Look for the Rainbow

We headed up to New York on a blustery, rainy Thursday. There were tornado warnings up and down the east coast, so we were trying to leave as soon as possible. Literally five minutes before we were ready to walk out that door, the rains came. With the rain there was thunder. With the thunder there was panic. I hate traveling in inclement weather. It seems like people just don't know how to drive and there's always accidents on the highway. With our goal in mind and time not waiting for anyone ("Time waits for no man" as my Grandma Doris would say). Marc took all our suitcases out to the Explorer. Let me tell u Xavier gas prices are high, that's why we're taking the "better on gas" vehicle (Gas price in Pennsylvania: $3.95 regular and in N.Y. $4.25 regular). Soaking wet, Marc took Lil' X to the car and buckled him in. As we ran to the car with just our hoodies shielding us, I thought about how sugar melts in the rain. Aaand we're off!

It continued to rain all day on Tommy's birthday. The weather I know was a reflection of how many hearts felt on this day. We love and miss you dearly Tommy. When the rain stopped we all went outside and released balloons in honor of Tommy's birthday. Away the brightly colored "ma-boons" as Xavier would say, blew high up in sky sending with them our prayers and thoughts to Tommy.
The next day turned out to be an absolutely gorgeous day. The sun was shining, white puffy clouds over head, and temperature was comfortably in the low seventies. The three of us headed out to the cemeteries, we stopped along the way to pick up flowers. Crisp white lilies with an assortment little delicate flowers for Grandaddy and his Bride. "Happy birthday in heaven" banner surrounded with purple flowers for Tommy.

Solemnly we reflect.

We stayed in New York for three more days. Going back to the cematary on saturday along with Grandmama and Auntie with her family.

Supporting one another is what family is all about. This is how we stay connected, form stronger bonds and create cherished memories. God is Great always.

Easy, breezy sunday

Today is grey, windy and warm. Xavier has been sick for the past few days, but hes starting to feel better. We spent a relaxing day together inside our kid cave. Yes, we have a kid cave, it's closely related to the man cave. We have spoiled Xavier with the finest of toddler home entertainment. We recently bought him a Thomas the Train table along with more wooden tracks, battery operated Thomas and a little tykes basketball hoop, so he can learn how to slam dunk on his little adversaries. It's starting to get crowded in our family room! We love having fun with Xavier and spoiling him is easy to do. Ever since he was a baby, he's always been appreciative of every gift we have bought for him. The gifts that Marc has to put together with tools, Xavier is right along side of him with a play screw driver or wrench trying to help. We enjoy playing with him so its easy to get carried away with the toys.



Xavier's ready to get outside!



Daddy and X in back yard


Xavier holding the kite string. The wind was so strong Daddy had to tie the string around his finger so X wouldn't fly away. We can't wait for spring to finally arrive!

Comic Strip

I absolutely love this comic strip! I'm beaming from ear to ear looking at Marc's amazing job capturing Xavier as a cartoon. Xavier you'll see as your growing up how truly talented your daddy is. I asked Marc to write a comic stripe and he whipped this up tonight. Xavier and I managed to leave daddy alone for a few hours or more. We played with Xavier's Thomas the train set, X swung on his swing and he pee'd in the potty. Whoohoo! Then we ended the night by a watching His #1 show, The Fresh Beat band. Today was a wonderful busy day and I'm going to bed with a big smile on my face. Thank you Babe! Life is good.

The General

I'm just starting to feel better from having the flu for the past week and a half. My sinuses also have been acting up as well, leaving me to be no good to anyone(not completely true;). Having body aches and chills, all my body wanted to do is sleep and that's exactly what I did. It's a good thing Marc had off for four days to help me out. Then it was back to work. I felt bad for Xavier being stuck in the house with me. On some afternoons I'd bundle up and take him out the the park for a couple of hours. It's such a blessing that Xavier is a "goes with the flow" type of child. Still sick my body needed rest, Xavier would lay in bed with me until I got up. As soon as my eyes opened he would get right in my face with a big smile and a little laugh. I'd get him all washed up, changed and get his breakfast. He's not much of a breakfast eater. Now all he likes to eat is fruit and some sort of starch i.e. waffles(barely) toast(maybe) pancakes(rarely) and of course his juice.
Which doesn't sound too bad, oh and he likes to eat turkey bacon(sometimes) but I'm not sure if chewing up and spitting out is exactly eating. Some foods Xavier will chew up and spit it out onto his plate. This is a little embarrassing when we all go out to eat. God bless him, but what can ya do, he's only two. Recently we went out to our favorite Chinese restaurant. Not only do they have the best food but every time we go there they treat our little sweety pie like he's a celebrity. Short of getting photographed Xavier is greeted with big smiles, high fives and small conversation that a two year old can handle. We havnt been there for months so it was nice to finally be able to go. It's funny to think as I'm writing this, we've mainly have been going to Chucky Cheese. Hmm, so we fix our plates. I usually get Xavier lo mein, french fries, spring roll, and vegatable rice. You think he ate any of it? Nope, but thats ok. All he wanted to eat was General Tso's chicken off of our plates. The chicken was made spicy hot, but he kept eating. Marc went up and got X a plate of his own, full of General Tso chicken. It was great that he was eating and loved it. The only thing was that he was chewing it up and spitting about 40% out. By the time we were all done eating there was a plate piled up with what looked like cat food. "Check please".

'addy's first words

Lissen up! Y'all may've heard of me around here...I go by many names, but Xavier calls me......'ADDY!!! (lightning...thunder sound effects here!) HAHA! I'm so glad Sonia started this new blog to further document our experiences as the parents of one of the coolest little boys ever to strum a guitar, or play the drums. After 2 and a half years of watching lil' Xav grow, so many things have become clear. One of the most apparent, is that he is very soulful. The way he connects with whats going on around him is amazing. It seems like he finds the rhythm in everything. Watching TV or listening to the radio is always fun. If he hears a melody that he digs, he will BOLT around the house lookin for one of his guitars (God help us if he cant find it) And return to go thru the motions like a true "Rock God"! Gyrating! Closing his eyes! Swaying back and forth! And when he's done, this kid, this TODDLER, will raise the guitar with one arm over his head and simply drop it to the floor! NOT something me and Sonia are thrilled about by the way, (not on the hardwood floor!) but we are entertained. And while I might jam with him, noone taught him his moves. Thats the cool thing about watching a baby grow into a little person; we get to see how a true individual comes to be. A true talent. And man! Xavier is one to watch. Just when I think I couldnt be anymore proud of him, my son melts my heart all over again. I cant wait to write more. Sonia and I have big plans for the future. Thank God we're all healthy, (well, Sonia and Xavier both have colds, but we're handling it), and our families are doing well. (missing uncle Tommy, but taking it one day at a time, and keeping his memory alive)
Thank God for all of our blessings, through all of our ups and downs. Through all the trials of life that we never see coming, we are a family, and we only get stronger in love.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Happy, happy Birthday Daddy!

My mother came up to take Marc out for his birthday at the Cheesecake Factory. That's one of our favorite places to eat and apparently it's everyone else's. There was about an hour wait to be seated, we decided to wait it out. While we waited Xavier remembered his favorite place...the escalators, Ugh. Well at least the escalator takes us to the coin operated cars. That took up most of time as we waited for our seats. Xavier was good for the most part. Mom suggested that Marc should go sit on a massage chair as we waited. Good idea mom! Meanwhile Xavier started to get a little cranky so we went into the five dollar store. Lollipops work wonders when he gets restless. We always try to keep them handy when we take him shopping. When the lollipop lost its super powers it was time to call in Daddy. Like a true super hero Daddy saved the day. As my mom and I went into the restaurant, Marc took Xavier to nearby toy store. Ten minutes later we were called to be seated and in walks Daddy with Xavier, perfect timing. What a long wait, Xavier wouldn't have been the only one that needed a lollipop. We had a wonderful brunch. Anytime we go out to eat Xavier always gives a big hello and smile to the waiter(ess). He's not shy at all, he lets everyone know hes happy and excited to be wherever he is. We are so proud of him. When the appertizers came to the table Xavier was showing signs that he was tired. By Sucking on his pacifier, gently laying his head and carressing my arm. Xavier didn't want to eat his mac' and cheese and instead ate my fries with ketchup. At the end of our meal Xavier and I were so tired. I'm feeling under the weather and it was past nap time. Then all the waiters came out singing happy birthday to Marc. Xavier blew out the candle, we had dessert then it was time to leave. We all thanked my mother for coming and taking Marc out for his birthday. Xavier didn't want grandma to leave. He cried and she'd give him even more kisses with hugs. Thanks grandma for coming to visit. Now it was nap time or so we thought...

Pokey Puppy

Woke up this morning to Xaviers face on my pillow. I was admiring his little brown face, bright eyes, long lashes and I cant forget to mention his sweet tiny smile. Theres nothing better than this. The room is quiet, a comfy blanket keeping me warm and Xavier next to me. Instead of giving me his usual contagious laugh, he barks then pants like a little puppy. This made me smile and giggle to myself. Who needs a boring "good morning" to start your day. I think it would be great to wake to a new salutation every once in awhile just to keep things spontaneous. Getting back to our lil puppy. When I visit my mother, Xavier would excitedly walk her dog inside the house. This is pretty much what his visits consist of. Him walking a toy pomeranian back and forth from kitchen to living room. He loved walking the little dog so much that I bought him a leash for his stuffed tiger. Then eventually bought him a lil toy puppy to take on walks. He loves dogs, so much so that hes been acting like one. He gets on all his fours, panting then lets out a bark or two. He's too cute and has a great imagination. He's always been so observant taking everything in, hes got the puppy mannerisms perfectly.