Christmas 2009

Part I

Eli opening his stocking with Daddy.

Eli has discovered his hands and is fascinated with them!

He loves to suck on his pointer and middle fingers.

So cute in his Santa hat with his rosy cheeks.

He could be Santa's little elf!

Eli loves his aunts!!

They were all having the sweetest conversations!

Eli would move his head all around watching and "talking" to them!

Can you believe tomorrow is December 1??? Another month of 2009 behind us. Its hard to imagine life this time last year. We had no idea of the amazing and life changing adventure the new year would bring. Every day of the past 10 1/2 weeks has been like a dream. It has gone by so fast. Too fast.

Eli is growing, growing, and growing. At his two month check up, he weighed 14 lbs and was 24 1/2 inches long. He was such a trooper when it came time for his shots, but it just about broke my heart. He was so sweet and happy lying on the table cooing and smiling. He had no idea what was about to happen when the nurse came into the room. I think that may have been the first time we've seen real alligator tears. :(

Forest is busy, busy, busy with work. The union theater is progressing beautifully and they will probably finish the job in March. When he isn't working, he is in hunting season mode. As we speak he is busy packing and prepping for his trip this weekend. While sleeping in tents in the freezing cold with no conventional plumbing for miles isn't my idea of fun, it is right up Forest's alley. He can't wait for the day he gets to bring little Eli with him! He killed a buck a few weeks ago. *Fingers crossed* he'll have a great hunt this weekend!

I just love being a mom. It is the most amazing, most challenging, most rewarding thing I have ever done and its only just begun. I spend my days staring at my precious little love and still can't believe he is finally here. The past couple of months have been wonderful, but all good things must come to an end. I'm going back to work on December 14th. Since Eli can't go to First Steps until January 4th, Honey is going to keep him for us. I'm sure you can imagine the arm twisting that took! *wink wink* It has been so wonderful sharing these weeks with my mom. While I couldn't imagine us being any closer, I guess I've developed a new appreciation for her. She has been so helpful, supportive, and giving. We've laughed, we've cried, we've shared moments that I will treasure for the rest of my life. On that note, I have to also give koodos to my precious hubbie! He has embraced my mother whole heartedly and allowed her to share in these best of days with us. Whether it was renaming our guest room "Honey's room" or encouraging me to go to Alexandria for a week, he has been amazing and I will treasure every second of these past weeks. Oh! Thank you to Bubbie too! Thank you for giving up your wife and embracing bachelorhood while she's been with us.

We finally found a swing that Eli likes! Yeah!! He loves it!

We spent Thanksgiving this year with the Russell side of the family. This is the first time in many, many years EVERYONE has been together. It was a wonderful day and we really enjoyed introducing Eli to his extended family. Thank you sooooo much to Uncle Keith and Aunt Tina for hosting all of us! It was a perfect day!

While Aunt Becca was in Colorado, she bought Eli a snow suit. It is so adorable on him. It just makes you want to snuggle, snuggle, snuggle. We couldn't leave it on him too long though...not in Louisiana!

Eli wearing his grinch jammies and telling Daddy what he wants for Christmas!

Eli loves to smile and coo and "talk". It can't be too long before he is laughing out loud!

Getting ready for Christmas!

We hope you all have a wonderful holiday season. We are so thankful for all of our friends and family. We cherish all of you and hope that 2010 will bring blessings abundant to you and yours. Merry Christmas!!!

5 weeks old

Wow! Where has the time gone? Eli is 5 weeks old, yet it seems like we just came home from the hospital yesterday. He is such an unbelievable little doll. Forest and I are having so much fun getting to know him. Eli weighs a little over 12lbs and is starting to develop a little personality.

Forest is such a precious daddy! We went to Forest's office on Friday for an annual flu shots and barbeque party. Forest had a great time introducing Eli to his work family.



Chunky Monkey getting ready for bath time!

Honey and I decided to have our own photo shoot with Eli. He was such a trooper. We took 178 shots! There were so many precious pics it was hard to choose our favorites. We were going to add a few more, but I had a little computer trouble.

Last Sunday, Marla (Forest's grandmother) and Great Aunt Susan Lott (Forest's aunt) hosted a Sip-N-See for Eli and his cousin Sam (Jenny & Lucas' son). The boys were precious. We had them in their carseats on the coffee table for "viewing". They both slept almost the entire afternoon. They woke up right around the same time and were ready to eat! It was a great Sunday afternoon. Thank you sooooo much to Marla and Susan for all of their hard work. We had a wonderful time!

Double Delight

Eli's cousin, Sam, was born on September 25th, one week after Eli. They had their first of many playdates today. They were so precious together. They are going to have so much fun growing up together!!

Sweet baby, Sam.

Beautiful big cousin Stella was playing 'Ring Around the Rosie'

with Paboo.

Lost footage...

Eli had his two week old doctor's appointment today. He weighs 8lbs 10oz and is doing great. While the janudice is not 100% gone away, it is no longer a threat. The pediatrician said it would take a little longer for all of the yellow to be gone, but we had nothing to be worried about. Everything else is perfect and she doesn't need to see us again for two months! Yeah!!!



Eli is absolutely amazing. He has become more alert and has briefly started to make eye contact. He will follow my face with his eyes. Its amazing to watch him take in the world around him as he slowly starts to focus.

In all of the excitement, pictures from the weekend that Eli was born were downloaded onto Forest's work computer instead of our home computer. I finally got them a couple of days ago. I was so relieved since I thought they were gone. Allow me to back-track a little and share some really special pictures.







Ten perfect little toes.



I love my precious little man!

Eli & his Honey

Stealing kisses!



Eli & his Paboo

Stealing more kisses!

We're so glad Eli is here!!!

Eli is so blessed to have 5 great grandparents in his life.

What a lucky little fella!!

Eli & his Great Granny


Eli & his Great Paw Paw & Maw Maw Russell

Eli & his Great Mimi

Eli & his Great Marla

9 Days Old

Eli is now nine days old and we are in hog heaven! The doctor finally released him from his bili-bed which we were using for treating his jaundice. It was complete TORTURE having to just look at him and not being able to hold him. We never put him down now!


How cute am I????

Proud Momma & Daddy

Daddy snuggling with his little man.

Look at my LONG eyelashes and platnium eyebrows!