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!

Anna 36 weeks and 1 day

The First Snow!!!

Anna at 33 weeks 3 days