Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy

The weather yesterday was too beautiful to stay inside, so we grabbed some Subway and headed to the park for a little picnic. I brought my camera along to practice on my two favorite subjects.

They are pretty cute, both of them, if I do say so myself.

Eli loves to be outside! If he is fussy, which luckily isn't too often, a quick walk to the mailbox and back will usually cheer him up. 

I'm usually on the other side of the camera, but I'm trying to remember to have someone take pictures of me too, especially with this sweet little man that is growing so fast. 

Dallin can't wait for Eli to be less of a blob and more of a buddy. Often I'll catch him hugging and kissing him and saying, "You're gonna like me someday! We're going to be best friends!" I guess it won't be long before Eli becomes daddy's boy... although I still have the advantage since Eli looooves his food and food = mama. Muahahaha.

Somewhere around the time Eli turned two months old something magical happened and I finally got out of survival mode. As much as I loved his newborn stages, it's nice to feel a little more human and to be sleeping longer than 2 hour stretches (most nights, at least!). It's a lot easier to enjoy all the happy moments (and tolerate the challenging ones) when I'm not in zombie mode, that's for sure. And I'm really thankful that zombie mode hasn't  been finding me as much during the day. Yippee!

Eli Thursday

12 weeks

For some reason, Eli loves it when Dallin holds him like this. LOVES it. This little trick really comes in handy when he is grouchy, and even though he is generally a happy baby he certainly has his moments, especially this week since he (and I) have been a bit sick. 

Feliz Dia de las Madres and all that jazz

So... I started writing a grumpy post about how I felt this Mother's Day, but instead of posting it I think I'll just share the link to this article and focus on happiness instead.

Even though it's easy to feel inadequate and overwhelmed, at least I know I'm doing my best and that no one could love him more than I do. I'm so thankful to be this cute baby's mama, even with the rough days and long nights, and I know he is worth it. I love his little baby body that is gaining new rolls every day, his drooling smiles, and his belly button that reminds me of a cinnamon roll. I love seeing him passed out in a milk coma after I feed him, and hearing his quick little breaths in my ear when I burp him. I love that baby smell, his soft little red hairs, his wide eyes, and how much he reminds me of his daddy.

He is the sweetest little thing and I love him even more than cookies or pizza. That's saying something, folks. ;)

Real Life

Oh, the glamour of motherhood.

I'm typing this while frantically rocking Eli's bouncer with my foot in hopes that he will finally (FINALLY) take a nap longer than five minutes this morning. I don't think he appreciates it very much since he's giving me an exceedingly dirty look. Wait, let me get a picture of it...

Oh yeah. Check out that face. Somebody is just oozing sunshine and butterflies this morning, aren't they?

I know he must be exhausted. The dear child woke up more than a few times last night, probably to make up for sleeping so well this week. And yet he insists on fighting tooth gum and nail to stay awake. Silly, silly boy.

It's mornings like this when I'm torn between two strong emotions. On one hand, I think to myself, "There are so many things I would rather be doing right now than have a grumpy baby kicking me with his brace while he cries in my ear."

Yet, on the other hand, I can't help but know that there is nothing I could do that is more important than to comfort the sweet little babe I've been given. And when I hear his tiny sigh of relief once I successfully help him calm down, I know that this job, difficult as it might be, is more fulfilling and sweet than anything else in the world.

And even though I haven't been able to shower in longer than I'd care to admit, and my half-eaten bowl of cereal I was never able to finish is almost certainly sludge by now, and I'll have to re-wash the load of laundry I realized I never did dry last night (dang it!), and I'm beginning to feel like I haven't slept in years, I'm so thankful to be this tiny little man's mama. He is worth it, 100%, and I love him more than I can explain.

And look! He even slept long enough for me to write this.

If he stays asleep for a few minutes, maybe I'll go do something crazy like, I don't know... take a shower or something. I know, I know. What can I say? I'm a wild child.

Peace out.

Eli Thursday

11 weeks

 Yesterday, Eli got his last (!!!) cast taken off. Yippee! He traded it in for a fancy schmancy new brace which he gets to take off for an hour every day. He kicked those little legs of his the whole hour like there was no tomorrow. I think he likes this change a lot. I sure do!

Plus, as I mentioned on instagram, he looks like an itty bitty snowboarder now and that makes me happy. :)

Blessing Day

Little Eli's baby blessing was yesterday!

We packed our little Spanish branch full of family and friends who came for the occasion.

And little Eli James looked quite dapper in his (nontraditional) blessing outfit. 

The blessing went perfectly. Eli fussed a bit at first but then fell asleep. 

A sweet lady from our ward made him this white blanket that we wrapped him in for the blessing.

If you can't tell, he wasn't too pleased about being woken up for pictures. ;)

I'm so thankful for my little family. Becoming a mom has been quite an adjustment in some ways, but these handsome boys make me oh so happy. I think I'll keep them!

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P.S. If you are unfamiliar with baby blessings, here is a quick explanation that I found here:

"When babies are just a few weeks old, they are usually given a priesthood blessing for the special purpose of conferring a name by which the baby will be known and bestowing promises based on spiritual impressions regarding the baby's future life. A quality of prophecy attends this process. If a baby's father is a worthy holder of the Melchizedek Priesthood, he will usually pronounce the blessing, but it may be given by a grandfather, a family friend, or any other qualified priesthood holder chosen by the baby's parents. Babies are usually blessed in the presence of the congregation at a fast and testimony meeting. However, the blessing may be given at other times and places, such as in a hospital or home, if there is a special need."

Eli Thursday

10 weeks

Because I am a crazy person, I started a painting project this week... with a 2-month-old baby in tow. Thankfully, Eli was pretty patient and happily chatted with me while chilling in his bouncer as I worked.

Still, no matter how patient you are, there comes a time when enough is enough. The poor fellow is starving to death (for the umpteenth time that day) and what do I do? Grab the camera, of course. 

Mother of the year? That would be me. ;)