1 year

WOW - can Eli really be ONE already.  When I say this year has flown by that is an understatement!  I mean everyone knows the first month (or maybe 2) are a blur because you are completely sleep deprived. Thankfully Eli started sleeping much better around 6 weeks, although he still liked to eat every 2 hours during the day he could go 3-4 at night.  I'm pretty sure those days didn't seem to go as fast as the days go now.  I feel like there's not enough time in the day even though I'm home all day with him. 
Now how do I recap the most amazing year of my life, well its impossible, but here are just a few thoughts.
In the beginning...
Eli ate every 2 - 2 1/2 hours around the clock the first few weeks of his life.  He would nurse for at least 40 minutes so I was basically just a milkin' machine. :)  He hardly ever cried and we enjoyed every minute of looking at our beautful, healthy, little baby boy.  I remember when we left the hospital it was such a strange feeling that we were taking a baby home.  It took a few days for it to sink in that this was 'real life'.  I remember how amazed we were at every little thing he did.  I still feel the same way a year later.  Its unbelievable to watch your child grow.  The miracle of life continues every day!  I remember how worried I would be at night for Eli's safety - nothing has really changed there but I'm not quite as bad.  I read a quote the other day that said "I've yet to meet a worrier that had an awesome prayer life".  How true is that! Instead of worrying I just need to pray.  Still working on this!!
After the blur of sleep deprivation wore off I really begin to enjoy/remember every second of being with my sweet baby and finally got into a routine around 2-3 months which was awesome!! I loved rocking him, cuddling him, cooking, cleaning (ok maybe not the cleaning part) but I loved and still love every aspect of being a stay at home mom/wifey. Its simply amazing!!!  I'm blessed that right now God has provided JUST enough finacially for me to stay home this first year with Eli.  I don't know what this next year will hold but praying God continues to provide for us in allowing me to be home with Eli.  Its such a gift to spend my moments with him.  It seems like from about 3 months on till now time as just multiplied.  Someone said the days are long but the years are short but honestly the days are short too.  I want more time with Eli!  Of course there's always cleaning I don't get done but there are fun activities we don't get to during the day too. 
Seems like when Eli hit 3 months life got a billion times easier.  He was a better sleeper, faster eater, and I was able to get things accomplished around the house. He was in a great routine (thanks partially to BabyWise, even though we didn't follow it exactly) Plus he started growing and reaching milestones like crazy! By 4 months he was rolling over both ways and by 5 months he was sitting up by himself.  He sweet little personality really started showing once he got his laugh at 4 months.  The sound of his first laugh is by far one of my most treasured moments of mommyhood!! Nothing compares!!!
It seems like every month he'd do something new and sweet and Steve and I would say "this is my favorite stage". Then a month later we'd say the same thing. I mean you think when you bring that tiny baby home that you really couldn't love them anymore than you do right then. But it's crazy how your love grows. Every day!!!
By 6 months Eli's personality was in full swing...this kid loves attention!! His laugh and smile were, and still are, contagious!! He was still nursing around 4-5x a day and eating baby food.  I made most of his baby food myself which was quite fun.  Later down the road, I would only make certain things myself and started buying store bought.  Geeze we should have invested in Gerber!  He was still napping 3x a day which was awesome! Even though he's never been the best of nappers I loved our schedule and routine.  This little guys is predicable and this mommy loves it!
During Eli's 7th and 8th month we had lots of holiday activity but it was so fun having his first Thanskgiving and First Christmas. It was really special!! I remember being so excited for him to wake up on Chistmas morning! I can't imagine how much more fun it will be in the years to come when he actually knows what going on. :)
After Christmas in Mississippi Eli started crawling, well army crawling, but he could still get to what he wanted. He started finger foods and that was so precious! He seemed like such a big boy feeding himself with those chunky little fingers of his! By 9 months we dropped his evening catnap and were down to 2 naps a day.  It took a couple of days to adjust but he did good.  He was still a nursing machine but only 4x a day, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and before bed.  I think nursing him really helped keep him healthy.  His first year of life he was really only sick twice, only one of which he ran a fever.
These last 3 months have literally flown by.  Now Eli is crawling..EVERYWHERE! He's always been a talker since around 5 months and still jibber-jabbers.  He loves to read and I mean LOVES it!! I have a video of him reading to himself.  Something I will always treasure.  Just today I watched him read through his books and smile as he turned the pages.  He's suck a smart boy.  But he is ALL boy!! He loves turning his toys over and 'destorying' them. Just this week he pulled the drawer off of one of our kitchen cabinets....muscle man! I really can not turn my head for one second.  But he's a sweet boy.  He loves cuddling with his mommy before naps.  He's now down to 2 naps a day and yet again he's SO predicable.  10:30-12:00, 3:15-5:00, bed 8:30-7:00am.  Its funny that if I keep him  up for his nap longer than I should while we are reading his book, he will turn his head in to me to be rocked.  I will always treasure these moments.  Yeah, yeah you shouldn't rock him to sleep, but you know what, God gave me this precious boy despite some medical problems and if I want to rock him till he goes to college I will! :) ok I'm only partially kidding but I really do savor every cuddle I get from him.  He loves to give me kisses and loves to fake laugh and be tickeled.
His first birthday was fun! We had a family party at my parents.  I was a little nervous that he might be overwhelmed with everybody but he did awesome! He was, as always, the center of attention. So stinkin cute!! He didn't want his smash cake though but wanted to eat all the tissue paper and wrapping paper.  We were blessed with lots of friends and family that came to celelebrate his special day.  We also got to spend time with Steve's family a little for his birthday.  One of Steve's brother's (and fam) send him a big present in the mail which was so sweet and fun for Eli to open and his oldest brother (and fam) videoed our family get-together and took Eli to the zoo for the first time.  We really enjoyed seeing Eli interact with all this cousins. 
And now to today, I still get sad when I get the 'toddler weekly updates' instead of 'baby weekly updates'.  Thankfully he still loves his mommy! We've pretty much given up baby-food and are on almost all finger foods even though he's not a great eater.  I'm still nursing but have weaned him to just 3x a day.  Soon will be 2x.  I'm hoping he makes the transition well.
Although time is flying by I try to capture each moment in my heart.  I am so thankful for a healthy, joyful, baby boy!! He is precious and such a blessing to his daddy and
me!

Sweet little boy finally dove into a cupcake I made for him on his actual birthday! How can your heart not melt when you see those baby blues!! :)

The day before...

I meant to post this last Saturday but somehow it didn't post...here it is anyway...

A year go I was 38 weeks pregnant with a terrible cough and cold. I even thought I had strep and had a strep test done the day before only to find out it was not, but all I could take was warm tea and chloroceptic spray. I felt terrible but little did I know what was coming. By that Friday afternoon I was feeling better but Steve was off work so we decided to stay in our PJ's all day and watch movies. What started out with me being sick turned out to be an enjoyble, relaxing day with my hubby. I made tacos and queso for dinner and decided we'd go to bed to watch our final movie of the night. I can't even remember the title but I remember it wasn't very good, kinda silly but somehow I started crying during it (crazy preggo hormones). By the time the movie was over I was a basket case...tears flowing, sobbing on and on (poor Steve didn't know what was wrong with me since the movie was suppose to be a comedy not a sad sob story). Steve and I stayed up late talking, with me crying here and there about not not feeling ready or prepared for the drastic change that was about to take place in our lives. I was ready to meet my precious baby of course, but this sudden since of "I have no clue what I doing" overwhelmed me. I wasn't worried about labor or delivery I was worried about the next 60+ years of having a child to care for, teach, nurture, feed, clothe, bathe, I mean the list could go on and on right! What if I was a bad mom, what if I didn't know what to do when he cried? The questions and worries were endless. Steve, as he always does, calmed me down and we prayed. I think I just needed time to admit I had no clue what I was getting into and how desperately I needed the Lord to lead and guide me. Thankfully, I was calm enough to fall asleep. After all I had another week before my planned induction. We can relax and enjoy these last few days tougher right?
Little did I know as I closed by eyes that night around midnight that in 4 1/2 more hours I would awaken to my water breaking, we'd rush to the hospital and 7 hours later my sweet baby boy would be in my arms...

11 months

WOW! Little man is growing up SO stinkin fast!! I think I have started ever post this way but its just so true! This year has been the fastest year of my life...can't believe we are less than a month away from Eli being 1!  Its makes me so sad that he won't be considered a baby anymore :( but thankfully he's still LOVES his mommy and gives me LOTS of sugar everyday so that helps! :) nothing better than his hugs and kisses!

Lately...
*I've had Norovirus for a week but PRAISE the Lord, Eli has not gotten it.  I was so sick Steve had to take me to the ER, I've been dehydrated and lost about 4lbs - might be a happy thought for most people but with nursing Eli I barely keep my weight where it needs to be so now its time to pack back on some pounds - but hopefully I can just pack on muscle!
*Eli is talking!  Some weeks all his says his 'ma-ma' then other days you can't bribe him enough to say it.  He definitely has a mind of his own :)  His new favorite show is "Fresh Beat Band" - mommy had to entertain him somehow while I was sick on the couch.  Too bad the songs get stuck more in my head than his! But he loves the music, bright colors, and dancing!
*D'now was about 2 weekends ago and it was GREAT! (Busy but great!) Poor Eli had to tag along to every late night event but he was such a good sport but it has taken about 5 days to get him back on his schedule, for while he was staying up till 10 and sleeping till 10:30am. Good thing I know ministers kids will survive wince Steve and I are both survived! The worship band from Memphis came and we enjoyed some great nights of worship! I think the youth really enjoyed it.  I know I did!
*Valentine's Day - been a while but my friend Hannah came and kept Eli as a surprise to Steve for us to go out to eat.  We really enjoyed going to LongHorn (one of our favorites and our first date restaurant) Its so nice getting time together!
*Eli and I went to Mississippi for a few days while Steve took the kids on a ski trip and had a conference.  Love being with my family and Eli loves visiting his grandparents and great-grandparents just wish we lived closer! 7 1/2 hours is a long trip with a baby!
*Loving life - nothing is better than being at home with my sweet baby boy!  Of course it has its tiring times but they all fade in comparison to the joy of spending every moment with Eli.  I couldn't be happier!  Very blessed to have a man who works so hard so I could enjoy this first year and not miss any of these precious moments!! Blessed that God has allowed me to be Eli's mommy!!

9 months old

This week we had Eli's 9 month check up - seriously where did these last nine months go and why did they go so fast!?! He is still growing in the 60th percentile in weight at 20lbs 10oz and 25th percentile on height at 27 1/2in. Poor thing gets his height from his mommy and daddy. He just needs about 1 1/2 pounds to triple his body weight by his first birthday - we're right on track! :) SO thankful for a healthy growing baby!

Our little booger-bear is now scooting - he's an army crawler and LOVES to be the center of attention (although this isn't a new trait) wonder who he gets this from? ;)

Just last night we went over to the Watford's for dinner - they spoil us like we're their grand kids - it's awesome. Well Mr. Eli put on a show! He takes about 10 minutes to quietly observe his surroundings and new faces but don't let his somber look fool you - he's just getting geared up. He would hardly let us get a word in between his shouts of joy and his laughter. He loves to fake laugh for attention and squeal and talk in excitement. He was loving all the attention! He cracks me up. I'm so thankful and blessed to have such a happy baby!! He's really only fussy when he's tired but even then he doesn't cry it's just a little wimper. 

This week we decided to cut out his evening nap so our schedule has been a bit different and he's still adjusting. Since about 4 months old he's been a 3 times a day napper. Normally 10-11:45, 2-3:45, 6-6:45 and bed around 8:30. But he had really started to fight his evening cat nap and as much as Steve and I enjoyed dinner by ourselves we thought it was time to drop it. So he's schedules now: wake around 7:30/8am, nap 10:30-12:00ish, nap 2:30-4:30ish bed at 8:15. Hopefully next week we'll be settled into our new routine but it might take a little more tweaking of the times and adjusting. 

At least now we all eat dinner together. I love that Eli has mastered his cute little pincher grasp. It's really adorable!! He isn't a fan of anything slimmy though so he's been a little picky with what he picks up with his fingers. Right now he loves blueberries, puffs of course and wheat toast with fruit. I throw in veggies too but he still enjoys those mainly in his baby food.

Little man has always been babbling - really since around 3-4 months he was cooing and "talking" all the time. Well, he's only gotten more verbal. He's now mastered "ba ba" and his new favorite "da-da". He doesn't quite understand what they mean yet but it's still fun to hear. He is always babbling. Today he crawled/scooted over to our toy box, pulled out a book, laid on the floor and began babbling like he was reading it. It was so cute!! I think he is really smart!! :)

Nothing else too exciting around these parts. I'm still LOVING being home with little man everyday!! He is such a joy...We are so blessed that God has allowed us to be parents to this precious boy!! 

Now hold back the tears...next big milestone will be his first birthday!! 

Comparing

Here's Eli at 3 months and his daddy at around 7 months.

But I think he is starting to look a little more like his mommy!! :)

The most busy time of the year...

All of my life December has been the month of the Christmas program. With my dad being a worship pastor in a rather large church most of my life it was a huge production followed by 5 performances. It was something I always looked forward too. I can recall the many late night rehearsals my dad would have and hearing the songs played in our house over and over. It's just not quite Christmas without the hussle and bussle of all the choir practices, costumes, and seating charts. :) And now the crazy Christmas catata tradition is being passed down to Eli. Poor thing has been at the church 5 of the last 7 days which probably account for his first illness :( little man got his first fever yesterday and we went to the doctor today and found out he has hand, foot, and mouth. Thankfully he doesn't have a rash or blisters on his hands and feet but he does abe them in his mouth. But he's being such a good sport about it. Mommy on the other hand hates seeing my baby sick. But it sure has made me thankful for his health. He's almost 8 months old and this is his first fever. Even with shots his fever hasn't ever been over 99.2 so when it hit 102 yesterday this mom was a bit panicky - I think I had every type of juice out we had as about 10 cold clothes trying to cool him off. I might have gone over board a little bit but just trying to help my sweet baby! :) On top of Steve's fest Christmas program at Calvary, our church is trying to start of Mother's Day Out program an I've been asked to coordinate it. Needless to say we are all quite busy around here but we're busy because of great blessings and for that I am thankful! But for the next few days I'm going to spend the next few days nursing my sweet little guy back to health and helping his daddy get ready for our program. I'm also the designated secretary, prop creater, and costume coordinator - those at my side jobs...no big deal! Now if only Santa could deliver a maid a little early I'd be set :) my house is a wreck BUT I'm gonna keep sitting here rocking my little one and and try not to worry about the 3 new piles of laundry that need to be folded. At least supper is in the crockpot and laundry will always be here tomorrow!

Eli's First Thanksgiving!

What a wonderful Thanksgiving we had in Ohio this past week. We haven't been able to travel to Brunswick since we moved to Ketucky and had Eli so it was really nice to spend a whole week with family. I'm so lucky to have awesome in-laws that treat me as one of their own - I have the best sister-in-laws and it's never a dull moment with my brother-in-laws and Steve's parents are great!!

Here's a recap of our adventures in OH 

We drove the 7 1/2 hour drive on Monday and Eli did freakin awesome - I have the best baby in the world!! He slept almost 4 hours (2 naps) which was over half the drive. When we got there we stopped at Steve's oldest brothers so I could feed Eli and ok honestly I wanted to meet my new niece Whitney - what a sweetie!! We only stayed a few minutes then off to his parents to get settled in and Steve's other brother and fam came over. It was fun hearing about their reaction to having TWINS and it was cute to see Kaitlynn and Eli together (they are about 6 months apart). 

Tuesday was pretty chill which was nice after our drive but we got to go see the new church which Steve had been exited about for weeks. We had church on Tuesday night and it was good to see some people. Wednesday was a fun day at the outlet mall with Steve's brothers. We shoppe a little (we both got new shows and Eli a few things) and we road the little train with everyone. It was a warm and gorgeous day! Perfect for being outside! That night all the siblings and fam came over for our gift exchange - it was a bit crazy but fun!! Eli loved all te attention - lots of his cousins wanted to hold him even Alaina and part of me thinks she doesn't weigh that much more than him - so cute! We are blessed to e apart of such a loving family! 

Thursday was Thanksgiving day - Eli got to watch hi fort Macy's Day parade and hear about when his mommy was in the parade. We played outside that afternoon because it was beautiful!

Steves grandparents came over that evening for dinner - we had a ton of food!! It was great for Eli to get to meet his other great-grandparents too!!

Santa decided to come a little early and deliver some presents in Ohio for Eli! He got some fun new toys and new clothes!! But he REALLY liked the paper that everything was wrapped in :)

Friday was pretty chill too - we did venture out to Khols but the lines were so long we went back and just ordered things online :) We went over to Steve's sisters new house Friday for pizza and that was fun! Saturday was football day - we went back to Dave and Kara's o watch the Ohio State game - go Buckeyes!! Sat night was chill since Steve and his parents had to get ready for church - Eli enjoyed just watching cartoons since we don't really get many tv channels here. Sunday was church - they have such a nice nursery I know Eli had fun! We had lunch with some of the fam and spent the afternoon watching football. We had one final night with the family Sunday night since we didn't have church. It's always do hard to say goodbye after a great week! Really hoping w can head back up there this spring even though I know we won't e able to stay a week! W sure are thankful for previous time with loved ones!!