Pictures from last weekend

Life in our home...

Hello! I know it has been a while and the last entry was very brief with mostly facts about Elijah's growth. We have been pretty busy around our house, so I haven't had much time to update!

We had a great "family weekend" - spending lots of good, quality time together as the 3 of us! It has been pretty busy for Steve recently, so it was great to have a full free weekend together! Friday we took turns going to the gym, hung out at home during the day and got some cleaning done, played with Elijah making him laugh lots, and we went to dinner and walked around outside. Saturday we ran errands together and then stayed in for the night - making dinner together and watching my mom "preach" online. ;) Sunday, Steve got me flowers and a present for Mother's Day. He had Elijah hold my present and he carried him to me - it was so cute and sweet - thanks, guys! We went to church and my mom did an amazing job at giving the message this weekend. I'll give more details on that later. Sunday afternoon Steve finished cleaning the house for me! :) And then we had dinner with his family and they came over to our house for dessert and Survivor finale. So, we had a wonderful time - It was a weekend full of smiles, laughs and good talks!

I have been thinking lots lately about life and my purpose. After reading Mandi's blog, I was reminded of what I have been thinking about lots lately - finding my true identity in Christ. I know that many times we get caught up in our roles (wife, mother, friend), but while all those things are good and very important, there is more to life than those roles. After Elijah was born - things started changing and happening so fast! I was quickly back to working full-time (with Elijah by my side), trying to be a good mom, wife, employee & friend, keep a clean home, going to church/activities, etc. and when life happens fast - you don't have the time (or should I say, you don't take the time!) to evaluate and see where you are, where you should be and how to get there! So, with life changing so quickly, I just kept going, going, going with whatever happened. I began to realize that I wasn't putting enough time into developing myself (spiritually, etc) like I should. Recently, I have been evaluating everything (and myself!) and have been trying to prioritize better. I know that I need more time alone with the Lord - even if that means the house stays messy for longer! Some things you just have to let go to allow room for the more important things in life. Another example - Steve and I were talking about how we could use some of the time we spend watching tv or on the computer to have quality time with each other. It reminds me of the message my mom gave as she spoke over the Mother's Day weekend at church - friends (or anything else!) should never take the place of Jesus in your life. We can fill, fill, fill our lives with stuff, activities and people, but if we don't have the Lord in the center we are going to fall! Cause we just can't do it all in our own strength! I try sometimes to do it all in my strength and that is what happens - I fall! But, I don't want to live like that - I want to live a fulfilled life! I truly believe that the more we put Jesus in the center, the better wife, mother, friend, employee, etc that we are!

So, some of my goals include: spending more personal time with the Lord both in study and worship, making the most of the time with Steve and Elijah (making an effort to have quality time with them), picking up around the house little by little so that it doesn't become overwhelming, cooking simple/quick meals, taking each day one at a time and not allowing myself to get stressed or burdened by the load & to continue to prioritize things in my life (I have started using a planner and this helps a lot!).

Here is some music that I have been listening to lots lately - it is a great worship cd. Listen to the song "Here in Your Presence" -

Quick 6 month update!

Can you believe he is 6 months old already?!?!? CRAZY!!

We had our appointment today and here are a few stats:

Weight - 27 %
Head - 27 %
Length - 75%

Okay, so now he is long and skinny! Things sure do change!

He is doing great and is very healthy and he's ear look wonderful after the back-to-back infections - yay!! :)

Here is a list of what he's eaten so far:

Rice Cereal
Applesauce
Squash
Sweet Potatoes
Pears
Peaches
Bananas
Carrots
Peas
Lamb (yuck!! I don't like how that stuff smells!)
Chicken
Avocado

I think that is all - although, now our Dr. said he can have any of the baby foods and any baby food that I want to make him (with a few "no" things on the list until he's over a year). Next month he can start to have "table foods". I can't believe it!

He's also started sleeping on his tummy. We have always put him on his back (except in the beginning we did his side because of his reflux). But now when we put him on his back he finds a way to his tummy and gets comfy there. :) Hopefully that' okay with the whole "back to sleep" thing that is big. But, we can't really stop him from getting into that position and he's comfortable like that.

steps

Here is a picture of Elijah from this weekend - he was "walking" with his abuelito when we were with them celebrating our SIL's bday. Abuelito takes a blanket and puts it around Elijah's chest and then holds him by that - he walks behind him while Elijah's practicing steps. So cute. Abuelito says this is how all the kids in the family learned to walk! The funny thing is that my SIL said that they now sell things like this in baby stores. hmm...if only Abuelito would have marketed that himself! Anyways, here is Elijah after he got tired of "walking" - you can see him saying "I'm done!" :)

AI

We are watching American Idol right now - our favorites this season have been Gina and Blake. Melinda and Jordin both have great voices and are good performers, but we just like Blake's style and uniqueness. I also like Phil's voice - I think they were definitely right about the country thing, though. Hmm...wonder who will be going home tomorrow night? My guess - LaKisha.

I think it is great that this week they are "giving back" and making a positive impact on others. Steve and I were talking about how cool it is that we can give just by voting tonight. Seeing all the clips on the show from the places they have visited really makes me miss going on mission trips - I can't wait to go on another one and give -- materially and also spiritually.

Spring Baby

Our family

We were cracking up because we set the camera on a timer and then Steve ran and grabbed Elijah from me and we quickly "posed" for the picture - it was funny. Elijah was a little confused - he didn't know what in the world we were doing!

The boys

My two favorite boys -- and the loves of my life!



I love you guys and am so thankful for you both! The Lord truly has blessed me more than I could have ever imagined!

Blog link

Here is a link to a blog that a friend sent me (thanks, Laurel!). It was such a great encouragement and reminder to me to keep Jesus the center of everything in the midst of a busy life! Sometimes our "broom closets" (as the author describes) need to be cleaned out - making room for the presence & light of the Lord...

http://blog.christianitytoday.com/giftedforleadership/

a few pics

To see pictures from Elijah's first haircut go to http://flickr.com/photos/stevechristi/

Elijah did a GREAT job - he sat still and didn't cry at all! :) He just watched Dora on the TV in front of him (we went to Cartoon Cuts).

And, we are definitely ready for some spring weather! Our young adult softball team has it's first game tonight - so I am hoping and praying for NO wind and clear skies so that we can all be out together and enjoy the night! I think Elijah will enjoy going to the games - being outside and watching all the guys "run around". :) Maybe we will win some this year, too! ;)

Our first Axis (Young adult) worship service is this Thursday night - we are so excited about what God is doing and what he is going to do! Can't wait! It's gonna be a time of worship, communion and fellowship with people 18-30. If you are free and want to come out, we would love to have you join us!!!

some call it intuition...

On Wednesday morning, I decided to take Elijah back to the doctor because I just felt like he wasn't back to himself. It was day 10 of his antibiotic from his ear infection and in my heart I just felt like I needed to go. You know, it is so hard to know when to go and when not to go - you have to take time off of work, pay your co-pay, and if nothing is wrong, there is nothing they can do for you anyways. But, I went anyways. When I got there, they checked him out and realized that he had another ear infection in his other ear. Poor little guy. So, he had to start another antibiotic for another 10 days. I am so glad I went. I am DEFINITELY not always right, but this time, I believe the Lord helped guide me and speak to me to take him in, because he still needed some "medical attention". When they are so young and can't communicate, all you have to go on is your "intuition"...and the leading of the Holy Spirit. So, my prayer, as a mother (and a wife, a friend, etc) would be that I would grow in the other of listening to the leading and prompting of the Holy Spirit. I am sure there have been many times I have missed it, and will miss it, but I want to "catch those" as much as I can.

In other news, I also had to go to the doctor on Thursday because I haven't been feeling well. They discovered that I had fluid on both my ears and my throat was red/irritated/swollen and I had a lot of congestion. So, I was also put on an antibiotic. Thankfully, as of tonight, I think we are all starting to get back to normal. We went out with my parents tonight for dinner and coffee and Elijah was back to his super pleasant self - just hanging out and watching, talking and making what we all now call his "boy noises". I would love to know if girls this age do the same kinds of things - or if boys just have it in 'em to make these crazy sounds. And, he makes them so purposefully. Funny. But, he is a joy to have. The other funny thing he likes to do is to play with his paci - he pulls it in and out to make it "pop" (sometimes biting it to do this), and he loves to play with it in his hand and then put it back in his mouth like it is his toy. And, he is still a big kisser - I will have to say this is probably still my most favorite thing that he does. I can't get enough of it! :)

Ohhh, and he is starting to get really jealous if you are eating in front of him and he is not taking eating also! What a stinker!!!!! Today, Steve was eating yogurt and Elijah was playing and all of a sudden he looked at Steve and started whimpering - and Steve looked at me like "what???" and I said "he wants to eat cause you are eating" and steve said "no way". So, he tested it out to see by reaching out the spoon (not giving him the yogurt - don't worry!) and sure enough Elijah opened his mouth WIDE open, ready to eat! So, we went and got out some fruit to give him. :) It was getting close to his "meal time" anyways, but if we happen to eat before him now and he sees us - we are in trouble!!! Oh, and to add to the list below of foods that he has eaten & liked - bananas & peaches.

Big day tomorrow - his first professional hair cut!!! I have trimmed it once before, but we are going to actually get a real one this time. I actually talked Steve into it!

**Oh, yeah, and tonight we had the wonderful "treat" of talking to our good friends, Jody and Mandy on video chat - that was great. It was awesome catching up & seeing you both and your beautiful girls!!!!

Weekend

ji-jah" is what Elijah's cousin, Luke, calls him. It is so cute. We were over at their house last night for Easter dinner. Luke is almost exactly 2 years older than Elijah and he was taking good care of his cousin - holding him, giving him toys, giving him his paci, etc. Too cute.

Today, we stayed home and caught up on some rest - I have been sick (again) :(. I think I caught it from my son! Anyways, it was nice to be able to have a day to stay in the warm house and not have to get dressed up and do anything. My head, throat and ears have been hurting - I am hoping that I will feel better in the morning. Thankfully, I think Elijah is better now - he is almost done with his antibiotic (maybe I need one, too!).

It's funny because whenever Elijah gets upset, we say "Elias,..."or we start singing in spanish not english. His favorites are "Salta mi conejito" ("Jump my little bunny")& "I'm in the Lord' Army" (Spanish Version). I just think its funny that we refer to him &/or sing to him in Spanish when he is upset. hahaha. It's like when your mom uses your full name when your in trouble - remember that? Oh boy. Someone the other day asked us if we ever call him Eli. We definitely don't. To us, it just doesn't fit him - at least not yet. Its not that we don't like that name, we think it is a really cute name, and when he gets older it might work for him. But, we just haven't ever called him that yet.

Lots of other thoughts to write about - but it's time to go to bed! Hope you all have a great week! I will leave with this verse that has been on my heart. I pray it will encourage someone as it has encouraged me!

Philippians 4:6-7 (Contemporary English Version)

6 Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.

Yummy in my tummy :)

Here is a list of what Elijah has eaten (and enjoyed! Also, no reactions to anything - yay!):

-rice cereal
-applesauce
-squash
-pears
-sweet potatoes

Now when he gets hungry he smacks his lips together to tell us he wants to eat - so cute!

Elijah Cade

southern boy

So my little spanish boy LOVES his squash! :) Maybe he is more southern than he is spanish. :) hahaha. Yup, we have definitely made a wonderful turn in the world of solid foods. He has taken to them - he likes them now! And, acutally enjoys the eating process. Today for lunch he ate squash, rice cereal and a bottle. WOW! He is a big eater! It was so cute because every time I would take the spoon out of his mouth to get more squash from the bowl, he would get sad, because he wanted more - he thought I was taking it away from him! And, he would also try to feed himself by grabbing the spoon out of my hand - I think he is just excited about it! But, he also likes to hold his bottle by himself, too. I think he just thinks he is getting to be a "big guy". ;) But, this solid food "experience" is night and day from even just a week ago. I am so thankful that we didn't push him too much last month when he was upset with it, but instead waited a little while because it makes it such an enjoyable experience now! Next week we are going to add sweet potato! I have a feeling he is going to like that, too!

precious!

having a fun time in my stroller


Sticking out my tongue to blow bubbles!


What are you doing, Mom?


Hmm, being sick and getting the royal treatment isn't so bad! ;)


Playing in my Fisher Pricer Rocker with my little stuffed puppy

My eyes look so dark in these pictures but they are really, really green! :) And, I have super long eyelashes, too - I get them from my gramma! All the girls are going to be jealous!

5 months!

Yay! I am 5 months old. BUT, today I went to the doctor today and found out that I have an ear infection. My mommy knew something was up with me cause I wasn't being myself! :) So, I am on my first antibiotic...a sick little boy, but I am still a cutie! Here are 3 pictures with me with my mommy today - look at my serious face! ;)

I have gained lots of weight in the past month - I weigh 16.5 lbs now and have gotten longer too (mommy needs to measure me again). I sleep 12 hours at night and take naps (one long one in the afternoon - usually about 3 hours). I have moved to my new carseat - which my mommy is so happy about cause she doesn't have to carry my in my infant one up all those stairs to the our top floor condo (that was getting heavy for her!). I love to pull on her hair and grab her face and give her lots of big, open/wet kisses, too! I also like to giggle - especially when someone is holding me and someone else runs towards me to "get me". Being 5 months old is fun!!!

mommy & me

our lil' sunshine

Steve and I were both home sick today with the flu. Here is Elijah laying down with his papi tonight just smiling away. His smile definitely brightens up our day no matter how bad we feel!

ready for church

I'm all dressed up for church!

me and my abuelito

Spending time with abuelito (my grandpa) at the last Upward Basketball game!

on our walk

i love my fingers

awards night

Last night, Steve had has Upward Basketball Awards Night. This is the conclusion of the 10-week season for the kids - a time to celebrate and end the season together. The weather made the night questionable (will we have it or not? who will come?), but the show went on and it was a packed night. I was able to go and support Steve (thanks, Mom and Dad for keeping Elijah for us). It was a great night! We had worship (with our new youth/young adult worship leader), videos and a special "performance" by Bruce Crevier (he does basketball tricks - juggling, etc. He has been in the Guinness Book of World Records 4 times for some of these tricks). So that was neat to watch. At the end of his performance he gives a message about Christ and invites people to receive Him into their hearts. And many did! Which definitely made the night (in the snow) worth it all! It was great to see people - adults and children alike, standing to make a first-time commitment to Christ. That is one thing I LOVE about Upward - it reaches people not only in the church but in the community who have never been to a church. I am so proud of my husband for all his hard work, long days/nights/weekends, and heart that he has put into this past basketball season. And I am glad I could be there with him last night. The two of us went to dinner afterwards and got to spend some good, quality time reflecting on things and looking forward to things in the future (for us as a family and in his areas of ministry).

Steve, I love you and am so proud of you! Let's pack in lots of dates and family nights before the next season starts! ;)

taking a break

We are going to take a break from the solid foods for a little while. Elijah didn't really want anything to do with his cereal and I have read sooo many places that if they aren't ready to stop and wait until they are. I think that he is showing many signs that he was ready, but they have to be completely ready to make the change. And, since he is still so young, I don't mind holding off for a little while. We may try again in 2 weeks, but until then we can put away the bowls, spoons and bibs. :)

the gym

I love going to the gym and working out...now, that is. I have been going pretty regularly since after having Elijah (of course I didn't go until 4 weeks after having him!). But, I have really grown to love going. I have to admit at first I went out of obligation to myself to "get in shape", etc. and I really didn't like going too much. But, I have found that the more I go, the more I like going. Not just for the sake of getting shape, but for feeling better and as a way to spend some good time to myself - thinking (or not thinking!), etc.

Before I was pregnant, I would go occassionally with Steve and then while I was pregnat we walked (outside) very consistently, but going to gym is a new hobby for me now!

The biggest challenge for me has been in the area of cardio. I never have loved cardio (I used to prefer pilates/yoga or weights). But, I am beginning to learn the importance of regular cardio. I started out by using the treadmill as it is my goal to be able to run with my husband as a hobby. He is definitely a big runner and I have never really been a runner, so that was one of my goals to be able to share with him. However, my knees started hurting pretty bad after using the treadmill, so I have switched to "running" on the elliptical. I was working on distance/length of time, but now I have started working on speed. The other day I had a HUGE headache and I really didn't want to go the gym. But, I went anyways and half way through my cardio - my headache went away! That felt so good! After cardio I like to do weights to complete my workout. I definitely come home a happy, stress-free girl!

I am definitely no athlete or marathon runner, but I have definitely come from not doing much to attempting to do more on a regular basis! ;)

posting

I have been trying to post the new pictures, but blogger isn't working right now for me. So, I will try again soon!

Update on our growing boy...

So, we had Elijah's 4 month check-up this past Friday. It was a great appointment. We learned that he is in the 50% for everything - weight, height, head, etc. He is still under 15 lbs and is around 25 inches. Also, BIG news - he is starting solids. Yeah, I can hardly believe it - he seems so young, but the Dr. told us it is time to slowly start introducing them to him. So, Friday night we started with cereal (video and pics to come!), and let's just say he didn't know what to do with the cereal and it frustrated him cause he was hungry but didn't know what to do. We would put his paci in after a bite to help him along - which did help but made for a sticky paci and a messy boy! ;) So, we gave him his bottle to satisfy his hunger and then gave him some more cereal - which was easier the second time around. He is still adjusting to the "newness" of the spoon and texture of the cereal, so we will see how he does with it. I am not in any rush to move him on quickly to other foods, so we will take our time with him.

He has also started wearing size 3 diapers. I don't know why this made me so sad - but between that and starting the solids I feel like I am "losing my baby". :( They just grow too fast. I know lots of times parents are excited for their kids to get to the next stage - which I am, but it is also a little sad that the stages don't last just a little longer. I do have to say that I am having so much fun with him, though. He makes us smile all day and is also a snuggler. Precious! Okay, so back to diapers - we are using Pampers Cruisers (my favorites now - cause Pampers Swaddlers only go up to size 2) and Huggies. It is so funny trying out all the diapers and seeing which is the best for you - but when he was first born we LOVED swaddlers. We also tried Pampers Baby Dry - which I don't like how they fit, Luvs - don't like how those fit either, and Target & Giant brand - those didn't do too well for us! Thankfully, I have found the Cruisers and Huggies on sale in big boxes at Target. So, that made me so happy! Isn't it funny the things that we get excited over after having kids?!?!? ;)

Elijah continues to do well with sleeping at nights and his naps. In fact, this morning after the time change - he was so mad at us for having to wake him up to get ready for church. Too funny. One other thing that we have noticed a lot recently is that he loves to squeal & sigh really loud. ;) The other night we were at my parents house for my sister's Bday (Happy Birthday, Jess!) and he kept "talking" and squealing. Sometimes we couldn't believe it was HIM that was actually making the sounds he was making. It was really cute.

Other BIG news - Jessica is pregnant! (Congrats, guys!) She is due right around Elijah's bday. Actually, her sonogram actually said November 3 (Elijah's bday)! So, we will see!

Lots of pictures to come. I just need to upload them, so check back later!

4 months!

Elijah is 4 months old today and we have lots of new pictures.

See below, but also check out our photo album link to the right for more pics.

Enjoy!

My fingers are yummy!


Playing in my chair - I love to grab my toys!


Go Terps! Papi loves to see me in my Maryland outfit given by Tio Jon and Tia Maureen for Christmas! Maybe I will go to Maryland like my Papi. ;)


Talking to my Mami


Yay! I'm 4 months old! I am wearing my favorite soccer shirt and my levi jeans! :)

16 weeks!

Here are some pictures of Elijah taken this past week @ 16 weeks. This weekend he will be 17 weeks and officially 4 months old! Wow!!! He has grown so much and is so fun to play with.

In this picture below he had just had a bath and was sitting on the bed talking and talking to us (and lots of gurgling, too!), and this is the expression on his face while he was doing it. Oh and notice his little keys he is holding in his left hand (I didn't quite get them in th picture). But he loves to hold on to his toys and put them in his mouth. Another thing he loves to do is play lying under his baby gym with the toys hanging down - he loves to grab all the toys and roll from side to side. He is also doing really well with sitting up - we hold onto his hands (but don't pull him) and he pulls himself up with his head held high and all. Way to practice those ab exercises, buddy!



Here he is for some tummy time in his room. We were in there doing a bunch of things - reading, singing, etc. as a family. During this time, you can see him looking over at his Papi/Steve (who he loves to look at!!!). It is so cute to watch him see Steve after he hasn't seen him for a while - he gets reallly excited and smiles really big!



This is such a fun stage! Mandi had told me that she loves the 4-6 month stage and I can definitely say that I can see why! They are growing and learning so much! I love all the sounds and little laughs they make, and the connections they begin making! So neat! Oh, and he also started using this jumper thing that you hang and he really likes that (see below). Steve says he is just preparing those legs for soccer! :)



It is sooo hard catching his smiles on camera. Every time he is smiling, I put the camera up and he just looks at it. In this picture above he turned to look at Steve again - like what is this woman doing? Can't she ever just let me play? ;)

We will be going to the doctor next week for his check-up :) and shots :(. So, I will fill you all in on his weight and length. I am guessing he is around 15 lbs - cause we went into the doctor last week before our TX trip and he was 14 something. But, I think his BIG growth has been in his length. Cause shirts he can still fit into 3-6 month size, but his pants he needs 6 months or 6-9 months. So, we shall see!

Dallas, TX

So, we are in Dallas, TX right now! :) We are here with a group of about 12 people attending C3 (Creative Church Conference) at Fellowship Church. We got in late Tuesday night and are leaving tomorrow. It has been an awesome experience all around (from the plane ride - Elijah did awesome!!!, to the conference, to being with people, etc.). I am just so thankful to have the opportunity to be here and be a part of it! There have been so many great speakers at the conference - Ed Young (the pastor at Fellowship), T.D. Jakes (one of my favorites!), Craig Groeschel, Dr. Ed Young & others. I am hoping to download the teachings from the conference soon, so that I can listen to them over and over - taking in as much as possible. It is so easy to leave a conference and just go back home and forget about what happened and be who you were & do what you did before. But, I really want to take this experience and all I have heard and learn and grow from it! That is definitely my prayer.

Here is a picture of Steve and Elijah in Dallas outside of Fellowship church. We have LOVED this warm weather - being able to just walk outside with him without having to bundle him up. I think he likes that too! Makes me anxious for Spring!!!




See Elijah chewing on the Bjorn? ;) He chews on ANYTHING that is even near to his mouth!

Every child...

Have you all seen the recent commercial that shows babies in different adult "jobs"? It says "Every child has the potential to be something great". I think it is a pretty neat commercial, just to think about - that who knows what the future holds for little ones. I was also reminded of this when we were over at Alex Acuna's daughter's house the other night. (Alex Acuna is a famous Peruvian drummer/percussionist.) We had dinner with her, her husband and two children & Leo Gomez's (Orioles/Cubs) family. Both families go to our church, but what amazed me is the talent in their kids. For example, Elias (not our Elias, but Alex Acuna's grandson) is 10 years old and he plays the drums in an incredible way! We watched a video of him playing with his grandfather when he was 5 years old and they switched places on the drum set in the middle of a song and didn't miss a beat! Now, the incredible thing is that this kid has NEVER had any lessons, he is just gifted. They said that Alex has never taught him, either, but realizes the giftedness in him. He is going to start playing at our church, out of his own desire to serve the Lord with his gifts. I can't wait! Anyways, it is just neat to see each child developing and growing in his or her own gifts and talents. And, reminds me to not waste the talents God has given me. Just like Elias is going to use his talents with playing the drums to serve the Lord, I must use my gifts also to serve the Lord. It reminds me of the Parable of the Talents - we can either invest the talents or bury them. That is something I want to encourage our little Elijah with when he grows up and discovers HIS gifts. Now I must figure out what my talents is, because it is definitely NOT the drums! ;)

Spanish name

So, I have decided that I need a spanish name. My husband's is Esteban (Steve) and my son's is Elias (Elijah) - by the way, they have the same initials - that is one reason we choose that name :), and my name is just Christi. It is funny because more and more people are saying that our little Elias looks like me or my side of the family, BUT at the same time whenever I am out alone with him or around a spanish person who doesn't know me, they can tell that he is spanish. Last night a spanish man came up to me and looked at Elijah and then just began speaking to me in Spanish. Isn't that interesting?!?! I mean, obviously, I - myself- don't look spanish at all, so the fact that they could tell from him is something. Also, last night, I was checking out at the store and the cashier said "Is he Spanish?" and she said that she was from El Salvador (which is where Steve is from, too). So, I feel left out - I definitely need a spanish name. ;)

Labor day...

Last night, for the first time, I watched video taken from the day I went into the hospital to have Elijah. I didn't realize we had as much video as we did. We had taped all the pushing, too (from a "decent" angle). It was so funny to watch because I was soooo talkative during the pushing time - talking to the nurse, the doctor, asking questions, etc...and in incredibly good spirits (thanks to the epidural!). You can also see the point at which the epidural began to wear off and I started "feeling" more of it. A little after that point in time, I tell Steve to turn off the video camera. Hahaha. But, right after that is when they see that I have to have a c-section anyways, so there really wouldn't have been any more to tape anyways. It is just interesting to look back at that day/night and kind of "re-live" it. I NEVER thought I would want to have video of that experience, but it was good to watch last night because there is so much you forget or didn't realize at the time. Not that we are going to make any kind of movie out of it or invite people over to see it (Steve wouldn't even watch it with me last night! He said he doesn't want to re-live it cause it was such a long, drawn out, anticipated event and he is glad it is over!). What an experience!

Warm food for a cold day!

Today I made a homemade vegetable soup and a homemade chicken noodle soup - and they both were delicious! I made up the recipes as I went along. My sister told me about a veggie soup recipe she had, and I just adjusted it adding some extra things and changing some others. But they were great to have on a cold, snowy (and icy) day like today. I made a lot of each kind so that I could freeze some and also have some set aside for lunches for the rest of this week. I will try and post the recipes on here soon - if I can remember what I did! For dessert, I made chocolate covered peanut butter ritz - all you do is take ritz crackers (I use the low fat ones) put peanut butter in between two of them to make a "sandwich" and then dip them in melted chocolate. Super easy and very yummy!

weekend highlights

Well, this past weekend was good. Except that I got sick. Thursday afternoon it started to hit me & then Friday morning I woke up with a major head ache - but I went on with our plans to go to the spa (with medicine in hand). We had a great time there and I started to feel better. Thanks, Christy, for the fun day! Friday night we went to Ellicott City to have dinner with two Spanish families from church. We had a great time, and delicious food - it took us an hour to get there and and hour to get back, but that gave Steve and I some great "talking time". Saturday, my head still hurt and I was getting a stomach ache and to add to that, Elijah was having a rough morning. I couldn't figure out what he wanted or needed. :( He was being VERY clingy. I think he is teething (or atleast starting) - maybe? I know he has been drooling a lot and loves to chew on things....so maybe. Our dr. told us that they can start the teething process 2 months before even getting a tooth. But, I remember Mandi saying that Dylan did this for a loooong time before getting her first tooth. So, we will see. My parents just got back from Peru and they said that the Pastor's grandson there (who is 5 months old) has two teeth already! Wow - that is amazing to me. Anyways, I finally got him calmed down and had to run some errands to pick up his reflux medicine, etc. And, Sunday morning? Woke up sick - headache, stomach ache, stuffy nose, achy body, etc. So, I stayed home from church with Elijah. I am hoping that I am over whatever this thing is...

Hope you all have a great week! And, maybe some snow to go along with it! ;)

Our little sport

He's ready to go in his Nike Basketball outfit given to him by the Homcy's. So cute!

Tired Baby

Talk about a tired baby...and a sore neck! He was sitting in his bumbo chair and next thing I know he had drifted off to sleep! Don't worry - I didn't let him sleep like that. I took some pics and then moved him to a more comfortable location - his crib. ;)

Snow?

So, even though Elijah was ready for the snow, we didn't really get any. Maybe a half an inch, maybe. But, it didn't even come on the day that they said it would. But now they are calling for more snow tonight and tomorrow morning, so we will see!

Not too much going on here - no big updates, but we are all doing well and trying to stay warm. I am hoping to start cooking and baking more again soon. Since having Elijah and starting back to work, I have been so bad at that! Our new thing has been "eating" smoothies for our meals. Steve is definitely addicted - J & J, can we say smmmmoooothies? :) But, I know I need to try and make time to cook and bake more. I think he would miss his smoothies, but for some home-cooked meals it would probably be worth it! I need to go through my cookbooks and find some recipes to pull and then go grocery shopping and get the things that I need to actually make them!

Steve and I are super excited about the Young Adult Life Groups that are starting up this month. There are 3 different small groups and they are filling up and it's exciting to see. We aren't actually leading any of them, but are going to visit all of them. The curriculum that we are using is really good - Steve and I have been reviewing it and it is great. It talks about making the most of your life while we still have the time, or as they say while it is still "daylight" because night is coming. Anyways, I am hoping to do a "Girls Night Out" with all the girls from the groups during the winter session.

Oh, and on Sunday I got to our see our long distance friend, Keri, and her baby girl, Alex, who was born a week after Elijah. Keri and I "met" at church when we were pregnant - she was in town visiting family. I say "met" because we both went to the same school years back, but never knew each other! Anyways, it was so good to see them and catch up in person. It's funny because our pregnancies were identical to each other (due dates and everything) and our babies ended up being so much alike also - even down to the hair! Hopefully I will get to see them again before they leave for Boston. :)

And, oh so fun Friday planned - Spa day with my good friend, Christy! Can't wait for that! We're getting pedicures and facials - it has been forever since I have done this!

Snow Baby!

Elijah is ready for the snow!

Look at my hair!

Okay, so Steve was having too much fun messing with Elijah's hair yesterday. I think he needs a haircut already (I know, pretty crazy to think a 3 month old needing a hair cut!), but Steve disagrees and says we should NOT cut it. What do you think???

12 weeks old

3 months old!

Elijah is now 12 weeks old and will "officially" be 3 months this Saturday! He is continuing to sleep really well going to atleast 7:00 am now! Today he slept until 8! Wow! And, he is doing really well at taking his naps, too. Right now he is in his crib taking one as I write this - he has been in there for 3 hours! That has really given me some good, solid time to get some work done.

Steve and I were talking last night about how quickly babies change and grow - and for a moment, I was a little sad. But, we decided that growth is a GOOD thing both for Elijah and for us. :)

Not too much else going on. Steve's Upward basketball season has started so he gets home later at night and is away on Saturdays, but it only last 10 weeks/sport. So, we are planning to stay in when he is home to relax some after having a busy week last week. And, there may be some snow this weekend? :) I don't like this cold, cold, windy weather, but I do love snow. So that would be fun!

I've added some links to my blog, so check them out.

Changes!

Well, Elijah is now in 3-6 months clothes and in size 2 diapers! (By the way, it is so funny how each stage we have a different favorite brand of diapers - I guess they all fit differently and as he changes, the types that work best change some too.) But, back to the clothes - It's exciting to pull out the different clothes - and see them actually fit him now! We have had a couple of pair of 3-6 month jeans that we have been waiting to put on him and now we can! It is so fun dressing him!

He is also continuing to sleep so well. The other night he went from 11 - 7:30 or so. We are used to him going until 6 or 6:30, but 7:30 was great! Our doctor also changed his reflux medicine because zantac wasn't working too well for him, but this new medicine is helping him a lot! That is such an answer to prayer for us. It was hard to see him spitting up so much and hurting when he was eating. Because he is feeling better now, he is actually eating less (he isn't losing as much from the spitting up, etc now).

We've been so busy recently! With work and traveling....
We were away for the past 4 days on a staff retreat and had a great time. Elijah did awesome during all the sessions - letting me stay in them with him and listen/pay attention. We got back today and began the Week of Celebration at church - for 4 days, our church is doing massive baptism services - over 700 people are getting baptized during that time. Itis just an amazing thing - and Steve and Justin, my brother-in-law, are having the privilege of being apart of the service baptizing people during this week (more pictures to come!) So, tonight was the first night of the Celebration and it was awesome. Watching my husband up there baptizing people and just thinking about how he is able to have that opportunity during such a memorable moment in people's lives just brought tears to my eyes. Here's a picture of Steve before the service began.


On our retreat one of the groups talked about how each person has an impact on people and how we as Christians have a "domino effect" or "chain reaction" in people's lives. Even just the little things that we do - a smile, or saying something simple - can impact people and you never know the influence what you do will have on someone. It really touched me and made me think about what kind of influene I, personally, have on people. I want to always strive to have a positive, Christ-like influence on those I come in contact with (both in and out of the church). So the team gave us each a domino to keep to remember this - it was so powerful. What a great reminder for me!

Time with Papi!

Our little Bear

Eliyitas

That's Elijah's spanish nickname. Elijah in spanish is Elias and so when you add the itas to it like many other things in spanish (abuela becomes abuelita - grandma, etc) it becomes Eliyitas. So, here he is looking JUST like Steve!!! I see him in Elijah so much especially here in this picture!

Playing!

Here, he is playing with his baby "gym". I was working and he was on the floor just having a grand time! He kept smiling and "talking". :) I took some video of him doing this, but I need to figure out how to post it.

Elijah taking a bath!

He LOVES baths! We give it to him in our sink. We had an infant bath tub that we would sit in the tub, but he did not like that at all. I figured out that he felt all alone and far away from us, so we started giving him a bath in the sink with a big comfy towel under him and from the start he has loved this. He is sooo relaxed in the bath - it is so cute. We had a couple of pics that we took this day and I couldn't decide which one to put up - but, I like this one because it shows how he always puts his hand up by his face. BTW - he did this when he was in my tummy, too!

2 month check up

Elijah had his 2 month doctor's appointment yesterday. He now weighs 12 lbs, 1 oz! (which is the 50% range for his age), and he is only in the 10% for his length! We were sooo surprised, cause it seems like he has gotten so much longer, but I guess not long enough to be "average"! So, he is on the short end - but really no surprise there since both of us are short! Plus, the nurse told us that these numbers constantly change, so we'll have to wait and see what he is at his 4 month appointment. He also had to get 4 shots - it was so sad! :( I had to hold him and they gave him 2 shots in each leg. Poor little guy - the shots have knocked him out, so he has been sleeping a lot since he got them yesterday. It is so sad to see the bandaids on his legs. But, we know that these shots are to help him! We also discussed the reflux thing with the doctor and he thinks that he does have it and prescribed zantac for our little guy. We just want to be sure that he needs it and that it won't have any side effects, etc. Mandi, I think I remember that Dylan had to take this, too? If so, what do you think?

No pictures this time! :( I'll try and upload some new ones soon!

2 months old!!!

Our precious baby boy is now 2 months old (as of yesterday)! I can hardly believe how fast the time goes by and how much he has grown and changed. Unfortunately, yesterday I had to take him to the doctors's (not a fun way for him to spend his 2 month "birthday"). He was really out of it and was really restless along with having some stomach symptoms, so we wanted to get him checked out. Turns out that he might have a stomach virus - there is really no way of proving that he does or doesn't. But, he is definitely not his normal self, so something is going on. It is sooo sad to watch him - his eyes were all droopy and watery yesterday, it just made me want to cry! But, thankfully, today he is doing a little better. He is still more fussy than normal and having a hard time getting into a deep sleep for a nap, but he is much better than he was yesterday! So hopefully and prayerfully he will be even better tomorrow. Our doctor said it is also possible that he may have reflux (cause of some other symptoms we have been noticing for a while, also). So we are going to watch him more this week and keep our doctor informed and then go from there.

In other news, I go to the doctor tomorrow for my last check-up since having Elijah. I went in at 2 weeks and everything was great. Then I was supposed to go at 6 weeks, but because of the holidays and their office being so busy, I just put it off. So, instead of a six week check-up , this will be a 9 week check up. It is kind of a bitter-sweet thing for me since I love my doctor and nurses so much there! I wish I could go there for "normal" things also! So, now I won't see them for another year. They are just really personable there and get to know you and your situation. They always remember you and what has gone on - whether it be medically or personally. Anyways, we are all 3 going to go because they asked me to bring Elijah in this time so they could get a picture with him. I am just so thankful that I had such a positive experience with them. I will definitely be returning there for our next child - and, yes, we do eventually want another one! Not anytime soon - for sure, but it is just such a wonderful experience and the love is so great that you can't help but want to do it all over!

I'll leave with this thought...
The other night Steve and I were doing our devotion together and read about God's hand being on our lives and seeing all the many ways He has worked and blessed us. It is just amazing to me to look at my life and see the LORD's hand on it in so many ways. It is our prayer that we be more mindful of His hand and all He does and is to us and to not take it for granted, but to be truly grateful.