35 Weeks!

We made it to 35 weeks!

Currently I am 35w5d so I assume we will make it to 36 weeks as well, not sure how far from there until we will meet our second son though!  Monday night I was getting contractions every 3-6 minutes and after I had taken the procardia they only spaced out to 10-15 minutes instead of going away.  So we called the on-call DR (who was not from our practice) and he said if I came in he wouldn't stop labor, so just do what I was doing at home.  He wasn't super pleasant and made rude jokes about my DR, so I am really glad we didn't have to go in that night.  I am so so thankful for our wonderful OBGYN office - they are fabulous! The best plan would to be go into labor at night and deliver during the day when my DR is working. (Funny to plan such a thing, right?) But that's how much I love my DR. 

Tuesday morning we called my DR and they told us to come in and get checked- contractions were 4-7 minutes apart but I was only dilated to 1, and they would have sent us to L&D for some fluids, but we've been down this road before- so we got to come home.  They did want us to come back that afternoon and have the u/s done that should have been today.  Just incase he decided to come this early we would know his size. (Eli got stuck, and talk of csec if we make it as far as we did with Eli is very possible!)

I loved seeing him again, though everything is much more squished and it was hard to get a good look! One of his feet and hands is down by the head, and the other set is up at the ribs- totally uncomfortable if you ask me!

Today I got checked again and I am 2CM dilated.  Contractions have been heavier tonight but I assume that's because he checked me, never a fun process!  

My official guess for the date he will arrive is December 27th!  I am also guessing he will be 8 pounds 5 ounces... and he will need NO NICU TIME! He will be perfectly healthy. Praying! 

16 months!

Eli is 16 months!

He could be a big brother this month, and I know he is totally ready and will be the best!

He is completely obsessed with throwing his food over his high chair, which can be very frustrating, but he thinks it's the best game! Still working on methods to keep the food ON the tray. So far, no luck.

He is loving the song, "If you're happy and you know it" and stomping your feet is his favorite part.

He is the most observant thing you've ever seen! He continually amazes me with the things he tries to do just by watching us.  Helps his daddy feed the dogs and wants to help me with everything around the house.  He unloads the cups and bowls that go into his drawer from the dishwasher and puts them away.  Using the broom will keep him occupied for a good little while.  I can give him a little towel and he will wipe things down and "clean."

He can now open the heavy drawers of the nightstand- so now we have to figure out a way for him NOT to do that. 

His favorite toys aren't toys- he loves ANYTHING with a cord, my glasses holder, bottles with tops, etc. I hope he enjoys his Christmas presents, but I'm not sure he will because they are actual toys! ;)

He laughs way too hard when he burps or passes gas, and continues to try to make it happen..such a boy! 

We set up the Little People nativity scene and he can point out baby Jesus- I love that! 

Yard Work

For December, we have had some pretty warm- Some have even been in the 70s!  This one clearly wasn't that warm but it wasn't too cold either.  Eli loves pulling things around and this lawnmower was a birthday gift from his grandparents.  As you can see, the dogs are never far behind- and Eli wouldn't have it any other way..he loves the pups!

I love this last picture of him! 

Luke's Nursery!

Here is Luke's nursery!

I am so in love.

It's charming & cozy.

Many times already I have gone into the room after Eli has gone to bed and sit in the glider dreaming of our our life is going to change from being a family of 3 to a party of 4.  I am so excited for that change! 

It IS the smallest bedroom of four in the house, so I wanted to keep things simple and only include the necessities.  There is a BIG playroom steps away that he can enjoy all sorts of toys, and when the time comes we will be getting rid of the glider and can incorporate other items into that space. 

I do find it funny that I decorated the nursery in airplanes (even if they are vintage!) because I am scared to death of riding in them!  I don't know if I would do it for a million dollars.  Maybe if I was sedated. ;)

I do still need to get curtains- white out ones are the best! Though we can wait on that because Luke will not be in his room for months once he arrives- he sleeps in a bassinet next to me. 

Take my hand

The beginning of Eli turning 15 months was a little difficult for us.  He has a good starting vocabulary but doesn't have enough to pull together all of what he is wanting or needing at the time (unless of course it's milk "mil," food "yum yum," suckie "ukie," or water "ba - ba") Constantly he would have tantrums because we couldn't quite discover exactly what he wanted if it wasn't something he could easily point to.  I've been making a point when I want him to come somewhere with me, I hold out my hand and say, "we are going ________" (outside, upstairs, night-night, to take a bath, etc.)  He is quite the smart cookie and will now take our hand and walk to where he wants to go with us.  I am really thankful for this, we can go a whole day with no frustration due to lack of communication -- on either side!  Though it started out a little rough, 15 months has become my favorite! Even if I do say that every month ;) He is such a funny boy!

31 Weeks { Maternity Portraits

What do I love most about being a photographer?

Having talented photographer friends to swap sessions with. 

:-)

Just kidding.

I am so fortunate to know so many lovely ladies that are up for photo swaps, even if their end of the deal will not be able to come for a few months.  Tisha & I met a few years ago, and to be honest I was super intimated by her when we met-- but I have learned that she is one of the most genuine and lovely ladies around.  Her son is the same age as Eli, so while we were busy with photos they were swapping pacis & drinks. Thankfully neither have learned the, "that's mine" so there were no tears when one would take something of the others..just peaceful swapping of spit (yuck!) 

Here are a few of my favorites: 

It's beginning to look a lot like..

CHRISTMAS!!

My favorite holiday. 

It's such a magical time of year- the cooler temperatures, warm drinks, the lights, baked goods - all wrapped up in a magical season.

Tonight Eli and I put up a little tree in his room- filled with all things boy- sports balls, cars, dinosaurs, & puppies.  He wasn't too thrilled that he had to leave the ornaments on the tree- so when we put up the big tree..that should be interesting. 

Next year Luke will have a tree in his room too :) His nursery is coming along great, I will be sharing that soon! 

Messy Eater

Eli has been more and more "spirited" when it comes to eating his meals and recently every meal with him is a struggle.  We finally learned that he wanted to eat with a fork/spoon, and was content with that for a few days, and then meals got difficult again for us to realize that he also wanted a plate.  At 15 months he has a good vocabulary but "can I have a plate/spoon/fork" is just not anywhere close to happening right now.  When he is finished his meal and wants to get down, he tends to throw himself to the side and cry, so we have to remind him to talk and he will sign "all done" (which is the cutest thing by the way) 

We obviously still need more work with spoons.. 

30 weeks!

30 Weeks!

10 (or less! to go)

So far everything is going great- and no big issues have arose.

..That is, until this afternoon!

Exactly 1 week after I went into preterm labor with Eli, contractions came 3-4 minutes apart.

I took a nap thinking they would slow, and when I got up they spaced out a tiny bit (a 6 minute, 8 minute 13 minute -- just very irregular but still too many in a short time)

We got to the hospital around 9/10ish this evening and the contractions were once again 3-4 minutes apart.  They did a fetal test to see the likelihood of delivering in the next two weeks, and thankfully it was negative.  I still had to get medicine, but it wasn't as strong as if the test had been positive.  We also haven't had to to steroid shots yet.

This is the first night I have been away from Eli - and it's HARD.  I know he's being taken care of, and he doesn't depend on me like he used to, but it still pulls at my heartstrings to be away from him.  I certainly do not want to make this a habit! 

2nd Annual Pumpkin Patch Trip

Last year, Eli was 2 months old and couldn't enjoy the pumpkin patch for all that it was worth, but this year he had a blast!  He is so active and is pretty strong for such a little guy, so he wanted to try and pick up all of the pumpkins-- some big ones that he was able to pick up surprised me!  Fall is my favorite time of year, and I love that we have a cute pumpkin patch so close to the house- I wanted to make multiple trips but with such a busy October we will only get to go once..next year I will not be so busy!

His FAVORITE thing to do was ride the tractor-- it looped all around the field- you could pay to ride another wagon ride but this one was free.. and he enjoyed it immensely, so I was glad we didn't pay for the other one!  I love that he's pointing at all of the pumpkins... those little fingers.. melts my heart! 

Grow boy grow! It will be fun to take him here year after year to see how much has changed.

I love this picture! He had both in his hand, but as you can see one dropped! Snapped the pic and realized the pumpkin hadn't hit the ground yet.,

26 Weeks!

Soon we will be the "typical" American family of four family! Will be one day be a party of 5?  It's way too soon to tell. Some ask if we will try for another child in hopes we get a girl.. I'm not sure why they ask that.. I am thrilled to have another boy!  Secretly, it's what I wanted..but I didn't want to vocalize that too much in case Luke was a girl!  The ultrasound left no questions..we are having another boy. 

How is it possible to be more than halfway done the pregnancy?  Luke is a super active baby and so far I haven't had any major issues with anything pregnancy related.  I am enjoying our time as a family of 3, but I know that Eli is going to be a great big brother and I cannot wait to see how our life is as a family of 4.  

24 weeks, 14 months & a trip to the water

Eli,

You are 14 months old!  Well into the "one-year" mark.  You walk really well and have started crawling backwards which looks a little creepy.  You love animals.  Emma lets you play with her (or, pull her ears, mouth, etc.. sorry Emma!) and you think Sadie plays with you because every time you get close she runs to a new spot and you have to chase her, all the while laughing-- but we know Sadie loves you because she goes in your room every night and checks on you.  She will walk right up to the crib, look for a minute, and then walk out.  

You are full of energy, and don't really like to be redirected or told "no."  You have 12 teeth! A whole mouth full.  I think you could live on chicken, bananas, grapes & strawberries...and bread.  We have a really good routine down right now- you go to bed & wake up at 8 and take one two-hour nap a day.  Can I brag on you for a minute?  You get put in your crib and you lay down and go to sleep when you're supposed to.  Although lately I've been rocking you for a few minutes before putting you in your crib-- I am soaking up the last few months of just "you & me" :)  

You still babble a lot and have full conversations with us (and yourself) but I can't quite understand it just yet.  You've been getting better at "speaking" words and you understand what I'm telling you.  I can say "bye-bye" and you will go to the door.  I can tell you we are going to change your diaper and you run away, but you'll come to me if I say we are going to put your shoes on to go outside.  If I'm in another room I can say, "where's Eli?" or "where's mama?" and you will come find me. You say "mmm" when you're eating something good and it's really cute :)  Daddy gives you a bath every night and you pull the stopper up when you're ready to get out, such a smart boy! 

We are working on body parts - I think you know "head" and "ear" the best, even though i've been pushing "nose" & "tummy" more. You love playing games on the iPhone. 

We put your carseat forward facing - and you loveeee watching everything around you in the car now!  You love to be chased.   Hearing the words, "i'm going to get you" send you squealing. 

--------------------------------------------

I am 24 weeks pregnant!  Will be 25 tomorrow and tonight we went to the water (a first for Eli!) to explore and take pictures -- Eli LOVED the water and we will definitely have to go back.  I have 3 more weddings to shoot and then I will be on maternity leave- I am very much looking forward to that! 

A visit back home

While I was born in Georgia, "Home" is only 1.5 hours away -- and it is a pretty drive to get there.. you head out and go about an hour past the last stoplight, never changing roads after that until the very end (and even then it's a right turn, then a left turn..then the driveway).   We haven't been there near enough as we should especially considering how short of a drive it is. Eli isn't a big fan of the car, and he probably gets that from David & I - I don't think our family will ever be driving across America. 

Facts about where I grew up:

The entire county has no stoplights..but one set of caution lights.

When I was in elementary school we got our first (and only) fast food restaurant: Burger King

There is one main grocery store: Food Lion

Wal-Mart is an hour away and in a different county.

A few mom & pop shops are located there, but pretty much it's a "ghost town"

I always said I was a country girl with a big city heart.  I knew that I wouldn't live there forever- and when I was 17 I left and never looked back.  I graduated high school early so I could go off to college, and from there moved to DC on a whim- never touring the city or knowing anyone.  And I fell in love with the city.  But I met and fell more in love with a boy whose career brought him to where we are now, and have been for four years.

Eli loves my dads animals, and over the years we've had just about every kind you can think of! Currently my dad has donkeys & sheep.  

A family first { Picnic

It was a gorgeous day today!  Tomorrow is the first day of Fall and there was a hint of that in the air this evening.  Eli & I had already gone to the park for the day and it was just too nice not to make another trip outdoors so we decided to have a family picnic-- which is something we've never done!  This cute little spot is right down the road from our house and we picked up WaWa and I brought a blanket..and our picnic was ready!  Eli even got to see ducks for the first time- he kept holding his arm out (what he does when he wants to hold something!) it was really sweet. 

We will definitely be going on many more picnics!

22 Weeks

I have to post this tonight because tomorrow I will be 23 weeks!  And I really wanted a 22 week picture because I like even numbers
I had announced on the fan page today the name we have chosen for this sweet little boy..
Luke David Garrison.

I am beyond excited for him to arrive but I will admit that part of me is sad to think that Eli may not understand why his #1 cannot give the undivided attention like I’ve done for the past 13 months.  Eli has changed my life and I couldn’t imagine anyone else getting to see him every day like I do, but I know that I will also feel the same way towards Luke.  Thankfully Eli will only be 16-17 months old so I do not expect the adjustment to be difficult for him-  and he will get lots of time with his grandparents that he adores so it will likely be harder on him than me!

Can we talk about how I’ve never gone to sleep without him near and I will be in the hospital for two nights without him?  On top of the hormones.. oh boy– you all better warn David now that I will probably be a basket case!

With the above quote, my friend Sara (Hi!!) made a similar statement in regards to her daughter and future children, and I told her one day I was going to use it!  I couldn’t have put the words together myself.  I am so so excited to meet Luke and know that he will be the perfect addition to our growing family, but I have enjoyed every single second of Eli’s life and being his mommy is the greatest joy.

..and I have to brag– I hold Eli like this a lot and I say, “lay your head down” and he will sit like that for a while with his head on my shoulder! It made for the sweetest picture Thank you, auto-timer!

Life as of late

22 weeks.. feeling very large!

Thankfully the weather has been cooling off and we have had some fun trips to the park!

I am WAY impressed with his ability and desire to drink out of a real glass - he doesn't spill, even when he doesn't use a straw! 

As the previous pictures have shown -- Eli got a bump on his head!  He has been walking nonstop and the other day tripped over his feet and fell right on the baby gate, which is protecting him from falling into the fireplace.  I had no idea such a small wound could bleed so much!  We ended up going to the doctor just to be sure glue/stitches weren't needed.  I knew he was going to be okay when he stopped crying well before I stopped shaking!  My poor buddy :( That was our first bleeding accident..and I hope we don't have another for a long time!

Eli is CONSTANTLY doing things that make me laugh..like when he made this graham cracker sandwich..it's how he ate it too! I couldn't love him any more.

...sigh... I just love our family :)

A First { Walk

Eli & I went on our very first walk today where he was holding my hand -- we actually went further than I thought before turning back.  The weather was perfect! In the early mornings and evenings we get hints of fall - I cannot wait for the cooler weather throughout the whole day though! 

I can't believe he knows how to "half smile" -- how old does he look her? A lot older than 13 months old to me.  Slow down sweet boy. 

Then & Now { A look at Eli's first year

I successfully avoided doing this for over a month now.  I was in denial that my 8 pound 10 ounce bundle of love was now in fact a toddler.  As I sit here wanting to write everything about him..I feel the strongest urge to write TO him instead.

Eli,
You (thankfully) unsuccessfully  tried to make your entrance when I was 29 weeks along, and then a few times after that too.  Although we were just as anxious to meet you- you needed more time. I spent 8 weeks on full bedrest thinking about you..and also eating, but that’s another story!  Wondering what you would look like, what color hair & eyes you’d have..and sometimes my mind would wander a few years from then and think about what your favorite movie, food, activity would be.  I’m not sure what made me wake up at 1:30AM the night before you were born but as soon as I stood up my water broke and I knew it was time to head to the hospital.  Seeing you for the first time is unexplainable.  There’s a quote that says, “as you were taking your first breath, I was losing mine” — and I think that accurately describes the situation.  You were a gooey mess (and funny thing is, when I watched the baby shows I always said I didn’t want you on me until you had a bath..but that quickly changed when my first instinct was to grab you!) but the cutest thing I’d ever seen.

Through the months you began to fill out.. and reached milestones like a champ!  Oh how I love watching you learn and master new things.  You look for our approval when you do something and I love praising you!  You are so happy that your Daddy & I constantly say we never realized babies could be so content.  Your joy radiates through your eyes and you have such an expressive face.  I never thought that I’d get to a point where your squishy newborn body wasn’t my favorite..but every day that you change is a new favorite for me.  I will always remember the way your heels felt  so smooshy when I touched them when you were a newborn.  When you wake up now, I always hold my face next to yours- it’s always so warm and squishy and reminds me that you will always be my baby.

We no longer use the sling which I loved (mainly because I have a big ole’ belly now!) but you holding my hand and walking beside me is just as great.  You soak up the world around you like a sponge.  Sometimes you’ll come over and hold my hand even when we aren’t going to walk anywhere and that melts my heart.

You love music and dancing, even my singing.  Daddy makes up silly songs and I think you prefer those over any “normal” baby song.

One of your favorite things to hear is, “I’m gonna get you!”  It will send you giggling and trying to hide every time!

Within the last few months you have expressed your strong opinion on certain areas, which is why we try not to drive past 8PM.

You clearly know right & wrong, and you give the cutest grin before doing something (and sometimes just acting like you’re going to do it just to get a rise!) you shouldn’t.  You love putting things in your mouth, and (so far!) if it’s something you shouldn’t eat you hold it there and give me a certain look until I ask you to “spit it out” ….. the yuckiest thing that has come out was a lady bug!! Ah.. I still gag thinking about it. And laugh, because I totally wasn’t expecting that.  But at least you haven’t swallowed any.. (I guess I should say that I know about! ha!)

You are your father’s boy. You look just like him and want to be where he is at all times.  If he’s outside working around the house you will watch him at the window and wait for him to turn to you and wave.  When he’s at work, I show you his picture on my phone and you light up.  You love to pretend talking to him on the phone because whenever he calls and you’re there I always make sure he says hi, and he always tells you he loves you.

I think you’re also “my” boy tooIt’s not too often that I am gone for very long, but whenever I return home from being out you always come quickly to me so I can pick you up.  You cuddle up to me and currently love sitting beside me while resting your hand on my belly.  Lately you’ve been coming over and giving kisses and hugs without my asking, and I don’t *think* you’ve done that with anyone else yet.  You are my sweet boy.  My forever baby.  I love you and couldn’t imagine a day without you.

Looking back over the past year in the pictures below..just swells my heart with joy.  We are so thankful for you.  God truly blessed us when he gave you to us- and we thank Him every day for you.  At night I go into your room and say a prayer over you and your life.  You are destined for great things, and I pray that I am along every single step of the way.  I love you.

Love,
Mommy