January 30th, 31st

Well little Elijah, your meet and greet weekend is officially over! Your Aunties are gone, your godparents are back in their cities, your baptism is over and all that spoiling is DONE :) We are still winding down from all of that activity, aren't we?

January 30
You had another busy day today. We went to lunch with your Auntie Kim, Auntie Val, Great Gramma, Baby God Daddy and Erica. Then, your Gramma Debbie was missing you so we took you over there for 3 whole hours while we ran errands. We had dinner with the Langs again and your mom has to confess that she had way too much to drink. Parenting on tequila is not a pretty sight! But, we had a great time and you got to be spoiled by Great Gramma Lang while we played cards. I still haven't figured out if you drank any of that tequila with me and whether or not it helped you sleep :) You look like you had a little tequila in this silly photo I took but this would have been before you had any :)

January 31
It was your big day Baby Boy - your baptism. You got all dolled up in a white Christening suit and so many people came to see you be baptized. I was kind of surprised at how emotional I was during the ceremony (Not that I would show anyone - it was all in my head.) When they poured the water on your head, it was very meaningful to me. Now, we just have to do our part to raise you with a strong sense of faith. We had cake and soda and lots of pictures afterwards. I have to admit that I was a little blue at the socializing. Even though so many people came out to see you, we were still missing so many that it made me sad. I know your Grampas were all there in spirit but events like that really remind me of all that we are missing. You were held and loved up my so many people, I can't list them all. Plus, you also received a huge loot of baptism goods. Your dad and I were overwhelmed by the generosity of our friends and family. We think that this is the last of your loot - no more events to shower Elijah with gifts until your birthday :) We had one more family dinner at Sortinos before Brian and Erica left. Then, your mom and dad ditched you once again - over Gramma's for a couple of hours while we relaxed. When we picked you up, we thought they would lock the door to keep us out so they could keep you. We did have to pry you away from Auntie Val but it was made easier since we are hoping to visit her in a couple of weeks.

It will be a lot of years before you realize this (heck, I think I was in my twenties before I realized the value of family) but you are one lucky little boy. You have so many branches of family - Langs, Brighams, Blankmans, Dieatricks - that just love you so much. That doesn't even count your mom and dad's friends who love you up! You had 3 people (Auntie Kim, Auntie Val and Uncle Jeff) fly into Omaha to see you get some water splashed on your head. You have two Godparents who drove in town just for you. You have so much love locally - people gave up their Sunday afternoons to come see you and they wanted nothing in return but to maybe hold you for a few minutes. I hope that I can do a good job of raising you to appreciate all that you have and not take it for granted!

January 27, 28, 29

Hi Monkey!
Been kind of a weird 3 days here in our lives. Lots going on - being sick, going to the dr, your Uncle being a superstar and Elijah's Meet & Greet kicked off.

January 27
You slept all day today. It kind of struck me that you might not be feeling good because you do not normally sleep that long without being up for a few hours here and there. But, I was just so darn excited to sleep with you that I didn't pay too much attention to it. But, starting in the evening, you were officially not feeling well. All sorts of fussiness and crabbiness. Your dad and I didn't know what to do with you but we did get you sleeping a bit. However, you were just grunting, groaning and squirming so much that we didn't get any good sleep.

January 28
OH MY GOODNESS BABY - you are one month old already! Shocking! But, unfortunately, you were sick. You were vomiting, fussy, and just not yourself. I finally called the doctor and we took you in. They said you had an upset tummy and we did pedialyte for 3 feedings. You had some apple flavored juice rather than the same old milk. Helped a bit but you were still not yourself. I went and saw your Uncle sing the national anthem at the Bryan basketball game. He was awesome. You will be so proud of him when you watch it when you are older. You did stop fussing for a bit when I played it for your dad. Happy Birthday Baby Boy!!

January 29
Could you be any more spoiled? Holy mackerel! We went to lunch with all of your mom's aunts (your aunties) and Great Gramma. Then, we spent all day with them. I dumped you off and I went upstairs to take a nap. Over the course of the day, you were spoiled rotten by: Great Gramma, Auntie Val, Auntie Kim, Grampa Keith, Cory, Lauren, Brian and Erica. Not to mention the huge bag of gifts we got from your Great-Great Aunts Janet and Janice. All about Elijah :) Your mom got a bit spoiled too - Gramma bought her lunch and cooked her dinner with even some jello for dessert. I swear that it was like we were little kids again at the table :) You don't seem to be back to 100% yet but we are going to keep dosing you up on your gas drops and getting you back to being yourself.

Everyone enjoyed all of your grunting and groaning and loving you up. But, you know what I realized? I need a bit of Elijah loving myself during the day. It was nice to take a nap and have a big break but then, I didn't get any time with you either. When we got home, I let you sleep on me for awhile so I can just smooch you up to make up for today. Something else tore at my heart today and yesterday. When I came home from seeing Uncle Zach, your dad said you smiled when you heard my voice. Today, your family was saying that you were following my voice and actually wanted me to hold you. For a month, I really just figured that you wanted a warm body to hold you. But, today, it made me feel like your mommy when you wanted me. Because of your good behavior, I will slip an extra dollar in your bank for your college fund. :) Thank you for making my day!

January 26

Hi Elijah!
KInd of a boring day today, huh? We were lazy today and just hung out. This evening, Gramma Debi D came to see you and she was shocked at how big you are. I am shocked too! You keep getting bigger and bigger!

Every once and awhile, your mom is (wait for it....) wrong. So, today I figured I would fess up to a few things I have been wrong about. See, your dad and I have spent 15 years discussing how we would parent and judging others for not doing the things we would do. Now, we are realizing that this parenting stuff isn't as easy as one would think. Let's give you some examples...

1) We would never be those parents who let you sleep with them. Yeah, see how well that is working out?
2) We would never be those parents who spoil their child. While we haven't bought you material things, you sure are spoiled when it comes to being held and loved up.
3) (From your dad) My kid will never use a pacifier. You suck that pacifier up.
4) Why wouldn't everyone breastfeed? Um, because some people aren't able to or because it HURTS :)
5) I will never be one of those freaky moms who is worried about you 24x7. Yeah, how many times do I check to see if you are breathing?
6) We will not cuss in front of you. Um, that has been pushed back to start "next month" for 3 months. We were trying to practice before you were born.

Some things we said we would do and we are doing...
1) We won't be clingy parents. Have you counted how many places we have dumped you in? :)
2) We would use cloth diapers. We are using cloth but we did have 1 package of disposables that we used. If it weren't for the environmental impacts, I would forego all that cost savings and use disposables. They are so much easier but I am committed at this point.
3) People at work thought I would want to be a stay at home mom. I didn't think that I would want to do that and told them I would be back in mid-February. The first two days you were here, I wondered if I was wrong. However, I am looking forward to daycare. We are hoping it gets us in a better routine with you.

January 24 and 25th

Hi Monkey!
The bad thing about writing your posts in groups is that your mom's brain is mushy and she is already forgetting things to tell you!! As of this minute, you are laying in your boppy and sleeping but making lots of noises and grunting at me. I don't know how you get any rest at all with all of your noises :) But, every once and awhile, you will sneak in a big smile and it is that quick flash that helps me get through the sleeplessness. You know what else I love? When you wrap your hand around my finger without me prompting it. I love that feeling of you grabbing on tight :)

Sunday, January 24
We were pretty lazy this morning and afternoon. We were supposed to hang out with Levi and his parents but his mom was sick. So, we ended up going to Grandmothers with two of your mom's friends (Cindy and Kim). While we were there, we saw our old friends the Coveys and they got to love you up too! I even ditched you with them while I ate. Grandmothers holds a soft spot with your mom and dad. I think we should be part owners from the money we spent there over the years. I was so excited when you made your first visit there and was excited that the Coveys were also there - if we were part owners, they would be too :)

You got a present from Kim, Hannah and Jessica. You love it! When they came to meet you, they brought this fuzzy little pillow mat. You love to sleep on it on the love sac!! We need to bring it upstairs because you get so comfy on it - might be great for night time!

Monday, January 25
We read our first book together today - "Are you my mother?". I figured we could start a tradition with all the books your friend Morgan gave you. I don't know if you were looking at the pages or not but you were sure quiet when I was reading to you. Maybe you just like the sound of my voice :)

I was looking through my "heritage photos" - yes, photos of your Grampa Keith when he was young are known as "heritage" photos since he is so old - looking for a certain shot. As I was flipping through them, I realized that all babies really kind of do look alike. There is so much conversation about who you look like and I thought you looked very similar to Grampa Keith's baby picture, then Uncle Jeff's baby picture, oh and Cousin Johnny Lang's baby picture. So, I guess there really is no way to tell who you truly look like. There is no doubt that you definitely resemble your dad but there are all sorts of pieces in you that make you who you are. Anyway, I was looking for a certain photo of your Grampa Keith because you have taken to sleeping with your hands behind you head and I knew I had about 4 different photos of your Grampa like that!


Today hasn't started off so hot, little Monkey. I am used to us sleeping from 8-11 and you haven't really wanted to follow that plan today. Then, I changed you and I shut the door to your room when I left. Ummm...It is locked. I went to go grab your diapers to throw them in the wash and the door is stinking locked. All of your diapers (except 2 disposable) are locked in that room. Luckily, there were a handful of dirty diapers down stairs waiting to be washed so we have those washing now and hopes that you won't blow through the disposables as they are being cleaned.

Countdown is starting for the Eli Meet and Greet. I am not sure if you know what you are in for with your crazy Aunties both coming in town!

January 23

Hi baby!
Do you ever wonder who your parents are? Do you ever wonder why you keep getting dropped off at all these stranger's homes? :) Well, little one, it is all part of our master plan. No, actually, it is kind of an accident that you keep getting ditched with all these people. You know all those people I have told you that were praying for you? Well, now that you are here, they all want to spend time with you and love you up. So, your dad and I take advantage of it. We figure that there are several benefits to this madness - 1) We get little pockets of breaks to be kid free 2) You get to learn to be social and not scared of people. When you are older, we don't want you to be afraid of spending time with other people. 3) All these people get to love you up and get to know your silly self. We haven't made it through the list of people that want you yet so we have lots of couple time still ahead of us. I figure that we need to take advantage of it now - soon enough, the newness of you will wear off and we will be stuck with you 24/7 :)

Last night, your Uncles loved you up while I ran errands and went to the gym.

Today, your Grampa Keith wanted to spend time with you so we dropped you off over there and went to a movie. I couldn't decide whether it was your Grampa that really wanted you or Heather that really wanted you but I think it was 50/50 :) They are both quite smitten with you but this was the first time they spent an extended amount of time with you. They check on you all of the time and come visit but you spend over 2 hours with them today. Their report matched everyone else's - you are kind of boring and slept a lot. I can only hope that when you get to the non-boring stage, people will still want to get ahold of you and love you up!

January 20, 21 and 22

Hi Elijah!
Your mom is really slacking now when we are up to a post every 3 days. You are taking us by storm - you are staying awake a lot longer these days and it is throwing havoc into what we thought our routine was. It used to be that you would wake up and stay up for 1 hour or so then you would sleep for 3 hours. On 1/20, you were up for a 6 hour stretch and last night (1/21), you were also up for a 6 hour stretch. We aren't used to that. You need to train us gradually! I thought you were coming down with something because you have been pretty fussy and not sleeping well. I think it must just be a change in your habits or growth spurt or something.

You are definitely growing. I look over at you and you are so much bigger. You are more alert now and you seem to be looking at things more. You are more vocal than ever with your grunts, groans, growls and purrs. I need to get them captured on video.

So, what has been going on the last few days?
January 20 - I really thought you were sick this day and even canceled plans with our friend Sara. But, turns out your mom is just paranoid and you are fine. Kylie shark did come talk to you for awhile and it was funny. She told you that "you may not realize just how cool and funny I am yet little Eli. But, I will keep telling you about it until you know it is true." She is going to be such a great cousin to you and a great Aunt to Baby Jake. Then, someday, she will be a great mom!

You received two funny shirts from my boss so your photo today had to be in one of them. The other one said "Too cute to play with your ugly ass kid." I so can't wait for you to wear that one :)


January 21 - We had a ROUGH night overnight. You were just awake so much and so fussy. You about killed both of us :) Your gramma Debbie came and loved you up for the entire afternoon. I was able to do laundry, balance the checkbook, take a shower and just relax. It was heaven. Then, I deserted you while I went to book club! You were supposed to go with me but our hostess' son was sick so we didn't want to give you the stomach flu. You were up the entire time I was gone. Your dad was exhausted. Neither of us can imagine being a single parent! But, you did sleep better at night.

You are about ready to outgrow your prince shirt that Gramma Debbie bought you. It is one of my favorites because you truly are spoiled already like a little prince!

January 22 - We don't have many plans for today. You are about out of formula so we need to run to the store. I would like to go to Kohls to exchange some clothes you received for bigger sizes. I would also like to check out the bath tubs at Babies R Us since the plastic shoe box won't do us much good for much longer. But, I bet we are lazy and you spend the day sleeping and I spend the day watching you. Dad bowls tonight so it is my turn for you to torture me all night :)

When Gramma Debi D came to visit you for the first time, she had lots of clothes for you and this was one of your outfits. Key West is one of our favorite places EVER. It brings a tear to your dad and me when we realize how long it will be before we are there again.... :)

January 18 and 19

Hi baby!
Do you like how your mom has kind of transitioned to posting every other day? Works out a little better for me. Yesterday, your dad was off work - woohoo - so your mom got to sleep in. Gotta love bank holidays! We took you over Great Gramma Lang's while we took the cats to the vet and the report was that you were pretty boring. You just slept the whole time! You did get a 3-for-1 special, not only did you get to see Gramma Lang, you got to see Grampa Keith and Heather too. Since you were so good, I bet Gramma will let you come back over when we start going to the gym.

I took a nekked picture of you Monday in your cloth diaper. You are almost fully transitioned to your cloth. We bought 1 pack of disposables for your circumcision and those are almost all gone. Laundry hasn't been too bad for your dad and cleaning the dirty ones haven't been too bad with our sprayer. It is fun to look down and see all those fun colors rather than just boring disposable white.

We were going to go to a concert tonight but I ended up changing my mind. I was not sure that I could stand for so darn long. Your mom is so out of shape from being pregnant these last 2 years that it is crazy. When we went to your daycare to meet Mary, I stood for an hour and it about killed me. I think part of it was recovery from the C-Section and part of it was being so out of shape. We still dropped you off at your Aunt Sheila's tonight but we went to the gym instead. I made it for a full 30 minutes. Yeah mom! I have an excuse to not work too hard - Bonehead said only light cardio. Aunt Sheila said you were a good boy so she will probably let you come back over.

You got another bath tonight in the plastic tub. You liked it again. I was worried the first time was a fluke :) Then, I put you in your new bouncy chair. We bought it for the kitchen so I could put you in it while I am doing dishes or cooking. So far, it has been working out good. It will work better when you have better control of your neck :)



I had someone ask me what it is like being a mom and I thought I would share my answer with you. Maybe, someday, you can compare my thoughts to what it is like for you to be a dad. (Someday, in your late 20s/early 30s when you are in a committed relationship, have a steady job and are ready for a family. Remember, your dad and I won't be baby daddy and baby mommy to your babies!!) Being your mom is a mixed bag. It is still really new to me so sometimes (when you are fussy), I will think "Who does this kid belong to and when are his parents coming to pick him up?" When I am exhausted and my patience is worn thin, I think "When will this kid go to sleep?" But, for the most part, it really is an amazing experience. I spend a lot of time just watching you. It is so cool to see the pieces of me in you (and they are poking out more often) and pieces of your dad in you. It is so fun to see your facial expressions. It is also fun to start to determine what your personality is like. It melts my heart each time you smile. It makes me laugh when you pee on your dad and he squeals like a girl (each and every time). But, you know what my favorite is? When you are kind of fussy and I pick you up and you get quiet. It is like you just needed your mom to hold you for a minute and all is right with the world. Life is so simple right now when all it takes is a little hug for you to feel better. And, it makes me feel good that you need me. Yes, I know that you would take any warm body to hold you but I like to think that you just need ME :) That is the greatest part about being your mom - looking down and feeling so much love for you and imagining that you feel the same. Since you are the lucky recipient of a mom who is ancient (34), I can tell you that I have done a lot of things in my life, seen a lot of beautiful things and been to a lot of amazing places. But, really, I can't think of a single thing that is as cool as you are!

So, what have I figured out about your personality? I think that, for the most part (80% of the time), you are pretty laid back and relaxed just like your dad. But, when you don't get your way and you don't get it quick enough (diaper changed quick enough, food given to you quick enough, burped quick enough), you get wound really tight and high strung like your mom. I think you are stubborn already - when you don't want something, you just plain don't want it. When I give you a pacifier and you don't want it, you shake your head no and spit it out. I also think you are mischievous. I know it is too early to tell but you will growl at us when you are not happy. You will smile at just the right time when we are talking about you - like you are listening and then grin at the silly things we say. You will also smile at just the right time when I am frustrated because you know that I am wrapped around your finger when you smile. It might all be a coincidence but I think you are mischievous. I also think you are a bit of a drama king like your dad. You will fake cry and fake whine until you get your way.

The last few days have found you becoming a ton more vocal. You are grunting, groaning, purring (I do love the purring) and growling more than ever. Your dad says you are talking to us. I think he wishes you would be a bit more quiet during the night time and save your talking for the day time. I guess a non-stop talking mouth would come from your mom :)

January 16 and 17

Hi Monkey!
Yes, Monkey is a name that I use for you. I am also prone to saying "What's up buttercup?" Oh, once and awhile, I will call you pumpkin too. I will make sure to remember those for when your first girlfriend comes around. :)

Today is your official due date. You should be born today. Instead, you have been with us just shy of 3 weeks. I look at you and can't imagine that you would still be growing in there. I just did our first draft at our taxes and need to do a shout out to Dr. Bonehead and you - woohoo for the tax write off. I am so glad we had you when we did - even if you did have a little jaundice.

Yesterday was the Elijah road show. Your dad took you and was showing you off all morning/afternoon. You went to several more Wells Fargo branches then went with your dad to get his hair cut. More salon ladies cooing over you. Last night, we were gone all night showing you off to all of the Morris' that hadn't met you yet. We went to Aunt Mary Ann's house and she loved you up. Then, we went to Aunt Mary and Uncle John's house for them to love you up. Finally, we stopped over Gramma Ruth's house. You were finally able to meet your cousin Andrew. Busy day for you and we missed out on free babysitting from the Sharks (Kylie and Sherry). You sure do ham it up for all of the attention though :)





Today, it was a lazy day and we just spent the day lounging around looking at you. We did decide to give you your first official bath that wasn't a sponge bath. To be honest, I was dreading it. I thought you would scream the whole time because you hate being nekked. You cracked me up! You loved it. We had a little tub for you that I filled with warm soapy water. You just laid in the water like it was a hot tub. You didn't want to come out. But, when we went to rinse you off (with the kitchen sprayer), you did start screaming. I am so encouraged that you are going to be the next Michael Phelps :) We might have to hit the pool next weekend!

January 15

Hi Baby E!
You are officially off the radar of the pediatrician - you are over 9 lbs now so you are cleared until your 2 month appointment. We went to the lactation consultant and were trying to figure out why we are having a hard time feeding you. It wasn't good news - you have issues, I have issues and together, we may not be able to work this out. We are going to keep trying but you may be on permanent bottles soon.

You were a good boy at your first babysitter's house last night - the Beaty's gave you a good report. It was weird for your mom at the movies. For 2 hours, our life was like it was before you were here. Your dad and I were just a married couple at the movies. Then, we picked you up and our new lives resumed again - where everything is all about Elijah. :) It probably sounds like your mom is whining but I am not. Tonight, I was just sitting here watching you and I was getting a bit mushy. You constantly amaze me. Your faces crack me up - your hungry face, your fussy face, your quiet face. What would I do without you now? Before I know it, you will be talking to me with real words and not grunts. In the blink of an eye, you will be crawling and walking. But, for these brief moments, all you want is to lay on my chest and have your back rubbed. You are ok with your mom and dad smooching you as many times as we want. So, I am going to take advantage of it and love you up as much as I can before I go back to work and you grow up!

Today, your dad took the iPhone photo. He was having fun zooming in on your face and taking silly pictures. I also did 2 scrapbook pages for your book.

January 13 and 14

Hi Little Lijah,
Son, keeping up on this blog stuff is hard work. It is hard to feed you, change you, raise you with good manners and also try to write to you to keep you informed with all of your daily activities :) I am failing at the good manners since you seem to have gas on everyone that holds you.

Yesterday, your mom went and got her haircut and you were able to meet all the salon ladies. Those ladies were just cooing all over you. While you were inside cooking, those salon ladies kept tabs on us to make sure we were all ok. Each visit, we would have to give them updates as to how far along we were and how you were growing. Each ultrasound, we would text the photo to Dana and she would share it with everyone. I know I have told you this a lot but I don't really think you can comprehend how many people were praying for your well being and your healthy arrival! The salon ladies are just another example of that. Dana was a tad sad for us though - because it appears that you have my fine, thin hair. She will just have to do her magic on you when it is time for your styling needs :)

Afterwards, we ran errands and had dinner. You were a trooper but it was a rough night because you were a bit fussy. Once I was able to get you to sleep at 12:30, you did awesome. You slept in 4 hour blocks. Here is a silly picture I took of you last night and dad was boxing your ears to keep your head straight.

Today, mom is well rested because you slept so good. I put you in your maya wrap and we did some food prep. Then, Gramma Debbie came to love you up. Now, you are sleeping on me. I look down at how big you are and it amazes me that you were actually inside my tummy. You are the same weight now that you probably were when you were born. You are about 2" longer but how did you fit in there? No wonder your mom was so darn uncomfortable! Here are some photos I took of you while you were sleeping.


Tonight, we are dropping you off with Debbie, Shane and Morgan while we go to a movie. Your first out-of-the-house-babysitting night. I hope you do us proud and aren't too much torture for them. But, it may be good if you are torture because it will squash Debbie's hormones to have another one :)

January 12

Hi Baby E,
Do you wonder how long you are going to be titled as "Baby XXX"? I don't know myself but given that you are only 2 weeks old, I figure I have a year to determine the answer :) Today was a good day for everyone! Sleeping was good, Grampa Keith came and loved you up, Gramma Debbie brought you more clothes and dad took you on the Wells Fargo road show. Plenty of Elijah to go around.

I have to tell you a secret. My favorite part of the day is right when you are done eating and you are hazy. You are about to go to sleep but your eyes are still kind of open and you are in between sleep time and awake time. You grin and make the best faces. Today, I just held my phone above your head until I got a smile from you. Not the greatest photo but it is the first one we have captured with your smile.

An update on our goals - you slept in your bassinet all night (woohoo) with no issues and you did a great job feeding. The only problem is that it takes an hour for you to feed and it makes your mom really sore. We are going to continue to work it out!

Also leaving you with a photo I took to send to your Aunt Kim. She bought you this little outfit for Christmas just a few weeks ago!

January 11

Hi Baby Lijah,
What a great night last night - we were like clock work. Food, few minutes to get to sleep, pump, 2.5 hours of sleep. We can sure live with that cycle. Your mom doesn't even feel exhausted today. This morning, it was our first morning together when dad went back to work. It went really smooth! If everyday was this easy, we will sail thru these next 6 weeks by ourselves!

Your dr gave you a clean bill of health today. You have gained a few more ounces, grew almost 2" and everything looked good. We are cleared for another week - she wants to make sure you gain more weight over the next week and our feeding is going good. Our goal for the week is to get our feeding habits worked out. You have been doing about 25% formula but if your mom can't amp up her production, that number is going to continue to increase. So, we have to work hard this week to get you 100% on breast milk. It will be hard work for both of us!

You did get some bad news at the doctor but you don't know it yet. The dr. said that we need to break you of your sleeping habits immediately! She said that if we continue to let you sleep with us, you will be "hooked" and we will never get you out of our bed. I predict a rough couple of nights ahead.

Here is your photo for today and I leave you with a couple of scrapbook pages I have done recently. Your 2009 pages are wrapped up!!

January 10

Hi Baby Eli!
What a crazy day today, huh? You had your first job today. Yes, your parents put you to work before you were even 2 weeks old at your Kelley Ryden photo shoot. You did a great job. She said that you did several really hard poses right off the bat. One pose, the shoot two photos and then crop them together. However, you were so awesome that you held the pose on your own so you didn't need to be photoshopped! We should get 3 different poses and you were butt nekked :) They were about to plop you in a bucket when you started having some poo issues. You were a little backed up and decided you had enough of the photo shoot! Unfortunately, I don't have any photos to show you for at least 2 weeks and possibly up to 2 months! Thankfully, we did order your birth announcements with the photos we took.

We also met Mary, your day care provider. You were such a good boy and didn't hardly fuss at all. We are set to go and take you on 2/22.

One funny for you today. You are so out to get your dad. I gave you a bath and changed you and you dribbled a bit of pee each time that I caught. Then, your dad came into the room and you aimed and fired at him. Later, you got him again. I think you just ready, aim, fire at him to hear him squeal like a girl each time you do it :)

January 9

Hi Baby Eli,
We had a rough night last night didn't we? From about 7-11, you just cried. I fed you twice, I changed you, I rocked you, and finally, your dad came home to take you and repeat the process. First time (besides the contractions) you made me cry that weren't tears of pure joy & happiness. I just plain didn't know what to do with you. Turns out, you were hungry. The pediatrician kept telling us to only feed you about 2 oz every 3 hours but didn't remind us there would be times you would cluster feed. You ate 5+ oz last night before you were full and calmed down. I wish I would have realized that you just needed a lot more food - I was too paranoid to feed you too much. But, after that, you slept on schedule.

Your cousins Brandi and Jeff took pity on me today and came to love you up :) I slept for 2.5 hours and your dad relaxed too. I didn't get to talk to them before they left but it sounds like Jeff even loved you up. Your dad told me that you made us proud with a burp that shook the house. I think you did that for some male bonding with Jeff and your dad!

Your cousins Cory & Lauren came and loved you up too. I bet it just gets them so excited to love you up knowing that Baby Jake will be here soon. Finally, Great Gramma Marianne and Gramma Debi D came to love you up today too. Of course, you were an angel for all these visitors and then tonight, you will turn into that kiddo that won't sleep!


Two scrapbook pages for your book little man! These only took like 4 days :)

January 8

Hi Baby E,
I have to give it to you straight today buddy. This parenting thing isn't all rosey cheeks and smooches. It is draining. The first week, I did a bit better with the sleep deprivation than your dad did. Now, I am dying & he seems to be adapting well. Last night, I couldn't get you to sleep - no matter what I did. You would sleep for a bit but as soon as I put you down, you would cry. I was kind of exasperated and I needed some sleep :) In my head, I thought "This kid is taking it out of me." Just then, you started making a noise and I looked down. You were laughing. You probably didn't know it since you were sleeping but it was a laugh none the less. It was so darn adorable and brought a tear to my eye. Made the next stretch of sleeplessness a bit more worth it!

This morning, we did your photo shoot here at home. Since we had decided not to get Kelley Ryden photos, I had wanted to see what I could do. Even though we are now getting Kelley Ryden photos, I still wanted to see what I could do with just stuff at home and your Etsy hats. They turned out SO good! You are going to be a great model for Kelley on Sunday. Your dad was the perfect assistant. He was really enjoying himself posing you and talking to you. I just kept snapping away hoping for a few good ones and you did your job well! Here are a couple of my favorites.






After that, you had a lot of visitors come love you up. Your Grampa Keith and Heather, Gramma Debbie, Debbie and Morgan. You hammed it up for all of them and never once let them see that little 2 am monster that lurks especially for your mom :) Debbie snapped some photos of you with Morgan. I think we have a great baby sitter lined up here!

January 7, 2010

Hi Baby E,
It sure is cold out there isn't it? Unfortunately, we had to drag you out in that sub-zero weather. First, we went to visit Dr. Bonehead. He gave your mom a clean bill of health and I am cleared for another 4 weeks! He got to see you and love you up a little bit because he only saw you for a second when you were all gooey :) I think he felt as much paternal pride as your dad does - he went through a lot with us to get you here. He would hate to know I am putting this on your blog but when he was posing with you, he was trying to pose your fingers with an "extra special finger just for mommy." Yeah, that is the kind of doctor he is - flips off your mom with your own finger. But, we wouldn't go to anyone else.

After that, we went to your Dr. to get you weighed. They were super happy with your growth - you put on 4 ounces in 2 days. They said your mom and dad must be doing your feeding right. It sure doesn't seem that way when I am stressing out about formula vs. breastmilk. But, you must be thinking everything is OK if you are gaining weight.

Then, we did some shopping and your mom and dad ate dinner out. You slept through all of this. You slept the longest you have ever slept today - 5 hours. This was after the nurse said "Please call the doctor if Elijah doesn't wake for his feedings." Needless to say, your mom got a little worried but we are just going to watch it and see.

I am leaving you with 2 photos of you with your parents. We hadn't taken any decent photos with you except when your dad was in his scrubs. I told your dad I was doing my hair and putting make up on just so I could have a picture of me with my son!