First off...The Matt-attack is back! He's started posting again...quite interesting too. Get ready to be educated!

http://www.faultyhelix.blogspot.com

This was Judah's last sink bath. As you can see, he's a bit too skwunched. We had fun watching him push of the sink. He still loves bath time! The next one is how we found him after a nap. Guess he wanted to make sure he stayed covered up. Also, that's what he now often does on teh changing table...grabs both sides and hangs on. At times, he has a look of desperation on his face as if he feels like he's going to fly off the table. :-P And then just some cuteness with cute outfits.



made another strawberries and cream cloud cake. But I got fancy with the decorating this time because the strawberries were amazing! I love California. If you get strawberries that say Watsonville on them...they're from about 30 minutes from our home. And we drive past strawberry fields on the way to Walmart and to a friend's house.

MY Treasure, Story, & Requests

You've GOT to see Autumn's blog today. The latest post will melt your heart...and I"ll post pics of MY treasure later when I have more time...

My story...So God allows things to come our way for reasons that may be uknown to us. Just things to grow us in small ways. We made a trip to the eye doctor yesterday. Why? Because I tried to get ice out of an ice cube tray. We've been saying for a while we need new trays because the ones we have are really hard to pop. Yesterday, one of them snapped in half as I was trying to twist it. We're not sure if it was an ice shard or plastic piece, but something hit my open eye. We waited about an hour and then decided to have it checked out. The doc was VERY nice and said that I do indeed have an abrasion on my cornia and a swollen area inside my upper lid, but there is no foreign object. He gave me some antibiotic ointment for eyes to prevent infection, and I go back to see him tomorrow. Praise GOD that it was not worse. I was finding plastic shards after Matt thought he got them all. And I tell you what, when you're eyes are dialated and one blurry from ointment, it's kinda hard to care for a wee one! :-P

My 1st request is for Ron and Karen! They leave TODAY for China to get Katie Mei on Sunday. I'm so excited for them, and I can't wait to see the cutie pie in person! Pray for the obvious but also pray for Karen's dad who is going with them. He's not a believer, and now he's gonna spend three weeks in close proximity with several believers and a Christian adoption process. :-)

2nd, Matt's birthday is in 17 days! If you wanted to send a card or anything, don't forget! He'll be a big 24...joining me in my old age. :-P