Lost Camera!

Okay... so sad. I lost my camera that had pictures from Eli's six week mark, his first hike and Isaac's ballgame. I have been totally bummed. We have looked and looked for that camera. I know I had it last Sunday when we went hiking to Catawba Falls; but when I got home it was not to be found. Josh and I both combed the car and emptied the diaper bag multiple times. My mother-in-law and sister-in-law even went and walked  a bit where we hiked looking for it. We have sent up prayers for the lost camera.
So to celebrate Mother's day and because my husband loves me is tired of hearing me whine  he bought me a new camera! We had a great Sunday... we celebrated with both of our mothers and grandmothers even though we were exhausted when we got home. I am so thankful for my wonderful mother.. she is the best! It was a bittersweet mother's day... I definitely had tears in my eyes this morning thinking about my grandmother Bubba that passed away in October. She was such a wonderful grandmother who loved us fiercely as my Aunt says.

7 weeks old

Catawba Falls

Eli's first hike!! We love to hike and went several times even while I was pregnant. It was nice to be able to hike with Eli outside the belly instead of inside. I can definitely tell that I am out of shape. I was huffing by the time we reached top. I carried Eli up and Josh carried him down... what was I thinking!  At least I will know better next time. He slept the whole way up and down but did wake up for the falls. Josh wanted to put his toes in the water but I refused... the water was way too cold. Here are a few pics from the adventure.

6 weeks old

Sweet smiles!

Bath time fun!

Eli loves his baths. Here are a few pics from last night. He is 5 weeks old!

My First Bottle

Eli had his first bottle at 4 weeks... I wanted to wait until he was good and established with nursing before I introduced the bottle. He loves to eat and is gaining like crazy.... he weighed 10 lbs. 8 oz at  his last weigh in. Daddy actually gave him his first bottle but we missed that photo opt. It took him a minute to get the hang of it but then he sucked his milk right down. I have to go back to work May 17th and he will have to take at least 2 bottles while I am at work. I already have 60+ (5 oz) bags of milk stored....Josh says I am a bloody dairy cow! My mom is going to keep the little guy while I am at work. I love my job and co-workers and will love being back with Isaac but I am going to miss this baby like crazy! Thankfully only 4 weeks will be left until summer break.

Eli absolutely loathes burping!

Katy Cook's Pics of my boys!

Katy came out to our house and spent two hours putting Mr. Eli in positions I did not think were possible. I was amazed by her talent to manipulate newborns! I would highly recommend her to anyone wanting professional pics taken. Luckily Isaac came home from school just in time to get a few taken with him and Eli. Here are a few shots from his photo session.

Easter

Okay so I have been a slacker updating this blog so I am going to back track! We made it back to church for Easter Sunday; however It may be a while before we are back at our Bible Fellowship class. We were definitly blessed by all the meals that our class provided the first two weeks we were home. It was so nice not to have to worry about fixing meals. After church we took Eli to visit Josh's family and then we went to my family for dinner that night. Here are a few pics from the day. Eli is 2 weeks old :)

Eli in his little Easter outfit that didnt' last long (big blowout!)

Eli as the Easter bunny

Equipped with a bunny tail!

Eli Thomas has arrrived!!

Eli Thomas Allison was born March  20th at 4:38 pm. He was 8 lbs 7 oz and 21 1/2 inches long! A big baby compared to Isaac's 7 lb 11 oz. His little feet and hands are huge... no wonder my little nudger baby made me so uncomfortable!

Eli's Birth Story:
I went in for an induction on the 20th because he was overdue. I had hopes that he would come on his own and had pushed the induction date back from the 16th to the 20th to give him extra time.. but to no avail. I was 3 cm and 50% effaced for 2 weeks with constant painful braxton contractions. So.. we had to evict him from his warm womb and choose his birthday :(  We got to the hospital at 7:20 after stopping for a quick bagel for breakfast. It took 2 nurses and and  an IV specialist to get my IV started.. 4th attempt was the charm. Evidently my veins have valves and they couldn't thread the catheter through without the vein blowing. They started pitocin around 10:00 and I labored until 12:00 when I was 4 cm and 80% effaced. My OB broke my bag of waters and contractions started picking up in frequency and pain. Josh and I used the techniques we had learned in birthing class to keep things going. I walked the halls, used the birthing ball and Josh was constantly massaging my back (back labor is soo fun!) and reminding me to breathe. It was a very calm labor; we did allow some family to come in before the pain starting picking up too much. Around 3:00 the contractions were intense; the devil drug pitocin is not much fun at all.  Our nurse checked me and I was 8 cm and right at 100% effaced. I requested the epidural and by the time everything was finished I was feeling pressure... sure enough it was time to push! I ended up pushing for 48 minutes and baby arrived! We still had not picked a name.. it was down to Eli or Seth. I told Josh to name him and I did not care which one he picked. He looked at him and said if the baby was smaller he would name him Seth, but since he had such big hands and feet that he looked like a NFL player and went with Eli. After skin on skin bonding and a nursing session, Josh went to announce his arrival and we started letting family in to meet our newest family member.. Eli Thomas. Isaac was the first one it to see the baby and I think he was a little speechless!

Eli is a great baby.. except for sleeping! He is definitly a sweet, sleep-robber! He is very calm and alert. He did not close his eyes for 6 hours after he was born. He is a chow hound and loves to eat. These newborn days are tough but I am trying to cherish them because they are gone way too quickly.

Nursery Pics and lastest update

Here are some pictures of Baby Allison's nursery. We will probably put up wooden letters with his name after we decide what to name him! He is still nameless :)

I went for my 37 week check up today and  baby is head down and in position to exit! My blood pressure was normal, I gained 1 lb, and my belly measurements were right on track. So far I have gained 31 lbs... I sure hope I can get this weight off after he arrives. Josh has gained 20 lbs right along with me and even Isaac has added a few. Braxton hicks contractions are a constant everyday occurance and get pretty uncomfortable at times.  I was 2 cm and 50% effaced today. It seems like progress is being made weekly. I hope I can make it until March 5th because then I will have all my IEP meetings finished at school and things will be in order :) 

Baby Showers!!!

We have been very blessed! My sister, mom, and Aunt Jane gave us a shower on Saturday and then my school gave me a shower on Monday after school. They were both wonderful... everyone was so generous and thoughtful. Here are a few of the pictures from the showers.

Pictures from Countryside shower given by Mom, Audra and Aunt Jane

Diaper cake made by Mom and Audra

Me and one of my besties, Amber (she is 16 weeks preg)

Opening gifts :)

Aunt Jane--love her!

Yummy Cake!!

Belly Shot!

Pictures from School shower:

The 5 Pregnant Glenwood Gals