Easter 2013 - Elliot's First Easter!

Easter already! Last night, we dyed some Easter eggs-Avengers style. We spent Easter morning at our house, where the boys and Molly were given their Easter goodies. According to my facebook timeline, it appears that Easter is the new Christmas. Kids are getting more and more!! We still kept it simple with their Easter baskets. Isaac mostly got some Ninja Turtle stuff and a lit bit of candy. Elliot got some little toys, baby bubble bath, and some teething rings. Molly got a bone :).

 

Then we went to Nanny and Poppy's for a late lunch. The food was great, and Isaac also did an Easter egg hunt there. It was nice to also spend time with Great Gram and Uncle Todd. Then we made a stop at Grandma's.

 

Isaac was so spoiled with baskets at each stop! What a great day with family!

Family Update

Hi! This past few months have been a whilrwind...I figured I should give an update on each of us.

Elliot- He's four months old now. I forgot just how fun it is at this age to see them explore the little things each day. He's getting so big...and chunky! And he's looking more and more like my mom and that side of the family. We don't think he looks like his big brother when he was that age at all. I look at him and can't believe he was born 2 months early...although he's a little developmentally behind, he's doing great!

Isaac- He's such a good big brother! I'm not sure if he's gotten that much bigger/older or if it just seems that way now that we have Elliot. He's so smart and all of his "why" questions are starting to be more insightful. Yesterday he asked me why the moon was round and not a crescent like usual. Right now he's into the Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, and the Avengers. I can't believe he'll be going into kindergarten in the fall.

Mommy- I have adjusted to being back at work. Two weeks after returning from maternity leave, my boss told us she would be leaving. She's now gone and I've found myself there longer than the other dietitians. I'm left working in the NICU and I'm now the fulltime metabolic dietitian...doing VERY specialized diets for children with metabolic disorders such as PKU and galactosemia (and TONS more). I love it and I'm learning every day. I'm contemplating going for the chief dietitian position. That about sums life up..work, pumping, and family. We're also still trying to get the house straight. Can you believe that we still have a few boxes that need unpacking? haha

Daddy- He is now working full time with Dish Network doing home installations. Starting next week, he'll be out of training and on his own. Although his long term plan is to be an electrical engineer, we had to put school on hold for a bit. Daddy loves playing with Isaac and learning to be quite the handyman at home.

Our family has been through so many changes over the past year and we are so very grateful that we have such a great support system in our friends and family. Even through tough times, God always seems to provide for us.

Elliot is 3 Months Old!

Time is going by too fast. At three months, Elliot weighs 12 pounds, 5 ounces and is plotting like a full term 3 month old :). He is smiling socially now and is much more alert. He LOVES the bouncy seat, the gym, and now likes the swing.

Krewe of Cousins

I'm still here! Just being a bad blogger :) And I have some catching up to do. This year, Isaac and Elliot's cousins were here to visit for Mardi Gras again. It was so fun to see all five of them together! It was also the first time that Uncle C got to see Elliot. As usual, Summer and Isaac had the most fun together. And they all caught a lot of loot at the parades. Can't wait to see ya'll again!!

March For Babies 2013

Hi all! This year we decided to participate in the March of Dimes Walk. We wanted to help raise money that would go towards research for not only preventing premature births, but also caring for premature babies. We are so grateful that Elliot was so well for being born at 32 weeks. One main reason is because of the steroid shots I received a week prior to his birth...and that's just one example of how research can improve the outcome of premature birth.

We'd love if you can help Team Elliot! If you'd like to come walk with us or if you'd like to help sponsor our time, please visit our team page at http://www.marchforbabies.org/team/t2029794

Thank you!

Elliot is two months old!

Time is flying by with our new little one! And he is growing so fast. At 2 months, Elliot weighs 10 lbs 4 oz. He is still sleeping quite a bit but staying awake longer and longer. He loves his bouncy seat and likes to play under his gym. He is still not reaching for things and is still not smiling socially-although I am trying my best to make him smile. haha.

I have to admit, he has become quite the handful at night. I've had to go back to work and about a week before I did, he's decided that he won't sleep at night unless I'm holding or nursing him. It's quite a challenge. After trying lots of things, I've finally given up. So I hold him next to me on his back and/or nurse him. Last night, I was able to sleep in 3 hour increments...sadly, I was thankful for that! haha. Here's his two month pic and a comparison with his one month pic! Note the double chin :)

Welcome 2013

I know, it's a little late for a new year post. Oh well. I can't believe another year has gone by and while I'm feeling a little reflective, I figured I should reflect.

This year has been incredible. It's definitely had it's highs and lows and well, surprises! When this past year started out Andrew and I were thinking about buying a new house and then gave up thinking we should wait until we were more financially ready. We also started the new year not even discussing having a new baby yet. Instead, we planned on saving money and Andrew focused on getting through school. Little did we know that God had different plans for us.

Who knew that missing some birth control pills would change everything? HAHA. Elliot was a surprise for sure and we quickly made adjustments. We started looking for houses again and moved in October. If that wasn't a surprise for sure...who knew that we would finish the year with our little one at home already? After a "complicated" pregnancy and a NICU stay, we ended the year with our two little boys in our new house.

We are beyond blessed to have the year we've  had. Andrew is now working full time near our house and is going to school part time. We will be looking for another vehicle soon and will also be getting Isaac enrolled in kindergarten this year. My toddler became a little boy in a matter of what seems like minutes. I see him growing each day that goes by and he never ceases to amaze me.

Elliot is getting bigger by the minute as well. And as I get ready to head back to work, I am soaking up every minute.

Thank you for following our family on our journey. Hopefully we'll have another exciting year to share.