Baby's first day of school & Baby Dedication!

Last weekend was a special weekend for Wes for several reasons!

As Joe begins to wrap up the school year, several special occasions take place. One was a "fair" where students create business ideas to raise money for their student councel. It was the perfect day for Nica & Wes to make our grand appearance to meet the students and teachers of Yew Wah! It was a beautiful afternoon and a lot of fun!

Here is Wes visiting Daddy's classroom!

On Sunday, July 5th, at almost 4 weeks old, we had the privilege of participating in a baby dedication. Although I dedicated him to the Lord every time I lay him in bed for the night (mommy just can't be there to protect him at ALL times!) this was a public declaration of Joe and I that evidenced our dependence upon the Lord to raise this child and our desire to raise him in the ways of God and according to His word. Some day, should Wes desire, he will be baptized of his own free will to publicly declare his love for the Lord and faith in Christ. We look forward to witnessing that day in his life!!!

Here we are in our church waiting for the families to be called to the front.

We were joined by 11 other families who also used this time to dedicate their babies to God.

Each child was introduced to the church on the screen so they could both meet and pray for each child being dedicated. In case you can't read the words:

Wesley Martin Born May 9, 2011
Proud Parents: Joe & Veronica Martin

USA/Canada

It was amazing to see children from so many countries, cultures, and background being dedicated that day!

Wes was anointed with oil and prayed over by our pastor, joined by the congregation, asking for God to guide and bless his life. We are so privileged to be given this precious boy to raise! We daily pray for wisdom in how to guide his little life! We are grateful for our friends and families who are willing to support us in this daunting task!

Each family was given a bouquet of flowers and a certificate of dedication to commemorate the occasion.

After the service, Wes was surrounded by supportive and encouraging friends! :)

We hope this post can make other friends and family feel like you were there, too! Thanks for your support and prayers! We love you guys!

Joe, Nica, & Wes

Wesley loves helping daddy study!! He's not distracting at all. ;)
As daddy studies the Gospel of John, here is father and son learning from the Beatles the importance of love...




Hanging out with mom is a little different! Now that I've started working a little again, we are both enjoying the frog toy so much more! Wes kicks (and is not distracting at all!) while mommy starts back with emails and meetings. Sometimes his cuteness is too much, and mommy can't help but grab the camera with her odd, off-the-cuff commentary.... so that mommy can share his cuteness with others, too! :)




This weekend is a special weekend for us! We will dedicate Wesley to the Lord publicaly in a baby dedication at church. We're excited to do this and will post photos of that soon!

Love you all,
Joe, Nica, & Wes

Loving Wesley...

Right now this mommy is enjoying quality time with this little joy!! While I'm still off of work, the ayi comes to clean and do laundry, and friends are still blessing us with meals, I just can't stop cuddling, singing to, and staring in wonder at this little boy who is my son. Joey says I've got a new toy. Perhaps, but my heart just swells with wonder and love for him every time I look at him. When he's sleeping, I look at pictures. When I'm sleeping, I keep an ear open at all times so I can jump up and be with him again if he needs me. I am in awe at this little one who depends so much upon me. I think of this and compare with my dependence upon my Heavenly Father. Joe and I cry out for wisdom for how to raise this precious, precious gift!!

Here are a few shots I've taken of Wesley during a few of our afternoons together:

My "photo shoots" always start out with him crying, then giving in to mommy's whims, and eventually falling asleep. haha...he's so cute.

My mom got him this little monkey outfit, so we did a little shoot including the bib, hat, and socks, and a few of his other monkey friends!!

he's already seeing his toes--I was happy to get this shot of him trying to reach them!!

our little sweetheart...

I got a video clip of him kicking off his monkey socks (he prefers his bare toes!!) but the file is a little big to upload with our internet connection. So, trying to find a way to edit videos. If anyone has a program suggestion, lmk!! :)

Wes loves getting visitors!!!

Here he is with Nicoleen...

...Dee & Geo... (we can't wait till their wedding in a few weeks!!!)

...Wes with Tiffany!



...Wes with May!


...and Wes with Ivy!! :)

Sunday night was our Family Night!! Here are my boys goofing around together. Wes can hold his head up and look around already! Strong little guy...like his daddy...

We love this little guy and can't wait for him to meet our families in person! One more month!! <3

Joe, Nica, & Wes

Special Deliveries, Photo Shoot #1, & playing with toys!

Since my mom had to cancel her ticket to come over Wes' birth, she mailed some of the clothes she and others had bought as gifts for him. Imagine Wes' surprise when he saw all these new outfits arrive in a box addressed to him!!! :D

Between these outfits and the ones daddy brings home that he finds, this mommy has a hard time deciding what to put on him each day. haha



Our first family photos with Wesley!!




An attempt at a photo shoot. I'm NO photographer, but didn't want to miss some of the "moments" that pass us. I didn't want to strip him down for little butt pictures which seem to be popular these days, especially since he has so many cuute outfits!! So this will be the first of several attempted photo shoots.






And some mommy-lovin photos. Don't ever want to forget these special days Wes & I get to share together. I'm so blessed!!







These are some photos that Gramma has shot from her webcam!! I know you can't be here mom, but I sure am grateful for Skype! Wes can't wait to meet you in person!!



He is such a smiley baby!! It's SO hard to catch those smiles on camera because they come and go so quickly, but here are a few!! :)






And I loove watching him play with his Mr. Frog toy!! It's been sitting and waiting for him to come to play with him for months!! I thought it might be a little early for him to enjoy it, but on his one-week birthday, I couldn't resist. I got it out and said, "Happy Birthday, Wes!! Here's a new toy!! Let's PLAY!!!" haha. I knew he wouldn't notice the toys dangling up top yet so didn't think he'd be into it. Surprise for mommy!!! He loooves looking at Mr. Frog's big red mouth! Just stares and stares. So, it's already starting to keep him entertained!

I'd have some time to myself if it weren't for the fact that just I can't stop just looking at him...



This mommy is in love....

Wesley Playing and Hiccups Video Clips