Almost 10 Weeks

How can you not be happy to wake up at 6 a.m. when this is the face you get to see in the morning? I'm not really sure, cause I can't help but smile EVERY morning when I get to pick you up baby :) Next Tuesday you'll be 10 weeks old...it's hard to believe, but it's true. Here's 10 reasons why I'm the luckiest mommy in the world

1. You're perfect...really, Eli you are. You're a beautiful child, you have a perfect little head with perfect little hair that stands straight up, you have perfect big blue eyes that light up when you smile, you have perfect chubby cheeks with perfect little dimples when you smile, you have a perfect little temperament. You're just perfect!

2. You're a little me, you're a little bit of daddy...every time you stick out your bottom lip I chuckle and wonder what I'm in for. Daddy said it best tonight when he was holding you while you were just beginning to pout because you weren't getting attention "we're in trouble, he's doing the same thing you do!" But you're so relaxed like your daddy is, and you have his eyes and full lips, you like to hide your face when you sleep and I'm pretty sure those cute little chunky legs of yours are just like your daddy's!

3. Your smile is BRILLIANT...it lights up the room, it makes every day better, it's the most precious sight I have ever seen.

4. You give new meaning to an already full life...who knew we weren't really living until you came into our lives. Your daddy and I ran around, busy every night, spending time here and there, trying to do this and get that done, we wanted this and that, we had plans to do all sorts of things. But we've realized what's important and all that's important now is you...we could sit home all day with you if we had to, we could give up everything for you, as long as you're happy and healthy we are. We don't need things or people to make our lives whole because we have you and you are a perfect fit for the void we didn't know existed.

5. Holding you is the best feeling in the world. Awake, asleep...at noon, in the morning, at night, at 3 a.m. with no sleep...it's the best when you snuggle deep into our necks and let out a little sigh of contentment.

6. You're a growing, growing, growing little human! At the rate you're going, we'll have to buy new clothes about 6 months earlier than we ever thought! At your two month well baby visit (Jan. 20) you were 14 pounds 8 ounces and 25.5 inches long. That puts you in the 95% percentile for growth. Those little rolls are precious and just fine! You're happy and healthy and that's what matters.

7. You wrap everyone around your finger the moment they meet you! I don't know if it's your sweet baby smell, that perfect round face of yours, your sweet smile or your coos...but one look and people LOVE you.

8. I knew your dad was a good man when I married him...but watching him with you is amazing! It makes me love you both more than I ever thought possible.

9. We made it...there were days when I wondered if I was doing the right thing, if I was taking care of you the right way, if you were content/satisfied/happy and we made it to the stage where you can tell me! And not with words, but I've managed to figure it out...the coos, the whimpers, the looks, the cries. I've figured you out and we've made it through the sleepless nights, the cold, the reflux, the adventures out of the house, your first bath...we did it kid!

10. You make love have a whole new meaning...and that's the best feeling in the world babe!

I love you Eli

Two Months Old

Wow Eli, it's been two months already and we've all survived! Here are some cute pictures from today! You're getting big. We have an appointment on Wednesday so we'll be able to update on all your stats then. But there's no question you're getting bigger!

Much to our pleasure you're sleeping for about 5 or 6 hours at a time during the night! We just need to get you to go to be earlier...you like to sleep in until about 9!

You've discovered your hands and how much fun they are to wave around and suck on! And you talk up a storm! You also give kisses when asked! Which is really just you turning your head to mommy's voice :) But I'll take it.

We'll post more pictures and info about your growing body on Wednesday!

Some ADORABLE Pictures

Seven Weeks

Dear Eli,

Yesterday you were seven weeks old! I can hardly believe it. I am sitting here in the brief moment of quiet I have while you and your daddy take a nap! I am celebrating you being around for seven weeks, but I wish it was a little happier around here. Unfortunately I don't think your first seven weeks were as idyllic as we thought they would be. Although I must say you're quite the happy baby regardless.

You and I have made fast friends with your pediatrician, Dr. Zmiejko. Which would be expected since we've seen him all but one week of your short life...and the week we didn't see him, he and I had a nice phone conversation about you! After two routine visits for weight check and healthy baby checks, we spent three weeks trying to figure out your reflux! Which thankfully to your worrisome mommy is a fairly common baby ailment since sometimes the "flap" between your esophagus and tummy isn't fully developed and gets better as you get older and start standing and gravity can help. Either way we tried three different things and the third thing seemed to be a charm....for a while. Remember that phone conversation...we'll the medication and a formula switch did wonders for you and let me tell you my sweet baby that was such a good sleeper is back!

So now that daddy and I figured out your reflux and were excited about finally having a baby that was feeling better you came down with the sniffles!!!! Boy do I wish I could teach you how to blow! It seemed like just at the time the sniffles arrived you discovered what your hands can do and that they open and it's not necessary to keep them clenched in fists all the time. And I'm not sure if you really can but you definitely know what the saline nose spray bottle and the nasal aspirator look like! You've swatted those away plenty of times. Much to our relief when we took you to the doctor we were reassured it was just a little cold and that we were doing everything right...plenty of feedings, humidifier, saline drops, sometimes sitting in the steamy bathroom. And you'd be on your way to feeling better in no time!

Not so fast...today we found out you have a double ear infection! As daddy reminded me I can not keep feeling guilty for all the little things so I'll spare you the guilty mommy blog post, but we feel TERRIBLE for you. I'm happy to report that we seem to have caught the ear infection early and we now are watching out for a bronchial infection which Dr. Zmiejko told us what to listen for. We've got an antibiotic and hopefully you'll be feeling better in no time! I'm also happy to report you're still a very happy and smiley baby!!!!

So for now we're banishing ALL visitors and keeping you home and away from germs! In the mean time here's a picture from bathtime yesterday for your fans!

Another Eli

While your dad is a die hard Detroit Lions fan (not sure why since they can't seem to win a game or even look like a football team ;0) your cousin Dakota and I thought you needed a Eli Manning jersey since well, you share a name. And we'll put this out there right now...you were in no way named after Mr. Manning. I just thought you'd be adorable in a little NFL jersey and since your cousin Dakoat has a Peyton Manning jersey we thought it would be cute to pose you two together in your Manning brothers jerseys (and we'll do that as soon as you're both feeling better!). You're looking pretty tough little guy ;-)

Six Weeks!

Oh Eli...six weeks already! Where has the time gone...and can you please slow down?!?! I kind of miss my tiny little newborn already :) I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. You were awfully precious in your Christmas outfits (3 to be exact...well plus all the Christmas onesies!). Here's a picture of you in your Santa and reindeer sweater and awesome dress pants! You were quite the cutie, and very well behaved at Mass.

For a baby, you did pretty well in the gift category! Uncle Jude spoiled you with a bunch of cute clothes for when you're a little older, can't wait to get you into your stylist new jeans. And Aunt Kim and your cousins got you some fun toys to play with. Overall you did pretty well baby!

It hardly seems like six weeks ago we were getting ready to leave for the hospital for you to be born. I really can't remember what life was like before you got here. And well with how cute you are, and what a wonderful cuddler you've become I don't know why I would want to ;-) We managed to make it through the first six weeks without any major trauma to you, me or your daddy! We've had a few issues with reflux...but with the help of your wonderful pediatrician I think we've finally figured it out. You're a much better eater and a happier baby...which makes bedtime much easier! Although we've had challenges with reflux, you definitely don't have a problem eating...we went to the doctor last week and you weighed in at 11 pounds and 14 ounces...quite the little chunker! The doctor says we have nothing to worry about unless you stop gaining weight and that we have to remember you were a big baby to begin with! I'm a little sad that we've already had to start weeding out clothes because you're getting too big for them, but we all know you have PLENTY of clothes!

Mommy is not really looking forward to going back to work, because I hate to leave you all day! But I'm going to enjoy the next three weeks of time with you. A bittersweet of the next few weeks is that your daddy will be home with us! And you'll get to spend a few weeks alone with him after I go back to work. Unfortunately he's getting a one month layoff for January. It's nice because we'll get to spend all sorts of time with him, but being off work is never a good thing!

I can't believe I'm already saying this...but you can slow down whenever you want! Love you baby!

One Month Already?!?!?

One Month!
11 pounds 1 ounce
22 inches!

Oh Eli...where has the time gone? I never believed it when other parents said it went by fast...but it does! It's been a challenge but such a joy, we're learning to trust our insticts and realize we know you better than anyone!

We weathered one goopy eye which was just a blocked tear duct and we're now dealing with reflux. Last week we couldn't figure out why you were stuffy and spitting up so frequently and why our normally good sleeper had disappeared, so we took a trip to the doctor who suggested we switch your formula...that worked for a while until you got constipated. I never thought I would be so thankful to see poop :) We ended up putting you on medication which will hopefully make you feel better and eating a little less painful until you grow out of this.

You're a very relaxed and happy baby. You love looking at the ceiling fan and being held so you can lift your head off our shoulders and look at us. Reading is one of your favorite things to do, which makes mommy very happy! Daddy likes to tell you about all of the things you're going to do together when you get bigger. If you ask me, it sounds like he's preparing you for chores ;-)

You're getting so big already and part of me wants to say SLOW down...but more of me is excited to hear to coo more and see your personality continue to develop.

Love you sweet baby, can't believe you've been here a month already!