Nope I haven't fallen off the face of the earth...just got swept up in holiday everything....



I hope everyone had a great time with family and friends. We sure did! We went to T's family christmas gathering last week. Everyone was so excited to meet little man. T's cousin and his wife who lost their son at 34 weeks last October were there. They are expecting a second son in January. She has been on bed rest for a few weeks already because of BP issues. (Please keep them and their new little one in your prayers!) I was kind of dreading the trip there and back but it was a great way to start out our celebration. YaYa got to open presents from Mamaw and Poppi and we all got to hang out together.

Best of all T's grandmother got to meet little man for the first time. She was so sweet - she told YaYa how much she thought that she and little man looked alike. That made YaYa just beam with pride. She has been feeling very self concious lately about having brown skin when the rest of her family has pink skin. She understands that it doesn't make a difference and that we are still family no matter what we look like - but it is still hard for her sometimes. So T's grandma telling her that was really an awesome boost for her.

The best snowman ever!

Need I say more???

Out of the loop...

I guess I've been a little out of it lately... who knew a baby could take up every second of every day??? I've been reading other blogs - but haven't really found the time to update my own story...

It's been a hard couple of weeks (not quite two) for us to get adjusted but I think we are all getting the hang of having little man around. Breast feeding has been the most difficult thing for me. Isn't that supposed to be the most natural thing in the world to do? Not so much for me. But yesterday seemed like we finally got all the kinks worked out. Yaya was 10 months old when we got to bring her home so having a newborn is completely new to us. T is still a little unsure about the whole tiny baby thing but he's learning that little man is sturdier than he looks. Yaya is in love and can't keep her hands off of him. I think it's great that she's so into having a baby brother. He totally responds to her voice too. And me - I just can't get enough of him. I can sit and stare at him sleeping forever.

My mom was here for the week after little man was born. It was nice having her around. When she's not here it is easy to forget how much I miss spending time with her and my sisters. Not sure if it was hormones or what - but I had a total breakdown the day she left. It was also my first time to be totally alone with little man. I put on a lullaby imix that I had made for YaYa right after Ellie was born. Music seems to catch his attention and really helps sooth him. I had forgotten that this mix included all of the songs that I think of as Ellie's songs. It just felt so sureal to be sitting there holding little man while my heart was aching for her. He sat in my lap just looking around with his eyes wide open while I cried.

Coming Home!

After 4days away from YaYa - I was so excited to see her!!! But not as excited as she was to meet her brother!! YaYa and Grandma spent all afternoon getting ready for our arrival. They decorated with balloons and made signs. It was really wonderful.



Amelia was so happy to get to hold her baby brother. She was grinning from ear to ear!



We had to change his clothes and wrap him up with his bili-blanket as soon as we got home.


This oen is from before we left the hospital. The picture is deceptive - he looks so much bigger than he actually is.

This is his little Christmas coming home outfit...

Introducing...

Mr. Eli - born December 6th at 8:27pm weighing 6lbs 4oz.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the big day... The last few days have been a flurry of activity but constant waiting too. There was always the feeling that something was about to happen but we weren't quite ready for it yet. I don't know if I am ready still... but it's time.

This pregnancy hasn't been all fun and games (but then again if you are reading this - yours probably wasn't / hasn't been great either) but some part of me does hate to see it end. I am so thankful to have been given a mostly uneventful pregnancy. Now that it is almost over I feel like I spent so much time focused on what might go wrong I missed how wonderful it really was until now.

I miss my daughter more than I ever thought would be possible. But at the same time I am overcome with the joy and anticipation of this new little one. At our house this year christmas eve has come early.

Thank you all so much for the love and support you have shared with me during this pregnancy.

And the winner is...

Forever Elliot's Mommy!!!!

If you e-mail me with your scarf choice and your address and I will get this out to you as soon as possible!!!!

Thank you so much to everyone for visiting and leaving a comment! You were all so sweet and kind. I can't wait to check out all your blogs in the next few days and weeks.

And I can't wait to check out the rest of the giveaways!!!

Today's giveaway is hosted by Franchesca at Handprints form Heaven.

25 days of Giveaways...

I wasn't really sure what hand made item to offer up as my give away for today so I'm posting several pictures... If you are the winner for today's giveaway you get to choose any of the items pictured!!!

I have spent most of the last year rediscovering my love of knitting. I started out slow - mostly scarves and hats and baby blankets to donate... but I've completely enjoyed my knitting therapy sessions and I love the idea that someone else can enjoy one of these great items!

Leave me a comment and tomorrow I will post the winner!

If you are the winner - please e-mail me as quickly as possible - I really want to get this out to you before our new addition arrives.