Elijah 1yr Photo Shoot

Its been a while, but we're still here!! LOTS have changed since I've blogged last (IN JULY! geez) Eli is now walking. He's been at it since 10 months - he's now 11 1/2 months old. He is not yet a pro at it, but he will be off and running in no time. Elijah has 6 teeth - two on bottom and four on top. He has such a big personality now and such a joy to be around. He loves being ticked, chased around the house, trying to tickle mommy - now that is funny, climbing on things, and being involved in everything. He's a very curious boy!!

Since his first birthday is coming up (where does the time go!?), we went and had his 1st year pictures taken:

One of my favorite pictures

Haha.. here he's showing that big personality!!

His birthday is February 6th, but we'll be having his party on the 4th this year. This past year has certainly been a great new adventure, I can't wait to see what comes next :)

New Driver In Town

Eli's new favorite toy... He sure does love being Mr. Independent... Maybe a little TOO much ;)


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Weekend at the beach house

This weekend we spent with my family at their house in Calvert that is on the water. Lots of fun, laughter, food, boating, fun in the sun and naps for everyone!! Eli got his first boat ride too and he really enjoyed it once we got going :)

Eli with his Aunt Nikki and cousin Soni


Me & my monster


Hanging on the dock with Nan enjoying the water and the beautiful day


Waking up from his nap on the water


Summer baby :)



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3 Months Already !

Yesterday marked Eli's 3rd Month Here :) Hallelujah for this precious boy... the best present I ever could receive. I'm so excited to share my first Mothers Day with him! We met Mandi at the park yesterday after work to finally get some pictures of this blue eyed stud.. and the few pictures from sneek peek she sent me came out AMAZINGGGGGGGGGG! Thanks again Mandi!

Before we get to the good stuff, heres a few things that are note-worthy for this 3 Month Old:

• Drinks 5oz about every 3 hours
• Wears size 3-6 or 6 month clothes
• In size 1 diapers
• Goes to bed no later than 8pm, wakes up around 4am, eats and goes back to sleep until 7am :)
• Loves music.. I must have Country, Christian or Oldies playing at all times.
• Chatterbox! He loves to "talk", especially after waking up.. its so cute
• Holds his head up on his own and loves being in his Bumbo seat
• Mr. Independent... He loves looking around at everything and having his own space to do what HE wants to do
• Thinks its hilarious when his feet are played with!
• Puts weight on his legs and stands up for short periods of time while holding him up.
• Found his hands.. good grief, they are always in his mouth these days
• Has become a lizard... he is almost always moving his tongue around, in and out of his mouth, trying to "roll" it.. and so he is also making tons of bubbles like a little crab. My sister calls him a "Crizzard" (half crab, half lizard LOL)
• Loves his Mommy <3 He just beams when I come over to him.. it just melts my heart

Now for the pictures of this little Babe... Enjoy!!

Past 3 Months... FINALLY!

I'm finally getting a chance to update since Eli was born... being a new parent is quite time consuming, but I wouldn't trade it in for anything else in the world. I've always wondered what it'd be like to be a mom, but the reality of it is better and more exciting than I'd imagined :) Elijah fills my heart with such happiness and joy, I'm truly blessed with this amazing gift from God and I thank Him everyday for such a wonderful, happy, healthy baby boy.

Month 1:

I was in complete newborn/newmom-zombie mode.. Eli was eating frequently and napping on and off all hours of the day/night, so I followed suit. He was born "tounge-tied", making breastfeeding hard for both of us. He wasn't able to get a good latch and unable to get enough to eat, so we went to the bottle. I pumped as long as I could, until the "tap" went dry, and went through 3 different formulas before finding the one that agreed with him best: Enfamil Gentlese. We also went through EVERY SINGLE type of bottle that is out there, before finally getting the Dr. Brown bottles. Before I had Elijah I would always ask my friends that are already moms, "How do you know what type of formula/bottle/pacifier/diapers/wipes to use?! Trial and Error. And boy, did we go through tons of those in that first month!! I was on maternity leave at home with him for the first 3 weeks, then we went back to work. I'm SO blessed to be able to take him to work with me (Thanks Mom & Dad!)

Bath time!

Sleepy boy

Month 2:

Back to work! My parent's office has definitely turned into a nursery (or obstacle course).. there's a baby swing, rocker/glider, bouncy seat, pack&play crib, and a sleep/play rocker, oh and his car seat, diaper bag, and stroller on occasion. He was still on a sleep/eat on-demand baby and becoming alert. He had his first smile and started coo-ing and "talking" towards the end of the 2 month mark. He had his 2-Month well baby visit at the Dr's office and got his first set of shots, he hated that.. poor thing. He was 12.4 pounds and 23-3/4 inches long, which put him in the 50th percentile for both weight and height. He was eating about 3 ounces every 2-3 hours and started sleeping for longer periods through the night, waking only 2/3 times to eat and then would go back to sleep.

He found his thumb!

Cute in Camo!

All ready for church

Sitting like a big-boy in his Bumbo

Cuddle time with my love

Month 3:

We both began this month being sick. I had an upper respiratory infection that I could not get rid of, and he had allergies that led into something more.. Eli had a nebulizer treatment in the Dr's office to clear up his chest a bit, and was put on an antibiotic, steroid and de-contestant for a few days. I was put on my second round of antibiotics and after a few days, we were both feeling (and sounded) SO much better. Hallelujah! Being a single parent is tiring enough, but being sick and taking care of a sick baby is a whole other level of exhausting!

Eli is much more active now and is a chatter-box! He loves "talking", and is Mr. Independant, he wants to face the world and see whats going on, he is always moving around his arms and legs and looking all around and loves being walked around so he can see everything. He's my best bud, I talk to him all the time and he just soaks it up. He can hold his head up all on his own when you hold him in the "sitting" position. He does NOT like tummy-time just yet, but I keep trying it everyday. He did roll over ONCE when he was about 2 months old, but it hasn't happened since then. He's now eating 4 ounces every 3/4 hours and almost sleeps through the night. He goes to bed around 8pm and will wake once in the early morning, eat a little then go right back to sleep. I am loving this "sleep" thing.. I'd forgotten what that was until just recently, haha.

Eli & Nan at work

He was watching the Disney "Cars" movie

Happy Boy

Eli and his cousin, Noelle - He looks too cool haha

One of his favorite places to be

He DOES love the Beatles!!

Eli's first Easter

I know I'm forgetting things, but now that I'm a little caught up I'll try to keep up with everything as its happening!

Elijah Alexander

It's That Time!!!

Hey guys, it's Brandy! I have the honor of guest blogging for Jamie to document her labor and keep everyone informed on what is going on. I know we are all anxious to see handsome little Eli and welcome him into this crazy, beautiful world!

I'll post as I get updates:

10:53am ~ Jamie was having contractions about 6 minutes apart, she had a feeling today was going to be the day!

12:48pm ~ Headed to the hospital, contractions 5 minutes apart lasting about a minute each.

2:48pm ~ Jamie is 2cm dilated and her cervix is 100% effaced. They are going to try doing some walking around the hospital to see if it will move things along.

4:45pm ~ After walking for an hour, Jamie is now 4cm dilated! The nurses are suspecting that Eli will make his arrival tonight.

8:08pm ~ Jamie is getting her epidural now, then they are planning to break her water and start pitocin. Still 4cm dilated.

8:57pm ~ Okay, back-up...She was in a lot of pain while getting the epidural and they realized she had quickly gone from 4cm to 8cm dilated! Her water broke on its own and there is no need for the pitocin now. Hopefully her epidural will kick in soon and help relieve some of the pain she is in. The Doctor is there and things seems to be moving right along!

9:30pm ~ He's HERE!! The epidural did not take but it was time to start pushing! Jamie pushed for about 15 minutes and he made his grand entrance weighing in at 7 pounds 10 ounces!

Sounds like Mommy & Baby are doing great, and the Family is all soaking up the joy that a newborn baby brings. I'll post pictures as soon as I can get some!

Happy Birthday Elijah Alexander!! Born just 2.5 hours short of your Mommy's Birthday! I think it's safe to say she's getting the best Birthday present ever this year!