Landlocked No Longer

Quotable Eason

2010-04-27T06:40:00.001-04:00

Blogging is not making it to the top of my priority list, obviously. My intent for this blog, was to provide me a place to record some wonderful memories as our family grows and to keep family/friends updated on the kiddos. Perhaps I will one day get into a better routine, but for now...I must at least preserve some of the "Eason quotes" that make us laugh, cringe, and thank God for this very serious and giggly little man.

Eason's standard prayer at mealtime, bedtime, etc...

"Dear God, thanks food, jelly, amen."

Months ago...Michelle and Andrew were visiting and we asked Eason to tell them his full name. His response (with hands outstretched)...

"I'm Awesome, Awesome Eason!"

Last week...
Eason and his Granddaddy went to play Putt Putt. After 3 or 4 holes where Granddaddy performed better that Eason. Eason concluded,

"Granddaddy, I'm gonna use your ball. It works better."

One morning I was getting ready for work. The day before, I wore a suit with a skirt, but that day I was wearing a suit with pants.

Eason: "Mommy, you don't look pretty."

Sara: "Well, that's okay baby. Sometimes we may think that, but it is just best not to say anything, than to tell someone they don't look pretty."

Eason: "No mommy, you don't look pretty...you look handsome."

Sunday night, getting ready for bed. Eason decided that his bed had turned into a boat and we were all going to go on a trip. Daddy, Eason, Evie and I all climbed aboard and fastened on our lifejackets. Captain Eason took his proper seat on his pillow to drive the boat. As our trip progressed, Eason leaned over to me and Evie and declared... "The girls on the boat need to be naked." I replied, "uh...how about we wear our bathing suits, okay????"

Warren was trying so hard not to laugh out loud, that he about shook apart as tears streamed down his face. [disclaimer- Eason does not distinguish between "birthday-suit naked" and showing any skin. For instance, one time I was fully dressed, wearing a v-neck shirt, and Eason said, "Mommy, you're naked." I quickly & confusedly replied, "no, I'm not, I am fully dressed." Eason pointed to the triangle of my chest, and said, "but you're naked right there."]

Monday morning on the way to school, Eason was drinking his milk and staring intently out the window. When he turned to me, and in a very serious tone stated...

"There are lots of games that we can play."

Then he returned to his musings as he glanced back out the window.

You know that's a good point.

I LOVE THIS CHILD!!!

Mother knows best

2010-04-16T10:18:00.014-04:00

[this blog post being updated in parts]

Disclaimer: we relocated to the coast last summer (2009), and purchased a new construction home. The builder set us up with a nice start of landscaping, but now it is time to make it ours. My mother is perhaps one of the most amazing gardeners I have ever met. In fact, I am blessed with 3 mothers who are quite adept in the garden arena. So, these pics are merely for my mom's benefit as she helps me to plan out my garden. Forgive the monotony of the post, it is strictly for practical purposes. But I am open to suggestions. :)

Front Yard view:

Palm tree bed on the left, front side of the house:

Front Bed betwixt garage and porch

In front of the front Porch:

(3 shrubs in the back, 2 Loropetalum in front of those, palm tree far right)

Kitchen side of house:

(7 Pittosporum spaced approximately 3 feet apart)

my assistant:

BACKYARD:

(Momma, what should I plant or do on either side of these steps? Where should I put the hydrangeas, gardenia, bearded iris, ginger lilies and banana shrub?)

Under the Dining Room Window:

(4 Indian Hawthornes, I think)

(I was thinking of planting the banana shrub in the corner of the steps on this side, basically where the silver grill is, but closer to the steps. Then filling the rest of this bed between the palm and the banana shrub with ginger lilies. Your thoughts??)

Easement behind our home:

Garage side of House:
(3 Pittosporum spaced approximately 3 feet apart)

(2 Pittosporum spaced approximately 3 feet apart, with the sprinkler controls in between)

Bed in front yard with electric box
(3 sedge grasses, 1 big green electric box)
[updated now with asphadistra around the street & house sides of the box :)]

Eason and his betrothed

2010-04-01T22:48:00.005-04:00

Life at the beach (or the Inlet) is wonderful, but there are many things [mainly people] we miss from Columbia. Two of the couples we often enjoyed getting together with we the Bakers & the Hymie-Lynns (aka the McCallisters). The Bakers [Jen & Kiel] have been friends of Warren's since elementary school, and were all in homeroom together growing up. The Hymie-Lynn's we have only known since college. Jamie, or Hymie as we prefer to call him, was stuck with Warren as a roommate their freshman year at Carolina and none of our lives have ever been the same since. His awesome wife, Ginny Lynn (I don't know anyone named "Virginia"), is one of the most dye-hard Carolina fans to ever attend Clemson. They have a precious little boy that was born after our relocation, and I cannot believe that I still have not met him, but pray that will be remedied this summer.

As for the Bakers, their daughter, Baxley, is only a few months different in age from Eason. Then they had a little son, Kyler, a few months after we had Evie. Dinners with these two couples was never dull, and usually best done at one of our houses rather than taking our clan out to a restaurant. Although Mexican always did work well....

Anyway, we miss them all greatly. And really miss watching Baxley and Eason together.

Other than John-Michael, who is only about 3 weeks different in age from Eason, I think Baxley is his longest known friend. The Bakers were in town a few weeks ago and we planned a rendesvous for dinner at P.F. Changs. (ummmm, yummy) The wait on a weekend was over an hour, but even with 4 little ones, that did not seem long. Why? Because, P.F. Changs is at Market Common, and the beepers's range is incredible. We walked down to the playground, we went into Barnes & Noble and played, then the lovebirds enjoyed a moment by the lake as the sunset.

The wonderful evening came to an end and we said goodbye. as the Bakers headed totheir hotel, Baxley said, "I miss Eason."

The next morning, Baxley wore her medal that Eason had given her to breakfast. Jen (Baxley's momma) and I decided that the medal was a promise ring. And since Baxley is probably the girl/friend that Eason has played with the longest in his little life, we will have the greatest slideshow of pics at their rehearsal dinner.

It's meant to be!

As Jen has said, "imagine how much fun holidays will be!"

Happy Birthday Evie!

2010-04-01T22:43:00.003-04:00

Evie is one, and I cannot believe it!

Chick-fil-a waffle fry, what what!

Bazemores at the Beach

2009-06-03T14:14:00.000-04:00

As most of you know, Warren began working for my dad, running his Sunbelt office in Myrtle Beach last year. And by God's amazing, miraculous provision DHEC has agreed to let me keep my attorney position and workout of the Myrtle Beach regional office. (I must write a post on the evolution of this miracle at another time.) Anyway, we have this perfect house in Columbia, approximately 5 blocks from Warren's parents, that we have only been in for about a year and a half. And, not really wanting to do the 2 mortgage thing, we are trying to sell this house before we move to the beach. What that means is that Warren has been commuting back and forth to Myrtle each week. It's kinda like he's back on the road with the band again. God has been so faithful and blessed us in so many ways during this time. He is gracious to grant us the stregth needed for the circumstances in life. Family and friends have been so supportive and wonderful! Let me just say thank you, and we ask your continued prayers for the swift sale of our Columbia home so we can be together every night.

Anyway, there is a phtography company in Columbia, Kiskstand Studios. About a year ago, they came to our house and did a shoot for us with Eason and Murray. It was AWESOME!!! The guys have small children and are used to the craziness. They come to you, so kids can be comfortable in their normal environment, and basically you just play and have a good time while they capture some amazing shots. Kickstand has a blog were they show some of the photos from each of their sessions. Here is the link to our first session with them, http://ksblog.squarespace.com/blog/2008/3/22/the-bazemores.html.

I made a comment, then that I would love to do a session at the beach someday. The guys said they'd travel. A few weeks ago, Lucas (owner/gifted photographer) let us know he would be at Litchfield with his family and would be happy to do a shoot for us with the kids on the beach. How perfect! While Warren and I will both be working in Myrtle, we hope to live south of the craziness in the Pawley's/Litchfield/Murrell's area. It was a crazy weekend, packed with way too much fun and adventure (yet another blog post), but the photos are awesome. We haven't even had a chance to see the entire shoot, but the snipets on the blog are GREAT! Check 'em out at, Http://ksblog.squarespace.com/blog/2009/5/28/bazemores-at-the-beach.html.

If you want some photos done, I cannot recommend Kickstand enough! Give em a call and let em know who sent ya. Enjoy the pics!

Evie - 2 Months Old

2009-06-02T13:31:00.000-04:00

Evie is 2 months old, I cannot believe it! And Sunday night she slept through the night. I fed her at 11pm and she did not stir until 6:20 this morning. Praise the Lord! The truth is, she has been a good little sleeper from the start. She usually only wakes once a night to eat and this was actually the third or fourth night she has slept through, though not consecutively. I remember with Eason, hitting the once-a-night-waking was a major milestone. I remember thinking, ok we can make it through this.

Thank you Lord for such a good sleeping baby!

At two months, Evie is cooing and grinning up a storm. She especially loves making eyes at her daddy and her big brother. And Eason is quite enamored with her as well. For the most part he either is very compassionate towards her (gently placing her pacie in her mouth when she is crying) or simply ignores her altogether (just marches along in his own world).

Evie has started smacking on her fist some. One day Eason heard it and asked what that noise was. I told him Evie was sucking on her fist. A little later, she lost her fist and seemed to get fussy. So, Eason gently placed his fist in her mouth for her to suck on. It was very thoughtful.

Her two month checkup is Friday and I cannot wait to discover her stats (weight, length, etc), although I could wait on the shots part. No fun.

She slept through the night again Monday night, Praise the Lord!

Monday, never boring

2009-06-01T13:38:00.005-04:00

As I was getting my things ready to go this morning, Evie was sleeping so soundly in her car seat

and Eason was walking around drinking his milk. I loaded up my arms with by briefcase, my breastpump, my jacket, etc and took a step out to the garage when Eason announced, "I'm going to wake her up." "No, you are not," I said. "Yes, I am," came his reply, and then he stuck his face in her car seat close to hers and yelled, "HOOOOOONNNKK!"

Well, Evie woke up terrified and screaming as Eason giggled. This was the harshest he has been to his baby sister, but I do not think he realized really what he had done. I dropped all of my things and walked back to him. (a rather weak spanking ensued) But I explained that a harder spanking would come if he did that again. I told him that he had scared her, and that as her big brother his job was to protect her, not scare her. He finally began to realize that he had made her cry and so... then... he began to cry. Ah, life with two. :)

Eason told her he was sorry and I tried to get him to kiss her forehead, but he only weepily replied, "no, I don't want to." Instead, he followed my instruction to gently place her pacie in her mouth. He tried, but poor Evie was too upset to take it. Oh well. In the car we go to drive to grandmomma's. It was a rather quiet ride, other than Evie's pitiful whimpers. Usually, Eason and I have a nice chat the few blocks to gradmomma's, but not today. When we arrived at grandmomma's, I got Evie out and passed her on to grandmomma, then walked around to Eason's side.

I opened his door and Eason asks, "Mommy, do you have a 'gina?"

"Excuse me," I replied, hoping that I had heard him wrong.

To no avail, Eason repeats his question, "do you have a 'gina?"

"Yes baby, I have a 'gina."

Eason, "Does grandmomma have a 'gina?"

"Yes baby, grandmomma has a 'gina."

Thankfully, that ended the questioning.

Last week (as posted earlier), Eason revealed that he had learned that he has a penis and asked me whether I had one. Upon telling this story, a friend asked me whether I explained to him what I had. Since, he had not asked, I had not. That afternoon, when I picked the kiddos up, I asked his grandmomma, "have you and Eason been having anatomy lessons?" Momma B rather sheepishly grinned and said, "I think I know where this is going." I told her of that mornings conversation and she reminded me that she had taught sex ed when she was a sixth grade teacher.

No problem, I suppose it is best for him to know the proper terms. Warren and I just laugh, because at his age he has no governor to know when to say these things. I am just waiting for when we are out to eat and as the waiter approaches the table, to hear our child ask, "Mommy, does he have a penis?"

My child is the kid in the movie Kindergarten Cop, "boys have a penis and girls have a vagina."

Evie's Birthday

2009-05-29T11:48:00.011-04:00

Monday, March 30

4:45 AM Called the hospital to ensure they had a bed for us.
6:20AM Arrived at the hospital.
7:00AM Pitocin started to induce (Dr. Salley had left instructions for the nurses to begin my pitocin & not to wait on the doctor)
8:00AM Dr. Guidice broke my water.
9:00AM Epidural administered.
2:35ishPM Began pushing.
3:14PM Evelyn Elizabeth Bazemore was born,

weighing 8 pounds, 10 ounzes

21 1/2 inches long (same length as Eason)

full head of dark hair

Labor was amazing. NO, I repeat no pain. Prior to the epidural I merely felt some pressure. That's it. PRAISE THE LORD!!! In fact, during labor Warren, my mom and our nurse, Winter, were cracking so many jokes that we were all laughing histerically. It was quite surreal. Winter commented that she often couldn't tell from my monitor whether I was having a contraction or simply laughing hard.

Of course, I was not allowed to have anything to eat from the night before until after labor. So, by lunch time I was a little hungry. No big deal. I made a comment that I would love some starbucks. Soon after that, Dr. Guidice stopped in to check on my progress, carrying a Starbucks in his hand. I told him that was cruel, as I drooled over the thought of a grande, 1/2 caf, nonfat, white choc mocha, no whip.

Labor with Evie was an amazing experience. With Eason I was so out of it from having contractions all night long, getting dosed with nubane prior to my epidural, and then pushing for 2+ hours that I don't really remember much of what was happening or happened. With Evie, I didn't have pain, but I could feel the pressure of her being born. And I cannot even put into words the rush of emotion and the wonderment of seeing her lifted up by the doctor upon her entry into this world. To say it was beautiful and overwhelming is only a start. What a miracle! What a precious gift from an amazing God!!!

When Evie finally came out Dr. Guidice (no longer with the starbucks) caught her and proclaimed, "I think she's a nine-pounder." And she was close to it. Thank you Lord for a painless labor. Thank you Lord for a healthy baby. Thank you Lord for the gift, blessing and honor of being a mommy to two fearfully & wonderfully made children.

"Behold, children are a blessing from the Lord!"

Psalm 127:3

Here are some happy grandparents...

"The one thing in life that is not overrated is grandchildren"

Ed Pendarvis, Granddaddy of 7

Week 40

2009-05-29T11:34:00.002-04:00

So, my doctor's appointment for week 40 rolled around on March 27th, and I was and had been all ready for the doc to tell me we could just go across the street and check in to the hospital. Instead, Dr. Salley told me I was, you guessed it, 2 cm & 80% effaced. Seriously, that's been my stat for a month now. He suggested inducing the next week and encouraged me that it shouldn't be badsince my cervix was already ripe for delivery. I really did not want to be induced, but to have labor progress naturally. We didn't want to go Friday, since those are kinda crazy days. Wednesday was April 1st, and I was not going to choose to have my baby on April Fool's Day. So, we went with Thursday to give as much time for her to come on her own. I was supposed to go back to work after my doc's appointment, but I was so disappointed that I decided to take the day off.

As the weekend progressed, I grew more uncomfortable. After prayer an many discussions, on why I was so opposed to inducing. (Basically, I had heard horror stories about painful & long labors b/c of inducing.) We decided to call Dr. Salley, who was on call over the weekend and see if the hospital had availability to take us earlier in the week. Dr. Salley offered Tuesday, since he was delivering that day, but I said, "anyway we can do Monday?" He called right back and said we were all set. Can I just reiterate again how wonderful this doctor's practice is, from support staff to nurses to doctors. I am so thankful for them all.

We let the family know we were gonna meet Evie the next day and Mark brought my mom up so she could be with us for the delivery. Unfortunately Mark couldn't get off that day, so he had to go back to Charleston. It is really weird after wondering each day, if this was the day she would come, to all of a sudden know the day Evie would be born.

Potty Training...Awareness

2009-05-28T10:21:00.004-04:00

Yes, this is a jump from my 39 weeks post to now, and I will try to be better about posting. It seems each day with my two blessings is filled with hilarious stories that must be written down for posterity and I think this morning's was enough to get me back to blogging.

Eason has been going tee tee on the potty since he was 18 months, when he asked me if he could tee tee on the potty. But it has only been recently that we have undertaken full-fledged potty training. I am learning that most 3 year old kindergartens won't take a child unless they are potty-trained, and since we hope to enroll Eason for next year, we have some work to do. We have set aside the pull-ups and are in "big boy pants." For the most part, Eason is doing well, with some mishaps from time to time. His Grandmomma is also helping in this adventure.
Whenever I remind him that we need to go pee pee or poopy on the potty, he is quick to correct me and say "in the potty."
This morning, as Eason was stepping down off of the potty, he announced to me, "Mommy, I have a penis." (Before today, Eason had referred to his penis as his peeny)

"Yes, baby you do have a penis."
"Mommy, do you have a penis?"
"No, baby, Mommy is a girl and girl's don't have penises."
"Mommy, does Daddy have a penis?"
"Yes, baby Daddy has a penis."

Then he proceeded to ask the above question about each of his grandparents, Grandmomma, Granddaddy, La La, Granddaddy Ed, Nee Nee, Mark. And finally said, "is that all the people?"
I certainly hope so.

On this same thought, Eason enjoys praying and has one rather unintelligable prayer that he repeats both for meal time blessings and prayers before bedtime. Then Daddy or I follow up with another prayer. Sometimes though, Eason gets filled with a thankful spirit and begins to thank God for many things like closets, walls, doors, windows, etc. It is super sweet to hear him be so thankful. Last Sunday night we were praying as a family, thanking God for dinner. While Warren was praying Eason piped up loudly and prayed, "and God, thank you for my peeny going pee pee in the potty!"

Both Warren and my eyes opened wide and it was all we could do to not bust out laughing. It was awesome! I love that kid!

39 Weeks

2009-03-24T12:06:00.004-04:00

Our God is an Awesome God! and man is he ever persistent in teaching us lessons like patience.

So, Warren and I went to my doctor's appointment on Thursday (I turned 39 weeks pregnant the next day (Friday), but Warren had a meeting on Friday and wanted to be with me at my appointment). The result...no change, still 2 cm dilated and 75-80% effaced. Wait, didn't the doctor say 2 weeks ago that this little girl would likely be here within the next week and a half to 2 weeks? Ugh! To say I was frustrated and impatient would be an understatement. [momentarily forgetting all the praises and blessings that I have a healthy baby, a healthy pregnancy, etc, etc, etc]

Friday: some of my dearest friends from Charleston [Nancy, Dorothy, Aileen, Katherine] came up to Columbia with their families for a trip to the zoo. I had the day off so Eason and I joined them. I walked around, pushing a stroller, and rode the tram for nearly 5 hours. Surely that should get this little girl movin'...nothin. But we did have a GREAT time with all our friends and Eason has grown quite fond of "Bose and Mills." Even if Mills did acurately assess that we are "slow as Christmas." :)

[Pictures to come later]

Saturday: I made french toast on our griddle (I love that thing)! Then, Eason and I returned to the Tot Trade (an awesome and massive children's consignment sale held in Columbia twice a year). Friday morning, Eason and I went with Momma B and got him some new clothes for the warmer months, but didn't even have time to scratch the surface of the girls' clothing side before it was time to join our friends at the zoo. So, on Saturday, E and I went shopping for Evie. What fun to shop for a little girl! And especially when, I have a precious little helper with me. I swear some of the dresses looked like they are meant for dolls. I am going to have my very own doll baby to dress up. I saw a friend from seminary, who had 2 children and one on the way. As I began to grumble about still being pregnant, she smiled and gracefully said it must be nice to be able to carry your babies to term. She has had 5 miscarriages (all boys), had to have her cervix sewn shut for her other pregnancies and deliver each one early. The praise, God had given her 2 healthy girls and although she was told she could not have boys, she is successfully along with a baby boy in her womb. I love it when God shows off! However, I was still focused on me and my prideful timetable to get this little girl outta my belly and in my arms. by the way...still no contractions.

We returned home and I scheduled a pedicure at Belk (I had a coupon for the spa and had heard that foot massages can trigger contractions). My appointment was for 4 o'clock, Warren was returning from an errand so I could go and so I called the spa to say, I'd be 10 minutes late, we only live 5 minutes from the mall. I head out the door and the traffic on Harbison is like Christmas. It was ridiculous! I was also banking on getting one of the expectant mother parking spots at Belk, to no avail, the only "spots" available were the gridded areas at the end of the rows. I parked there and hurriedly waddled inside. (A lovely sight, I am sure.) The girl at the counter said, "you're 30 minutes late and she's already taken some else back." Oh no you didn't, I thought. I responded, I'm 20 minutes late, had called to say I would be 10 minutes late and can't help it if the traffic outside is like Christmas weekend. This was followed by a "don't-you-dare-try-to-tell-me-I-can't-have-my-pedicure,-do-you-see-how-pregnant-I-am" glare. She rearranged some things, and said that they could squeeze me back in. I sat in the waiting area for about 20 minutes, when the manager (lovely girl, can't remember her name, but lovely girl) came over and apologized for my long wait and offered me a complimentary 20 minute massage while I waited for my pedicure. Seriously? OK! Um, that was nice, then off to my hour-long pedicure. What wonderful pampering. Meanwhile, Warren is at home with a toddler who refuses to nap. What a great man. I got a french pedi at his request. I mean if Warren is going to pay attention to my toes enough to suggest a color & pay for my appointment & allow me the opportunity to go, I'll have them paint my toes whatever he wants! It was lovely, my toes look fabulous, but...still no contractions.

Sunday: We go to church. The deacons at the door literally laugh that we are still prego. Great service, as we head home to get Murray and go the Bazemore's for Sunday dinner, I beg Warren to take me by the grocery store. I had read that rasberry leaf tea may trigger contractions. One tall glass coming right up. Other home remedies were attempted, including a relaxing bath... still no contractions. Instead, I just became more uncomfortable as the night wore on. Warren graciously offered to take us to Monterry's for dinner. Maybe some spicy mexican salsa would help. still no contractions.

Okay God, I get it. I cannot count the number of times You have already taught me this lesson, maybe one day it will sink in. Things will be done on Your timetable, Your perfect timing and will. I surrender! I will wait on You.

38 Weeks

2009-03-16T17:06:00.002-04:00

So, two days later, Warren and I went back in to the docotr's office for my 38 week check. I had had 1 or 2 braxton-hicks contractions the past weekend, but no real activity to speak of. The result, still at 2 cm and maybe about 75-80% effaced. Let me tell you, I am ready to meet this little lady. I am trying to maintain a positive outlook, but am getting quite uncomfortable. I forgot to mention that at the 37 week appointment, I asked the doctor, "has she dropped?" His response, "oh yeah, she's dropped."

Her head is in the downward position and she is at about -1 station [+5 is crowning]. So here we are, just waiting. Praise the Lord everything is looking good though, we are so blessed!

37 & 1/2 Weeks

2009-03-16T16:31:00.002-04:00

Warren had to return to MB Wed. AM and I felt "funny" all day. I don't really know how to describe it, but I felt almost a little lightheaded and had some weird downward sensations and my lower back was aching. So, I called the doctor's office. Have I mentioned how much better this ob/gyn practice is than the one I went to with Eason?

When I was pregnant with Eason, I called in one time after hours because I was afraid I was leaking amniotic fluid. The oncall doc made me feel like an absolute idiot and dismissed my fears as foolish. I called my stepdad, who is an amazing doctor with a very kind bedside manner, and expressed my fears to him. He said that when he practiced Ob and had a woman call in with concerns such as mine he would allow the patient to be admitted and checked on to assuage her concerns and fears. So, I called that snooty doc back and told him that I would like to be admitted to the hospital and checked out. He was hesitant, but complied. Now, as a first time pregnant lady I was reading up on anything about pregnancy and had essentially self-diagnosed myself as leaking amniotic fluid. Warren, who had been home everynight during that pregnancy was conducting interviews for the insurance company that he worked for in the upstate. Since he had to be there early the next AM, he was going to spend the night up there. We were several weeks away from our due date, but I was feelin' weird and he came home to take me to the hospital. What a sweet and precious man the Lord has given me.

When we arrived at the hospital a young nurse helped me change into a gown to set me up on the monitors. As she was helping me change, she noted that I was wearing a Young Life t-shirt. She remarked about being invoved with YL in college. It was nice to know I was being taken care of by a fellow sister in Christ. As she began helping me into the bed I asked for Warren to hand me my water bottle. The water bottle I used was a Silers Bald (SB) bottle from their debut of Thirst. As Warren handed me the bottle the young nurse noted the SB on it and, recognizing yet another thing we had in common, began to say, "don't tell me you're a Silers Bald fan too?!" Up to this point, she had not really noticed Warren and he was still wearing a suit from having conducted interviews all day, so he was not looking like band-Bazemore, but rather like business-Bazemore. However, as he handed me the bottle, she began her remarks and then...it clicked - standing before her was the Warren Bazemore of Silers Bald.

The nurse's comment "don't tell me you're a Silers Bald fan too?!" trailed off into rising decibles of "oh my god, oh my God, OH MY GOD...I hope you are ruptured" [which translates into, I hope your water has broken so I can be your nurse]. It was hilarious and awesome. I always enjoy running into fellow SB fans that appreciate my husband and the talents the Lord has given him. Turns out that she graduated from Clemson and was a huge SB fan. It was later determined that I was not leaking amniotic fluid and we were discharged to go home and wait several more weeks for Eason's arrival, but it sure made for an memorable experience. While that nurse and the hospital staff were great, the doctor's practice left much to be desired.

This new practice is wonderful though! And when I called in with concerns, they not only did not dismiss me, but also invited me to come in and get checked to assuage my fears. I took some tylenol first and put my feet up, but by that afternoon I was still unsure and decided to go in for a check. I arrived around 4:10 and the ob side was already shut down for the day, with the exception of the ob nurse, Sharon. She was so sweet and precious to me, she is invaluable to that practice! I said, "I'll just go home, I'm sure I'm fine," as I was starting to feel very silly for coming in. She refused, "Now honey, you came in and we are gonna take care of you, let me put you in one of the rooms and I'll get a doctor to come and check on you." Then she smiled and said, "I bet you're nervous cause hubby is so far away." She totally hit the nail on the head. With Warren in MB, he needs at least 2.5 hours to get to me and I keep hearing stories of labors going really fast. So, I am trying to stay tuned to the first sign of labor to get him on the road.

Well, the same doctor checked me that I had seen the Friday before, and he and his assistant were so sweet. They did not make me feel like a silly girl and as it turned out nothing had really changed. But the doctor remarked that I probably was feeling funny and that was probably because my body was getting ready for me to have the baby in the next week or so. I so appreciated their time, compassion and not dismissing my fears. I had my next appointment set for Friday and instead of telling me, "no need to come back." The doctor said, "Yeah c'mom back in on Friday and we'll check you again." I am sure knowing, that at this stage of pregnancy, women want as many updates as possible.

37 Weeks

2009-03-16T16:23:00.002-04:00

(posting this for posterity at 38+ weeks pregnant)

The past few days I had been having some good Braxton-hicks contractions, getting me excited about our upcoming due date. Warren and Eason accompanied me to my doctor's appointment on Friday, March 6, when I turned 37 weeks pregnant with Evie. Eason was strapped safely in his stroller, positioned so he would not see anything that might scar him for the rest of his life. My appointment was at 9:15 and Warren had a 10:00 meeting, but this new doctor's practice that I go to is very efficient and wonderful. As we were waiting on the doctor, I encouraged Warren to go ahead and leave for his appointment, but he faithfully stayed by my side and said, "No, I want to hear the doctor say that nothing is going on and we still have at least 3 more weeks before the baby comes."

The doctor arrived soon after asked how we were and I relayed to him that I had been having some good practice contractions. he seemed pleased with that and said well let's see what we've got. Upon his examination he remarks, "you have been having contractions. You are dilated about 2 cm and 70% effaced." Warren's face went a little ashen, as the doctor then said, "you'll probably have this baby within the next week and a half to two weeks."

C'mon Evie, Mommy is ready to meet you!

Li'l sisser.

2008-11-12T21:32:00.006-05:00

Well, there it is. Warren and I went in for my 20 week doctor's visit and ultrasound and were pleased to discover that the li'l baby that's been doing cartwheels in my belly is a GIRL! It's kind of funny, because with Eason, we had a boy name picked out, but no girl name; and this time around we had a girl name, but no boy name. Here is a picture of...

Evelyn Elizabeth Bazemore

a.k.a. Evie (pronounced E-V)

Evelyn is Warren's mom's first name. Elizabeth is for my sister, both mine & Warren's grandmothers (including my Mom's mom who I and my sister are named for "Sara Elizabeth"), 2 of Warren's aunts, etc.

I had been open to whichever the Lord would bless us with...I mean, I have so much fun with the little man that we already have, that I would love another boy, but there's something neat about having one [at least] of each. As of late, we were thinking it was probably a girl, and everyone else was thinking that too, so I was kind of getting my hopes up for a girl, not to mention the whole name thing. Well, walking back to the car after the Carolina game Saturday, Warren, Eason, lil baby and I ran in to our dear friend Adrian Dupres. Adrian was one of our college pastors and discipled Warren for a while, and now is the chaplain for the Gamecock football team. We walked together and caught up and when we parted ways Adrian (in true Adrian form) bear hugged all 4 of us [we Bazemores are but grasshoppers in his sight] and prayed for us. It was so special, BUT he prayed for the little "boy" in my belly. So, then I was sure that it was probably a boy. But, nope, the pictures confirm that we have a beautiful little girl being knit together in my womb. Praise the LORD!

Warren said, that my response to being told the gender of this baby was the same I had for Eason. Both times I exclaimed, "YESSSS! Thank you God!" and cried.

The ultrasound went great, Evie seems to be developing just as she should be. It is so neat what all you can see and our tech was great about explaining it all to us. We saw all 4 chamber of her little heart beating [something, I remembered enjoying baout Eason's 20 week ultrasound], and she even opened and closed her mouth. Her ankles were crossed, like Eason's during his 20 week ultrasound. She also had her thighs clenched tightly together, making it difficult for the tech to get what she referred to as the "refrigerator shot" of her girl parts. I was very please that we have such a modest little lady. Wow, I am super excited!

Eason is excited as well. He now points to my belly and says, "Li'l sisser."
A few weeks ago, I started to explain to him that after the lil baby grows some more in Mommy's belly, the lil baby would come out. He appeared rather shocked at first and inquired, "lil baby come ouuut?" But now our regular conversation goes like this:

Sara: "Eason, who's in Mommy's belly?"
Eason: "Lil sister! " pause "Lil sister, come out?"

Sara: "Yes, after she grows some more. When she comes out what will that make you?"

Eason: "Big brodder!"

Warren & I would then reply, "and you're going to be the best big brother ever." So, now when I ask him, "When lil sister comes out what will that make you?"

Eason proudly proclaims: "Best big brodder ever!"

And Eason, you will be the best big brother ever. Evie will be so blessed to have you help her grow up! I love you both!

Choo choo trian

2008-11-04T21:52:00.010-05:00

So, this post is not in chronological order, but I am trying to memorialize some great memories.

Daddy B is from Winnsboro, SC, home to the longest running clock in America (which actually came from Charleston) and home to the S.C. Railroad Museum. The museum's regular season is over, but they were offering steam train rides that made a special trip up & down it's 7-mile round-trip track a few weekends ago. We ordered our tickets and Grandmomma, Granddaddy, Warren, E & I travelled up to Winnsboro for the event.

No wonder steam trains don't run so much anymore, we nearly gagged on all the smoke & fumes. Nevertheless, Eason was thrilled to see a real train up close & running. The engine was the same type as Percy, from Thomas and friends.

Eason loved the "red ca-boose"!

After the train ride, we drove by and saw the old neighborhood and the house where Granddaddy grew up. Then we took our picnic lunch to Park Woods. It was so neat, because this is the same park where Warren's parents and grandparents had many picnics when Warren was growing up.

Thanks Grandmomma & Granddaddy for a special day!

Halloween, etc.

2008-11-04T21:16:00.011-05:00

We actually didn't take Eason trick-or-treating this year, but he did have ample opportunities to dress up as a giraffe. [Or at least I created plenty of opportunities.] When I first tried his costume on him, he was quite skeptical, but after I pulled the top over his head I couldn't control my laughter, he was too cute. Eason still wasn't sure, so I paraded him in front of the mirror and he started laughing as well.

Last weekend, we had a kamakazie trip. I was in Myrtle Beach Wed-Fri for a conference for work and so I got to see & stay with Warren during the week, which was wonderful! On Wednesday night, Warren and I went to dinner with my high school youth pastor & his wife, Tim & Susan Surratt. It was such a blessing to be with them. I don't think I have seen them since I graduated HS, but God certainly used them in my life in a mighty way back then and it was great to reconnect and hear all that God is doing in and through them in Pawley's Island. On Friday, the Bazemores brought Eason down to us and they got to see Warren's office for the first time. Eason really enjoyed playing in his daddy's chair and "working" in his office.

Then we all went to Ripley's Aquarium, where we saw lots of sharks, sting rays, & a sea turtle. Supposedly they have summer camp programs, where kids get to spend the night. We will have to look into that and of course I think I will need to be a chaperone.

Friday night, Warren, Eason & I attended a fundraising dinner for an international soccer ministry based out of Pawley's. We met some new friends and E and I had fun playing in the rain. Speaking of...the rain was nuts that night. We proceeded onto Charleston to spend the night with Zani and Mark. I of course passed out within the first 20 minutes of driving, and am so thankful for a husband that knows how to drive in such conditions. All that traveling with the band paid off. When we got to Charleston, Warren tried to rouse me to ask which way to go and I was so groggy I just said take Rutledge. As we veered off of 17 Warren looked ahead and then asked me again, if I was sure that was the best way to go. It had now been a constant downpour for several hours and the lovely, but low-lying Chas streets were beyond swollen. I didn't open my eyes but said go on. Warren then said, "Keep going? Even though the car up ahead has stalled out in the water?" I finally opened my eyes and realized we were going to have to be creative to get to my mom's house. We reversed down the road, went one direction, then went the wrong way down Ashley Ave., but so was everyone else. All trying to locate and stay on highish ground. We finally got to mom's and Warren was exhausted. That night and the next day, Eason had a blast playing with Zani and Mark. Then we went to a "halloween carnival" birthday party for Reed. It was so much fun. Her mom planned all these games and Eason really enjoyed himself.
It's hard to believe these three are all 2 years old now. Which means that H has been married for over 2 years, since they were all in the belly for her wedding. Crazy how time flies.

I don't know the name of this child, but the costume was awesome!

Finally, we changed and drove to Sumter for Hilary Davis' wedding. It was beautiful, and was so great to see some old friends. It's crazy how our lives have changed. Eason also made a new friend, as it turns out Michelle Kelly's little boy is the same age as Eason and they enjoyed dancing to the band. We finally made it home exhausted and ready for a good night's sleep and a restful Sabbath.

Getting the band back together

2008-10-20T22:41:00.010-04:00

When Jesus is Lord of your life, relationships just go deeper than normal. We are blessed to have wonderful families by blood and by Christ. Recently, we enjoyed a weekend with our Silers family, and I have to echo Sasha in saying, "did it really have to end?"

On Saturday, Sasha and I enjoyed throwing a baby shower for Trisha! I cannot wait to meet the little one God's been knitting together in your tummy!

On Sunday night we enjoyed hearing, Aunt Laura and Uncle Shane perform at Cornerstone.

Eason enjoyed playing the piano ...

and the drums...

and the field...

I mean, how cute are these little ladies!!!

Followed by a later than usual evening enjoying one anothers' company. Eason was patting the li'l baby in Trisha's tummy.

It was so great to be around this family and the little ones that God is blessing each of us with.

I am so looking forward to living together on the Silers compound!

Chris, Marcus, Katie and Sadie, we missed you.

Two Years Old

2008-10-20T22:01:00.008-04:00

I cannot believe our little man is two. As Warren and I went to sleep the night of E's birthday, Warren commented how he couldn't believe that E was already 2. The crazy thing is that I know it will be like we blink and we'll be saying good night and remarking, "I can't believe he's 18." Time flies so fast. This little man has been such an amazing and awesome gift of joy to our lives, and we thank God for him everyday and pray that God will enable us to be parents that raise E to know the love, peace and joy of His heavenly Father.

Eason, I pray that you will continue to love to pray as you do now. That you will continue to ask to read your Bible and want to talk about Jesus. Thank you Lord for such a precious heart!

We had E's second birthday party two weeks ago and it was a great time with family and friends. Dad, Elaine, Libby and Zani came up from Charleston, and they were a great help in getting ready for the celebration.

We were so glad to have so many friends come and play!

Eason loves him some Thomas.

Dad took up his post as the grill master to provide tasty hamburgers and hotdogs.

But he still found some time to play.

Eason was so glad to see his cousin Libby, but missed his Su-su,

who was celebrating a birthday with her daddy.

"Tank you Yibby, for helping with my party."

Of course, E was thrilled to see his Grandmomma and Granddaddy.

Even though he sees them almost everyday, they make each day a new adventure!

Granddaddy Mark couldn't make it cause he was on call,

but he sent E some cars and they are enjoyed daily! "Tank you Maaak"

Update on "Li'l Baby"

2008-10-07T09:50:00.004-04:00

I went in for my check up yesterday. Warren couldn't go with me, because he is working so hard in Myrtle Beach, so my precious friend, Michelle (or "Shull" as Eason often calls her), went with me. It was a quick appointment. So far, I've only gained 2 pounds (praise the Lord). I think my blood pressure was good, but I don't really know what those numbers mean.

The best was that we heard our little one's heartbeat again. I love that swift wooshing sound. Michelle was awesome, because she had never heard a baby's heartbeat like that before. Her excitement was contagious, and I really appreciated her company. We also brought along Daddy B's minidisc recorder to record the heartbeat. When we were pregnant with Eason, one of the nurses at that practice suggested that we record the baby's heartbeat. That way whenever I wanted to, if I was having a down day, or just wondering what was going on with that little one, I could listen to the heartbeat and be encouraged. It was a wonderful tip, so we decided to do it again with this baby. Last month the heartbeat was around 160. This month the rate was 149-150. Healthy and going strong. The doctor said everything looked great!

I think I have even been able to feel the baby move on occasion already. Since, I kind of know what to expect, when I lay in bed really still at night sometimes I am pretty sure that I feel that wonderful, familiar flutter. I will echo Nancy, in that feeling the baby move and kick is one of the best parts of pregnancy. Babies, their growth & development, etc, is such an amazing testimony of the creative and detailed God we serve.

As for my precious Eason, his Zani gave him a book on being a Big Brother. We have read it and I found him timidly flipping the pages this morning. So far, I am sure he is pretty clueless (as are me & Warren) as to how this baby will shake up our worlds. But I will say that when he sees the ultrasound picture, he knows that it is a picture of the "little baby." Also, when I ask him where the baby is he often pats my tummy gently and says "li'l baby." Only a God as amazing as ours could possibly create another little one so presious as our little E. Thank you Jesus!

OCD

2008-09-28T21:15:00.006-04:00

and he gets it oh so honestly from his momma. For a few weeks now, Eason's nighttime ritual has included time spent with this ball game with four different colored balls that are pushed through holes, travel back & forth down a maze and come out at the bottom. However, this play is not random and it is not disorderly. In fact, Eason stacks the balls in a certain order each time from one end to the other, aligning the colored ball with it's corresponding colored hole. After stacking them on top (naming each color as he goes along), he then proceeds to push the balls through, in the same order. Often he retells what color the ball is that he is pushing down, and sometimes he even says "red ball down red hole" and so on and so forth. I think it is quite impressive for a not yet two year old. I might add that he does not appreciate help or interference with his organizing.

This boy is quite amazing. He has a varied and daily-increasing vocabulary. He can actually count to ten. He has started to learn his ABCs, which right now go something like, "a,b,c,d,e,x,y,z." Who really needs all those in the middle anyway. Well, I cannot take credit for his brilliance. Eason spends each day with his Grandmomma & Grandda Bazemore and has learned so much from them. Grandmomma reads to & with him constantly. He loves books, and will often walk around with a book speaking gibberish, but pretending that he is reading the book out loud. His Grandda's musical influences have enabled him to almost completely sing any of the following,

"Let's go fly a kite"

"Row, row, row your boat"

"Zipedeedooda"

and of course "Slinky."

This child never ceases to amaze me. He has such a sweet spirit, but can be very serious, focused & independent. For instance, sometimes I will try to join in when he is playing with his toys. If he is really focused, he does not want interference. One day the conversation went like this:

Eason: "No, go away, mommie."

Sara: "No, no Eason, that is not nice. Do not tell Mommy to 'go away.'"

Eason: "Mommy, move."

Sara: "no, sir, do not tell Mommy to move."

Eason: [looking around for some new plan, remembers that I like to look outside, points and says] "Mommy, window."

Mommy got the picture, and decided that was not such a rude way of saying 'leave me alone' and rather creative.

5th Haircut

2008-09-23T19:51:00.010-04:00

So, it was time. I never want to cut Eason's hair, or should I say get it cut, but it was time.

This was the boy's 5th haircut. The first in Camden, the second & third by Mrs. Loretta at Kidz Korner, the fourth unfortunately at the mall, and finally we returned to Mrs. Loretta. She does such a good job, but it is so short.

Finally, just for you Zani....

Eason likes to watch a video of the Bo Hunks, an orchestra. He has seen it so many times now that when his Granddaddy plays music, Eason will often leave the room in order to make an entrance like the maestro. At his grandparent's, he then stands in front of the music cabinet, which has a glass door, where he can watch his reflection. From there he will conduct the orchestra and then take a bow before making a grand exit. While I don't have footage of that, here he is conducting and bowing.

The sweetest part is that his daddy enjoyed conducting the orchestra when he was Eason's age.

Quick Update

2008-09-22T09:20:00.002-04:00

I had my second doctor's appointment earlier this month and the doctor said everything was great. I even got to hear that quick little heartbeat for a few seconds, it was beating at a rate of about 160. I still cannot believe that I am pregnant. I would say that I don't "feel" pregnant, but I guess I just don't recognize what I feel as pregnant. The exhaustion this time around has been ridiculous. One day last week, my boss actually sent me home earlier to sleep. I must have looked pretty rough. But I must say that was what I needed, I even took the next morning off to sleep 3 more hours. It was amazing how productive I was that afternoon, being so well rested. My next doctor's appointment is early October and we should be able to find out what we are having early November when we are at week 20. With the first trimester over, I am looking forward to this exhaustion and upset stomach going away. For now I think it is God's way of making me rest, cause otherwise, I can't sit still.

Crab Boil

2008-08-29T14:57:00.009-04:00

A few weeks ago we travelled down to Charleston to enjoy the Woodard's annual crab boil. We had a great time, especially Eason. It was so good to see Wench (aka Melissa), Will & beautiful little Reed. Melissa and I met two years ago when we were both pregnant with our gifts from God, and I count myself blessed to have her as a friend and to have shared that experience together. Eason was born on October 8th and Reed was born on October 31st.

Also, at the crab boil, we got to see the ones who introduced me to Wench. H (Sarah) and Simons Young.
H is, I do believe, my oldest friend, going back all the way to kindergarten and I love her more than words can tell. She is truly one of the greatest girls I know, and the Lord has blessed us with one of those precious friendships that picks up right where it left off, no matter the lapse of time between talking. H & Simons live in ole San Fran now, but they were back to visit & it was soooo great to see them. Although, she scorned me as having become too landlocked up in Columbia, by not already having Eason addictecd to shrimp and other fares from the lowcountry. H, I am sorry, I repent & will do better to bring him up as one who trods in the pluff mud.

Eason was a hit. and speaking of hitting, he really enjoyed the mallets used to crack open the crabs, playing drums wherever he could and running laps around the table.

He also reminded me of how very literal children are in interpreting what they hear. We had been in the back of Wench's yard enjoying Reed's car (thanks Miss Reed for sharing) when I mentioned to him, "let's go back into the party and say hi to everyone." Now, Warren & I knew some of the folks there, but certainly not all of them, and Eason really knew even less. But that did not stop him from reaching and waving his little hand as high as he could and proclaiming, "HI!" as he made his way around to greet each group of people at the party. I tell you what, that boy has never met a stranger. We had a great time and look forward to next years'!

Exhausted

2008-08-29T14:39:00.010-04:00

Well, I have much to post and stories to share, but lately have been too tired to sit down at the computer at night and blog. Why have I been so tired? No, it's not so much just the being a wife to the greatest husband, a mom to the most precious toddler and coolest pup, and working full time...it's more that I am exhausted because I am 10 weeks pregnant. Yep, go ahead and let that one sink in. Praise the Lord! He is so kind and gracious and we are expecting a little brother or sister for Eason come March 27th or so. Here's a picture of the little peanut from a few weeks ago.
For those who do not know, we were pregnant over Christmas, but had a miscarriage over New Years. It was tough, but we serve an amazing and awesome God! By His grace, it occurred when we were still very early in the pregnancy and it was not too physically painful. Plus, it is quite hard to be down when you have this to come home to everyday!
God in His great mercy, then allowed us to conceive before what would have been the due date of the baby that miscarried. I count that as a sweet gift from my heavenly Father. Thank you Lord. All that to say, this time around has been a stretching and growing experience for my faith. When I was pregnant with Eason, I often said, "Lord, if today is as long as I get to have him, I am thankful that I had him this long." For weeks I have wrestled with resting in God's sovereignty over this pregnancy and this baby. My joy was often extinguished by trepidation. but God, in His patient mercy, lavished me with His love and with friends who prayed for me and encouraged me. Today, I can again say, "Lord, if I only have this baby so long, I thank you that I was able to have it that long." Not to say I would not be sorely disappointed should the Lord change the course of this baby, but He is helping me to trust again in His sovereignty. For the truth is, He is the author and perfector and giver of life (mine, Warren's, Eason's, yours). So, I promise to post more, but for now, I am taking naps as often as I can get them.

Talk to the eyes

2008-08-03T18:18:00.000-04:00

We are blessed to have a polite child-in-training. Eason has done well to learn please & thank you. Often following a prompt to say them, but sometimes surprising us with saying them without the prompt. Since he was doing so well, I thought we should probably work on eye contact when speaking to someone. Eason usually looks at the floor, the object sought after, or straight ahead. I have tried to gently guide his chin up to look into my face, but as the chin goes up, the eyes often go to the side.

Well, some of Eason's favorite books were (and still are) "Where is baby's belly button" by Karen Katz. They are lift the flap books and great for teaching body parts. Because of that, Eason knows well the parts of his face, etc. Using this, I decided I would try to show him where to look when speaking to someone. As I handed him his coveted milk, the conversation went like this:

Sara: "Eason, what do you say?"
Eason: "Peease."
Sara: (handing him his milk) "Then what do you say"
Eason: "Tank you."
Sara: "Eason, where are mommies eyes?"
Eason: (pokes his finger in my eye)
Sara: "Eason, can you say thank you to my eyes?"
Eason: (looking directly at my eyes) "Tank you eyes."

Eason proudly walked away with his well earned milk.
I must give him credit, that is what I asked him to say.

Strike a pose

2008-08-01T07:36:00.003-04:00

Eason had become obsessed with the Pixar movie, Cars. The week at Edisto, I think we watched it 20 times. E would often wake up in the morning or from his nap, and much to the same beat of the "Shane-Dada-tar" request, he would suggest "car-Doc-car." For those of you who have not seen the movie, one of the main characters is Doc Hudson.

Anyway, I really started this post to put on another funny video of E. One of his newest joys is hiding and making grand entrances.

"I don't care who you are, that's funny right thar."

-Mater, Cars

Rainbow

2008-07-31T10:10:00.006-04:00

I was browsing through other mom's blogs and was inspired to memorialize more of the precious things that proceed from Eason's mouth.

Last week, Eason & I made a quick trip to Publix (where shopping really is a pleasure). It was raining and of course I did not have an umbrella, nor do I know how I would balance it with E on my hip and my bag and all. But just as I began to get out of the car a Publix bagboy was walking a customer to the car next to me while holding an umbrella over their heads. I flagged him down and he, with a smile I might add, came over to our car and held the umbrella over me while I unbuckeled E from his seat, and accompanied us into the store. After shopping and Eason saying hi or hello to almost everyone in the store, we went to leave. The rain had let up to a mere sprinkle that E thought was fun to run through. As I was buckling him into his seat, I looked over my shoulder to see a most glorious rainbow. I swiftly unbuckled him, and pulled him from the car, turning him towards the rainbow, I said, "look Eason, do you see the rainbow."

Eason remarked, "God."

"I set My rainbow in the cloud,

and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.

It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth,

that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud;

and I will remember My covenant

which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh;

the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.

The rainbow shall be in the cloud,

and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant

between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth."

Genesis 9:13-16

"And He who sat there was like
a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance;

and there was a rainbow around the throne,
in appearance like an emerald."

Revelation 4:3

What an amazing God we serve!

Too bad he's so shy.

2008-07-29T22:33:00.003-04:00

Eason is certainly a chip off the old block. He reminds me of how my sweet friend Nancy describes her son DuBose, in that Eason has never met a stranger. As we walk through the aisles at the grocery store Eason says hi to everyone, even if the only other person we can see is at the opposite end of the aisle. Warren & I were reminded again tonight of how sweet and what a gift of joy this precious boy is to us. We all watched the Water Horse and then had a tickle/giggle fest on the couch before "night-night." I tell you this boy has one of the most precious and infections giggles I have ever heard. Below is a taste from July 2007.

It never gets old to me.

"Happy Day!"

2008-07-14T13:14:00.006-04:00

"Grant to ... my son a whole heart that he may keep

your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes..."

1 Chronicles 29:19

"Rejoice in the Lord always .
Again I will say rejoice!"
Philippians 4:4

Mother's Day was followed directly by Warren's birthday, and then of course Father's Day wasn't long afterwards. To avoid confusion, I simply taught Eason to say, "Happy Day!" At first, his version sounded more like "Poppy ... DAY" with great emphasis placed on the word "day," But it has since evolved to a clear "Happy Day!" He often greets us with "Happy Day" when we enter his room in the mornings. He will also proclaim it randomlly throughout the day. Praise the Lord for the joyous spirit He has placed in this child.

"Rejoice always,

pray without ceasing,

in everything give thanks;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

So, to all of our precious friends, family and whoever else reads this I pray you each have a "Happy Day!"

P.S. Since, writing this post, Eason has edited his phrase, and Warren tells me it is my fault. Whenever this precious child would proclaim, "Happy Day!" I could not help but smile & say, "happy day, baby." So, now, instead of "happy day" Eason looks right at you with a smile & nod and says, "Happy Baby!" How appropriate.

Shane ... Da da .. Tar?

2008-07-14T12:32:00.013-04:00

Ok, I can no longer keep this precious child to myself. I must share about Eason with you. I know I have not been the best about updating, but I will try and do better.

Eason is 21 months old now and I cannot believe how time is flying by. He is truly a gift from our Great God to us! We just returned from a wonderful week at Edisto with the sistas and my son LOVES the beach. (Praise the Lord!!!) By our last day on the beach he was all in the surf, getting smacked by breakers and going back for more. It made me so proud and made Warren very concerned.
As an update,
Eason's hair is out of control, feathered & dangerous, and CURLY! He has now had 4 haircuts to tame that mane, and by God' grace his curls have continued to return. The curls are from his Daddy, not me, seeing as I was bald for the first 2 years of my life. Warren on the other hand,

My and his Zani's genes most notably passed along to E his delectible cheeks. I could kiss them all day long.

Have I mentioned how much I love this precious boy! And how grateful I am to God for giving me the desires of my heart!

"Delight yourself also in the Lord,

and He shall give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:4

Eason's vocabulary increases daily, which is amazing and terrifying all at the same time. He is a little ape and repeats much of what he hears and wants to be just like his Daddy.

He loves the guitar! and can play a mean air guitar. Naturally, he loves music and dancing. When he hears a "Tar" (guitar), he proclaims, "Da da ... Shane." A few weeks ago, Eason and I travelled to the edge conference at Covenant College on Lookout Mountain, Georgia (Chatanooga, TN). On the way up, we of course enjoyed the rockin sounds of Silers Bald, particularly rockin out to "Live at Town Theatre" [BC-I needed you on drums for How :)]. I explained to E that this was Daddy and Uncle Shane. I promise I mentioned Jason, Marcus & Aunt Laura, but the guitars were all he wanted to hear. When the song ended, Eason started crying. At first, I did not understand what he was fussing about, but it soon became clear...he wanted more Silers. After 1 Silers song he only wanted to hear Silers for the rest of the trip. Since then, I have heard many a request for "Shane...Da da?" I understand little man, I love Silers too.

*Kickstand Studios.

A week of firsts

2007-12-09T14:42:00.000-05:00

[NOTE this post was drafted several weeks ago]

This was a week for the record books for Little Eason.
Thursday ~6:00pm - First Independent Steps
Thursday afternoon, I went to pick him up from the Bazemore's. Momma B was playing with him on the floor in the den. Since, he was standing, I sat down on the floor a few feet away from them and reached out for Eason. My precious little one has begun to get so excited when he sees me that he almost jumps into my arms. Momma B released her hold on him and he took three stumbling steps and then fell into my arms. What a wonderful event. And I praise the Lord that He allowed me to be the witness and recipient of such a momentous milestone!

Saturday at 10:00am - First Parade
Saturday morning, Warren, Eason & I got up and headed to Camden to watch the Kershaw County Christmas Parade. Julie, a dear friend from work, owns and operates the lovely and historic Greenleaf Inn of Camden, located right on Broad Street, a prime location for enjoying the parade. This was Eason's first parade. He really enjoyed all the horses and the fire trucks. Although, he did not appreciate the fire trucks' sirens and horns.

Saturday at 1:00pm - First Haircut
Over the past few days, we have had several people call Eason a girl. I will admit that as of late his hair has gotten a little out of control. In the back, he had grown a little mullet. The precious curls on the sides of his head were almost wings enough to allow him to fly away. But it was the ever-increasing references to him being a girl, that spurred us on to set the appointment. Julie called her hairdresser, Melissa, at New Dimensions in Camden and set an appointment for us. After the parade & a delicious lunch at the Inn, Warren, Eason & I walked down Broad Street toward the hair place. Since we had a few extra minutes, we wandered into a guitar store. I was pouting more and more & my mood was souring as we came closer to the haircut. As we were questioning whether it was the right thing to do, the owner of the guitar store asked, "does that little girl play guitar?" ... Warren smiled politely at the man, as his eyes gave me a "see" look, and I almost broke into tears. I love his curls!!!

Finally an update

2007-11-25T08:55:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a most blessed Thanksgiving, I know we did. Well, there is no possible way to provide a thorough enough update, so I will try and hit the high points since my last post (which was roughlly a decade ago). Perhaps the most rediculous fact is that Eason is now over a year old! It has been the fastest year of our lives for sure. We are still researching ways to prevent Eason from growing up, but to date have not succeeded. I will have to renew my statement made at his birth, that Eason is THE most precious gift the Lord has bestowed upon us, next to His own Son. It is amazing to watch the world through his eyes. Eason is such a happy child and we know we have many thanks to give for that.

Breif update of milestones to date:
6 teeth, eating real people food,
Cruising, but not yet walking,
Loves music and to dance (this makes Daddy very happy!),
Signs "more," "please," & "all done"
Clasps hands to pray (oh, how that warms my heart)
Talks up a storm!
First word was "Da Da", but of course everything is Da Da;
One of his favorite words is "tur-tle" (this makes Mama very happy!)

Being all boy he loves "caaars"
All clocks are "Coo Coos", because his Bazemore grandparents have coo coo clocks that he really enjoys;
Daddy B's collection of Coca Cola, causes all bottles and red labels to be "Coca"
Grandmother Bazemore has been giving him daily piano lessons and has already instilled in him a love for books.
Favorite books include:
devotionals (Bible stories), "Where is baby's belly button" and "The Hungry Caterpillar."
All in all, Eason is so precious and I love him so much I often wonder how my heart does not explode!

Warren & I are doing great as well. The Lord has blessed us with a new home just blocks away from Warren's parents, who amazingly are still keeping Eason each day for us. I LOVE IT!!! We are set to close on our old house on Dec. 10 and would appreciate any and all prayers for that to complete. We had a prior contract that fell through for various reasons, including the fact that a car ran into our old house. Yes, you read that right and that is a story for another day.
Warren's job is going great, the Lord is blessing him there and I really enjoy my job, but miss our boy a lot! I found out last week that I get to prepare to argue before the Supreme Court of SC. That is exciting and terrifying altogether. ("exciting & terrifying")

Murray loves his new back yard and his new playmate. They often enjoy watching as "caaars" go by on our street.

We travelled to Charleston for Thanksgiving and had such a wonderful time with eveyone. we love you all so much!

We are so blessed by our heavenly Father with His love, our friends and family! Thanksgiving is not sufficient to cover it. PRAISE BE TO GOD!

What a Wonderful Day

2007-03-24T12:07:00.000-04:00

I am really enjoying my job, and one of the best parts about it is what we call AWS. AWS stands for alternative work schedule. It allows you to work the equivalent of one full day's hours over 2 weeks. The result, is that every 2 weeks I have a day off! I've also been helping out with our coastal office some, so that is bringing me down to Charleston more often. My Mom (aka Zani) loves it, because when I can, I bring Eason down for her to babysit while I work in Chucktown. Well, I had a meeting scheduled for this past Thursday and Friday was my AWS. So, I planned to come down with Eason. The tough part about coming home, is that there is never enough time to see everyone. It's even more difficult now that I have to work around nap times and meals (Eason's of course). When I come down, I often have to chose to either see family or friends. And now it's more like 1 family member or 1 friend. This past Friday I was determined to see Nancy. I called almost a month in advance to get on her schedule. Of course, the week before I come my meeting gets canceled, but I was not to be swayed from my playdate with Nancy and her boys. Nancy is one of my dearest friends in Charleston and life keeps us from spending as much time together as I would like.

Anyway, Eason and I came down after work Thursday night and stayed with my sister Elizabeth, Jason and the ever-entertaining Libby. Friday morning we got up and Eason & I dropped by Elizabeth's classroom to watch her in action. Elizabeth is an amazing teacher, truly gifted in her abilities to work with kids. It was fun to watch her interact with the kids and to see how much they enjoy learning in her class. After a yummy cupcake from the Latin club bake sale, we were off to Nancy's.

It was a beautiful day, 80 degrees, sun shinny. I mean perfect. And, since it was Friday, Nancy had playgroup, and we got to go too! Many of my high school friends still live in Charleston. Over the years, I have gotten to know some of the other women that the Lord has brought into their circle. We all converged on this precious little park along the river. I cannot get over how everyone's children are growing up. So precious and so much fun.

Girls we had a wonderful time with all of you and will definitely come back on my off-Fridays, when possible.

After the park, Nancy and I returned to her house with our boys. Mills and Bose settled in for a nap and I fed Eason. That gave Nancy and me some much needed time to catch up. Then Bose came back down and played with us. He is such a precious child as is evidinced from Nancy's blog. He is so articulate and willingly shared his toys with Eason. Nance, thanks for lunch and a wonderful day!

Go GAMECOCKS!

2007-03-15T23:10:00.000-04:00

Two Saturdays ago Warren and I took Eason for his first picnic on the Horseshoe. It was such a perfect day. His Daddy dressed him in a cute hat and shorts outfit that his cousins passed down to him. Michelle, one of God's blessings in my life, came by for a little bit. And Warren's parents met us down there as well. After enjoying our lunch, Warren, Eason and I took a tour of campus with his parents. It was so special. You know Warren and I met while we were students at USC. Well, so did his parents. We walked all over campus, reminisced, and talked about how much had changed since each of our times as students. What a perfect day! Thank you Lord for precious times with family & friends and precious memories. And thank you Lord for bringing my precious husband into my life!!!

A Friend to Walk beside You

2007-03-13T19:54:00.000-04:00

God is so good to bring people to walk beside you during different times of life. Two of our dear friends from college, Chuck and Sara Jenkins, found out they were having a baby a few weeks before we found out we were expecting. Then we found out the Lord was blessing both our families with little boys. How blessed we were to go through pregnancy together, and now we have two precious boys who are three weeks apart and destined to be best friends.

Can't you see these two getting into all kinds of trouble together?

Chuck and Sara are moving to Atlanta this week and we are going to miss them sorely, but that just means there will be many roadtrips in our future.

Update on the Boy

2007-03-13T08:04:00.000-04:00

Eason is 5 months old and change. He is really becoming a little human now. No longer content to be left alone if others are in the room. He wants to talk and he responds and interacts and it all warms my heart. Much of this must be attributed to his grandmomma and granddaddy who keep him while I am at work. They talk with him and teach him all day long. How blessed we are to have them! Thank you Momma & Dad for all you do and for all of your love which never seems to run dry! He learns something new to do almost daily: sucking on his bottom lip, sticking his tongue out, grasping the spoon when I feed him his cereal, holding his bottle, chewing on 2 fingers, fake coughing, standing, flirting, and the list goes on and is constantly changing. What a fun and sweet time. You love to smile and giggle and it can entertain Daddy and me forever. I am addicted to your smiles and laughter!!! Once you giggle, I find I will do almost anything to keep you laughing.

God is so good the way He washes away the pain of labor and even the struggles of those first weeks (months). I have had 3 breast infections and Eason did not put his birth weight back on for a few weeks after he was born, but let me report the stats from his 4 month checkup. We have a little chunky monkey, though he is only in th 35th percentile. The biggest shocker was that Eason is in the 95th percentile in length. He shot up, so fast, that the nurse actuallly measured him twice to be sure. Daddy told him not to get used to that. :)

Praise God for all of His faithfulness!

New Years

2007-02-08T07:38:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I'm a wee bit behind on my posts, but such is life.

Over New Years we got to see our Band Family some and it was so nice. For those of you who do not know, Warren has been in a band for the past 10 or so years. At some points, they were traveling over 200+ days out of the year. These folks are truly family, as they know each other better than some blood relatives do. The Band family has expanded over the past few years, through marriages and babies. Eason is the second "band baby." The first is his beautiful girlfriend Lilian Jacobs.

Time with the band is precious and few these days, because we are spread over four different states now. Warren, Eason, & I are obviously in Columbia, as well as Chris; Jason, Sasha and Lilian are in Florida; Shane and Trisha are in Charlotte; and Marcus and Katie are in Nashville.
When we got together we were reminded that our lives have certainly changed...we now look for less smoky places to matriculate...some of us have the new names "Mommy" and "Daddy"...we have mortgages. Ah, life has certainly changed.
We had such a wonderful time with all of you & love you so much!
Thanks for making our lives richer!

Trish and Shane gave Eason and Lillian their first pair of Robeez. What great shoes!!! Eason's so appropriately have little red crabs on them. He already loves the ocean and all its wonders! (whether he knows it or not)

All manner of living things...

2007-01-03T08:26:00.000-05:00

I have been told by my wife to write this post. The majority of the posts will be from Sara because she will say all of the sweet motherly things that you want to share with family and dear friends. This event, however, was mine alone to bear and therefore I must be the one to tell it.

I have never liked cats. I have never been what is refered to as a cat person. They are sneaky and quiet and I like to know when something is about to take a swipe at my ankles. For Sara's accomplishment of finishing law school we agreed that a just reward would be getting an orange cat for HER (notice emphasis) enjoyment. We named him Aslan after considering Leroy and other catty names. He has brought much joy to Sara and therefore I endure him. But Warren, one might ask, how can you be so certain in your disdain of cats? Please continue reading.

Two nights ago Eason woke up for his 4AM feeding. Sara had her first day in court the next morning so I did the honorable thing and fed Eason his bottle. It was a relatively quick affair and Eason was asleep and content in his crib at 4:45. Throughout the early morning hours I had heard our dog Murray barking at something in the house. I have learned to completely ignore and give no value to any noise at night that is not a screaming child. When I was walking back to our room from Eason's nursery I again heard Murray going nuts in our bathroom. I walked into our bathroom to see Murray and Aslan standing on either side of the dark wood shelves where we have a clock and books and candles and all other sorts of things appropriate for a bathroom set of shelves. As you have read earlier in the blog, Aslan has a love for bringing in lizards as presents to us. At least this is what Sara says to keep me from letting our dog eat our cat. So I bend down to view this lizard, take account of the size, surroundings, etc.. and make a plan for a proper exodus for this newest present from our cat. When I get a good view underneath the shelves I see a tail hanging down but the body of the lizard was out of sight, stretched up the wall behind the first shelf. I have to decide wether or not to grab the tail of the lizard or to move the shelves and grab the lizard off of the wall. I decide to do the latter as lizards are prone to drop their tails in defense. When I move the shelf their is a flurry of movement and I see the big gray mouse. Let me say that again in case you missed it. It was no lizard but rather a big gray mouse. It is the grace of God that stayed my hand and kept me from throwing the shelves to the gorund and smashing every breakable thing in the bathroom out of shock. Do we live in a barn? Are we in Egypt during the time of the plagues? Do I have to keep the cat? Anyway...upon my pulling back of the shelves, Aslan allowed me to witness the suprisingly quick death of our intruder. Murray was barking at the top his his lungs as the cat just looked at me in complete satisfaction. Sara was sleeping. I proceeded to spend the next 45 minutes cleaning the bathroom floor like it has never been cleaned before. If you had lit a match our entire home would have been an ash heap.

Later on during the day, call if you want the full story, Aslan brought in some sort of grasshopper/locust hybrid that I was forced to deal with. Capping it all off, however, was when Sara was feeding Eason late the next afternoon. While sitting on the couch with our newborn son, the picture of tranquility, Sara hears a chirp. The chirping then begins to grow in volume. Sara then sees a shadow moving toward the pet door and is thinking that the bird is going to fly into our house. She was wrong. The bird was being carried into our house in the mouth of HER cat. With the proper amount of screaming by Sara and crying by Eason the cat never fully made it into the house and was forced to relinquish the bird. I promise I am not making one bit of this up. Seriously.

I do not even know how to end this post because it is all so over the top. But maybe that is a fitting coupling with our arrival as parents. I think that it is safe to say that while I am adjusting to the schedule and duties involved in being a Dad, I am not so adjusted to the role of cat owner.

A First

2007-01-03T07:51:00.000-05:00

Christmas Eve was not all pooh and spitup. That morning while we were getting ready for church, Eason shared with us his first honest-to-goodness laugh. Twice in fact. His daddy was dressing him and Eason was lying on the bed. They were playing a game that his grandmomma often plays with him when she keeps him. Warren goes "clap, clap, clap," in front of Eason. Then he takes Eason's hands and repeats the sound and action. Warren let go of Eason's hands, which Eason promptly flung apart, and Warren cheered. For some reason this morning that game tickled Eason enough to muster up a true chuckle. I was walking out of the room when I heard it and ran back to the bed in time to witness a repeat performance! Oh, what a wonderful Christmas present! Those sounds are so precious!

Christmas Eve

2006-12-26T19:51:00.000-05:00

WARNING: Contents of this post contain baby poo! I think it only fitting that this post follow one entitled "Peace."
So, Christmas Eve came on a Sunday this year, and we began our family's day (because we have a family now) by going to church. I dressed Eason in this beautiful, white church outfit, complete with a stitched cross on the collar and precious little booties. We were actually pulling up to church with time to spare. No, really, we were going to be on time, & with a kid no less. As Warren is pulling over to park we hear gurgling from the back seat. I turn and view Eason in the baby mirror as his entire stomach contents spew forth from his little mouth. I never cease to be amazed at how much can come out of such a little thing! Not only was his pretty outfit soaked through, but the car seat & the car seat base (as we later discovered) were drenched. So much for being on time. So we jump out and wanting-to-be-prepared Sara whisks him out of that outfit into a cute, although more casual, Christmas outfit that I had brought along for just such an event. We change him and head towards the church. Eason, however, is not a fan of having his clothes changed and was letting us know it. Thankfully, his Lainie was there with her faux-nursing hold that quited him right down and put him to sleep for the entire service.
After church, we all walked to High Cotton for brunch. It was going smoothly, until I realized that I had forgotten to pack a bottle and he would be waking soon with an empty stomach. Now, Eason may look like his Daddy, but he got his Momma's (Baker) temper. When he is hungry, you have about T-minus 2 seconds to fix it before he turns himself as red as a lobster and screams until he stops breathing. Yes, it is a lovely display. So, Warren ran back to Mom's for an emergency bottle & good thing, because not 5 minutes after Warren left, our precious little screamer woke up. I carried him out of our dining room into the bar area, where a trio was playing some lovely music that distracted him quite well. The only problem was that the keyborad player, a very talented woman, became rather emotional after watching how much Eason enjoyed the music. She was able to finish the song, but then had to take a break to compose herself, and blow her nose. While she was gone the sax player actually asked us not to bring him over there again.
After brunch, Warren, Eason, & I headed out to Town Center to get a few final gifts for Christmas. No problem. In and out, we thought. Since Eason had a full belly and should be napping soon, I decided to use our baby bjorn (you know the backpack looking things that you wear in front of you, with the baby's arms & legs dangling down), rather than the stroller. And, since we didn't have the stroller & wouldn't be gone long, we left the diaper bag in the car. Oh, this parenting thing is definitely a learning curve.
We stroll first through several stores for fun, including looking at the baby clothes at Old Navy. Then...we go to Barnes & Noble. We split up to accomplish our shopping faster. Warren proceeded to the music section at the back & I went to the children's books to find gifts for the two older neices. As I walk over, I hear & feel a rumble from Eason's lower end, but dismiss it since we will be getting out soon. I flag an employee to help me find the Newberry award books, & as she is helping me a follow-up rumble comes. This time a little bigger and a little stinkier. She & I both ignore the obvious faux-pas and continue with the task at hand, until...I hear, "splat, splat!" I look down, & to my horror, there is bright, yellow poo dripping down my brand new skirt, on my boot and ON THE FLOOR!!!
"Oh my Goodness," I exclaimed, as I took the nice, church burp cloth that I had with me and grabbed his foot, bending his leg at the knee to prevent any additional leakage. I apologized profusely as the lady took some paper towels and wiped off my boot. Then I ran for the door as I called Warren on the cell.

Warren: Hello
Sara: Meet me at the front of the store, NOW!
Warren: Why, what's wrong?
Sara: Eason just pooped, all over me, & all over the store. Meet me at the front, RUN!

As I approach the front doors, Warren meets me. I turn toward him to give him the full view of my state and he stares back in horror at the sight of the bright mustard yellow poo on my skirt. We high tail it back to the car, half in shock, half in hysterics laughing at what had just occurred. I run for the car to change the poor child, while Warren runs to Old Navy to buy a new outfit since we are now out of them. When he returns, I've cleaned up Eason and myself, but the outfit is too small. Praise God, Eason is finally growing. So, Warren runs back to exchange it for the next size up. He went to the same cashier as before and she remarked, "they sure do grow fast, don't they?" As he is doing this, Eason spits up on me, in my hair and on my new sweater. See, after having a baby, my body does not fit into my old clothes. So, my precious husband bought me a new outfit to wear for Christmas, and now this new outfit was quite christened in mommy-wear.
So, we get cleaned up & dressed and return to B&N to finish shopping. Before we left, I treated myself to a pumpkin spice latte. "Ummmm...Yummy!"
Back to the car, only 2 more stops to make. We swing by Earthfare & Warren runs in. Eason had fallen asleep in his stroller/carseat, but it was time to eat again, and while Warren was in the store Eason let me know he was hungry. I got him out of the car to walk around as he announced to the world his hunger. A little girl and her mom were getting in their car that was parked next to us & the expression on her face was one of great concern. I calmly reassured her that Eason was ok, & that he was just hungry.
Last stop, we pull up to Wal-Mart, & park in the fire lane. Warren just needed to run in for some i-Tunes gift cards, & I got in the back to nurse Eason. I cracked the window since it was so unseasonably hot & asked Warren to lock us in. While Warren was gone, I decided to open the door to let a little air in, but when I unlocked the door it set the alarm off. Since this car is new to us, I wasn't sure what to do. I jumped over the seat to try and hit the buttons from the driver's controls in hopes that that would cancel the alarm. To no avail, I slumped back into the back seat in utter defeat. But as I slumped, I knocked over my latte, spilling it not only all over the floor of the car, but also all over the pretty, little, white outfit from church, now a white and khaki outfit. About that time, Warren came out of the store & heard the alarm. Bless his heart, he came running to my rescue, quieting the screaming car. It was a day for the record books.
Suffice it to say, we got home, cleaned up our clothes, wrapped our presents, and enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner and gifts with Mom, Mark, Steph, Sara Susanne, Liz, Jason, & Libby.
And, even after days like this one, I would not trade being a mommy for anything, even for sleep. (and for those of you who know me, that it saying a lot!) God is so good!

Peace

2006-12-10T08:45:00.000-05:00

There is a commercial airing during this Christmas season that is precious. I think it is for Pampers, but cannot remember. I wonder if advertisers believe they get their job done when people remember the gist of the commercial but not the product. Anyway, it simply shows various babies sleeping so peacefully as a carol, (I think it is "Silent Night") plays in the background. Then the commercial ends with a picture of the Earth from space & the words "Peace on Earth." Below are some pictures they could have used.

Dr. Bonnett

2006-11-21T20:03:00.000-05:00

Eason is so blessed to have a wonderful and godly pediatrician! Dr. Luke Bonnett operates Chapin Pediatrics and is the BEST! Any friends in Cola, esp Irmo, needing a doctor for your children will do well to visit Luke. His wife Betsy, grew up in the same church and youth group as Warren and we all go to church together! She is an amazing encourager to me and they have 3 of the cutest boys. Thanks Luke & Betsy for all that you do and all of your prayers!

Home from the Hospital

2006-11-21T13:31:00.000-05:00

Eason has been given so many precious outfits. Dad and Elaine gave him one with fish on it that he wore home from the hospital. Warren says I can dress him in these "Charleston" outfits only for the first year then Warren gets to choose his wardrobe.

Check out those cheeks!

Lizards and pelts

2006-11-06T09:55:00.000-05:00

Ok, so the next few posts I have planned will not be in chronological order but that's all I can do these days. Also, please forgive any typos as I often type one-handed while Eason dines.

So, this past Friday I am nestled on our couch nursing Eason. Meanwhile, Murray (our Boykin spaniel) is incessently barking at the plantation shutters behind us in the dining room area. See, our cat, Aslan, is in the habit of bringing lizards into the house. Typically, the poor beasts are still alive when he brings them inside as a gift to us. This results in Murray barking at them and us trying to catch them to set them free. However, this was a particularly crafty lizard, who had found sanctuary behind the china cabinet everytime we attempted to catch him. Thus, Murray simply stood and barked in his general direction.
So, Eason's nursing, Murray's barking & Aslan enters through the cat/dog door with something in his mouth. As he walks past the couch I recognize that he is carrying the remains of a squirrel, the tail, pelt & some bones to be exact. I scream at the cat to drop it, which he does and then proceeds to look at me with this shocked expression, as if to say, "Do you not appreciate my gift to you?" All the yelling peaks Murray's curiosity enough to draw him away from the lizard. So, now I am threatening both animals with certain spankings if they get near that pile of squirrel, but I can't really do anything, because Eason is still nursing. Then, the doorbell rings (I am not making this up). It was the UPS man with a package he wouldn't just leave. So, here I am topless, animals going beserk and I have to interrupt my child from his meal, which did not make him happy. I throw on a shirt and answer the door to a way-to-cheerful UPS man, who continues to smile as I look at him and wonder if he can come remove the carnage from my house. But before I can speak, he gives me a "have a nice day" & flees back to his brown truck. I close the door, throw on plastic gloves, grab a dustpan & plastic bag, and remove the remains. Then I sprayed the floor with clorox, which my cat proceeded to lick and then roll in. Murray rreturned to barking at the lizard & after washing my gloves and hands thoroughly I returned Eason to his meal. Ah, a day in the life, "Calgon take me away!"

Eason

2006-11-03T16:26:00.000-05:00

On October 8, 2006, at 11:17 AM the Lord delivered Eason Edward Bazemore into this world! Welcome Eason, we are so glad you are finally here! Eason weighed 7 pounds 4 ounces and was 21.5 inches long, with a full head of dark hair to boot!

Proud Papa!

Tired and swollen Momma.

Perfect Baby!

Several of our friends have blogs and we have been blessed to enjoy them. With life getting so busy as we all play adults and now many of us parents, it is often difficult to keep up with each other, but their blogs have allowed me insight into friends' daily "highs and lows" as well as a way to watch their children grow. We hope that our boig will also provide a window into our lives to our loved ones near and far. We love you all and covet your prayers as we begin this rollercoaster ride of parenthood.