Look Who's Walkin'...

Well, the time we have all been waiting for has arrived...Ra is officially mobile (and not in that crawling way, we're talking about feet-flat-on-the-floor walking). Technically, Ra took his first steps at his birthday party (but mommy missed it, so it didn't count). His next steps happened at my friend Jennifer (and Josh's) house during a play date. They have a carpeted livingroom, so it made it more appealing to walk (and fall) on. Apparently, our hardwood floor is not that appealing...I don't blame him. Ra took a few steps across their livingroom floor and decided that was enough for the day (and would not demonstrate his skills for his own mother when she was trying to document the moment on film). Lil' Mess!!! Later on that week, he would stand, take a few steps and then sit down before he hurt himself on our unforgiving floor. But as the days passed, he continued to get more and more daring and would increase the amount of steps he would take before he would resign to crawling again. This past week RaKhem has decided to explore the wonders of walking around our livingroom unassisted by parents or furniture. Now, he still has a little way to go before he is completely comfortable being on his feet, but he is officially walking!

So now, our little baby is officially gone. He is now a little boy! He has (what he would consider) "real" conversations with people, he fusses when he is frustrated, he has become a little discriminate about the foods he eats (not too much though because mommy refuses to prepare multiple meals for the lil' munchkin)...he has just grown so much since this time last year! He is a bit more particular about who he goes to, but give him a few minutes to process the situation and he will be all right.

Oh, I forgot to tell you that Hasan and I had our first night out alone since Ra has been born (compliments of Auntie Imani). She came out a few weeks ago to celebrate RaKhem's birthday with us. She insisted that we go out and enjoy ourselves for a few hours while she stayed and spent some time with her nephew. At first, we were going to turn the offer down because we did not want the experience to discourage her from having any children of her own (just kidding). I guess I was just experiencing "Mommy Anxiety" because I didn't know if I had covered everything that Imani needed to know and I didn't want Ra to seriously act like a nut while we were gone. When I finally did get out of the house, we went to see Pirates of the Caribbean 2. I let Imani know that if she had any questions she could text message us on our phones. Best believe I had my phone in my hand the whole movie just so i wouldn't miss it vibrating. I was a bit distracted the whole time we were away, but I knew that Ra was in very capable hands. I JUST NEEDED TO CHILL!!! Overall, I really enjoyed the movie and the chance to spend time with Hasan without the little one in the middle of everything. So Imani...THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THINKING ABOUT US!!! We love you! Well, until next time...

Peace & Luv,
des, hasan & ra

Happy Birthday to Ra!

Can you believe it has been a year? (NOTE: Don't mind the date of the post because I started writing this on the 6th but it is actually the 8th that I am finishing this entry). I am still amazed...and we actually lived through it. Preparing for RaKhem's big day had me reminiscing about so many things. Mainly about how long we waited for him to arrive. Now, I am not talking about the actual pregnancy. I am talking about the years prior to his arrival.

As some of you know, RaKhem was not our first attempt at getting pregnant. Actually, I got pregnant on our honeymoon (this was not planned), but after the shock wore off we embraced it. Unfortunately, at the three month mark I miscarried. Being use to the idea of being parents we decided to try again...and we were successful. After we passed the three month mark, we told everyone the good news. We were ecstatic! Then my Sickle Cell started to rear it's ugly head and I was in and out of the hospital. It was not a fun situation. I made it to six months and the unthinkable happened. I had just returned home from a hospital stay and was still trying to recuperate. It was a Friday, 9 o'clock in the morning and my water broke. Hasan had already left for work (at USC) and I couldn't drive so luckily our next door neighbor drove me to the hospital where Hasan and I were informed that there was no heartbeat. Everything, for us, stopped! To make a long story short, Anura Kai Johnson left us to join The Most High (she had bigger things to do). Needless to say, this was devastating and the healing process was a long and tedious one, but fours years later the wounds had healed enough to try again.

Now, my pregnancy with RaKhem was not an easy one (almost 6 months of bed rest, an at-home oxygen tank and IV, a home health nurse, monthly blood transfusions, and weekly doctor's appointments). I only spell all of this out because when RaKhem finally learns how to read, he will be forced to read that sentence everytime he wants to act up. Back to the story, we knew right away that Ra was a fighter and that this pregnancy would be different. He was energetic, aware, and had a sense of humor (he found it funny to tap dance on mommy's bladder in the wee hours of the morning). This is not to say that the thought of going through another pregnancy was not terrifying to both of us, but we had to try one more time. But this time we did not tell anyone what was going on until I was 6.5 months pregnant. We just wanted to be sure that we far enough into the pregnancy to be considered safe. So for those of you who thought it was personal...it wasn't.

All of this is to say that he is finally here now. And he has been this breath of fresh air for the past year and I am just so amazed (we are so amazed). It has been a long and bumpy road to get where we are now. Truth be told, I didn't know if we would ever be here...so many people said that it would not be possible, but God had a different opinion. We were blessed with a son...RaKhem Ajani Johnson. Anura will always be our first child and RaKhem will know all about her when he is able to understand. But truth be told, I think he already knows that she has been watching over him all this time. Overall, we couldn't be happier about this new addition to our lives and we look forward to the many birthdays to come!

Well, the party was a blast (although it did start a bit late...one hour. SORRY)! RaKhem had no idea what we were celebrating, but that was okay. He had a chance to hang out with a friend of his, Miss Alayna Mendoza. He got to flirt with some older women, open presents, play in the cake, and enjoy the company of friends and family. We enjoyed a good meal of Hasan's famous fruit salad, salmon croquettes, seafood gumbo, and birthday cake. Family and friends joined us from all over California (and across the country) and it wouldn't have been the same without them. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! Our family was definitely touched by everyone that came out to spend the day with us. And for those that couldn't make it we know that you were there in spirit (and we look forward to seeing you at the next one). Next time we will inform everyoneof the festivities way in advance...we promise!

RaKhem (and proud mommy) opening gifts.

RaKhem kickin' it with Uncle Jihad.

RaKhem spending time with his Auntie Imani.

RaKhem sharing his birthday cake with his daddy.

Until next time...
Peace & Luv,
Des, Hasan & Ra