Introducing...

Jada Ball

Our new niece Jada Ball was born this morning to my (Josh's) sister Stacy and her husband Evan who live in San Luis Obispo. Everyone is doing great and we are so excited to meet this new little princess. Congrats Stacy and Evan; we cant wait to meet her! In staying with the theme of Merrill's having big babies (my sister was nearly 1o lbs. and I was almost 11 lbs.), Jada wieghed in at: 9 lbs. 10 oz.

Donovan is 4 months old

Donovan turned four months old on Friday, the day before Valentine's Day. It's so hard to believe our little baby has been in the world for four whole months already! He is so amazing and makes us laugh and say "He is so cute" and "I love him so much" about a dozen times a day.

He makes lots of happy sounds when he's playing and looking up at his toys and mobiles, and his new thing is high-pitched squeeling. He's caregiver says she thinks he is particularly vocal for a baby his age. Josh says he's going to be a talker like mommy, and then daddy really won't be able to get a word in edgewise!

Donovan is grasping for things like crazy, and then shoves them right into his mouth, haha! They say babies explore their world with their mouths, and that makes germaphobe mommies a little nervous. Although he can scoot himself nearly 360 degrees on his back when he's playing like a little breakdancer, he's not rolling over just yet. Donovan loves to watch basketball and ESPN Sports Center on TV with daddy, or snuggle up with mommy and watch Baby Einstein DVDs. He has a remarkable attention span.

Needless to say, we are very proud of our little man and cherish every day with him. Thanks for reading about what we've been up to!

Worth watching...

Donovan's First Cold

Dono is in the middle of fighting off his first cold, and as parents it is difficult to watch your little boy cry when there is not much you can do to help. Believe me, we have tried it all...and he is being real trooper considering. We are blessed he has gone this long without any previous sickness, but we ask for your prays as Donovan works through his first little sickness. Thanks.

Mommy is back to work

After 12 blissful weeks at home with my baby boy, I started back at work last week. I had an emotional couple of weeks leading up to my return, just thinking about someone else taking care of Donovan and not getting to be with him 24/7, but it was good to be back in many ways. I feel really blessed to be able to do my job serving the Lord at Shepherd of the Hills Church, and Donovan is literally down the hall from me at our sister organization, Little Shepherd's Learning Center. I get to feed him on my lunch breaks and can always run down there if ever he needed me. Daddy goes to visit him often and brings him in half-day two or three days a week.

I know it is an arrangement that many moms would covet, so I am very grateful to God for His goodness and His many, many blessings to our family.

Donovan is growing so big. He's a little over 14 lbs., and I can't believe he'll be three months old tomorrow! The other day, I walked into the nursery and I was looking around for him, not realizing he was the big baby in his caregiver's arms who was standing right in front of me! I mean, I saw them both as I walked into the room, but he looked so big in her arms I thought he was a different baby, haha!

He is "talking" a lot (making "goo goo" and cooing sounds), laughing, smiling a ton--all of which just totally melt my heart--sucking his hand (I think he's going to be a thumb sucker like his momma), and grasping and batting at objects (hopefully he'll have his daddy's hand-eye coordination and athleticism and not his mommy's). He is incredibly alert and loves looking at himself in the mirror (uh-oh...but who could blame him with a handsome little mug like that?), smiling at himself and then getting shy and burying his face in mommy's shoulder.

Part of me just wants him to stay my little baby forever; the other part of me can't wait to see what he'll do next! Stay tuned...

P.S. A little "happy birthday" shout out to my darling niece Naomi who turns seven today! Such a big girl. We love you, Wootie!

Donovans first bath

A short video of Donovan taking his first bath with his daddy.
Don't worry dad is decent; or is he??? lol

Donovan's first Christmas

Grandpa Victor loving on Dono

Uncle Evan catching a snuggle

Dad's two sons :)

Su-Su teaching Dono about presents

Angie and her sister Adeena

Papa helping put Dono down for a nap

Our Hurley Boy (surf's up)

Ernie babysitting

Dono happy with his Grandma Yolanda

Aunt Yoli and Dono

Now that's a Christmas gift. (I wish)

We got to spend five wonderful days visiting family and friends in San Diego over Christmas and got to show off our new pride and joy, Donovan. Angie and I are very blessed by all of you and thank you for your continued prayers and support. We miss you all and Donovan says "hi!"...See you soon.