My Little Baby Kajanae

....is so precious to me...and I can't believe that she is officially a quarter of a year old. She's now three months as of the 21st.

Even though Kajanae is still so young, there is so much I could say about this precious little one...but words just wouldn't do it. She's irreplaceable..priceless...OURS. I still marvel over the fact that God has given her to me, to be her caregiver while she's on this earth. Kaji, I love you...I couldn't love you more...but even that is a fraction of the love that your Father in heaven has for you, precious little one. You are special. You are loved. You will do great things; this I know.

I suppose I should record some logistics as well, so that we can look back and see Kajanae's developmental progress, etc. I'm keeping a baby book for her and taking lots of photos like I'm doing with Kimora and Kariah...so I suppose this blog is sort of a secondary source of their growth and development. Recent milestones include:

~Kajanae has begun to exhibit an obvious recognition of Jamal and me; she'll still engage strangers and other lesser known faces, but she certainly prefers me, Jamal, my mother, and Corinne over others. She will search for me in a room and will often smile when she spots me!
~I speak a lot to Kaji, and she'll look directly at me and try to "talk" back.
~She seems pretty coordinated with her arms and legs...very good at pumping. Her kicks are getting stronger, too!
~When placed on her stomach, she will use her arms as support, lifting up her shoulders and head high.
~She loves to watch and observe her sisters; needless to say, Kimora and Kariah do provide interesting entertainment. Kaji will watch their antics for rather extended periods of time; she seems to be very alert and have a longer attention span than many 3 month olds.
~Kajanae weighs about 12 pounds now

Happy 1/4 Birthday little baby Kajanae Samaria!

Aunt Flo

Well...Aunt Flo came to visit me for the first time since a year ago! I guess it's time to be more strict with the birth control (insert sheepish laugh). I'm telling you...I certainly haven't missed the cramps! Ugh!

Welcome Back!

As of Saturday night, our entire crew was officially back in A-town. No matter how wonderful and relaxing the vacation, something about coming home just feels right!

For those unaware, this spring break trip to Cancun, Mexico was in honor of my lovely sisters, Corinne, Acaijah, and Ciahnna. They've worked very hard this year with their academic work, and we're very proud of them. :) Each was allowed to bring one friend...and Corinne brought her boyfriend. We had a marvelous time spending the days on the beach, perusing the city in the evenings, eating out, and relaxing at the lavish hotel at night.

Being a very touristy place, knowing Spanish wasn't essential. However, we had fun speaking Spanish among ourselves and ordering in Spanish at some of the restaurants...even Kimora did that!

I kept Kajanae under the umbrella the entire time and kept all three girls slathered in sun screen. Some people think that I don't have to be as diligent considering my daughters' darker complexions...not the case. SPF 50 for my babies!

Jamal, my parents, and I had to keep a sharp eye on Kimora and Kariah on the beaches. As I've mentioned before, they're fearless around water. Although Kimora is only 3, she's a good swimmer in a pool. However, the ocean is a whole different ball park! She begged us to take her out deeper in the water. When the waves broke over her head...was she phased? No sir! Jamal took her out past where the waves break with an innertube...she thought that was boring in the calmer waters! Why was I surprised? Does Kimora ever choose the calmer, more rational choice? :)

I think that Kariah knew she was getting the short end of the stick. I didn't even want Jamal to take her out because no man is a match for the ocean...even a man like Jamal. I just wasn't comfortable with a 19 month old venturing into the deep waters. I kept her along the edge and would hold her hands as she jumped the smaller waves and the other waves that had already broken and were rolling in toward the shore. When Jamal would take Kimora out in the water, I would often walk along the shore with Kariah and help her collect shells, sharks teeth, and sea glass. Sometimes Kariah would bypass the gorgeous, intricate shells for a glob of jiggly, tubular seaweed! Go figure! :)

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Before closing, one other thing that I feel necessary to mention involves my doctors appointment today. I think I mentioned before that I've lost a lot of weight since giving birth to Kajanae. I've always been thin, but I've dropped below what is considered healthy for my height (I'm 5 ft. 9 in.). I've been in denial about this because I know that I've been eating as I was before; I told my doctor that running after 3 small children must take any and all excess off of me! She didn't buy it, and she said that something's got to give. She really doesn't want to tell me that I should stop nursing Kariah (in addition to Kajanae), but that would be the next step. At this point, she wants me to count calories and keep a food log to make sure I'm eating enough to stop dropping weight. She has set a daily goal for me of 2,200 calories. To be honest, I think everyone is making a bigger deal of this than is necessary. I feel very healthy! ....but I suppose I'll humor them, because they're probably right. Self force-feeding, here I come!! :-/

Tropical Paradise

Hello all! It's been a while since my blog has been updated, especially updated by me! (I actually thought about deleting Jamal's post; I planned on copying it and saving it just for my own keeping...but he acted all offended. He's just VERY into PDA...or affection at any time, for that matter. So, I'll leave it posted because I think it's sweet...but it did embarrass me just a tad! :) )

Well...the end of last week consisted of preparations for our spring break trip to Cancun this week. We arrived yesterday evening and will spend the week here! For those of you who don't know, Corinne, Acaijah, and Ciahnna have their spring break this week. They each brought a friend...well..in Corinne's case the proper moniker would be boyfriend! :)

I'd better head to bed so I can enjoy tomorrow with the rest of the crew...everyone else (in my room, at least) has long since been "knocked-out"! Take care everyone; thank you to those of you who prayed for our safe travels. Buenas noches!

Inside Every Great Man You Can Find a Woman Like a Soldier

For future reference, if you don’t want me to be snooping, you shouldn’t leave your blog up signed in with password and everything, little missyyy ;-) I know you’re busy, but this needs a little updating, so I’m taking this into my own hands. Hope it’s a fun surprise for you. And while I’m at it with hijacking your site maybe I should erase that uh---embarrassing post about say um----Kariah, Kajanàe, and some unknown male getting some type of action---? Is there something I should know, Breezy Boo? Alrighty here you go, courtesy of Fabolous and Neyo, You Make Me Better, dedicated to youuu.. oh and a P.S. Don’t get too busy. Take some Lia time, okay? Heart you.

I'm a movement by myself.
But I'm a force when we're together.
Mami I'm good all by myself.
But baby you, you make me better.

You plus me, it equals better math.
Ya boy a good look but, she my better half.
I'm already bossin', already flossin'.
But why I have the cake if it ain't got the sweet frostin'?
Keepin' me on my A game.
They may flame
But shawty, we burn it up.
The sag in my swag, pep in my step.
Daddy do the Gucci, mami in Giuseppes.
Guess it's a G thing, whenever we swing.
I'mma need Coretta Scott, if I'm gonna be King.

First things first, I does what I do.
But everything I am, she's my influ.
I'm already boss, I'm already fly.
But if I'm a star, she is the sky.
And when I feel like I'm on top.
She give me reason to not stop.

And though I'm hot,
Together we burn it up.


The caked up cut, the cleaned up ice.
When shawty come around, I clean up nice.
Dynamic duo, Batman and Robin.
Whoever don't like it, it's that man problem.
And when I feel like I'm tired,
Mami be takin' me higher.
I'm on fire
But shawty we burn it up.


Inside every great man, you can find a woman like a soldier holdin' him down.

I'm a movement by myself.
But I'm a force when we're together.
Mami I'm good all by myself.
But baby you, you make me better.

:-* You gotta fix this post time clock babe. It’s way off. I’ll snoop around and see if I can fix it.

Significance

Last night I was encouraged to read these words from Max Lucado in his book And the Angels Were Silent (about the last week of Christ's life before the crucifixion):

Take this quiz.

Name the ten wealthiest men in the world.
Name the last ten Heisman trophy winners.
Name the last ten winners of the Miss America contest.
Name eight people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
How about the last ten Academy Award winners for best picture or the last decade's worth of World Series winners?

How did you do? I didn't do well either. With the exception of you trivia hounds, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday too well. Surprising how quickly we forget, isn't it? And what I've mentioned above are no second-rate achievements. These are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one.

Think of three people you enjoy spending time with.
Name ten people who have taught you something worthwhile.
Name five friends who have helped you in a difficult time.
List a few teachers who have aided your journey through school.
Name half-a-dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.

Easier? It was for me, too. The lesson? The people who make a difference are not the ones with the credentials, but the ones with the concern.

Thanks, Max. I needed this reminder.

A Smörgåsbord

Today is Kajanae Samaria's 2 month birthday. Happy 2 months, my sparkly-eyed koala! :) As Kariah would say, "I love you big much!" Funny how you've only been with us for two months, yet I can't even imagine life without you! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Being the Friday before Easter, I would like to share a song called "How Deep the Father's Love For Us," which is very timely in our celebration of Jesus' sacrifice, the ransom from our sins, and His resurrection...the promise of new and eternal life:



How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
Not gifts, nor power, nor wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom


And finally, please remember little Kimora as she came down with a bug yesterday. I think it must have been a 24 hour virus as she is already feeling much better, just tired. Kimora HATES to throw up and shrieks and carries on like she's dying, so just remember her if you find yourselves short of prayer requests (not likely!).