Just Another Week

So things around here have been pretty good. There's so much going on but somehow or another all my posts end up being about Joel. (He's not spoiled or anything right?! I just can't believe I've become "one of those moms" that all she ever does is talk about her kid. ha ha ha)

So last weekend Tj had to fly down to the Bahamas. He knew he was going to be there all day and so he invited me to go along. So we begged Grandma and Grandpa to watch Joel (it was a huge sacrifice!) and Tj and I spent the day on the beach in Marsh Harbor. Now I will admit that I did feel a little guilty being away from Joel but it was such a relaxing day. Because this is the slow season the beach was so empty and quiet. For most of the day it was just Tee and me and the captain that flew down with us. It was so peaceful and nice.

So I was pretty excited. This week I got a notice that Lasting Impressions (a card making/scrapbooking site) was having a big 20% off sale. I've been eyeing this scrapbooking software and with the sale going on it was just the incentive I needed to buy it! So I'm really excited to get that in and start doing Joel's scrapbook. Now I won't have an excuse since it will all be on the computer. I can't wait to get it in.

Speaking of Joel a post would not be complete without his latest pictures so here we go-

The only time Joel will attempt to roll over on his own is when he's sleeping!


Joel found his thumb.


Joel with his new toy. I don't' get it but he LOVES it.


Trying to figure out his new toy.
(Grandpa thinks it's a sign that he's going to be an engineer.
He's convinced that Joel is a genius!)


The start of one of Joel's heart melting smiles.

Joel's Blessing

So I know I'm a little late posting these but when I went to do them last weekend the program was being dumb and wouldn't let me finish uploading the pics. So hopefully this time around will work!

Okay, so here we go. Joel was blessed last Sunday September 10th in our ward (the Daytona Beach Ward). Grandma and Grandpa Rosen were there, our friends Aaron and Kimberlee Newman were there and we were grateful that our friends Aaron, Davina, Alyssa and Rebecca Fallaw made the trip up for his blessing. It was kind of an eventful day. It started because I was running late so we walked into church with only a couple minutes to spare. Fortunately there was still a long bench for us to all sit together on. Then the bishopric almost forgot that we were blessing Joel. Tj had to go up to the front and remind him while the introduction to the sacrament hymn was playing. Fortunately the Blackmans (the family that does the music for our ward) noticed what was going on and stopped the music so we could bless Joel.
Then I forgot to send a pacifier up with Tj so Joel's blessing was a little on the short side b/c Joel was getting antsy. But it was nice. We had Tj, Grandpa Rosen, Bishop Edinger, Aaron Fallaw, Aaron Newman, Chip Barrett and Brian Hartley (men that Tj works with in YMs and family friends) participated in the blessing. It was short and sweet but it was a nice blessing.
Then Tj's mom had us all over to their house for dinner. It was delicious and it was nice to just get to visit and spend time with everyone. And Joel was even pretty good for most of the time~ which was nice since it was his nap time.
It was kind of small and we missed having my family there but it was a nice day. Anyhow, below are some pictures from his blessing.

The Rosen Family on Joel's blessing day.

(Joel didn't wear all white b/c the outfit I liked Tj did not. Not only did he not like it, he thought it was so bad that when I showed it to him he thought I was kidding. He called it "An Arabian Prince outfit". So we just blessed Joel in his normal church clothes.)

Joel with Dad and Grandpa

Manda and Davina with the kids.
(The kids were getting fussy and cranky and of course wouldn't look at the camera but it's a pretty good picture of Davina and me.)

Joel Update

Joel is growing so fast! It seems like every once in awhile I look at him and think, "when did he grow?!" It's pretty amazing and fun. Everyone always tells you how fast it goes but it really is hard to believe.

This week we brought Joel into work. He was a regular celebrity. Everyone couldn't wait to see him. For most of them it was the first time. He was pretty smiley. I was grateful for that especially since he had to be woken up from his nap for the trip. He was talking and smiling for the girls and of course they all loved him!

This week he has also found his laugh. When Tj gets home he can't wait to talk and smile and laugh for daddy. In fact Tj got him to laugh for the first time. He is such a happy baby! It's so fun to go in and get him in the morning when he's smiling and talking away.

Joel is tolerating his tummy time better. He'll prop himself up and if I set a mirror in front of him he'll coo and smile at himself. He still only really likes it in small doses but at least he doesn't scream the whole time. He's also getting ready to roll over. This is especially apparent when I'm trying to change his diaper- he'll start twisting his hips trying to roll. He will roll over if you take his hand and help guide him over. On the one hand it's exciting but on the other it will make leaving him places a little more challenging. I guess it's time to go start baby-proofing the house!