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!!

Freeze Time

I sure wish I could create a machine that would make time slow down. Eli will be 6 months old on Sunday and I'm a bit emotional about it...I'm gonna be a blubbering basket-case when he turns 1!!! I sure love the stage he is right now....he laughs at everything I say, he babbles and talks to his animal friends all the time, he beams with delight when it's bath time, he loves to cuddle, still not a big napper, likes to roll over A LOT, his  jumper is his new best friend, and he has a new love - solid foods! So far we've tried rice cereal, carrots, and squash. Up next - green beans then bananas. I've been making his food which I really enjoy! He's growing so fast but I'm trying to savor every minute!!

Last year at this time I was just getting over my morning sickness and finally starting to eat food...crazy how that seems so long ago and so brief when in those weeks I felt like they lasted forever! Easy to say. Is that it was totally worth it!! Sure am grateful God chose to give us a beautiful, healthy baby boy! Can't imagine my life without him! Of course there are things I miss from time to time, mainly sleep and weekly date nights, but I wouldn't trade this stage of life for the world! Yes the house is messy with paci's in every corner blankets and bibs on the couch but i like it this way! Nothing better than being a mommy to my precious Eli!

1 Samuel 1:27

Top 5....

Top 5 things this week (and its only Wednesday - might have to change it to top 10 by Saturday but gotta blog when I have the time)....

1. Despite having shingles and not feeling too great I LOVED going on a quick date with my hubby to one of our favorite restaurants - LongHorn!
Its pretty special to us since thats where we had our first date.  It was kinda nice to be able to put on make up and do my hair instead of the normal tshirt with spit-up on it :) We grabbed dinner then went to Best Buy - one of Steveo's favorites.  It was a quick date but a much needed and fun one! Love spending time with him!

2. Little man is starting to sit up by himself - just another sign he is growing up WAY too fast!! I have to say he looks so cute playing with his toys from the sitting position now! What a big boy he is!

3. Its premier week on TV which means all the shows that Steve and I have seen advertised for weeks are finally coming on!  We only have one channel so we've seen the same commercials over and over and over! Let's just say we're glad its premier week! (and I love DWTS!!)

4. Feeding Eli cereal has become one of my new favorite times of the day - besides bath time of course!  He is so stinkin' cute and LOVES eating!  I will post a video and picture soon!  Its way too cute not to share with the world! Yeah, yeah I'm biased but seriously he's cute!

5. My mom came to visit this week (since they now live in Mississippi).  Its been so nice to have some company and Eli loves his "Nae-Nae".  She also has taken care of laundry and dishes while I have shingles - I sure love when the laundry fairy visits - she's awesome!!

Flying By...

I have never in my life experienced moments flying by so fast as these last few months and weeks have gone.  I seriously still can't believe its September, and just when I wrap my head around that, I'll turn around and it'll be October and my sweet baby boy will be a 1/2 a year old.  Please, please someone tell me how to slow down the clock!
Everyday I am incredibly grateful that God decided to bless us with a sweet baby - sometimes I'm still in shock that is real.  I couldn't love him any more!  He is such a blessing to me and his daddy.  Some people might think our life is boring, the same routine day after day with the biggest excitement being our family trips to walmart or our  family dinners at the table when we ALL (even Eli) are on the same dinner schedule.  But its what we've both always wanted and what we all love!! There really is nothing better than being a family!  I am so blessed!
Here's a quick peek into our daily routine although not everyday is this perfectly planned and of course with a baby not everything goes according to schedule (which drives this mommy crazy but I'm adjusting).  Especially this week - I have shingles so my mom is here helping us out a day or two but MOST Mondays go as follows:
7:20 (on the dot) - I wake up to the sounds of a little boy talking to himself in his crib and occasionally in our bed if he wakes up a few minutes before and mommy just needs 5 more minutes!
After a little talking and lots of smiles we changed a super wet diaper (since Eli sleeps through the night) and off to breakfast - a little milk followed by cereal (which he just started and LOVES) Eli likes to swing while Mommy eats her breakfast.  Then we play a little on our mat and a few diaper changes here and there.
Before we know it, its morning nap time which usually involves a little cuddling and some napping from mommy every now and then when there's not as much cleaning to be done (which is never but sometimes it can be procrastinated).
By 11:30 Eli is ready for a nice lunch. Soon after Eli eats Daddy comes home for lunch -  we are so blessed that Steve can come have lunch with us and play with Eli for a few minutes!  Its the highlight of our day!
1:15 - afternoon nap! Nap is followed by a snack and lots of play time as we await daddy coming home from work.
Eli takes a quick cat nap while mommy fixes dinner then we all eat - I love having Eli in his high chair with us as we eat dinner - so much fun!
The evening consist of Mommy and Daddy discussing the day as little man plays but of course most nights we are all on the floor playing together.  Its not much of an evening before its bath time - we might as well all get in our swimsuits cause little man LOVES to kick and I usually end up SOAKED from head to toe!  PJ's on, goodnight kisses, and a bedtime snack, a few cuddles (ok a lot of cuddles) then its off to bed and Mommy and Daddy debrief and prep for the next day.
Our life is pretty schedule of course there are PLENTY of days things dont' go according to this plan but our life is still WONDERFUL!  I am SO blessed and LOVE LOVE LOVE being a mommy!! Nothing is the world is better other than being a wifey to a wonderful hubby! :)
But somehow our days seem to go faster and faster!  I can't believe how big Eli is getting...
-He's eating cereal now
-He's sleeping though the night (has been since 3 1/2 months)
-He's rolling over
-He's laughing
-He's talking (baby version of course)
-He's almost sitting up
-He's grabbing toys
I mean the list goes on and on - seems like just yesterday all he was doing was sleeping and pooping haha now our days are full of smiles and laughter and I love it - just wish things would slow down a little!

Much needed update....

Well I am WAY behind on blogging (due to my crazy Samford email having issues, not to mention having a baby :). But I want to catch up so I can look back and remember all these sweet details...let's start with May and I'll try to make it quick...
May...
May consisted of very little sleep for me and my awesome hubby who helped me at night with little man. So with the lack of sleep May is a bit of a blur. But I got to celebrate my first mothers day. Last year I remember worrying about never being able to have kids after receiving my ovary condition so this year was extra special. Steve made me breakfast in bed and him (and Eli) bought me lots of cards (my fav) and a new camera. :) my dad bought me beautiful pink flowers for my first mommy day! Plus my grandparents came in town so it made for a very special weekend!!
Towards the end of May, my sister-in-law came in town for a few days. She cleaned our kitchen, organized our pantry and took the late night shift with Eli. Plus it was nice to have some adult conversation while Steve was at work!
Eli developed a LOVE for bath time but not so much with tummy time. He started sleeping in his crib and did great....still waking up about 3 times but normally sleeps til 9ish so its almost like I got to sleep in haha!
June...
June was eventful. Eli slept through the night right before his 2 month shots but it only got our hopes up...didn't happen again for a while.  But he was SO brave for his shots...I think it was harder on mommy and daddy! He didn't get any fever and wasn't cranky either! Such a good baby! We also had VBS which was a lot of fun. My mom came in town and kept Eli for 2 nights but the other 3 I loaded him in my bjourn and off we went. Steve also took the youth to World Changers in Alabama and we went to stay at my parents where both me and Eli got spoiled!! :)  But it was really nice when our family was back together again!
Eli started really smiling and even gave NaeNae a laugh.  He started to do a little better with tummy time and stretched his eating to every 3 hours and only 2-3 times at night. He also rolled over for the 1st time...what a strong boy!!! He's so smart too and has started grabbing at his toys.
July...
We went on our first family vacation to the beach. It was a ton of fun! Eli met more of my family and even slept through the night one night while we were there. Sadly he got his first cold which was no fun but he was a trooper!
He's become a pro at tummy time and has rolled over a few times. He still grabs on to all his toys and loves to talk to then (especially Freddie the frog on his swing) He is not a drooling champ and tries to put everything in his mouth. He started taking a paci (just at nap and night) and started sleeping through the night on a consistent basis :)
NaeNae and Papa kept him for mommy and daddy to go on our anniversary date which was really nice! We went to LongHorn which was where we had our very first date! :)
August...
Time is flying by! We just had Eli's 4 month check up. He weights 16 pounds, 7 ounces (more than double his birth weight)  He's learned how to roll from his back to his belly now so we really have to keep our eyes on him!  He LOVES to talk and play with daddy.  He enjoys snuggling with  mommy but I'm pretty sure he's a complete daddy's boy! 
I'm still loving every minute of being a mommy...it's better than anything I dreamed and Eli is the sweetest baby in the world. He greets me each morning with a huge smile and loves to snuggle.
He's still sleeping through the night about 10 hours....he wakes up some but mommy just gives him his paci and he normally falls back asleep. Of course mr paci sometimes falls out which results in mommy scanning the crib in the dark for a clean paci. I put about 3 in there now so we always have one ready! Hes still not a great napper but im just glad he sleeps at night....what a blessing!!!
I am thankful everyday for this blessing God has given us! He is such a gift and joy to our lives. I couldn't have dreamed of a cuter or happier baby!!
No one can fathom the love of a mommy until you become one....it's incredible! Thank you Lord for choosing me to be Eli's mommy and letting me stay at home (for now) to teach him and love him! Help me to show him Jesus everyday!