Happy Birthday Mommy!

It's funny how as the years come and go, and so do birthday's, that your perspective changes and it is truly about the little things in life that bring you joy and love. This past weekend we celebrated my birthday(yes! I am proud to say that I am 29 yrs old) by staying at the lake, riding on the boat, hanging out with friends, shopping, fishing and just being together as a family. It was awesome!!!

Oliver & Mommy taking a nap together!

Friday afternoon started out a little rocky because Oliver got his 6 month shots and he decided to be very DRAMATIC about it. Poor little fella was not happy at all about the shots but I am very happy to report that he is very HEALTHY. He weighs 21lbs, he is 27 inches long, he is in the 90% for everything at his age and Dr. Tripp was very, very impressed with his developmental skills for his age. YIPPIE!!!

That's my sweet baby boy:)

After Oliver's appointment we headed to Tastee Freez to meet up with Daddy. YUMMM!!! Then we headed home to pack up the house(all of Oliver's "must have" stuff) so we could head out to Grandpa and Grammy's lake house for a couple of nights. Saturday morning Oliver woke up nice and early, 5:30am, and he and Daddy gave me the cutest and sweetest birthday card that I have ever received. I love hand-made cards from my two men!!! They also had a Happy Birthday Mommy cookie cake for me so I was super excited. After some cookie cake and a family nap our friends Chris and Catherine came out to ride on the boat and just chill out for a while. Oliver had so much fun flirting with Catherine and we all had such a great and relaxing time. What more could I ask for!?!....an AMAZING husband, a wonderful son, great friends, singing nephews over the phone, cookie cake, time out on the water and soaking up some sun. It was a truly amazing birthday!!!

Oliver and Daddy driving the boat!

On Sunday morning we went for a boat ride over to Black's Fish Camp for some breakfast and then drove around for a while and just soaked up some sun. It was so great to have some family time on the boat and Oliver loved watching the water race by as Daddy drove the boat.

He hates to wear his life jacket but he loves to take naps on the boat!

On Sunday afternoon we headed home because Dee Dee and Daddy T came into town. They took us to dinner at Outback Sunday night and Oliver was definitely in his element. Between pulling our drinks over, eating crackers and licking on lemons he was a handful to say the least but we survived with a lot of laughs and mischief memories of our little man. I can truly say that I have two of the BEST PARENTS in the world. They have always been my biggest fans in life and they have always encouraged me to follow what God has purposed in my heart. They also love and respect "my family" which means more to me than they will ever know. I love you both very much and I am forever grateful for the times that we have shared, and will share, together. Dee Dee was even sweet enough to get up with Oliver at 4:30am to feed him so Mommy could get some extra sleep. Thanks Mom....you are the BEST!!! Monday morning Daddy, Grandpa and Daddy T went fishing while Dee Dee, Mommy and Oliver went shopping at the Tanger Outlet's. Dee Dee had too much fun with all the sales going on and she bought Oliver all sorts of new outfits. He was in heaven while we shopped because he flirted with everyone, Dee Dee spent money on him and he got to explore/study a new place. We later met up with Daddy and Daddy T for some lunch and then it was time for Oliver to take a nap. Sadly, Dee Dee and Daddy T had to head back home so the Sona clan snoozed the afternoon away.

Oliver in his pool!

After Oliver's nap we went in the backyard and got in his little pool. He LOVES it!!! I think that he would stay in there for hours if he could and getting him out is not a fun task. He is definitely a water loving kid which truly excites us!!!

He would stay in his pool for hours if we would let him!

In Oliver's Eye's!

We have often wondered what this world seems like through our little mans eye's. He is always looking around when we go to new places, jumping with excitement when someone talks to him or giving the most adorable, loving and sincere smile you have ever seen when you give him a hug or kiss. It literally takes our breath away at times when we watch him as he sleeps, do something new and to hear his sweet voice as he talks up a storm. Matt and I have often found ourselves teary eyed when we look at him because we are in awe of God's miracle that he gave to us. We know that we are here as parents to love him, guide him and encourage him through life. But, we also know that as he grows we must give him independence so he can be the man that our Creator purposed in his heart since the very beginning. How awesome and trustworthy is our God!?! We know that it is only by HIS grace, love and strength that we will be a source of God's light in Oliver's life and we are eternally grateful that he has blessed us with the opportunity to be that light.

Here are a few things that we imagine is how Oliver sees the world through his innocent little eye's!

* Showers/Bath Time - Dancing in the rain with an endless amount of bubbles and LOVING the game of get Mommy wet by SPLASHING her:)

*Bottle - An endless flow of pleasure, comfort and delight(YES! Oliver does hold his own bottle now)

* Car Rides - A roller coaster adventure through rain forests, giants, animals and the night sky

* Kisses - A feather that gently tickles his cheeks and neck that results in such a joyful laughter that can light up the room

* Tummy Time - A personal workout of the abs, neck, legs and arms

* Hugs - A reminder of what God's love feels like

* Play time in his crib - Watching a popcorn sky with airplanes flying around(he has a model airplane hanging from his ceiling)

* Mat time - Time to practice on his skills of separating his noise toys to one side of him and his other toys to the other side of him(too funny to watch but he really does it)

Grandpa's Little Captain!

Oliver has a new nickname....Grandpa's Little Captain! Oliver absolutely adores his Grandpa and he lights up as soon as he hears his voice or sees his face. It is priceless!!! They are best bud's, as Grandpa would say, that love to drive the boat together and just feel the wind in their face. Oliver thinks it is the coolest thing in the world to play with the steering wheel and controls on the dashboard.....it entertains him for quite some time which Mommy and Daddy love:). He also loves the fact that Grandpa will let him steal a few sips of his Diet Mt. Dew when Mommy is not looking(yes....Grandpa got "the look" , as Matt would call it, when she saw him doing this). But, no matter what "bad" things Grandpa might teach, or allow, Oliver to do it is truly a gift from God to watch the bond between the two of them. He loves his Grandpa so much!!!

Oliver sitting in Grandpa's lap just enjoying those fingers:)

We had so much fun last weekend out at Grandpa and Grammy's lake house. Uncle PCann(Phillip), Aunt Sherry, Jessica, Kenzie and Lauren came down from Conway to hang out for the day. Oliver loves to go riding on Grandpa's pontoon boat because he loves to sit in Grandpa's lap and drive. It is too cute!!! Of course, Grandpa's little captain really just loves to mess with the controls and drool all over the place but he smiles the entire time. Oliver has already found his sea legs and he loves the lake. We had so much fun hanging out with the family, eating boiled peanuts, swimming in the lake and riding on the boat.

Mommy and Daddy with Oliver in the lake...HE LOVED IT!!!

Kenzie and Jessica with Oliver

Matt caught a fish and it freaked the girls out...lol;)

Oliver sitting in Grandpa's lap!!!

Lauren is a little FISH....she loves to swim:)

Aunt Sherry feeding Oliver his bottle!

"I will sleep..............

Asleep in the bathroom.....Daddy was too scared to move him:)

anywhere you put me if I am tired enough Mom and Dad." Oliver can sleep just about anywhere if he is tired enough. He fights sleep like a champ but once he is out all you hear is him snoring. Daddy picks Oliver up from his babysitter everyday and when they get home Daddy usually needs a shower because he is dirty from work that day. So, the usual routine is to put Oliver in his vibrating bouncy seat in the bathroom with him so he is right there if the little man needs something. Well, Oliver loved the sound of the shower so much the other day that he passed out right there in his bouncy seat. When I got home from work that day I noticed that Oliver wasn't in the den with Matt. Where could the little man be? That's right.....he was still in the bathroom passed out in his bouncy seat and just snoring away. It was the funniest thing to see him in there and to know that Daddy didn't dare try to move him in fear that he would wake up. I never know what I am going to find when I get home from work each day. But, no matter what I find it always fills my heart with joy and love to see my wonderful husband and son. I truly feel like the the most blessed wife and mother in the world.

Just precious!

Riding on the golf cart!

His most favorite place to sleep is in his crib. Praise the lord!

In his walker!

At a baseball game!

In his car seat!

In his bouncy seat while Mommy dries her hair!

In the bed with Daddy on EARLY weekend mornings!

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Yaw!

Chris and Catherine leaving for their honeymoon!!!

We are so EXCITED for these two amazing people! Our dear friends Chris and Catherine were married this past weekend and it was an absolutely beautiful wedding. Matt and I can remember fondly the day/night that they we found out that they got engaged and the joy that we felt was indescribable. Chris and Catherine are special to us for so many reasons but one of the greatest honors for us is that they are Oliver's godparents. We had so much fun celebrating with them on their wedding weekend. We know that the funny stories, new friends and memories made will last a lifetime.

Cutting the cake!

I wish that I could put down into words how special Chris and Catherine are to us as a family. They have been so supportive, encouraging and caring to us. They are the most fun couple to hang out with and when life is getting too crazy, or serious, they are the one's we call because just being around them helps us to relax, have fun and just enjoy life. Matt has had the pleasure of knowing both of them for many years. He met Catherine in elementary school and he met Chris when he moved to a new school for high school. I met them when Matt and I got engaged and I moved back to the Charleston area. I will have to say from my own personal experience that they are two of the most accepting and genuine hearted people that I have met since I moved back here. Matt and I can only pray to one day make half the impact on their lives as they have in ours so far. We love you both very much and we wish you a lifetime of happiness, love and laughter together.

Me with the love of my life!!!

Megan, Brinkley, Frank and Tommy

Me with the very happy groom!

Nick, Chris, Frank and Matt

You might be wondering...."where in the world was Oliver during all this time?" Well, he had a fun and much needed parent break weekend at Dee Dee and Daddy T's. He was so excited when we drove up and he saw Dee Dee just waiting for him. He had so much fun seeing and playing with his Uncle Rob, Aunt Risha, Bayler and Bridges. Dee Dee and Daddy T took him on several grocery store runs, out to lunch, around to see some family friends and he even got a visit from his friend Dean. On Sunday Oliver attended a special prayer service for Bayler and his very first family reunion. Apparently, he was the cutest little fella there and all of the family just ate him up with kisses and hugs. Thank you so much Dee Dee and Daddy T for hanging out with Oliver over the weekend. He had a blast and we hope that the memories that were made will last a lifetime. We love you both!!!

Oliver with his Dee Dee!!!

Oliver with his Daddy T!!!

The Power of Prayer is REAL!!!

PRAISE THE LORD!!! If you were able to read my previous post you will know that this is an update on our sweet Bay Bay. I received an ecstatic call from my mom tonight saying that the doctor's from New York had called Rob and Risha with some hopeful news. They are asking Rob, Risha and Bayler to return to New York at the end of this week to run some more tests and HOPEFULLY do some radiation treatments on his new tumors. Rob and Risha are so relieved and thankful to have some HOPE breathed back into their family. This also goes to show each of us just how quickly things can change in their lives at any given second of any given day. So, here is the "plan"(we call it a plan but we know that nothing is set in stone at this point)....Rob, Risha and Bayler will head back to New York probably on Thursday. Once they get there they will do some more tests and possibly radiation. They really are not sure of anything past getting back to New York. Either way we are super excited that God has opened up this door for Bay Bay and we are all prayerfully seeking his direction on this new adventure. Please continue to keep praying for Rob, Risha, Bayler and Bridges in the coming days and weeks. PRAYER can change things!!!

Bayler needs your prayers!

Our oldest nephew Bayler, who is 7 years old, needs your prayers in a big way. Bayler has been battling a rare childhood cancer for the past two years and his parents received some very heart breaking news yesterday. It looks like the hospital in New York is not going to be able to give Bayler treatments anymore. He and his parents, Rob and Risha, having been traveling back and forth to New York since January in hopes to have this "miracle treatment" work in Bayler's little body. Everything looked good for a while but just last week they found out that Bayler had two new tumors growing in him. From what I can understand it is basically like the cancer cells in Bayler's body are too strong and reproduce way too quickly for any treatment to work. Where do they go from here? Well, that is the question that has everyone puzzled and the honest answer for now is we have no clue at all. The doctor's are not sure that even the chemo or radiation can help at this point. Rob, Risha and the doctor's are still weighing their options and will do what they think is best for Bayler in the coming weeks. Please just keep Rob, Risha, Bayler and Bridges in your prayers each and everyday.

Our Prayer for Bayler

Father God, we just thank you and praise you Lord for Bayler. You have used him in so many ways to touch our lives and the lives of so many others. Your love, grace and joy shines through his eyes and smile daily and we are forever changed because of it. You knew the plans you had for him before he was even in his mother's womb and we trust Lord that you are carrying out those plans to glorify your name and your kingdom. We know that you are ultimately in control of all things! We ask that you would wrap your loving arms around Rob, Risha, Bayler and Bridges and just comfort them in only a way that you can. We lift their decisions up to you Lord and ask you to guide them and their hearts. You give us life and you take it away but no matter what happens you are always here with us and life with you is eternal. Even though our hearts are breaking we will choose to say BLESSED BE YOUR NAME LORD because through it all we know that your love is unmeasurable. We pray for healing on Bayler's body for you are the ultimate healer and through you anything and everything is possible. We pray for peace to pour over the family, joy to flow abundantly in their hearts, comfort to hug them so tightly and your love to wipe away the tears from their eyes. In the dark moments we pray that your light will shine through and keep their hearts warm with your love. We thank you for your love, for Bayler and his family, for all that you have done, are doing and will do in the times to come. We trust in you Lord with all our heart, soul and mind for YOU ARE GOOD....ALL THE TIME!!! AMEN!!!