Eli - 3 Month Update!

I'm 3 Months Old!

Here is Eli's update from 2-3 months old.  This has been the best month yet!  He is smiling, laughing, and interacting a lot more than before.  He is such a sweet boy and a joy to be around!

Stats:
Eli did not have a 3 month check-up, so I'm not exactly sure what his stats are this time around.  If I had to guess I would say he weighs some where around 13 pounds 8 ounces.

He wears 3-6 Month Clothing and Size 2 Diapers.

Ready to go see the Easter Bunny

Eating/Sleeping:
Eli is still exclusively breastfeeding, eating around 6 times a day now.

He puts his hands under his head like this when he sleeps and nurses.  Such a sweet boy!

He was sleeping around 5-7 hours at one time when we had him in his Rock N Play.  Shortly after he turned 3 months, Eric decided it was time for Eli to move to his big boy crib.  I really didn't want to move him because I love keeping an eye on him and it's so easy to reach over and grab him to feed.  Plus, sleeping babies are the CUTEST to look at!  I started putting him in his crib for naps (something I should have done from the beginning) and soon moved him to his crib at night.  There may have been a few tears from me on his first night in there, but he did great!  He started sleeping longer through the night in his crib.  He would go to sleep around 9:30/10pm and wake up between 6-7am.           

First nap in his crib

Special Memories:
Eli is talking, laughing, and smiling more than ever.  Here is one of my favorite video moments.

He also started playing with toys for the first time!  I'm going to write a post soon on his favorite infant toys.  This is such a fun stage!

First time playing with a toy

He enjoys looking around during tummy time, but will still get mad if he has to do it too long.  He can hold his head up very high!

Tummy Time

He also has been going through a stage where he is very attached to his mommy and daddy.  A lot of times when we hand him off to someone else (who he had no problem going to before) he will cry until we hold him again.

Twins with my Daddy

Eli loves his mama!

Here are some of my favorite pictures of the month....including some more firsts for Eli!

First time meeting the Easter Bunny (Wasn't scared at all!  Just sat and chilled in the bunny's arms.)

Adriana says it looks like he is casting a spell

Eli's First Easter

First Big Road Trip to Alabama

Eli's First Gator Gymnastics National Championship

First Easter Basket

First picture with all Eli's cousins and Homie

Eli - 2 Month Update

I'm 2 months old!

Here is Eli's update from 1 - 2 months old.  It is so exciting to watch him grow and learn new things!

Stats:
At his 2 month doctor's appointment Eli weighed 12 pounds 3 ounces.  
Height - 24 inches
He did not like getting his shots!  Afterwards, he slept all day and cried when he was up.  By the next day he was back to normal.

He wore 0-3 month clothing and Size 1 Diapers.

  

Eating/Sleeping:
Eli is still exclusively breastfed and is a great eater (very efficient/fast)!  It used to take him 30 minutes to eat, and now only takes around 15 minutes.  Still eats around 8 times a day.

He will sleep one stretch of five hours at night, eats, then goes back to sleep.  Still sleeping in the Rock N Play in our room.  Still being swaddled at night.

Special Memories:
My favorite milestone Eli has hit so far is Smiling and Laughing!  He smiled for the first time for his mommy and daddy at 6 weeks old.  He woke up one morning cooing and talking with us and flashed a smile.  Around 8 weeks he started smiling a lot more often and to others.  It is very hard to get a smile on camera though.  When he spots it he just stares.  :)

The cutest DIMPLES!

He loves to talk.  "Oh" and "Ah" sounds are his favorite.  Hey There Delilah is one of his favorite songs.  I was watching American Idol and singing along to Sam Woolf's version of the song, when Eli started smiling and making the "Oh" sound during the chorus.  It was SO cute!
  

He's still doesn't love tummy time, but will tolerate it a little longer than before.  He can hold his head up pretty well during this time.

Tummy Time

 
He takes a pacifier during naps, at night, and when he needs comfort.  He only likes MAM pacifiers though.  Try to give him another brand and he will spit it out.

Still loves bath time.  It's his relaxation time.  Just like his mama.

I leave with some of my favorite pictures from the month.  :)

Eli & his friends

Hanging with Uncle Steven

Playtime with Jenny

Gator Boy!

Jaguar Boy!

Dressed up for church

Daddy and I at the same age - 1 month

 Going to get E's 3 & 4 month update soon! 

Eli - Newborn to 1 Month

Wasn't Eli just born?  Surely, he can't be 4 months old already?!  Time sure does fly when you have a baby!  Now I have to play catch up and try to remember everything I can about our little one over the last couple of months!!  

Eli: Newborn to 1 Month Old

The Day Eli was Born

1 Week Old

2 Weeks Old

3 Weeks Old

1 Month Old

Everything seems a bit of a blur, so I'm not sure everything is going to be totally accurate.  This is what I can remember (or think I remember, lol) from the day Eli was born until the day he turned 1 month old.

So chubby and cute!

Stats:
At birth Eli weighed a whopping 9 pounds 4 ounces!  A few days later, Eli hit his lowest weight at 8 pounds 9 ounces.  The first 2 weeks I was having trouble breastfeeding, so I pumped my milk for him and supplemented with formula.  Usually, a baby gets back to their birth weight around 2 weeks.  Eli wasn't there yet, so we had to come back in weekly to check his weight.  Around week 3- I saw the lactation consultant and started breastfeeding, but still had to supplement with formula.  By the time he turned 1 month, he was EBF (exclusively breastfed)...and hasn't had any formula since!  When I started to breastfeed, my milk came in and Eli gained weight very quickly!  Who would have thought taking a baby completely off formula would make him gain weight faster! At his 1 month check-up, Eli was 10 pounds 4 ounces.

Eli wore Newborn and 0-3 Month clothes during this time.  He wore Newborn and Size 1 diapers.

Eating/Sleeping:   
Eating and Sleeping are definitely a blur.  My hat is off to all the mommas out there that exclusively pump.  Those three weeks that I did it was a nightmare (I'm sure hormones and no sleep did not help in the least bit).  I seriously got 1 hour of sleep a day....there was no time to sleep between pumping, feeding him, changing him, washing the pumping stuff and bottle, and taking care of my postpartum self.   
 

Eli's First Bottle

Eli has always been a pretty good sleeper though.  In these first weeks he slept a lot.  He would wake up probably every 2 to 3 hours to eat (usually 8 times a day - 30 minutes each time).  He slept in his Rock N Play next to our bed.  Sometimes I would swaddle him at night, other times I wouldn't put it on.  He seemed to really like it.  He never used the swaddle for naps during the day (I never put him in it).  For naps he slept in his Rock N Play, swing, bouncer, or on me.

   

Special Memories:
Eli has been wide eyed since birth.  He has beautiful blue eyes and dimples like his daddy.  Even since day one he would hold his head up with surprising strength.
 

Holding his head up, Mad during Tummy Time

Likes/Dislikes:  
Eli liked tummy time for a couple minutes, but would quickly be over it and scream.  He doesn't care much for pacifiers, but he will take them from time to time. 

He did not like his first sponge bath, but that was probably because it was kind of cold.  He cried a little bit during his first bath, but I think the sound of the water scared him.  He calmed down and enjoyed the rest of it and has loved taking baths ever since then.  

Not loving his first sponge bath at home

Enjoying my first real bath

 He loves his mommy and daddy, sleeping, and eating.  He also likes to listen to music.

Firsts:

First Car Ride

First time meeting Jackson

First time meeting Jenny

First outing in his stroller

First Valentine's Day

Eli is such a joy!  Everyday I fall more and more in love with him!

The Principle of the Path - Book Review

The Principle of the Path by Andy Stanley explores how we end up where we are in life.  Most of us have an idea of the direction we want our life (relationships, career, dreams, ect.) to go, but a lot of times we haven't reached this destination.  This books helps us understand why we aren't where we want to be in life...and how we actually can get there.

Andy Stanley is a great communicator, so his writing style is very easy to follow.  This book uses scriptures, anecdotes, and advice to help the reader evaluate their life choices.  Though it can be a bit repetitive, I think the message in this book and the wisdom gained makes it worth the read.  

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

Purex® Crystals Dryer Sheets Review & Giveaway

I was sent a package of Purex® Crystals Dryer Sheets to review.  When I opened the box, a fresh floral scent flooded the room.  I was surprised that the scent lingered in the kitchen for such a long time after I moved the box to the laundry room.  These fabric sheets would smell great tucked into a clothes hamper, dresser drawer, or even in the middle of a toilet paper roll!  They come in two scents-- Fresh Spring Waters and Lavender Blossom. 

After washing a load of laundry, I threw the clothes in the dryer with one of these fabric softener sheets.  I love that they reduce static cling, repel pet hair/lint, and smell good.  If I could change one thing about these dryer sheets, it would be for them to leave the clothes with a stronger smell.  One of the main reasons I use dryer sheets is to add that extra scent to my laundry.  I was surprised the scent was faint on my clothes, since the sheets are so pungent straight out of the box.  Next time I'll be sure to add a second sheet in there!

The Sweepstakes

To celebrate the release of the New Purex® Crystals Dryer Sheets, the Purex® brand is hosting a Sweepstakes. One grand prize winner will receive $500 and a year’s supply of Purex® Crystals Dryer Sheets, while 50 2nd place winners will receive a coupon for free Purex® Crystals Dryer Sheets!  CLICK HERE to enter!!   Ends May 9th, 2014 at 3pm PT.

The Giveaway
Three lucky winners will receive a FREE box of Purex® Crystals Dryer Sheets!  ENTER BELOW!  :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"The Purex® brand provided me with a sample of Purex® Crystals Dryer Sheets in exchange for a product review.  However, all the opinions expressed here are my own."