Big Week!

Three Generations of Mommie

Eli and Grandpa Doug Eli and his uncles Chris, Mike and Pat

Eli's first playdate with Caroline, Henery and Ella. Soon, one more will be added, Laura is due in June.

What a big week. Eli has flown for the first time, met new friends at daycare, had four shots:(, and now sleeping off a little cold that he has developed. Through all this, you could imagine the emotions mommy and daddy have been going through.


First, last Thursday, Eli and I took off for the great land of MN. The weekend was full of meeting new people. He met his two great grandmas, another uncle, new friends and a bunch of cousins. The trip was great, I cannot wait to go back in April. We flew back to TN on Monday to a very excited daddy. Tuesday was my first day back to work, so Eli went to daycare for a few hours. It was hard on me, but it felt great to be back to work. Thursday, Brad and I took Eli to the doctor for his two month check up and shots. He weighed in at 12 lbs 3 oz and measured 23 3/4 inches. The last part of the check up were the vaccines. He did better then I thought he would, but it was still difficult...for all three of us. Now it is Friday, and I am home again with the sweet little man. He has a very small fever and a runny nose, so I am staying home again, just to be sure he gets well soon.

Eli's Big Adventure

After nine weeks, Eli finally got to leave the city of Knoxville. On Friday, we took a rode trip to Dayton, TN to meet Brad's cousin's. The ladies loved it...and I got to shop:) We continued on to Chattanooga, Brad's home town. Eli got to meet his two cousins, Cole and Savannah and we had a great time! He also got to spend some time with his Nona and Papa Jim. The following day, he went to his first birthday party in Georgia. If he was awake, I am sure he would have played as hard as the other kids!

This weekend brings more travels for our little man. On Thursday we will be traveling to Minnesota for a four day visit. Stay tuned....

Eli's Baptism

Eli finally fell asleep so thought I would post some pictures from the big event we had last weekend. Eli was baptised at Immaculate Conception Church here in Knoxville and he was so great!!! We were supported by the grandparents and my brother Chris and his future wife who made the trip from Minnesota.

6 Weeks

AS you can tell by the pictures, Eli has developed a beautiful smile...it is starting to appear more and more. He is just so darn cute, I can't help but take pictures of him every day! He will be baptised this weekend. We are looking forward to it because his godparents and grandparents will all be here for the big day.

5 Weeks

I cannot believe five weeks have come and gone. Life has been great! If it is possible, I find myself loving Eli more and more every day! Eli has been such a great baby, he has started to smile, coo and recognize Brad and I's voices which makes our time together all the more fun. Three times last week he slept for six hours without waking. This was great for all of us, especially daddy and mommy!

We have been getting out a little more, last weekend the weather here in Knoxville was beautiful! We got out for dinner Saturday night and we were able to take Eli to Market Square for brunch on Sunday followed by a walk in World's Fair Park. He loved the sunshine.

Attached is a picture from our newborn photos. He was so very good that day. Granted he pooed in Brad's hand, but we are the ones who had him naked for the shots. He may of just been a little nervous:)

Well, off to another fun filled day. Tomorrow we check out his new daycare, it will be tough for mommy, but know it will be the best for both of us.

Sending much love!

3 Weeks

It is hard to believe that Eli is already 3 weeks old. Time is going by too fast. Today, Eli got to see snow for the first time ever. We admired the snow covered trees from the window, he loved it.

Our days have been plenty busy. We are trying to work out a schedule, but challenging this early. He has been a great baby though. He fusses a little, but only when he is dirty or hungry. He loves hanging out with daddy, I can tell that they are already going to be good buds.

Brad and I had our first date last week. Grandma and Grandpa McCarter came over to watch Eli before they went to the UT basketball game, it was nice to have alone time, but we missed him so very much. We came home to a happy baby and caught Grandpa Jim already talking to Eli about setting up a "Tee Time". I have a funny feeling Eli is going to have a golf club in his hand once he can start walking.

Well, diaper duty calls....until next time:)

Welcome Eli James

He's here!!!! The long wait is over and now looking back, I would do it all over again. Eli is such a blessing to Brad and I's life. He was born December 29th at 8:25pm. He weighed 8 lbs and was 20 inches long. I was in labor for a total of 11 hours, but with the happy drugs, I was able to nap most of the day. Brad and I were admitted at 6 am and they broke my water at 9:30...and then the fun began. I worked through the contractions until I was dilated 3cm, I had enough and called on the epidural. And then I was happy again. The day was long, but we had plenty of visitors to keep our time occupied. When it turned 7 pm, I knew I was getting close, Brad kicked everybody out of the room and the fun began. I started feeling more and more, and when the doctor came to visit us at 8 pm, she said it was time. Our room turned into a circus. We had five different professionals setting up, getting ready for the party. After my first cycle of pushing, Eli crowned. Grandma Shirley was very excited, she saw the full head of black hair. After two more cycles of pushing, I was told to stop and wait for the doctor, Eli was eager to meet us. After the doctor arrived, one push and Eli was here, it was truly the most amazing moment in my life. I looked at Brad and could tell that it was for him too.

The past week has been filled with visitors excited to meet Eli, and everybody has been so generous and kind...we has food for the next month and I also got about 20 babysitter offers.

All in all, our experience was wonderful, I couldn't have asked for anything more, the best part about it, is that we have this sweet little man who we love so much.