So much has changed!

Wow! So much has changed in the last month! Eli is almost 4 months old already. We went to the doctor at 3 months to check on his acid reflux disease, and he was 15 lbs. 1 oz. then - we go to the doctor again in 2 weeks for shots, so we will see what his measurements are then. I think he is a pretty big boy!

 He is so active - he can roll over both ways already! He has almost mastered sitting up, too! He also found his toes, and he adores them. He wants to suck on them, but he hasn't quite figured out how to make that work out... He loves playing with his toys and can grab and hold them with ease now. What a fun baby he is becoming!

Sam and I cannot even describe the amount of love we have for him. Being parents is the best job in the world. We are definitely tired, and we constantly smell like spit-up, but we are loving every second of it!

We have done some fun stuff lately. Here are a few pics to summarize what we have been up to:

We have gone swimming at least once a week this summer. Eli loves being in the water - whether it's a pool or bathtub or even putting his feet in the sink. 

Eli has become enamored with his reflection. He loves the mirror... and his Bumbo! At 3.5 months old, though, he has discovered how to get OUT of it! He arches his back and flips out - we have to watch him constantly! He is about to be in to everything; I think it's time to babyproof the house!

Eli's first trip to the beach

Seacrest Beach, Florida

I forgot to put him in his exersaucer for a few weeks, and when I finally did, he cooed for 30 minutes and made this hilarious face. Seriously, could his smile be any bigger? He was so happy to play with his long-lost toys!

A beach picture of our happy, little family

Jesus Loves Me!

Easter Sunday!

So my posts are a little out of order, but I thought I'd show you some of our fun Easter pictures!

Mommy and Daddy giving Eli kisses. Isn't he the sweetest 4 week old? I love that he was already smiling at 4 weeks! :)

Daddy read Eli the Easter story when we got up and then we had fun with the Easter basket!

Eli was excited about his Easter basket from the Easter bunny. He got a toy duck, a book, a DVD, and some candy (um... maybe the candy was for Mom). Later that afternoon, Aunt Kacy came over with more candy for "Eli." Then the four of us headed to Radnor Lake for a walk. My parents were supposed to come over, but my mom got sick - she was devastated that she missed the first Easter! Eli missed seeing Mimi and Poppy, too.

Sam and I had a great day, celebrating Jesus' resurrection with our son. Now that we have a son of our own, the sacrifice that God made in sending his only Son to Earth and to the cross for us has much more meaning. The love of God and his gift to us amazes me! 

It was a great first Easter with Eli! 

The Cardboard Confessionals

http://vimeo.com/4753194

Check out a powerful sermon by David Rubio at Otter Creek.

My 1st Mother's Day!

Mother's Day was such a special day! We got up when Eli decided it was time and spent the morning with Sam's parents. Sam got his mom a game called, Bananagrams, so we played a few hands of that while Eli napped. Then Sam made a chocolate chip pancake breakfast for me. Eli gave me matching UT polos, so we can look great in the fall! Then we headed to my parent's house to celebrate with my mom. We planted a tree and grilled out - what a perfect day!

Special breakfast for Mom!

Sam and his mom; Eli and his mom

Matching shirts from Eli!

What a beautiful sight to see on Mother's Day! Eli was such a happy baby! In these photos, he is spending his first day in Mt. Juliet at my parent's house. His first big trip outside of Davidson County, and he did great! 

There is no better way to spend Mother's Day than kissing your baby's face over and over again and watching him squeal with delight!

Eli loved sitting on the porch with his Mimi! He was watching his Daddy and Poppy working hard in the backyard for him!

Sam and I decided that a great Mother's Day combo gift would be a tree for me and my mom. We bought a Korean Dogwood, my mom's choice, to plant in their backyard (since we don't have a backyard at Lipscomb). We got the smallest tree they had, so we can watch Eli and the tree grow together!

While the men worked, I sat and took pictures with my baby. Happy Mother's Day to me!

Almost there!

What a beautiful tree! Great job, guys! We love it!

Aunt Kacy and Aunt Kelly helped water the tree.

I have never felt such appreciation for my own mother as I do now. Mother's Day is special, because nobody loves you like your momma! Being a mom is the most rewarding and wonderful job I have ever had! I have never been happier in my life! I thank God daily for the blessing of being Eli's mom. I hope that I can become a wife and mother of noble character and that "my children will arise and call me blessed; my husband also, and that he will praise me, 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.'"

Eli is HERE!

On March 19th, I had a regular 39 week check-up to see what Eli's progress was. Turns out that my blood pressure was really high and that Eli hadn't been moving as much as he should; I also had a few other minor symptoms that made the doctor think I might be pre-eclamptic. We ended up being at the doctor's office for a few hours to have tests run, blood taken, ultrasounds and fetal monitoring done. They sent me home, but about an hour later, I got a call from Dr. Barrett, saying it was time to head to the hospital.

When we arrived at Baptist, I was induced, and 20 hours later, I was in the same position I was at my doctor's office - 1 cm and 80% effaced. At noon on Friday I was taken back for a C-section. I really wanted to have a natural birth, but after 20 hours of labor with no progress, I was so ready for Eli to be healthy and in my arms!

After 21 hours of labor and an unplanned C-section, Eli was born! We were all exhausted but so happy to be holding him in our arms!

Sam, holding Eli for the first time!

Me, holding Eli on the operating table

Eli weighed in at 6 lbs. 14 oz.

He has a big mouth and big lips like his mama!

My first glance at my son!

Dad, looking cute in his scrubs

Back in the room after Eli had his bath

The newest addition to the Parnell family!

7 Weeks Old!

Eli loves taking naps on Dad!

Tummy time with Mommy!

Sitting up like a big boy!

Elijah is 7 weeks old tomorrow! I can't believe how the time has flown. He has been having some problems with acid reflux and lots of spit up after he eats. We went to the doctor last Friday, and Eli weighed in at 11 lbs. 1 oz. at 6 weeks old. He can already fit into some of his 3-6 months clothes! We go back to the doctor on the 20th to get Eli's 2 month shots and to check up on his acid reflux.