2 Months

I just love this picture of Elijah and Matt! I love my boys!! Elijah really adores Matt and Matt is so good with him!

Elijah is 9 weeks old today. His 2 month birthday was on Monday 3/16. He had his 2 month doctor's appointment this morning. His report was great...he seems to be a happy, healthy, normal baby. We think he's extra special though! He is weighing in these days at 12 pounds 2 ounces. He's a long guy -- 24 inches! He had to have shots and did pretty well -- he was already crying when they gave them to him so it didn't seem quite as bad. He's been pretty sleepy the rest of the day...

We are looking forward to Matt's family arriving next week! Elijah can't wait to meet Uncle Jim & Aunt Pam as well as cousins Anna, Jessica, & Jamie. He's ready for all of the attention, hugs and kisses that will be coming with them from the midwest! Grandpa & Grandma Wheeler will be coming too -- they won't believe how much he's changed since they saw him last!

A few other pictures from last weekend...

I'm smilig more and more! I love to carry on a conversation too!

Look just how long I really am! Daddy really is my hero! He takes such good care of mom and me!

HI! A close up with a smile! Don't you want to just squeeze my cheeks!

Finally a Video!

Elijah loves hanging out on the changing table. He stretches, moves, talks, and smiles! He's so much fun!

The bouncy is my other favorite spot--otherwise I like my parents' arms.

Back to Work

Disclaimer: This is a long one. Guess I needed to reflect on the week. Pictures do follow which is probably what most of you are interested in anyway...so don't give up or scroll to the bottom of this posting to see my beautiful baby boy!

It looks like I will become a weekend blogger. It will be nearly impossible to blog during the week now that I am back to work. I thought that I used every single minute of every single day before Elijah was in my life but now I really do use every single minute of every single day (and night).

This week has definitely been a transition for all of us! I would say that overall it went well ... we had one really tough night followed by a rough day but other than that I would call it a successful return to the world of work. It was a hectic week at school trying to get myself and the students caught up before Friday 3 pm when grades for the 1st grading period of the 2nd semester were due.

The timing of the week couldn't have been more perfect to ease back in though. Monday was a snow day. Tuesday was a late start -- Elijah stayed with daddy that day. I think Matt realized that it is hard to get much else done when all alone and in charge of Elijah for a full day. Wednesday was his first day at Ms. Betty's -- he had a wonderful day and did extremely well. Wednesday night was the tough one followed by a rough day on Thursday for both mom and baby. Friday was an optional workday with no students so it was very relaxed and I got caught up on a ton of stuff.

Living for weekends has taken on a whole new meaning. It was so nice and such a relief to spend the entire day with Elijah yesterday. We had quite the day. From snow on Monday to 80 degrees and shorts on Saturday! We started the day by going to a pancake breakfast -- we also made a Walmart run. We spent a little time at home and then went to watch the NCWC baseball team play. We returned home for a little bit and the master chef of the household these days (Matt) whipped up "Holly's Potatoes" to take the Taylor's house for dinner. We had a wonderful evening with them. They grilled london broil and we all enjoyed the nice weather on their patio. Elijah was very alert and awake for a good portion of the day. Lots of new things to see and hear other than the same old things around our house.

This did lead to a little bit of an overly tired baby by 7:30 or so last night. Olivia had the touch though and was able to settle him down fairly quickly. Thanks Liv! We headed home shortly thereafter and I was exhausted. I think the many sleepless night had finally caught up with me and Elijah. I nursed him and we both slept for nearly 5 hours in the living room chair. He ate again and then slept in his crib for 2.5 straight hours which means again that I got to sleep. He ate one more time and daddy took him until 8 am which means again I was able to sleep for a couple more hours. You may wonder why I am going into so much detail about last night -- well this is because that is by far the most sleep I've gotten in a VERY long time. I'm feeling quite excited about it today!

The two most frequently asked questions this week..."Is he sleeping through the night?" and "Has it been tough going back to work?" Okay -- the work question doesn't bother me but of course it was tough. I cried my eyes out last Sunday morning because I was feeling the urgency of it being our final full day together. Going back wasn't as terrible as I thought it would be but I did miss him so much and felt like our time together in the early evening and early morning wasn't enough.

BUT SERIOUSLY, if one more person asks me if he is sleeping through the night, there is no telling what I may do! The answer is NO! It isn't that he never sleeps -- he just doesn't like sleeping without me or Matt. He also is still eating quite often. He's gassy and has a little bit of reflux which isn't helping with staying asleep. So there you have it. Believe me, I will let the world know when he is sleeping all night but everyone must be patient as I have a feeling that it will be awhile before that happens.

Well, I'd better take advantage of my rejuvinated self and get some things done today. It is another gorgeous day in NC ... we will definitely take advantage and spend some time outside today! Until next weekend...

Enjoy the pictures!

My boys, taking a nap last weekend...they are doing the same thing right now as I type -- exact same chair, exact same position!

Cute overalls, huh? I like my toys but the ceiling fan is much cooler to look at! Definitely my favorite thing to watch!

Me and my cow, chillin' in the bouncy...

I love the grin! Elijah is definitely changing, don't you think? He's awake, smiling, and talking lots more these days. Amazing and fun to see him changing. I'm trying to savor every moment as I'm seeing how quickly things change.

Telling mommy "good-bye" on her first day back to work. Not sure why we are so happy? It made me sad to leave his smiling little face but happy to know that he is a happy, little boy who will be just fine.

Again, I'm not sure why I was smiling but Matt insisted I take a picture on my first day back. I hadn't been to school since December 19th!

Matt emailed me this picture on Tuesday. His email read "Me and Jack babysitting." Notice the i-pod. Apparently Elijah is a Jack Johnson fan. :-)

And this was yesterday...asleep in between our many outings. Elijah loves his bouncy seat! Aren't the overalls and football bib cute?

SNOW DAY!!

No pictures. Just wanted to share my excitement that on my scheduled 1st day back to work we had snow and school was cancelled!!! Tomorrow we have a two hour delay so we won't have an early morning -- which is nice since we have no idea how the mornings will go. Elijah is actually staying with Matt tomorrow because his babysitter is unavailable. Wednesday he will go to Ms. Betty's new house.

Signing off so I can get some sleep...

Week 6

I can't believe that this is my last week at home! Time flies. I'm not looking forward to going back to school but know that Elijah will be in good hands -- that does make it a little bit easier.

Elijah and I have made a couple of trips out and about this week -- Target yesterday and the mall today. He likes to go in the car and likes the movement of the stroller or the shopping cart. He was an angel both trips!

Our scale puts Elijah well over 10 pounds now. He is growing like a weed. He is smiling (we think) on occasion and "talking" more and more. Sleeping is our big struggle right now but we'll get it figured out -- hopefully sooner than later. He's a pretty happy baby for the most part -- if it weren't for gas and spitting up he'd be really happy!

Enjoy some pictures from the last few days and leave us a comment if you want -- its easy!

Lots to share!

Okay -- picture overload but he's so cute! This was yesterday -- we were on our way out to run some errands and pick up dinner. Look how big I'm getting! Yesterday was my one month birthday! Can you believe how quickly time goes! I had my check up with the doctor today. You'll never guess how big I am. Two weeks ago I was 6 lbs and 15 oz. I'm now weighing in at 9 lbs. and 2 oz.!!!!! I am 22 inches long. All seems to be well and I did wonderfully at the doctor's office. Aren't my cheeks getting chubby? :-)

Sunday night Matt gave Elijah his first bottle. Other than the fact that he was a little sleepy, he took it well and did so again last night. Matt was pretty excited about getting to help with feeding. I'm already appreciating the help!

Mom and Meg have been hounding Matt to take more pictures of Elijah and I...hence

I love this little outfit that Anne gave us way back last fall. It says "My daddy's my hero."

I'm liking my pacifier! Plus I love the "Touchdown" bib. We don't have too many football things...

Happy Valentines's Day!

And this Valentine was from Grandma Bailey...the book is Great-Grandpa Petersen's favorite song. Wish he could be here to sing it for us!

"Too cute for words" is right! Just after a morning bath.

I love my baths now!!!

Until next time...

The Swing and An Outing...

Do you think I'll ever be a "State Champion?" I love this little outfit! Elijah and I talked about which sports he would play when he grew up...we decided on football, basketball, track and baseball. I think the awake picture should have come first! Elijah is really getting used to his different places...the swing, the bouncy seat, the moses basket, the sling, the baby bjorn, my arms, daddy's arms, the changing table (his least favorite), and the bath tub (more success yesterday on enjoying the bathing experience --mom's getting a little smarter about keeping him warm...crank the heat, close the bathroom door, FILL UP the little blue tub with warm water and a warm washcloth over the chest. A happy camper until I took him out of the water to wash his hair and back. )

Sunday we went for a short walk out at the high school. It was a little windy so you can't see Elijah but you can see his proud daddy pushing the stroller. :-) Don't ask us about getting the stroller open so we could use it. Kind of a sore subject. Belle is off running...something she hasn't gotten to do much of lately.