North Carolina Trip

This weekend we went to North Carolina and South Carolina (it was on the edge so we went back and forth lots) for Aaron's college friend Caleb's wedding. Aaron was a groomsman so we went down Friday morning and left plenty of times to travel since it takes FOREVER to to anything with a baby. A seven hour trip only took us a tad over eight which isn't bad. It actually helps me slow down because I am not so much an "enjoy the journey" road tripper as much as I am a "get food to go and get there as fast as possible" road tripper. Now we take our time. We feed Eli and eat ourselves and just enjoy the trip.

For me this trip was a little bit of a test for our big California trip coming up the beginning of June. I have taken Eli to Indiana (a five hour trip) three times, but I have always had a home to clean, prepare and store bottles so I just didn't know how all that would go. Also he sleeps either in his crib here or a pack-n-play at my parents so the sleeping would be a new adventure as well.

So...we got a travel bed and I took some dish soap in a travel container and Eli's bottle brush. Don't worry, I made sure to Clorox wipe the whole sink area before beginning and then I used a bath towel I brought specifically for a drying area.

It was a successful trip and I am now looking forward to California even more. It just takes a little planning, some flexibility and a good attitude. These are just a few pictures from our trip. More to come soon. Hopefully now that I am off for the summer I will have more time to blog.

A smile as Eli stretches out in the front seat after we stopped for lunch on the way down.


My make shift bottle station and travel bed. (more images of travel bed coming after California)




Eli stretched out after a diaper change on the way home. I just wanted you to see the little outfit he wore home. I thought it was fitting for the occasion.


Our final stop! We made it home safe and sound.

School's out for the summer!!!!

Actually, I am just off work for the summer! I have never in my life since working in high school had a summer off work. I am excited as well as interested to see how I like it or if I hate it. I have always thought I would be bored if I wasn't working but this summer will let me test the waters.

I have lots of projects planned. Organize EVERY single drawer in my bedroom, clothes, jewelry, everything! Also, sew more burp clothes for Eli and my soon to be born niece or nephew. I want to finish my 2009 and 2010 scrapbook as well as get started on this year's scrapbook since Eli has been born. I may coordinate a few weddings as well as attend several for dear people in our lives, Emily, Caleb, Katie, Karly, and the list goes on and on. We are going to California, North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana, and Tennessee.

Maybe Eli and I will go to the pool with Kellie, Elijah, Joshua, Kristin and Laney or make a trip to King's Island. Zumba or do the Shred at least three times a week. No matter what the plans, the world is my playground. (At least Central KY anyway) :)

Lots of fun photos to come. Happy Trails to you all!

Eli- 5 months

Again...sorry this is a little late. The pictures were taken on the day so they are accurate.

Eli is now 5 months old (9weeks adjusted for those of you who weren't sure). We don't know his weight or length because he is now considered a normal little guy and only goes to the doctor for his 2, 4 and 6 month check-ups. We will know more on June 2nd at his 6 month.

However, he looks and acts great! My guess is that he is around 12 lbs and 23 inches long. Again we will know more next month.

• He is in a size 1 diaper and pushing the limits with those so I may transition him to size 2 this week.
• He is growing out of all his newborn shoes but is not quite big enough for his size 1 shoes so he may be wearing only socks for a little while. (Sorry GiGi)
• His changing pad is his favorite place to be. Aaron and I think he likes it because he is flat on his back on a soft surface, but high enough to be close to our faces and all the action.
• Most of you know this but he is sleeping 11 hours at night and taking around three naps a day lasting around an hour each. I used the babywise technique and recommend it to everyone.
• He found his thumb and uses it sometimes, but not regularly.
• He is not the interested in a pacifier! This makes me happy as well.
• He is wearing size 3 month clothes and some 3-6 month pajamas.
• His eyelashes are so long and beautiful!
• We go for walks everyday and Eli loves to be outside! This is such a blessing to mommy and daddy because we both love walks and having him enjoy them makes them all the more special.

This comparison shot is here for two reasons. 1. for you to see the difference and 2. to mourn the loss of Aaron's childhood bear. I put the bear in all the pictures so we had a reference however, when Aaron's mom and I went to the mall to have pictures made "Teddy" was sadly lost. So no more pictures with him, but we did get one professionally done before he was misplaced.

I just thought the picture below was cute and funny so I included it.

Happy and Sad

There is tons going on in life and it seems that for every happy there is a sad.

Happy...

Eli is doing so well. He is sleeping 11 hours at night and loving life.

He smiles constantly and is such a content baby.

I have learned to enjoy working out more regularly... at least 4 times a week.

I am slowly getting my body back... very very very slowly.

The end of the year is wrapping up and summer is in sight.

We have two fun trips planned. California and Tennessee.

There are still some wonderful students around for the summer so the transition isn't as abrupt.

Lots of special weddings on the horizon.

Sad...

Eli has lots of eye drainage we are trying to get control of.

Getting your pre-baby body back takes forever and is really hard work!

I am learning to play words with friends, but I am not very good.

It is unseasonably warm this week and my allergies are killing me.

My back has been causing me awful pain for weeks and I cannot get an appointment to look at it until next week.

The dorm is so quiet and lonely without the sounds of students.

My family lives far enough away that we have to plan vacations to see them.

I just miss all our college students so much already and it has been less than a week since they graduated.

Zumba...New Life Dream

So this is my new dream! I want to be a Zumba instructor! I have done these classes on two separate occasions and in the last month have started up again and I've come back to the idea of Zumba. It would be a great way for me to stay in shape, work around Aaron's schedule and also bring in supplemental income.

It is so much fun! You just get to move, dance, sweat and smile for an hour. I am not the best at it, but I can be encouraging and someone to laugh with. Just a dream, but I did research and it is a day long class costing $230.00 on my birthday!

Again this is just a dream, but I think it would be so fun. I don't love working out but I love time with friends, dancing, smiling and feeling good after and hour of sweating. So I'm gonna keep the idea in my pocket and just see what happens in the future.

Abundant Gifts - my RAs

I am sitting in my living room looking over pictures from the past few months and came across the pictures one of my RAs gave me. The day that Aaron and I shared our story in chapel several of my RAs made shirts to support us. Looking at these pictures bring me to tears. These girls have been more help to me over the last year than I can tell you. With me in the hospital and back and forth going to see Eli, they held down the fort and were incredible. Their shirts were so sweet and their support meant so much to me and Aaron.

Eli's Birthday!

You Can Dance If You Want To

This past weekend Aaron and I were asked to be chaperones for a college formal that in the past was only a dinner and sometimes show. This year however they upped the anti and allowed dancing. This was the very first Asbury University sponsored dance and it was AWESOME!!!! The students were very well behaved and had a great, clean and fun time. Aaron and I danced the night away as well with other chaperones, Kristin Paulus, Erin Ward, Julia and Josh Sheets, and Jeanette Davis.

We started our night with dinner at Rossi's including 19 of our students! The food was average and the service was poor, but we had lots of fun with each other. Aaron and I did not get a single good shot, just the two of us, but I stole one from Katelyn. (Thanks lady, otherwise we wouldn't have a single shot.) I had on four inches heels so my feet were a bit sore, by the end of the night, but that was the only negative thing I could say of the whole experience.

I have said this a thousand times, but I am really going to miss this senior class and this was the perfect ending for our time together. Just being goofy and having a blast!