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