Let's try this again...

So for some reason, blogger is being stupid when it comes to playing our videos. So to remedy that ailment, I've created a you tube account to post our videos. So check out this video, this video and this video.

A little Reward....

Well you all have been so good lately reading all of our posts so it's about time you were rewarded with a little multi-media prize. While I've been at work, Joel has periodically been taking videos of Eli and his day. They are quite entertaining as I get to see the quirky things my boys are getting into these winter days. Hopefully it keeps up as Eli gets older and starts getting into even more mischief! Well, enough words for now, enjoy!(Note: Eli received a fancy new snowsuit for Christmas so please pardon is slightly too small snowsuit here. When we carry him in the Ergo, the new suit is a little too big!)

Off to Work I Go....

Well I just finished my first two weeks back at work and it has been easier and harder than I imagined. My first day back was on January 4th, so on a cold morning, I bundled up and took off for the bus ride to work. It was hard because I was trying not to cry (which was very hard) in front of a bus load of high school students. As I walked into work reality finally kicked in that I really was going to have to leave Eli at home. I think until that point I was in some sort of denial and thought, deep down, that Joel would have a job by January.

The work came back to me faster than I imagined (this is the easier part), I still sometimes feel like I have two left feet but slowly it’s getting easier. It has been good to see some of my regular patients, many of whom have been excited to see me and have loved to see pictures of Eli. I also haven’t lost too many of my nursing skills, I successfully started an IV the other day! It has also been neat to see how the clinic has changed and grown since I’ve been gone. I was recounting to Joel that there are many new faces who have no idea who I am which is weird seeing as I’ve been there for three years.

One new aspect and chore of my day now is pumping. Joel and I intend to breastfeed exclusively so that means that 4 times a day I pump. My lunch hour is now sacrificed to sitting in a chilly exam room attempting to eat my lunch while hooked up to a pump. It’s really not that bad, it’s kind of fun to see how much I can pump each day and if I can top myself. The record currently is 13 ounces in one day! Though, I miss not breastfeeding Eli. I miss that bond, how he looks at me and smiles and how we have that time for just the two of us.

One other adjustment is how little awake time I get to spend with Eli. I get home around 6 pm and he is usually ready to nurse to bed between 6:30 and 7 and asleep by 8. It’s hard only getting those few hours with Eli awake. It makes me even more excited for my days off and for the weekends. I miss my boy. He seems to grow in just the 8 hours I’m away at work. One friend pointed out that I really only get about 8 days a month away from work to spend with Joel and Eli. That makes me want to make the most out of those days as our family grows and stretches.

Lastly (at least for now, this is long), Joel is the best husband and father I know! He takes such good care of Eli; it’s amazing! It’s great to see how he knows Eli’s habits, intricacies, expressions and needs. It’s great to not feel the sole burden of working, taking care of Eli, cooking meals, cleaning the house, doing the diapers, etc. Joel moves towards responsibility and is taking care of our family in the most amazing ways.

Frowny Thursday

In honor of Eli being crabby and teething here's a video of his cute frowny face. Hopefully he doesn't carry it with him to his toddler years because it may be used to manipulate his parents into feeling bad for him.

Eli and Papa Smurf

Warning: Since I have no new pictures to share this post will be written word only. If you trudge through our words just to see cute pictures you should probably scroll down to older posts to get your fix.

My first week home alone with Eli started off with an unsuspected trip to the mechanic on Monday morning to get a hose in the fuel line of our car replaced. From there I strapped Eli on my chest and headed home. The rest of the day was pretty uneventful; cleaning and grocery shopping. This week I've discovered the ability to hear Eli doesn't depend on whether you're mom or dad, but on whose responsibility it is to get up and feed him. I took over one feeding at night and spent much of Tuesday night awake expecting to hear Eli and wanting to get up before he woke Shannon. This made for a poor night of sleep which was followed up in morning by a flurry of house cleaning, feeding and prepping dinner so I could meet a friend for coffee in the afternoon and then pick up Shannon. Sometimes when I have a goal to accomplish something in a set time frame I can run myself ragged doing it. By the end of the night I was a wee bit crabby and worn out (just ask Shannon). Two highlights from Wednesday were successfully feeding Eli outside of the house and having him audibly fill his pants in three different "movements" while the whole coffee shop listened. It made me laugh and wonder if people thought it was me. To feed Eli at the coffee shop I brought along a rather large bottle warmer we have and just plugged it in to the wall. Besides having to lug it around it worked quite well. On Thursday I brought him to my new student orientation at MATC for the Revit class I'm taking and had my ID picture take with him still on my chest. They were able to crop it so you couldn't see him. The highlight of the week was one night talking to Shannon as we went to bed about some of the funny things Eli does and the faces he makes. It's fun to be able to talk about and take joy together in all his little intricacies now that I am more heavily involved in taking care of him.

New Hair...

Well yesterday I cut off my hair, I cut off a little over 8 inches and it's been donated to the wig program with Pantene Pro-V. Here are some pictures of the new 'do. They had to take it up to the hairline so it's very short and a little cold!

All Smiles....

One very fun development in our lives is that Eli is now smiling purposefully! (And starting to stick out the bottom lip of his!) Joel was lucky enough to capture some of those smiling moments, hope you enjoy!