Snow Day!

Eli had his first experience with snow this weeked! It actually began snowing Friday night, but didn't really stick to the roads at first. However, we woke-up to a beautiful snowy scene this morning. Everything was covered with probably 5-6 inches! Eli actually woke up a little earlier this morning, and I told Mark it was because he was just so excited to go out and play in the snow! Mark even got the day off since the mall was closed! So, not to dissapoint, we got him all bundled-up, with the intention of just giving him a little exposure to the white stuff. Here is how he felt about bundling up...



Then Eli was strapped onto Daddy and we were ready to go have some fun!



There are some really big dirt hills (that have been around for the last 2 years, because of a looong pause in a construction project on the land) right around the corner from our house that were perfect for sledding. Thanks to Mark's college days at JMU, we own a pretty sweet "sled". Basically it's a boogy-board with handles. Naturally, we wanted to share our love of snow with our son, so we decided to take him out for his first sledding experience. As you will see (and hear) in the following video, Eli wasn't so excited to participate in the fun this year. I don't think the tiny ice particles falling on his face or the freezing-cold temps helped much either. All in all, we had a great time playing as a family and capturing these memories of Elijah's first snow! We're looking forward to the days when he will love it just as much as we do!

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'

Yesterday afternoon, Eli rolled-over from his back to his belly for the very first time! Mark and I are becoming increasingly aware that his mobility will only continue to improve over the next few months. Yikes!

Here's how it all went down:
Eli was playing/squealing on his playgym while I was making lunch in the kitchen. When I walked back over to him I heard a lot of grunting. I looked down and realized that he had completely flipped to his stomach! (He is not a huge fan of being on his belly.) Of course, I had to roll him back over to see if he would do it again, and sure enough he did. Later that night, Eli even rolled a full 360 degrees for his Daddy! Now I just need to capture it on film!

Here were some other pics from our evening...

Eli loves to "fly" with his Daddy...even though his facial expression tells a different story.



Playing with mommy!



Getting ready to help Daddy take Candy on a walk. Lovin' the Bear Suit!



So fresh and so clean, clean!

New trick!

So, Thursday morning began as it always does. Around 7:30ish, Eli started making noise in his crib and I got up to put my contacts in before going to get him for his morning meal. This particular morning, he was sounding a little more "urgent" in his noises for me to get him. Usually, he'll just babble away for a good while, so I tried to move a little faster than usual. Well, after I finish in the bathroom, I realize that the monitor is absolutely silent. Did he go back to sleep? Oh, no! I open his bedroom door to see that Eli had actually turned-on the crib aquarium by himself and he was just happy as could be watching it! (He probably just kicked it on when he was flailing around in his crib.) He had even turned himself to face it, so that he could see it better too! What a nut! Unfortunately, I did not get any pictures or video of the event, but this picture was pretty similar to what I saw.

Another first...

The weather was gorgeous yesterday, high in the 60's, so Eli and I just HAD to get out of the house. Well, I decided that it was time to introduce him to the walk I took so many times with him in my belly this past summer, except this time, he could enjoy the fresh air and sunlight right along with me! I must say, it was strange walking my old route with a baby stroller, but I was very appreciative to not have to worry about the possibility of going into labor during the middle of the mile-and-a-quarter long trail. (I walked almost every other day of the week, all the way up to my induction date!) Eli stayed awake for the first 30 minutes of our journey but slept for the second half. Here are some pictures I took while we were out. (I'm such a mom to carry my camera with me on a walk!)


This sweet little face just makes my heart melt!






Bonus Pic!

This is how I found Eli after one of his naps today. I guess he wanted to get a better view of his crib aquarium!




You can get a better view of what he's trying to look at in this one...

4 Months Old!

On January 14th, Eli turned 4-months-old. Where the time is going, I'm not quite sure, but we are loving every minute of our time with this sweet little guy! Here are a few things he's up to these days:

Weight: not sure at the moment, but will update after his 4-month check-up on the 25th

Length: ditto

* Eli rolled-over for the first time, from his tummy to his back (on 12/27/09)--I will try to get a video of that on here soon!

* He has become even more vocal, oftentimes breaking-out into ear-piercing Teradactyl-type shrieks and squeals

* He's definitely recognizing his Mommy and Daddy more and more each day and we LOVE it!

* A few days ago, Eli discovered the wonders of his feet, so now he has to play with/examine them EVERY TIME he has a diaper change

* The drool has arrived. We're thinking he might be teething, because his hands are almost always in his mouth to chew on.

* Elijah still very much loves his thumb. When he's getting sleepy, he'll roll onto his left side and pop it into his mouth.


* Speaking of sleep, he's still napping and going to bed in the evenings pretty easily. After about 7:30 or so, he'll begin to wind-down for the evening. Such a blessing to us that this has allowed us to get much-needed sleep over the past couple months!

* He is obsessed with his hands and examines them very closely on a regular basis.

* Eli is becoming a grabber. Instead of just swiping at toys and other objects, he will now reach out to grasp almost any object put in front/above him. His current favorites are the toys hanging from his play gym, his plastic key ring, and anything that rattles or crinkles.

* Over the last few weeks, Eli will wake-up in the morning around 7:30 and just "talk" in his crib. It's so funny to listen to him over the monitor.

* He loves to giggle when you tickle his belly, the inside of his legs, or kiss his neck. There's a really sweet video I took of Eli giggling at Mark that I will have to post on here.

* Eli has traveled quite a bit in his 4th month--back to Virginia for Christmas and even up to NJ for a friend's wedding. He travels great in the car, usually sleeping most of the time during extended trips.

* He's attended his first weddings, the first two Saturdays of this month. Thankfully, he slept through both of the ceremonies. I can't wait until he's old enough to start "dancing" at the receptions! Currently, receptions are a little overwhelming for him, with all of the loud music and lights.

* We've also learned that Eli does NOT like his milk cold. We tried to give him a pumped bottle last weekend (which had been in a cooler on our drive up to NJ) and he barely drank a drop. Poor Mark had to figure out a way to get some hot water to warm-it-up (we were at a rehearsal dinner at the time), but he came through in the end and Elijah was most appreciative!


That's about it for now. We look forward to what month five has in store!


This is pretty typical during diaper changes these days!



Busted!




Jesus's Birthday Cake Christmas Morning...an At Lee family tradition!



Eli's 1st "pile". He looks so tiny!



Chilling in the hotel after the wedding.



Two of the cutest guys I know!



Mom, Dad, are we done yet?

All Daddy...

Only my sweet husband, and loving father of our precious son, would even think to do this.

It started innocently enough...



Only to end like this...




Poor little guy! I wouldn't blame him if he has a severe aversion to static electricity later on down the road.

Fun Visit!

The monday, right before Christmas, Eli and I were able to make a quick trip to my old school to visit some of my dear friends/teammates, Gail and Amy. It was so wonderful to see both of them and catch-up on life these past few months. Eli loved "flirting" with all of the ladies that he met! I miss seeing my friends everyday at work, but am so grateful for the gift of being able to stay at home with Eli during this precious season of his life. I could not even imagine missing any of the fun stuff that he is doing on a daily basis!

Eli loved to smile and talk to Amy!




Gail finally gets to meet Mini-Muffin!


Unfortunately, since it was an optional workday, we missed quite a few other fun friends, so we'll just have to visit again soon!