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. 

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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.