On August 25, 2007 8:05 am.....

....our precious son was born!! Eric & I were planning to give him a double kiss at 8:05 am but Eli was nice to his mama & dada and slept in until 8:30am :)

I really feel very happy in celebrating this big milestone. I became a little weepy while putting together the slide show, but all the pictures just make me laugh & smile. The changes in him are truly amazing and I am so happy I could stay home with Eli as long as I did to be the "first hand" witness to all of them! I look forward to this upcoming year and all it holds: first steps, first words (besides mama & dada), first haircut, etc., etc. I also look forward to his continued laughs, smiles & inquisitive & determined personality!

I was very blessed to have such an easy pregnancy with Eli. I only had some aches & pains but no complications or concerns for his or my health. I remember telling Eric I was pregnant and his response was "Are you kidding me??" (in a joyful demeanor, of course) and then hooting & hollering while jumping up & down. I remember telling family at Christmas & friends at our open house. For my side of the family, Eli is the first grandchild, which makes him even more of a gift! As Aunt Holly wrote in his birthday card: he has brought much joy to everyone! I was the usual worrier while pregnant and so relieved to make it through the first trimester & to get the "all clear" at each doctor's appointment. I couldn't wait to start showing and to start buying maternity clothes. I loved the feeling both emotionally & physically of being pregnant and knowing I was carrying our son & providing a safe place for him to develop & grow. In fact, a few weeks before he was born I began to feel some sadness that the pregnancy would soon be over because then, he was OUTSIDE of me & I couldn't guarantee his safety as well on the outside!! Then as his due date came & went, I only then began to say "well, maybe he could come out to say hello!!"

I remember the joy & complete exhaustion I felt when Eli was born. I remember saying to him as he was placed on my chest "We made it!!" because I was SO tired after being in labor all night. Eric was so excited & cried at the sight of him. He kept saying "Cry buddy, cry!!" to get the mucous out. He was all peely with long finger & toe nails because he was overdue which took weeks for him to completely have "normal" skin. We were also too scared to cut his nails for a few days because he seemed so fragile! Introducing him to family at the hospital & then the grandpa's later was very special. Everyone instantly felt such love for our little man!!

Our first week home was such a reality check for us! Of course Eli was awesome, but as parents we were adjusting to the sudden change in our life. No sleep (he has never been a good sleeper), fear of doing something "wrong", trying to figure out what makes Eli "tick", and of course, increased love for each other! Eric was so sweet & bought me a necklace with Eli's birth stone which made me cry & cry (a lot of things make you cry after giving birth!!). Eric's mom gave us a music box/flower pot that was given to her when Eric was born which sits on Eli's bookshelf. Watching Eli fall asleep after breastfeeding & how he was so small & could just cuddle up on our chests. Discovering that Eli loves being outside & sleeping in his car seat.

Oh yes, and probably our biggest struggle besides sleep.....BREASTFEEDING!!! That first week I wanted to quit many times due to exhaustion and the pain I was feeling. I made many phone calls/visits to the see the lactation consultants for help because I was determined to get over the "hump". I owe so much gratitude to Sharon & MaryAnn at Centerpoint for their support otherwise we would have not made it....and still be breastfeeding at a year!! I also must thank the other mommies & babies for their support twice a week. It makes such a difference to have other mommies going through what you are to just be around and talk to each other. LLL was also a great support with the help of Karen & Skyla-THANKS!!!

Well, I'll wrap up this trip down memory lane but end by saying that I feel so blessed to have such a happy boy. He wasn't always so happy and in fact was quite fussy as an infant. But, he also started smiling and laughing at an early age and everyone has always commented on how happy he is!! I hope he keeps this happy outlook on life as he grows & matures. I also hope he keeps his inquisitive nature & his ability to focus and try to figure things out (future engineer, maybe???). Finally, I hope that Eric & I can do all we can to raise a happy, healthy, confident, trusting child. I've tried very hard to do what I can this far......

Enjoy the show!!! HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY ELIJAH LEE!!!!