Milestones, Phrases Tue, Oct 7, 2008 It amazes me to see how much Za’Niece is growing and absorbing.  She is full of surprises!! She is saying “Amen” without prompting.  Sometimes we hear it DURING the prayer, if daddy gets a little too long with it. (smile) We had our first “PeePee in the Potty” on September 29th.  We even made up a song and dance to celebrate the occasion. Her frequent phrases:– Ask any question and you will get either, “I don’t know” or “I know”. (does she really…I doubt it) Special Request: Dora (favorite cartoon), Cookie (any food item, but in particular Gold Fish) We have been counting the stairs as we go up and down them for the past month and now she will blurt out a number as we get to it.  Five and Six are the numbers we hear the most for right now. As much as I enjoying seeing her grow in knowledge, I also hate to see her grow up. {sniff}

Family Reunion Sun, Aug 10, 2008 The Earl Family Reunion has come to an end and we had a GREAT TIME!!   ZaNiece had a fun filled week with the family.  The family dinner was Thursday night at the Crowne Plaza hotel. She loves to dance so this was right up her alley.  She danced all night, like her daddy. Saturday was the family picnic up at Red Top Mountain.  She was so tired out that she did not wake up until noon on Sunday.  Then Sunday she went swimming with her cousin Jackson.  What a weekend for an 18 month old!!!

Movie Debut Sun,July 13, 2008 That’s right folks, Za’Niece is a movie goer, in training.  We finally broke down and decided to try her out at the movies.  Of course we picked an action packed cartoon….Kung Fu Panda.  She had her own pop corn and soda and was completely in tuned for an hour and a half.    She laughed when we laughed and clapped at the end.  She was just too grown up for words.  This was a first and she did great!!!  We have lots planned for the Summer so we will keep you posted.

Catching Up Sat, Jul 12, 2008 Yes, I am trying to catch up. Za'Niece has been on the move and I have only been trying to keep up.  Favorite Word: WHAT! (that's right, when you call her name she says WHAT...it is driving me nuts.) Favorite Noise Maker: SCREAM!! (at the top of her lungs...oh nothing is wrong we just want to see how everyone responds when we do it.) She has lots of personality now. She loves being around the friends at the hall and getting lots of attention.  She is 17 months old now.  She really seems beyond that at times, but she is still my baby.

Visit to Grandparents and new tooth arrives Thu, May 1, 2008 Mike and I just got back from a trip out to Arizona, while Za'Niece stayed with her grandparents in Memphis, TN.  We took her to Memphis, April 11th and went back to get her April 28th.  Yes friends she was away from us for 12 days!!!  While we were away, she grew a little taller and she got her 4th tooth. (top right). She fell in line perfectly with the other 4 foster kids that my parents have (ages 2, 3, 4 and 6).  She didn't seem to miss us much at all, but her daddy missed her a great deal. We are back now and into our very busy routine.  Soon we will be flying up to Milwaukee, WI. This will be Za'Niece's 1st airplane ride and we hope it goes well, but we will keep you posted.

How Time Flies Mon, Feb 9, 2008 A year ago this time, I was holding a beautiful little baby girl in my arms with great joy and anticipation on the new few weeks, months and years. Well that first year has come and gone, and it has been absolutely wonderful.  She has brought so much joy into our lives. Watching her meet the many growth milestones and express her personality has been very exciting. We have enjoyed sharing this past year with you and will continue to do so as she moves on into our 2nd year.

Za'Niece is WALKING Sat, Dec 29, 2007 That's right folks....Za'Niece arrived at her grandparents on Friday, December 21st and started walking without the assistance or prompting from anyone.  We of course have video!!! She is 10 months old, (no teeth, yet) but walking!!!

First Steps Tue, Dec 4, 2007 We are so excited.  Za'Niece took two steps today.  We will see how long it takes her to build up the confidence to take a few more without our assistance.

9 months old Fri, Nov 9, 2007 Z is 9-months old TODAY!!! She is your typical 9 month old.  She tries to repeat noises that you make and she is waving when people acknowledge her.  Mama is coming in a little more clearly now and of course when we really try to get her to say it (mama), she goes back to dada. Za’Niece response very well to disciple from her daddy.  He basically only has to tell her something once and she complies…No, Stop, etc.  Me….well, it take more action from me than verbal.  GO FIGURE.  I can’t complain though because having a heavily involved father as Mike is makes it all the more enjoyable. Next week we go to get shots so I will have more accurate weight and height information.

First battle with illness Mon, Oct 29, 2007 For the first time, Z was sick over the weekend.   I am happy to say for the 'first time', considering she is almost 9 months old.  She had a virus and suffered with it for a couple of days.  She was not able to keep anything down or in.  Saturday was the peak of illness and Daddy and I got it good starting at 3:00 a.m. Saturday morning.  I took her to the doctor today and she is doing much better now. New Activity - we are starting to hear "mama"!! Yes, she is forming the lips to get mmmmm, out.  Still a work in progress, but hey I am excited!!!

Coming up on 8 months Mon, Oct 7, 2007 Za'Niece is coming up on her 8th month (October 9th) and she is growing and amazing us regularly.  She is a joy and as we see little traits she displays, we realize that this is a little Mike and Zan running around. Z loves when it is time to sing at the hall.  And SHE SINGS her heart out.  Although to others it sounds like a long 'ahhhhhh' to her she is doing what we are doing, Singing.  I will have new pictures up on the site soon....I know I have been slacking on this. I don't have anything really new to report.  She is sleeping throughout the night, crawling, walking around the furniture.  Basically she is being a 7-8 month old.

7 months and counting Mon, Sep 24, 2007 For the most part Za’Niece is just perfecting her skills (crawling, pulling up and walking while holding onto furniture).  She is LOTS of smiles with a bright personality which makes her an attention getter.   She is showing signs of separation anxiety especially between Mike and I, but we are working on it so that she knows daddy is just as important as mommy.   She is sleeping all night in her crib and is ready for bed by 8:00 p.m.  This is a really good schedule (except on meeting nights).  She usually gets really irritable when she can’t get to sleep by 8:00/8:30.    Funny Story: Last week Z gave Ms. Lois (babysitter) the scare of her life.  She went MIA and no one knew where she was.  Ms. Lois had turned her back to put another movie in for the kids to watch and while she was doing that Za’Niece decided to make a run/crawl for it!!!!   When Lois turned back around Z was gone and no one knew where she was so a search party of 3 year olds was sent out to look for ‘Sweet Baby’.  Well after a few mins. of panic.  Niyah found her in the kitchen standing and holding onto the back of chair.    After the fact, we laughed about it as we figure she was playing her first game of HIDE-N-SEEK!!!   Eight months is right around the corner.  I wonder what she will have in store for us now?

Z is now 1/2 a year old Mon, Aug 13, 2007 Z is now a ˝ year old.  The latest in activities:  Her favorite babble is Dadadadaada and she also likes to growl.  Not sure where that came from.  She is a professional crawler, can sit up by herself and plays well in her play yard.  Z got her first boo boo (injury), a bruised nose at daycare this week.   We have a walker for Z now so we are going to see how well she gets around in it.  We have another two weeks before we go to he doctor so we will have updated weight and height info soon. Aunt Janice and Uncle Jack will be here starting Friday, August 17th, so Za'Niece will be spending the entire week with them verses going to Mrs. Lois house.

On the MOVE Mon, Jul 30, 2007 Za’Niece has really been on the move now that she is crawling.  Mike and I are just trying to keep up.  Over the weekend I found her standing in her crib after I had put her down for a nap and she has mastered getting out of her Bumbo seat without any assistance.  Nothing is stopping her!!!  She is meeting and surpassing milestones faster than we expected and she will not be 6 months old for another 10 days!!!  I am really looking forward to her visit to the doctor on the 10th of August to see just how much she has grown.  We got her a high chair over the weekend, so today she will be eating like a big girl in her own sit for the first time.  I plan to start giving her a solid meal of cereal and veggies in the evening, hoping that she will begin to sleep longer in between feedings.  I am looking forward to a FULL night of sleep (6 hours would be nice)

Trip to the Atlanta Zoo Mon, Jul 23, 2007 Our trip to the Zoo was a fun one.  It was truly a day of leisure as we made our way from the exotic birds to the elephants.  Za’Niece started out our journey asleep, but when the smell of elephants met us, she quick rose to find out what all the ‘stink’ was about.  We had a chance to see many of the jungle animals and before we left we saw the baby Giant Panda.  Unfortunately, we were rained out before we could get to the other side of the Zoo and ride the train, but that just leaves us with more to look forward to when we return.  Z of course will need to be a tad bit older to enjoy all that the Zoo has to offer, but it was great to have her first visit documented. Za’Niece is crawling better now and heading in the RIGHT direction (forward).  When she sees something she really wants she goes for it now.  Her personality is one of joy and laughter and you can’t ask for more than that.  Her motto is “Talk to me and I will smile back.” Her babbles are sounding more and more like DaDa and less like MaMa, but hey, Da seems to be so much easier to get out these days.  We are keeping an eye out for that first tooth.  It could come any day now. Z will be 6 months old in 2 weeks so our next update will include her growth stats.  Her next appointment at the doctors is August 10th. That’s all for now.

Growing FAST Mon, Jun 4, 2007 Za’Niece will be 4 months old this weekend and boy how she is growing and progressing.  We really have to watch her closely now because she can turn over, from either her back or from her stomach now.  We have our one day assembly this weekend (June 10th) so we are looking forward to that.  We will have additional pictures added of her trip to Memphis and the Assembly. Next week she will go in for her second round of shots so be looking out for updates on her weight and length.

A New Look!!! Mon, May 21, 2007 We took Za’Niece to get her ears pierced this weekend.   The process itself did not go over very well with her, but the final product was a beautiful baby girl with gold earrings.  She actually seemed to know what was ABOUT to happen because she was having a fit and crying wildly while the technician was only trying to “mark” her ears for piercing.  She cried so hard that the people who walked by thought that she had already had the piercing done.  Well after it was over she went straight to sleep, but woke up happy.  She doesn’t even seem to realize that they are done, which is great. The past few weeks have been going very well.  She is talking more and seems to get a bit louder when I am on the phone, as if to out talk ME!! We are going back to Memphis, this weekend to celebrate Mama Pat and Papa Lee’s 30 Wedding Anniversary and will be visiting with more of the family this time as well. My goodness 4 months is fast approaching!!

Road Trip!!!! Mon, Apr 16, 2007 Za’Niece took her first road trip this weekend to Memphis, TN.  It was a quick last min. trip to bring the grandparents back for the week and our girl did good.  She was not fussy or irritable.   We had a chance to spend time with her Aunt Deborah and Aunt Janet.  We also got to see the newest addition to the family, her 1 week old cousin, Alexandria.  We have photos coming of the miniature reunion. Za’Niece also had her shots on Friday.  She had to have five all at one time so as you know she was not a ‘happy camper’.  Thank goodness for infant Tylenol.  This week she gets to spend her time entertaining Papa Lee and Mama Pat…Grandparents are truly a blessing…

A Birthing Story Mon, Apr 9, 2007 I can not believe it has taken me this long to get back out here and share with you the news on the birth and growth of Za'Niece....YES she is here and ALREADY 2 months old. Daddy, Mom, Jack and Janice were all here for the "special delivery".  Jack and Janice went to Memphis, TN and picked up Mom and Dad, so everyone was here on Thursday evening.  Mike and I got the call from the hospital at 3:00 a.m. Friday morning that they had a room for us and we could come on and check in.  We didn't wake the family because it was so late and everyone was resting from the trip down. I began laboring at 6:00 a.m. after they gave me a labor inducing drug. Everyone got to the hospital around noon and I was in full labor at that time.  As the afternoon proceeded, we began having trouble with Za'Niece's heart rate dropping whenever I had a strong contraction.  Dr. Chappell decided that it was becoming too risky to attempt natural labor so although we planned to have natural child birth and actually labored for 10 hours without any pain reducing drugs, we had to have an emergency C-section in the end.  We both came out of it healthy and Za'Niece was very alert, she even nursed 30 mins after I had her.  Everyone was in the birthing room waiting for our return from surgery and what joy it was when we were wheeled back into the room.  Tears of joy and excitment!!!  Za'Niece was being welcomed by her family!!! While Daddy (Mike) was on the phone calling all the family and friends, Uncle Jack was giving Za'Niece her first dance to the song "Step in the Name of Love".  We were moved to the room I would spend the next three days in and everything began to calm down.  After everyone went back home, Mike and I had a chance to sit back and take a look at our little baby girl and just how precious she was.  She stayed in the room with us 24/7 never leaving our side and we checked out on Monday, February 12th. Grand-Mama Pat spent four weeks with us and we cannot thank her enough nor Grand-Papa Lee for allowing her.  Mom just took over (in a good way) and allowed Mike and I the opportunity to recuperate.  Mike was back to work the next day and I had at least 4 weeks to go at it slow and heal. All is well now and today was her 1st day to the babysitters.  Ok, actually it is the 2nd day, because I had to try this out last week to try and get the separation issues resolved.  I did have a bit of sadness this morning when I left her, but no tears.  This week she goes in to the doctor to get her 2-month shots and you know this is not going to be good, but I am going to take the day off so I can be there for her in every way. I am back to work now, but I will be utilizing the site more, so look out for new pics.

38th Week Mon, Feb 5, 2007 The most anticipated week has finally arrived.  My last day at work was Friday so that I could take this week to prepare my mind and rest my body for inducement at the end of the week.  I had two doctor appointments today.  One was for my last ultra sound.  She is weighing in at 7lbs. 10oz, (give or take a pound).  The other appointment was to check to see if I had started dilating yet, and unfortunately I have not.  I have been scheduled for inducement Thursday evening into Friday morning.  We pray all will go smoothly and she will be here to receive all our hugs and kisses by Friday afternoon.   Daddy is very excited!!!! And he wants everyone to know that, YES HE WANTS A GIRL. (as if he could change his mind now)  He can’t wait to kiss and love his little baby girl when she arrives.

37th Week Mon, Jan 29, 2007 Well the famous phase “Expect the Unexpected” happened last Friday.  My visit to the OB-GYN sent us into another direction in regards to Za’Niece making her grand entrance this week.  There was a discrepancy regarding her due date between the Specialist who moved it to the 4th of February back in September and the OB-GYN who was sticking to the 14th of February (her original due date).  The OB-GYN refused to schedule the induction because they felt it is way too soon for Za’Niece to be delivered.  Therefore, my due date was moved back to the 14th of February and there will be NO inducing this week.   Mike and I are very happy with the results of this decision because I felt she was not ready as well and I really want to experience natural delivery….Let her come on her own, not with the use of drugs!!!!  We also found out that if they had proceeded I would have been at a very high risk of a C-Section (Something I DO NOT WANT!!).  We thank Jehovah that the OB-GYN spoke up and over ruled the Specialist.  We feel that she will come within the next few weeks anyway, but at least we now have the opportunity to wait and see what happens.   So family and friends we have to wait just a little longer.

36th Week Mon, Jan 22, 2007 We are down to the wire now!!  I am still feeling pretty good, although I am having frequent visit from.....(as Brother Randy Heuston calls it)....my new best friend, Braxton Hicks. This week we have our last two non-stress test scheduled and on Friday we will see if and how much we have dialated.  Momma Pat and Papa Lee will be here this weekend so if ZaNiece decides to wait until the doctors come and get her, they will be here for her special delivery. Daddy and I are really exciting and looking forward to the special day, whether it be naturally or with a bit of assistance.  At least we know she will be here, before the 4th. (her due date)  We will have more details regarding that fact by the end of the week so stay tuned.

35th Week Mon, Jan 15, 2007 Things are still going very well.  SEGAL had a "Surprise" baby shower for us on Friday and Daddy was in on it.  I got the rocker glider that I was really wanting.  Thanks to everyone at SEGAL!!!  I will have pictures of that special event on line soon.  The Specialist are strongly considering scheduling a labor date before her due date of February 4th.  I really hope she will come before then because I want her to come naturally and not be induced with drugs.  Right now she is not showing many signs of wanting to get here anytime soon.  She seems to be quite comfortable where she is, but then who can blame her.

34th Week Mon, Jan 8, 2007 THE COUNT DOWN has begun!!!!  We are only 4 weeks away from our due date (February 4th – SuperBowl Sunday).  We completed our Lamaze Class last week.  I still feel like I have a lot to do in preparation for the hospital stay.  No I have not packed my bag, YET I am now going to the OB-GYN weekly and doing two NST (Non-Stress Test) a week.  Za’Niece can drop at anytime now so we are keeping an eye on any unusual or new changes. I have updated the site with pictures of the Atlanta Baby Shower so be sure to check out the photo gallery. The EXCITMENT is GROWING....

9th Month Check up Wed, Jan 3, 2007 Today we went for our 9th month check up and Za'Niece is weighing in at 5 lbs and 10 ozs.  She is right on schedule and is expected to weigh around 7 lbs when she makes her grand entrance. Although we still didn't get great ultrasound pictures, we did see her playing with her toes and sucking her thumb.  Take a look at her picture in the Prenatal Gallery "9th month - See my toes".