California.

We went to California! What!?  So random...but so completely great!  Ness was going home to California with Parker, and asked us to go, along with some of our best buds!  So, Megan and Clara, Jenny and Asher, Vanessa and Parker, and Oak and I, packed up and headed west! (P.S.  This is mine AND Oaks first time to California.)

The plane ride stories alone need their own posts...but in a nutshell, this picture gives you a glimpse into what the ride to Cali was like:

Yup.  Diarrhea. Or diarrear, as my Mama would say.  All up Oak's back.  Oak had his first ear infection the week before we left, so he was on antibiotics, which gave him diarrear.  Ness and I were on the plane out there together...so while we were waiting I grabbed a latte. (what was i thinking!?)

Here is the rundown of Oak and I's first plane ride together...

made it through security with ease(and help from greg!)...check.

notice the people looking at the four of us hoping we aren't on their plane...check.

change diaper one last time...check.

get moby wrap on...check.

put baby in moby...check.

wait 'til the last second to board...check.

oak and i touch the outside of the plane(weird family thing)...check.

realize the latte is a mistake pretty quick, give to flight attendant...check.

squeeze through the tiny aisle(that seemed a lot smaller than usual) past the big nice first class seats...check.

meet eyes with the poor people who will experience Oaks first plane ride with us...check.

oh goodie, center seat...check.

girl in window seat who sleeps the whole time...check.

lady who sets up very intense office in aisle seat...check.

1x1 sq.ft. area to hold/nurse/entertain/put to sleep Oak in...check.

HERE WE GO!!!

Oak immediately starts fussing as we wait on the plane to leave.  We finally get going and I awkwardly nurse him as we take off.  He falls a sleep for, ehhh, 30 minutes.  Wakes up, we "play." He poops. I look down. (see pic above). Did I mention the 1x1 cubical we were in? And the aisle lady that was doing some serious work next to us?  And that I would probably be the last person to ask to get up?

So...somehow, (i think it was a miracle) Oak's diaper and clothes get changed. (Could you pause for a second and realized what went into that? wipes, dirty diaper, extra long baby, butt paste, dirty clothes, clean clothes, clean diaper, diaper bag...not to mention he had a TERRIBLE diaper rash from the diarrear that needed to air out!!!? and some tendin' to.) Anyways...

Office lady pretended nothing was happening.

The rest of the ride was pretty good.  We "played" for a while in our 1x1 cubical ( so fun!).  And some more. Then the mister finally fell asleep. whew!  Longest plane ride of my life (including Thailand).

Here's the man on his first plane ride with the plane grandma got him:

Ta-da!!! We made it to California!!!

Ness's dad picked us up from the airport. Car seats and all.  Can I tell you how amazing her parents are?  They had carseats, strollers, pack-n-plays, highchairs, exer-saucer, and toys all ready for us.  We were spoiled.  I can't imagine traveling by yourself with all that extra stuff.  

After meeting up with the rest of the crew (at Ness's sister, Al's, appartment in LA) we went to Santa Monica Pier for some beach time!!!  

This pic is RIGHT before the tide came up real high and Oak and Asher were almost swept away with the sea.  Not really, but seriously.

And this is after we all screamed, the cold water came crashing into them, and they were rescued by highly trained instinctive mothers who almost yanked their arms out of socket, all in a total of 3 seconds.  Not scary for the little guys at all.

And happy to be alive again.

BFF's. 

Bath time after swimming in the ocean.  

A fun lunch in downtown Riverside.

Fruit trees everywhere.  I want to plant a lemon tree.

Behind Ness is the church she and Z got married in.  Cute.

The following pictures are hilarious.  Well, I think they are.  I was taking pictures of Oak in their backyard and Ginger came outside and this is what happened.

well... hello.

that was nice... my dog doesn't do that.

hmmm...yup. best friends.

really? you love me?

really?!!!!!!

well....I love you too.

so happy together.

Janet, Ness' mom, with all her babies.

Janet and Burton were soooo good to us.  Janet had a friend come over and they watched all four babies, and she sent us to get massages or pedicures.  Jenny and I had massages (which were really great) and Ness and Meg got pedicures.  Janet made us amazing home cooked meals every night.  Burton made us his famous eggs and rice for breakfast one morning.  We soaked in the hot tub late one night talking about the husbands.  Janet, Burton and Rach watched the babies while we went to get yogurt one night.  We went to downtown riverside for lunch one day.  Most of all, we did A LOT of relaxin'...and it was GREAT.  It was so fun to see where Ness is from and get to know her family more.  We love Vanessa, and she has an amazing family.

the famous, In-N-Out...I give it a thumbs up.

These next beach pictures are from Balboa Island.  Such a cute island filled with shops and beach houses.  Made me feel like I was in a small town.  Love it.

Eating "Balboa Bars."

Cute, old, rich guys just hanging out.

my lemon trees!

These next pics are from Fashion Island.  It is a beautiful outdoor mall (can you say a mall is beautiful?  well, this one is).

the ocean is in the background...promise.

rachel, ness' sister, and oaks best friend.

We had such an amazing time in California.  I love our friends and am so blessed to walk with them.  It was so fun to spend 3 whole days with Meg, Jenny and Ness.  I feel like we got to know each other that much better.  Such amazing friends.

Okay, I have to document the plane ride home.  This time I decide I 'm going to be brave and ask my row partners if I could have the aisle seat.  After all, this would be better for EVERYONE involved.  

This time I have the window seat.  Tom Selleck (had to be his twin) was in the center, and Juan who doesn't speak a ton of english ( at least he pretended like he didn't) was in the aisle seat.  

So I awkwardly give them my song and dance about letting me have the aisle seat. 

 Tom quickly moves over but Juan tries to explain to me that he will need to get his laptop. WHAT?! And that he doesn't mind getting up.

 (GREAT...need i remind you...i'm not good at asking people to get up?! shheesh.) So...dun dun dun...who now has the CENTER seat once again? YUP.YUP.YUP.

SO, HERE WE GO AGAIN.  (Only this time, i'm with two MEN.  This could get a bit tricky.)

We sit down, get situated, and bam...Oak starts crying. 

 Tom asks me if this is his first time. 

I smile and say, "his second."

Tom says, "this is my first next to a baby."

OH GOOD. GOOD.

Oak is still crying.  I'm trying to hold off nursing him until we take off, because of his ears.  We start towards the runway and I realized I can't get my shirt down to nurse.  

OKAY PAUSE.  let me remind you of the 1x1 cubical...two men on either side.  crying baby. hooter hider. can't get shirt down to nurse. i feel like im trying to get to the top of the boat on the Titanic and the water is rising.  seriously. thank you for the pause.

So, i'm going to have to get the moby wrap off.  

I look at Tom.

"Tom, can you hold him real quick." (literally held Oak, like the real Tom Selleck held Mary for the first time on Three Men and a Little Baby) 

I get the moby off.

Grab Oak.

Shove him under the hider and SILENCE.

AND AWKWARD.  

There we sit.  Juan, Tom, Oak, Me, and my breast.

The rest of the flight went pretty well, next time I'll request an all girl aisle and demand the aisle seat. 

 Dad came and picked us up from the airport!  I have to admit I was kind of sad his shirt didn't say anything about me.  We were about half-way home until I figured out the "ra" was ME!  LauRA. duh. I get it now. Whew, close call.  Oak and I were so glad to see this guy.

your hands.

you've loved your hands from day one.  i have too.

one of my favorite things is when we are driving in the car...if you start to get fussy, i'll give you my hand...and you are content.  You play with my hand until you fall asleep...and it melts my heart ever time.

...can't wait to see what all you do with your hands...

"I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands."

Psalm 63:4

3.6.2011

an incredible sunday afternoon.

hilarious.

< watch this, oak! >

< wait, how do you do that?! >

cinco.

HAPPY FIVE MONTHS MR. OAK!!!

Your 5 month pictures were taken at approximately...um...10:30 pm.  whoops! (These are your first "month pictures" where you can sit up all by yourself!)  We have had a busy day and I forgot until VERY late!  But you were a trooper!  We came home from Martins Mill this morning with Grandma because we had a Thirty-One Party yesterday at Raquisha's house.  Grandma came home with us so she could watch you while I went to sewing class.  Yall had lots of fun! (especially grandma!...she likes you just a little bit :) )  

When I got home, we picked up Daddy from school, got some frozen yogurt (sooo yummy) and went to Old Navy.  Grandma got you some shorts (shocker) and her a scarf (shocker).  I returned a skirt (shocker).  We went home and you took a nap and we laid outside in the sun...it has been a beautiful day!  Alissa came over and we got chips and salsa at Chuy's, coffee at Common Grounds, and then went to Cameron Park for a pre-dinner "snack," while waiting for Pa to get here.  Daddy went to a birthday get together with some buddies.  We ate with Pa, came home, took some pictures, and you crashed.  Before you crashed, you played HARD, including some scooting!!!  Or maybe a pre-scoot?  You are pushing your bottom up and pulling forward on your mat!  So cute!  But I'm not ready for you to crawl! 

You are such a happy boy!  I love to watch you laugh.

Here are some stats on you these days:
-you are sitting up!!!  you sat up for the first time in tulsa.  I still wouldnt leave you by yourself (at least not without the boppy around you) but you are doing an awesome job!

-not rolling over much...maybe not at all this month!? that stuff is old school...moving on... :) ha!

-size 3 diapers

-6 months + on clothes...safe bet would be 12 months

-sweetest smile in the whole wide world...i wouldnt be surprised if some teeth popped out on the bottom pretty soon...you are chewing on EVERYTHING and love for me to rub your gums

-you swung for the first time

-you've been pretty snotty the past couple weeks...and you are SICK of the booger plunger...but I am determined you will not have boogers in your nose and will have to admit retrieving those guys gives me such a feeling of accomplishment. beat em at their own game. :)

-daddy had spring break...we did a lot of picnics and we went to the zoo! your first time!  too bad you didnt notice the orangoutang RIGHT in front of you...maybe a couple more months?!

-we had your church dedication

Our nights are always different.  The past couple nights you have basically eaten all night long, whenever you want.  I'm hoping this isn't a new phase!     

Oh my goodness, this gets more and more fun each day.  YOU are incredible.  I love being your mom.  I love watching you.  I LOVE your wonder.  I wish i could know what you are thinking.  

You love to watch Norman run around.  You think he is pretty funny. He still doesnt know about you. :)

I love you Oak Jackson.  YOU bring us so much joy.  

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."  Matthew 5:8

happy birthday uncle bill

Oak,

Your Uncle Bill is one of the greatest men you will know. 

 He is solid.  He is a seeker of the Lord.  He is hilarious.  

                                                                 

And I love him to death.

I can't wait for yall to make some crazy fun memories together.  It's gonna be fun to watch.

YOU, brother, are incredible.  I am so thankful for your life.  

"Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible."  Ephesians 6:24

the planting of the Lord

This past Sunday, March 6th, your dad and I made a commitment to raise you and train you to know God.  

Wow.   

Kinda a big deal.

 Of course we knew we would raise you in this way before we even knew about you,  but when I stop and think about the great responsibility we have as parents...it's kind of overwhelming.  Of all the things your dad and I might do, could do, will do, to further His kingdom...

our loving and teaching YOU to love the Lord, will be what has the greatest impact.  

We are so proud of you, Oak Jackson.  We pray that you will be called an oak of righteousness.  You have been planted to display His glory.  We pray the effect of your righteousness will be peace and the result of your righteousness, quietness and trust... that you would know and receive God's love, that you would be full of purity, in every way...That you would have an obedient heart toward God and a heart to know Him.  We pray that you would exude with thanksgiving, joy, peace, and a pure mind.

We praise God for you, Oak!  We love seeing Him, already, in your life!

"And I pray that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."  Ephesians 3:17-19