Daddy's Turn

Eli and Daddy at Outback on Mommy's Birthday

It's time for Daddy to do a little blogging. Eli has been such a blessing to our family. There is not a day that goes by that I don't thank God for blessing Anna and I with such a beautiful baby. Eli is a laid back little one (although he has his moments, I blame that on Anna's genes). Eli is full of smiles and giggles from the moment he wakes up in the morning, until he goes to bed at night. I can't even attempt to express in words how it feels to go in Eli's room in the morning and see him look up and smile at me. Anna and I have adjusted well to parenthood. Although at times, I am sure Anna feels like she is raising two children.

We have one laid back little boy!

Eli loves to be outside and I take him for walks around the house a lot. He likes to go from tree to tree and touch all the leaves. We go around the yard and I tell him what every plant and flower is named. Of course, he has ripped his fair share of flowers off plants but Daddy doesn't mind a bit. Eli is so curious. His little head is constantly whipping one way and then the other. There is nothing going on around him that he doesn't notice. This curiosity makes it hard for Eli to take naps during the day. He can't bring himself to close his eyes long enough to take a nap. When ever he finally decides to take a nap, it is only for 30 minutes at a time.

Hampden-Sydney Class of 2031

I try to enjoy every second of Eli being this little, but I can't help to think ahead to all of the great times we are going to have once he starts getting around on his own. He has so much to learn. We have to teach him to cast a fishing pole, shoot a jump shot, and make a perfect form tackle. All of these lessons can wait though, because Anna and I are enjoying every second of Eli's development. I can't help but feel like the luckiest man on earth because I have been blessed with such a beautiful family.

Rolly Polly!

Eli is five months old today! Ryan and I could not be more proud of our little boy! He brings so much joy into our lives and he continues to be a great baby! He sleeps through the night, he's rolling over, and he has been eating rice cereal and fruit for about a month now. Boy, is he an eater. I guess he gets that from his daddy! :) Eli loves to be read to, go outside, and his favorite part of the day is still definitely bathtime. He splashes and kicks and it is rare that I am dry when he is done. Ryan and I take him everywhere we go and there isn't a person that he doesn't greet with a smile. Jared says that he looks like a little, old man with no teeth. That's just one thing that he calls him (toad, hermit, Spike the dinosaur from the Land Before Time). I keep telling Eli that Uncle Jared is mean, bu the truth is Eli will probably be a lot like him.
Lately, he has started squealing like a little pig and I have to admit I LOVE IT! It is so funny and he knows exactly what he is doing. When he starts squealing if you squeal back at him he keeps on doing it. Maybe he is blessed with my personality. Poor baby, let's hope not! Eli stays with Great Granny Vivian and Great Papa Roy during the day while I am at work. I always tell him what a lucky little boy he is to have Great Grandparents. Spoiling is Granny's job she says and I just laugh. Plus, I get to spend a lot of time with them too since I go over there everyday so Eli and I are both lucky.As for daddy.... Ryan has been watching the NBA playoffs lately and oh yes! Ryan has a little basketball in Eli's hands almost every night. That's one of daddy's favorite things to do. That reminds me, we need to get that thing out of the drain. Thanks Lucas and Nathan!

Eli LOVES his new toy! Thanks

Daddy!
Mommy's Favorite Face!

Eli teaching Daddy how to read

Such a CUTIE!

Here Comes Peter Cottontail

On Wednesday night Ryan and I took Eli to see the Easter Bunny. Oh no! I have to admit I was a little fearful of taking him because you know you've have seen all those home videos of kids screaming their heads off when they visit Santa or the Easter Bunny. I thought for sure that was what Eli was going to do. Plus, he fell asleep in the car and he does NOT like to be woken up, he likes to wake up on his own. So I just knew that I was in for a double whammy. When we got to the mall Ryan and I took him in, woke him up, and went straight to see the Easter Bunny. WOW! I was so impressed with our little man. He sat right on the Easter Bunny's lap, for about 10 minutes I might add and he did GREAT! He smiled and looked just as cute as ever. The screaming started once we got back in the car. He saved that for mommy and daddy. Take a look at our sweet, little, honey bunny!

Our Little Bunny
Happy Easter!

3 Months and counting. Are you kidding?

Eli turned three months old two Sundays ago. Ryan and I can't believe how big he is getting! He is growing up way too fast! Eli amazes us everyday with the way he changes and the new things that he can do. Yesterday morning he was having tummy time and I noticed that he was getting up on his shoulders so I QUICK grabbed the video camera...... YES! I got it on video. Eli rolled over for the first time. Poor baby! I don't know what scared him more, his mommy screaming and cheering or the fact that he didn't know what in the world he had just done. It was awesome and I was so proud! It is amazing now all of the little things that bring a smile to my face!
Another thing that I especially love about our little guy is that he loves being outside. THANK YOU! I love this since Ryan and I like being out in the sunshine. On Sunday, after we got back home Eli had fallen fast asleep in his carrier. He had only slept about a half an hour since about 9 o'clock that morning. Ryan was hammering away outside and I was vaccuming out the car. Eli was sawing some logs on the sidewalk in his carrier, then the sunshine started peeping in on him. Then I moved him over into the driveway. Oh, how I felt like a bad mommy, but Ryan and I needed to get some things done while Eli was asleep. Finally, all of the noise woke him up and I put him on his boppy on a blanket in the yard and he was in LOVE! He was just smiling and laughing all over himself! I know I say this all of the time, but what a GREAT little baby he is!

Chillin in the Sunshine with my mommy!
Say Cheese!

What is wrong with my parents leaving

me beside the monster truck?

3 Months Old

Road Trip!

This past Monday we headed to Richmond for Eli's first road trip! Boy was he GREAT! We went to watch Liberty play basketball in the Virginia High School League State Tournament. We went to Richmond on Monday night and Eli slept the entire way there. Once we got there, he got up and ate and then Ryan and I went to dinner. We just sat Eli on the table and he hung out with us just like a trooper. I tell you we have a terrific little boy! Once we got back to the hotel we decided to have a photo shoot. We propped Eli up in the bed and on the chair in the room and boy did he think he was BIG. He slept through the night and then we got ready and headed out the next day. We went to Short Pump Towne Center and then to the game. Eli stayed awake the entire time at the game. We got there about 3 o'clock and we didn't leave until about 7 o'clock. He was such the Liberty Basketball Fan! We have to start him out early if he's going to be shooting threes like his daddy!

Cheering on my team! GO BIG BLUE!

I'm such a BIG boy!

Having fun with my daddy!

Night! Night!
(No, we really brought the pack and play.)

I'm ready for my office mom!

Snow and Sunshine!

This past week has had a lot in store for the Stevens' family. Eli saw his very first snow and his first 80 degree day. We ventured out into the snow Sunday night and he seemed to like it, but Monday was another story. Eli definitely did not like the cold and boy was it COLD! He sure was cute though all bundled up in his snow suit. It was probably his last time it. He sure was snug inside of that thing and we took lots and lots of pictures, even with all of his fussing. Poor baby has it rough! Later on in the week our Liberty Minutemen basketball team played for a spot in the Virginia High School League final four basketball championship. GO MINUTEMEN! You can tell that Ryan and I are both very proud of our alma mater. WE WON! Eli enjoyed every minute of the game and he stayed awake the entire time. Lots of smiles, despite the loud crowd! We headed to Richmond tonight so that we can see the boys play tomorrow. Eli is on his first official road trip and I must say that he did great on the way here. What a proud mommy I am! He must love to be on the go just like me!

Liberty's BIGGEST fan!

Proud Mommy!

I am not the biggest blogger by any means. Ryan started this thing anyway, but I am going to use this as a chance to brag. I don't like to brag about anything, but having a son as great as ours gives me a little reason to. WOW! Eli is growing faster than I ever imagined. He is already 11 weeks old and boy is he fun! He smiles all of the time and he loves to stick out his tongue just like his mommy! He is definitely his mother's son. Although, I have to say when he was born he looked just like me, now he looks just like Ryan. He is definitely his father's son too. I have many favorite times during the day with our son and I absolutely love being at home with him until I go back to work. When he wakes in the morning, he gives me the sweetest little smiles, or should I say big smiles and laughs too. He loves to listen to music and dance around the living room and our bedroom. It's amazing the things that babies like. His favorite song is "Sweet Thing" by Keith Urban. When the song comes on he gets so quiet. So I call him my Little Sweet Thing. At night, he loves to lay on mommy and daddy's bed until it is time to go to bed. When we start to read our bedtime story he knows that it is time to go to bed... his eyes may start to close a few times, but then he shows another characteristic of mommy. He pulls out his fiesty side. He balls up his little fists and starts to fuss. He is exhausted, but boy does he fight sleep. I think it's cute! I like to call him "Sassy." Anyway, being a mommy is great and better than I ever expected. It fills our days with such joy and happiness. Although, Eli has only been in our life for about 11 weeks, Ryan and I agree that we don't remember what life was like without him because it is so GREAT with him!

Eli is here!

December 15th was a scary, but GREAT day for Ryan and I. Little did we know that our son would come into the world that day. I woke up sick and went to work to make subplans. Ahhh, the joys of being a teacher. As I was leaving and walking up the hall, Lynda Newcomb said to me, "Just think, you might have that baby tonight." I laughed and told her that I thought I would croak. Well she was right and I haven't croaked yet.

I had a regular doctor's appointment that day, but when I went my blood pressure was up and everything just went crazy from there. Needless to say and despite all of the craziness, Eli arrived at 8:05pm that night. The next couple of days are fuzzy (for me at least). I was on a lot of medicine. I only really remember things that I see in pictures, videos, or what people tell me.

The Lord works in mysterious ways and he brought our son into this world safe and sound. Eli is such a little blessing and Ryan and I are both so thankful for that! Ryan and I are both so thankful for the families that we both have and grateful for all the time spent helping us get into our new role as parents!