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.