Eli: 5 months!

Welp, it's that time again. Another month has FLOWN by and our baby boy is another month older! I can't believe in less than a month he will be half a year old. It's even weird to say! But I praise God everyday that he is growing healthy, strong, and happy. God is good!

As always, here are some highlights/milestones/learning experiences we have met this last month. I would say that this last month has been the biggest one of changes yet. Eli is changing EVERYDAY. And it's exciting. And terrifying. And bittersweet. But most of all, it is amazing. Simply and purely amazing.

 There he is...in all his cuteness! My little (or not so little) 5 month old!

MILESTONES

-Eli is doing the "swimming" motion where his legs and arms wriggle in the air while he squirms awkwardly on his tummy. He so badly wants to crawl but we try to tell him he is a little to young. He doesn't wanna hear it. 

-Rolling is a HUGE thing right now. We roll from stomach to back, back to stomach, side to side, side to tummy, tummy to side to back. You get the point. And we don't just do one roll. We roll from one side of mommy and daddy's bed to the other which is 4-5 rolls we have learned.

-Eli lifts himself all the way (as far as his arms will extend) like a little seal. It is so cute and he puts his chin up in the air, smiles, and coos as if saying, "Look what I can do mom and dad!" Kind of like this:

-He grabs for EVERYTHING! The newest thing is whenever we are out somewhere at a table and he wants to grab your plate or fork or cup or napkin. And naturally it all goes into his mouth. His little hands stretching out towards something and grasping onto it is seriously one of the cutest things I have ever seen. And I get this 'proud mommy' feeling like, yep...my baby can do that. He can grab things. *insert dorky proud mom smile* Oh the things we feel as parents. Ha.

-Eli loves to walk. No not by himself....I mean he is gifted but not THAT gifted ;) Carlos will hold his hands/arms and slowly walk him around the house. It is SO. FREAKIN. ADORABLE when he does it in his little footsie PJ's. and his little padded feet make little triumphant steps across the house as he smiles and drools everywhere. He loves it when he gets to walk up to the puppy or up to mommy and with each step closer, he gets noticeably more excited. God, I love my son.

-He is almost able to sit up. He can do it on his own but ultimately ends up leaning too far to the side or too far back and falls over. Everyday his balance gets better though. I am a proud momma!

-And for the biggest change this month. Our child has found his voice. And I do not mean like "oh what cute little coos or shrieks." I mean full-out-balls-to-the-wall-can-the-whole-neighborhood-hear-me-yet found his voice. He yells and shrieks at his toys. He will just look at one and a split second later he is yelling at it. Then he will smile. Then yell. Then laugh. Then coo. Then yell. And on and on. Sometimes his yells do signal frustration but most of the time Eli is just exercising his newfound ability to use his voice as a source of translating his personality. Most of the time it is adorable. Some of the time it is not. Like at 7:00 a.m. Or in the middle of Hobby Lobby. Or at a restaurant when he gets excited to see all the new things around him. There are a few more instances when it isn't that cute but when it's at home and he quizzically looks at his toy, tilts his head, and bolts out a nice little "tune" (what daddy likes to call it)...well yes, it is quite charming actually :) .

THINGS WE HAVE LEARNED

-When babies learn to yell, learn to zone some of it out or else you will never get anything done, get a moment of peace, etc. And realize it's only just beginning!

-Teething is literally the slowest process EVER. Like, really?? Ugh. Even as I type this I cringe. I just want those 2 front teeth to pop through already. They are right there. Like literally, RIGHT. THERE. C'mon! Baby is fussy which makes mommy cranky which makes daddy unhappy. 

-I am learning to take deep breaths (see above)

-Change cribs sheets OFTEN. Don't ask why we just learned this. It isn't pretty.

-Daily, we learn patience. Patience with teething, patience with each other, patience with fussiness, patience with not wanting to nap, and the list goes on.

Best thing for teething? Frozen washcloths. 

I will close with saying that as this journey of parenthood rolls on, I love my child more and more each day. Everyday (and this is no joke, it is everyday) I think 'I can't love him anymore than I do today. It is impossible!' But the next day, the impossible becomes possible. I love him more than the day before. Sometimes I feel like my heart cannot expand or feel anymore love but then it happens. God is so good, he allowed parents to love children in a way that is unexplainable unless you have them. It is like this secret club, this community. It is the closest you get to heaven I think. That feeling you get when you look at your baby and your heart could literally burst because you love them so intensely. I thank God every night for my baby. For my husband, my true love. My goal going into the next year is to make sure I focus on my blessings and be grateful for the time I have been given with them :)

One of his many new faces. I am pretty sure he may have been "talking"/screaming in this one.

What a personality he already has!

Goofy, happy, perfect baby.

It amazes me how much babies learn in such a short amount of time. He is so aware and curious of new things!

Mommy and Eli on Christmas. More pics to come on my Christmas post soon :)

Ok. One more. I just couldn't resist that tushie!

Wrestling Season, Thanksgiving, and other misc. things!

The last time I posted anything was almost a month ago which means soon I will be posting about Eli turning FIVE MONTHS. I seriously cannot believe it. But I wanted this blog to be about our lives and not just a monthly update for Eli's progress. So here is me attempting to make it more than what it currently is...maybe I will get some time as a Christmas gift. Like time will stop for a day. I will update you on whether or not that happens. I am pretty sure it will  'cuz I am like 99% sure Santa can work miracles.

So wrestling season has officially begun and Carlos is super busy doing all those head wrestling coach things he does.  Ho hum. I do enjoy watching his kiddos wrestle though. They work hard and for a lot of them, it is the only positive thing in their day. Those kids are the ones that pull at my heartstrings and I am so thankful they have a role model like Carlos in their lives. They really do respect him and look up to him. I am extremely proud of my husband. He is a teacher at a school where life is hard. Students live rough lives and their school life isn't always much better. He survives through a day of violent tempers, outbursts, severe lack of motivation, no parent support, and extremely underprivileged, struggling kids. Teaching is tough. I am the first to admit that teaching isn't always rainbows and sunshine and that people in the world do not appreciate teachers enough. (Oh, and if you don't agree with that statement then I feel sorry for you. Because one day your child will be in a classroom and people with attitudes like yours are what make the education system, i.e. your child, suffer. *deep breath* Ok...I need to reign it in. My tangents are for another post possibly :) )

Sooo, the point is that my husband is amazing. After a rough day he goes and switches mode to "Coach". Which is like 5 jobs in one. A teacher, a father, a mentor, a friend, and a coach. He works with those kids for 2 hours and then dedicates some of his nights and a lot of his weekends making a positive impact in their lives that may change their entire course altogether. I have seen him with these kids and he makes me proud. It may just be the teacher in me but I am pretty sure it is the mother and the wife in me too. There are times when Carlos and I complain about the money we make. As two teachers it can be hard sometimes. But then I realize the daily impact we have on each one of our kiddos. It may not always be big and it might not always be life changing or apparent, but we do have one. How many professions can TRULY say that their career's outcome is changing lives and making people better even in the most minuscule way? Not many. I saw this quote on Pinterest that says "I am a teacher. What's your superpower?" It made me tear up. I honestly couldn't have said it better.

And although the positive impact is being made on these children everyday, it still means my husband and Eli's daddy is taken away nightly making it a little hard on this mama. Sometimes I feel frustration because I just want him home to help. Or I want to be able to cook dinner without baby talking or bouncing him on my hip. But alas, it only lasts until February and then it is like Christmas all over again because (even when we didn't have a baby) my love is home and we get to be with each other after a long work day as a family :) Until then, I will be proud every time I see his wrestlers on the mat or when they go up and tell him thank you. Or at the banquet at the end of the season when (inevitably) tears are shed (and yes, mainly by me) for the amazingly heartfelt words spoken to Carlos by his wrestlers recognizing his dedication and impact on their lives.

Supporting daddy at his first tournament of the season!

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Even though Thanksgiving was like a year ago (ok yes an exaggeration) I never got a chance to blog about it. It was really one of the best Thanksgivings we have had in awhile. Last Thanksgiving, although great because we were with my side of the family, I had severe morning sickness and the food just wasn't the same. And by the same I mean everything made me gag. This year we had our little one with us and he just kept us smiling. We were all together with Carlos' side of the family and Elijah even got to try sweet potatoes for the first time! We took a walk to the park in the Fall weather and put Eli in a swing which he really didn't like. Was it too soon? Yeah probably but you know I had to try! We spent most of the day watching football, drinking, and just relaxing with family. My kind of holiday right there. No big to dos, no extravagant plans. I do remember thinking that this is the 6th Thanksgiving that Carlos and I have spent together. Time seriously flies when you are having fun. Or in love. :) Then I started thinking of all the Thanksgivings that God will hopefully bless us with as a family in the years to come. Then I started tearing up. Gosh I am such a wuss.

 Not so sure about the big boy swing.

Tio Bert and Eli.

 Trying sweet potatoes for the first time. It was a big hit!

We live a blessed life for sure.

So while I have a little time to blog I also wanted to mention that lately, and really more since Elijah was born, the simpler things in life are making me the happiest. I never really understood what that meant until we had Eli. And I am not sure that without having kids I really would have ever understood. By simpler I mean the minutes I get to spend with Carlos in bed talking before we both pass out from utter exhaustion. Or the sweetest smile I get from my baby. Or the show I get to sit and watch after baby is in bed. Or even that AMAZING glass of wine I get to sneak in every once in awhile. Carlos and I used to go out on expensive, try-a-new-place kind of dates before we had Eli and even more so before I was pregnant and when the thought of kids was far from even being a reality. But now we choose simpler, laid back, even (dare I say) comfortable types of outings. One night when Eli was staying with Grandma we were just planning on going home because Carlos had only gotten 2 hours of sleep the night before (yes, wrestling strikes again) and I was exhausted from doing a million and one other things. But we both looked each other and said let's go to Kerby Lane (for all you non-Texans, or even Austinites, that is a local Austin breakfast place and the first place Carlos and I ever ate after being introduced) to have coffee and eat. It was like 9:00 at night which is late for us but we hopped in the car anyways and went. I have to say, even with exhaustion setting in, it was one of the best dates we have been on in awhile. We were in PJ's (ok I was) and we just talked about nothing. Nothing meaning not baby or finances or future plans or work (ok maybe a little baby). We told jokes and talked about other little things that we really hadn't had time to share with each other (and yes to all non-parents or parents-to-be, believe or not you don't have time to spend chatting it up with your spouse like you used to. I always said we would be different but I was naive then. I mean, I am like, so mature now. :) ). I wish I could freeze those types of moments in time and save them in a picture frame forever. But knowing that is impossible, I keep it in my heart. And in my iPhone. And maybe even a little bit in this blog.

 In closing, I leave you with pictures. Some sweet. Some random. All beautiful :)

 I honestly don't get tired of these moments. I never used to be the person to stop what I was doing to just sit. I always had to finish what I was doing before I relaxed. Eli makes me slow down. He makes me appreciate the little things.

Eli's Christmas card to mommy and daddy with his footprints. Went right up on the fridge, front and center!

I turn into a mushy mess when I see this photo. I love it. It makes my heart melt into a big gooey puddle. I am amazed by it. I am taken aback by it's beauty. It is my whole life in one photo.

T-shirt is courtesy of his Auntie Cooper. He is a Texan after all!

This is weird.  If you have every changed a diaper full of pee you know that the gel in the diaper gets heavy and squishy. Carlos and his sister decided to see if you another person hard enough, would the diaper gel pack thingy explode? The answer is no. But it is really gross when a pee filled diaper hits you in the face. Wonder who came up with this bright idea? You guess. The end.

What we made Eli's daycare teachers for Thanksgiving. His handprint is on the yellow paper underneath.

I just love this picture. That is all.

Eli: 4 months!

If there was one thing I really, really wish I had more time for, it would be to blog. I get such a sense of pride and excitement each time I post and it is really a great outlet to share advice, vent, and express feelings. Maybe I could get daddy to take baby for a bit every weekend while Mommy locks herself away in her room and writes for half an hour :)

Anywhooooo. The time has come again to update Eli and his progress this last month. My not-so-little-baby is now 4 months old! He weighs 17 lbs, 6 oz and is 26 1/4 inches long! He really is a big boy...not quite sure how that happened. Carlos and I aren't exactly "big and tall" people over here! Regardless, he is perfect and healthy. And perfect. (Did I already mention that??)

I feel like ever since Eli hit about 3 1/2 months, he has been doing something new everyday! Time is just absolutely flying and I want to make it slow down but it is impossible. I have tried. I have to say that I have learned that no matter what I do, what I try, etc. babies change on a daily basis. And I am not just talking about milestones. I am talking about sleep habits, feedings...well, really just those two things. We are down to waking up only once a night. We were up to two nightly feedings but apparently little guy decided to help us out and go back down to only one. And I really wish they would have taught us this in that parent manual we received at the hospital (yeah right I wish!)....BABIES DON'T EVER GET ON A TRUE SCHEDULE. Sure...it lasts for about 4 days and then it completely changes. Some days we take 3 naps for an hour a piece. Other days we don't want to nap at all. Some nights we go right to sleep. Some nights we fuss and fuss AND FUSS. I have learned to accept this and realize that this whole parenting thing is a surprise EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. I love it. I really do. I wake up every morning ready to see Eli and his beautiful face. Not once do I wake up and not get butterflies in my tummy to go and see him in his crib, ready to pick him up and ask what his dreams were about and if he was ready to have a fun day. It is an excitement and love I cannot explain. What an intense love you feel as a parent. As a mom. It is true when they call it a gift. There is no better gift than being a parent...raising your creation that God has blessed you with. I am amazed with this realization every day!

MILESTONES

-ROLLING OVER FROM HIS BACK TO HIS TUMMY!!! He now sleeps on his tummy. I can't stop him. I have tried. The first night I found him like that, I bolted out of bed and scared the living sh** out of him and I rolled him over. Not my smoothest moment but hey...I am a first time mom. 

-He lifts himself up all the way on his arms now. He tries to scoot and scuffle but of course crawling is not possible right now. I just think he thinks it is. 

-We are eating solid foods! He ate sweet potatoes at Thanksgiving but we are starting slow with some rice cereal for a week or so. Then this momma will be making all his baby food....I seriously cannot wait. I am buying a baby food system this weekend and can't wait to get started. I love cooking so this is really exciting for me! :)

-He got his first bouncer and entertainer. HE LOVES IT. He is such an active lil' booger.

-He is officially teething. Goodness gracious...please Lord let it go somewhat smoothly and painlessly (pray for us please!)

-Eli sleeps swaddle free now! I have to say, this was by far the hardest transition we have had. It was rough. And exhausting. And sleepless. But we survived :)

THINGS WE HAVE LEARNED

-Tylenol is a life saver. Amen.

-Teething tablets are a close second. Hallelujah.

-Elijah is gonna be a good eater. I mean if you have ever seen my child, did ya think anything different??

-Once they are strong enough to roll over onto their tummies, it is ok to let them sleep on their tummies. Do not have a mommy freak out like some people I know. 

-Weaning baby off a swaddler is NOT easy. We had a few really rough, sleepless nights. DId I already mention this? Yeah. It really was that fun!

And now for the pictures....:)

I just love this picture. The lighting is so neat and well, the subject is pretty dang perfect.

Yep. I am a big boy in my Entertainer :)

Um. This look is gonna get him in a lot of trouble one day. It is his version of "blue steel." What a lady killer.

Ha. Everything goes in his mouth. Literally EVERYTHING and he likes to make funny faces because he realizes that half the stuff he puts in his mouth is awful tasting.

Mid "scream" with mommy. We just have way too much fun!

His first time in his bouncer. 

Absolute pure joy. My heart melts every time I see this photo. God is good all the time!

With his Chico.

Sweet potatoes on Thanksgiving!

Not quite sure...

He wanted more!!!

Swinging with mama!

I just love this outfit. I remember buying it for him when I learned we were having a boy and thinking "It will be forever until I can actually put him in it." It is one of my favorite outfits for him and it is already getting too small :/

First time seeing a Christmas tree...look at that body language!

Talk about true Christmas joy...this just epitomizes it!

As does this. Love my boy. *heart melting* <---if you can't tell, this is a daily occurrence :)

Eli's Baptism

I really really wish I had more time to update this blog. Now that I am on Thanksgiving break (oh yeah, I get a WHOLE week off hehe) I may be able to do a few posts. There is so much that has happened and is happening, it is hard to keep up! One of the biggest events this last month was Elijah's baptism into the world of Catholicism! We had such an amazing ceremony and reception with friends and family. It really could not have gone any better!

 Ok. Wait. Rewind.

 I think I am forgetting about the morning before the mass. Yes.Yes I am.

I was a little flustered to say the least.

And here is why:

We woke up that Sunday pretty early knowing that it is always a challenge to get a baby ready, yourselves ready, and pets taken care of before a certain time. Everything was going smoothly until Eli got hungry right before we left, needed and diaper change and we realized we hadn't charged the camera battery. All this and before we knew it, we were already running 10 minutes late. Not great, but redeemable.

So we live about 20 minutes from our church. Finally in the car and excited for Eli's special day, we get about halfway to the church and what did we forget? THE BAPTISMAL GOWN. Are you kidding me?!??! Who forgets that on their child's BAPTISM DAY??? At that point I was just embarrassed. I had lectured everyone about being at the church no later than 11:30 and there we were, having to turn around, backtrack 10 minutes, then turn around again and drive 20 more minutes to get to church and it was already 11:15. UGH. I wanted to cry, laugh, yell, blame my husband (he did nothing wrong but he was the closest target)....just do anything to make the fact I left the gown at home, not real.

By the time we got to mass, we looked stressed, flustered, annoyed, and mad. We had to plug the camera charger into the wall in the church bathroom hoping that with it being church and all, no one would touch it. Don't worry (I know you were worried). No one touched it. We took a few deep breaths and accepted that things didn't go perfectly but that it wasn't going to ruin the rest of the day.

Anyways, the mass was beautiful. Our friends and family were amazing. Elijah was fussy but still adorable.

Then the ceremony was held at the baptismal font out in the church main lobby. Eli fell asleep in my arms which was probably for the best and everything from there on out went very smoothly. THe godparents, Mariel and Joey, were awesome and we are just so lucky to have two loving, beautiful people in our lives to play this special role in Eli's life. The amazing photos that are included in this post were also taken by them.

Mariel Garza Photography.

Yes...a shameless plug. But they are such great people. And their photography skills pretty much rock my socks off. Check them out. Like, now!

The reception was held at our house and it was loud and energetic and the house was full of such a warm, hopeful, loving energy. We are so incredibly and genuinely GRATEFUL for our families and our friends who shared this special day with us (even those who were with us in spirit). People came from near and far and spent their whole Sunday with our little family. We know how precious those weekend days are and for a whole day to be spent with us meant the world. Enjoy a few photos below by Mariel Garza Photography (there I go again) and I hope to post again sometime again this week because there is so much to share!

Beautiful, happy boy. That gown is over 150 years old. Carlos' dad wore it in his baptism and Carlos wore during his baptism. Pretty neat!

The Godparents and us. Love you guys!

Oil of the Catechumens. Very holy...very special!

Start of the baptism. First the oil on the breastbone...

Then the Holy water. And yes he did cry but only for a second :)

Fully baptized with the Godparents and Deacon Al!

My sleepy Catholic.

Gosh. My son has GORGEOUS eyes I tell you!

This was a completely candid photo but I love how we are both talking to him to try to get him to look at the camera and low and behold, he was already doing it :)