Christmas 2010

`Twas the night before Christmas

 and all through the house

not a creature was stirring not even....

Daddy, Eli or Gunner

They were wore slap out!

I can not believe that yesterday was Christmas!
I can not believe that yesterday was Christmas
 and we had an extra stocking on our mantel!

And a very special new personalized ornament on our tree!

While I was in the "making ornament mode", I made a few extra for our guests! After all, I thought it would be a more thoughtful pillow gift than chocolate. 



 This Christmas was so fun I can't imagine how much fun we will have next year when Eli is a year old.

 I am sure that it will be a blast.

And even though he did not have a clue what Christmas was this year.

We couldn't help but get him something.

I love this picture.

 It looks like he is trying to figure out what the stocking is.

He doesn't seem too excited about what was in his stocking.

But I think he was pretty excited about this present :)

I can't help but smile when I look at this picture!

Couldn't forget the Gunner boy.

I know it looks like there is nothing in his stocking, but there were bones in there for him. And, Yes...he does know all about a Christmas stocking.

Must be pretty hard work to have your Christmas presents tore into by the Momma, because this little boy fell fast asleep during his bath.

We managed to have him awake for the family picture in front of the Christmas tree, but by then it was time to eat and he wasn't so happy.

So we fed the baby and he was good to go. He was all smiles!

And very talkative!

This cute little hat came in his stocking from Grandma and Grandpa!

I think I speak for both Isaac and I when I say that we had much to celebrate. And we are so thankful for time spent with family and for every gift we received.

  

But I'm sure we'll hurt no ones feelings by saying that we are most thankful for this gift!

And such a precious gift he is!

We hope that everyone had as Blessed a Christmas as we did!

Newborn Photo Shoot

We had some photos done of Eli Monday by Chrissy from Vitalic Photo. I really love working with her, she is just super sweet. Originally we had planned on having some family photos done outside as well, but the weather just was not cooperating, which seems to be my luck when it comes to having pictures done. The wind was whipping about 20 mph, and it was a chilly 35 degrees outside, but was feeling more like 25...Burrrr!! Not really family pictures with a 4 week old baby weather, not at all. So we stayed inside the studio where it was a bit warmer, and we let him hog the camera. I'm sure you would rather see more pictures of this handsome little guy than of Mom and Dad anyway, no hard feelings we understand, who wouldn't! You can view the photos below or view them on her Blog. Thanks Chrissy, as always you did great work.

                                     

One Month Old

I cannot believe that a month is gone already. Time goes by so fast and I am sure this is just the beginning of our time flying by. We are loving being parents and it is such an amazing feeling the unconditional love that you instantly have for your baby. I am so thankful that God chose us and blessed us with this amazing gift.

Couldn't decide where I wanted to take this picture and then after snapping a gazillion pictures I couldn't decide which one I liked, Both pictures I think he looks like he is thinking..My mommy is crazy!! He is pretty facinated by the camera and all its noises and then there's the flash.

Eli you are 1 month old!

I can't believe a month has gone by so fast.

You are such a good baby. Of course you cry when you are hungry, want to be held or when you want your diaper changed, usual things to cry about.

But there is the occasional cry for no reason at all and it is usually in the evening. I think you are fighting your sleep. But you sure can pitch a fit if you really want to.

You are nursing about every 3 hours.

And sometimes when I put you down for bed at night you will sleep for a 4-5 hour stretch. (Sometimes)

You have really started to smile alot when your Daddy and I talk to you. You have started making cooing noises. And sometimes it is almost like you want to laugh, So cute.

Sometmes when you are done eating you will cough. I am really not sure why because you are fine, and you certainly aren't sick, I think you just like to hear yourself do it :)

You are so strong, you are already holding your head up very well and you already like to stand. When you are laying down and you hold Mommy's fingers you try to pull yourself up.You are also very alert and look at people when they talk to you.

You had your 1 month doctors appt December 10th. Dr. Bowling said that you are well past the developmental stage that you should be at, you are already doing things that a 2 month old can do. He was very pleased but said that because you are so alert and advanced that we are going to have to find things to keep you occupied and that if you get fussy sometimes and nothing is wrong it might be because you are bored. He said that you are a very strong boy and you are using your hands already very well.

Your weight was 10lbs 14 3/4oz(79%) and your length 22.5in (83%)

We just love you so much little guy! Mommy and Daddy are so happy that you belong to them. Sometimes we find ourselves just lying in bed staring at you and looking you over and talking about how cute we think you are! Daddy just thinks that you are so cool, and he can't wait until you get big enough to go fishing with him. Although Mommy wouldn't mind for to stay little for a very long time.

The Newest Addition to Our Family has Arrived!

Where do I even begin? The last post that was done here was just over a month ago November 8th, and that night I went into labor. I had been having contractions that were about 10 minutes apart since 10am that morning. Since they never really progressed in intensity or got any closer together I kind of shrugged it off. I have to say I honestly didn't think it was happening. I should have known, that it would happen when I least expected it. Isaac was working (of course he would be working when I finally went into labor) and the last time I talked to him that night, he was debating on whether or not to come home since I was still having them. I assured him that I really thought that I would be fine and I was going to try and get some sleep. Well, that was at about 9pm and about an hour and a half later I woke up with the most intense pain. I have heard so many say that you will know....and you definitely know. It took two good contractions and I called him right away, it was time.

Since it would have been easier for him to just go to the hospital..rather than home and then to the hospital he just went there. I called my parents and they came and picked me up to take me to the hospital. We arrived there at 11:45pm, Isaac got there within minutes after us. Once they got me in a room and checked me I was only dilated 2cm. I was pretty sad to hear that since I had been dilated at 2cm for two weeks prior to that. They moved me to a delivery room got my I.V.'s all hooked up. Once I was settled there I got in the Jacuzzi tub which really helped me relax during contractions. I did that for about 3 hours and then got out to labor in bed. My midwife Katie arrived at 6:30am on November 9th. She checked me at that time and I was dilated to 5cm and my water was leaking. About 10:00am I was feeling pressure and Katie checked me again and I was 8cm and she went ahead and broke my water the rest of the way.. she also thought that it would be a good idea to try to use the bathroom and maybe labor for a bit more in the Jacuzzi tub. Isaac was not happy about either, he was feeling as though it was a really bad idea for a pregnant lady dilated 8cm to sit over a toilet and get in a tub of water (his words). It wasn't long after that I felt the uncontrollable urge to push. Isaac and my nurse Robyn helped me out of the tub and back into bed at about 11:00am. When Katie came to check me I was at 9.5 cm dilated and she explained that in order for me to push she was going to have to help manipulate the cervix over the baby's head. Let me tell you I am not sure that I have ever experienced anything more painful in all my life. When she could finally see the baby's head she seemed to get pretty serious standing up quickly and pushing her chair from under her. She exclaimed that he was a pretty big baby, then when he came out his cord was wrapped twice around his neck and his color was pretty bad, Isaac cut the cord and they quickly took him. It seemed like time stood still at that moment but when he let out his first good belly cry I was relieved.

At 1:18pm on Tuesday November 9th, 2010 our baby boy Eli Shane arrived.

Weighing 8lbs 5oz and was 20.5 inches long.

Proud Daddy holding his son for the first time.

 Mommy, Daddy and Baby on there way home.

A candid moment Mommy caught through the window of Daddy and Eli outside getting some sunshine.

Hanging out with Dad.

 First bath, I'm thinking he wasn't to pleased.

 That's better now isn't it.

 Already telling on Mommy to Daddy. What a bad Mommy for giving that baby a bath.

First Thanksgiving. Breaking in the camo early.

Your 1st doctors visit was November 16th, you were a week old. Your doctor is Dr. Bowling and we really like him. He said that he will probably never forget you because your name is his favorite name and you are his only patient with that name. He was so pleased with your development at a week, that you didn't have to go back until your 1 month appt. Your weight was more than your birth weight, which is great!!
Your weight was 8lbs 7 3/4oz (73%) and your length 20.5in (78%)

We love you so much Eli Shane and we are so very happy that you are finally here!
Love,
Mommy and Daddy