So Thankful

On Eli's first Thanksgiving, my heart is bursting with gratitude.  The gifts God has given us in the last year are nearly immeasurable.  This Thanksgiving weekend we are particularly grateful for...

LAUGHTER - A big 'thank you' to Cole who NEVER fails to make us laugh til we pee a little.  This Thanksgiving his antics came in the form of my son's baby-butt imprinted on a homemade ornament.
HEALTH - Doctors, nurses, and all the other people who have helped our family get and stay healthy over the last year.
FAMILY - So thankful that we have technology that allows us to share conversations, pictures and videos with our family near and far.
REST - A much needed break from work to spend with friends and family without feeling like its a race to get everything done.
FRIENDSHIP - Getting to see our wonderful friends who live too far away, but always make the effort to see us when they are home.
PURPOSE - Having jobs that provide for our family and give us a sense of purpose in our lives.  
HOME - Having a home that is warm, cozy and safe and filled with all of the sights, sounds and smells that make it feel like the holidays.
LOVE - Parents who love us and love each other enough to spend holidays with the in-laws so Ryan and I don't have to 'split time.'
EVERYTHING - A baby boy who brings us so much joy and love we can hardly contain it.

This year we have experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.  There is not a doubt in my mind that I witnessed two of God's greatest miracles within 2 months of each other right in front of my eyes.  I am so thankful for everything he has blessed me with.  Because of this, these words continue to echo in my head - "To whom much has been given, much will be required." Our prayer is that we will be able to comprehend the vastness of God's grace in our lives and use it to be a blessing to those around us. 

'Thank You' to all of our friends and families who make our lives complete.  We love you all!

* Thanksgiving 2012 *

The girls were enjoying a little Thanksgiving craft while...

Eli and Uncle Go were plotting. 

What started as this, soon turned into...

this. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Ahhhh....Sundays

Someone stayed in his PJs ALL day long.  Today Eli discovered the secret to true weekend happiness:  Spending an entire Sunday playing, napping, and hanging out in your PJs.  Ahhhh...lazy Sundays.

Baby Check: 4 months

Heeey - what's happenin?!

The fourth month of Eli's life has been a doozy.  For starters, he found out that he has his very own feet that are attached to his very own body.  Big discovery.  Secondly, he got his VERY OWN ceiling fan.  That's right folks, no more sharing the family ceiling fan with mom and dad.  With a new house came a ceiling fan all his own.  Kids these days - spoiled rotten, I tell you.  However, I must say, as Eli matures, it seems as if the ceiling fan is losing it's appeal.  Just the other day he told me 'Mom, ceiling fans are for babies.'  Well, okay then.

Yay for birthday ties!

In his fourth month of life, Eli has moved on to bigger and better things like his taggie blanket, Moose and Sophie which he can now grab and stick in his mouth.  He has also found his feet and likes to grab them, but hasn't figured out those can go in his mouth too.  Only a matter of time, I'm sure.  His fine motor skills have probably developed the most over the last month, but he's also working on some of those gross motor skills like rolling over and holding his head up.

What's that you've got there above the camera?

At four months you:
- have started grabbing things like Moose, mom's hair, toys on your play gym, mom's earrings, your own toes, mom's clothes, and anything else that is within in your reach. 
-  can roll over from tummy to back....as long as your arm doesn't get in the way.
- are strong enough to look around when you're on your tummy....thus, you don't hate it as much.
- still spit-up and drool like it's your job.  It might be time to start wearing bibs??
- can sit-up as long as someone helps support your body  (our very own weeble-wobble)
- sleep through the night (9 pm - 6 am)
- can sit in your Exersaucer and play with your toys - this makes you really seem like a big boy!  However, you are still a little wobbly so we have to watch you closely.  You'll have a 6 pack in no time!
- make raspberries with your tongue.  You and daddy can do this for hours!
- love sitting on laps and reading books like 'Little Blue', 'SkippyJohn', and, of course, 'Hello Willie' on gamedays!

Workin' on his cabbage patch.

View from above

4 month Stats: 
Weight: 13 lb. 8 oz - 20%
Length: 25.3 in - 64%
Head:  41 cm - 20%

Sweet face.

Our chunky monkey showin' some thigh!